CHAPTER 337: 323 SETTLEMENT

"Hey! It’s me. You still remember me, don’t you, Sis!" Wang Qiang seemed very happy, as if being remembered by Tian Sangsang was something very exciting. He said warmly, "Sis, wait here, I’ll go call Brother An for you!"

Tian Sangsang’s heart skipped a beat. A sudden timidity washed over her, and she couldn’t stop Wang Qiang, who was now walking toward the construction site.

"Brother An! Brother An! Sis is here to see you!" Vaguely, she seemed to hear Wang Qiang’s voice, which frightened her enough to lower her head quickly. Then came the sound of rustling footsteps, inching closer and closer.

"Alright, I’m off now, chat at your leisure~" Wang Qiang laughed playfully, looking at the two of them. With a knowing smile, he draped an arm over Lin Jianbin’s shoulder as they walked off together. It was clear he didn’t know about her breakup with Xu You’an.

Lin Jianbin glanced back before whispering to Wang Qiang, "She finally came. If she didn’t, Brother An’s icy face every day was starting to scare me, you know."

"Exactly!"

"But I have a feeling something’s up," Lin Jianbin shook his head and sighed. "Think about it—she’s such a beautiful woman, a college graduate no less. How could she willingly stick with our Brother An? Besides, she doesn’t seem like ’that kind’ of woman."

The kind of woman naturally referred to the conventional idea of a "good wife and loving mother." Someone who could farm, cook, clean, go door-to-door visiting friends and relatives. Sturdier, able to bear children. Hardworking, simple, and reliable.

Wang Qiang couldn’t help but recall Tian Sangsang’s delicate beauty. In terms of looks, their Brother An wasn’t lacking either. But the problem, as Wang Qiang saw it, was that Tian Sangsang didn’t know how to manage money. Just look at her outfit today—that fuzzy coat, her whole getup exuding warmth and comfort. Women like her were raised in hothouses; money needed to be thrown at them. She wasn’t necessarily capable of enduring hardships. And besides, she was too slender, completely at odds with rural beauty standards, and unlikely to be suitable for childbirth. She couldn’t shoulder burdens or carry loads; she was fragile and delicate—who could afford to keep her?

He sighed with feeling, "But so what? Brother An just likes her."

Lin Jianbin unintentionally added, "Who wouldn’t?" But liking someone is one thing; you also have to consider whether it’s a good match!

...

It was the end of the workday, and people were leaving, dispersing in different directions.

"What are you here for?"

Hearing his familiar, slow and heavy voice, Tian Sangsang felt a sharp pain in her heart that nearly overwhelmed her.

She quietly looked at him. He was still the way she remembered: deep, refined features and a handsome face. Right now, his thin lips were pressed together, and his deep, dark eyes seemed impenetrable. Though it was winter, bitterly cold and dreary, he was only wearing an old, faded Zhongshan jacket layered over a coarse sweater. His pant cuffs were slightly rolled up, with one or two holes visible.

Xu You’an tilted his head slightly, acting as if he hadn’t noticed her pitiful expression, and walked straight ahead. Tian Sangsang tried hard to follow him, but he walked too fast. In just a few steps, there was a noticeable gap between them.

"You’an, wait for me!" Tian Sangsang bit her lip, feeling aggrieved. He’d never treated her so coldly before. Only after losing someone do you realize how distant those moments of tenderness truly are.

Xu You’an hesitated in his steps but waited for her to catch up before speaking in a detached tone, "Why are you here? You wanted to break up, and I agreed. Go back. This place isn’t for you."

Tian Sangsang grabbed his hand. His hand was large and warm but roughened with calluses. The back of his hand carried a few scratches, with traces of mud still clinging to it.

Xu You’an froze for a moment, surprised by her action. His gaze lingered on her slender fingers for a few seconds before he pulled his hand back indifferently. Sangsang could only keep following him, watching him unlock the door and enter the house. Her eyes fell on the table filled with fragrant food.

She sneaked a glance at him. "I knew you’d be back, so I made a meal. Eat while it’s hot."

"I’m not eating." Xu You’an said flatly, draping a towel over his shoulder. Sangsang stood by the door, watching him as he walked to the yard to wash his face casually. As he glanced at her briefly, his gaze quickly shifted away again. He brushed past her without a word, grabbing another towel and a pair of underwear before heading out. Sangsang knew he was going for a shower.

Sangsang stared blankly at his retreating figure, then sat dazedly on the bed, fighting back her tears.

He just ignored her like that. Fewer words hurt more deeply.

In truth, Xu You’an had already finished showering. But he stood outside, not far from the house, for a long, long time without any intention of going back in. He admitted that when he saw her show up, his heart had indeed raced. He felt something. But then he remembered the things she’d said before—those merciless words that had come from her mouth, cutting into his heart like a knife.

He never blamed her, though. He always believed that he wasn’t good enough. When a woman decides to leave a man, no matter the reason, there will always be a part of him that isn’t enough.

He feared going back inside, afraid of hearing more words that would destroy his soul.

"You’an, why are you standing here doing nothing? Too happy to move?" The landlord happened to pass by, cheerfully commenting on Xu You’an’s still, frozen stance. "Look at Sangsang, how well she treats you. She made you a meal as soon as she arrived, and even gave me two eggs. Such a wonderful partner—you better cherish her well!"

Xu You’an couldn’t respond, barely managing a forced reply before resolving to head back inside. Perhaps she had already left.

But when he stepped into the room, he was confronted by an unexpected scene. Tian Sangsang was sitting quietly on the bed, her head bowed as soft sobs escaped her lips. Bathed in the light, Xu You’an could see the glistening tears on her face. When she saw him come in, she lifted her head, her damp, wounded eyes gazing at him like an injured little animal, with traces of grievance.

Xu You’an wasn’t even sure how he felt—heartache, anger? "I already said I agree to the breakup. Why are you crying?"

But Tian Sangsang’s tears kept flowing, her sorrow, resentment, and anguish exploding in full force at the sight of him.

Her expression stirred a well of pity. Her complexion was slightly pale, cheeks streaked with tears—so vulnerable and forlorn that Xu You’an’s anger instantly dissipated. The hand he instinctively reached out to wipe away her tears clenched into a fist at the last moment.

"I’m sorry," Tian Sangsang said earnestly. "I’m truly sorry." For so many years, she owed him this apology—just for that time when his words during an interview had touched the depths of her heart.

"Don’t cry anymore," Xu You’an sighed helplessly.

Tian Sangsang looked at him. "I’ve thought it through. I still like you. Before, I was blinded by foolishness and told you those awful things. I failed to see your goodness. I want to be with you. Can we start over?"