Even as a "normie," I'm completely oblivious to it.

38. Little Fool

"Grandma, can I take a picture of this album? It's the first time I've seen Lizhi from when she was little, and I want to take a picture to remember it."

"Oh, of course you can! Kid, what kind of question is that? Aren't your own lover's childhood photos taken casually?"

Grandma was very happy to hear Yuzhe say that, and quickly stuffed the whole photo album in front of Yuzhe.

Little Lychee silently covered her face.

Ugh... I had a lot of fun looking at photos and reminiscing with Brother Yuzhe just now, but when he takes out his phone and takes pictures of the album like this, I still feel a little embarrassed.

Why was I so naughty when I was little! Every photo was taken while I was jumping around. Little Lychee, couldn't you be a little more well-behaved?

If you were as poised and dignified as a little princess... you'd definitely look amazing in the photo album!

Here it is, even though it's not very promising now, it still complains about the even more disappointing lychee from its childhood.

Yu Zhe happily took photos of Little Lychee when she was a little girl, holding his phone horizontally. This was his biggest haul for the day.

When I get home, I'll show this to everyone; they'll definitely think these little lychees are really fresh and fun!

As he was taking pictures, Yu Zhe frowned.

"Hmm... this plastic sheet is quite reflective. Little Lychee, can you hold the album steady for me? I'm taking this out to take a picture."

"Aww...! Alright!"

Little Lychee finally had a chance to prove herself, and she quickly and steadily held the outer edge of the photo album.

Actually, Yu Zhe could have gotten the photo himself; he just wanted to give Xiao Lizhi something to do.

She seemed to want to show off in front of her grandparents, but unfortunately, she didn't get the chance.

With Little Lychee pressing down on the album, Yu Zhe gently placed the photo of Little Lychee playing in the water.

The photo was taken out of the plastic protective film from the album.

This photo... it's been printed for at least ten years. My grandparents have taken very good care of it; the photo is still shiny and spotless, without a single crease, just like a brand new photo that was just printed.

The only flaw might be that the camera's resolution was a bit low back then.

Yu Zhe carefully aimed his phone's camera at the photo on the table, gently pressed the shutter, and captured the photo full of Xiao Lizhi's childhood fun and joy on his phone once again.

"Phew... all done."

"Hey, hurry up and put the photos away! Brother Yuzhe, stop staring at them!"

"No way~ It's too cute, okay... save it to my special album for backup!"

"!"

"Pfft... Don't make that face. I'll show you my childhood photos when I get back, then we'll be even, right?"

"That's good!"

"Hmm, after returning to China, I'll give...wait, what's this next?"

As they chatted and laughed, Yu Zhe was about to put the photos back into the plastic film.

But just by slightly raising the photo like this...

He seemed to see...writing on the back of the photo.

From this angle, you can only see the edges of the blue ballpoint pen writing, which is quite glaring.

Out of curiosity, Yu Zhe immediately picked it up and turned it over.

Little Lychee is a very curious child, and when she heard what Yu Zhe said, she also peeked over to take a look.

It's okay if you don't look at it!

Only after seeing this did I realize what it means to be prescient!

"Uh...Grandma? Is this my mom's handwriting?"

Yu Zhe was all too familiar with her elegant handwriting, which was so beautiful it could win a calligraphy award.

Grandma heard the question and came back to check. Yu Zhe was holding the photo, and she glanced at it.

"Where? It seems...it was written by Qiuyun? What...what was it about again?"

Even Yu Zhe was too embarrassed to read it!

The straightforward Little Lychee hadn't even figured out what was going on before she read it aloud in a straightforward manner.

"To Lizhi ten years from now: Did you have a lot of fun at the pool today? You told me today that you want to go out with me again in the future, and that I love you even more than your mother does, and I won't hit you on the head. Auntie is so happy that you trust me like that. There will be plenty of opportunities like this in the future. I wonder if you'll still remember me in ten years. In these ten years of your growing up, I probably won't be able to stay home and take you out to play. After all, Auntie might not even be able to take care of her own children. But in ten years! We'll be family then. Is this me taking my own daughter out to play in advance? Hehe, don't forget Auntie when you grow up. Of course, you can call me Mom then! I don't mind... Ah! This is written to me!"

The last sentence wasn't the content of the words, but rather Xiao Lizhi's exclamation of surprise as she finally realized what was happening.

The note on the back of your photo, if it's not for you, then who else could it be for...?

The densely packed small characters filled the middle of the blank space on the back of the photo.

Between the lines, one can sense Yang Qiuyun's vision for the future from her earlier years.

Looking ahead... what kind of outlook is that?!

"She guessed what would happen back then?!"

"You guessed...now? Ah! Aunt Qiuyun is amazing!"

"No... you're only just realizing this now... didn't you just read it aloud yourself?"

"Feel sorry..."

Nothing.

There's nothing that can be done about the long reaction time.

That was good. Don't read it like that next time; maybe you'll be able to react faster then.

Grandma took the photo and looked at the words on the back. She had a vague recollection of it, but when asked to describe what happened that day, she couldn't remember at all.

So, when it really matters, you still have to rely on Grandpa.

He slapped his thigh and stood up, his eyes revealing considerable wisdom.

"Hey, old woman, your memory's failing, isn't it?"

"Tsk, be quiet, let me think... what did Qiuyun say that day..."

"What are you saying? Just admit you're getting old, your memory isn't what it used to be."

"It's all...it's all because you always interrupt me! Fine, old man, you remember? Then tell me?"

Oh dear, oh dear...

Yu Zhe and Xiao Lizhi both felt a wave of cloying, decades-old romance washing over them.

Grandpa wasn't just bragging.

He walked over to his grandmother, took the photo, and pointed to the words, explaining them to Yuzhe and Xiaolizhi.

“Your maternal grandmother may not remember, but I remember it very clearly. Qiuyun and Sasha had been thinking about bringing you two together soon after you were born. You have to believe in fate... If Qiuyun hadn’t been hiding here all these years, you two would have been betrothed long ago.”

"..."

Yu Zhe was speechless. It turned out that his mother's actions were not prophetic, but rather premeditated.

He had heard about this before... the verbal engagement with Xiao Lizhi and stuff.

It's fortunate that it wasn't brought up in the open, otherwise, Xiao Lizhi might have been dragged home by Yu Che and beaten up!

I just didn't expect that Mom had this idea when Xiaolizhi was in kindergarten... That's way too early.

"Little Lychee, I'm sorry, my mom was so headstrong back then... huh?!"

"This...this is too dreamlike!!"

"dream?!"

Yu Zhe turned his head and saw that Xiao Lizhi's eyes were sparkling.

She took the photo from her grandfather and looked at the words on the back like a treasure!

Seeing her reaction, Grandpa guessed, "Look how happy the child is. That's right, you two have a history since childhood. But... speaking of which, I haven't asked Sasha yet. Are you two together now because Sasha took Lizhi to find Yuzhe? I saw that Qiuyun hasn't returned to Fenghai yet. You're fast."

"No, no! It's not because of..."

For these agreements!

Little Lychee hurriedly waved her hands in denial.

She was happy not because she had agreed to meet Yu Zhe.

What she is truly proud of is her own experience with her brother Yu Zhe!

"Grandma, Grandpa, listen to me! It's not because of any engagement or anything. Yuzhe and I met at school! Back then, he didn't know me, and I didn't know him. We got together on our own!"

Yu Zhe was taken aback upon hearing this.

He really...didn't expect this level.

But after a moment's thought, he actually felt... he could understand Xiao Lizhi's pride.

Can we come together without relying on anyone...?

Yu Zhe remained silent, only smiled and whispered indulgently.

"You silly goose..."

39. To act first and report later?

"Wow...! This is unbelievable! How can such old photos be preserved so well!"

"Pfft... How long ago is it? You've only been born for eighteen years."

"That's been a long time! Waaah... You even have photos of me wearing diapers when I was little! Brother Yuzhe, you actually took pictures and kept them!"

"What does it matter? At least you were wearing a diaper in the photo. I've even seen you completely naked lately!"

"Ugh...! You're not allowed to tell anyone even if you've seen it! You're not allowed to tell anyone!!"

After finishing dinner and looking through the photo album, it was already 9:30 pm.

Yu Zhe and Xiao Lizhi walked out of the back door of the square, detached single-story house.

According to Xiaolizhi, she remembers there was a flower field behind the house, and a small yard in front of the flower field, where she often chased butterflies when she was a child.