RIRW – Chapter 124

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Both Zuo Dacheng and Li Hui had jobs and couldn’t stay away for long. Especially Zuo Dacheng—right before the New Year, pigs were going to be slaughtered, and he needed to go back and get busy. So they couldn’t stay much longer.

After spending one night at the Shen family’s home, they got up early the next day, stopped by the Li family again, and then Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming escorted them to catch their ride home.

On the way, Li Hui whispered privately to her daughter, “You’ve been married to Yiming for a while now. Make sure you take care of yourself. If you ever feel unwell, call me—don’t hide anything. If you end up pregnant, you two better not be clueless and still messing around.”

You couldn’t blame her for worrying. The two were still young, and Yiming’s grandmother was old—probably not in a position to manage young people’s matters. As her mother, she had to give her some reminders, just in case they were being careless and made mistakes without realizing it.

“Mom, I know. Don’t worry,” Zuo Dan said confidently. She had watched a lot of TV before—pregnancy came with clear signs like dizziness and nausea. With symptoms that obvious, she was sure she’d know.

Li Hui smiled and said, “Just remember to tell Mom if anything happens.”

“Mhm, mhm, mhm,” Zuo Dan nodded repeatedly in agreement.

As Li Hui and Zuo Dacheng were getting into their ride, Guo Caiping had just freshened up and left the slaughterhouse.

A neighbor greeted her, “Caiping from Yidao’s house, where are you off to on such a cold day?”

Guo Caiping didn’t even acknowledge her—didn’t lift her eyes, just walked off like she hadn’t heard anything.

The neighbor lady was stunned. “What’s wrong with Yidao’s wife these days? She doesn’t even say hello. Did she offend someone or something?”

Right after Guo Caiping left, Su Yidao came back, carrying pig offal and a few taels of fatty pork. He planned to ask his wife to render some lard—cold days called for fatty food.

But when he saw the door was closed, he called out a few times, “Caiping? Caiping?”

The neighbor lady said, “She’s not home. Just went out without saying a word—no idea where she went.”

Su Yidao was puzzled. “She didn’t say anything about going out. What’s she doing running around in this cold? She could’ve just told me what she needed.” He grumbled a bit and went to unlock the kitchen, still worried that she might catch a chill out in the cold.

Meanwhile, Guo Caiping had just left the supply store carrying several pounds of pork fat. She boarded a bus and headed straight for the provincial university.

She hadn’t been to the provincial university in years—not just hadn’t gone, she hadn’t even dared to talk about it.

Even so, she still longed for it. Back then, her mother had worked in the university as a dorm supervisor, in charge of the girls’ dormitory. Guo Caiping had taken over her mother’s job at an early age. At the time, she greatly envied the girls who got to attend university.

She was pretty and attracted plenty of attention. Many suitors had shown interest, but the one she liked didn’t like her back. After a lot of twists and turns, she ended up with Li Wenchang.

Li Wenchang’s parents were both university professors—a high-level intellectual family. He himself had been a top student at the provincial university. Marrying into such a family was, for her, like becoming a phoenix perched in a high tree. But unfortunately, her fate wasn’t good. Before she’d enjoyed many good years, trouble struck the Li family.

Thinking back on those days, and now looking at the provincial university again, Guo Caiping felt like she had returned to those years long past.

After steadying her nerves and asking someone for directions, she went straight to the Li family home with the food in tow.

Since the household was already well stocked, Grandfather Li and Grandmother Li had stayed in. Li Wenchang was also at home.

Although they had returned home, the university had suspended classes, and both parents were now jobless. Li Wenchang did still have a job with the education bureau, but he wouldn’t start until after the New Year. However, their back pay from over the years had been issued, and the sum was sizable—enough for them to live well. Grandfather Li and Grandmother Li hadn’t touched that money yet; they planned to save it for Li Hui and her family. Even though things were better for them now, they were still in the countryside and couldn’t be considered wealthy. When Xiaocong got married one day, they’d need to spend a lot again.

While Grandfather Li and Grandmother Li were organizing books in a room, they heard a knock at the door.

Grandmother Li went to open it and was momentarily surprised to see Guo Caiping. Grandfather Li came out of the room and asked, “Who is it?”

“It’s Caiping,” said Grandmother Li.

When Li Wenchang heard that, he rushed out of the room and sure enough saw Guo Caiping standing there. His expression became a bit complicated.

Grandfather Li immediately turned and went back into the room—clearly unwilling to speak with her. Grandmother Li, on the other hand, remained polite and let her inside.

Once inside, Guo Caiping smiled and said, “I saw that it was snowing heavily and was worried you’d get sick, so I called the farm. That’s how I found out you’d come back. I came right over to see if you needed anything, so I could help out.”

As she spoke, she took the meat to the kitchen. “I brought this for you—render some lard for the winter, it’ll keep you warm.”

“Caiping, you’re too kind. We’re not lacking anything—no need for you to worry. Xiao Hui has already taken care of it all. You have your own family now, so don’t worry about outsiders like us,” Grandmother Li said, subtly reminding her of her status as a married woman.

Guo Caiping’s face tensed slightly. “Mom, do you still blame me for divorcing Wenchang back then? I really had no choice…” she said, starting to cry.

“Caiping, don’t cry. I just don’t want to make things hard for you. And please, stop calling me Mom. What if your current mother-in-law hears about that—what would she think?”

“I don’t care. In my heart, you’ll always be my mother-in-law,” Guo Caiping said with sincere emotion.

Li Wenchang couldn’t help but speak up, “Mom, Caiping really had no choice back then. Don’t blame her. It hasn’t been easy raising Xiaoxue all these years.”

“I know. I truly appreciate her. But some things we can’t pretend to be blind about. If she keeps thinking about this side, what will her current in-laws think?” Grandmother Li looked reproachfully at her son, then turned to Guo Caiping. “Caiping, whatever happened between you and Wenchang is in the past now. You should let it go.”

“Mom, I can’t forget… Back then, Wenchang and I loved each other so much. All these years, I just couldn’t forget.” Guo Caiping started crying.

Li Wenchang also recalled their university days. Back then, all he did was study, and only Guo Caiping could stir his heart. She was so beautiful and understanding.

Even now, Guo Caiping was still beautiful. Despite all the years that had passed, she had lived a relatively carefree life, taken good care of herself, and didn’t look old. He couldn’t bear it and looked at Grandmother Li. “Mom, Caiping and I still have feelings for each other. What happened back then was beyond our control. It wasn’t because we fell out of love.”

Hearing that, Grandmother Li was furious. Just as she was about to object, Grandfather Li came out of the room, his face dark. “Your mother and I will never agree. If you two want to get back together, don’t ever step into the Li household again!”

“Dad…” Li Wenchang looked at his father in disbelief.

Grandmother Li said coldly, “Don’t try calling your father. I feel the same way. She’s already married and has a child. She’s another man’s wife. What do you two being together now even mean?”

Guo Caiping’s face turned pale. She looked at Li Wenchang in panic, clearly lost and helpless.

Li Wenchang didn’t know how to argue back, but he couldn’t bear to see her leave just like that. Torn, he gritted his teeth and said, “Dad, Mom, Caiping and I will talk outside.”

Then he pulled Guo Caiping out the door.

Seeing them leave, Grandmother Li was about to go stop her son, but Grandfather Li said, “Let him go. I’ve said my piece. If he remarries her, he’s not stepping into this house again.”

Outside, Guo Caiping and Li Wenchang walked through the campus. Guo Caiping pointed at the buildings. “You used to love reading over there. That’s where we met, right in front of the dorm building… So many years have passed, but everything still looks the same.”

Li Wenchang was also reminiscing. It all felt like a dream.

Guo Caiping’s eyes reddened. “Do you despise me because I married someone else? I know I’m not good enough for you anymore. But I can’t let go of this family. I can’t let go of you. Even though I’ve lived with someone else these years, I never truly saw him as my husband. At most, we were just partners making ends meet. Wenchang, you’re the only one who’s truly my husband.”

“Caiping, I don’t blame you… It was fate playing tricks on us.” Li Wenchang’s eyes turned red. “If you’re willing, I’m willing to remarry you. We can be a family again.”

“What about your parents…” Guo Caiping asked nervously. “They said they won’t let us set foot in the Li house again.”

“I’ll try to persuade them. If they still don’t agree, we’ll just live on our own. I’ll start working after the New Year, and I can support you.” Li Wenchang said with conviction.

Hearing that, Guo Caiping beamed. “You can finally chase your dreams again. Oh, and your parents?”

“They don’t have any assignments now. The university is still closed. And they’re getting older — probably won’t teach anymore.”

Guo Caiping’s eyes flickered. She smiled, “That’s for the best. At their age, they should be enjoying life at home.” She looked at Li Wenchang again. “Wenchang, you really want to remarry me? I can’t wait to be reunited with you and Xiaoxue. Our family should never be separated again.”

Li Wenchang’s eyes reddened. “Yes, our family will never be separated again.”

After leaving the provincial university, Guo Caiping returned to the slaughterhouse. Su Yidao had already made dinner. Their son, Su Xiaodao, was sitting at the table, eating heartily. When he saw her come in, he called out, “Mom, Dad made rice with lard today. It’s so tasty! Come eat!”

Guo Caiping went straight into the bedroom.

Su Xiaodao’s face fell. He immediately lost his appetite. His mom hadn’t been paying attention to him lately.

Su Yidao carried two bowls of lard rice into the bedroom and went to look for her. “Caiping, where did you go this morning? It’s freezing outside. You really shouldn’t be going out.”

“What do you mean, don’t go out? Are you trying to control me, Su Yidao?” Guo Caiping replied coldly.

Su Yidao froze. “How am I controlling you?”

Guo Caiping kept a stern face and didn’t reply. She walked into the main room to eat. Su Yidao followed and sat beside her, but didn’t know what to say. She had been so gentle before, and now suddenly she was so cold. He felt uneasy. “Caiping, did I do something wrong?”

“You think I don’t know you’ve been flirting with Liu Cuicui at the slaughterhouse?” she snapped.

Su Yidao immediately got agitated. “Caiping, what are you saying? I’ve barely even seen Liu Cuicui twice, we’ve barely exchanged a word. Who told you that nonsense? Besides, she’s had a rough life — her husband died, and she brought her daughter here to take over his job. Don’t spread rumors. If others hear it, you’ll cause trouble for her.”

Guo Caiping sneered, “I only said a couple of words, and you’re already defending her? Feeling sorry for her, huh?”

“Bullshit! Who am I feeling sorry for?” Su Yidao scratched his head in frustration. He felt like his wife had lost her mind.

Su Xiaodao quickly chimed in, “Dad, don’t be mad. It’s cold out, Mom’s just in a bad mood.”

Su Yidao felt wronged. He was the one in a bad mood!

The three of them finished dinner in a tense atmosphere. Then Su Yidao hurried off to work at the slaughterhouse. Guo Caiping went back into the bedroom to write a letter. After she finished, she left the house again.

The next day, chaos erupted at the slaughterhouse. Someone had sent a letter to the plant manager accusing Su Yidao and Liu Cuicui of having an improper relationship.

Guo Caiping immediately stormed into the slaughterhouse to confront the leadership, reporting Su Yidao and claiming that he had indeed been making eyes at the woman for a while. She said she had noticed something was wrong long ago. Now that his conduct was questionable, she insisted on getting a divorce. If the plant refused, she would go to the police — even to the provincial leaders!

“Caiping, I didn’t! I didn’t do anything like that!” Su Yidao pleaded in the office.

He was still shouting when someone came in yelling that Liu Cuicui had hit her head on the wall and had been taken to the hospital.

The plant manager was instantly fed up. It’s almost New Year’s — what the hell is all this nonsense?

“Comrade Caiping, since all this has already happened, why don’t you go home for now? We need to check on Comrade Liu Cuicui first.”

But Guo Caiping insisted, “No. I can’t live with a man like this anymore. I have to get a divorce. If the plant won’t approve it, I’ll go to the public security bureau. I’ll report this to the provincial leadership!”

The plant manager, seeing she was ready to make a huge scene, grew anxious.

He could only try to persuade Su Yidao. “Comrade Yidao, I think you should just go through with the divorce. If this gets out of hand, it won’t be good for either you or Comrade Liu Cuicui.” If someone else had made the report, it might have been fine — without solid evidence, nothing would come of it. But when your own spouse reports you for an affair, even if you didn’t do anything, people would believe it. And in these times, getting divorced was not a good look.

“But I didn’t do anything like that!” Su Yidao was so anxious his eyes turned red. They were a proper family—how could it just fall apart like this?

Guo Caiping looked at him coldly. “Things have already escalated to this point. There’s no point denying it. Su Yidao, let’s get a divorce. If you don’t agree, I’ll go report you to the Public Security Bureau right now! Just the thought of spending even one more day with a man like you disgusts me!”

The other long-time employees didn’t want to see Su Yidao end up in jail either, so they advised, “Yidao, just get a divorce. Settle the divorce first—whatever comes after, we can talk about it then.”

Dazed and confused, Su Yidao nodded. He didn’t even understand how things had escalated to the point of divorce.

With the factory leadership accompanying them, the two completed the divorce procedures that very day. Su Yidao wasn’t even given a chance to speak. Guo Caiping packed a few clothes and the money she had saved up, then left the Su household without a backward glance.

“Mom, where are you going? Mom!” Su Xiaodao ran after her, only to see Guo Caiping board the bus without even turning around.

A neighbor auntie pulled Su Xiaodao into her arms. “Don’t chase after her. Your mom and dad have divorced—she’s not coming back.”

As soon as Su Xiaodao heard this, he burst into tears. “You’re lying! Auntie, you’re lying! Why doesn’t my mom want me anymore?”

After New Year’s Day, it was 1977.

The past year had been filled with too many disasters and upheavals. The long year had finally ended, and the arrival of 1977’s New Year’s Day felt especially meaningful—and much livelier than usual. The Shen family went out together to watch a movie. Zuo Dan even dragged her grandmother along. It wasn’t a particularly exciting film, but the family enjoyed it immensely. After the movie, they went to eat at a state-run restaurant. It was a joyful New Year’s celebration.

On the first weekend after New Year’s Day, Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming went to the university to visit her grandparents.

On the way there, Zuo Dan was a little gloomy. She and Shen Yiming had been trying to conceive since mid-October, but so far, she hadn’t felt nauseous, dizzy, or even the slightest bit off. In fact, her energy levels were great. What really convinced her she wasn’t pregnant was the fact that her period had still come at the beginning of the month. Since they hadn’t succeeded before the new year, she had told Shen Yiming to stop “planting seeds” for now—she didn’t want to end up heavily pregnant when it was time to take the college entrance exam after the holidays.

Sitting on the back seat of the bicycle, leaning against Shen Yiming’s shoulder, she pinched his waist and grumbled, “Comrade Yiming, this isn’t working out. Let’s not rush to have a baby.”

Shen Yiming’s face instantly darkened. He let out a chilly chuckle. “Sure, no rush.” His tone was even colder than the winter wind, and Zuo Dan shivered just hearing it.

Shen Yiming pedaled even harder.

Zuo Dan quickly hugged his waist tightly. “Comrade Shen Yiming, go easy with the cycling! Don’t throw me off the bike!”

Shen Yiming pressed even harder on the pedals. She dared question his manhood? Ha.

When they arrived at the university, they locked the bike and carried some fruit. Holding hands, they went upstairs, only letting go when they reached the corridor. Zuo Dan knocked on the door with quick, energetic steps.

To her surprise, it was a strange woman who answered.

The woman narrowed her eyes at the sight of Zuo Dan.

Zuo Dan narrowed her eyes right back. “Hello, I’m looking for my grandparents—the Li family who just moved in. This should still be their home, right?”

The woman’s expression turned haughty, just as if she were about to say something, but Grandma had already come from behind her and pushed her aside. “Dandan’s here! And Yiming too—come in, quickly!”

Only then did Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming enter the house.

As soon as they entered, they sensed something was off. Uncle Li Wenchang sat at the table with his head down. Grandpa’s face was full of anger, and a teacup on the table had been overturned.

Seeing the young couple arrive, Grandfather Li’s expression softened a bit. “Yiming, Dandan, come sit. Coming here in this cold weather, it must’ve been hard on you.”

He then told Grandmother Li to pour hot water for the two kids to warm their hands.

Shen Yiming quickly went to help, pouring water for both himself and Dandan. They sat quietly at the table, sipping tea.

Guo Caiping walked over and smiled. “So this is Dandan? I haven’t seen you in so many years, I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“How could you not recognize her? She looks so much like her mother,” Grandmother Li said coldly from the side.

Zuo Dan glanced at Guo Caiping. “Grandma, how should I address this lady? I don’t know her.”

Grandmother Li thought for a moment and said, “Just call her Auntie Guo. She’s your uncle’s ex-wife. You probably didn’t see much of her when you were little.”

Oh ho, so this is the mysterious ex-auntie—Su Xue’s biological mom! Zuo Dan immediately perked up, sneaking a few extra glances, thoroughly intrigued. She looked a lot like Su Xue—only smarter. Beaming, she greeted, “Hello, Auntie Guo!”

Li Wenchang frowned. “She’s not Auntie Guo. We’re about to remarry. She’s your aunt.”

Zuo Dan choked on her tea and coughed violently. Shen Yiming frowned and patted her back. “You’re not a kid anymore. Why are you still so careless?”

Zuo Dan wiped her mouth. “Well… didn’t Auntie Guo already get married and have a kid? How is she remarrying Uncle?”

Li Wenchang’s face stiffened. “She’s already divorced. That guy cheated on her, betrayed her. She divorced him, so there’s nothing tying her down anymore.”

What a coincidence? Zuo Dan sipped her tea, already constructing all kinds of wild and dramatic backstories in her head.

Grandfather Li said sternly, “In any case, I don’t agree. There’s no point discussing this today.”

He didn’t want to talk about this kind of thing in front of the kids. But Li Wenchang wasn’t ready to give up. He’d been bringing this up for several days already. Now that Caiping had divorced and had nowhere to go, they couldn’t possibly leave her living in the guesthouse forever.

“Dad, Mom, Caiping is already divorced. Why won’t you let us remarry?” Li Wenchang asked, confused.

Guo Caiping took a deep breath. “Dad, Mom, I want to ask the same thing. I’ve always respected you both, but I don’t understand why you’re treating me like this. When Xiaohui married Zuo Dacheng, just a carpenter’s apprentice, you didn’t say anything. You even gave her a dowry and helped them build a house. Why are you so heartless when it comes to me and Wenchang? I know it was wrong of me to remarry, but I didn’t do it for myself—it was for the Li family’s bloodline!”

Hearing her bring up her parents, Zuo Dan’s expression immediately darkened. “Auntie Guo, that’s a separate issue. You think you can compare yourself to my dad? No matter what, my dad has always stood by my mom.”

Grandmother Li was also displeased. “Don’t bring Dacheng and Xiaohui into this.”

Guo Caiping pressed her lips together. “I was just making a comparison…”

Zuo Dan firmly declared, “Even as a metaphor, you can’t hit people!”

Guo Caiping hadn’t expected Li Huisheng’s daughter to have such a strong personality. Thinking she was just some rural girl, she figured this must be typical uncouth village behavior and curled her lip slightly. “That was my oversight. I shouldn’t have brought up Xiao Hui.” She then looked at Li Wenchang and added, “But my feelings for Wenchang are real. We genuinely want to be together again. No matter what, we have Xiaoxue between us. We don’t want to break up our family.”

Li Wenchang nodded repeatedly. “Yes, Caiping is right. Mom, Dad, after all we’ve been through, what’s the point in holding on to grudges? Isn’t keeping the family together the most important thing?”

Zuo Dan sighed. “Well, our Li family may be intact, but what about the families who’ve lost a wife or a mother?”

“What are you saying, Dandan? It’s them who wronged your aunt!” Li Wenchang said angrily.

“I didn’t say anything specific. I never said it was the Su family,” Zuo Dan replied nonchalantly. “There are plenty of families in this world who’ve lost wives and mothers. I was just sighing a little, that’s all. No need to be so nervous, Uncle.”

Li Wenchang was so infuriated by Zuo Dan’s shamelessness that his face turned red.

Grandfather Li slapped the table. “I don’t agree with this. I’ve made myself clear—if you two want to get married, fine, but you’ll have to leave the Li family. I won’t be involved in your affairs anymore!”

Li Wenchang hesitated, “Then… the household registration booklet…”

Zuo Dan added, “Exactly, Grandpa. You can’t just stay out of it. My uncle needs the household registration booklet to get married. It means adding a new person to the family record.”

Guo Caiping narrowed her eyes at Zuo Dan. Something about this girl didn’t sit right with her. She might look like a simple rural fool, but everything she said was so cutting and uncomfortable.

Sure enough, both Grandfather Li and Grandmother Li were feeling uneasy. Grandfather Li said, “I absolutely will not allow her to be added to our family register.”

Hearing that, Li Wenchang lost his temper too. “Fine, then I’ll transfer my registration out. Caiping and I will get a new household booklet!”

“You—Li Wenchang—say that again!” Grandfather Li shouted, standing up and pointing at him in fury.

Guo Caiping tugged at Li Wenchang and tried to mediate. “Wenchang, this isn’t your decision alone. Listen to your father.”

Zuo Dan could tell that Guo Caiping had the same idea as her—she wanted to take Li Wenchang away from the Li family. They were planning to abandon Grandpa and Grandma. What was this woman thinking? Did she think the elders were useless now, just a burden?

Then it all clicked for Zuo Dan. That’s right—although the family had been politically rehabilitated, the universities hadn’t reopened yet. Grandpa and Grandma were getting older and didn’t have jobs at the moment. Most people would assume they were just old folks who needed to be supported. But they didn’t know that once universities reopened, these elders would be back to teaching as senior professors.

Ah, this was actually great! Zuo Dan quickly said, “Uncle, you must listen to Grandpa. He’s the head of the family. You haven’t set up your own household yet. Back in the countryside, if the elders don’t approve, you can’t split off and live separately.”

“This isn’t the countryside, and I’m not breaking away from the family. I just want to register separately so I can marry Caiping,” Li Wenchang said stubbornly.

Zuo Dan shook her head and sighed, choosing not to say more.

Grandfather Li and Grandmother Li were thoroughly disappointed by now. Grandfather Li said, “Fine, if you really want to leave, then go.”

He turned to Grandmother Li. “Go get the household registration booklet. We’ll split him off right now.”

Hearing that, Li Wenchang felt stifled, but what was said couldn’t be taken back. He clenched his jaw and stayed silent. He was their only son—household records aside, the old couple would still rely on him eventually. They’d reconcile sooner or later.

Handling the household split was easy. They went to the police station—even on holidays, there were staff on duty. The family went together, and the records were officially split.

Afterward, Li Wenchang didn’t return home. He went with Guo Caiping straight to the civil affairs office to register their marriage.

Watching them walk away, Grandfather Li’s body swayed, and he nearly lost his balance. “Foolish… utterly foolish.”

Zuo Dan hurried to comfort him. “Grandpa, don’t get too worked up. Mom’s been calling and worrying about you two—she and Dad want to come visit. They’re really concerned. If they find out your health’s failing, they’ll be even more worried. Please take care of yourselves. We all want you to live long, happy lives. We’ll take good care of you.”

With Zuo Dan’s comforting words, the old couple finally felt a little better. That foolish, ungrateful son wasn’t worth their sorrow. They still had a daughter and son-in-law, grandchildren, and even a sweet granddaughter-in-law.

At noon, Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming stayed to have lunch with the elderly couple. Just as they finished eating, Li Wenchang came back with Guo Caiping.

As soon as they walked in, Grandfather Li started driving them out. Li Wenchang didn’t expect him to be so heartless. He stood frozen at the door for two minutes before walking in to pack his things. Then he left, carrying his bag.

Zuo Dan quickly shut the door behind him and consoled the old couple. “Grandpa, Grandma, don’t worry. My uncle will realize what kind of person she is and come back one day. You have to stay positive.”

Grandfather Li sighed. “I don’t care anymore. I’m done.”

That afternoon, as they left the Li house, Zuo Dan began grumbling to Shen Yiming. “Comrade Shen Yiming, did you notice? That Guo Caiping only wants my uncle. She doesn’t want Grandpa or Grandma.”

Shen Yiming had no interest in the Li family drama. As long as they didn’t hurt Zuo Dan, he didn’t care. “I heard the elders got a sum of money. It’s enough for them to live on. They have a house too. We can look after them occasionally, but they’re not dependent on him.”

“Exactly. I’ve got a hunch—the college entrance exam is coming. If universities reopen, Grandpa and Grandma’s status will be totally different. They’re going to regret it then.” She poked Shen Yiming in the waist. “By the way, Comrade Yiming, you better study hard!”

“I’ve read all your books several times already,” Shen Yiming said confidently. “Let’s see who scores better.”

“Alright, heh, we’ll see,” Zuo Dan said with a grin.

Shen Yiming squinted at her, speaking with a hidden meaning, “Yes, we’ll see.”

When they got home, Grandma was in her room reading. The weather was cold now, so the old lady stayed indoors. Thankfully, the window let in plenty of light.

Zuo Dan went to chat with Grandma, but hadn’t said much before Shen Yiming called her into the bedroom.

Frowning, she asked, “What is it? I was just talking with Grandma.”

Shen Yiming held her shoulders and pinned her to the door. “I think I need to prove something to you.” He was clearly still bothered by her earlier comments.

“…” Zuo Dan blinked, alarm bells going off in her head. She quickly said, “Shen Yiming, calm down! Let’s talk this through. We’re harmonious revolutionary comrades—we can’t resort to violence at the slightest disagreement.”

Shen Yiming shook his head with a grin. “No need to talk. Let’s act.”

Then he lowered his head to kiss her and slid his hand under her clothes, gently kneading her softness.

Zuo Dan gasped under his touch. She glanced outside at the snowy world and figured a little physical activity would warm them up. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she responded passionately. Imitating his moves, she slid her cold hands under his clothes—unlike his warm ones, hers were icy. But that made the warmth feel all the more comforting, like hugging a personal heater.

Shen Yiming shivered from the shock, which only heightened his arousal. He lifted her horizontally and laid her on the bed, pressing down on her and kissing her chest as he undid his belt.

Just as they were about to take things further, Zuo Dan suddenly felt nauseous. She shoved Shen Yiming away and leaned over the edge of the bed, dry heaving.