Just imagine, if the granddaughter you painstakingly raised fell in love.
You guarded her at every turn, always believing that you had protected her well.
But then one day she suddenly tells you that she has actually slept with her boyfriend.
Moreover, with that innocent look on her face, it's highly likely that she was tricked by the boy.
No wonder An Nuannuan's grandparents were so agitated.
For the first time, Xu Musen felt incredibly anxious and on pins and needles.
He was deathly afraid that at any second, the old man would transform into Dian Wei, leaping forward to split his skull into a neat parting with a single chop.
"Grandma, let me explain first."
Xu Musen hurriedly spoke, "Nuannuan and I were just napping together, and we did nothing improper."
At this, Grandma showed a kind and serious expression, turning to look at An Nuannuan, "Is that right, Nuannuan?"
"Mhmm! We just sleep together during the lunch break at school, it's very comforting to nap with him."
An Nuannuan nodded her head, her youthful, blushing and warm smile showing.
She wasn't lying, at school it was only a nap, and at home, that didn't count...
Grandma seemed reassured upon hearing this, confident that her granddaughter wouldn't lie to her, but inside, she couldn't help but sigh.
Looking at her granddaughter's joyous expression, she had to admit that Nuannuan was already eighteen. Back in her younger days, at sixteen or seventeen, she had already given birth to Nuannuan's father.
In the past, people married first, often in arranged marriages, and only after marriage did they learn to slowly adapt and live together.
Now in this new era, everyone is free to pursue the one they love. Many people choose to cohabitate first, gradually adjusting before deciding whether to marry.
They always worry about their granddaughter being taken advantage of, but in today's society, it's not unusual to see marriages end in divorce.
Even if cohabitation is only allowed after marriage, could it really be considered a good deal if one fails to recognize the true character of their partner?
Rather than that, it might be better to let them... slowly figure things out in their own youthful ways.
After thinking for a moment, she stroked her granddaughter's head and then said to Xu Musen, "That's fine, young people should indeed experience living together beforehand. However, Nuannuan's health won't recover completely in the short-term, so you must take good care of her."
Grandma had made herself quite clear: they had given their consent for the relationship to progress, but they still needed to maintain some sense of propriety.
After all, they were considering An Nuannuan's health.
Xu Musen nodded seriously, "Don't worry, Grandma, I'll take good care of Nuannuan."
After saying this, he glanced at An Nuannuan, who just so happened to meet his gaze.
He wasn't sure if it was a trick of the light, but it seemed like An Nuannuan winked at him as if to say,
See? I sorted it out just like that. Isn't your Nuannuan impressive?
Why did this feeling seem so strange?
As an eighteen or nineteen-year-old guy, Xu Musen naturally wanted to fast-forward to a life without any shame or inhibition.
He had planned step by step to get his grandparents to accept his request to live with Nuannuan, which surely would take at least another six months or so.
But An Nuannuan mentioning their joint naps, risky as it was, indeed managed to break through this layer of unspoken understanding almost instantly.
China likes compromises: suggest lifting off his roof, and he might agree to open a window instead.
Once the grandparents know that they actually sleep together every day, it would suggest both have self-control; otherwise, despite your defenses, they could have already started their forbidden romance.
It would be better to let them openly follow their own pace. Not obstructing might be better than blocking.
This technique seems quite powerful.
But Xu Musen looked at An Nuannuan.
Could this simpleton really be thinking that much ahead?
If she really thought that way, then it meant... perhaps she was actually the one who wanted a life without shame?
Why did this suddenly feel so familiar?
Xu Musen felt uncertain and looked at An Nuannuan again.
The girl seemed to revert to her usual naive self, staring at Xu Musen as he kept his gaze fixed on her.
An Nuannuan then offered him a rib she had already bitten: "Do you want it? Here, you can have it first."
It wasn't easy for her to share her food so candidly.
Looking at her silly appearance, Xu Musen shook his head with a smile. She was still that same simpleton.
Xu Musen took the rib and took a bite.
It seems he was being too sensitive; it was all just after-effects left by Xiao Sickly Cutie.
How could my adorable little Nuannuan be a case of green-on-the-outside-but-black-on-the-inside!
"Here you go, Nuannuan, this dessert was made specially for you by my mom."
Xu Musen happily handed her food to eat.
An Nuannuan ate with her cheeks puffed out like a little squirrel.
Her round eyes sparkled as she looked at Xu Musen's happy expression, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
Xu Musen returned to school in the afternoon.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Lianmai was already there, busy organizing the income reports from the new year period in the milk tea shop.
"When did you get here?"
"Why didn't you rest for a day before starting?"
"Overworking to pay back the creditor."
Zhao Lianmai spoke as if each word was precious but with a joking tone.
Xu Musen also looked at the financial reports—indeed, earnings for the past month hadn't been low.
With the money on hand, placing a deposit was completely feasible.