“Of course, let’s take a walk outside the courtyard. The snow has stopped now, but make sure to dress warmly.”

Tang Hong’en asked Liu Fen to put on her snow and waterproof leather boots to accompany him for a walk around the village.

There were indeed many people in the house, and Liu Fen herself felt it wasn’t convenient to talk. She changed her clothes and shoes to go out with Tang Hong’en—not realizing that once she took a walk around the village with Tang Hong’en, it would become an undeniable fact. If anyone claimed there was nothing between her and Tang Hong’en, nobody in the village would believe it; even the village dogs would feel their intelligence was being insulted!

“She’s really…”

Xia Xiaolan was quite disapproving of how calculating Mayor Tang was.

Grandmother Yu stopped her, “Can you make all the decisions for your mother? Just stay home and wait. Go fiddle with the television—why aren’t there any channels yet?”

This was a compelling reason. That evening, they prepared some cold dishes, made dumplings, and steamed buns, all while waiting for the TV to be set up so they could watch the Spring Festival Gala together.

Little Wang had mentioned that the two TVs were borrowed, which made Xia Xiaolan feel less pressure. Otherwise, the gifts would have been too expensive—Tang Hong’en was on a government salary, and two color TVs would cost several thousand yuan. How could they accept such expensive gifts? Besides, they were only staying at home for a few days, so what was the point of leaving two TVs in the countryside just to rust and break down?

Liu Yong’s family already had a TV in their rented place in the provincial city, and Grandmother Yu and her mother wouldn’t need one either as they were both going to Beijing.

Once Grandmother Yu left for Beijing, Aunt Li Fengmei would give up her previously rented dormitory room and move into Grandmother Yu’s house. This had all been agreed upon—an empty house deteriorates particularly quickly, and Grandmother Yu’s house was certainly more comfortable than the cramped dormitory. This solution satisfied both parties.

The TV showed only static until Liu Yong returned with bamboo poles, and the technician Little Wang had found was adjusting the TV antenna.

They set up the bamboo pole under the eaves, running a wire from inside the house up the pole above the roofline—without elevating the antenna, they couldn’t receive any signal.

After much crackling noise, the screen finally flickered and showed human figures.

“Uncle, we’ve got channels!”

They only received a few CCTV channels and the provincial station, and they still needed to adjust the antenna for the color TV at Liu Yong’s house.

Though the Spring Festival Gala hadn’t started yet, Liu Zitao was already glued to the TV, refusing to leave. He had a vague understanding of what had happened over the past two days, only knowing that Tian Xiaoyan was particularly hateful, and her father wanted to marry his aunt.

Liu Zitao expressed his opposition, “Her father wants to hit people!”

If he became his aunt’s husband, would he hit Xiaolan’s sister and him too?

Liu Zitao was deeply worried. Despite Xia Xiaolan’s repeated assurances that this wouldn’t happen, Liu Zitao remained unconvinced. He wouldn’t even go outside to set off firecrackers with the village children, fearing he might encounter Tian Xiaoyan and her brother.

“Sister, what should I say if she kneels in front of me?”

A Tian Xiaoyan who would readily drop to her knees wasn’t just troubling for Xia Xiaolan and the others—it also frightened Liu Zitao, a second-grade elementary student. This kind of situation was completely beyond his understanding.

Seeing him guard the TV, Xia Xiaolan forcefully pulled him back:

“Watch from the chair. Sitting too close to the TV will make you nearsighted.”

Liu Zitao always obeyed Xia Xiaolan’s words. At home, Li Fengmei couldn’t control his TV watching, but he listened to Xia Xiaolan.

…

After several days of snow, everything was blanketed in white. The withered grass had frozen into icicles, but Liu Fen had no mind to appreciate the snowy scenery.

She couldn’t even feel the cold.

Shortly after they started walking, Tang Hong’en realized his suggestion had been foolish—though the snow had stopped, it was still very cold.

He thought about suggesting a different location, but Liu Fen’s carefully gathered courage would dissipate at the slightest provocation. Tang Hong’en could only focus his attention on the person beside him, trying his best to ignore the cold.

They had walked far enough to almost circle the village, but Liu Fen still couldn’t speak up. So Tang Hong’en took the initiative to break the silence:

“What did you want to discuss with me? My behavior today was indeed rather impulsive, but under those circumstances, I couldn’t think of a better solution. If it made you uncomfortable, please tell me.”

There were many possible approaches, but Tang Hong’en chose this high-profile method with his considerations in mind.

As someone very sensitive to his emotional changes, he didn’t know exactly why he had developed these feelings for Comrade Liu Fen, but once these unusual thoughts arose, Tang Hong’en began to consider the possibility of them being together.

He greatly admired Liu Fen personally—that was the foundation.

Her family was quite easy to get along with, especially Xia Xiaolan, whom he had gradually come to care for like his niece.

The family relationships were uncomplicated, with only her elder brother Liu Yong being particularly close. Tang Hong’en understood Liu Yong’s style of handling matters. The man had some capability and was much more worldly than Liu Fen, but he wasn’t too greedy and knew his limits.

If reality weren’t a consideration, Tang Hong’en naturally wouldn’t consider entering a second marriage.

But the reality he needed to consider wasn’t Liu Fen’s household registration, her job, or whether her family background could provide any advantage. It was whether being with this woman made him feel at ease, gave him a sense of anticipation… Given Tang Hong’en’s age and position, the kind of intense emotions associated with love at first sight that young men experience was unlikely. Instead, it was more like a gentle stream of fondness, accumulating bit by bit.

He had wanted to wait a while longer, to let their acquaintance deepen so Liu Fen wouldn’t feel it was too abrupt when he finally broached the subject. But plans couldn’t keep up with changing circumstances. What was meant to be just a New Year’s greeting call turned into something else when Grandmother Yu answered the phone—Tang Hong’en decided almost instantly that he needed to come. This matter could be handled by Xia Xiaolan and Liu Yong, but he needed to come in person.

This impulse was rash and irrational, something only a young man would do.

The events after arriving at Qijing Village were within Tang Hong’en’s expectations. He knew what he needed to do, but the specific words—though still meant to break the ice—were improvised!

While it had shocked the villagers, it might have been too direct, frightening Liu Fen.

Liu Fen wasn’t very tall, and Tang Hong’en was of average height. When he lowered his head, Liu Fen happened to look up. Their eyes met, and Liu Fen became flustered:

“Mr. Tang, I know you’ve always helped my family, helped Xiaolan, and my elder brother, and now you’re helping me. I’ve never met a better leader than you. But you’re a leader, an educated person—it’s impossible between us.”

She was certainly grateful; otherwise, she wouldn’t have willingly cooked for Tang Hong’en.

For even the smallest kindness from others, Liu Fen wanted to repay tenfold. In essence, she and Xia Xiaolan were similar—both had experienced years of oppressive lives, though Xia Xiaolan was more sharp-edged while Liu Fen was gentler.

When Grandmother Yu was good to her, she was even better to Grandmother Yu.

This kind of goodness, Liu Fen could repay.

But how could she repay Tang Hong’en’s kindness?

Liu Fen could take care of Grandmother Yu, sweep the streets for her, and monitor her medication, but Tang Hong’en held a high position and power—he wanted nothing. All along, it had been Tang Hong’en taking care of the Liu family. When Tang Hong’en spoke of dating with marriage in mind, Liu Fen became frightened—not only could she not repay Mayor Tang, but she would also be shamelessly attaching herself to him, potentially ruining his marriage prospects.

“…This isn’t right, I’m sorry, I can’t accept your proposal.”