Chapter 62 Isn't This Also for Our Future?

Li Xiaoyun looked exceptionally serious as she wrote the letter. Li Xiangyang stood quietly by her side, a complex mixture of emotions surging in his heart.

"All done!" Li Xiaoyun put down her fountain pen and gently blew on the ink. "Take a look?"

Li Xiangyang waved his hand. "You wrote it, do I need to look?"

"How can that do?" Li Xiaoyun insisted on handing the letter to him. "This is a major matter concerning both of us."

Li Xiangyang took the letter, and Li Xiaoyun's neat and graceful handwriting immediately caught his eye.

The letter began with regards to her parents, followed by a discussion of her relationship with Li Xiangyang. Between the lines, there was both praise for Li Xiangyang's character and a blueprint for their future life.

"This..." After reading it, Li Xiangyang felt his face burning slightly. "You wrote it too well."

"What's so good or bad about it?" Li Xiaoyun lowered her head to tidy up the stationery, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum. "Everything I wrote is the truth."

"Let's go, let's mail this right now." Li Xiangyang made a move to head outside.

"Wait!" Li Xiaoyun grabbed his sleeve. "You're going out wearing just this?"

Li Xiangyang looked down at his cotton-padded jacket and asked in puzzlement, "It's thick enough."

"Oh, wait for me." Li Xiaoyun turned and went back into the room, emerging a moment later with a scarf. "Here, put this on."

Looking at the brand-new blue scarf, Li Xiangyang froze. "This is..."

"I knitted it," Li Xiaoyun said, wrapping the scarf around his neck. "I originally planned to give it to you for your birthday."

Li Xiangyang touched the scarf, his calloused fingers feeling the warmth of the wool.

"Hehe, it's really warm. Well, since your parents are coming, I should prepare some welcome gifts." Li Xiangyang stroked the scarf and chuckled foolishly.

"You're just thinking about useless things," Li Xiaoyun said as they walked. "My parents aren't coming to extort a bride price."

"That may be so," Li Xiangyang followed after her, "but aren't I nervous? By the way, what do your parents like? Does your dad smoke?..."

"He smokes, and he drinks too. You really are a chatterbox, aren't you? What is there to be nervous about..."

Talking all the way, the two soon arrived at the post office.

Li Xiangyang paid for the stamp and watched as Li Xiaoyun solemnly dropped the letter into the mailbox, feeling even more nervous inside.

"Do you think your parents will look down on me..."

"Look down on you for what?" Li Xiaoyun turned around. "For being honest? For being hardworking? Or for treating me well?"

"I mean," Li Xiangyang rubbed his hands, "after all, I'm from the countryside. I'm not well-off right now, I can't afford to rebuild the house, and my family is..."

"You, ah," Li Xiaoyun shook her head with a smile, "always worrying for nothing. Let me tell you, my parents aren't snobs, so you can put your heart at ease."

"They're coming just to see what kind of person you are, whether you're honest and dependable. Besides, since I've already made up my mind, I know what kind of person you are in my heart. Don't worry, my parents will definitely like you."

Seeing Li Xiaoyun's smile, Li Xiangyang felt a bit more grounded. He took her hand, feeling the warmth of her palm. "I know, I know it all."

He took a deep breath. "Xiaoyun, don't worry. I will definitely let you live a good life. This is not empty talk, I..."

"I know," Li Xiaoyun interrupted him, her gaze firm. "I believe you."

These three words were spoken lightly, yet they weighed as heavy as a thousand pounds. Li Xiangyang felt his eye sockets grow warm.

"Well, while there's still some time before the old folks arrive, I think I need to work harder. The weather is getting colder, and it's hard to find game in the mountains. What if I waste time and work for nothing? But I can catch fish, as long as I'm diligent..."

"Catching fish is good, it's not that dangerous. I'll go with you!" Li Xiaoyun's eyes lit up.

"How can that do?" Li Xiangyang waved his hands repeatedly. "In this freezing weather, the water in the river is icy cold. I think you'd better not go. Don't worry, my skills are good..."

"What? Look down on me? If you think the water is cold, I can just help you out as an assistant and not touch the water, alright?" Li Xiaoyun refused to relent. "Besides, isn't this for our future too?"

Li Xiangyang looked at the persistent girl before him, a wave of warmth washing over his heart.

Finding a partner these days—who didn't care about matching family backgrounds? But look at Li Xiaoyun: not only did she not mind his poverty, but she was even willing to follow him through hardships.

"Alright," Li Xiangyang nodded. "But we have to divide the work clearly. You just stay on the bank and keep watch, and absolutely do not touch the water."

"Got it!" Li Xiaoyun responded cheerfully.

On the way back, the cold wind howled, but it could not disperse the warmth in the hearts of the two young people.

Chatting and laughing all the way, the two returned to Li Xiangyang's home.

Before they even entered the courtyard, they heard a black cat meow and leap down from the roof.

"This cat," Li Xiangyang laughed, "acts so imposing no matter who it sees."

As they were speaking, the courtyard gate squeaked open, and Mother Li poked her head out. "You're back? Xiaoyun's here too? Come on in and warm up."

Li Xiaoyun smiled at Mother Li. "Auntie."

That single address made Mother Li's heart bloom with joy.

"Auntie," Li Xiaoyun said, her face flushing slightly, "I wrote a letter home today, asking my parents to come for a visit."

"You wrote a letter?" Upon hearing this, Mother Li's eyes instantly lit up. "Good, good, good!"

She took Li Xiaoyun's hand, so excited that she couldn't even speak properly.

"Auntie," Li Xiaoyun continued, "I want to go to the river with Xiangyang to catch some fish."

"The weather is so cold..." Mother Li worried.

"I'll just stay on the bank and keep watch," Li Xiaoyun quickly explained. "Xiangyang will do the work in the water."

Walking toward the wing room, Li Xiangyang said, "Mom, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

He soon came out with his tools, holding two long bamboo poles as well. These were ones he had specially searched for a few days ago to fish beneath the ice.

"Wait," Mother Li suddenly remembered something and turned to rummage through the cabinet. "I still have two catties of white flour left here. Let me steam some buns for you to take along. Catching fish is freezing work, you need to eat something hot."

"That's too precious..." Li Xiaoyun wanted to decline.

"What's so precious about it?" Mother Li deftly mixed the dough. "You young people working hard, aren't you just counting on a bite of hot food?"

While Mother Li was steaming the buns, Li Xiangyang took Li Xiaoyun to organize their tools. He carefully checked the bamboo poles to ensure each one was sturdy and reliable.

"Xiangyang," Li Xiaoyun suddenly said, "once my parents arrive, we can settle things."

Li Xiangyang's movements paused for a moment, and a wave of warmth surged in his chest. He looked at the girl before him who was willing to endure hardships by his side, feeling how fortunate he was.

Before long, steaming hot buns came out of the steamer.

Mother Li carefully wrapped the buns in a coarse cloth and found a thermos flask, filling it with hot water.

"Hurry and go," Mother Li handed the things to Li Xiaoyun. "Remember to come back before dark."

Watching the two young people walk out of the courtyard side by side, Mother Li's eyes grew somewhat moist.

Ever since Li Xiangyang's father passed away, she had always worried about her son's lifelong happiness. Lately, seeing her son and Li Xiaoyun courting, her hanging heart had finally settled.

Li Xiaoyun didn't mind that their family was poor, didn't mind that they were country folk, and was even willing to suffer hardships alongside her son. Even among all the educated youths who had arrived in the village, she couldn't find a second good girl like this.

"This child," Mother Li wiped the corner of her eye and muttered to herself, "he has met with a fortunate stroke of luck."

She turned back into the house, and thinking of Li Xiaoyun's mention of writing to her family, she felt even happier. If this matter could be settled, her wish would be fulfilled.

As she thought about it, she couldn't help smiling again. "This child, just like his father, is blessed."

Having said that, Mother Li glanced at the yellowed photograph hanging in the center of the main room, as if sharing this joy with the person in heaven.