Chapter 131 - 131

Chapter 131 Sugar-coated Baked BunsThe sudden shout, though not loud, seemed to hook precisely at her ear.Yun Ting turned her head sharply, and there stood a man in a military green shirt and trousers, smiling at her from under the tree! Who else could it be but Duan Xingye?"Hey!" Yun Ting's eyes lit up like stars. She didn't care about chatting with them anymore and mumbled, "My boyfriend is here. I'm not going to eat with you guys." Then she ran towards the people under the tree."That…isn't… Secretary Duan?" Zhou Yang'smouth formed an O shape.Seeing her running towards him, Duan Xingyedeliberately took a half-step to the side. When she was right in front of him, he reached out and firmly supported her arm, jokingly saying with a smile, "Slow down, or you'll fall and get all muddy.""You're the monkey..."Yun Ting looked up at him, "Why are you here at this time? I thought you weren't coming."Duan Xingye looked down at her wind-blown hair, reached out and tucked it behind her ear, his fingertips brushing against her cheek, causing her to flinch slightly. "You snuck out," he said in a low voice, a hint of mischief in his tone, "I was worried that if I didn't come and show myself, I wouldn't pass my probation period.""Hmph...you're quite self-aware." Yun Tingsnorted arrogantly."So, I specially came all this way to treat my girlfriend to creamy popsicles today. How about it, beautiful lady? Will you do me the honor?"Yun Ting burst out laughing at his joke, raised her hand to pat his arm, but he grabbed her hand instead.His hands were much bigger than hers, with thin calluses, yet so warm that she didn't want to let go.In June in Capital City, the early summer heat was just beginning to emerge; the sun felt warm on the skin, but not yet scorching. The old locust trees in the alleyways spread their dense green canopies, and the cicadas' chirping had just begun, intermittent, like they were testing their voices.Duan Xingye rode a brand-new bicycle, with Yun Ting sitting on the back, her hand gently clutching the hem of his military green jacket. The bicycle bell rang, and as they rolled over the gravel road, a gust of wind blew, causing the stray hairs on her forehead to flutter."We're here." Yun Ting parked the car at the entrance of the alley in front of a small stall with a blue cloth canopy. The stall owner was an old man wearing a straw hat. The thermos was placed on a wooden shelf, and as soon as the lid was lifted, a cool, sweet aroma wafted out."Two cream popsicles, sir." Duan Xingye's voice was youthful and clear.Yun Ting watched as the old man pulled two popsicles from the bucket. The popsicles, wrapped in oil paper, were covered with a thin layer of white frost and felt cool to the touch. Just as she was about to take a bite, Duan Xingye suddenly said, "Wait, don't bite your teeth."She obediently took a small sip, the rich cream flavor melting on her tongue, gently sweet with a simple, pure milky aroma—a refreshingly genuine treat compared to the fancy ice creams she'd had in later lives. "Mmm, delicious!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she looked atDuan Xingye, a few drops of milk still clinging to the corner of her mouth.Duan Xingye took a bite of his popsicle, his gaze falling on the corner of her mouth. He couldn't help but raise his hand and gently rub it with his fingertips. "Like a little mouse stealing cream," he said with a laugh, his fingertips cooler than the popsicle.The two leaned against the locust tree, eating bite by bite and chatting about what had happened around them recently.How have your studies been lately?"You're so boring. You come in and immediately ask about my studies. You're more like my dad than my girlfriend," Yun Ting mumbled, taking a bite of her popsicle."Heh~ Then let me ask you, what do you want to eat? Or where do you want to go?" Duan Xingyecouldn't help but chuckle as he asked."Shall we go to Aunt Zhang's again for braised pork knuckle today?""Alright, so you haven't been there yet?""Not yet! Neither my second brother nor my younger brother have come to see me. They must be really busy.""By the way, how's that thing I asked you to inquire about last time?""I was just about to tell you! I have news.""real?""Yes, it was a connection made by one of my dad's old subordinates. The homeowner isGrandpa Li, whom my dad knows. He was exonerated last year and is living in a traditional courtyard residence inherited from his ancestors. I heard he suffered a lot in the past and is now uneasy, afraid that the policies might change again. He wants to sell the house as soon as possible and take the money to go south to stay with relatives."He paused, his voice deepening, "He's a man with a hard life. But I've already had my uncle look at the house. It's in Xisi, not too remote. The house has two courtyards. It's a bit old, but the layout is square and it's bright and spacious. The owner said he can take you to see it first, and if you like it, we can talk about the price."Yun Ting's heart pounded, and the popsicle in her mouth lost its flavor. Her mind was filled with the words " Traditional courtyard residence." The Traditional courtyard residenceshe had been longing for for so long was finally within reach."Then...when are we going to see it?" she asked eagerly, her eyes full of anticipation.Duan Xingye was amused by her appearance and reached out to tuck a stray hair behind her ear: "Don't worry, the landlord said he'll be home for the next two days. How about tomorrow morning? I'll come pick you up."Yun Ting nodded emphatically, "Okay! Then come early."Because of this good news, she didn't even want to eat the braised pork knuckle she had been craving, but Duan Xingye still took her to eat it.The next day, Yun Ting got up early. After washing up, she changed into a white short-sleeved shirt and straight-leg black pants. Instead of her usual two braids, she tied her hair into a high ponytail and wore a pair of Warrior shoes." Yun Ting, you're all dressed up so nicely, where are you going?"Su Xiaomei asked with a smile."Hehe~ I'm going to see my boyfriend.""Oh…you're really shameless…" Zhao Hongjoked."Pretty auntie, are you going on a date?" Xiao Duo asked in a soft, sweet voice."Haha... Our Xiao Duo is quite the little rascal now.""Alright, I'm leaving now."Although it's the weekend, everyone is studying very hard these days, getting up early to read and study, not wanting to waste a single second.When I left home, it was quite early, only around seven o'clock, but when I arrived at the school gate, Duan Xingye was already waiting there.Why are you here so early? Have you been waiting long?"No, I just arrived recently. Here, try this sugar-coated sesame seed cake; it's still warm." Duan Xingye handed her a paper package.Actually, Duan Xingye understood her eagerness and knew she definitely wanted to get there as soon as possible, so he came early to wait for her.Yun Ting took it, took a bite, and said, "Mmm, it's pretty good. Have you tried it?""I've already eaten, don't worry about me."Duan Xingye patted the back seat of the car, "Get in..."Yun Ting jumped up and sat on the bicycle without it wobbling at all.Duan Xingye rode his bicycle, carrying Yun Ting,towards the alleys of Xisi.As Yun Ting ate her sugar-coated sesame cake in the back seat, she felt both happy and expectant, her excitement even carrying a hint of indescribable joy.Upon reaching the alley entrance, Duan Xingyeparked his car under the old locust tree, took a net bag out of the basket containing two bottles of "Erguotou" liquor and a package of steamed rice cakes—he had specially asked someone to buy these, as his father had specifically instructed him to do so because it was a gift from an acquaintance, and courtesy couldn't be overlooked.Deep in the alley, the gate to Grandpa Li's house was ajar. Duan Xingye knocked gently, and an aged voice responded from inside: "Coming."The door opened, and Grandpa Li appeared wearing a faded blue cotton jacket with the cuffs rolled up, holding a rag in his hand, as if he had just been tidying up the house.Upon seeing them, a glance first crossed his eyes, then he put on a smile: "It's Xiao Duan! Come in, come in."