When Shen Anran came with her mother to inspect the shop and drop off a few goods, Chen Mingyu happened to notice them.
He nudged Li Yichen with his elbow.
"Brother Yichen, look at those women leaving. What do you think they want to sell in that shop?"
Li Yichen glanced at the figures disappearing down the street, his expression calm as he finished the last stroke of paint on the wall.
"Neighbors," he replied indifferently. "When they open, we'll know."
Earlier that day, a group of repairmen had been working on nearby shops. They exchanged brief greetings, and Li Yichen had wondered the same thing—what business everyone was preparing for.
By the time they finished renovating and cleaning up, the sky had begun to dim. They loaded their tools onto a small cart, returned to Chenjia County, and from there made their way back to the village.
Wang Shulan welcomed them with visible excitement when she saw them arrive just in time for dinner.
"Ah, Yichen'er, welcome, welcome! Go wash your hands and come eat. The food is ready," she said warmly, taking the remaining tools from them. She reached out and ruffled Chen Mingyu's hair affectionately. "Ah, my boy."
Mingyu's ears turned red as he dodged away.
"Mother," he protested, hurriedly fixing his hair.
Wang Shulan laughed and said nothing more.
After washing up, the boys joined the table. While eating, Chen Meixiu suddenly spoke.
"Brother Yichen," she called sweetly.
Li Yichen responded with a low "Mm," giving her permission to continue as he focused on his meal.
"Sister-in-law gifted me and Sister Meilan new shoes today."
Li Yichen paused mid-bite and looked up, confused.
"What sister-in-law?"
Meixiu blinked. "Ah… Brother Yichen, Sister Wenqing."
He set down his chopsticks. "Zhao Wenqing? She's not your sister-in-law."
Turning to Wang Shulan, he asked calmly, "Mother, why is everyone calling Zhao Wenqing my sister-in-law?"
Wang Shulan sighed lightly. "Yichen'er, you see… Wenqing saved your life, and you never denied the rumors. Everyone assumed you liked her."
Saved his life—and that was enough to decide a marriage?
The table fell silent. Li Yichen lost all appetite.
"Mother," he said flatly, "there is nothing between Zhao Wenqing and me. Please refute these rumors."
"But everyone saw her kiss you by the river," Chen Meilan said softly.
"Kiss?" Li Yichen repeated, frowning.
He searched his memories—both his own and those left behind by the original Li Yichen—but found nothing. No matter how he thought about it, he had never had any feelings for Zhao Wenqing.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
Wang Shulan quickly stood up, relieved to break the tension.
"Meilan, clear the table. Meixiu, wash the dishes. Mingyu, open the door."
The children moved at once.
Li Yichen quietly thanked her and retreated to his room. He assumed the visitor was for his aunt—until he heard her voice.
"Ah, Wenqing, welcome, welcome."
Wang Shulan's heart tightened. Why did she come at this time? She forced a smile. Truthfully, she had never liked Zhao Wenqing much. She had only tolerated her because she thought Li Yichen felt the same.
Zhao Wenqing entered shyly, her eyes carefully scanning the house, clearly searching for Li Yichen. Wang Shulan pretended not to notice and brought out melon seeds.
After sitting down, Zhao Wenqing asked softly, "Mother-in-law, where is Brother Yichen?"
Mother-in-law?
Wang Shulan inwardly sneered. This girl was far too confident. Most of the rumors had been spread by Zhao Wenqing herself, and since no one from the Chen family had openly denied them, she had grown bolder.
"He's asleep," Wang Shulan replied calmly.
"So early?" Zhao Wenqing asked, disappointed.
"He came back tired," Wang Shulan lied smoothly.
Zhao Wenqing's face fell. She had come for one reason alone—to see Li Yichen.
"Wenqing," Wang Shulan said suddenly while cracking melon seeds, "do you want to marry Li Yichen?"
Zhao Wenqing lowered her head shyly. "Auntie… I want to marry him."
Behind the bedroom door, Li Yichen sneered silently.
"Do your parents know?" Wang Shulan asked.
"Yes, Auntie. They know," Zhao Wenqing replied without hesitation.
That was a lie.
Zhao Wenqing's parents were well-off retirees who had moved to the countryside for a quiet life. She was their only daughter, cherished since birth.
She had liked Li Yichen since childhood. Other boys flattered her endlessly, but Li Yichen never spared her a glance. That indifference ignited her obsession. No matter how carefully she dressed, he never noticed.
Later, her parents sent her to Haicheng University to study nursing. Even there, she thought of Li Yichen often. After graduation, she was offered a well-paying hospital job, but she rejected it and returned home.
Still, Li Yichen remained indifferent.
Then came the incident at the river.
She performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on him—and seized the opportunity. She spread rumors of a "kiss of life," exaggerated stories, and intimate lies. When Li Yichen never openly denied them, she grew bolder.
"Wenqing," Wang Shulan said gently, "we are a poor family. Even though my husband sends money from Haicheng, we struggle."
"I don't want money," Zhao Wenqing replied eagerly. "I want Li Yichen. I earn enough to support both of us."
Wang Shulan looked at her quietly.
"Then tell me—does Li Yichen love you?"
Zhao Wenqing's face flushed deeply. She nodded.
Wang Shulan already expected a lie—but her next words froze both her and Li Yichen.
"That day at the river," Zhao Wenqing said softly, "he kissed me back."