Chapter Four: Iron and Tenderness Intertwined at Fingertips (4)

So it was quite natural for Fan Sijin to feel that Gao Dingzhong standing by her side looked like a bodyguard.

He dressed neatly for work, but his everyday life was very simple.

Like this time returning to his hometown for a visit—if Fan Sijin hadn’t insisted on dressing him properly and picked out his clothes, he might have chosen to wear his old, faded tracksuit.

Gao Dingzhong thought there was nothing wrong with living like this; he knew that only by managing his own life well could he ensure Fan Sijin’s happiness.

Before coming, Fan Sijin had bought many things, and Gao Dingzhong of course wouldn’t let her carry them. He took everything effortlessly.

Their front door was wide open. Gao Dingzhong called out, “Mom, Dad,” but received no answer. Then someone emerged from the house.

That person made Gao Dingzhong almost widen his eyes in astonishment.

It was none other than Chen Chuchu.

Gao Dingzhong froze momentarily; he never imagined this woman would come out of his home!

Their families’ relationship had long since soured, the rift had been irreparable. He had firmly told his parents to cut off all contact and vowed never to see her again in this lifetime.

So how could this woman be walking out of his house now?

Gao’s father and mother appeared from inside. Gao’s mother still wore an apron and held a bunch of chives that hadn’t been fully cleaned.

Gao’s father was delighted to see his son home. “Dagui, why are you back?”

“It’s Mid-Autumn Festival,” Gao Dingzhong replied with a smile, ignoring Chen Chuchu’s fixed gaze. Instead, he put his arm around Fan Sijin’s shoulder, pulling her into an embrace, and solemnly introduced, “Mom, Dad, this is my girlfriend, Fan Sijin.”

“Ah?!”

Chen Chuchu was the most shocked; she couldn’t help but exclaim aloud.

Realizing her reaction was inappropriate, she quickly covered her mouth, yet inside she was a storm of emotions.

How could she forget that last time Gao Dagui came home for Mid-Autumn Festival, he came alone?

Why was he bringing someone this time?

Chen Chuchu didn’t know that in the previous life, Gao Dingzhong and Fan Sijin’s feelings hadn’t been very deep at this point, so although Fan Jianguo had asked her to accompany Gao Dingzhong home, she thought it was too soon. Gao Dingzhong, always obliging, came back alone.

But this time, everything was different.

Fan Sijin wore a sweet and obedient smile. She was naturally beautiful and charming, easily winning affection, especially from the elderly and children.

Gao’s parents immediately took a liking to her and smiled happily.

Gao’s mother grasped Fan Sijin’s hand warmly. “Good, good, what a fine girl!”

Gao’s father pulled Gao Dingzhong aside. “Hey, son, why didn’t you tell us in advance? Where did you find such a beautiful wife?”

Gao Dingzhong smiled. “Dad, I’ll tell you later. By the way, why is that woman in our house?”

“Ah, you don’t know. Three days ago, her school started vacation. Since Mid-Autumn, she’s been coming to our house, trying to ingratiate herself. No matter what your mother and I say, she won’t leave. She says she knows she was wrong before and keeps helping around. The villagers are all gossiping. Dagui, I have to tell you—Chuchu is not a good person in my eyes. Now that you have someone, don’t get any ideas!”

“Dad, what are you talking about? I like Ajin and have no other thoughts.”

“Alright, alright…” Gao’s father relaxed seeing his son so determined.

He knew Gao Dingzhong was stubborn—once he made up his mind, it was impossible to change it.

Besides, Fan Sijin was not only pretty but kind-hearted. It was a blessing for their son to have her.

If Gao Dingzhong failed to live up to it and treated Fan Sijin badly in the future, as an elder, he would step in to discipline him!

Even if a good match was heaven-sent, one had to cherish and maintain it. The gravest fault was greed.

Though Gao’s parents were not highly educated, they had a keen eye for people.

They knew that Chen Chuchu, though pretty and lively, a top student adored by many young men in the village, was very different from their son, who only graduated middle school before joining the army, and came from a modest family.

They believed that since the two had been engaged before, regardless of material reasons or others, a promise should not be broken.

But after the Chen family received financial support from the Gao family for her college, she used the living expenses to pursue romance, even announcing at a banquet that she had a boyfriend and that the engagement was all forced!

This broke Gao’s parents’ hearts. They felt Chen Chuchu was ungrateful, repaid kindness with betrayal, and left them humiliated in the village.

Gao’s parents had lived honest and kind lives but had never encountered such a painful betrayal.

They originally hoped Gao Dingzhong would have a good marriage, but never expected this outcome.

Although the matter had passed, and they wished to sever all ties with the Chen family, one knot remained in their hearts—the marriage of Gao Dingzhong.

But that knot vanished today.

When Gao Dingzhong brought Fan Sijin home, Gao’s parents were overjoyed. They had worried their son would find no bride, but now that worry was needless.

Fan Sijin was elegant and beautiful, a thousand times better than the daughter-in-law they had imagined—no, ten thousand times better.

Previously, villagers had gossiped behind their backs, saying it was right that Chen Chuchu didn’t marry Gao Dingzhong, but now it was clear their daughter-in-law was far superior to that Chen girl.

Gao’s father no longer glanced at Chen Chuchu. Only Fan Sijin, passing by her, cast a faint glance before curiously asking Gao’s mother, “Auntie, who is this?”

Gao’s mother gave Chen Chuchu not a single look and casually replied, “Oh, just a neighbor here to help. It’s almost noon; she’ll be leaving soon.”

No one in the family acknowledged Chen Chuchu. She forced a smile and said, “Aunt Gao, I’ll go eat now. If you need anything, just call me; I’ll come right away.”

No one responded. Gao’s mother took Fan Sijin back inside.

Chen Chuchu watched the harmonious scene inside before turning away from the Gao household.

At that moment, her heart was filled with bitterness and resentment.

However, she firmly believed this was only temporary—that sooner or later Gao Dingzhong would be hers.

What she didn’t know was that her actions had left an irreparable impression on the Gao family, and her fate would change because of it.

Chen Chuchu tried to encourage herself, attempting to correct her past mistakes and restore everything to its rightful path.

She forced herself to ignore the unease inside and comforted herself: in just half a year, that woman would have a car accident, and by then, she was certain she would reclaim Gao Dagui.