I feel right at home in the world of the courtyard house.

She couldn't help but empathize, thinking of her own partner. They had met through an organization introduction, their relationship progressing from meeting at the union office to getting to know each other's parents and then getting engaged—everything seemed like a predetermined procedure. Looking back now, she felt like a puppet, pushed along by an invisible hand. Everyone around her said they were a good match, and she had accepted it all without really understanding why. Seeing Li Jing'an's pained expression, she couldn't help but wonder if she too would one day endure such torment.

Thinking of this, Xiao Zhang's expression also turned dejected, her eyes filled with confusion. Li Jing'an noticed her change in mood, smiled nonchalantly, and said in a deliberately relaxed manner, "Hey, why am I saying all this? I'm really drunk. Actually, Xiao Zhang, I'm very content now. This is the happiest time I've had in a while."

"My life has truly been worthwhile, not because I became a role model, but because I met you, someone who resonates with my soul. I mean it. Some people never meet someone who connects with them on a soul level in their entire lives. I'm so lucky to have met you at this time. But I also feel unlucky that I met you at this particular moment."

Tears streamed down Li Jing'an's face. Seeing this, Xiao Zhang quickly took out a handkerchief, hurried to his side, and frantically wiped away his tears. Before she knew it, she herself started to cry, unsure whether it was because she felt the same way or because she was infected by Li Jing'an's emotions.

While Xiao Zhang was wiping her face, Li Jing'an casually put his arm around her waist and pressed his face against her stomach. Xiao Zhang was startled by this sudden action and was about to refuse when she heard Li Jing'an's deep voice: "Please, let me hug you, okay? Just for a moment. I want to hear your heartbeat, to see if it's on the same frequency as mine."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhang's previously flustered heart instantly calmed down. She gently placed her hand on Li Jing'an's head, stroking it tenderly, and made no further movements, letting him listen quietly.

After an unknown amount of time, Li Jing'an slowly released his grip, wiped away the tears still wet at the corners of his eyes, and said guiltily, "I'm sorry, Xiao Zhang, I don't know how to express my apology, nor do I know how to thank you. I feel that I have the most beautiful thing and the most beautiful time in this world right now, and I will cherish this memory forever in my heart."

"It's getting late, I can't keep you from resting any longer. You have to go to work tomorrow, so we can't delay too long." Li Jing'an stood up, making a gesture to see Xiao Zhang off. "Comrade Xiao Zhang, I will talk to the mine leaders and ask them not to trouble you with hosting us during our stay at the mine. I'm afraid it will cause you any trouble."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Xiao Zhang suddenly hugged Li Jing'an from behind, saying urgently, "Comrade Li, no! I'm not troubled at all, I'm just happy. I don't know how to express my feelings. Like you said, this might be the happiest moment of my life, really."

"Comrade Xiao Zhang, please don't do this. It will only hurt you. I can't give you anything. I just hope you can live a good life. I don't want to bother you or cause you any trouble," Li Jing'an quickly advised.

"Comrade Xiao Zhang, I have a family, I can't give you anything, I'll ruin you!" Li Jing'an said urgently.

"I don't care! I only know that you have me in your heart, and that our souls are in sync! What you said just now was so true. If there is no love between two people, they are just an empty shell, no different from a living dead!" Xiao Zhang retorted emotionally.

Li Jing'an slowly turned around, stared into Xiao Zhang's tearful eyes, leaned down and kissed her, and Xiao Zhang responded tightly.

After a long while, the two separated. Li Jing'an gently cupped Xiao Zhang's face and said affectionately, "I know I can't give you anything, but I'm really selfish right now. I want to have you."

Before Xiao Zhang could reply, Li Jing'an swept her up in his arms.

---

Outside the guesthouse, a young man paced back and forth beside his bicycle, occasionally stamping his feet, exhaling cold air, and hunching his shoulders, glancing every now and then in the guesthouse's direction. Seeing someone emerge from the guesthouse, he hurried forward and said, "Qianqian, I've been waiting for you for so long! Why did it take you so long to come out?"

"Why are you still here? Didn't I tell you to go home first when you brought me here?"

The girl called Qianqian was Xiao Zhang, who had just come out of Li Jing'an's room. She spoke in a very bad tone, glanced at him, and walked straight ahead, ignoring him completely.

The young man quickly pushed his bicycle and hurried after him, saying, "I'm just worried about you. It's so late, I'm afraid you might encounter danger."

As he spoke, he gripped the handlebars with one hand and reached for Xiao Zhang's hand with the other. Xiao Zhang jerked her hand away, stood rooted to the spot, glared at him, and angrily rebuked, "What are you doing? We're not even married yet! What do you take me for? If others see us like this, they'll think I'm the kind of person who does things casually. You're trying to ruin me!"

Xiao Zhang snorted in dissatisfaction and quickened his pace forward again. The young man hurriedly pushed his bicycle to catch up, apologizing repeatedly, "I'm sorry, Qianqian, I was out of my mind, I really didn't mean it, please forgive me..."

His apologetic voice faded into the distance, interspersed with a few disgruntled rebukes from Xiao Zhang, before gradually disappearing into the night.