It must be that Zhou Tengyun, consumed by thoughts of his deceased wife, Cai Lufeng, had done something inexplicable to Yu Xin, and now Yu Xin's guardian, Liu Lin, had come seeking justice from him.

The terrifying possibility hit Liu Hui, giving him a splitting headache—this matter was far more troublesome than Mei Peng getting caught cheating. He said, "Linlin, rest assured, I will definitely have a serious talk with Old Third Zhou; he is being completely out of line."

Liu Lin paused, asking, "Why are you talking about Old Third Zhou? What is he doing that's out of line?" Liu Hui replied, "Didn't you say something happened between Old Third Zhou and Yu Xin? Who else would I talk about if not Old Third Zhou?"

Liu Lin sighed, saying, "Actually, this matter is quite complicated. While Old Third Zhou is somewhat at fault, strictly speaking, it has nothing to do with him."

Liu Hui grew confused and asked, "Linlin, what exactly happened? Can you please explain it clearly?" Liu Lin gritted her teeth and said, "The thing is, our Yu Xin has fallen in love with Old Third Zhou, and she insists on marrying no one but him." "What?" This time, Liu Hui was truly shocked. He jumped up, overturning the table in front of him.

Hu Xian'er, standing nearby, expressed her displeasure: "It’s such a small matter, why are you reacting so strongly?" Liu Hui roared, "How can this be a small matter? I think it’s a huge deal."

Hu Xian'er then asked Liu Lin, "Linlin, ignore him, please continue. What exactly happened?" Liu Lin explained, "Every time Old Third Zhou visited our home, he would take Yu Xin out to play. Since this had always been the case, we didn't pay much attention. Unexpectedly, a few days ago, when Old Third Zhou took Yu Xin out again, Yu Xin confessed her feelings to him. She directly told him she loved him, wanted to marry him, and be together forever. As a result, Old Third Zhou, utterly startled, fled in panic right there on the spot and then completely disappeared. We haven't been able to locate him until now. And Yu Xin, seeing that Zhou not only rejected her love but also ran away and then vanished, is heartbroken. Now, she spends her days weeping, constantly murmuring Old Third Zhou's name, and has become alarmingly thin."

Hu Xian'er was also greatly surprised. She said, "Something like this actually happened? It's no wonder Zhou Tengyun is avoiding this. For so many years, he treated little Yu Xin like his own daughter. Who would have thought one day Yu Xin would express romantic feelings toward him? It’s a wonder he didn't bolt away sooner."

Liu Hui frowned: "How old is Yu Xin this year? How did she learn about romance?" Liu Lin countered indignantly, "Our Yu Xin is already fifteen this year; it's the age when feelings first stir. Why shouldn't she be allowed to fall in love?"

Hu Xian'er remarked, "Fifteen years old, that's precisely when one dreams most about love. Anything a little excessive might be understandable." Liu Hui ignored Hu Xian'er's interruption and asked, "Doesn't Yu Xin know that Old Third Zhou views her as a daughter?" Liu Lin sighed, "Of course she knows, but we all underestimated this child. She suffered a terrible catastrophe when she was very young; her parents were killed right before her eyes. Because of that, she became sensible early on and developed her own strong opinions. Later, I asked little Yu Xin why she likes Old Third Zhou. She said she fell for him the moment he saved her from under the bed that night, and her greatest wish was to marry him when she grew up and take good care of him."

Liu Hui then remembered that time he and Zhou Tengyun went to the headquarters of the 'Taming' organization in Africa, pursuing and killing assassins along the way. One of the assassins, escaping, had killed Yu Xin's parents, and Zhou Tengyun found Yu Xin hiding under the bed. He recalled that she had been unusually quiet back then, not crying or making a fuss, but he never imagined she had fixed that moment in her memory regarding Zhou Tengyun.

Connecting this memory with Zhou Tengyun and Yu Xin’s interactions, Liu Hui suddenly understood. He said, "I remember now. Every time Zhou Tengyun introduced Yu Xin, he called her his daughter, but Yu Xin always seemed a bit reluctant. And she never once called Zhou Tengyun 'Dad'; she always called him Uncle Zhou. Later, when Old Third Zhou tried to change Yu Xin's name to Zhou Yuxin, she even objected, saying her name was Xie Yuxin. Considering all this, perhaps little Yu Xin made up her mind back then—not to acknowledge Old Third Zhou as her father, not to share his surname—all so she could marry him when she grew up?" Liu Lin sighed, "Yes, Yu Xin has held this wish since childhood, she just never showed it. After she came to live with us, she constantly collected news about Zhou Tengyun in her free time, inquiring about his circumstances everywhere. That night when she was in danger at the warehouse, Yu Xin almost rushed out when she saw Zhou Tengyun injured. If I hadn't held her back, the consequences could have been disastrous."

"But even so, Mei Peng and I both assumed the child was just concerned for her adoptive father, so we showed her more affection and care than usual, never realizing she had already fallen in love with Old Third Zhou." Liu Hui asked dumbly, "So why are you coming to me now? What do you plan to do?" Liu Lin paused, then said, "Find Zhou Tengyun for me, and bring him to our house. Whatever needs to be said, he must explain it clearly to Yu Xin in person..."

Liu Hui said, "Finding Zhou Tengyun is easy, but getting him to face Yu Xin will be difficult. You have to realize their relationship is suddenly shifting from father-daughter to lovers—such a huge change; he might not be able to process it. Also, what are you and Mei Peng thinking? Do you plan to support Yu Xin’s choice or break up this pair?" Liu Lin replied, "Having lived with Yu Xin for so many years, we already treat her like our own child. Mei Peng and I truly wish for Yu Xin to have a happy and joyful future, but she fell for the damned Old Third Zhou, and she’s absolutely determined about it. Mei Peng and I discussed it, and we finally decided to find Old Third Zhou and let him have a serious talk with Yu Xin. No matter what decision the two of them ultimately make, we will support them." Liu Hui thought for a moment and asked, "Is this just your thought, or is it yours and Mei Peng’s?" Liu Lin replied, "Of course, it's Mei Peng's and mine. Do you think I'm lying to you? It's just that Mei Peng is more reserved; when faced with something like this, he gets too embarrassed, which is why he sent me to find you."

Liu Hui said, "Linlin, generally speaking, a young girl experiencing her first crush will intensely like one person for a period, and then after that time passes, she will slowly forget that person. Do you think Yu Xin might be experiencing this?" Liu Lin countered, "What you say makes sense, but Yu Xin's situation isn't like that, because she's held this idea since childhood; it won't fade away with time. But even so, we must find Old Third Zhou now, or Yu Xin will get into serious trouble if this continues."

Liu Hui rubbed his temples helplessly and said, "Fine, I will try to contact Old Third Zhou. As for whether he’ll go to Yu Xin’s place, I can’t guarantee that." Liu Lin understood that the matter was difficult. Seeing Liu Hui nod and agree to help, she felt a slight easing of the sorrow in her heart. She then took her leave to go home, intending to care for Yu Xin while awaiting the latest news from Liu Hui.

After Liu Lin left, Liu Hui stared blankly in his room for a while, muttering, "Such a thing could actually happen. It’s truly unbelievable! Is this the real-life version of how unpredictable the world is?"

Hu Xian'er shot Liu Hui a look and said, "What's so strange about that? I think it's quite good. Women like men, men like women—it's the natural order! If both parties are willing, what right do we outsiders have to criticize?" Liu Hui argued, "But don't they share that kind of relationship? And after so many years, suddenly wanting to change..." Hu Xian'er cut him off, "What relationship do they have? Are they biological father and daughter? No. There's no blood relation between them. Since that's the case, why can't they love each other?"

Liu Hui conceded, "I know they can love each other, but Zhou Tengyun is stubborn. If he can't wrap his head around it, this entire matter will be impossible to resolve. Doesn't this put me in a position where I offend Zhou Tengyun and Mei Peng at the same time? This is truly a tricky situation."

Hu Xian'er coldly retorted, "You still have the mood to meddle in other people's family affairs when your own situation hasn't even been settled yet!"

A cold sweat instantly broke out on Liu Hui’s forehead. He immediately shut up, not wanting to provoke Hu Xian'er further.

He heard Hu Xian'er say, "Actually, Shu Yan is quite pitiful, isn't she? Coming back to the present all by herself from the future, losing everything, without a single relative by her side. Yet even so, she still cannot obtain the love she deeply yearns for. Little Yu Xin at least has a glimmer of hope, so Shu Yan should be far more pitiable than little Yu Xin!" Liu Hui kept his head down, daring not to show any reaction. Hu Xian'er continued, "I heard that when Shu Yan cooks at home, she always prepares enough food for two people, as if she’s constantly hoping someone will join her for dinner. Sadly, every meal ends up being eaten by her alone. What a waste." Liu Hui's heart surged, and he could hold back no longer. He looked up and asked, "Xian'er, what do you mean by saying all this?"

Hu Xian'er replied, "I don't mean anything specific! I’m just telling the story of a pitiable girl! Oh, by the way, I’m eating at Dad’s place tonight, so you'll have to sort out your own dinner!" With a sway of her hips, she elegantly entered her room.

Liu Hui was utterly confused, unsure what Hu Xian'er meant by suddenly saying those things. Was she encouraging him to pursue Shu Yan? But wasn't she the one who hated his womanizing the most? Why such a drastic change in attitude today?

Liu Hui couldn't figure it out for a long time. He paced around the room a few times, still feeling worried about Shu Yan. He called out towards the room, "Xian'er, I think I’ll go check on Shu Yan. What do you think?"

Hu Xian'er’s voice came back, "Who cares where you go! I'm going to Father's place shortly anyway." Liu Hui tried testing again, "Xianni, I’m really going now..."

No sound came from the room this time. Liu Hui picked up his coat and said, "Xian'er, I’m really leaving now..."

In fact, until Liu Hui left the house and closed the door, he never heard a sound from Hu Xian'er inside the room.

Unbeknownst to Liu Hui, the moment he left, Hu Xian'er was already weeping uncontrollably, the pain of having to send the man she loved away for someone else to share tearing her heart apart.

Liu Hui went out, lingering hesitantly as he approached Shu Yan’s house. He stood before her door, hesitated for a moment, and then rang the doorbell. Shu Yan opened the door quickly. When she saw Liu Hui standing there, a flash of pleasant surprise crossed her eyes, but it vanished immediately as the joy left her face, and she moved to close the door.

Liu Hui smiled and said, "Yanyan, you’re closing the door just because you saw me?"

Shu Yan pushed hard against the door and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Liu Hui pushed firmly, forcing the door open. He chuckled, "Yanyan, I’m hungry and want to get something to eat at your place. You wouldn’t turn me away, would you?"

Shu Yan said, "I only prepared enough food for one person, so you should go home and eat. Someone there is specifically taking care of you." Liu Hui smiled, "Yanyan, why are you sounding so bitter? I’m genuinely hungry. Let me in quickly!" Without waiting for Shu Yan's protest, he walked straight into the room. There, on the dining table, he discovered two sets of bowls and chopsticks already laid out, and the aroma of cooked food drifted from the kitchen.

Liu Hui quickly took a seat at the table and grinned, "Did Yanyan know I was coming, so she prepared a set of chopsticks and bowls for me in advance?"

Seeing Liu Hui already seated, Shu Yan had no choice. She walked into the kitchen and said, "Then make do with what I have; my cooking isn't elaborate."

Watching Shu Yan bustling in the kitchen, Liu Hui noticed that in just a few months, she had grown severely thin, looking as if a gust of wind might blow her over. Subtle lines of worry and sorrow were etched between her brows, making her look nothing like a vibrant girl in her prime at twenty.

Liu Hui felt a pang of heartbreak. Shu Yan was truly an extraordinary woman; for the sake of her love, she abandoned a comfortable life in the future and traveled back in time with the sole purpose of being with him. Although she had deceived him, from the perspective of love, Shu Yan’s lies were not wrong.

Moreover, his current standing was entirely due to Shu Yan. In contrast, Shu Yan herself was stranded in this strange time and space, having lost not only her family but everything else, and now she carried such a heavy emotional burden.

Shu Yan fussed in the kitchen for over ten minutes before bringing out the dishes already cooked. Liu Hui looked and saw that, indeed, there was enough food for two people. Furthermore, these dishes were all the ones Liu Hui had loved most when he was in Chuzhou. His taste had changed after his memory loss, but Shu Yan had never forgotten Liu Hui’s preferences, subconsciously believing he still loved these dishes, so she had cooked them out of habit.

Shu Yan sat across from Liu Hui and began eating sparingly. Liu Hui observed that Shu Yan’s favorite item on the table was a plate of fermented tofu. When Shu Yan first visited Liu Hui’s hometown in Bashan from Chuzhou, this dish of fermented tofu was her absolute favorite. To his surprise, the Shu Yan from the future had also taken a liking to this small dish.

Looking at the frail Shu Yan before him, Liu Hui suddenly felt a deep ache. The soul carrying the memories of Chuzhou Shu Yan might have vanished, but due to the iron box, those memories had transferred entirely to the future Shu Yan after the time travel. In a sense, one could say that Shu Yan had successfully reincarnated—that is, this Shu Yan from the future.

In that instant, Liu Hui suddenly saw the image of Chuzhou Shu Yan and the image of the future Shu Yan begin to merge, slowly becoming one person, until he could no longer distinguish who was who.

Then, he suddenly felt the profound love emanating from the future Shu Yan, a love that had transcended the boundaries of time. His heart stirred once more.

Liu Hui patted the empty seat beside him and said softly, "Yanyan, come here, sit by my side. Let’s talk properly."

Shu Yan looked up, still holding her bowl, and moved to sit beside him. Liu Hui picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and placed it in her bowl, chuckling, "Our Yanyan is so thin; you must not have been eating well. You must eat more tonight and hurry up and get back to your old self. Speaking of which, I preferred the Shu Yan from back then!" Shu Yan raised her bowl and took a small bite of the food Liu Hui had given her. Liu Hui laughed, "Alright, now please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Liu Hui, from a small town in Pingdingshan, Ba City. I ask for your continued care in the future." Shu Yan was momentarily confused about Liu Hui's meaning. Liu Hui spoke seriously, "Hurry up and introduce yourself, otherwise how can we move on to the next stage—going on a date together?"

Shu Yan was overjoyed. She looked up, tears still clinging to her cheeks, and asked, "Huihui, is this a matchmaking session? I’ve seen programs like this on TV. And, can we really go on a date together?"

Liu Hui nodded, "Of course. We weren't very familiar with each other before, so naturally, we have to get acquainted through matchmaking. That way, we can deepen our understanding of each other! Besides, without the initial self-introduction, we can't jump straight to the dating phase."

Shu Yan was so happy she nearly cried, saying breathlessly, "My name is Shu Yan, I’m from the future year ZB, and I look forward to your care in the future!"