Chapter 116: The Three Essentials of New Love

“Cough, cough~”

Li Ye turned his gaze away, no longer looking at Wen Leyu.

He had to restrain himself, to conceal it.

Because Wen Leyu’s little face was already burning up.

The girl might not understand love, but she was extremely sensitive, extremely clever.

Li Ye had merely admired the mountain peaks through the mist, revealing just a hint of human nature—and Wen Leyu had immediately grown flustered, faintly resisting the urge to flee.

【Good girl, don’t recklessly desecrate—savor slowly, possess slowly, that’s best.】

Li Ye began rowing again; Wen Leyu splashed him with even more water, but he made no move to retaliate.

Only then did Wen Leyu look down and realize her shirtfront was soaked!

The girl turned bright red, spun around, and faced the bow of the boat, giving Li Ye a flustered back.

In Qinghe County, Wen Leyu had been fed Li Ye’s high-protein meals for over half a year—she was clearly growing again, no longer the thin, undernourished girl she once was.

Teacher Ke had strictly taught her “self-protection” awareness amid the chaos; after returning to Jingcheng, she’d even read some of those things in the library.

Now she finally understood why Li Ye’s eyes had burned just now.

【How could he look at me like that? But he seemed to realize his mistake—he stopped looking right away.】

【I should forgive him—it’s not really his fault.】

Shy and flustered, Wen Leyu grabbed the willow branch she’d torn off and whipped it furiously against the lake surface at the bow—frustrated, uncertain.

This made Li Ye uneasy too.

【It was unintentional, all unintentional, girl. It’s not my fault—this heart of mine, long dead and dry, couldn’t possibly withstand the teasing of a girl like you!】

【Pfft, excuse me! Shameless.】

Li Ye rowed the small boat slowly toward the sun.

He hoped the August sun would quickly dry Wen Leyu’s clothes and dissolve the awkwardness between them.

This was, in fact, their first proper “date”—it must leave beautiful memories, a beautiful outcome.

“Row over there—those old houses look interesting.”

Wen Leyu suddenly took charge again, directing Li Ye’s course.

Li Ye felt immense relief, his tension easing.

The girl was so considerate—she was actively diffusing the awkwardness between them!

Watching Wen Leyu’s back turned to him, Li Ye felt deeply satisfied.

【Sigh, my girl’s grown up—her little butt’s even starting to perk up.】

But an hour later, Li Ye discovered Wen Leyu had grown not just her little butt—her courage had grown too.

Her chest was dry now; she turned back, staring at Li Ye as if nothing had happened.

She propped her chin, smiled, and flicked the willow branch at him.

【You like looking at me, don’t you?】

【Go ahead, stare all you want—I’m looking at you too!】

【Beauty is appetizing—not just for girls!】

Li Ye had to admit: under certain special atmospheres, a girl’s growth could be astonishing.

Of course, Wen Leyu likely already realized that over the past half-year, the two of them had unknowingly taken their first step.

Now she finally understood: the vague, confused feeling Li Ye had planted in her heart long ago was, in fact, “liking.”

Li Ye and Wen Leyu rowed for most of the afternoon, even buying a second ticket midway, before returning thoroughly satisfied.

After pulling out their bicycles, Li Ye said: “Let’s find somewhere close to eat, then go see a movie, okay?”

Eat, shop, watch a movie, take a little trip—no, no, no,

Eat, shop, watch a movie—these are the three essentials of a new romance! Li Ye must give Wen Leyu the full package today!

“Watch a movie?”

But Wen Leyu replied in surprise: “Aren’t you coming to my place for dinner tonight?

My mom said this morning she’d take half a day off to cook for you—what’s wrong, don’t you want to go?”

“.”

Li Ye froze, then laughed helplessly: “You should’ve told me sooner! Look at the time—hurry, I’ll ride you there.”

Wen Leyu reluctantly said: “I’ll ride you—I’m the one who should take you on the first day.”

Li Ye snatched the bicycle: “You can ride me tomorrow—right now we’re pressed for time. I’ll ride. We still need to pick up our luggage at the station.”

Wen Leyu assured him: “Don’t worry—even if you don’t pick it up for three days, it won’t disappear.”

Li Ye hoisted Wen Leyu onto the back and pedaled hard: “I’m visiting your home for the first time—do you think I should show up empty-handed?”

Wen Leyu sat behind, sounding odd: “Why would you bring anything to my place?

My dad says anyone who brings gifts is asking him for favors—so are you asking him for a favor?”

“.”

Li Ye had no reply—he couldn’t say, “I’m here to ask your dad for a favor—I’m asking him to give me his precious daughter, and to let her love me so deeply she’ll bear me children.”

Li Ye pedaled furiously, pushing the bicycle to forty kilometers per hour.

Wen Leyu suddenly comforted him from behind: “You don’t need to rush—Mom won’t blame you. She really likes you.”

Li Ye pedaled even harder, leaving Wen Leyu puzzled.

When they reached the train station’s storage area, it was nearly five o’clock.

Li Ye frantically pulled out his two large bags and began stuffing items into Wen Leyu’s backpack.

“I already have one of these tape players—keep it!”

“You already have one? Give it to your brother—I bought two.”

“Oh oh, then whose are all these colorful clothes?”

“For you. We won’t take them today—we can’t carry them all. I’ll bring them to your school another day.”

“Oh oh, whatever you say.”

Wen Leyu stood watching Li Ye scramble, quietly realizing: more than half of his two bags were meant for her.

【What to do? Should I talk to him now about saving money, not wasting it—or wait till later? Hmm, I’ll definitely have a serious talk with him later.】

When Li Ye and Wen Leyu arrived at the Zhongliang family compound, it was just after five, the end of the workday.

He stopped the bicycle far off and asked: “Should we go in separately, or together?”

Li Ye had to ask Wen Leyu’s opinion—if they rode in together, every neighbor would see.

Wen Leyu rolled her eyes at Li Ye: “Stop dawdling—hurry up, or should I ride you?”

“.”

Li Ye, moved, said nothing—just pedaled harder.

Thinking back then: he’d spent his money, taken out loans, pampered his goddess, even fired the cannon—

Only for her to tell her colleagues he was just a “regular friend,” never even introducing him to family or friends.

Damn it, Li Ye later calculated the cost: thousands per time—almost as expensive as high-end services.

But what kind of girl was Wen Leyu now? What was her attitude toward him?

In truth, since arriving in this world, Li Ye’s greatest sense of accomplishment wasn’t easily earning nearly a million.

Though a million in 1982 was extremely valuable.

But Li Ye knew too many opportunities—just pick one idea, seize one chance, and money would never be a problem.

Li Ye’s greatest achievement was finding Wen Leyu.

She was a girl who, once committed, belonged to you completely and wholeheartedly.

Right now, Wen Leyu hadn’t even considered backup plans—she hadn’t thought about whether she’d need a spare in her long life.

Even in the 1980s, such girls and such love weren’t rare—but Li Ye still believed Wen Leyu was his luckiest encounter, his most precious possession.

Li Ye brought Wen Leyu into the compound; Old Lu at the guardhouse glanced over, surprised.

This Wen girl had left a strong impression on him—cold, distant, keeping everyone at arm’s length—why was she suddenly so close to this young man?

【Hmm, the boy’s not bad-looking—looks really do matter.】

Old Lu suddenly felt a pang of envy.

“Mom, I’m back—dinner ready?”

“Long done—just waiting for you two.”

Teacher Ke stepped out of the kitchen, smiling at Li Ye: “Li Ye, sit down. Xiao Yu, come help me carry the dishes.”

Li Ye hurried to offer help, but Wen Guohua, Wen Leyu’s brother, stepped out of the room and smiled to stop him.

“Brother, didn’t expect to see you so soon! We already agreed—you’re treating me to drinks in Jingcheng, and tonight you’re not getting out of it.”

“My drinking ability might be average.”

Li Ye truly didn’t know his limit—he’d only drunk a few times since arriving in this world, mostly with Jin Peng and others, so he had no idea how much he could handle.

“Average drinking has an average way—so long as your heart’s sincere, anything goes.”

At home, Wen Guohua was far more approachable than he’d been in Qinghe County.

The last time they met, Wen Guohua had been the typical second-generation type—today, he felt like a genuine friend.

After the food and wine were served, Wen Qingsheng returned, exchanged warm greetings, and poured Li Ye’s wine himself.

Li Ye kept declining, but Wen Qingsheng insisted, and Li Ye had no choice.

Yet as he watched Wen Qingsheng pour a cup for Wen Leyu, and before Ke Laoshi could object, Li Ye felt utterly overwhelmed.

Indeed, Wen Qingsheng raised his cup solemnly and said simply: “I won’t say more than necessary, but from now on, consider this your home—don’t be formal.”

“I understand, Uncle Wen.”

“Ah, I love hearing that ‘uncle’—bottoms up.”

The entire Wen family drank their cups in one go, even Wen Leyu downed hers in a single swallow.

Li Ye could only smile bitterly—this damned pressure and warmth nearly overwhelmed even a fraud like him.

But the atmosphere at the table soon grew relaxed; Wen Qingsheng asked about Li Ye’s family, especially Li Zhongfa’s background, which won him great favor.

Upon learning that Li Ye had trained in bayonet combat with his grandfather, Wen Qingsheng nearly challenged him to a sparring match, until Ke Laoshi scolded him.

Compared to Wen Qingsheng, Wen Guohua appeared youthful yet mature, remarkably composed.

When Li Ye asked, he learned Wen Guohua was already employed, yet also attending night school—specifically Renmin University at Qingbei’s People’s Science Institute.

In the early 1980s, full-time university enrollment slots were limited, so night school emerged as a practical solution, offering decent benefits in its early years.

Though Wen Guohua had missed the prime years for study and had to start working immediately to catch up, with Ke Laoshi as his protector, his education could still be salvaged.

After a few shots of strong liquor, the men at the table gradually loosened up.

“Come on, Li Ye, let’s have another drink. Drink slowly.”

“Brother, your drinking capacity is truly extraordinary.”

“Let’s open another bottle.”

Li Ye was grateful his current life’s alcohol tolerance was excellent—he watched the two future relatives get thoroughly drunk, his favor level rising by two tiers.

Finally, Ke Laoshi stepped in, toasting Li Ye one last time, after which Li Ye immediately put on his best acting performance, feigning intoxication and taking his leave.

Wen Leyu, who had remained silent until now, immediately frowned: “You just told you could treat this as home—why stay at a hotel? Your room was cleaned yesterday.”

【Wait, sis, aren’t you moving a bit too fast? I’m not used to this!】

【Oh no, oh no, are you being this warm because you want me to marry into the family?】

Today’s state must’ve been off—short chapter, and I’ve got a headache. Apologies.

Thank you to reader “Sheng Wu Suo Lian” for the 5000-coin tip, thank you to all readers for your tips, thank you to reader “Feng Ming Niao Ming Shan Geng You” for your tip, thank you to reader “Yi Zhen Jian Xue De Pen Shen” for your tip—thank you all.

(End of chapter)