Step by step, a gentle breeze leads to a smooth path

Chapter 200 The First stirrings of fate

Ting Nan stopped in her tracks; it seemed she couldn't avoid it this time. "Is there something you need?"

Zhong Shengli hesitated for a moment, then boldly asked, "Song Tingnan, have you... have you been avoiding me lately? Do you hate me?"

"I wasn't avoiding you, I was busy studying."

"Can...can you give me a chance?"

Song Tingnan didn't pretend not to understand. She didn't dislike Zhong Shengli. "Zhong Shengli, we're not a good match. I still need to continue my studies."

"I can wait for you, and I can support your education forever!"

"No, I don't need you to wait, and you can't afford to wait. I have my own goals."

Zhong Shengli became anxious, "Ting Nan, I'll wait however long it takes, I like you!"

"Zhong Shengli, you say you like me, but do you even know me? And what makes you like me? I know your family is somewhat wealthy; your father owns a brick factory, but that belongs to your father. What about you?"

“I…I’m the only son in the family, so naturally I’ll take over my dad’s job as factory manager! Listen to Nan, don’t worry, I’ll treat you well for the rest of my life and I won’t let you suffer,” Zhong Shengli hurriedly assured him.

Song Tingnan tried to be tactful: "Zhong Shengli, do you know my ideal? I want to go out and explore the world on my own. The outside world is wonderful. But if you take over your father's job, you will stay in the county town forever. We are not on the same path."

"Tingnan, I will try my best!"

"I don't want to waste my life and live a mediocre life. I don't want to be beaten down by life before I've even tried. You know what, Zhong Shengli? The life I yearn for is one of freedom and exuberance, not one of being a virtuous wife and loving mother."

"Honestly, you're a good person, but not right for me. I'm happy to have you as a friend, but only as a friend. Goodbye, Zhong Shengli!" Song Tingnan quickened her pace after saying this, and she heard Tao Huahua chasing after her.

After that, I didn't see Zhong Shengli again during the entire holiday. I heard from Master Qi that he had signed up to join the army. And I must say, with his tall and imposing appearance, plus his two or three years of martial arts training, he was quite suitable for military service.

Song Tingnan also breathed a sigh of relief. Zhong Shengli was actually a very sensible person. He knew that "Master Qingling" was Song Tingnan, but he didn't ask. In his opinion, neither of them were worthy of the title.

If you ask him how he figured it out, he'll definitely tell you it's because when you like someone, you pay attention to them. Their appearance may change, but their temperament, subtle details, and little habits will always unintentionally reappear.

Years later, when they met again, Zhong Shengli had become an outstanding military officer. He jokingly thanked his old classmate for his words that had awakened him from his daze, allowing him to live a more flamboyant and vibrant life.

Having cleared things up with Zhong Shengli, Ting Nan breathed a sigh of relief. Little did she know that there was another 'peach blossom' waiting for her in Songjia Village. No wonder her aunt said that she had her fortune told—that her marriage was just beginning to stir.

Song Tingnan was still thinking about the man who was with Yi Xingzi. She ran to the martial arts school to find Gao Haoran, "Master! That..."

“No, that person’s name isn’t Zheng Yueqiang.” Gao Haoran knew his apprentice very well.

"Then who is he? Master, do you know him clearly?"

"I don't know him. He's a man who's been manipulated by the times. He doesn't even know how to define himself." Gao Haoran said with some emotion, reflecting on the many hardships people faced in their generation.

"Master, can we help them?"

"How do you want to help? Come on, you're on vacation now, let's go see him together."

"Master, do you know that there's really no one living there? Have you ever seen it?"

Gao Haoran tapped Ting Nan's forehead. "I haven't seen him before, so I need to find out what's going on first. I can't be as reckless as you, offering help without knowing whether it's good or bad."

"Master, I have you to back me up, so what am I afraid of? Besides, how many bad people are there?" Ting Nan said coquettishly, clinging to Gao Haoran's arm.

"I'm scared of you, let's go!" Gao Haoran's lips curled up; it felt so good to be trusted.