The spring days were getting longer, and when they left the Business University, it was right at the peak of rush hour.

The main streets were filled with people cycling home, workers hurrying back to cook dinner or check on their children – everyone had their errands to run. The only people who would stroll instead of riding their bicycles were young couples dating. Without family obligations, their after-work time was their own.

But Zhou Cheng went even further – not content with just walking side by side while pushing the bicycle, he managed the handlebar with one hand and used his free hand to hold his girlfriend’s hand, an action that drew second glances from passersby. Zhou Cheng had quite a thick skin, with impressive psychological fortitude. Xia Xiaolan was no different – let people look if they wanted to. Zhou Cheng’s palm had slight calluses, and his hand completely enveloped hers.

Xia Xiaolan had always believed that a “sense of security” could only come from oneself, yet being held by Zhou Cheng’s hand gave her a sense of security from him.

Her vulnerability around Zhou Cheng and this feeling of security didn’t repel her. Everything happened naturally, just like when she first agreed to date Zhou Cheng – the beautiful night in Yangcheng was just an excuse. The atmosphere had been perfect then, and Xia Xiaolan had simply followed her heart.

When apart, her rationality took over.

She would think about how their family backgrounds might not be compatible, how Zhou Cheng’s family was too complicated, and consider breaking up. But whenever they met, Zhou Cheng’s feelings for her were so intense that Xia Xiaolan, being neither stone nor wood, had her feelings… How could she think of breaking up then? Where else would she find a man who liked her so much and whom she liked in return?

“Now that you’re here, I’m not afraid of anyone bullying me.”

Zhang Erlai, who had bullied her, had been secretly dealt with by Zhou Cheng. Ke Yixiong from Yangcheng had also been subdued by Zhou Cheng. As for Fan Zhenchuan from Hedong County, Xia Xiaolan had nothing to worry about. After saying these words, she suddenly understood why she naturally showed vulnerability, and why she felt the security Zhou Cheng provided.

Though Zhou Cheng couldn’t accompany her every day, separated by thousands of miles.

This didn’t stop him from “protecting” her in his way.

Xia Xiaolan believed that if she hadn’t learned the truth from Zhuo Weiping, Zhou Cheng might never have voluntarily told her about Zhang Erlai’s arrest and sentencing. Xia Xiaolan was certain Zhou Cheng would never use this to “claim credit”! If he had intended to, he would have mentioned it before they started dating – since he hadn’t then, he certainly wouldn’t now.

Someone was protecting her, in ways both known and unknown to her.

Xia Xiaolan had enclosed herself in a shell of steel and concrete, yet Zhou Cheng managed to pry open a crack. He was just that good, desperately working his way into Xia Xiaolan’s heart – how could her mindset not change?!

The road from the Business University to Grandmother Yu’s house wasn’t short, but Zhou Cheng didn’t notice time passing – it felt like they’d barely walked hand in hand before arriving. Zhou Cheng was reluctant to let go of his wife’s hand, and Xia Xiaolan didn’t struggle. The two stood stupidly at the door holding hands and grinning at each other until Grandmother Yu, returning with a broom, found it eye-searing.

“All this lovey-dovey behavior, what kind of manner is that!”

Caught red-handed, Xia Xiaolan remained unfazed – her skin was thick, and she had seen through Grandmother Yu as a paper tiger who was tough only on the outside.

Zhou Cheng was quite reluctant to leave. After all, she was Xiaolan’s landlady grandmother, and the old lady was very strict, forbidding Xia Xiaolan from having overnight guests. Zhou Cheng hadn’t planned to break the landlady’s rules – they were good rules that put his mind at ease regarding Xia Xiaolan’s safety. He noticed the courtyard walls were particularly high, though he could probably climb over them at night if he wanted to.

“Grandmother Yu, would you mind having a dog in the house? You wouldn’t need to feed it.”

Zhou Cheng wanted to get two dogs for Grandmother Yu’s house, not ordinary mutts but trained dogs. Grandmother Yu seemed disgusted, “I won’t keep dogs, they’ll defecate all over the courtyard.”

“Don’t worry, the dogs we send will be very well-behaved. If they make any mess in your courtyard, I’ll clean it up myself.”

Zhou Cheng had complete confidence in trained dogs, while Grandmother Yu remained skeptical.

When Zhou Cheng mentioned going to stay at a guesthouse, Grandmother Yu muttered, “What kind of girlfriend are you, not even offering a hot meal when friends visit… Well, not that you can cook anyway. Zhou Cheng, is it? Stay for dinner before heading to the guesthouse.”

Xia Xiaolan gave Zhou Cheng a thumbs up – he was something, absolutely killing it with middle-aged women. Grandmother Yu was such a difficult person, yet she voluntarily invited Zhou Cheng for dinner. In the several months Xia Xiaolan and Liu Fen had lived here, they’d only once been offered Grandmother Yu’s steamed buns. Thinking of those buns’ taste, Xia Xiaolan’s mouth began watering involuntarily.

Zhou Cheng glanced at her, “Grandmother Yu did it for your sake.”

As the two exchanged compliments, Grandmother Yu heard everything clearly and was quite speechless – Xia Xiaolan was cunning enough, and she’d found an equally matched partner.

Grandmother Yu invited Zhou Cheng to dinner partly for Xia Xiaolan and her mother’s sake, but also because Zhou Cheng’s conduct showed good breeding.

Good breeding wasn’t about affected speech or behavior, but about being sincere to those close to you and maintaining appropriate boundaries with strangers. Though sending a guard dog would benefit Grandmother Yu, Zhou Cheng still sought her permission first, respecting her position as a landlady. Having seen too many ill-mannered people in her later years, Grandmother Yu naturally appreciated meeting someone with proper manners.

Xia Xiaolan was also well-mannered, but her manners were more superficial, unlike Zhou Cheng’s deeply ingrained propriety.

Grandmother Yu felt that Xia Xiaolan’s politeness came from not caring about most people, so no matter how difficult Grandmother Yu was, Xia Xiaolan didn’t take it to heart. Zhou Cheng, on the other hand, appeared aloof but considered others’ feelings in his actions – it was breeding that showed in his very bones.

When Xia Xiaolan mentioned liking Grandmother Yu’s steamed buns, the old lady went to make them.

Zhou Cheng wasn’t much of a cook either, but when Xia Xiaolan offered to help knead the dough, he saw her thin arms and rolled up his sleeves to do it himself.

Liu Fen came home slightly earlier today, arriving at seven-thirty. She smelled the fragrance from the doorway – why was Grandmother Yu making steamed buns again? The aroma was definitely from her cooking; Xia Xiaolan couldn’t produce this taste.

“Xiaolan, why did you let Grandmother Yu cook again? The doctor said she shouldn’t tire herself…”

Grandmother Yu put the side dishes on the table, pointing at the kitchen: “I didn’t cook today, I just gave instructions.”

How did Xia Xiaolan get so lucky to find such an outstanding partner? Even in Grandmother Yu’s youth, would someone like Zhou Cheng have noticed a country girl? No matter how pretty a country girl was, she could only work as a maid or become a concubine – matching backgrounds weren’t just empty words. Thank goodness for the new society where everyone was equal, where a country girl could date a promising young man from the imperial city.

Liu Fen didn’t know Grandmother Yu’s thoughts. Following her gesture, she saw a tall figure standing in the kitchen. The young man had some flour on his sleeves and smiled at her:

“Aunt Liu, you’re back? You must be tired from work too, please wash up and join us for dinner.”