Yin Li’s eyes flew wide open. His scent filled her nose, and the warmth radiating from his body made her feel dizzy and lightheaded.
She realized she didn’t dislike it at all. Instead, a flush crept up from her cheeks, spreading slowly.
When the kiss ended, Yin Li was breathless, staring blankly at him.
“Then be a good girl and take responsibility for this ‘good person’ till the end. Otherwise…”
“Otherwise what?” Yin Li asked stupidly, her head spinning.
Li Hanting released her and gently patted her head. “Otherwise, I’ll treat you even better—so well that you’ll never be able to leave me.”
·
After their conversation, Yin Li still couldn’t process how things had progressed to the point of her marrying Li Hanting.
It had all happened too suddenly, too quickly. She walked home with her head lowered. Everyone had already tidied up.
Li Wenyue had initially wanted Qin Yumei to stay overnight at their place, but Yin Jianguo—who rarely voiced objections—disagreed.
So Li Wenyue had no choice but to take Zhao Xiujie and accompany Qin Yumei to the guesthouse instead.
Li Wenyue could certainly afford it. More importantly, she and Qin Yumei had studied together since childhood—they were both educated women.
Unlike Li Xiaohe and the others, Qin Yumei had actual skills. She wouldn’t need Li Wenyue’s special connections to get a job at the factory.
So when Yin Li returned home, she found Yin Jianguo dragging his injured leg around, tidying up the little household chores.
Her heart suddenly ached. “Dad…”
Seeing her like this, Yin Jianguo set the rag aside. “What’s wrong? Did things fall through?”
“Dad~” Yin Li couldn’t understand why her father was so open-minded about this. Other parents wouldn’t want their children dating so early. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“Not at all. You love to eat but can’t cook a thing. How could I rest easy?” Yin Jianguo said teasingly, but then turned and brought over a steaming bowl of small wontons. “Here, eat quickly. They won’t taste as good if you wait.”
Warmth filled Yin Li’s heart. Amidst all the chaos of the day, this moment settled her. Only her father had noticed—she hadn’t eaten properly all day!
As she ate, she asked, “Dad, do you really think it’s a good idea for me to be with Li Hanting?”
“I think he’s a pretty good kid. He’s a real man—steady and reliable. And most importantly, he cooks well. Just like me.”
Yin Li: …
She felt like her father hadn’t given it much thought. But she also knew that wasn’t his way. When he married Aunt Li, he had considered it carefully.
He must have his own reasons for handling her marriage this way. He wouldn’t make such an important decision lightly.
As for Yin Li herself, she wasn’t actually opposed to being with Li Hanting.
She had some selfish thoughts too. Li Hanting had no family. If he married her, she would be his only family, and her family would become his.
That also meant he had no backing, so she would never be mistreated.
Besides, Zhao Xiujie was even more unstable than she had imagined. He acted without thinking of the consequences.
She didn’t even want to imagine what would have happened if Zhao Xiujie had actually spoken up today. This family would have been truly destroyed!
Yin Li felt like she was forgetting something, but she couldn’t quite remember what. Her mind was exhausted from the day’s mental turmoil. She washed up and fell straight asleep.
That night, she had no dreams.
The next day, Yin Li slept in for the first time since her fever. Now that the marriage was settled, she felt a strange sense of relief.
But there were already voices coming from the living room.
Yin Li got up and stood by the door, listening. She could hear her parents talking, along with Li Hanting’s occasional responses.
“The Three Turnings and One Ringing…” Li Wenyue was no stranger to such things. Whether it was the sewing machine, the radio, the bicycle, or the watch—none of it was cheap.
Even the more affordable versions were beyond what most people could afford these days. That’s why there were so many bachelors in the countryside.
While she didn’t want to interfere too much in her stepdaughter’s marriage, it was true that better conditions for the groom meant an easier life for the bride.
“How much did all this cost? You’ve only been working for how long?” Li Wenyue thought it over and couldn’t help but ask.
“Part of it came from my salary. A while back, I did some trading and made a bit of money. The rest is savings I’ve put aside. I don’t smoke, and I only drink a little during the holidays.” Li Hanting answered quickly, his tone steady.
Savings?
How many young people these days could claim to have savings? But considering Li Hanting’s unusual circumstances and his hardworking, dependable nature, Li Wenyue was inclined to believe him.
Besides, in a place like Anfeng, news traveled fast. Nothing stayed hidden for long. If Li Hanting had borrowed money or tried any tricks, it would never work.
What surprised Li Wenyue was how quickly he had prepared all this. The items he brought were even better than what the county party secretary had given for his own daughter’s betrothal gifts.
She glanced at Yin Jianguo. The man sat there completely unruffled. He continued, “Our Li Li is a high school graduate and about to start university. Logically, there’s no rush to get married. But if she’s willing, as parents, we want to support her. Her only real hobby is reading.”
This was a subtle way of making sure the two would have things to talk about.
Li Hanting then brought out a cloth bag filled with books. “I won’t interfere with her studies. I know she loves to read, so I prepared these.”
Li Wenyue took the bag. Inside were books like Selected Foreign Film Scripts and October. She flipped through them and noticed pencil annotations in the margins.
Yin Jianguo, who had been silently observing all along, suddenly pointed at the radio. “Can this pick up ‘enemy stations’?”
“It can get Voice of America and Radio Moscow.”
On top of all this, Li Hanting also offered eight thousand yuan as betrothal money. Both parents were startled.
“That’s too much. The gesture itself is enough. Marriage is about the life ahead.” It was only then that Li Wenyue’s smile became genuinely warm. This young man has been hiding his depth.
She no longer had any more questions. Yesterday and this morning, she had thought the father and daughter were being hasty. But it turned out they had already considered everything.
No wonder Yin Jianguo had been so calm the whole time.
“When do you want to make it official?” Yin Jianguo asked after a pause.
“Whatever Li Li wants. She said she’d like to get the marriage certificate first but doesn’t want a big ceremony yet. It would distract from her studies. I’ve also prepared a house—it’s being painted now, and the furniture is being made.”
Yin Li heard every word clearly from behind the door.
When did Li Hanting prepare all this? It’s as if he’s been ready for a long time.
Still, she felt a little relieved. At the very least, these things showed his sincerity—and that was a good thing.
Zhao Xiujie had gone to work early that morning. Yin Li felt an inexplicable sense of lightness because of it.
She certainly didn’t want a big, noisy wedding, especially since she was about to go to university.
It seemed the discussion was almost over. Yin Li still felt a sense of unreality. She lay back down on her bed and turned her head to look at the curtains fluttering in the breeze.
“I’m getting married?” she whispered to herself.