He originally thought there would be no further connection between them, but a few days later, 'Yue Ling' was cornered in an alley.
Yu Changqing rushed over in a moment of urgency, only to realize it was a misunderstanding.
Turns out, the other person was just like him—smitten with 'Yue Ling'.
The only difference was that the other man was bolder, confessing his feelings to her face.
Yu Changqing still remembered her response clearly: she said she didn’t like idle loafers with no ambition.
What she admired were gentle, scholarly men who loved reading.
Before leaving, Yue Ling even thanked him.
She appreciated him for stepping in when she was in trouble.
Inspired by her words about preferring bookish men, Yu Changqing threw himself into studying.
But strangely, after that day, 'Yue Ling' seemed to vanish.
She never returned to the bookstore.
Half a year later, Yu Changqing heeded his father’s call and enlisted in the military, where he met Huo Zhendong.
The two hit it off instantly, becoming as close as sworn brothers.
Years later, by chance, they ran into Yue Ling on the street.
Yu Changqing was thrilled, but Yue Ling no longer remembered him.
Too nervous to confess his feelings right away, he hesitated.
And in that moment of hesitation, Huo Zhendong seized the opportunity.
By the next time Yu Changqing saw Yue Ling, she was already Huo Zhendong’s wife.
This left Yu Changqing bitter for over thirty years.
Now, to be told that all this time, he had loved the wrong person—
How could Yu Changqing not be devastated?
“This can’t be! I don’t believe it. She is Yue Ling.”
Seeing her husband so heartbroken over another woman, Zhang Yaqin couldn’t pretend it didn’t hurt.
But at their age, romantic entanglements no longer held the same weight.
Divorcing over something like this was out of the question.
Even if they wanted to, the Party wouldn’t allow it.
Besides, as grandparents now, they couldn’t afford the scandal.
“It’s entirely possible,” Zhang Yaqin reasoned. “The sisters looked identical. Back then, using the same photo for official documents wasn’t unusual, was it?”
Her guess was spot-on.
Throughout her life, Yue Ling had indeed used her sister’s photos for all her ID documents, except for group pictures.
With identical faces, why waste money on extra photos when reprints would do?
Zhang Yaqin didn’t care if her words sank in.
She continued bluntly, “I’m telling you this so you’ll stop deluding yourself.
“Before, because of Yue Ling, you could never bring yourself to act against the Huo family. But now, with things at this point, think of the children—if not for yourself.
“Especially our second son. After all these years in the military, he’s still just a battalion commander.
“Meanwhile, look at the Huo family’s third son—the same age, already a regiment commander!
“If you fail again this time, our sons and grandsons will never—”
Before she could finish, Yu Changqing stood and headed for the door.
“Where are you going so late?” Zhang Yaqin grabbed his arm.
Without turning, he replied, “I’ll stay at the office for a few days.”
Then he walked downstairs and left.
---
Elsewhere, with winter nights falling early, Jiang Si and Third Uncle decided to move the evening banquet to four in the afternoon.
Four tables were set up for the crowd.
At noon, everyone had been too busy hosting guests and toasting to eat properly.
Now, in the evening, both families relaxed, drinking and chatting late into the night.
Had they not agreed to visit the square murals and the Forbidden City’s snowscapes at dawn, the conversation might’ve stretched even longer.
On their way back to the compound, they coincidentally ran into Yu Changqing at the gate.
With Second Brother Huo and Huo Fourth Brother leading the way with flashlights, they immediately noticed the glaring slap marks on his face.
Second Brother Huo, ever the provocateur, feigned surprise. “Oh my!”
Yu Changqing had no choice but to stop. “Uncle Huo.”
As a junior, no matter how strained relations were, he still had to acknowledge Grandpa Huo’s presence with basic courtesy.
While greeting them, Yu Changqing subtly glanced at Mother Huo in the crowd.
The look carried too much—regret, longing, resentment.
Even Jiang Si sensed something odd.
What’s going on?
That gaze… almost like he was looking at a betrayer?
Jiang Si wondered if she’d imagined it.
As she squinted for a better look, Yu Changqing suddenly turned to her.
“Jiang Si, my wife was out of line before. Let me apologize on her behalf—don’t take it to heart.”
Then he addressed Huo Tingzhou, “Tingzhou, you and our Heng graduated from the same aviation school. As alumni, on the 6th, our Manli’s wedding…”
“Sorry to interrupt,” Jiang Si cut in bluntly. “I’m young, so my words might sound harsh, but here’s the truth:
“If she truly regrets her actions, she should be here apologizing herself.
“Since she isn’t, this apology means nothing.
“Also, we’re returning to Shanghai on the 5th. We won’t make your daughter’s wedding.”
Without waiting for a response, she tugged Huo Tingzhou away.
After a long day of festivities, who had energy for his empty words?
Back home, after a warm bath, Jiang Si collapsed onto the wedding bed—strewn with dates, peanuts, and longans for fertility—by 10 PM.
Exhausted, she could barely keep her eyes open.
When the mattress dipped beside her, she instinctively turned over.
Before she could speak, Huo Tingzhou gently patted her back. “Sleep. I won’t disturb you.”
Jiang Si nodded.
Their not-quite-wedding night ended chastely.
No ‘driving’ happened, but in her dreams, Jiang Si became an F1 racer, hitting 180 mph on the tracks.
Facing sharp turns, she gripped the gearshift confidently, shifting with flawless precision.
Just as the finish line neared—
A low groan snapped her awake.
Disoriented, she blinked before realizing what her hand had been doing.
Heat flooded her cheeks.
“You—why didn’t you stop me earlier?!”
Huo Tingzhou’s throat bobbed, voice rough. “I thought… you liked it…”
“I did not!” She tried to cover his mouth, but he caught her wrist.
His burning gaze locked onto hers. “Jiang Si—”
The intent in his eyes was unmistakable.
“No… your parents are here. What if they hear?”
"I can't hear them—they left early this morning and won’t be back until afternoon…" Huo Tingzhou pressed his forehead against hers, coaxing softly, "Just once."
"Then… hurry up."
"Okay…"
Huo Tingzhou agreed readily, but reality proved otherwise.
An hour later, an exasperated voice emerged from under the covers, "Huo! Ting! Zhou! Did you fail math? Do you not understand the difference between speed and time?—"
