Chapter 25

Back inside the house, Wang Yong put the kelp he had picked into a pot to cook. He added a bit of vinegar, a method he found online that was said to make it cook faster and taste better. After cooking, he divided the kelp into four portions and did the same with the vegetables he had picked from the small world. He then drove to deliver a portion to Second Master, sat for a while at Second Uncle's place to drop off the vegetables, and finally went to Uncle's house.

He was forcibly kept for a meal by Auntie, who incessantly reminded him of the matters to pay attention to the next day. In the end, he fled in embarrassment amidst Uncle's laughter.

The next morning, Wang Yong was woken by Auntie's phone call. Checking the time, it was not even six o'clock. Dazed and confused, he got dressed, washed his face, brushed his teeth, and dressed up before leaving the house without having breakfast.

Around eight o'clock, as he was about to enter the city, Wang Yong called Yuan Yuan.

"Yuan Yuan? Yeah, it's me. I just entered the city, where are you? Oh, okay, okay." After hanging up, Wang Yong, guided by Xiaoguang's constant directions, drove to the entrance of a residential area called Peninsula Home. From afar, he saw Yuan Yuan standing at the gate, looking around. She was wearing a white short wool coat that covered most of her sexy figure, with her legs exposed in black tights and black boots. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her fair face was flushed from the morning chill, her charming smile making her look like a fragrant orchid blooming with dazzling brilliance.

Wang Yong parked the car next to Yuan Yuan, shifted into neutral, pulled the handbrake, and got out. Approaching Yuan Yuan, he said awkwardly, "Did you wait long? Why did you come down so early? Didn't I say I would call you when I arrived?"

Yuan Yuan blushed and glanced at Wang Yong, saying, "There was nothing to do at home, so I came down a bit early to get some fresh air."

"Get in the car, warm up a bit. You look cold, don't catch a cold!"

The two got into the car, and Wang Yong turned the heater to the maximum. They sat quietly, not knowing what to say. The car was silent, with only the sound of the air vents blowing.

"Where are we going?" they both said at the same time.

Wang Yong, looking at the shy Yuan Yuan, quickly said, "You decide, I'm not very familiar with the city."

Hearing this, Yuan Yuan became excited and said, "Let's go to the library. I finished the books I borrowed yesterday. I can exchange them today."

Wang Yong was taken aback. Going to the library for a date, it seemed like something they used to do in school. After entering society, who would still meet friends at the library! But seeing Yuan Yuan's excitement, he thought, "Alright, the library it is." He shifted gears, released the handbrake, and drove steadily onto the road.

"How do we get there? You'll have to be my navigator," Wang Yong asked while driving.

"Um, go straight and turn right at the intersection. I go to the library often, so I know the way well," Yuan Yuan said, sneaking a glance at Wang Yong.

On the way, the two chatted, finding topics to talk about. Both being introverted and not very talkative, they would do their own things when there was no topic. Wang Yong focused on driving, while Yuan Yuan would daydream and occasionally steal glances at Wang Yong. Under Yuan Yuan's guidance, they arrived smoothly at the city library on Dong Street.

Following Yuan Yuan into the library, Wang Yong watched her greet many staff members happily. It seemed she came here often and was familiar with the staff.

"Yuan Yuan, you're here to exchange books? Who's this? I haven't seen you before," a staff member in her forties greeted Yuan Yuan.

Yuan Yuan blushed and replied softly, "Aunt Zhang, I'm here to exchange books."

"I know you're here to exchange books, but who's the young man? Is he your boyfriend? He looks honest, and his personality seems to match yours. Aunt Zhang approves of you two!" Aunt Zhang teased.

Yuan Yuan blushed and looked up at Wang Yong. From her eyes, Wang Yong read her meaning: "You say it, I'm too shy." With his girlfriend in trouble, Wang Yong had to muster the courage to greet Aunt Zhang.

"Hello, my name is Wang Yong. I'm Yuan Yuan's boyfriend."

"Good young man. You mustn't bully our Yuan Yuan! She's an honest girl who doesn't even talk to strangers. If anything happens, you have to be understanding. By the way, how old are you..."

A series of personal questions left Wang Yong flustered. He had to answer each one, and just when he felt he couldn't handle it anymore, he suddenly felt his right hand being held by a warm, soft hand. Yuan Yuan's voice rang out beside him.

"Aunt Zhang, we're going to exchange books. We'll talk later." She then pulled Wang Yong and ran. Aunt Zhang's cheerful laughter echoed behind them.

Thus, the two held hands and spent almost two hours before escaping the library. They were repeatedly questioned and teased, making the two people who were not good at socializing blush repeatedly. As they walked out of the library, they looked at each other and smiled, feeling they had become much closer, and their relationship had advanced rapidly. As they stepped out of the warm building, a cool breeze made Yuan Yuan shiver. Wang Yong naturally pulled her into his arms, and Yuan Yuan also naturally hugged him, feeling no awkwardness at all. It was as if they had been lovers for a long time, everything felt so natural. He never expected that this experience at the library would bring their hearts so close together.

Getting into the car, Wang Yong drove straight to a nearby botanical garden. It took less than ten minutes to arrive. They got out of the car and walked into the botanical garden, holding hands. Wang Yong held Yuan Yuan's smooth, delicate hand as they walked on the cement path. Under the warm sunlight, they strolled leisurely, occasionally chatting about their lives. The initial awkwardness of their first meeting was gone, and they talked like old friends about family, career, friends, and love. Their smiling faces drew the attention of passersby. Yuan Yuan was not a very pretty person, but she was the kind of person who grew on you. The more you looked at her, the more beautiful she seemed. Her quiet personality suited Wang Yong perfectly.

Yuan Yuan's face was filled with a happy smile. She never thought she would meet a boyfriend she fell in love with at first sight. When she first met Wang Yong at her brother's store, she felt a sense of familiarity, and her heart inexplicably quickened. After a few words, she even asked for his phone number with a rather awkward reason. Thinking about it now made her laugh. When he called to tell her he was going to be the village chief, she was overjoyed. Did he like her too, so he shared his joy with her? Indeed, a few days later, her guess was confirmed. His aunt, led by her aunt, came to her house and directly discussed their relationship with her mother, making her blush for a long time.

Meeting a compatible lover was her happiness. She would not let this happiness slip away. Looking at Wang Yong, Yuan Yuan subconsciously held his hand tighter, afraid he would run away. Sensing Yuan Yuan's change, Wang Yong turned to look at her, smiled, and squeezed her hand. Then he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. Instantly, all of Yuan Yuan's worries vanished. Having a lover who understood and cared for her was a blessing from heaven.

They walked around the botanical garden for almost an hour before Wang Yong pulled Yuan Yuan to sit on a bench for visitors to rest. They embraced silently, saying nothing, just feeling each other's heartbeats and admiring the withering flowers and trees. The originally desolate scenery seemed more beautiful and captivating to them. At that moment, it was as if the famous poem said:

Where you are, is heaven.

Wang Yong told Yuan Yuan everything about his past. His mischievous childhood, his youthful vigor, his confusion and helplessness when his parents passed away, his cautiousness when he first started working, and his regret and helplessness when he broke up with his ex-girlfriend. He told her everything. Although he was not short of money and was now the village chief, he was still a farmer. This might become the biggest obstacle between them.

Yuan Yuan listened quietly as Wang Yong narrated the joys, sorrows, bitterness, and happiness of the past years. When he mentioned his worries, Yuan Yuan's face broke into a charming, sweet smile, and a string of English words came from her slightly parted lips:

"I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you. It means I love you not because of what kind of person you are, but because I like the feeling of being with you."

In the distance, a pleasant song echoed, making the two of them cling tightly together.

I am still searching

For a place to lean and a hug

Who prays for me and worries for me

Who gets angry for me and fusses over me

Happiness begins to show signs

Fate brings us closer

Then loneliness is swallowed

Boredom turns into something to talk about and changes

Small dimples and long lashes

Are your most beautiful marks

I can't sleep every day thinking of your smile

You don't know how important you are to me

With you, life is perfectly complete

Small dimples and long lashes

Charming beyond redemption

I slow down my pace

Feeling like I'm drunk

Finally found a heart-to-heart connection

A lifetime of warm happiness.