"Seems like it, I'm not sure though." Without concrete evidence, Hua Yan didn't want to sound too certain, besides, Hu Li would eventually investigate on his own.

Hu Li held Hua Yan in his arms, fiddling with his ring, lost in thought. Inside, a storm raged, his disappointment in his own mother deepened.

"Actually, you don't need to blame them. As your parents, considering their life experiences, they won't easily believe that you genuinely like me, that I'm someone worth having for you. From their standpoint, many things can be understood."

"Are you feeling uneasy?" Hu Li furrowed his brows and asked.

Hua Yan smirked mischievously, saying, "I'll understand, but I won't compromise!"

"Very well said, understand, but don't compromise."

With their understanding reached, their life together was sweet and happy. When Lao Yang had time, he would invite Hu Li to play chess, though Hu Li would win half the games, which eventually led Lao Yang to lean on his age, saying, "You brat, can't you let me win a few moves? I'm an old man, you know?"

Hua Yan, reading nearby, Da Pang observing the game, and Lao Hei, all couldn't help but smile.

Just as Hua Yan and Hu Li were enjoying their leisure, Li Jiao Jiao came to visit.

"I don't want to go see her, I'll go out and send her away," Hu Li said, looking at Hua Yan pouting, his brows furrowed, expressing his concern. She enjoyed tranquility and days without conflict. He felt deeply guilty for causing her trouble.

Upon learning Hua Yan's current address, Li Jiao Jiao sought her father Li Jiayuan's permission, and informed Lao Yang, expressing her desire to visit. Faced with the affairs of the younger generation and the host, Lao Yang couldn't easily refuse.

Yet Lao Yang couldn't fathom Li Jiayuan's strict upbringing. He wasn't one to condone the younger generation's misbehavior, yet in the face of Li Dong and Li Jiao Jiao's recent obstinance, he found himself lenient, maintaining and observing. He wasn't sure of his true intentions anymore.

"People are here. Out of respect for Lao Yang, we can't act that way. Just handle it for now. I'll go upstairs and change," this woman was even more troublesome than Cheng Yunqi.

Suddenly, he remembered he hadn't seen Cheng Yunqi, Shangguan Ning, and their friends in a long time. Could they all be just passers-by?

Entering through the gate, seeing the yard free of fallen leaves, clean and neat, with a faint scent of soil, Li Jiao Jiao couldn't help but feel envious. After feeding the rabbits, Lao Hei approached her in the front yard and saw Li Jiao Jiao standing still. He greeted, "Are you Miss Li?"

"Yes," Li Jiao Jiao replied. She didn't like Lao Hei standing before her, who resembled someone from Africa, with disdain in her eyes. Lao Hei noticed and thought to himself that this woman was quite shallow, not even comparable to Hua Yan's little toe.

"Please come inside."

As Lao Hei and Li Jiao Jiao distanced themselves, she muttered, "There's a guest, and Hua Yan doesn't even bother to come out to greet her. Really..."

Ignoring certain people can be more impactful than arguing with them. Lao Hei ignored her and ushered her inside, immediately returning to tend to the rabbits.

"Little bunnies, that woman isn't half as cute as you. It's a pity about that pretty face."

"Hey, Lao Hei, what are you gossiping about with the rabbits?" Da Pang popped his head out from behind, looking like an inquisitive child.

Lao Hei pushed Da Pang away slightly, annoyed, saying, "Did you forget to brush your teeth after eating garlic again?"

Da Pang covered his mouth guiltily, stepped back a few paces, and frowned, "You're the one with all the issues."

Lao Hei gave him a disdainful look and asked, "Do you know why that woman inside came to visit?"

Upon hearing this, Da Pang became excited and wanted to lean in closer to whisper to Lao Hei. However, he remembered Lao Hei's earlier warning and stopped in his tracks. Nonetheless, he exclaimed enthusiastically, "You won't believe it, that woman is here because of Hu Li!"

"What? She wants to interfere in Hua Yan and Hu Li's relationship?" Lao Hei's expression suddenly turned fierce, anger evident in his voice.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Da Pang, like everyone else, didn't want Hua Yan to get hurt, but he knew that meddling in her relationship with Hu Li would be nearly impossible. "Don't get worked up. Let me show you what's going on."

Perplexed, Lao Hei allowed Da Pang to lead him from behind into the kitchen, where they could observe the situation in the living room.

"I didn't expect you to look so good even in casual attire."

Facing Li Jiao Jiao's blatant scrutiny, Hu Li remained composed, showing no sign of discomfort. He calmly replied, "Thanks."

In the kitchen, Da Pang remarked, "That woman acts like a wolf in sheep's clothing. She's practically drooling."

"I really admire Hu Li's composure in the face of that woman's predatory gaze," Lao Hei observed, looking into the living room.

"He's the right match for our Hua Yan. He didn't flinch and answered so coolly. He's my idol. I have to learn a few tricks from him; maybe then I can catch a wife when I go back to the village," Da Pang dreamily envisioned.

Lao Hei coldly glanced at him, striking back, "With your physique, you'll have a hard time finding a wife even in your next life."

Da Pang punched Lao Hei, discontentedly saying, "We're brothers, can't you speak a bit more kindly? My mom is still waiting for grandchildren."

Lao Hei remained silent, scanning Da Pang from head to toe like an x-ray, shaking his head without saying a word. Da Pang squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze, then suddenly his eyes lit up as he exclaimed, "Hua Yan is coming down. I want to cheer her on!"

Seated next to Hu Li, Hua Yan smiled and asked, "Miss Li, what brings you to our home today?" Hua Yan had no intention of playing nice with Li Jiao Jiao; she went straight to the point.

Faced with Hua Yan's direct question, Li Jiao Jiao couldn't save face and felt angry. How dare she not take her seriously? But seeing Hu Li show no displeasure towards Hua Yan's words finally made her speak, "Hu Li and I are friends. Knowing he lives here, I wanted to visit."

"Oh, you're familiar with Hu Li? I don't recall you mentioning him before," Hua Yan looked at Hu Li, relieved to see no signs of discomfort.

Hua Yan smiled and glanced at Li Jiao Jiao, whispering softly in Hu Li's ear, "We've always kept instant noodles at home. Are you ready to see if they're tough enough?"

Feeling a chill run down his spine at the mention of instant noodles, Hu Li nervously asked in a low voice, "Do we really have instant noodles at home?"

"Yeah. Are you reconsidering now, not ready to accept my Hua family rules?" Hua Yan squinted dangerously at Hu Li.

“Then tonight, I'll accept your family rules, okay?” Hu Li compromised like a loyal dog. But deep down, he wished he could throw Li Jiao Jiao into the river to feed the fish.

If she hadn't mentioned knowing them earlier, Hua Yan wouldn't have remembered that bizarre family rule of kneeling on instant noodles. Actually, he had secretly tried kneeling on instant noodles before.

The result of trying to keep them from breaking into pieces was simply absurd; the focus was on the toes, all the body weight needed to be tense and the body vigilant. If one could persist for a minute or two, it was fine, but if it were for an hour, his whole body might just petrify.

Li Jiao Jiao sat alone on one side, being whispered about by Hua Yan and Hu Li, apparently oblivious to her existence. This made her as pale as a sheet: "I'm actually here to tell Hua Yan something."

"Oh?" Hua Yan turned to look at Li Jiao Jiao, thinking about what tricks this woman might be playing. Hu Li was more observant than Hua Yan, noticing the excitement in Li Jiao Jiao's eyes and had a bad feeling.

"Isn't this something you don't know about, Hu Li?" Li Jiao Jiao said softly, staring at Hu Li.

"Just say it." Hu Li looked displeased at Li Jiao Jiao. He was one of the main characters? Could it be related to his mother?

"Your Hu family will soon be holding a banquet in Haibin City, inviting not only well-known families and respected merchants, but also specifically requesting unmarried girls from these families to attend together. My invitation has already been received."

Seeing Hua Yan's bewildered expression, she added: "Maybe you didn't know about this situation? Anyway, your mother didn't forget you, but if she did forget, it's not that important, there'll always be other opportunities." Li Jiao Jiao smiled brightly.

Hu Li and Hua Yan were stunned by this news, knowing nothing about it. With the new year approaching, it was very reasonable for the Hu family in the interior to hold their first banquet during this time.

Hu Li squeezed Hua Yan's hand, looking at her, hoping she wouldn't be upset about this. While Hua Yan was a little unhappy, it was only for a moment. She squeezed Hu Li back to reassure him.

"I haven't heard about this yet, but thanks for coming to tell us," Hu Li said formally.

Li Jiao Jiao's gaze at Hu Li and Hua Yan holding hands seemed particularly pointed, as she said, "Nothing, I haven't seen you in many days and wanted to see if you were comfortable in the capital. I grew up here and know more fun, attractive, and delicious places than people who later moved here. How about I take you around tomorrow? We can play for a few days, and then go to Haibin City together." Li Jiao Jiao also learned to ignore Hua Yan's presence, boldly trying to lure Hu Li with her words and seductive gaze.

In the kitchen, Da Pang and Lao Hei were furious at the scene, ready to stomp the floor flat.

"Why is this woman so shameless, openly flirting with Hu Li?" Da Pang grumbled discontentedly.

"That's why I say when looking for a wife, don't choose a woman who looks good on the outside but is ugly on the inside," Lao Hei sighed.

Da Pang nodded repeatedly. "Exactly, our village's Mei Zi may not be as pretty as the village chief's daughter, but I see her as kind and hardworking."

In the living room, Hu Li's face had already darkened, but Li Jiao Jiao, stubbornly persistent, continued to smile and engage in conversation with him. Hua Yan ignored Li Jiao Jiao's spring-like symptoms and picked up a book from the table.

But she wasn't allowed to be lazy. "Hua Yan, I will guide Hu Li and take him around the capital. You shouldn't have any objections, right?"

Was she trying to frame her as a tolerant, virtuous woman? Hua Yan looked at Li Jiao Jiao like she was wearing a dunce hat. Did she not know that Hua Yan disdained being a perfect person, ten percent of her own injustices?

"Why would I have no objections?" Hua Yan raised an eyebrow. "Miss Li is so enthusiastic, is it because you're lonely?"

“you...”