The two embraced for a long time in the cold wind before Lin Feng reluctantly let go of Fu Wenwen.
"Go back and sleep!" Lin Feng escorted Fu Wenwen back to her room, kissed her forehead, and let go.
As Fu Wenwen slowly walked towards her room, she suddenly turned back. Lin Feng stood at the door, his eyes fixed on her, her reflection in his gaze. Fu Wenwen's heart stirred, and she turned to throw herself into Lin Feng's arms, pulling his head down and initiating a kiss.
Lin Feng held Fu Wenwen tightly, preventing her escape, and deepened the kiss.
Only when Fu Wenwen was slightly breathless did Lin Feng release her, pushing her into the room with a stern look. "You little siren, I'll claim you sooner or later!"
Fu Wenwen chuckled. After lying down, she hugged Lin An and slowly closed her eyes.
Fu Wenwen had never slept so soundly.
Lin Feng, however, couldn't sleep all night.
His mind was filled with every moment he had spent with Fu Wenwen recently, from their first meeting to being drawn to her bravery…
Her desperate act to save Lin An…
Her standing in front of him, defending him…
Her personally making him noodles and seeing him off…
Every little detail of their shared life, Lin Feng was absolutely certain.
She wasn't acting.
Her kindness, her outwardly cold but warm heart, her sharp tongue, her gentleness – everything about her drew him in.
He couldn't fathom her past, nor everything she had said, but he was sure of one thing: knowing she had endured such harsh conditions and made so many efforts to protect herself, which she hadn't spoken of, his heart ached.
Lin Feng himself had suffered hardships, so he deeply understood Fu Wenwen's situation, which was likely even worse than his own back then.
He was in Honghe Village, and though often hungry, at least he had many kind people around him.
Lin Feng asked himself if her origins mattered. They didn't.
What mattered was her.
Lin Feng knew very well that he didn't love the Fu Wenwen of the past, but the current Fu Wenwen, the woman whose every move now captivated his heart.
Once he understood this, he naturally accepted Fu Wenwen's past.
The next morning, Fu Wenwen woke to find breakfast ready. Lin Feng brought over porridge, drew hot water for her, and squeezed toothpaste onto her toothbrush.
"Suddenly so attentive, I'm a bit scared," Fu Wenwen said, a slight blush on her cheeks as she watched Lin Feng looking at her.
"I didn't sleep all night," Lin Feng said, stepping forward to take her hand and lead her to the washbasin.
Fu Wenwen glanced at Lin Feng before lowering her head to brush her teeth and wash her face.
After Fu Wenwen finished, Lin Feng tidied everything up for her and led her back to the room to sit down.
"Why didn't you sleep? Is it that hard to understand?" Fu Wenwen asked softly as she drank her porridge.
"It's not hard to understand, but my heart ached too much to close my eyes," Lin Feng said, looking at Fu Wenwen earnestly. "I had Honghe Village, but you… had nothing. I can't imagine how you grew up in such an environment."
"Occasionally… I would have an older sister or an aunt who took pity on me and helped me out," Fu Wenwen paused, then looked up at Lin Feng. "You don't need to imagine me as being so pitiful. I don't need your sympathy."
"I'm not pitying you, just as you didn't pity me," Lin Feng said with a smile. "From the moment you met me, you treated me as you always did, which made me feel very relaxed around you."
"You don't need sympathy!" Fu Wenwen said calmly. "Neither do I."
"That's why I think we're a perfect match. Don't you agree?" Lin Feng's lips curved into a slight smile.
"…" Fu Wenwen looked at Lin Feng, wondering why he seemed to have changed.
"I'm going to the unit. We might have a tough fight today. I'll be back!" Lin Feng said with a light laugh, kissed Fu Wenwen's cheek, and turned to leave with his files for work.
"Lin Feng!" Fu Wenwen called out suddenly, watching his retreating back.
"Hmm?" Lin Feng turned around.
"...I'll wait for you to come back." Fu Wenwen said softly.
"Okay." Lin Feng's eyes crinkled with a smile, and he bared his teeth in a grin.
When Lin An woke up, he felt like his mother was different today, in a very good mood.
"Mommy, Mommy?" Lin An called out to Fu Wenwen twice, but she didn't respond. Lin An went forward and shook Fu Wenwen, who finally came back to her senses. "Ah, yes? What is it?"
"What's wrong? I called you several times, and you didn't hear me…" Lin An worriedly stepped forward, mimicking how Fu Wenwen used to check his temperature, and touched Fu Wenwen with his little hand. Fu Wenwen chuckled.
"Mommy was just thinking, so I didn't hear An An calling me. I'm sorry," Fu Wenwen said with a smile.
"Okay then!" Seeing that Fu Wenwen was alright, Lin An felt relieved.
"Mommy, that uncle is here again!" Lin An pointed to where Qu Qing had peeked before and said.
Fu Wenwen raised an eyebrow. Here again?
She grabbed a broom and went outside, ready to give Qu Qing a good lesson in social behavior.
However, as she walked out, she saw that the peeping person wasn't Qu Qing but another strange man with a fierce look.
The man saw Fu Wenwen emerge, his lips curling into a lewd grin.
"Yo, little beauty, are you here to personally invite me in?" the man said, walking towards Fu Wenwen. Fu Wenwen raised an eyebrow.
"I heard there was a beautiful woman here offering services, thirty yuan a time. I found it strange, what kind of woman would charge such a high price? Now I see, it's worth it! I'll pay the thirty yuan, come on! Keep Grandpa company for a good time." the man said loudly.
The neighbors near Fu Wenwen's house couldn't help but peek out upon hearing the man's words.
"What are you looking at! Look again and I'll gouge your eyes out!" the man snarled, glaring at them threateningly.
Aunt Ma immediately retracted her head and closed the window.
Other neighbors also quickly pulled their heads back, not daring to offend the man.
"Who sent you?" Fu Wenwen asked with a cold smile, raising an eyebrow and pointing the broom at the man.
"Oh, little beauty, you've got quite a temper. Too bad you ran into Grandpa here. You're going to suffer today no matter what! Let your man learn his lesson! It's your man's fault for offending someone he shouldn't have!" The man walked towards Fu Wenwen, reaching out to touch her.
Liu Fang and Xiao Liuzi happened to be passing by. As they turned into the alley leading to Fu Wenwen's house, they saw the man reaching out to attack Fu Wenwen.
They exchanged a glance and immediately charged towards the man. "Stop!"
"Who are you little punks? My business isn't for you to interfere with, get lost!" the man sneered dismissively, his hand still reaching for Fu Wenwen.
Just as the man's hand was about to grasp Fu Wenwen, his arm was suddenly seized by a slender hand and twisted forcefully…