"Um... I can't accept this. You've helped us so much already, I'm very grateful." Lin Chumo said softly to Ye Tian.
"Take it. Look at how your stall is so damaged. How will you manage tomorrow if you don't take this?"
"Quick, take it!!"
After he said that, Ye Tian swiftly grabbed Lin Chumo's delicate hand and placed the ten thousand yuan cash in it.
Lin Chumo's face turned as red as a big, juicy apple as she saw Ye Tian holding her hand, making her look very alluring.
"I'm going home now. You guys keep busy." Ye Tian slung his backpack over his shoulder, ready to leave.
At that moment.
Mrs. Lin had just finished tidying up the items on the ground and ran over to grab Ye Tian's hand.
"Don't leave. You've helped us a lot today, and you are also Chumo's classmate. Come to our house for dinner tonight. Your Aunt Lin is a good cook."
"Uh, that might not be appropriate." Ye Tian scratched his head awkwardly.
Then Mrs. Lin looked at Lin Chumo and gave her a meaningful look. Lin Chumo stammered, "Ye Tian, it's fine. We would be very happy to have you."
Seeing the enthusiastic invitation from Lin Chumo and Mrs. Lin, Ye Tian felt it would be rude to turn them down, so he agreed.
Mr. Lin then pushed the small cart, which had been damaged, while leading Ye Tian and the others down the street.
Mr. Lin might have been injured during his time in the military, so when Lin Chumo wanted to help push, Ye Tian quickly stepped in and took over.
Letting a delicate girl push the cart wasn't Ye Tian's style.
"Uncle Lin, let me handle it. You go rest. I'm young and strong, and I enjoy pushing the cart."
Seeing Ye Tian insist, Mr. Lin had no choice but to let him take over and went to stand by Mrs. Lin instead.
However, as Mr. Lin looked at Ye Tian's profile, he felt a sense of familiarity.
"He looks so familiar, as if I've seen him in the military, but I just can't remember. Could it be that I'm really getting old...?"
"Ye, have you ever been in the military? I feel like I've seen you before." Mr. Lin couldn't help but ask, out of curiosity.
"No, I'm just a freshman in university. I haven't been to the army, just about to start military training tomorrow." Ye Tian wiped the sweat from his face. Old Man Lin had explicitly told him not to reveal his identity, as it could cause disturbances and wouldn't serve the purpose of his training.
"I see. You must be tired, let Uncle Lin take over."
"No worries, I'm not tired. We're almost there, right?"
"Yes, just a bit further."
The time passed quickly with their warm conversation.
About 20 minutes later, they arrived at a dilapidated house in the city.
Mr. Lin pushed the cart into a corner and led everyone upstairs.
Ye Tian looked around and could only describe the place with one word: broken.
The buildings looked like they could collapse at any moment. No wonder people called Lin Chumo a 'commoner school beauty,' living in such conditions was probably worse than most commoners.
Mrs. Lin noticed Ye Tian looking around and knew what he was thinking.
"Ye, our family is poor, we can't afford a big house. I'm sorry for the inconvenience tonight. But the food will be good, don't worry. Once we put everything away, I'll go buy the groceries with Chumo."
"It's alright, I'm used to staying in places like this."
The Lin Family knew Ye Tian was trying to make them feel better, so they didn't say much.
In reality, the place he lived in on the Divine Martial Mountain was even more humble, just a broken grass house. The purpose was to better absorb the morning energy and the essence of the Sun, Moon, and Stars at night.
Inside the Lin's home, it was modestly decorated, with only daily necessities and no art pieces.
After taking a few sips of water, Mrs. Lin prepared to go shopping with Lin Chumo.
Seeing this, Ye Tian quickly said, "Aunt Lin, you've worked hard all day. I've got energy to spare; I'll go with Chumo. You should rest."
"Ye, you had a full day of classes, how could you have any energy left?" Mrs. Lin asked curiously.
"Uh..." Ye Tian scratched his head awkwardly, realizing he had spoken too much.
Seeing Ye Tian's awkwardness, Lin Chumo couldn't help but smile, her lips slightly curling, looking very beautiful.
"Alright, Mom. You stay here, I'll go with Ye Tian." Lin Chumo quickly stepped in to save him.
Ye Tian gave Lin Chumo a grateful look.
On the way to the market.
They walked silently, with Lin Chumo fiddling with her clothes, keeping her head down, her face a little red.
Seeing her like this, Ye Tian thought, "Am I that scary for her to walk like this?"
"Lin Chumo, how can you walk with your head down? I don't know the way to the market. Look up!" Ye Tian stopped and cupped Lin Chumo's face with his hands, looking at her seriously.
Feeling the warmth of Ye Tian's hands on her cheeks, Lin Chumo froze, then quickly ran off.
"So fast after being so slow! Wait for me, Chumo!" Ye Tian chased after her.
...
"Bringing your boyfriend home for dinner, Miss Lin?" an uncle selling vegetables said with a smile as Lin Chumo was about to pay.
Before Lin Chumo could explain, Ye Tian stepped forward.
"Good eye, sir. Here's five yuan, keep the change." Ye Tian generously handed the money to the vegetable seller.
"Kid, you're quite the trickster. Miss Lin bargained the price down by three yuan, now you give me an extra fifty cents, what's the deal?" The vegetable seller almost drew a knife at Ye Tian's show of generosity.
Seeing Ye Tian being so humorous, Lin Chumo couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.
On the way back.
"Lin, you laughed at that old man, didn't you know I have a head pat attack?" Ye Tian said, glaring at Lin Chumo.
"But you really know how to bargain. Whoever marries you can save a lot on groceries."
"Not really, those uncles and aunties know my family's situation and that my dad has a strong personality. So they help us in this way."
As Lin Chumo spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.
Seeing this, Ye Tian went over and gently patted her head to comfort her.
Then he quickly snatched the groceries from her and ran off.
Lin Chumo was stunned for a moment, then chased after him.
"Ye Tian, stop running! You get back here!!"
Returning to the Lin's home, Lin Chumo was out of breath, while Ye Tian seemed completely fine.
"Ye Tian, you bullied me, I'm going to hit you." Lin Chumo lay weakly on the sofa.
Ye Tian leaned in close, their faces almost touching.
"Go ahead, I'll let you touch my handsome face as compensation." Ye Tian said with a cheeky smile.
"No!" Lin Chumo turned her head away.
In the kitchen, busy with dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Lin heard the playful banter outside and exchanged smiles.
"Lin, I think Ye Tian is great. He'd make a good boyfriend for Chumo. Handsome, skilled in Martial Arts, and capable of protecting her. But I wonder if he would accept our impoverished family."
"He is great, but I feel like I've seen him somewhere, perhaps before I retired from the army. Maybe I'm just getting old and forgetful."
"When you served, you only saw either criminals or fellow soldiers. Ye Tian said he hasn't been in the military. Are you suggesting he's a criminal?" Mrs. Lin joked.
"Ye Tian is definitely not a criminal. I have a knack for reading people, and he exudes a strong sense of righteous energy and a General's Aura."
"Lin, have you been reading too many novels again? However, I agree that Ye Tian is a good person. Enough talking, let's finish cooking."
Chatting a bit more, Mr. and Mrs. Lin worked even faster with their cooking.
Soon, a wonderful aroma wafted out from the kitchen, a mix of seafood freshness and a light pleasant scent.
...