Qin Chuan hadn't seen Yang Zimo for many days. He had been so busy lately, with all his energy poured into the renovation of the village head's new house, that he hadn't had a moment to spare.
Occasionally, when he returned home, he could only gaze from afar at the school's courtyard wall, where the clear sound of students studying could be heard. However, he never caught a glimpse of her.
He never expected to run into her today, just as he was preparing to go to the county town.
It was early morning, and the weather was quite cold. Everyone was bundled up tightly.
Today, Yang Zimo was wearing a floral down jacket that reached her calves. Even so, her slender waist still had an astonishing curve. It was hard to imagine how captivating she must be in the summer.
"Oh, it's you guys!"
Yang Zimo also saw Qin Chuan and Qin Gang arriving in their tricycle. Her large, black, gem-like eyes widened in surprise, and her face flushed.
"Teacher Yang, where are you headed? The county town?"
Qin Chuan leaped off the tricycle and quickly walked up to Yang Zimo.
"Yes, I'm going to the county's education bureau today. What about you two? What are you up to?"
Yang Zimo replied.
"What a coincidence, my brother and I are also heading to the county town!"
Qin Chuan's face lit up with surprise. This was truly unexpected.
"Teacher Yang, hop on our tricycle. Riding your bicycle to the county town is a long journey, and it wastes time and energy."
Yang Zimo shook her head. "No, thank you. I'm used to riding my bicycle. You two go ahead!"
"It's fine, we can even take your bicycle with us. The tricycle basket is empty, so it won't be a bother at all!"
Qin Chuan said quickly. "Besides, it must be boring riding alone. It'll be more lively with the three of us!"
"Yes, Teacher Yang, please get on!"
"We're not strangers. You've ridden in our vehicle before. There's no need to be so formal this time!"
Qin Gang also chimed in. Yang Zimo finally showed a hint of hesitation before nodding. "Alright then, sorry to trouble you again!"
"It's a small matter. Here, give me your bicycle, I'll help you put it on!"
Qin Chuan happily placed the bicycle in the basket and then helped Yang Zimo onto the tricycle. Just as he was about to climb into the basket himself, Qin Gang's voice suddenly called out from the front.
"Third brother, don't get in there. Come sit in the front with me!"
"Get lost!"
Qin Chuan spat out the word concisely and, under Yang Zimo's playful gaze, plopped down beside her.
Instantly, a faint fragrance wafted through the air. Qin Chuan took a deep breath, silently praising, "So fragrant!"
This trip to the county town was already a win!
Up front, Qin Gang, who was driving, glanced at his younger brother, whose eyes were solely focused on the woman and not on his sibling. He gritted his teeth inwardly. "That scoundrel, he's completely forgotten his brother for a woman!"
"No, after we go to the county town this time, I need to go find my Chunyan too!"
Amidst laughter and chatter, the three of them arrived at the county town.
"The education bureau is over there. I'll get off now!"
"Thank you!"
Yang Zimo thanked them as she alighted. Qin Chuan handed her the bicycle.
"Teacher Yang, when are you returning to the village? Can we arrange to go back together?"
Qin Chuan asked.
Yang Zimo hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "I'm not sure. But you don't need to wait for me. I'll just ride my bicycle back myself!"
"That's fine too. Goodbye!"
After bidding farewell to Yang Zimo, the two brothers drove their motorcycle straight to the county hospital.
Upon arriving at the hospital, they happened to encounter Jiang Cuihua, who was returning with water.
Jiang Cuihua was overjoyed to see her two sons suddenly appear. She took Qin Chuan and Qin Gang's hands, and the three of them entered the ward together.
In the ward, Qin Shuren looked much better after more than ten days. It was clear that the treatment and rest had been very beneficial.
The family sat together, chatting about everyday matters. When they learned that the brothers had already completed more than half of the village head's new house renovation, Qin Shuren was completely relieved, his wrinkles visibly softening.
"Xiao Chuan, while you were home, a very beautiful woman came to the hospital to see your dad! She brought a lot of precious tonics!"
Suddenly, Jiang Cuihua said to Qin Chuan.
"What? A beautiful woman? And she came to see my dad?"
Qin Chuan's face was filled with confusion.
As far as he could recall, he hadn't told any beautiful women about his father's hospitalization.
More importantly, since his rebirth, he hadn't met many beautiful women.
Teacher Yang Zimo was definitely not it; she had been teaching in the village all this time.
Sister Li Ya could be considered one, but that was unlikely. He hadn't told her about his father's hospitalization, so how could she have known? That left seemingly no one else.
"Mom, did that woman tell you her name?"
Qin Chuan asked.
"Li Ya!"
This time, before Jiang Cuihua could answer, Qin Shuren quickly said, clearly remembering Li Ya.
"How is that possible? I didn't tell her you were in the hospital either. How did she..."
Qin Chuan became even more confused. Suddenly, he cast his gaze at Qin Gang beside him, unmoving.
"Why are you looking at me like that? I didn't tell Li Ya that our dad was in the hospital either!"
Qin Gang felt awkward under Qin Chuan's stare and immediately protested.
"Then did you tell anyone else about our family's affairs?"
Qin Chuan asked sternly.
This time, Qin Gang began to stammer, scratching his head. "I… I think I might have mentioned it to someone, during that time we celebrated our success at the restaurant..."
Before Qin Gang could finish speaking, Qin Chuan completely understood. Li Ya must have gotten the information from one of his subordinates and then come to the hospital.
After figuring out the entire sequence of events, his expression shifted between pleased and displeased.
To be honest, Qin Chuan didn't want to get too entangled with that woman, Li Ya. The last time was a necessity, and he was forced to make some quick money.
Li Ya was clearly being targeted, and her influence was not small. If he became too involved with her, he would undoubtedly be seen as an opponent and attacked as well.
For Qin Chuan, who had lived two lives, such a situation was absolutely undesirable.
He wasn't a reckless young man in his early twenties, full of youthful bravado. His seemingly young body actually housed the soul of someone in their thirties.
Furthermore, having navigated the business world for many years, he understood very well how to avoid the more significant dangers and focus on what was important.
It was precisely because of this that he chose to leave immediately after completing the sales task.
However, despite all his calculations, he never expected Li Ya to still be thinking of him and to proactively visit his parents in the hospital...
"This is getting a bit troublesome,"
Qin Chuan murmured to himself.
"Xiao Chuan, come here. Tell your mother, how did you meet that Li Ya?"
While Qin Chuan's mind was in turmoil, Jiang Cuihua leaned forward, her eyes showing undisguised curiosity.
Qin Shuren, sitting on the hospital bed, also quietly sat up straighter, his ears perked.
Qin Chuan snapped back to attention, immediately understanding everything.
"Mom, what are you thinking? Li Ya and I have a very ordinary relationship. We've only known each other for less than half a month."
Qin Chuan began to explain.