Chapter 14: You Know I’m Strong!

“Huh?”

Shen Yi’an was taken aback. She hadn’t expected this man to bring up going to his home again so soon.

But she knew avoiding it repeatedly wasn’t a solution, so after a moment’s thought, she gave a fairly reasonable response: “Next time I come to Jingshi.”

“Don’t worry, I promised to meet your family, and I will. I won’t go back on my word.”

Hearing the sincerity in her words, Li Beichen’s smile grew even brighter.

As long as she didn’t avoid it, that was good enough!

After a brief silence, Shen Yi’an remembered what the man had said earlier and turned to him in surprise. “Did you tell your grandfather about us?”

She paused before continuing, “What does he think?”

“Does he think I’m… well, not reserved enough?”

Originally, she had wanted to say “shameless”—after all, no proper young woman would throw herself at a stranger. But at the last moment, she felt that was too harsh on herself and changed it to “not reserved enough.”

Different words, different implications.

Hearing this, Li Beichen’s answer was firm: “No!”

“After hearing about us, Grandfather only felt that I was the one reaching above my station.”

“After all, I only graduated from high school, while you’re a graduate from the first class after the college entrance exams were reinstated, and from the prestigious Jingshi Normal University at that.”

“That alone puts me at a disadvantage.”

Though she knew this was somewhat exaggerated, Shen Yi’an nodded with a smile. “And then?”

“Just based on that, he approved of my character?”

“I doubt it’s that simple.”

At this, Li Beichen smiled mysteriously.

Of course, it wasn’t that simple!

His grandfather had fought alongside great leaders to build the nation, and along the way, he had encountered all sorts of cunning and deceitful people. As a result, he had developed a sharp eye for judging character.

It wasn’t just effective for analyzing a college student who hadn’t yet graduated—it worked just as well when dealing with seasoned, crafty individuals.

But it wasn’t appropriate to mention this. He also didn’t want the young woman to feel apprehensive and act timidly when she eventually met his grandfather.

Still, since the topic had come up, he had to give an answer. “It’s not as complicated as you think.”

“The Old Master, after all, has been through a lot and has his own standards for judging people.”

“But I think he’s right.”

“Being able to get into university right after the exams were reinstated, and into a Jingshi university at that, your ability and insight are undoubtedly exceptional.”

After saying this, he glanced at her sideways. “What do you think?”

With the question turned back to her, Shen Yi’an’s curiosity was finally satisfied. “I think you’re right.”

As soon as she said this, the atmosphere in the car became particularly cheerful.

On the way to the train station, the two chatted about everything under the sun.

One moment they were discussing the changes in Jingshi, the next they were talking about their hopes for the future.

Whenever Shen Yi’an expressed an opinion, Li Beichen would respond positively and encouragingly.

Over an hour later, the military-green jeep came to a smooth stop near the train station.

Once the car was parked, Li Beichen turned to Shen Yi’an. “There’s something in the trunk for you to take back.”

Seeing her about to refuse, he quickly added, “Don’t say no.”

“First of all, it’s from Grandfather. He said it’s a gift for your parents, whom he hasn’t met yet.”

“Secondly, this also represents my family’s attitude.”

“My parents are still in the military district and couldn’t make it back, but they emphasized over the phone that I must properly explain to you. They said they’ll visit your family to propose marriage after finishing this busy period.”

“If you don’t take these gifts back, how will I explain it to my family?”

Hearing this, Shen Yi’an’s face immediately flushed crimson. “Pro… proposing marriage is too early, isn’t it?”

“My family doesn’t know about our relationship yet. Let me test the waters when I get home first.”

“What do you think?”

After speaking, she cautiously glanced at the man beside her.

Meeting his smiling gaze directly, she immediately felt both embarrassed and annoyed, pushing the car door open to get out.

Seeing this, Li Beichen shook his head with amusement and also exited from the other side.

He went straight to the trunk and took out the prepared gifts.

Three cartons each of Daqianmen, Peony, and Phoenix brand cigarettes, three cases of Five-Star Moutai liquor, and three packages of century-old brand spring tea.

Additionally, there were three beautifully packaged cans of health supplements.

When Shen Yi’an saw the contents of the trunk, she was at a loss for words. “There’s just too much stuff.”

“How am I supposed to carry all this home by myself?”

“What if something gets lost?”

Hearing this, Li Beichen’s eyes flickered. “I’ll take you to Lancheng.”

“I’ll return right after making sure you arrive safely.”

Only then did Shen Yi’an understand what was happening.

No wonder – she shouldn’t be carrying so many things traveling alone, mainly because it would draw too much attention and make her a target.

Not to mention the rampant human traffickers, even petty thieves would require constant vigilance.

Moreover, all these items were in their original packaging, guaranteed to make her the center of attention as soon as she boarded the train.

Now, looking at the man’s direct gaze, she suddenly understood why there had been no parting instructions or arrangements.

So this was his plan all along!

Realizing this, Shen Yi’an was both angry and amused. “So you’d already planned to see me home?”

“If I hadn’t said that earlier, what were you going to do?”

“Follow me secretly the whole way?”

“Mm!” Li Beichen nodded seriously.

“As long as you arrive safely, whether you discover me or not doesn’t matter.”

Hearing this, the slight resentment in Shen Yi’an’s heart immediately dissipated.

This man… she didn’t know what to say about him.

He had already made all the arrangements.

What’s the use of doing things behind the scenes? Wouldn’t it be better to be open about it?

Since everything was out in the open now, she couldn’t pretend not to know. “Then I can only help you a little.”

“I’ll carry the health supplements and tea. You’ll have to carry the cigarettes and alcohol yourself.”

Hearing no objection, and seemingly getting tacit permission for him to accompany her, Li Beichen’s anxious heart finally settled.

Upon hearing Shen Yi’an’s words, he immediately responded, “Physical labor should be my job.”

“You don’t need to carry the health supplements and tea either. I can carry everything.”

“You know I’m strong!”

Meeting the man’s raised eyebrow and suggestive gesture, Shen Yi’an understood his meaning and glared at him in embarrassed anger. “Are we going or not? If we don’t leave now, we’ll miss the train!”

What does he mean by strong?

Just brute strength!

That time in the dance hall’s private room, she had experienced it from every angle.

Shaking her head to clear the indecent thoughts, Shen Yi’an started walking toward the platform.

Noticing the military green jeep beside her from the corner of her eye, she stopped again. “What about the car? Won’t it get stolen if we leave it at the train station?”

Hearing this, Li Beichen chuckled softly. “Don’t worry, someone will come to drive it away soon.”

What he didn’t say aloud was:

Even if this military jeep were left gathering dust at the station, no one would dare steal it.

Anyone who entertained such thoughts would find the fenced compound as their final destination.

Just as he had predicted.

The moment the two of them settled into their window seats one after another, a man in military uniform strode purposefully toward the jeep.

The moment he opened the car door, he turned back to glance at the train window with a smile before driving the jeep away.

Witnessing this, Shen Yi’an turned to the man beside her. “So you had even this arranged.”

“If you’d told me earlier you were seeing me off, I would’ve bought more things to bring with me yesterday.”

“There were so many snacks I wanted to get but didn’t.”

Just as Li Beichen was about to respond, his words were cut off by frantic knocking on the window.

Turning around, he met a pair of eyes brimming with desperate hope.

“Brother Li! Brother Li, where are you going?”

“I need to talk to you – could you come out?”

“Brother Li! Brother Li!”