About the Engagement

The misty night gently enveloped every inch of the urban village.

Old-fashioned street lamps cast a dim yellow halo at the entrance of the alley, stretching the shadows of pedestrians long and short. Occasionally, an electric scooter returning late would ride across the stone-paved road with a soft hum, disappearing at the end of the alley in the blink of an eye, leaving only the silent silhouettes of the continuous old houses standing still.

"Why didn't you ask Little Ke and the others to come along? It really wouldn't have mattered." In the stairwell, Luo Xi's voice was clear and carried a hint of a smile.

Ye Chuan was following behind Luo Xi, stepping up the concrete stairs.

"What's the point of bringing them? It would only trouble Uncle and Auntie," Ye Chuan said casually as he watched Luo Xi climbing the stairs ahead of him.

"It doesn't matter, we'd just buy a bit more groceries... Hey, so annoying! You walk in front!" Luo Xi puffed her cheeks and covered her behind, then quickly turned around and pressed herself flat against the wall, pointing forward with her other hand.

"You, go!"

Ye Chuan put on an innocent look. "What did I do?"

"Go!"

"Alright." Ye Chuan then took the lead climbing the stairs. Sensing Luo Xi's fingers launching a sneak attack, his figure immediately blurred and vanished from the spot, instantly teleporting to the landing above.

"Cheater!" Seeing Ye Chuan teleport, Luo Xi immediately put her hands on her hips and scolded him playfully.

"Just so-so."

After fooling around for a while, the two finally arrived at the door of Luo Xi's home.

"My parents knew you were coming, so they started preparing this afternoon." Luo Xi turned back to smile at him and reached out to push open the ajar door.

As soon as the door opened, a rich aroma of food wafted over—the savory scent of tender, slow-stewed pork ribs mixed with the sweet and sour notes of tomato beef brisket, along with the fresh fragrance of Indian lettuce cooked with garlic and fermented black bean dace... drifting straight into their noses.

The kitchen door was wide open. Luo's mother, wearing a floral apron, was standing in front of the stove stir-frying the dishes in the wok, while Luo's father was chopping green onions on a small cutting board to the side. The kitchen knife in his hand made a rhythmic chopping sound against the board, his movements skilled and swift.

"Xiaochuan is here!"

When Luo's mother turned around and saw Ye Chuan, she immediately put down the spatula, wiped her hands on her apron, and quickly walked over to greet him.

"Hurry up and sit down to rest for a while! The stairs are hard to climb, you must be exhausted, right?"

Luo's father also stopped his work and looked up at Ye Chuan, a gentle smile appearing on his face.

"It's good that you're here. Have a seat, the tea has already been brewed for you."

Ye Chuan didn't sit down as told. Instead, he walked straight to the kitchen door, peeked at the perfectly cooked dishes on the stove, and said with a smile,

"Let me help. With so many dishes, you guys won't be able to handle it all."

"No need, no need!" Luo's mother hurriedly waved her hands and pushed him out.

"You are a guest, how can we let you do the work? Hurry out and take a seat, it will be ready soon!"

"Oh, don't treat me like an outsider." Ye Chuan conveniently picked up a rag nearby and wiped away the oil stains splattered on the edge of the stove. His tone was as natural as if he were in his own home.

"Luo Xi and I are practically family. How can family just stand by and watch when visiting?"

Hearing this, Luo's mother paused for a moment, then smiled so widely that her eyes narrowed into slits, and she didn't stop him anymore.

Luo's father stood to the side, the kitchen knife in his hand pausing. Watching Ye Chuan skillfully help pass the plates and set the bowls and chopsticks, a comforting warmth gradually welled up in his eyes.

Ye Chuan was now a billionaire, long having shed the identity of that stubborn poor boy from the past.

But the Ye Chuan in front of them didn't put on any airs of a rich man. He wore simple casual clothes, spoke softly, and took the initiative to help with chores. The closeness and sincerity in his tone were exactly the same as that of the young man who used to come over for free meals, without the slightest change.

Luo's father put down the kitchen knife, walked over to Ye Chuan, and patted him on the shoulder, his voice carrying a bit of emotion.

"Alright, let's do it together."

"I'll help too, Chuan Chuan—" Luo Xi squeezed in to help, though four people crowded in the kitchen was indeed a bit cramped.

Luo's father nodded and didn't say anything more, but his heart was completely at ease.

He had always worried that Luo Xi would suffer grievances being with Ye Chuan. But looking at it now, Ye Chuan not only had the ability to give Luo Xi a good life, but more importantly, he had stayed true to himself. This sincerity and groundedness were more precious than any amount of money.

"Auntie, Uncle, I think you should listen to me. This house is still a bit too old, you should buy a better one," Ye Chuan said.

Actually, this wasn't the first time he had brought this up. He had even given Luo Xi a bank card specifically for her use, but the money inside remained practically untouched.

"We're used to living here, it's fine." Luo's father smiled and shook his head.

This urban village was small, but it was full of memories.

He used to push a small barbecue cart, going out early and returning late every day to earn money for his wife's medicine and his daughter's tuition fees. Now that he had joined a large enterprise, life had actually become increasingly comfortable.

His spiritual world was fulfilled, so his pursuit of material desires was no longer that strong.

Moreover, Luo's father and Luo's mother were in a second marriage, so Luo's father felt embarrassed to accept a house bought by Ye Chuan.

After all, back then, he had only given Ye Chuan a little money and a little food.

"Xiaochuan, Auntie knows you have money now, but it doesn't matter. We are indeed used to living here," Luo's mother also said with a gentle smile.

"All right." Ye Chuan didn't push the matter any further.

With the money Ye Chuan had on hand, buying them a villa in the city center wouldn't even make a dent in his wealth, but since neither of them wanted it, he wasn't going to force it.

Ye Chuan took out a few bottles of refined pills from his spatial backpack. Although they weren't at an age where it was an urgent necessity, considering Luo's father and Luo's mother's physical conditions, he still wanted to give them something to nourish their bodies.

These pills had no prerequisites for consumption. Furthermore, they could extend one's lifespan and improve one's constitution, making them one of the most effective pills for ordinary people.

"Uncle, Auntie, these pills are good for your health. You can take them regularly."

Ye Chuan handed the pills to Luo's father and Luo's mother. Since Luo's mother's illness was cured by Ye Chuan's medicine, she naturally didn't doubt him. Instead, she accepted them with a smile.

"Okay."

Dinner was soon served. Sitting together at the small dining table in the small house gave off an exceptionally warm and cozy feeling.

"Xiaochuan."

"Yes?"

"Didn't we talk about it before? About your engagement with Xi Xi," Luo's mother said.

Luo Xi froze for a moment and turned her head to look at Ye Chuan.

She had no idea about this.

"When I was getting the soup earlier, Auntie and I chatted a bit," Ye Chuan explained to Luo Xi. "What I meant at the time was that, if possible, it would be appropriate to get married after graduation."

Luo Xi hadn't quite processed it yet. She bit her chopsticks and stayed silent.

It wasn't until Ye Chuan placed his hand on the back of hers that Luo Xi trembled as if she had been electrocuted. "Huh? Getting engaged?"

"Yes, getting engaged. Are you unwilling?" Luo's mother asked Luo Xi.

"N-no, it's not that I'm unwilling." Luo Xi cupped her face with both hands, and finally just buried her head under the table.

"Wait a minute, let me calm down!!!!"