Film and TV: Starting from childhood, I will give up Zhong Yi

Chapter 291 Reciprocity is a sign of love

Although Lin Yuan's sprint performance was not ideal, it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the three of them for their trip together.

Summers in Northeast China are relatively cool, with warm but not scorching sunshine, making it the perfect time for travel.

Lin Yuan, Qiao Sanli, and Ma Suqin headed north along their predetermined route, taking in countless scenic views.

We visited Benxi Water Cave, where we rode in a small boat through the mysterious underground river and listened to the crisp sound of water droplets falling from the cave ceiling.
Upon reaching the summit of Changbai Mountain, one can overlook Tianchi Lake, which appears and disappears amidst the swirling clouds and mist, a scene of breathtaking beauty, resembling a fairyland.
Upon arriving at Jingpo Lake, vast reed beds swayed in the wind, their lush green plumes resembling layers of waves...

For Ma Suqin, there were many sights she had never been to before, but this time she benefited from Lin Yuan's presence.

During the day, the three of them enjoyed the beautiful scenery together and took photos to remember the occasion. At night, Lin Yuan and Qiao Sanli shared a twin room, while Ma Suqin had a room to herself. However, she would occasionally come to Lin Yuan's room at night to ask him to give her a lesson.

Seven or eight days passed quickly. The three of them first returned to Dalian and picked up the children of Ma Suqin's older sister.

Ma Suqin's eldest sister's child is a girl named He Qinghuan, who just graduated from vocational school.

The girl had neat, short hair that reached her ears, revealing a delicate and petite face. Her almond-shaped eyes sparkled, her nose was straight, and when she smiled, she showed her neat, pearly teeth.

She wasn't shy at all when meeting people, greeting them with a smile and her poised and generous demeanor was refreshing.

At the Ma family's dinner table, the aroma of hot dishes filled the air, and laughter and cheerful conversation filled the air, all conveying the sentiment of entrusting their children to Lin Yuan's care.

After the meal, the four of them finally embarked on their journey back to Nanjing.

Lin Yuan had booked a soft sleeper berth well in advance, with four beds neatly arranged.

At this time, there were exactly four beds in a soft sleeper compartment, consisting of two upper berths and two lower berths.

Qiao Sanli and He Qinghuan slept on the lower bunk, while Lin Yuan and Ma Suqin slept on the upper bunk.

He Qinghuan gently touched the soft mattress and squeezed the fluffy pillow, feeling that this bed was a hundred times more comfortable than the wooden bed at home.

She originally thought she would buy a seat ticket and never imagined that she could travel to Nanjing in a comfortable sleeper berth.

After all, a soft sleeper ticket is so expensive, it can be equivalent to someone's monthly salary.

Thinking of this, she looked at Lin Yuan and gave him a grateful and delighted smile.

The train rumbled along the tracks, and to avoid being disturbed, Lin Yuan locked the door of his soft sleeper compartment from the inside.

Then they took out a deck of cards, and the four of them sat around the lower bunk and started playing.

They added some small punishments, such as the loser having to sing or give the winner a shoulder massage. After a few rounds, He Qinghuan quickly got into the game and became more familiar with Lin Yuan and Qiao Sanli.

The carriage was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation, creating a joyful atmosphere.

Night fell quickly, the darkness thick as ink, and the only sound in the carriage was the monotonous clatter of wheels rolling over the rails.

Ma Suqin quietly squeezed into the upper bunk where Lin Yuan was.

The bed was small, but it could still fit two people.

Lin Yuan leaned against the cushion, the dim yellow night light illuminating the pages of the book.

Ma Suqin sat down with her body curled up, her calves, encased in flesh-colored stockings, were faintly visible. She curled up her toes and slowly moved her feet up Lin Yuan's taut calves.

The wine-red nail polish shimmered in the light and shadow, like ripe cherries.

A delicate and warm touch rubbed from my knee down to my hip, my toes gently brushing against it, and a tingling sensation exploded through my nerve endings.

Lin Yuan narrowed his eyes, turned off the night light, grabbed her smooth ankle, and said softly, "Your older sister and brother-in-law are really willing to let such a young child go out and make her way in the world."

Ma Suqin chuckled, her eyes glistening with tears: "This child has always longed for the outside world. Her family also wanted her to start working early to help support the family. Now that they see I'm doing well outside, they've entrusted her to us, hoping she can find a way out with me."

She swung her toes, her voice tinged with a hint of languor.

“I could tell when we were playing cards during the day that this girl is quick-witted and not afraid of challenges,” Lin Yuan said, gently stroking her slender instep with his palm. “Since she is your family, I will take good care of her in the future.”

Ma Suqin looked up at Lin Yuan: "I'm thinking of letting her practice at a clothing store first, what do you think?"

Lin Yuan nodded: "That works too. Let her read more books in her spare time. How far she goes depends on her own destiny."

Ma Suqin responded softly, then suddenly straddled Lin Yuan's waist, almost burying herself in his arms. Her soft groans gradually faded into the symphony of the wheels and the night.

After arriving at Nanjing Station, the four of them got off the train with their luggage.

Lin Yuan took Qiao Sanli back to Sha Mao Lane, while Ma Suqin first took He Qinghuan to her residence.

Although foreign media outlets published numerous reports questioning Lin Yuan, local media took a completely different stance. While they did not openly defend him, they also showed no malice.

……

September arrived in the blink of an eye, and Lin Yuan entered his junior year of college.

Although there aren't many courses in the third year, the difficulty level increases significantly, and the homework load becomes heavier, requiring students to study independently.

Lin Yuan and Chang Xingyu both plan to pursue graduate studies, so they will need to spend even more time studying.

When the two of them didn't need to borrow library materials, Lin Yuan would take Chang Xingyu home to study.

The two studied together, and this atmosphere of learning side by side and making progress together made Chang Xingyu feel very grounded and warm.

History coursework was a piece of cake for Lin Yuan. In his spare time, he would look at Chang Xingyu, who was doing her homework with her eyes down, and admire her gentle and beautiful profile.

Chang Xingyu sensed it, turned around with a smile in her eyes, put down her pen, and said coquettishly, "Journalism courses are so tedious, there's so much to learn."

Lin Yuan wrapped his long arm around the person and pulled them into his embrace. He buried his face in the person's hair and gently inhaled the fragrance of jasmine. He teased, "No wonder I always felt that you were like a sponge, so soft. It turns out you've absorbed so much knowledge."

"You're so annoying!" Chang Xingyu said playfully, pushing him away.

Lin Yuan stopped joking and comforted him, "There's still a long time before the postgraduate entrance exam. Let's take it one step at a time. When we graduate with our master's degrees, you can be my personal reporter, doing interviews, taking photos, and writing articles. That way, we can be together all the time again."

Chang Xingyu tilted his head, his eyes gleaming mischievously: "Do you mean I'll be interviewing you the whole time I start working here?"

Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of nonchalant confidence: "Olympic champion, bestselling author, and maybe even a business tycoon in the future. With so much to cover, isn't that enough for you to interview? Are you worried about not satisfying your interviewing desires as a great reporter?"

Chang Xingyu's cheeks flushed slightly. He raised his hand and gently punched Lin Yuan's chest, but a smile he couldn't hide played on his lips: "You're so good at bragging!"

She leaned her head against Lin Yuan's shoulder, her words filled with disdain, but her eyes were full of pride and trust.

The girl's vibrant youthful energy was like a ripe peach in midsummer, exuding a sweet fragrance, and Lin Yuan was somewhat eager to try it out.

Chang Xingyu was a little embarrassed and asked softly, "Won't this affect your training? If you don't do that, you might be able to run better in the race."

Lin Yuan chuckled and pinched her fair cheek, then pulled her onto his lap, supporting her waist. "You're wrong. The secret to maintaining your condition is proper relaxation." Lin Yuan paused, his voice lowering, "Baby, will you give yourself to me? I'll be good to you for the rest of my life."

Before he could finish speaking, he leaned in and kissed her full, cherry-like lips. Chang Xingyu frantically pressed against his chest, her voice muffled between their clashing breaths: "No, not now..."

"Think about it, we can't get married in college, and we'll be doing graduate school in the future. Even if we get married, it won't be for another five years." Lin Yuan gently nudged her, his hot breath brushing against her ear. "Do you want me to wait another five years?"

"Like before, okay?" Chang Xingyu's watery eyes were full of pleading.

Lin Yuan didn't want to make things difficult for her, so he sighed helplessly and gently pecked her lips: "Alright, what can I do when I like you so much?"

Chang Xingyu is broad-minded and tolerant.

Lin Yuan smiled and pinched her burning earlobe: "It's my turn."

A dozen minutes later, Chang Xingyu curled up in the corner of the bed, grabbed a pillow and covered his flushed face tightly.

Lin Yuan wiped the thin layer of sweat from his forehead, gently pried open her hand that was tightly gripping the pillow, and said softly, "There's a new movie called 'The Battle of Taierzhuang' that's been released recently, and I heard it's been very well received. Let's go see it together."

Chang Xingyu hadn't recovered yet. She avoided his gaze and said shyly, "I... I didn't mean to. Besides, why did you come so close?"

"When gentlemen make friends, they reciprocate each other's courtesy," Lin Yuan said with a smile, helping her up and pulling her into his arms. "This is a way of showing my love for you."

……

September 18th is the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The moon is big and round.

That day, Lin Yuan returned to Sha Mao Lane and had a reunion dinner with Wu Xiulan and Qiao Sanli, and they also enjoyed the moon together.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, he returned to his residential building on Jiangning Road.

Previously, because He Qinghuan was temporarily staying at Ma Suqin's house, the two had less intimacy.

Now that He Qinghuan has been re-accommodated, the two can resume their intimate relationship.

The two had just finished their tender moment. Ma Suqin leaned against Lin Yuan's chest, feeling the warmth all over her once again. She gently stroked her lower abdomen and asked, "Do you really want me to get pregnant?"

"Of course." Lin Yuan hugged her tighter. "I know how troublesome it is to be pregnant out of wedlock and how much controversy it will attract, but I have already thought of a way to deal with it. You are in the golden period of pregnancy now. It is better to get pregnant sooner rather than later. Think about it, this will be my first child."

Ma Suqin was somewhat tempted. In ancient times, a mother's status depended on her son. Although modern society is not as feudal, women with children always have more confidence, and Lin Yuan would definitely cherish her more.

“But after I have a baby,” she frowned slightly, “I’m afraid I won’t be able to take care of things at the company.”

"The company is nothing compared to you and the child." Lin Yuan patted her shoulder gently. "If it really comes down to it, I'll have my mom come and help us take care of the child."

"Ah?" Ma Suqin exclaimed in surprise, and quickly shook her head, "No, I'm afraid your mother will mind."

Lin Yuan said dismissively, "How could that be? Such a good daughter-in-law, and she doesn't even ask for a title. Where else can she find one?"

Ma Suqin opened her mouth, then hesitated, "Actually, I'd like to..."

"Don't overthink it. I won't leave you without a proper status. Aside from not having that certificate, I won't let you suffer any injustice." Lin Yuan patted her and said with a smile, "Just to be on the safe side, shall we try again?"

Ma Suqin's cheeks flushed slightly as she obediently turned over, feeling Lin Yuan's closeness.

……

The 1986 Seoul Asian Games began.

Many relatives and friends asked Wu Xiulan curiously why her son didn't participate in the competition this time.

Wu Xiulan replied confidently, "What's the Asian Games? My son is preparing for the sprint events at the next Olympics. Do you know sprinting? It's the most watched event in track and field, watched by audiences all over the world. My son said he wants to win the hardest gold medal."

Wu Xiulan's answer naturally stemmed from the confidence Lin Yuan gave her.

The archery competition ended quickly, but the results were dismal. This time, with the absence of Lin Yuan, a key athlete, the men's archery team failed to win any individual medals and only managed to secure a bronze medal in the team competition.

As the defending champions who swept the previous Asian Games and Olympics, both the coaching staff and the audience found this result hard to accept.

Given Lin Yuan's amazing talent and consistent performance on the field, as long as he continues to delve deeper into this area, he can dominate this sport for a very long time.

Now that they've lost the match, naturally some media outlets have started pointing the finger at Lin Yuan.

Considering Lin Yuan's recent defeat in the Universiade sprint, such criticisms seem even more convincing.

Regardless of the archery team's performance, criticism seems inevitable.

We won, but we can still win without you, Lin Yuan. Don't take all the credit for the team's success...

You lost. The national team has put so much effort and resources into developing you, and you just leave like that? It's simply irresponsible...

That afternoon, Lin Yuan had just finished class and was packing up his textbooks.

Counselor Chen Xuewen walked up to Lin Yuan carrying a thick stack of letters.

Lin Yuan took the letters with some surprise: "Are all these letters addressed to me?"

He had received letters before during his university years, but receiving so many at once was quite unexpected.

Chen Xuewen pushed up his glasses, his tone tinged with worry: "It's probably related to the Asian Games. There will probably be more in the future, so you should be prepared. Some of the letters might not be pleasant to hear."

In fact, he valued Lin Yuan very much, after all, Lin Yuan's academic performance had consistently ranked first in the class for the past two years.

Lin Yuan, however, remained calm and smiled gently: "I won't care about these things."

Like Lin Yuan, Chang Xingyu only had two classes this afternoon. When he arrived at Lin Yuan's classroom to wait for him, he saw so many letters in front of him and asked curiously, "How do you have so many letters?"

Lin Yuan shrugged and deliberately sighed, "I'm too charming. A bunch of girls are writing me love letters. Want to take a look?"

The two returned home together and began opening the envelopes.

Some letters encouraged Lin Yuan to persevere in his dream, while others advised him to return to the archery arena. However, most of the letters were critical, accusing him of overestimating his abilities and being ungrateful.

[You ungrateful wretch! The country nurtured you to excel in archery, but you gave up halfway to pursue something else. How can you face the country like this?]

[He's always making wild guesses and talking big. Anyone can talk big, but he doesn't even know if he has the ability. Making it to the Olympic 100-meter final? He'd be better off buying a ticket.]

[You selfish bastard! You disregard national honor for your own pathetic dream! The archery sport is currently facing a talent shortage, and you're the culprit!]

[Lin Yuan, you're such an arrogant fool! Do you really think you're some kind of prodigy? Two years have passed, and what have you accomplished in sprinting? Anyone who didn't know better would think third place at the Universiade was a great achievement, but you're not even as fast as me!]

Chang Xingyu's face grew increasingly grim as he looked at them, his chest heaving with anger: "What kind of people are these? They're so unreasonable!"

She genuinely thought it was a love letter and was even planning to comment on it as a 'victor,' but most of it turned out to be full of malicious attacks, which infuriated her.

(End of this chapter)