The Widow and Yan Huaye

Many coincidences in this world are actually arranged by people. Liu Chang'an looked up at the sky, not interested in speculating about other people's intentions. He continued eating his sweet potato slices and then pondered a more profound question.

What kinds of "melons" do the average person (or "spectator") usually gossip about?

The most commonly eaten melons are probably watermelon, cucumber, papaya, and sweet potato. Of these four, watermelon is too bulky unless sliced, and it's rare to see someone carrying a slice of watermelon while watching a spectacle. Cucumber is more suitable for eating at night, or for those who, like Liu Yuewang, enjoy using a cucumber slicer. As for papaya, it's a good adjective and a synonym for melon. So, it seems that most people who eat melons generally eat sweet potatoes.

Sweet potato is a type of yam, and sweet potato slices are sweet potato chips. Liu Chang'an and Shangguan Dandan ate their sweet potato chips quietly, acting as onlookers, without intending to greet Su Nanxiu.

Actually, in some places, sweet potatoes are yams.

Jicama is also delicious; it's good eaten raw, stir-fried with vegetables or meat, especially stir-fried with fresh meat, the broth is fragrant, spicy, sweet and delicious, perfect with rice.

"Why is everyone else chatting with such enthusiasm and sincerity, seemingly trying to make the other person understand their strong desire to communicate, while we're just here focused on eating this?" Shangguan Dandan asked Liu Chang'an with some confusion after gnawing a crescent shape along the edge of a sweet potato slice.

"Because only eating and mating are the eternal instinctual pursuits of humankind, the pleasures contained in other behaviors are very short-lived. The longer a person lives, the more they understand and believe this truth." Liu Chang'an imparted his experience and insights to the newbie who was also Longevity but was unexpectedly naive.

"As expected of your debauchery and immorality." Shangguan Dandan nodded, showing no intention of arguing or debating with Liu Chang'an, as his opinion came from the bottom of his heart.

Liu Chang'an was just saying it casually. Looking ahead, he saw Su Nanxiu, wearing a lake-green jacket and a long skirt of the same color, frowning as she struggled to eat slices of sweet potato. Her pupils darted back and forth in her eye sockets, her gaze shifting between Liu Chang'an and Shangguan Dandan.

Su Nanxiu felt that the two people sitting together eating sweet potato slices looked unusually harmonious and natural, which made Su Nanxiu feel uncomfortable.

That fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl was exceptionally beautiful, and her demeanor seemed remarkably noble, something Su Nanxiu, who had seen people of all kinds of social status from all over the world, rarely found in others.

Age couldn't stop Liu Chang'an. When Liu Chang'an took her virginity, she was just this young. He didn't hesitate at all.

Of course, it was not uncommon for fourteen or fifteen-year-old girls to become wives more than a hundred years ago, but that is no longer appropriate now... But if he wants to, anything can happen.

Su Nanxiu stood up, holding the sweet potato scraper in her hand, and walked to the side of Yan'gui Lake.

He ignored her, Su Nanxiu didn't plan to go up to him for the time being, intending to remain reserved for about thirty minutes... or ten minutes.

The lake was calm, lacking the grandeur of a vast expanse of water. Shallow, fish-scale-like ripples danced lively in the sunlight, rising and falling endlessly. Perhaps it was only the restless wind and the ceaseless waves that made my heart uneasy.

Sometimes, even just looking at the afternoon sunlight, the lake, and the wind, everything around me seems unpleasant.

Behind them, the boisterous social activities of young men and women, the boys' ardent gazes and body language, and the girls' shy yet subtly reserved demeanor—it was all so annoying.

"Miss Su, are you not used to this kind of activity?" Yan Qingcheng saw Su Nanxiu standing by the lake and thought that Su Nanxiu didn't have anyone to play with, so she came over to keep her company. Most of the people here were older brothers and sisters around 18, 19, or 20 years old. She heard that Su Nanxiu was only fourteen years old.

Although the word "Miss" often carries a somewhat playful and sarcastic connotation nowadays, its use depends on the occasion and the person being addressed.

Su Nanxiu's temperament and background, even among ordinary students who have little regard for class or social status, such a title would be natural and appropriate.

"It's alright." Su Nanxiu's two slender fingers emerged from her sleeve and tugged at the hem of her coat. Her brows softened, as if distant mountains on a painting had been smoothed out by a brush dipped in ink.

"I'll take good care of you for your cousin. What do you like to play?" Yan Qingcheng asked enthusiastically. After successfully luring Liu Chang'an to Yan Qingcheng thought that Zhu Juntang would most likely participate as well. However, after talking to Zhu Juntang, she agreed but stood her up today. She said she wanted to play with the Saintess of the Nine Provinces Wind and Thunder Sword Sect... Yan Qingcheng didn't ask or investigate further. It's normal that what Zhu Juntang said is hard for normal people to understand.

Zhu Juntang didn't come; instead, she recommended her cousin, saying that her cousin was also a student at Xiangtan University, but was young and had some generation gap with her classmates, and was usually rather withdrawn. She hoped Yan Qingcheng could show her around.

Yan Qingcheng hadn't expected that although Zhu Juntang's cousin was a student at Xiangtan University, she was actually only fourteen years old. Her face and figure made her look a little more mature, but at most she looked like she was fifteen or sixteen. Many high school students looked much more mature than her when they dressed up in their private lives.

Sometimes, if you look at her from the side or accidentally meet her gaze, the feeling is completely different. She loses all her naivety and instead exudes a coldness that borders on fierceness.

"The autumn chill makes me feel restless, I'd like to drink black chicken and ginseng soup." Su Nanxiu casually handed the sweet potato slices in her hand to Yan Qingcheng.

Yan Qingcheng was taken aback for a moment, but still took it without hesitation. Then she realized that this was the young lady's style. If she didn't want to carry something, she would naturally ask someone else to hold it for her. It didn't mean that Yan Qingcheng should eat it.

Seeing Su Nanxiu walk towards the pier, Yan Qingcheng quickly followed. As the organizer of the event, she had naturally paid attention to safety matters. A new warning sign had been erected by the lake, listing many safety precautions and specifically citing an example: a student from Xiangnan University Affiliated High School had fallen into the water when the pier collapsed. Another student, who was not a strong swimmer, risked his life to save him, but both of them almost got entangled in the weeds and drowned. Fortunately, three other students actively rescued them, averting a disaster. She hoped everyone would learn from this and pay attention to their own safety, and never go swimming or playing in the water.

Having not looked closely before, Yan Qingcheng stopped and glanced at the examples below, then froze in shock. Wasn't this Liu Chang'an's high school? His file included a story about him selflessly saving someone in high school. Could this... be his story?

It feels so strange.

"What are you looking at?" Su Nanxiu walked onto the pier and saw Yan Qingcheng standing there looking at the warning signs, so she asked casually.

"I have a classmate who risked his life to save others here and was even commended." Yan Qingcheng looked at the warning sign, smiled, and turned back to point to Liu Chang'an was still sitting there eating sweet potato slices.

Su Nanxiu glanced at Liu Chang'an's back, then walked back to look at the words on the warning sign, and then sneered.

"Do you think it's debatable whether such selfless rescue deserves praise?" Aside from that, Yan Qingcheng didn't think Su Nanxiu had any other reason to sneer.

"Are you sure Liu Chang'an did this?" Su Nanxiu asked instead of answering Yan Qingcheng's question.

Yan Qingcheng hesitated slightly, "It should be. Liu Chang'an's file does have a record of him being commended by the school and the education department for sacrificing himself to save others. If this isn't referring to him, then it's possible."

"Sacrificing himself to save others, he almost got tangled in the water plants and died..." Su Nanxiu tapped the warning sign, "What a drama queen."

"Why did you say that about him?" Seeing Su Nanxiu walk towards the pier again, Yan Qingcheng followed her somewhat unconvinced.

People nowadays tend to think that those who fall into the water and are rescued often bear some responsibility themselves. They are often seen as immature, disregarding rules and regulations, or lacking safety awareness, causing injury or even death to the rescuers. Therefore, they are filled with anger towards these rescued people, and repeatedly remind everyone to protect themselves, saying that sacrificing oneself to save others is not worthwhile... There are many debates here, and Yan Qingcheng is not focused on them, but as a hero who sacrifices himself to save others in such a situation, why should he be met with indifferent ridicule from bystanders?

"You like Liu Chang'an?" Su Nanxiu still didn't answer Yan Qingcheng's question, but turned around and looked into Yan Qingcheng's eyes.

These eyes, like Liu Chang'an's sometimes perceived way, seem to see into people's hearts... except that while Liu Chang'an truly can see through people's hearts, Su Nanxiu's gaze is more aggressive and makes people involuntarily feel resistance.

"No." Yan Qingcheng quickly denied it, not expecting that anyone would actually think that, which made Yan Qingcheng blush.

When Yan Qingcheng first met Liu Chang'an, she thought everyone would assume she only contacted Liu Chang'an for class activities and wouldn't misunderstand her. However, when she actually tried to reach out to Liu Chang'a Yan Qingcheng, her mindset changed. She wondered if everyone else's mindset had also changed, and whether they thought she had feelings for Liu Chang'an.

Girls often consider these nuances and details, making it difficult for boys to understand their ever-changing attitudes, which are as unpredictable as the weather.

Su Nanxiu's gaze swept over Yan Qingcheng... A girl like her, who appears warm and easygoing on the outside, hides a lot of strength and self-respect in her heart. She is used to hiding her emotions. It is almost impossible for her to admit that she likes a boy who she thinks is too outstanding, or who is from a different world than her.

Unless the boy actively pursues her and makes her feel enough sincerity to dispel her inherent doubts and distrust about everything, she will basically not reveal her true feelings.

Liu Chang'an could never pursue Yan Qingcheng; he is a devoted man who has always only been attracted to "super" beautiful girls.

"My relationship with Liu Chang'an is alright." Seeing that Su Nanxiu didn't speak, Yan Qingcheng thought she didn't believe her, so she quickly explained, "Because his father knows my mother, I've carefully looked into his character. Actually, he's just a bit willful, not really the school bully type of academic genius that the rumors at school make him out to be. He's actually a pretty good person."

Yan Qingcheng felt that Su Nanxiu must have heard of Liu Chang'an's reputation as well. It was just strange that Su Nanxiu was Zhu Juntang's cousin. Since their family was a prominent and wealthy clan, and they were old friends with Liu Chang'an, and Zhu Juntang and Liu Chang'an got along well, didn't Su Nanxiu know more about Liu Chang'an? But... it's not surprising, is it? There's a saying that a sister-in-law is half a brother-in-law's butt, but in reality, there are plenty of sisters-in-law who dislike their brother-in-law.

Su Nanxiu carefully examined Yan Qingcheng, her gaze sweeping from the top of Yan Qingcheng's head down to the instep of her feet.

Yan Qingcheng is a little over 1.7 meters tall and has a slender figure. Apart from girls like An Nuan, most girls have to look up at her. However, Yan Qingcheng felt that Su Nanxiu was looking down at her. There was a sense of "I see" in the little girl's eyes, which Yan Qingcheng couldn't understand.

"Liu Chang'an's father Liu Jianshe, right?" Su Nanxiu's eyes twitched. From Ye Chenyu to Liu Jianshe, this person's naming style is quite in line with the times. It's just that this change in style makes Su Nanxiu feel a little uncomfortable.

After all, his own Young Master Ye had always been a dashing and elegant gentleman, but in his reincarnation, he had become someone wearing a helmet, a t-shirt, shorts, and canvas shoes.

Although Liu Jianshe was a professor with numerous achievements but a low-key reputation... Su Nanxiu didn't think she had done anything wrong by taking some of Professor Liu's research results. He didn't want them anymore and pretended to be dead... What was wrong with her, as a "widow," taking her husband's research results? What was wrong with that? Where did she go wrong?

"You know that too..." Yan Qingcheng felt a vague disappointment, as if it were a good thing that others didn't know this. Yan Qingcheng shrugged and smiled, "I heard that Professor Liu is actually a very low-key person, but his professional level is extremely high. In the relevant professional field at that time, there were many experts and scholars who supported and admired him."

"There are even more female students who admire him." Su Nanxiu's eyes held a faint chill as she continued to scrutinize Yan Qingcheng.

"Isn't it inappropriate to talk about elders like that?" Yan Qingcheng's smile was already somewhat stiff, and hearing the sarcasm in Su Nanxiu's words, she became even more indignant. So she suppressed her smile and politely reminded her, "Who can really say for sure what happened back then? Those who know the truth are not speaking up, so others should be even less likely to jump to conclusions."

"I just said that quite a few female students admire him, what's wrong with that?" Su Nanxiu looked at Yan Qingcheng strangely. "Girls are naturally inclined to admire teachers who are capable and have personal charisma. If a teacher also has many special qualities and is full of mystery, it's easy for girls to become curious about him. Isn't that kind of admiration normal?"

"Well... then you should have said you admired his students. You specifically emphasized female students, and I always feel like you had something in mind." Yan Qingcheng preferred to believe that she had misunderstood Su Nanxiu. Although Yan Qingcheng didn't know much about Professor Liu Jianshe, she trusted her mother. If someone could be remembered by another person for so many years, there must be something about them that made them worthy of being remembered.

Su Nanxiu was still sizing up Yan Qingcheng, her gaze lingering on Yan Qingcheng's eyes and long eyelashes. Finally, she looked away. Yan Qingcheng reminded her of Zhong Qing from back then, except that although Zhong Qing was a little shorter than Yan Qingcheng, he had a better figure and more delicate features.

"You said it yourself, who can really say for sure what happened back then? Just because you have your opinion doesn't mean my opinion is a rash conclusion." Su Nanxiu looked at Liu Chang'an's back not far away... He was pulling Shangguan Dandan, grilling a slice of sweet potato on the grill. Shangguan Dandan kept glancing at Liu Chang'an and then at the grill, occasionally making a gesture as if she wanted to hug something but forgot to bring it with her.

"Let's not talk about this anymore. If the people of that time don't want to talk about it, why should we, as later generations, speculate?" Yan Qingcheng didn't want to argue with Su Nanxiu. She also glanced back at Liu Chang'an, wondering if he would be angry if he knew Su Nanxiu's opinion... Maybe he would slap her like he did with Minister Yuan and Lin Feng.

Probably not... Su Nanxiu is a super beautiful girl. Liu Chang'an's attitude towards super beautiful girls is just to tease them... take them to a hotel... and play with them wantonly... until the super beautiful girl is captured in body and soul.

For example, Qin Yanan, for instance, one night Qin Yanan and Zhu Juntang were together in a hotel, and she even posted a selfie online, which is probably...

"Liu Chang'an is Liu Jianshe's... son. Since your surname is Yan and you like to defend Liu Jianshe... you must be Yan Huaye's daughter, right?" Su Nanxiu had been observing Yan Qingcheng for so long and finally came to this conclusion based on her observation and logic.

Just by looking at their appearances, you really can't tell that Yan Qingcheng is the daughter of that vixen Yan Huaye. After all, Yan Huaye's appearance is much more refined than Yan Qingcheng's, and her figure should have been more mature when she was young, so it's impossible for her to be as plain as Yan Qingcheng.

However, the healthy and energetic feel, and the strong leg shape and hip line of both are quite similar.

Comparing them, Yan Huaye back then looks more like An Nuan now. My old man's taste is really consistent... An Nuan has a plump little chest even when wearing a cheongsam, while Yan Qingcheng's is something that even a push-up bra can't save.

"How do you know my mother?" Yan Qingcheng was taken aback. She had originally thought that Su Nanxiu was not a family friend of Liu Chang'an like Zhu Juntang, because she didn't seem to know much about Professor Liu Jianshe. But she didn't expect that it was more of a prejudice. Not only did Su Nanxiu know Professor Liu, but she also knew her mother's name.

"Of course I know... I also know that your mother was implicated by Professor Liu, and her job assignment was delayed after graduation. In the end, she only became a primary school teacher in a rural area. Although she was not worried about life, it was by no means comfortable. It was not easy for her to raise you." Su Nanxiu sighed softly, looking at Yan Qingcheng with pity.

Su Nanxiu's gaze was unbearable for Yan Qingcheng. Yan Qingcheng proudly raised her head, "You don't need to look at me like that, as if you pity me. Although my mother and I depend on each other for survival, we don't need other people's sympathy. We have our own happiness. Not everyone needs to live like you to be considered happy."

"It's great that you think that way... I underestimated Yan Huaye. The fact that she raised such a daughter is enough to show that her qualities were not just youth and beauty that attracted Professor Liu." Su Nanxiu smiled, not taking Yan Qingcheng's words to heart. It's only natural for someone who cares about their pride to instinctively raise all their defenses to protect themselves.

"I'll say it again, my mother merely admires and reveres Professor Liu. There's nothing between them what you think. Even now, when my mother talks about Professor Liu, she admires his talent, character, and unique personal charm, not anything romantic between them." Yan Qingcheng glared angrily at Su Nanxiu. "Don't confuse all romantic relationships with each other!"

Su Nanxiu didn't take it to heart. Girls this age are always a bit naive... Just like you are now attracted to Liu Chang'an without realizing it. This is just an ordinary classmate relationship, yet you can't help but pay attention to Liu Chang'an. A professor like Liu Jianshe, in that era, for a female student full of expectations and dreams for the future, how could you imagine the attraction he would have for her?

Human nature is unreliable. It's not that human nature is consciously protecting the beauty and simplicity of life. Human nature is inherently prone to struggling between selfishness and possessiveness, and in the end, it mostly wins out by following one's own desires. Even if Yan Huaye realizes that a simple and intimate teacher-student relationship is not bad, her desires will definitely overcome her reason and she will crave further development. Or rather, further development with him would be the rational thing to do, haha.

"I have high hopes for you." But this Yan Qingcheng reminded Su Nanxiu of Zhong Qing. Disciplining a young girl is always a very interesting thing. Moreover, Su Nanxiu did not want Yan Huaye to go through what Yan Qingcheng had gone through... because Yan Huaye had the capital to seduce Liu Jianshe, while Yan Qingcheng did not.

Yan Qingcheng was stunned for a moment, not understanding.

"Would you like to be my assistant?" Su Nanxiu extended an invitation.

"No." Yan Qingcheng shook her head instinctively.

"You don't know what you've missed." Su Nanxiu didn't intend to insist on persuading Yan Qingcheng. Some things, once missed, are gone forever... This wasn't just Su Nanxiu's perspective; isn't double standards a universal truth?

Su Nanxiu walked down from the pier. Yan Qingcheng was lost in thought for a while, feeling that these young ladies were indeed somewhat difficult to understand and get along with... Compared to them, Miss Zhu Juntang was much easier to approach.

Although Zhu Juntang is clearly the older cousin, Su Nanxiu seems much more mature. Zhu Juntang has the temperament and personality of a rich heiress, but she is actually not a bad person. As long as you don't have bad intentions or covet anything from her, and you get used to her way of speaking and doing things, she is actually quite easy to get along with.

Su Nanxiu was different. Yan Qingcheng felt that she would rather be bullied by Liu Chang'an like he was with Minister Yuan and Lin Feng than have any contact with Su Nanxiu.

Assistant? Yan Qingcheng intuitively felt that she had dodged a crisis that would have been a dark encounter in her life.

"Aren't you overthinking it?" Yan Qingcheng shook her head. She really did like to let her imagination run wild.

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Hello everyone, it's the last few hours of the month! Xia Hua, in support of the Silver Alliance, has released the third update! Monthly tickets expire and go to waste, but if you vote for Xia Hua, they can turn into delicious treats for Zhou Dongdong! Let's give the Saintess of the Nine Provinces Wind and Thunder Sword Sect some face!