The Taming of the Ruffian Hero

Chapter 82 (To Recognize Yun Che at First Glance) Zhao Yuan and Lin Wenxi Came back to Yunzhong Village

When they arrived at Zhu Ziping’s home, Zhu Ziping had not come back from school. Her parents recognized Yun Che at first glance.

They used to have lots of doubts about this young man, but when seeing him again, they were excited and greeted him cordially. They even butchered a hen and a goat and cooked them for Yun Che. Yun Che could not reject their hospitality. He was somewhat inarticulate and awkward in front of them. His cheeks blushed a little.

In the evening, Zhu Ziping came back. They saw each other and then sat silently.

At this moment, Zhao Yuan and Lin Wenxi were peeling peas in the yard outside the house. They sat together under the dark blue sky studded with shining stars. Lin Wenxi enjoyed this quiet and cool evening. He felt relaxed in the breeze. His eyes were filled with tenderness, and his voice became soft. Once Zhao Yuan teased him, he would chuckle slightly. Upon seeing the contented smile on Lin Wenxi’s face, Zhao Yuan gradually calmed down too.

When they finished peeling the peas, Lin Wenxi went into the house to take out a basket of garlic. Upon seeing that, Zhao Yuan raised his eyebrows and then smiled knowingly. They gleefully began to cut off the dried tops of the garlic together.

“Thank you,” said Lin Wenxi.

“If it had not been for you, they would’ve never been able to meet each other throughout their lives,” said Zhao Yuan.

“They’re predestinated to meet each other. I’m just their messenger, and you’re the messenger’s destiny,” said Lin Wenxi.

Zhao Yuan stared at him confusedly and then changed the topic. He pointed at the garlic while saying, “If Zheng Kai was here, he would tell us which genre and family it belongs to.”

Lin Wenxi had to choice but to swallow his words, his face somber. He pretended not to hear Zhao Yuan’s words and asked, “Why did your mother and father end up getting a divorce? They’ve such a capable son. You should’ve...”

Zhao Yuan interjected with a smile, “Hey, boy, don’t meddle in the adults’ matters.”

Lin Wenxi could tell that it was a pun and pushed Zhao Yuan a little to show his dissatisfaction. After that, he leaned against Zhao Yuan and gradually fell asleep. When he woke up, he saw a basin of water and a used bar of soap beside his feet. Zhao Yuan had finished cutting the dried garlic tops and washed his hands with soap to remove the garlic smell from his hands.

Lin Wenxi could not help but wonder, “Zhao Yuan is really considerate sometimes but seems unconcerned the other times. Why does he act like that?” He suddenly asked Zhao Yuan, “Did you get close to me because of that bet between Wanxin and you?”

Zhao Yuan knew what Lin Wenxi wanted to hear. He slowly sat on the rocking chair and looked at the starry sky.

“You took the initiative to get close to me, didn’t you? If it had not been for me, you would’ve been beaten up by Zheng Kai on your first day of university,” said Zhao Yuan.

Lin Wenxi turned his face away embarrassedly upon hearing Zhao Yuan exposing his little secret. Somehow he suddenly remembered his best friend during his childhood. He thought, “I used to offend him and thought that he would be angry with me, but he told me, ‘My father said that he like children who like to wear red clothes as they’re warm-hearted and never petty.’ Zhao Yuan liked to wear red jerseys, and he’s never petty too.”

“Why didn’t you teach me a lesson after that? Why do you treat me so well?” Lin Wenxi asked again and then lowered his head.

Zhao Yuan did not know what to say. He stopped rocking his chair as he thought, “Yes, why do I care so much about him? I’m a principled person but I always indulge him. I helped him tie his shoes. I hugged him and coaxed him to sleep. I fried fish for him and fought against those urban management officers for him. Now I even come to this secluded village to help his friends.”

After some thought, Zhao Yuan said emotionally, “Do you really think that it’s necessary to ask me such a question?”

Zhao Yuan was never a sweet talker. He was always honest with Lin Wenxi. Lin Wenxi felt touched upon hearing his words.

As it was getting late, Zhu Ziping’s parents went out to find them while holding a flashlight. The asked them to come into the house to sleep and kept praising Lin Wenxi as a kind and well-educated young gentleman. Lin Wenxi felt somewhat embarrassed, but Zhao Yuan talked excitedly with the elderly couple and told them that Lin Wenxi did a lot of good deeds without asking for anything in return.

Zhao Yuan sat nervously beside Lin Wenxi. After the elderly couple left, he hurriedly closed the door of the room and got ready to sleep.

It was a cool night, and the quilt was somewhat damp. The moonlight came into the room through the window and lit up the top of the carved wooden desk. The window paper gently fluttered in the breeze. Zhao Yuan stretched his body on the bed, laid out an arm and said to Lin Wenxi, “Hey, poet, it’s such a beautiful night. Do you need an arm?”

Lin Wenxi remained unmoved. Zhao Yuan saw him smile in the moonlight. It seemed that he really enjoyed this moment.

Zhao Yuan put his hands under his head and looked at Lin Wenxi for a long time before falling asleep.

The next day, Zhu Ziping sent Yun Che to invite Lin Wenxi and Zhao Yuan for a drink.

On that day, Lin Wenxi heard Yun Che and Zhu Ziping’s love story. It was the most tortuous love story that he had ever heard.