For the next few days, Liu Hui took Shu Yan on a grand tour of Shuzhou Province.

During this trip, their affection deepened, reaching a point where neither could truly be without the other.

Regrettably, their vacation time was exhausted, forcing them to temporarily halt their journey.

They returned together to Chuzhou, but they made a pact to travel again when summer arrived this year.

Liu Hui and Shu Yan resumed their working lives.

With the blessing of both sets of parents, they felt they had nothing left to worry about.

Chu Chu also began to see that the two of them were a perfect match, teasing them about being dry wood meeting fierce fire, igniting instantly into a raging blaze.

Shu Yan retorted, urging Chu Chu to hurry up and find her own dry wood and fierce fire, promising that then she would understand the happiness of being burned.

It was a Saturday, and the weather was beautiful.

Liu Hui arrived at Shu Yan’s house early in the morning.

As soon as he entered, he saw Shu Yan’s father exercising in the courtyard.

“Uncle, why are you up so early today?” Liu Hui asked with a smile.

“Heh, Xiao Hui, aren’t you early too? You’re young, you should rest more, unlike us old folks who can’t sleep and wake at the slightest stir.

By the way, Yan Yan said you were coming, so she’s been preparing breakfast in the kitchen early on.

We’re benefiting from your presence, enjoying our daughter’s cooking!” Shu Yan’s father chuckled.

“Dad, are you badmouthing me again?” Shu Yan emerged, carrying a tray with several small plates and pairs of chopsticks, holding steamed buns, pickled vegetables, and rice porridge.

“Good daughter, how would I dare speak ill of you? I was praising you! Don’t believe me? Ask Xiao Hui.

Xiao Hui, isn’t that right? I was just praising our Yan Yan, right?” Shu Yan’s father beamed at Liu Hui.

Liu Hui took the plate from Shu Yan’s hands and smiled, “Yan Yan, Uncle was indeed praising you just now! How could he say anything bad? You know how much he adores you.” Shu Yan picked up a steamed bun and handed it to her father, laughing, “Dad, since Hui Hui says you weren’t badmouthing me, you’ve earned a bun as a reward.” Then Shu Yan turned, looking at Liu Hui tenderly, “Hui Hui, let’s ignore him.

Let’s eat breakfast together.” So Liu Hui took the buns, pickles, and porridge from the plate and began to devour them.

Shu Yan watched him happily eat the breakfast she had prepared with her own hands, while her father sighed beside them—sighs lamenting that a daughter married off is like water spilled, or muttering that a meat bun was barely enough to dismiss a beggar.

After Liu Hui finished breakfast, he shrugged off his outer jacket, bounced a few times on the spot, grabbed the hoe leaning nearby, and started turning over the soil in the courtyard.

After the deep cold of winter, all the plants originally grown in the yard had withered.

Now the ground needed to be leveled for sowing new seeds.

In previous years, this strenuous labor was done by Shu Yan’s father, but this year, the task fell to Liu Hui, the fresh source of strength.

Liu Hui had done farm work back in his hometown, so he handled turning the soil with practiced ease and comfort.

Shu Yan sat smiling on the ground, watching Liu Hui swing the hoe, finding even his earth-turning movements handsome.

In her eyes, anything Liu Hui did, no matter how mundane, captivated her; she felt she could watch him forever.

Liu Hui hoed for a while until his body warmed up, a slight mist of heat rising from his head.

Seeing this, Shu Yan felt a pang of concern.

“Hui Hui, rest for a bit.

It’s still early!” Liu Hui laughed, “It’s fine.

I’ll finish this plot quickly.

I’ll rest after I’m done!” Shu Yan suddenly walked over, took the hoe from Liu Hui’s grip, and smiled, “Hui Hui, you rest first! Let me try and see what hoeing feels like.” Liu Hui wiped the sweat from his face and chuckled, “Yan Yan, maybe not! Hoeing feels novel at the beginning, but it gets tiring quickly.

I don’t want to exhaust you.” Shu Yan insisted, “Hui Hui, just let me try! You can guide me from the side; I’m bored anyway.” Shu Yan’s father sat comfortably in a lounge chair in the courtyard and sighed, “When I hoe alone, you never offer to help me, but now you’re rushing to do it.

Girls really change once they grow up; this transformation is huge.

Not just their looks, but their hearts have changed too.” Shu Yan laughed, “Dad, it’s rare that I want to experience what hoeing is like; don’t dampen my enthusiasm!” So Liu Hui sat nearby to rest, watching Shu Yan clumsily hoe the soil along with her father.

“Hui Hui, what do you think of my hoeing posture?” Shu Yan asked.

Liu Hui nodded.

“Hmm, not bad.

It actually has a bit of a hoeing look to it.” Shu Yan was delighted, but her father immediately undercut her enthusiasm, saying, “You call that a hoeing posture? I bet if we found a stray kitten or puppy, their stances would be far more proper than the one you’re striking now!” Shu Yan retorted, “As long as Hui Hui likes my posture, that’s all that matters.

Dad, you’re just jealous of me, saying that.” Hearing Shu Yan’s words, Liu Hui just laughed beside them, and Shu Yan’s father resumed his long sighs about how his daughter had changed.

As the three of them enjoyed this harmonious moment, Shu Yan suddenly let out a sharp cry and stopped hoeing abruptly.

Liu Hui and her father both jumped in alarm and rushed over, supporting her.

“Yan Yan, what happened?” Tears welled up in Shu Yan’s eyes as she pointed at her foot.

“Hui Hui, it hurts! I stepped on something under my foot; it pierced right into my sole.” Liu Hui was startled.

He quickly lifted Shu Yan onto his back and placed her on the lounge chair nearby, then carefully examined her foot.

He saw a shard of glass embedded beneath her shoe, shimmering with a seductive, unnatural light.

Liu Hui’s expression darkened.

“Yan Yan, don’t move.

You stepped on glass.

I’ll take you to the nearby clinic right now.

Trust me, you’ll be fine.” With that, Liu Hui carried Shu Yan out the door, with her father anxiously following behind.

They went to a clinic near their street.

The doctor there carefully cut open Shu Yan’s shoe with scissors.

After cleaning and examining the wound, they found that the glass had only grazed her sole; the injury wasn't serious and only required some antiseptic application to heal.

The clinic doctor used forceps to pull out the vibrantly colored shard embedded in Shu Yan’s foot, tossed the glass into the nearby trash bin, and then applied medicine to her foot.

Watching the doctor throw the glass away, Liu Hui felt an inexplicable surge of worry.

He said to Shu Yan, “Yan Yan, maybe we should go to a bigger hospital just to be sure.

I have a strange feeling about this.” Shu Yan had felt intense pain when the glass first pierced her, but it had subsided significantly now.

However, feeling Liu Hui’s deep concern, she replied happily, “Okay, Hui Hui, let’s go to a large hospital for a checkup!” So Liu Hui carried Shu Yan again, accompanied by her father, to the central city hospital.

After two long hours of registering, queuing, and waiting, the hospital finally conducted a thorough examination of Shu Yan’s wound.

In the end, the doctor assured them that the injury was minor—just needing some ointment and anti-inflammatory medication.

It was only then that Liu Hui truly breathed a sigh of relief.

He happily carried Shu Yan back home with her father.

Shu Yan, now temporarily disabled, could only lie on the lounge chair and watch Liu Hui work the soil.

Shu Yan’s father couldn't help but feel a bit smug, laughing, “Haha, Yan Yan, it seems even heaven couldn't stand watching you hoe with such an awkward posture.” Shu Yan shot back at her father, “So what if I’m injured? Didn’t you see how worried Hui Hui was about me? That’s why I’m actually very happy today.” Liu Hui hoed while listening to the father and daughter bicker, finding the atmosphere wonderfully warm.

Shu Yan stretched out her bandaged leg, lying on the chair to watch Liu Hui labor.

Under the encouragement of her gaze, Liu Hui worked with extraordinary vigor.

By afternoon, he had not only completely leveled the plot but had also sown seeds for various plants, watered, and fertilized the soil.

Liu Hui set down the watering can, clapped his hands, and laughed, “Haha, the day’s task is finally done! By summer, we’ll be harvesting flowers and crops from this garden.” Shu Yan smiled, “Hui Hui, I contributed to this too; don't forget that.” Liu Hui laughed, “How could I forget my Yan Yan’s contribution? If it weren't for your powerful gaze of encouragement, I might not have finished this plot even by tomorrow.” Shu Yan held out her hand.

Liu Hui paused, asking, “What for?” Shu Yan stated, “I want you to carry me inside.” Liu Hui chuckled, “Aren’t you afraid I’m too dirty?” Shu Yan continued to hold her hand out.

Liu Hui smiled, walked over, picked her up, and by instinct, they leaned in and kissed.

Shu Yan’s father sighed, “Young people’s emotions are so rich these days.

Back in our time, we would never dare kiss so openly in broad daylight.” Shu Yan laughed, “That’s why you’re my dad!” Shu Yan’s father was momentarily confused about why his status as a father precluded him from kissing in broad daylight.

After dinner, Liu Hui carried Shu Yan back to her room.

They stayed closely together for a long time before Liu Hui finally said his farewells and left.

After Liu Hui left, Shu Yan immediately retrieved her iron box and took out a brand-new diary.

The previous thick notebook was completely filled, and she was now starting the new one.

In the new diary, Shu Yan wrote: “March 1, 2008, Saturday.

Today, while helping Hui Hui hoe the ground, my sole was cut by glass.

Hui Hui was extremely worried about me.

He carried me to the clinic and, still uneasy, insisted we go to the city hospital for a checkup.

As I rested against his shoulder, I felt profoundly safe, because I know that as long as Hui Hui is by my side, I fear nothing.

So even though I was injured today, it was a happy day…” The next day, Liu Hui rushed to Shu Yan’s house early again.

Knowing her foot injury made movement difficult and fearing she would be bored, he specifically came to keep her company.

Indeed, Shu Yan was overjoyed to see Liu Hui come to stay with her.

They stayed close in the room, rarely coming out except for meals.

Shu Yan’s parents watched them shake their heads and sigh repeatedly, envying the happiness of the young while regretting their own lost youth.

And so, Liu Hui spent the entire weekend with Shu Yan.

Since her foot injury hadn't fully healed, Liu Hui arranged two days of leave for her from the factory.

When Chu Chu noticed Shu Yan wasn't at work, she asked Liu Hui for details.

After Liu Hui explained about the foot injury, Chu Chu said she would visit Shu Yan that evening.

That evening, Liu Hui and Chu Chu arrived at Shu Yan’s room to find her walking around, her foot injury seemingly much better.

She was overjoyed to see Liu Hui and Chu Chu.

Just as Chu Chu prepared to hug Shu Yan, she found Shu Yan already locked in an embrace and kiss with Liu Hui, completely ignoring her good friend.

“Alas! My once incomparably pure little Shu Yan, when did you become so uninhibited?” Chu Chu mused inwardly.

“Hui Hui, my foot injury is much better.

It should be completely healed tomorrow, and then I can go back to work with you,” Shu Yan said happily.

Liu Hui was equally happy to hear this and repeatedly urged Shu Yan to take good care of herself.

Shu Yan sat on the edge of the bed, smiling as she watched Liu Hui fuss over her, then scratched her own face a few times with her hand.

“Yan Yan, what are you doing?” Chu Chu exclaimed in alarm.

“What’s wrong, Chu Chu?” Shu Yan asked, confused by Chu Chu’s loud tone.

“Yan Yan, why are you scratching your face so hard? Didn’t you notice the red welts appearing on your face? If you had scratched any harder, you might have broken your skin,” Chu Chu said, sounding displeased.

Liu Hui was alarmed and rushed to look.

Sure enough, several red streaks marred Shu Yan’s smooth face, looking exceedingly strange.

Shu Yan gasped and immediately grabbed the mirror nearby, startled herself.

She said sheepishly, “I was listening to Hui Hui talk too intently just now, I guess I used too much force scratching my face.

I won’t do it again.” Liu Hui and Chu Chu finally relaxed.

Indeed, Shu Yan never scratched her face so vigorously again in the following time.

The next day, Shu Yan remained home resting while Liu Hui worked at the factory.

Around eleven in the morning, Liu Hui suddenly received a call from Shu Yan’s father, insisting he return immediately for some urgent matter.

When Liu Hui asked what happened, Shu Yan’s father said it was too complicated to explain over the phone and better discussed in person.

Liu Hui felt a sudden chill and a premonition of bad luck.

When he quickly requested leave and rushed back to Shu Yan’s house, he found Shu Yan’s parents pacing anxiously in the living room.

Upon seeing him, they said, “Xiao Hui, go up and check on Yan Yan!” Liu Hui anxiously asked, “Uncle, Auntie, what happened to Yan Yan?” Shu Yan’s father sighed, “Xiao Hui, you’ll know when you go up and see her.” Liu Hui climbed the stairs with growing unease.

When he reached Shu Yan’s room door, he found it locked from the inside.

He began knocking, saying, “Yan Yan, it’s Liu Hui, I’ve come to see you.

Please open the door!” A flurry of muffled noise came from inside, followed by Shu Yan’s voice, “Hui Hui, I don’t feel well today.

Please come back another day!” Liu Hui pressed, “Yan Yan, open the door quickly! Didn’t you say that even if you felt sick, you would get better right away as long as I was by your side?” Shu Yan pleaded, “Hui Hui, please go away.

I really have nothing wrong; I’ll be fine soon.” Liu Hui immediately sensed something was wrong in her words.

What did she mean by ‘fine soon’? Had her foot injury relapsed? And why wouldn't she let him see her? These thoughts filled Liu Hui with mounting dread.

Liu Hui went downstairs and asked, “Uncle, what exactly happened to Shu Yan? Why won’t she see me?” Shu Yan’s father hesitated, but her mother spoke up, “Xiao Hui, we don’t know what happened either.

When we woke up this morning, we suddenly found many small bumps on Yan Yan’s face.

Upon closer inspection, we realized it wasn't just her face—her whole body was covered in these bumps.

Our Yan Yan is a girl who cares about her appearance; how could she let you see her looking hideous covered in bumps?” Liu Hui was shocked.

“Shu Yan’s whole body is covered in small bumps? Everywhere?” Shu Yan’s mother nodded.

“Yes, we have no idea why.

We saw that Yan Yan’s mood was off, so we called you back to see if you had any good way to comfort her.

I’m afraid Yan Yan might do something drastic.” Liu Hui suddenly felt frantic.

He asked, “Auntie, do you have the key to Yan Yan’s room?” Shu Yan’s mother took out a key and handed it to Liu Hui.

Liu Hui went back upstairs and called out to Shu Yan, “Yan Yan, I’m going to open the door now.” Shu Yan panicked, immediately bracing the door from the inside, crying out, “No! Hui Hui, you can’t come in.

I don’t want you to see me like this.” The boss hasn't left yet, so I’m rushing to type this out and upload it so everyone can read it first! RO