Chapter 1973: This Is Your Secret

Zhao Guodong comforted him and said.

Zhang Zhiqiang, burning with rage, shouted at Zhao Guodong: "You're full of shit! I'm in this godforsaken state now, and you still want me to take the college entrance exam? You're trying to ruin me!"

Zhao Guodong paused, then said: "Brother Zhiqiang, calm down first, don't act impulsively. I admit I was wrong back then, but I've changed now. I swear, once you get into college, Guihua will definitely marry you. Believe me!"

Zhang Zhiqiang looked at Zhao Guodong angrily and said: "Zhao Guodong, do you know why I came here today?"

Zhao Guodong shook his head, indicating he didn't know.

"I came for your fiancée! Because your fiancée has agreed to marry me." Zhang Zhiqiang pointed at Chen Guihua and shouted loudly: "I'm taking her away! She must come with me!"

Zhao Guodong froze, staring blankly at Zhang Zhiqiang, inhaling sharply, muttering to himself: "Guihua actually agreed to marry you?"

Hearing this, Chen Guihua quickly said: "Guodong, whether you like it or not, I've made my decision now. No one can change it. Zhiqiang is the husband I chose—I'll stick with him for life!"

"But… can Zhiqiang support you after graduation? Don't forget, you have a daughter to care for. The two of you together, relying only on that meager income, won't be enough, right?" Zhao Guodong said worriedly, "And I know Zhiqiang's family is poor, but he has an older brother working outside who earns more than enough to support the family. Why marry Zhiqiang?"

Chen Guihua sighed and said: "Zhiqiang's brother may earn well, but he has no work experience. Besides, I have no intention of going to college—I plan to venture out to another province."

Zhang Zhiqiang interjected: "Sister Guihua, don't worry. If you're willing to come with me, I'll help you with anything you want to do. I promise I'll work hard and make sure we live comfortably in the future!"

Chen Guihua shook her head: "What I care about most right now is my daughter and my elderly mother. Can you guarantee they'll live well?"

"This…" Zhang Zhiqiang froze. He knew he couldn't lift his parents out of poverty, but he could at least ease his mother's burden and let her enjoy some peace.

"I know you're filial," Zhao Guodong said for Zhang Zhiqiang, "but Guihua isn't easy either. She must support herself and care for her daughter. She's already twenty-five and has never dated anyone—her youth has been wasted. If you marry her, you'll ruin her life. Can you bear to do that?"

Zhang Zhiqiang froze—he hadn't thought of this issue before.

Chen Guihua glared at Zhao Guodong: "Guodong, how can you talk like that? Zhiqiang is a good man—he truly loves me, and he treats my family well. I believe he'll rise to greatness someday!"

Zhao Guodong smiled bitterly: "Guihua, don't be so naive. Zhiqiang's family is too poor, and his parents are son-biased—they'll never afford to marry you. If you marry him, your future will be miserable."

Chen Guihua's face darkened: "Zhao Guodong, on what grounds do you say this? You don't even understand Zhiqiang's family! I think you've been blinded by power and forgotten our old friendship!"

Zhao Guodong's face darkened: "Chen Guihua, what do you mean? Do you think I'm after your family's money? I just don't want you to jump into a fire!"

Hearing this, Zhang Zhiqiang stepped forward, pointing at Zhao Guodong: "Zhao Guodong, it doesn't matter what you say! I've decided—I'm marrying Guihua! Whether you agree or not, she will be my wife!"

Zhao Guodong stared wide-eyed at Zhang Zhiqiang: "Zhiqiang, are you really going to marry Guihua? Aren't you afraid of dragging her down?"

"Dragging her down? You're wrong—I never think Guihua drags me down. On the contrary, with her by my side, I feel braver!" Zhang Zhiqiang said firmly.

Zhao Guodong took a deep breath, fell silent for a moment, then said: "If that's how it is, I have nothing more to say. I only hope you treat Guihua well and give her a happy life."

"Thank you for your blessing," Zhang Zhiqiang said gratefully. "I'll work hard to make Guihua happy."

Zhao Guodong turned and left, his silhouette looking lonely. Zhang Zhiqiang and Chen Guihua held each other tightly, their eyes filled with future expectations and determination.

………………

"Sister Guihua, go home quickly—Xiao Fang's father is looking for you urgently," Zhao Guodong walked into the house and said to Chen Guihua.

Chen Guihua nodded, gave her daughter a few instructions, then hurried off.

After Chen Guihua left, Zhang Zhiqiang sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought—he couldn't understand why he was worse than Zhao Guodong, why Guihua stubbornly chose to marry Zhao Guodong, it was utterly irrational!

"Hey, what's wrong? Are you upset because Chen Guihua got engaged to me?" Zhang Zhiqiang asked, noticing his expression.

Zhao Guodong sighed: "Ah, I guessed it long ago. A good girl like you, so beautiful—who wouldn't love you? Zhiqiang, we've known each other since middle school, you know my nature. I'd never do anything to hurt you! So, don't compete with me for Sister Guihua, okay?"

Zhang Zhiqiang smiled bitterly: "But…"

"Zhiqiang, we've studied together since middle school and never argued. I know you mean well, but I really can't bear to let you go," Chen Guihua's voice came from outside the door: "Please let us be."

Zhao Guodong frowned: "But I haven't graduated yet—my mom won't agree."

"Guodong, don't worry. We won't stay in the city long. I heard from Zhiqiang—once we submit our marriage application, we'll return to the village immediately. My father works at the township government—he'll arrange jobs for us," Chen Guihua urged.

"This… isn't this too hasty?" Zhao Guodong hesitated.

"It's not hasty—I thought it through. We're well matched. Besides, we're both past our prime—we need to plan for our later years. My father is deputy director in the county; his friends are all educated people. If I go with you to the city, I won't be at a disadvantage. As for you, don't worry about me—with my father's protection, who in the village would dare bully you?"

Zhang Zhiqiang said: "Guodong, you're not backing out, are you?"

"No," Zhao Guodong shook his head.

"Good. Didn't you say you had something to tell me?" Zhang Zhiqiang sighed in relief.

"Yes," Zhao Guodong nodded. "Last night, I dreamed of you—and I met you in the dream."

Zhang Zhiqiang frowned slightly. He didn't think this was coincidence—since waking up, except for his weekly dreams, he hadn't dreamed of Zhao Guodong at all, let alone met him in a dream.

Zhang Zhiqiang couldn't help but wonder: "What did you dream about me?" he asked curiously.

Zhao Guodong scratched his head, embarrassed: "What else? Just that I wanted you to help me. But in the dream, you were different—you looked mature, like a big shot. I, on the other hand, was like a child, always following you, begging you to play. Strange thing is—I was your savior in the dream, yet I still feared you."

Zhang Zhiqiang thought for a moment, then laughed: "I get it—you saw me as your superior when we were together."

Zhao Guodong froze, then realized—he had asked Zhang Zhiqiang for help because he didn't want him to reveal what happened. Back then, when he was hospitalized, Zhang Zhiqiang was his psychologist; they were close, so he naturally asked him for help. In his dream, Zhang Zhiqiang naturally became his superior.

"Heh, you're right," Zhao Guodong chuckled awkwardly. "But now it seems I worried for nothing. With you and Sister Guihua together, you won't care about these things."

Zhang Zhiqiang didn't answer, only smiled: "It seems our bond is growing closer."

Zhao Guodong nodded: "Naturally. But I still think you should tell Sister Guihua about this. After all, it's your secret."

"You're wrong," Zhang Zhiqiang shook his head. "It's not a secret—just a coincidence. And even if I don't say anything, Guihua won't care."

Zhao Guodong asked, puzzled: "Why?"

"Because Guihua understands me well," Zhang Zhiqiang smiled.

Zhao Guodong nodded thoughtfully. Though he'd known Chen Guihua only a short time, through their interactions, he'd realized she was indeed a clever girl—beautiful, thoughtful, and empathetic. If she couldn't understand Zhang Zhiqiang's thoughts and actions, that would be strange.

They chatted a while longer, then Zhang Zhiqiang proposed to leave. He wanted to talk more with Zhao Guodong, but this was Chen Guihua's home—he couldn't stay long. Besides, he had to go buy a ring for Chen Guihua.

After leaving Chen Guihua's home, Zhang Zhiqiang went to a nearby jewelry store and bought a ring. He planned to propose to Chen Guihua tonight. Though they'd known each other only briefly, they had deep mutual understanding. He also wanted to marry Chen Guihua quickly and return to the village to care for his mother—she was old and needed someone to look after her.

That night, Zhang Zhiqiang arrived at Chen Guihua's home with the ring. When Chen Guihua saw the ring in his hand, she was overjoyed—she took it and slipped it onto her finger… "Zhiqiang, are you really going back? Isn't your job here good enough?" Chen Guihua asked worriedly.

Zhang Zhiqiang nodded firmly: "Yes, Guihua. I'm going back mainly to care for my mother. She's old and needs someone to look after her. And I also want to start my work there."

Chen Guihua hesitated: "Then we…"

Zhang Zhiqiang smiled and interrupted: "Guihua, don't worry. Even if I go back, our feelings won't change. We can meet often and stay in touch."

Chen Guihua sighed softly: "Alright, I believe you."

After Zhang Zhiqiang returned to his hometown, he began his new job. Although he worked very hard, he found his abilities limited and unable to change the status quo. Meanwhile, Chen Guihua, far away, often thought of him, hoping to do something for him.

Time passed quickly; in the blink of an eye, half a year had gone by. The feelings between Zhang Zhiqiang and Chen Guihua gradually faded. Their communication became less and less, and contradictions gradually emerged.

One night, Zhang Zhiqiang called Chen Guihua. On the phone, he complained, "Guihua, I am really tired now. The pressure at work is great, and I feel my abilities are limited; I cannot handle this job."

Hearing this, Chen Guihua felt somewhat disappointed: "Zhiqiang, you cannot give up like this. You must know that success requires effort. If you cannot overcome even this little difficulty, then how will it work?"

Zhang Zhiqiang, however, remained stubborn: "But I feel I have already done my best. I do not want to go on like this anymore."

Chen Guihua took a deep breath: "Alright, since you say so, I will not force you. But our feelings cannot continue either."

Zhang Zhiqiang was stunned: "Why? Were we not doing well?"

Chen Guihua smiled lightly: "Zhiqiang, you are too naive. How could our feelings remain unaffected? We are too far apart, and you have not made any effort to maintain this relationship."

Zhang Zhiqiang argued: "How have I not made an effort? I..."

Chen Guihua cut him off: "Enough, I do not want to hear your excuses. I feel there is no future between us anymore."

Zhang Zhiqiang fell silent for a moment: "Alright, since you have decided, I will not force you." He hung up the phone, feeling somewhat lost. He had originally thought Chen Guihua would understand and support him, but now it seemed he was wrong. He gazed blankly out the window, not knowing what to do in the future...