CHAPTER 62: CHAPTER 62: A MAN LIKE THIS IS ONE IN A MILLION

He Chen was very curious about Ye Manman’s life. After discovering that the girl he had been paying attention to for over a decade was not the Ye Manman he had in mind, he became even more intrigued about how she had spent those years.

Was she suffering or wronged in some place he didn’t know about?

Or was she living happily and contentedly?

Facing He Chen’s inquisitive gaze, Ye Manman rolled her eyes and began to introduce He Chen to their 21st-century modern life.

From airplanes flying in the sky, to various cars on the ground, to yachts sailing the water, she left He Chen utterly astonished.

Finally, mentioning that Ye Manman was originally from a wealthy family, always having bodyguards and private cars to pick her up, shopping without looking at price tags, and having a butler, maids, and a private chef at home to take care of her daily needs, he was even more amazed.

To think that all of this developed so rapidly in just a few decades was beyond anything he could have imagined back then.

After finishing, Ye Manman pouted.

"So you see, right, I used to desperately want to go back, because life in this era is really too rough."

After she said this, she flashed a sly smile.

"But now I have you, and I believe you will become very impressive in the future, so I don’t want to go back that much anymore～"

Even though she said this to comfort He Chen, Ye Manman often reminisced about her past life. In this difficult era, she also thought about her parents.

Yet her parents were always so busy that sometimes she wouldn’t see them even once a year, aside from them sending gifts through the butler on birthdays and New Year, and providing her with large sums of money. She never received any other form of care from them.

But perhaps that was their way of showing love in another form, agreeing to all her demands unconditionally at least.

During New Year meals, sitting together felt like being with strangers, and the gatherings often ended awkwardly, each parent leaving after handing her a large sum of money.

Although she used to not mind, thinking that it meant more freedom and money to spend as she pleased while others tended to her, her heart always felt empty.

She had no one she loved, and parental affection had no place to settle, let alone the pursuit of genuine friendship.

In this wealthy circle, emotions were the true luxury, something she never dared to hope for.

With so many years gone by, Ye Manman still didn’t know where this longing in her heart belonged. Nothing mattered to her; she didn’t care about anyone’s opinions, and no one deeply loved her.

She seemed to exist in that world, yet seemed dispensable.

Only in this world, only in front of He Chen, did she feel a true sense of existence, feeling desired, loved, and cherished.

"I’ll work hard. Since you said these things will happen in the coming decades, we will surely have them too."

Perhaps sensing the sudden drop in Ye Manman’s mood, He Chen suddenly spoke up, interrupting her reverie.

Ye Manman blinked in surprise, warmth spreading through her chest, before she turned her head and sweetly said, "Mm."

"Of course, I believe in you. You are so impressive; in the future, you’ll surely become a notable figure, and I’ll just follow and enjoy the blessings～ Hehe."

He Chen felt very reassured inside; if it weren’t for the fact that he was worried about her injuries, he would have loved to hold her hand.

The two of them snuggled in bed, chatting away for a long time until dawn began to break. Then, He Chen decided not to sleep anymore and got up.

Ye Manman, on the other hand, felt sleepy again. While He Chen got up to make breakfast, she fell back to sleep and didn’t wake up until noon, missing the breakfast he had made.

He Chen planned to stay home to take care of Ye Manman and intended to temporarily halt his town supplies, so he got up early, intending to cycle to the town to inform others.

But just as he was riding down the road leading from the village to the town, suddenly, a woman inexplicably twisted her ankle and fell.

He Chen thought such a fall on flat ground couldn’t be too serious and did not plan to intervene. After all, he was in a hurry, and it wouldn’t be good if Ye Manman woke up wanting something to eat or to freshen up while he wasn’t around.

Seeing that he had no intention of stopping, the woman suddenly began to cry, clutching her ankle.

Although her voice was clear and soft, compared to Ye Manman’s sweet and alluring voice, it was just like "any other."

He Chen kept his focus ahead and cycled past.

But the woman suddenly called out to him.

"He Chen? Is that you? Wait a minute, I’ve twisted my ankle, and it seems quite swollen. Could you take me to town to see a doctor?"

Since someone called his name, it was likely someone he knew, so He Chen instinctively stopped his bike and turned around.

However, upon seeing the woman’s unfamiliar face, He Chen was sure he didn’t know her.

"Who are you?"

He really didn’t remember me?

Gao Huifang almost couldn’t maintain her pale and weak facade.

"I’m Gao Huifang, remember? Last year we dug sweet potatoes together when we were on the job, and during the flood, it was your idea to tie cloth strips on the tree so we few city youths could be saved. Don’t you remember me?"

Maintaining an expression of pained vulnerability, she sat with her leg askew, tears in her eyes, appearing pitiable.

Recently, spending time at the youth base often left Gao Huifang feeling absent-minded, especially when recalling the scene of He Chen tenderly cradling Ye Manman during their mountain outing, which left her blushing with a racing heart.

After much contemplation, Gao Huifang realized she must have developed feelings for He Chen.

Previously, she had misjudged, believing He Chen, as his aunt suggested, would marry just to please his aunt, handing money over to her for safekeeping.

She hadn’t foreseen him striving to excel after getting married, not only cutting ties with parasitic relatives but also making a significant fortune.

She had already felt an attraction to him before. Considering He Chen’s rugged looks and masculine build, Gao Huifang had been enamored for quite some time. Though she eventually gave up, she now thought there was no time like the present.

She didn’t believe having a wife should bar her pursuit of true love.

Instead, having heard and seen firsthand He Chen’s affection towards his wife, Gao Huifang became even more convinced that a man cherishing his wife like He Chen was hard to find, strengthening her resolve to win him over.

She learned from village gossip that He Chen went to the town every morning, so she waited daily along this road attempting to "coincidentally" meet him.

However, she inexplicably hadn’t bumped into him for several days, arising early for nought. Had she not risen even earlier today than on those previous days, she might not have met him again today either.

Luckily, she managed to spot him today!

Gao Huifang couldn’t believe she couldn’t win him over with her looks.

Didn’t He Chen fancy those delicate, sweet women like Ye Manman? Conveniently enough, she was cut from the same cloth.

Plus, being a few years older than Ye Manman and a city-bred "sent-down youth," she had advantages in background, education, and experience. A little close contact, she speculated, should definitely win He Chen’s affection.

Sitting on the ground feigning ankle pain, she deliberately pulled her pant leg up slightly for He Chen to notice her fair-skinned leg, imagining he’d tenderly carry her on his bike.

However, He Chen merely glanced at her ankle without any emotion, apologetically preparing to resume his journey.

"Sorry, my bike’s rear seat is for my wife. You don’t really need to visit the town for this injury; just see the village clinic."