Chapter 43: I Just Didn’t Want to Affect Your Future Relationships!

Surprise?

Wen Ran did not expect that he had such a romantic side—to actually create a surprise.

In her memories, even if he suddenly gave her something, it was like completing a task; he would never express any feelings.

All of Shen Nanzheng’s unusual behavior made her wonder if he had also awakened memories from a past life.

But even if he had, wouldn’t he be tired of her by now? How could he still be thinking about winning her back?

If these tangled emotions became even more complicated, she really couldn’t guarantee that she wouldn’t be moved.

After hesitating for a moment, she said, “Sorry, it’s inconvenient for an unmarried man and woman to go out together.”

“It’s fine. I’ve already asked Aunt Lu. She said she feels at ease if you’re with me.” Shen Nanzheng had already anticipated her reply and was fully prepared.

Having Aunt Meiqin’s approval was like receiving an imperial edict.

If she hadn’t refused, he might have skipped the courtship report and gone straight to a marriage proposal.

Wen Ran rubbed her hair awkwardly, her hair already messy since she hadn’t had time to comb it.

“Are you sure I can go out with you looking like this?”

“I don’t mind.” Shen Nanzheng remembered Wen Ran as always very clean and tidy—no matter when, she was neat and proper in front of him. Seeing her deliberately mess up her hair like this, he found it quite adorable. Then he added, “As long as you don’t mind yourself.”

Wen Ran: “...”

She wasn’t someone who tolerated sloppiness, but in her memories, she had never been so casual around Shen Nanzheng. She always kept to herself, never showing her true personality, feeling stifled.

Messing up her hair was her way of trying to discourage him. She simply couldn’t bring herself to go out looking like a bird’s nest.

There was no escaping this, so she asked instead, “What surprise have you prepared?”

“You’ll know when you get there!” Shen Nanzheng didn’t reveal it outright; saying it would ruin the surprise.

Wen Ran closed the door. “Just wait.”

Smiling, Shen Nanzheng called through the door, “Take your time getting ready. I’m not in a hurry.”

Wen Ran: -_-||

She tidied up briefly and tied her hair into two low ponytails.

At her age, she didn’t need to dress up deliberately to look good, but a little neatness made her appear fresher.

Strapping on a military green crossbody bag, she asked, “Walk or bike?”

Shen Nanzheng smiled. “Bike.”

Wen Ran glanced behind him. “Where’s your bike?”

“You have one here!” Shen Nanzheng said with a calm face, already decided to ride together on one bike.

Wen Ran: “...”

Shen Nanzheng nonchalantly wheeled the bike out of the house.

Wen Ran felt like she had fallen into a trap he had set, especially after greeting a few acquaintances—it felt even more real.

The last time they went to Director Wei’s house, it was almost dark and they hadn’t met so many people. Why did they encounter someone so soon today?

Just as she wondered whether to give up on the bike, Aunt Wang from the block opposite appeared, holding a child and clearly eager for gossip.

Being old neighbors, she felt entitled to ask straightforwardly.

Holding the child, she came up and asked, “Ranran, found a boyfriend?”

Wen Ran denied without hesitation. “This is my relative.”

Shen Nanzheng wasn’t pleased. “Are you sure I’m your relative?”

Wen Ran rolled her eyes. “Cousin, you still love jokes as much as ever!”

Shen Nanzheng’s mouth twitched. “Fine, I’ll be your cousin for now!”

Aunt Wang looked confused and her imagination ran wild. “Ranran, I know most of your relatives, but I’ve never seen this cousin of yours.”

Wen Ran stayed calm and said seriously, “A distant relative—always serving in the army abroad.”

Aunt Wang: “...”

While Aunt Wang was still pondering, Wen Ran quickly pulled Shen Nanzheng’s sleeve and left.

Only after leaving the residential compound’s gate did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Shen Nanzheng looked helpless. “Do I look that disreputable?”

Wen Ran replied casually, “No, I’m just worried it might affect your future dating prospects!”

“Do you think I would want anyone else?” Shen Nanzheng told her earnestly, “My only partner will be you!”

Wen Ran: “...”

Her heart started racing again.

Who could resist such a confession?

Especially from someone she had shared a bed with for so many years in her memories!

Blushing, she said, “Are we still going?”

“Yes.” Shen Nanzheng swung his long legs over, straddling the bike seat. “Do you want to sit in front or behind?”

“Of course behind.” Wen Ran sat down confidently.

His question was cleverly phrased, leaving her no chance to refuse.

This Shen Nanzheng was so different in this life—young and impulsive, romantic, yet carrying the safety she remembered.

He was definitely her top choice for a husband.

The thrilling feeling she experienced now was different from her memories, and she fell uncontrollably.

For a moment, she felt she had stepped into a trap Shen Nanzheng had laid.

Yet it was a gentle trap, one she willingly jumped into.

She didn’t know how to describe her current feelings—just very conflicted.

After awakening memories from a past life, everything unfolded as she had hoped, except Shen Nanzheng was an unexpected variable.

No avoiding it. No escaping.

“Ah—”

Wen Ran was lost in thought when the bike suddenly jolted. Reflexively, she grabbed Shen Nanzheng’s waist, her head hitting his solid back due to the momentum.

That wasn’t a back—it was like a wall.

The bump made her nose ache and her forehead flush instantly.

Shen Nanzheng stopped the bike, feeling guilty. “Does it hurt? It’s my fault—I didn’t see that pothole ahead.”

“It’s okay, keep going!” Wen Ran rubbed her nose, which tingled painfully, her eyes slightly misty.

Shen Nanzheng felt ashamed.

He had purposely used the bump to make her hold onto him tighter, forgetting how delicate her skin was.

He felt unbearably tender.

“I’ll ride slower. Hold on tight.”

“Mm.” Wen Ran knew Shen Nanzheng’s stubbornness well; if she didn’t agree, he wouldn’t move, so she didn’t argue.

This time, Shen Nanzheng avoided the potholes properly.

The closer they got to Elder Yan’s home, the more nervous he became.

Wen Ran had never been there, and in her memories, Elder Yan never returned to the city before he died.

He had only mentioned the thick ginkgo tree in the alley.

The golden ginkgo leaves swayed gently, occasionally fluttering down.

A thick layer covered the ground like a dazzling golden carpet.

Sunlight filtered through the ginkgo leaves, making her feel dreamy.

She vaguely saw Elder Yan’s slightly stooped figure.

Elder Yan said he wasn’t always stooped; it was from years of hard labor.

He loved the ginkgo tree in front of the door. Ginkgo leaves taste sweet, bitter, neutral, and slightly toxic, belonging to the lung meridian. They help soothe the lungs, stop asthma and coughing, reduce leukorrhea, frequent urination, and bedwetting. They also nourish yin, beautify, slow aging, dilate capillaries, and promote blood circulation.

Watching him pick up the ginkgo leaves one by one, tears welled up in her eyes.

For a moment, she couldn’t tell if it was memory or reality.

She had regarded Elder Yan as her mentor, but he never allowed her to call him master.

When that figure slowly turned around, she was startled and jumped off the bike immediately.