Heart-to-Heart Talk

No matter what was on their minds, the meal had to go on.

They couldn’t drink any more alcohol, so everyone took their bowls and happily ate the dishes on the table. Shen Yi arrived late and exchanged a few words with the elders at the table, catching up on recent events.

Once everyone had eaten their fill and the meal was winding down, the gathering slowly dispersed.

Since the children were getting sleepy, the Elder Cousin Sister was the first to excuse herself, carrying her child as she left.

Then, the other relatives gradually took their leave, each heading home.

Shen's Father and Shen Yi saw them off at the door. The Second Aunt's husband kept patting Shen Yi’s shoulder on the way out, muttering words of praise.

Shen Yi supported his Grandmother while humbly acknowledging the compliments, while the Second Aunt lingered behind, chatting cheerfully with Shu Yunyi.

The old lady lived close to the Second Aunt’s family, so walking back together was no trouble.

The small town had only one main road, and since the families didn’t live far apart, they slowly made their way home along it.

After all the relatives and elders had left, Shen's Mother, Liu Huimin, was the only one left, clearing the table of leftovers and dishes.

"Auntie, let me help you," Shu Yunyi quickly offered, rolling up her sleeves to assist.

Liu Huimin stopped her with a smile, saying,

"No need, dear. You’ve had quite a bit to drink—sit down and rest for a while."

"Don’t stand on ceremony, make yourself at home."

As she spoke, she glanced at Shen's Father, who was about to sit down and watch TV, and called out,

"Old Shen, come here for a second."

"Ah, coming!"

Shen's Father hadn’t even settled into his seat yet but obediently stood up and came over to help carry things to the kitchen.

The excuse about resting was just a pretense. Once the couple left, only Shen Yi and Shu Yunyi remained in the living room.

Shen Yi poured a glass of water, walked over, and placed it on the coffee table in front of Shu Yunyi before sitting down beside her.

"You—"

Before he could finish, Shu Yunyi suddenly pulled him into a tight embrace.

Tears streamed down her cheeks, falling onto Shen Yi’s shoulder.

"It’s so good… Heaven finally heard my prayers and brought you back to me too…"

Shu Yunyi’s expression was a mix of laughter and tears, her emotions too complex to define.

She had been holding it together all these days, but now, alone with Shen Yi, she could no longer restrain herself—her feelings poured out unrestrained.

It was miraculous. She had always been a staunch materialist, but now she couldn’t help but wonder if there really was a higher power.

Otherwise, how could her extraordinary experience be explained?

Shen Yi gently stroked her back, soothing her overwhelming emotions, and teased lightly to comfort her,

"So that’s why I suddenly turned young again—it was all your doing."

Shu Yunyi’s face was full of relief as she straightened up and gazed at him, as if she couldn’t get enough of the sight. Memories flickered in her eyes.

"Back then, I could feel myself getting colder and colder. No matter how much hot water I used, my feet wouldn’t warm up. I knew I was going to die."

"So I kept praying in my heart. I never expected it would actually work. This just proves you’re the treasure Heaven gave me."

Shen Yi pretended to gag, both to tease her and to lighten the somber mood.

"Ugh—"

"Teacher, you’re so cheesy! You’re just an old cow eating tender grass, and you’ve spun it into some grand romance."

Shu Yunyi couldn’t help but laugh, lightly smacking the back of his hand.

"Nonsense! You’re the one who had the audacity to hit on your teacher, and now you’re turning the tables on me."

She had seen Shen Yi’s "ferocity" before. Though she was older and more experienced than him, when he got angry, she couldn’t help but feel a little intimidated.

With that in mind, Shu Yunyi straightened her expression and said seriously,

"I’m being serious here—no interruptions."

"Too bad, I’m interrupting anyway."

Shu Yunyi huffed and punched his thigh before asking,

"Stop messing around. Tell me, were you the one who left tulips on my desk?"

"Duh. Who else would fall for a drunkard like you?"

Hearing this, Shu Yunyi’s heart swelled with sweetness. He really had gone looking for her right away.

"Speaking of which, I have a bone to pick with you."

Shen Yi turned to face her fully, cupping her chin and squishing her cheeks together.

"Didn’t you promise me? Who said you could drink?"

Shu Yunyi’s face was scrunched up under his hands, making her words come out distorted.

"Ow, I’m sowwy! I won’t do it again!"

Shen Yi’s "punishment" was lighthearted, and he soon let go, though his frown remained.

"Coming here on your own is one thing, but when Second Aunt and my dad offered you drinks, you should’ve refused outright, just like in our past life."

"They don’t know your situation, and since it’s their first time meeting you, they wouldn’t hold it against you."

Shu Yunyi looked apologetic, mumbling in her defense,

"But I couldn’t find you anywhere."

She had no choice. Her original plan was just to ask Shen's Mother for Shen Yi’s contact information—that would’ve been enough.

But then she was suddenly dragged into the dinner party. If not for her past-life experience, she would’ve been completely lost.

"Still making excuses! You just couldn’t resist, could you?"

"Do you even remember how long you’re supposed to live? Or how miserable you were when all your teeth fell out in old age?"

Shen Yi glared at her, exasperated.

Shu Yunyi hated that look the most. She quickly hugged him and admitted her mistake.

"It won’t happen again. I’ve been exercising these past few days, and I swear I won’t touch another drop."

"You can supervise me—I’ll quit for sure."

This time, there had been multiple factors at play: the joy of seeing Shen's parents again, the festive atmosphere, the frustration of not finding Shen Yi, and the lingering physical craving for alcohol clouding her judgment.

Under all these influences, she had momentarily let herself slip.

But now that she was reunited with Shen Yi, Shu Yunyi was more than willing to toe the line—she’d promise anything to avoid his disapproval.

Having died once already, she treasured this second chance at life all the more. Her love for him made her afraid of death.

Shen Yi studied her for a long moment before finally saying,

"You’d better mean it."

Earlier, when she saw the liquor on the table, she had involuntarily salivated, swallowing hard.

The mind could be strong, but the body had its own instincts. Though she had overcome her psychological addiction, her body still remembered.

That small amount of alcohol wouldn’t affect her, but Shen Yi was strict because he feared she might grow complacent—thinking that since she had quit once, it wouldn’t matter if she slipped up again.

Meanwhile, Shu Yunyi took a sip of water, her heart brimming with happiness.

The current situation was perfect—Shen Yi was by her side, and she had already made a good impression on his parents.

This life was progressing much faster and smoother than the last.

Then, a thought struck her—that woman named Cheng Jun, who claimed to be Shen Yi’s girlfriend.

Shu Yunyi couldn’t imagine what Cheng Jun could possibly use to compete with her.

With such an overwhelming advantage, how could she lose?

Still, despite her confidence, she turned to Shen Yi and asked,

"By the way, Xiao Yi… who is Cheng Jun?"