CHAPTER 171: CHAPTER 171: BREAKUP 4_1

The warmth in his palm was deeply comforting. It was reminiscent of their student years, their first date. He had mustered all his courage and walked a long way before daring to hold her hand for the first time. He hadn’t even dared to tighten his grip, just touching her with his fingertips, which were trembling slightly.

She clearly remembered that night he had invited her to a hot pot dinner. It was the best meal she’d had that semester. She was partial to spicy beef, so they had ordered four or five servings. That one meal had nearly consumed his living expenses for half a month.

The next day, he gave her his dining hall card, recharging it every month. This was how an impoverished student provided for his girlfriend. Even if it was just meals at the cafeteria, it was an unparalleled joy.

Reflecting upon those years, she realized she had always been "mooching" off him. She’d constantly been in that category of people looked down upon for living off their boyfriends and husbands. Fortunately, today she had completely stood on her own two feet and could provide for herself through her own efforts.

As he gazed at her under the moonlight, perhaps he too was reminiscing about those beautiful moments from the past. His expression became exceptionally gentle. The shadow that had loomed between them seemed to be gradually fading away. He thought, It wouldn’t be long before they could go back to how things used to be.

「The next day」

Yan Xixi didn’t get up until nine-thirty. Just as she was preparing breakfast, the doorbell rang.

Huang Xiaojue walked in, carrying bags full of groceries: rice, oil, spare ribs, a free-range chicken, and various snacks—enough to last her for a week.

He had always been like that. He never asked, "Xixi, what do you like to eat? Shall I buy you some?" No, he wasn’t like other men who asked such vague questions. He would simply purchase things according to her usual preferences, especially heavy items like rice and oil, which he always took care of entirely.

She pouted playfully, "Xiaojue, why did you buy so much stuff again?"

He smiled slyly. "I’ll come over to scrounge meals from time to time." Then, his gaze fell upon the side dishes and rice on the dining table, and he perked up instantly, exclaiming, "I’m starving! And look at all this delicious food!"

She had prepared it especially for him.

Without any hesitation, he ate his fill. Afterwards, he pulled her along, saying, "Xixi, I want to take you somewhere."

She asked again, "Where to?"

He maintained the mystery until the very end. When they arrived, Yan Xixi was taken aback as she looked at the row of suburban townhouses. These were new villas built by real estate developers, backed by a three-thousand-acre forest park. Shady green trees formed a canopy, wildflowers were in full bloom, and artificially raised black swans paddled around on the lake.

Though it couldn’t be compared to top-tier luxury villas, it was already very good for ordinary people.

"Xixi, we can’t afford a detached house for now, so let’s get a townhouse first," he said.

She asked in a low voice, "Xiaojue, why buy a house?"

He laughed. "Of course we need a house if we’re getting married! Xixi, I promised you that when we buy a house, we wouldn’t rely on our parents for a single cent of financial help."

Us...

Indeed, he then said, "Xixi, both our names will be on the property deed."

She felt uneasy. "Xiaojue, I haven’t contributed a single penny..." And besides, a house this big will need at least several hundred thousand for renovations. With my regular salary savings, I definitely won’t be able to afford that, even if I don’t eat or drink.

He chuckled. "You don’t have to contribute a cent of money, but you must contribute the biggest part!"

She was stunned.

"You have to contribute a person. No, two people—one big and one small. It’s a buy-one-get-one-free deal! Isn’t that the biggest contribution of all?"