128. Who Told Me to Fall for You

After Zhao Yan and Master Cui had both left, Bai Jinyan walked silently over to Chen Ruowen.

"You..."

"I'm not going back." Chen Ruowen cut him off directly. "I said, this matter is not up for discussion."

"But..."

"I just want to be with you."

Bai Jinyan fell silent.

Did Chen Ruowen like Rainbow Village? The answer was, of course, no. She didn't like this place at all, nor was she accustomed to life here. Every breath of air here made her uncomfortable; the omnipresent dust, the impoverished natural environment, and the incredibly harsh, dry climate—none of it was to her liking.

But Bai Jinyan was here.

Chen Ruowen herself couldn't explain why she liked him so much, but ever since returning from that nameless island, her heart no longer belonged to her.

Seeing that Bai Jinyan remained silent, Chen Ruowen nuzzled against his neck. "Don't you want to be with me?"

How could he not? He had dreamed of having the chance to be with her day and night like this, to squander time talking about trivial nonsense, to wake up and see her alongside the rising sun...

"I don't want you to suffer," Bai Jinyan said, looking away.

"It is quite bitter, indeed..." Chen Ruowen said softly. She watched his expression shift and sighed slowly. "But there is no other way. Who told me to... like you?"

***

The vacant lot behind Rainbow Village had been purchased for a price far exceeding its actual value. Village Chief Ge signed the contract as if in a dream. No sooner had the handover been completed than a group of fully equipped strangers arrived, using helicopters to transport materials and construct a building.

In just three days, a two-story small villa rose from the ground. The people of Rainbow Village thought a miracle had occurred.

"The walls are built entirely of solid logs to ensure it could be constructed in the shortest time and occupied immediately. Extra soundproofing and heat insulation have been added so that it stays warm in winter and cool in summer, even without air conditioning. All ventilation ducts are equipped with air purification devices, and three generators operate in a cycle to ensure a steady power supply. As for the signal issues, we have installed signal amplifiers for now; testing confirms that the house meets the minimum communication requirements."

Zhao Yan methodically explained the general conditions of the new building to Chen Ruowen, observing her reaction as he spoke. "To prevent a recurrence of what happened a few days ago, Chairman Chen has specifically arranged for Dr. He to be stationed in Rainbow Village to monitor your physical condition daily, ensuring timely medical care."

Chen Ruowen nodded helplessly, not bothering to dwell on whether her father had sent He Wanqin to take care of her or to keep her under surveillance.

In any case, she hadn't felt like talking to Bai Jinyan much these past few days. She had been so clear, even taking the initiative to confess her feelings, yet Bai Jinyan hadn't given her a response. He didn't respond, but he seemed glued to her side, tending to her every need—feeding her, administering medicine, and telling her bedtime stories. He was so considerate that Chen Ruowen had no outlet for her frustration.

Apart from nursing Chen Ruowen back to health, He Wanqin had nothing else to do, so at Chen Ruowen's suggestion, she began helping Wei Kun provide free clinics for the surrounding villagers. It is worth mentioning that upon learning He Wanqin was a student of Dean Yu, the previously enthusiastic Wei Kun began looking at her with disdain, though nobody knew why.

While Zhao Yan was giving his introduction, Bai Jinyan stepped out to take a call and returned just as the explanation finished.

"The students coming to help with the volunteer teaching have arrived," he said to Chen Ruowen. "I'll go pick them up."

"I'm going with you," Chen Ruowen said sullenly.

"Your health..." Bai Jinyan hesitated.

"I'm not that weak, okay? I've been lying in bed for three days, I'm already better." Chen Ruowen took the initiative to tuck her arm into Bai Jinyan's and waved at Zhao Yan. "You don't need to stay here; go back and find my father."

"Yes, Miss," Zhao Yan said respectfully.

After the two left, Zhao Yan nodded at He Wanqin. "I leave everything to you, Dr. He."

The young lady refused to return to Nancheng. Two days prior, Chen Liwan had come in person to try to persuade her, but even he couldn't move her. The father and daughter had locked themselves in for a three-hour negotiation, and the final result was that He Wanqin remained to look after her.

He Wanqin nodded and bowed: "It is what I should do."

***

"Who is coming this time?" Chen Ruowen asked on the way to the village entrance.

"I don't know them too well, but they should be people you're familiar with. You'll see them in a moment."

When they reached the entrance, they saw Village Chief Ge standing with the chiefs of several neighboring villages, surrounding a few fresh-faced and slightly bewildered young people, thanking them repeatedly for their arrival.

And these people who had come... were indeed acquaintances.

"Brother Yan! Sister Wen!" Ma Yunan, the tallest of the group, was the first to spot them and immediately raised his hand to wave.

"Ma Yunan came too?" Chen Ruowen wondered.

"What, Sister Wen, did you not know I was coming? I sent you a message yesterday!"

The other two also emerged from the circle of village chiefs, greeting Chen Ruowen with a mix of excitement and curiosity.

"Sister Wen!"

"Chen Ruowen!"

Chen Ruowen smiled and hugged the three of them in turn. "Mo Xiaoxin, Wu Jie, it's actually the two of you."

"Sister Wen, the way you say that, it's like you didn't know we were coming? Didn't you invite us?" Mo Xiaoxin asked, confused.

"Hmm, the one chatting with you must have been Bai Jinyan. I didn't know who he was looking for."

"Bai Jinyan?" Wu Jie looked at him with gossipy eyes, winking at Chen Ruowen. "Is this the 'not at noon' person that Little Gao mentioned..."

"Shut up!" Chen Ruowen glared at him, a bit embarrassed and annoyed.

"Little Gao? Not at noon? What does that mean?" Bai Jinyan's expression flickered.

"Nothing, nothing. Student Bai Jinyan, I've heard so much about you. It's an honor to meet you," Wu Jie said, immediately extending his hand to Bai Jinyan.

"Little Gao refers to...?"

Chen Ruowen gave him a sullen look. "It's definitely not Gao Tang."

"That's good," Bai Jinyan said, his brow relaxing as he shook Wu Jie's hand. The group walked toward the village with the village chiefs.

"Everyone arrived just in time. We start classes tomorrow, and the village's needs for subjects are quite basic. Based on our prior communication, I suggest Mo Xiaoxin teaches mathematics, Wu Jie teaches science, Ma Yunan teaches physical education, Wenwen teaches art, and the rest—Chinese and English—will be handled by me. What does everyone think?"

Ma Yunan nodded immediately, while Wu Jie and Mo Xiaoxin exchanged a meaningful look.

"Wenwen..."

"Wenwen, tsk tsk tsk!"

Bai Jinyan blushed, and Chen Ruowen's face darkened.

"You are not allowed to call me that."

Wu Jie and Mo Xiaoxin looked at each other again and said in unison:

"Okay, Wenwen."

"I said don't call me that!" Chen Ruowen snapped.

The two troublemakers stifled their laughter for a moment before curiously asking: "Why? Is it perhaps Student Bai's exclusive nickname for you?"

"No." Chen Ruowen looked sullenly at Bai Jinyan, who didn't dare meet her eyes, and snorted lightly.

"Only my parents and my husband are allowed to call me that."

Bai Jinyan's ears burned, and he almost abandoned the group and fled in a panic.