Step by step, a gentle breeze leads to a smooth path

Song Tingnan lost interest in continuing the conversation. Zhong Shengli had a very upright set of values, had been trained by the organization for many years, and was never ambiguous when it came to matters of principle.

But when it comes to family and marriage, he's a complete novice. Otherwise, even knowing that people were gossiping about his girlfriend, he would have thought that knowing the truth and trusting her was enough, and there would have been no need to argue with his fellow villagers.

Some say that after marriage, having an immature husband is like raising a grown son. Song Tingnan no longer wanted to take on everything herself. If the man beside her always needed to be reminded, or if he would say things like "You didn't tell me" or "I didn't know," then even small things would become tiring to carry alone over time. It was better to end it here.

She said lazily, "Actually, Tao Huahua is right. Maybe we really aren't a good match. You can accept my job, but your family might not be able to accept a daughter-in-law who's never home. You'll be caught in the middle, which will be difficult. Let's just go back to being friends; that way, everyone will be more comfortable." Zhong's parents, Song Tingnan, had also asked Teacher Jiang to inquire about the situation. They hoped that after marriage, their son could work away from home, and their daughter-in-law could go with him, get pregnant and have children as soon as possible, and then focus on being a wife and mother. They were already quite open-minded about this, after all, they had said that boys and girls were the same.

“Song Tingnan, how could you do this? You just say we’re not suitable and that’s it. I could understand when you rejected me because I was too young in junior high, and I listened to you and worked hard to improve myself. Now I’m good enough for you, right? And you still dump me like this? Why do you have to?” Zhong Shengli’s eyes reddened.

Twice a day, Song Tingnan was shocked by Tao Huahua and Zhong Shengli's remarks. How could she be such a failure as a person, and have such an image in people's minds? Fortunately, she had already broken free from the 'mental trap' of internal strife.

"Zhong Shengli, you chose your own path in life. I'm not playing hard to get; I just don't want to get caught up in this ridiculous love triangle."

I'll be frank with you, your entanglement with Tao Huahua is messy, and you don't seem to have the will to cut things off cleanly. I don't like that, and changing you is difficult, so I have no choice but to step aside.

"No, I won't agree, Tingnan. Can't you feel my sincerity? I've always loved you, and only you. You can't be so cold-blooded. Let's get married, let's get married right away, and then we'll go far away from here." Zhong Shengli held onto Song Tingnan's hand tightly.

“Zhong Shengli, I’ve heard people say that married life is about solving everyday problems together, not creating them. Now the problem is right in front of us, but you choose to ignore it or run away from it. I hope my husband is a strong support, at least someone who can communicate with me and actively solve problems together. But lately, when you call me or when we’re together, you’ve avoided this issue, implying that I’m meddlesome and being dramatic. I’m really disappointed in you.” Song Tingnan pulled her hand away.

"So you're going to break up with me over something so trivial? I'll change, okay? Ting Nan, please give me another chance!"

This summer is really hot, making people restless. Song Tingnan just wants to get to the bottom of things quickly. "Zhong Shengli, you haven't told me about sleeping with Tao Huahua yet, have you?"

"I...I...nothing happened between us. I was drunk that day because you ignored me."

Song Tingnan rolled her eyes. So it was her fault again? How come she hadn't noticed this trait of his before?

"I don't care whether anything happened between you two, isn't sleeping together something that could have been avoided? You knew Tao Huahua's feelings for you, yet you allowed her to get close to you and drank with her. As a soldier, don't you have any sense of vigilance?"

“I…” Zhong Shengli tugged at his collar, feeling aggrieved as he was pinned down by two women. “Song Tingnan, can you stop making a mountain out of a molehill and acting all high and mighty? This is my own home. Do you think I can be wary of a classmate I’ve known since childhood? She’s a woman, and she said nothing happened that day. She was just taking care of me, and then she got tired and lay down, and we ended up in the same bed by accident. She didn’t even pressure me to take responsibility, and you’re the one making a fuss about it.”

Okay, they live close by and grew up together, while she was the one who came later.

Song Tingnan became even more determined. She stood up and walked away, but Zhong Shengli reached out to stop her. "I don't agree to break up!"

Song Tingnan raised an eyebrow. "You think you can stop me?" She tossed a recording pen at him. "Get to know your childhood sweetheart properly! My vacation is almost over. It's best if we don't see each other unless it's for work."

Having noticed the change in her best friend, Song Tingnan brought a voice recorder with her when Tao Huahua made an appointment that day, just in case there was no proof. And here it is.

Disturbed, Song Tingnan didn't take the bus and walked back, just like she always did when she was running errands. By the time she got back to Songjia Village, it was completely dark. She had calmed herself down and was ready to give her family an explanation.