You're my wife, don't doubt it!

"Who tied up your long hair? Who made your wedding dress?"

Xiao Yao sat on the sofa, shoulder to shoulder with Shen Jie, and watched a 2009 "old" movie set in the future, titled "The Time Traveler's Wife."

Although she said she was accompanying him, it was actually his first time watching the movie—the young man quite liked it, and Shen Jie's choice of this film tonight was clearly very fitting.

The room lights were off, and only the glow of the computer screen illuminated the boy and woman's faces, making them appear alternately pale and bluish.

The details of Xiao Yao and Shen Jie watching this movie together can be described again as follows:

In Shen Tianyun's bedroom, the lighting was dim, with only the faint glow of the computer screen creating a warm and private atmosphere. Xiao Yao sat beside Shen Jie, shoulder to shoulder, as they quietly watched the movie together.

Xiao Yao was captivated by this futuristic "old" movie. He was immersed in the plot, fascinated by the intertwining of time travel and love. He saw a reflection of himself in the male protagonist and experienced a touching emotional journey alongside him.

Shen Jie's eyes, however, were filled with deep thoughts—she was no stranger to this movie, but she chose to watch it with Xiao Yao at this moment not only to share this special moment with him, but also for other reasons.

Their eyes met on the screen, both feeling the emotional impact of the film. Shen Jie would occasionally gently stroke Xiao Yao's shoulder, the warm touch conveying... well, it wasn't quite maternal love, but rather a unique kind of affection.

Xiao Yao glanced at Shen Jie from time to time.

As the film's plot deepened, it resonated with them. At crucial moments, they would look at each other, exchanging silent understanding through their eyes. This tacit understanding brought them closer, as if the gap of time and age became insignificant.

As the film progressed, Xiao Yao's thoughts began to wander. He imagined the future, wondering what role he would play in the long river of time—he wasn't sure if his unfortunate fate could be changed, and thus felt a sense of worry and confusion.

Shen Jie's companionship made him feel at ease, and even gave him a firm belief that no matter how the future changed, the bond between them would remain.

"I just hope my fate isn't to be shot dead by some random passerby's hunting rifle." Xiao Yao stood up and stretched lazily.

"No, you'll live to be a hundred," Shen Jie said with a smile.

“Spending your whole life in prison isn’t a good thing either,” Xiao Yao said.

The boy told Shen Jie that he was tired and wanted to go back to his room to wash up and rest. Although Shen Jie did not explicitly forbid him from leaving, she kept him there, chatting about random things.

Xiao Yao lay comfortably on Shen Jie's lap, closed his eyes, and tried to relax. He then chatted with Shen Jie casually.

Shen Jie gently picked up a cotton swab, shone it with the small flashlight on her keychain, and tried to remove the earwax from Xiao Yao's ear.

Her movements were light and skillful, causing Xiao Yao no discomfort whatsoever.

Xiao Yao felt Shen Jie's care and completely relaxed, enjoying the feeling of being taken care of. Shen Jie's movements were gentle and meticulous; her fingers moved lightly around his ears, making him feel comfortable and pampered.

In this quiet bedroom, there was no other sound except for the soft breathing and heartbeats of the two of them.

"Xiao Yao," Shen Jie began, "tell me your love story with Shen Jie?"

"What love story?" Xiao Yao asked.

"I want to hear about how you two first met, and how you've spent the last few months together," Shen Jie said gently.

After cleaning Xiao Yao's ears, Shen Jie put down the cotton swab and gently stroked his forehead with her fingers, lightly massaging his temples. This gentle touch made him feel at ease and peaceful, as if his worries and stress had been soothed.

"I'm hesitant to tell you these things, afraid that the memory replacement will be too fast and you won't be able to adapt," Xiao Yao told Shen Jie.

“I think I’m ready, I’m getting used to it—we can take it one step at a time, say a little today, a little tomorrow.”

"Hmm... how should I put it?" Xiao Yao said, "I'm still a little scared."

"What are you afraid of, silly boy?"

“I’m afraid of losing both of you,” Xiao Yao said.

"The two of us?" Shen Jie was slightly taken aback.

“Yes, Xiao Yao, who only met Shen Jie at the age of 30, learned how to make Dongru sesame cakes for her, treated her with respect, raised Changsheng together, and resolutely took the blame for her father, I don’t want him to disappear forever.” Xiao Yao sorted out his thoughts: “Although I think it’s a good thing to avoid going to jail if possible; including you, because of this huge change in your family, you have grown into a strong woman, I don’t want you to be gone.”

"You're such a thoughtful child. Whether you're here or not, I will still shoulder the responsibilities of the company," Shen Jie said with a smile. "We will remember, I promise you."

She spoke in a very soft, almost ethereal voice.

“Never forget,” Xiao Yao said.

"Alright," Shen Jie smiled and turned his head over to pick at his other ear, "Tell me your story."

"Our story... We first met at your school, at the gate of No. 7 Girls' High School, and then I..."

“Oh, right,” Shen Jie suddenly remembered something and interrupted him, “Can you tell me how far things have progressed between you two?”

"Huh?" Xiao Yao was taken aback: "What do you mean, 'what stage has it reached'?"

Chapter 245: Accumulating Some Experience

2023-06-22

"Huh?" Xiao Yao was taken aback: "What do you mean, 'what stage has it reached'?"

"Still pretending to be stupid with your sister, aren't you?" Shen Jie's smile looked a little mischievous.

"It's only been two months, how far can it have progressed?" Xiao Yao said somewhat embarrassedly and hesitantly, "It's just within the normal boundaries."

"Hmm~~~~~~" Shen Jie looked at Xiao Yao with a suspicious gaze, squinting her eyes and looking him up and down: "You're talking like it's true. I remember you're not a person who likes to lie."

Xiao Yao was convinced that Shen Jie was bluffing him, so he said, "You must be mistaken—we haven't gone all the way yet. Besides, don't you know yourself? Are you that kind of person?"

Shen Jie smiled with narrowed eyes, half-jokingly saying, "If it's a good man, then it's not just anyone."

Xiao Yao mentioned somewhat awkwardly the trip he and Shen Jie took to the university town of T University before Shen Jie went home, and the story that happened during that trip.

Shen Jie stopped using the cotton swab in her hand and fell into deep thought once again.

"If it's really painful, don't dwell on it. Don't force yourself to," Xiao Yao said, sitting up from her lap. "Why are you doing this?"

“I think I remember now,” Shen Jie nodded thoughtfully.

"You remember now?" Xiao Yao said awkwardly.

“Well, there are two main reasons why you failed,” Shen Jie told Xiao Yao.

"What two reasons?" Xiao Yao asked with great interest.

"Hmm... how should I put it?" Shen Jie hesitated for a moment, but finally decided to tell the truth: "At this point in time, it seems that she doesn't like you enough, so she can't make up her mind."

Xiao Yao knew about this, of course, but hearing Shen Jie say it like that still made him feel...utterly disheartened.

"And what's the second reason?" Xiao Yao quickly changed the subject.

“You’re too young and inexperienced, and you do things too simply and crudely,” Shen Jie said with a smile. “You’ll get much better once you gain some experience.”

“I see…” Xiao Yao replied somewhat awkwardly.

"I suggest you get things settled as soon as you reunite with me this time," Shen Jie said seriously.

"Huh, what's done?" Xiao Yao was stunned.

“Stop pretending to be confused. If things are already fait accompli, even if Dad doesn’t give up, even if Zhang Zhengkai doesn’t give up, Zhang Zhengkai’s father will definitely object,” Shen Jie told Xiao Yao. “Then this matter will not be able to be accomplished.”

"Are you sure?" Xiao Yao asked.

“Hmm,” Shen Jie nodded, “I think I saw it.”

"What did you see again?"

“After I ran away from home and went back, I was supposed to be confined to my house for a while and that would be the end of it,” Shen Jie told Xiao Yao. “But I lost my mind and stole my stepmother’s props. She found out that one was missing, and the video of the two of us dancing at T University was uploaded online. It eventually reached the ears of my parents and Zhang Zhengkai’s parents.”

“Zhang Zhengkai’s father originally wanted to cancel the marriage,” Shen Jie’s eyes seemed to be staring into the endless void behind Xiao Yao’s head: “But my father swore that I was fine and even asked Zhang Zhengkai’s father to arrange for a doctor he trusted to examine me.”

"Huh? Huh?" Xiao Yao said.

"Later, a female doctor came, but I can't remember the specifics," Shen Jie shook her head. "The first thing I can recall now is endless sadness."

Xiao Yao reached out and touched Shen Jie's long, straight, shiny black hair, then patted the back of her head.

“I felt incredibly insulted at that moment,” Shen Jie said with her eyes closed. “Although my father has always been very strict, that was the first time I had the feeling that ‘my father doesn’t love me.’”

"I understand," Xiao Yao nodded.

“And I’ve always had a strong sense of self-respect,” Shen Jie recalled. “This incident made me feel like I was a livestock being bought and sold, a tool being bought and sold, having my chin pinched and teeth checked, and then being stamped with a ‘quarantine qualified’ mark…”

"Mommy, stop talking." Xiao Yao hugged Shen Jie tightly.

A somber silence hung between them for a while before Shen Jie finally spoke: "So, I need you to get this done this time, so that many problems can be solved once and for all."

"I understand..." Xiao Yao said, "It still depends on what she thinks, right?"

"Oh dear, let me teach you a few tricks today, the methods of a young girl." Shen Jie smiled again.

"Tomorrow, tomorrow," Xiao Yao said, feeling embarrassed. He sensed danger and became alert. "I'm going back to sleep. I'm so tired and sleepy..."

"What time is it?" Shen Jie pouted and said unhappily, "Chat with me a little longer."

"Hmm...so what should we talk about?" Xiao Yao said, "How about I tell you about our first encounter at the gate of the Seventh Girls' High School?"

"No," Shen Jie shook her head and said, "Not for now, not today."

“Oh…” Xiao Yao said.

“I thought your story would be full of sweetness,” Shen Jie said, “but I didn’t expect it to evoke such heavy sadness in me. I need to calm down.”

"So, what shall we talk about?" Xiao Yao asked Shen Jie.

"Hmm..." Shen Jie rested her chin on her hand and thought for a moment, "How about you tell me about your high school life?"

"Tch, what's there to talk about?" Xiao Yao said.

"Tell me, tell me," Shen Jie urged with great interest.

……