Mrs. Fu, please be mindful of the appropriate boundaries.

Yu Shinan smiled and caught the little guy running towards him, easily tossing him up in the air. Yan Zheng laughed like a chubby little flying goose, sticking out his little bottom as he landed on the man's big hand.

Yu Shinan put the child down, handed him the tank, patted his head, and told him to play by himself.

The little guy picked up his toy and went to the side.

"Didn't you say you weren't coming? Why did you come over without even saying goodbye?" Yu Shinan asked Fu Sichen, tilting his head.

Fu Sichen pouted, gave him a reproachful look, and remained silent.

The man wiped her nose with his fingers, revealing a fine layer of sweat. "Are you hot?"

She shifted her position slightly and muttered under her breath, "I ran here."

The taxi took her to the village entrance. The alleys inside were difficult to navigate, so she and Yan Zheng jogged all the way. The little guy was too slow, so she had to carry him for a while. He was so heavy that her arms ached.

"What's the rush?" he chuckled, a hint of smugness in his voice, as if he already knew the answer.

Fu Sichen turned her head to help Yan Zheng unpack the package, ignoring him.

[Remember the fastest online novel website: 202ᴋᴋs.ᴄᴏᴍ]

Ding Jing had nothing more to ask. Last time she came, she was avoiding people's intimacy, but now she didn't even try to hide it from people and was flirting with them right in front of you.

What else is there to ask? Let's wait and see what they have to say.

Ding Miao was also at a loss for words, and only asked Yu Shinan, "Where is Teacher Huang? What did you say to her? She sounded angry on the phone just now, as if I had lied to her."

"I'm sorry, cousin. I didn't explain things clearly to Mom before, which led to this situation today. I've already explained it to Teacher Huang, and there's no need to talk about it anymore."

Yu Shinan is very direct; he doesn't hide anything, so it's useless.

His previous hesitations weren't because he felt unworthy of Si Chen—he wasn't self-deprecating—but rather because his background might harm her. He endured and tolerated, afraid to fall in love, unable to fall in love. For over a decade of his thirties, he had been immersed in the Yu family's business. Even after the Yu family's downfall, when the older generation tried their best to extricate the younger generation, it was undeniable that he was still living in the shadows. Once fully exposed to the sunlight, he couldn't withstand the intense heat.

Putting aside Fu Jiale's unwillingness, Yu Shinan at that time couldn't guarantee that Si Chen might encounter dangers beyond his control if she followed him.

And he couldn't bear to see her suffer the darkness that shouldn't be in her life.

She was born under the sun, radiant and dazzling, destined for the most brilliant life, the most romantic love, a marriage of equals, and children. This is what Yu Shinan hopes she can have, but it's not necessarily what he'd like to see.

He wasted too much time and missed too much while caught in this self-contradiction.

Now that he knows she has always had feelings for him and didn't abort the child under those circumstances, even if he's clueless, he should understand her feelings and her love.

He would not back down, nor would he allow any minor misunderstanding to hurt her. He couldn't give her a clean past, but he would always give her a safe and secure Yu Shinan. In all the time to come, he would do everything in his power to be good to his little girl.

I couldn't bear to see her suffer even the slightest injustice.

Moreover, it's best to clarify things with someone who is completely unrelated to us, so as not to cause any unnecessary misunderstandings.

Even if the other person might feel angry at the moment, he has tried his best to be polite and considerate of their feelings, but the rest is beyond his concern.

Before Ding Miao could speak, Ding Jing interrupted her, "Miao Miao, this isn't Shi Nan's fault; it's my fault for not telling him beforehand. No matter what, we were the ones who were rude first. You should talk to him properly."

Basically, it means this matter is over and done with.

Since her aunt had said that, Ding Miao couldn't say anything else.

She then looked at the small woman who seemed to be playing with the children but was actually listening intently to their conversation, and asked directly, "Shi Nan, you've kept this a secret for a long time. You had such a big son without anyone noticing."

Yu Shinan did not answer her.

Ding Jing shoved Ding Miao, "Alright, go explain to them, we're not keeping you for lunch."

This is clearly a way of kicking people out.

Ding Miao knew that her aunt was going to interrogate her thoroughly, and there were many things she couldn't say here, as the Yu family's situation was indeed special.

"Alright, I'll be going now." Ding Miao grabbed her bag and glared at Yu Shinan as she came over. "Treat me to dinner, huh?"

Yu Shinan chuckled softly, "Okay. Anytime."

As soon as Ding Miao left, Fu Sichen stood obediently beside Nan Ge, looking quite like a cautious young wife visiting her in-laws.

Yu Shinan reached out and put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to him so she stood half a step in front of him. "Mom, let me introduce you to my woman."

Fu Sichen looked up at Yu Shinan, her face slightly flushed.

woman.

A very direct and crude, yet also—heart-stopping word.

She was no longer just a girlfriend to him, even without marriage as a guarantee.

Ding Jing looked at the two of them, one strong and one weak, one tall and one petite, one a rough and tough man and the other a delicate young lady, but standing together like this, standing in front of her, no matter how she looked at it, she felt that they were quite good together and quite well-matched.

What mother truly thinks her son is bad?

She genuinely liked Si Chen, but it's not like you can just get together because you think your son is good and the girl is good.

Ding Jing knew better than anyone else about Shi Nan's past and the Yu family's past. Families like theirs were something that even ordinary families would have to think twice about, let alone Si Chen's family.

It's not that she didn't know her son had feelings for her; Ding Jing had even reminded him. Deep down, she felt it was impossible, and that if he crossed the line, they might both end up getting hurt.

Now, with the two people standing in front of her, Ding Jing felt a lump in her throat, as if her wish had finally come true.

She suppressed her emotions and raised her chin. "Where's the little one?"

"My son with Si Chen." Yu Shinan turned his head to look at Yan Zheng, then looked away. "Mom, I'll tell you the details slowly. Today, I just wanted to tell you that it's her, and there won't be anyone else."

"You've got some good ideas, haven't you? What's Si Chen thinking? Do you like him?" Ding Jing looked at the pretty little girl, who was already grown up and was going to be a mother.

"I like it." Fu Sichen bit her lip lightly, then raised her eyes, her shy and timid appearance captivating.

"Si Chen, you know our family situation, and you know what your brother Nan's situation is. Even with all that, you still like him? Are you sure he didn't force you?"

"Auntie, I'm sure." Fu Sichen smiled, but there was a hint of tears in her eyes. "I've liked him for a long time, so long that I can't even remember when it started."

It was so long that she thought she would never have another chance in her life.

"Auntie, I really think Nan-ge is a good person, and I want to be with him. I will also learn how to treat him well."

"What's so good about him that makes you like him?" Ding Jing couldn't help but cry. She was happy for Shi Nan, and also happy for herself.

The old woman's doting tone was unmistakable. Fu Sichen stood next to Ding Jing and took a tissue to wipe away Ding Jing's tears. "Everything about her is wonderful. I love everything about her."

Ding Jing took the tissue from her hand, reached out and grabbed Fu Sichen's hand, "I don't feel wronged."

The girl shook her head solemnly.

"Auntie, I may not be up to par. I'm not very good at taking care of children or cooking and cleaning, but I will try my best to learn. There will be plenty of time in the future. If you think I'm not good enough, you can tell me, and I can learn." Fu Sichen made her stance clear. Sometimes being too close isn't good either, and Aunt Yu knew most of her shortcomings.

"You don't need to learn anything. It's only natural for him to be good to you. A man is supposed to be able to shoulder everything. As long as he's willing to take care of you and you can cherish him, nothing else matters."

Ding Jing patted her chest. "You guys really dropped a bombshell on me today! You didn't even give me a heads-up. You could at least have given me some information, leaving me anxiously waiting."

"Back then, we weren't sure either," Fu Sichen said hesitantly, glancing at Yu Shinan.

"I wanted to talk to you about this today, but as soon as I got back, you had someone waiting at home to set me up on a blind date. I didn't even have a chance to say anything." Yu Shinan was genuinely surprised. Ding Jing wasn't the kind of person who would argue unnecessarily; this time, she actually tricked him into coming by claiming she wasn't feeling well.

"So, you can say I'm going through menopause?" Ding Jing thought, her anger rising.

Yu Shinan, "Your emotions are unstable. Based on a comprehensive assessment, I think—"

Ding Jing grabbed a loofah sponge hanging nearby and slapped it on Yu Shinan's head.

This kind of truth is—

It is not very harmful and extremely insulting.

Fu Sichen couldn't help but burst out laughing when he saw the loofah sponge hanging on Nan Ge's head.

"Auntie, don't blame Brother Nan, blame me. Brother Nan didn't know that my marriage with Han Yi was fake, nor did he know that Yan Zheng was his son." Fu Sichen held Ding Jing's hand.

"Anyway, this guy is a tight-lipped person, he keeps everything to himself and won't tell me anything, so I'm bound to overthink things. He's getting on in years and still can't find a wife." Ding Jing sighed, swallowing back the thought that they had cheated on each other.

Yu Shinan gave a general account of what happened, but those details were no longer important.

As far as Ding Jing was concerned, she knew that both of them were currently single. If they were interested in each other, there was really no need for her, this old lady, to interfere. Besides, she thought Si Chen was a good girl, and she liked her.

Then there's Yan Zheng, her eldest grandson. He's such a big guy standing here, what else is he saying?

Other people's daughters endured hardships to give birth to their children, what's the point?

It's all because of that wooden melon seed.

After things were clarified, Ding Jing felt relieved, but she couldn't help feeling sorry for Fu Sichen. She was so young, yet she was abroad with a child. She had to endure so much mentally and physically that was beyond what someone her age should be able to bear.

But the past can never be retrieved. Right and wrong are no longer important. Decisions made in the past were limited by one's situation and understanding at the time, so there is no point in regretting them. What is truly needed is to cherish the present.

"What are your plans?" Ding Jing asked them. "The child is so big now. We can't just let Si Chen raise the child out of wedlock, can we?"

"Mom, I have a plan," Yu Shinan continued, "I'll go visit her after I've finished dealing with these matters."

Ding Jing also wanted to ask what her family's attitude was.

It probably won't be that easy.

"It's good that you know what's going on. Don't let Si Chen suffer any more grievances. A grown man is tough and can handle more responsibility."

Yu Shinan replied, "I know that."

Fu Sichen smiled faintly, her eyes filled with the man's image, unable to look away.

Ding Jing held Yan Zheng's hand. "Zhengzheng, do you want to go out and play with Grandma? Let's go shopping and see if there are any snacks or toys that Zhengzheng likes."

"Auntie, please don't buy him any more toys," Fu Sichen quickly said.

"Grandma, this isn't the first time I've seen you like this. I'm so happy." Ding Jing smiled, a gentle glint of tears in the creases of her eyes. She turned back and instructed, "What would you like for lunch? Have your brother Nan prepare it."

Fu Sichen nodded, watching Ding Jing lead Yan Zheng out the door.

To accommodate the child's height, Ding Jing bent down slightly and offered her finger to Yan Zheng to hold.

Yan Zheng looked up, curious about everything, even climbing up the roadside pillars to stand on.

Ding Jing watched Xiao Yanzheng's lively appearance with a smile, as if time had taken her back to her youth, when Shi Nan was about the same age.

She turned around and saw two people standing at the door.

Fu Sichen waved for him to lower his head, and she smiled gently as she removed the dried loofah peel fragments stuck to his hair.

Ding Jing smiled, turned her face away, and said, "Let's go, Zhengzheng."

The little one ran down and tugged at her finger, "Grandma, there's a dog."

Ding Jing glanced over and smiled as she corrected him, "That's a big white goose, not a dog."

"A big white goose."

The figures of the old man and the child disappeared around the corner of the alley.

Fu Sichen brushed a strand of his hair aside before withdrawing her hand. "Alright."

Looking towards the entrance of Yu Shinan Alley, it seemed as if one could hear Ding Jing laughing and talking with Yan Zheng, and also as if one could hear her introducing him to people she met in the village, saying, "This is my grandson."

He chuckled, reaching out to pull Fu Sichen into his arms. "You said you wouldn't come, but you rushed over here. How did you know Mom had arranged a blind date for me?"

"I called you, but your aunt answered. She told me." Fu Sichen pouted, "She's afraid someone will steal you away. I've been through one Lin Yuanqing, I don't want to go through that again, waiting another three years."

She snorted, then reached out and pinched his nose. "Tell me, isn't that Teacher Huang very pretty? Why did it take her so long to give an explanation? It takes me more than half an hour to get here from Ancheng, and you still weren't back by the time I arrived."

"It didn't take too long to talk things out, but it took a while to go shopping." Yu Shinan turned his face away from her hand, and her jealous look pleased him.

"What does she look like?"

"good."

Fu Sichen's eyes widened, and Yu Shinan suddenly realized that being honest wouldn't work, so he quickly added, "Not as pretty as you."

Seeing her eyes crinkle into a smile, Yu Shinan couldn't resist lowering his head to kiss her.

The two were still standing at the gate, with villagers passing by at any moment. Fu Sichen was extremely embarrassed and tried to get away, but the man wouldn't give her a chance, his lips and tongue entwining with hers.

"They'll see... Brother Nan, you... um... please don't..."

She spoke haltingly, her face burning with embarrassment. The man embraced her and kissed her, half-carrying her as he retreated inside the gate. He reached out and closed the vermilion iron gate, pressing her against it and kissing her fiercely, as if he couldn't get enough.

"I told you to come with me, but you didn't. You came here on your own. Did you think it was too fast? Did you bring Yan Zheng to catch me cheating? You don't trust me at all?" He asked her breathlessly, his lips and tongue lingering from her lips to her neck.

"I want to nip this in the bud, in case you get seduced by beauty... Ah!"

He bit her, and the skin on her neck tightened slightly. Fu Sichen gasped and slapped his body in protest.

The two cuddled for a while longer. Fu Sichen was nervous and couldn't let loose. They could joke around however they wanted when no one was around, but what if someone came in?

Yu Shinan didn't really intend to do anything; he just wanted to kiss her, tease her, and scare her a little. He was happy to see the various expressions on her face.

"What do you want to eat for lunch? You can order." Yu Shinan placed his hands on her waist and lowered his head to touch her forehead.

"I want to eat..." Fu Sichen deliberately dragged out the sound, her eyes darting around mischievously, before biting his chin. "You!"

The woman flirted back, laughing as she dodged him when he tried to catch her.

"Anything is fine." Fu Sichen opened the door. "Auntie was planting melons, but I interrupted her. How do you do this? I don't know how, do you?"

"It's not difficult at all. Just scatter the seeds and cover them with soil, right?" Yu Shinan followed her over and, seeing her eager expression, handed her a shovel. "The worst that can happen is that the seeds will turn out badly. Give it a try."

Fu Sichen took it, and the two of them got to work. When they were done, she clapped her hands with a sense of accomplishment, squatted down, and looked at him with her eyes crinkling.

"Brother Nan, what if we plant bad seeds and the melons don't grow? Will Auntie be angry?"

"Why are you so angry?" Yu Shinan reached out and pulled her up.

The midday sun was so intense that it made her face flushed. Springtime dust was also heavy, so he stood in front of her to shield her from some of the wind. "Let's go inside. It's too windy."

"Hmm," Fu Sichen said, holding his hand as they walked along the path in the small vegetable garden. She tugged at his hand, "Brother Nan, how about I cook, and you help me?"

The man turned to look at her. "Why not? I'm fine with it. I've eaten here before. Has Yan Zheng ever tried your cooking?"

"I've tried it. Often."

"How can you still gain so much weight?" Yu Shinan nodded. "Your digestion is pretty good."

"Hey!" Fu Sichen stomped his foot. "Seriously, every time I come here, it's either my aunt cooking or it's you. I just get to eat. Doesn't that leave a really bad impression?"

The man stopped, his eyes crinkling with a smile as he looked at her. He gently brushed the willow catkins from her hair. "This time, I'll do it again. The day you call 'Auntie' 'Mom' instead, then it'll be your turn."

His laughter was so smooth, his movements so gentle, like a spring breeze, so pleasant and charming. Fu Sichen suddenly blushed, "What?!"

She let out a soft, hesitant voice, a hint of embarrassment in her voice, but then suddenly broke into a sweet smile, "Brother Nan. Would you prefer me to call you Brother Nan or husband?"