They woke up again in the evening and decided to go to the local market.
According to the innkeeper, the market would transform into the venue for the local food and cultural festival at this time, offering a chance to sample many specialty foods.
Thus, the family set off with enthusiasm.
However, they never expected the crowd to be so much larger than anticipated, with travelers from all over the world visible everywhere.
"Shi Qing, Jin Zhi, hold my hands tight, don't get lost," Wei Yumeng couldn't help but warn.
Zhan Jin Zhi nodded, "I'm holding Shi Qing."
Wei Yumeng also held Zhan Mohan's arm. In such an environment, anyone could get lost. Zhan Mohan couldn't help but frown. He had visited this place once for a company project a long time ago, but it wasn't as crowded then, which was why he had chosen it.
He never imagined the number of visitors this year would be so high.
Just then, music started playing nearby, and the surrounding crowd immediately surged forward.
Wei Yumeng was bumped by someone and pushed to the side. By the time she recovered, Zhan Mohan and the children were nowhere to be seen.
She tried to get back to her original position, but the flow of people was too strong. A passing man, not noticing her, collided with her.
Wei Yumeng couldn't dodge and hit him directly, about to fall to the ground.
At that moment, a large hand grabbed her arm. With a gentle pull, Wei Yumeng was standing steadily on her feet again.
"Are you alright?" The voice was clear and pleasant, stirring a memory deep within Wei Yumeng's mind.
"I'm fine, thank you," Wei Yumeng said a little sheepishly. After all, she had just warned the children to be careful, only to get separated herself.
Wei Yumeng was so preoccupied with her children that she didn't pay attention to the face of the person in front of her. However, the person looked at her intently.
"Are you Yumeng?"
Wei Yumeng was startled and looked up. The face before her was so familiar, yet somehow different. She remembered this person, and she remembered this voice.
"You are, Brother Che Lie?"
Che Lie smiled at her, as warm as spring breeze, so gentle and heart-soothing.
It was just like many years ago, he always faced Wei Yumeng with such a smile. He was once the person Wei Yumeng liked the most.
Looking at him, Wei Yumeng could hardly believe it. She had long thought that they would never meet again.
From primary school to high school, they had always played together due to their families' relationship. Many people even thought it would be natural for them to become a couple after growing up.
But when Wei Yumeng was in her third year of high school, Che Lie had already graduated. His family decided to move abroad with him for his future.
Wei Yumeng remembered that she didn't even dare to go to the airport to see Che Lie off. At that time, she felt that if she said goodbye, she would truly never see him again.
As Wei Yumeng was about to say something, Che Lie, as naturally as when they were children, took her hand.
"It's too crowded here and not safe. Let's talk outside."
Wei Yumeng didn't feel uncomfortable and simply nodded, leaving with Che Lie.
They found a restaurant nearby and sat down.
Che Lie looked at Wei Yumeng with a faint smile. "Yumeng, honestly, before today, I thought I would never see you again."
His eyes showed an unusual sense of loss as he spoke.
Wei Yumeng whispered, "Me too. Actually, from the day you left, I thought we would never see each other again."
"Is that why you didn't come to see me off?" Che Lie said with understanding. "It was my fault back then too. I should have told you myself, instead of through our parents."
At that time, Che Lie also didn't want to see Wei Yumeng upset, so he had delayed telling her about his departure. That was why Wei Yumeng only knew about it from her parents.
"But it's good that we met again," Wei Yumeng smiled slightly, feeling as if they had returned to their carefree past.
She really enjoyed spending time with Che Lie because he was always so gentle and caring towards her. Back then, no matter what trouble she got into, Che Lie would always take the blame for her.
She remembered one time she was incredibly sad for some reason. She couldn't recall the specific reason anymore.
She just remembered she didn't want to talk to anyone or play with anyone.
But Che Lie persisted in talking to her and playing with her. Regardless of her attitude, Che Lie stayed by her side. It was because of this that Wei Yumeng gradually started to feel better.
"Are you doing well?" Che Lie asked gently.
Wei Yumeng nodded. "Yes, I'm doing quite well now."
Originally, she should have told Che Lie that she was married and introduced Zhan Mohan to him, but for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to say it.
Che Lie nodded. "That's good. By the way, why are you here?"
"I'm just here for a vacation, and I happened to catch the Rose Festival."
"Then you've come at the perfect time. This is the only time of the year that's most suitable for visiting. I also came specifically for this festival, but attending such an event alone might seem a bit pathetic."
Wei Yumeng was surprised. She couldn't believe that someone as good as Che Lie was still single.
Che Lie extended his hand to Wei Yumeng. "Would you mind accompanying me?"
But at that moment, a cold voice echoed softly.
"Yumeng, so you're here."
Wei Yumeng was startled and remembered that she had gotten separated from Zhan Mohan and the others.
Zhan Mohan strode over, shielding Wei Yumeng behind him, and then looked coldly at Che Lie. His hostility was evident, as he clearly mistook Che Lie for a man deliberately trying to hit on her.
Wei Yumeng immediately turned to Zhan Mohan and said, "Mohan, let me introduce you. This is my childhood... sweetheart, Che Lie."
Upon hearing the term "childhood sweetheart," Zhan Shi Qing's face lit up with longing, as she often saw examples on TV of childhood sweethearts ending up as couples.
Che Lie looked at Zhan Mohan's dark expression and then at the two children, guessing the situation.
He stood up and extended his hand to Zhan Mohan. "Hello."
Wei Yumeng then introduced Che Lie to Zhan Mohan. "Mohan is my husband, and they are my children."