The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 173: Everywhere, Can’t do without you!_1

Chapter 173: Chapter 173: Everywhere, Can’t do without you!_1

He Tiantian looked at Liu Lingli’s expression with a secret thrill, thinking to herself, "Let’s see how you pretend now—scared you, didn’t I?"

"Hehe, Tiantian, I’m also going to buy some stuff so I won’t keep you any longer. I see you’ve got quite a few items, better get home quickly. We’ll chat more another time," Liu Lingli said pretentiously, her gaze shifting toward Huo Yingjie occasionally. Seeing that Huo Yingjie didn’t show any signs of impatience, her smile grew even more radiant.

Hmph, I knew this Liu Lingli was up to no good—it turns out she’s got her eyes on the man beside me.

"Okay then, we’ll head home first. Sister Lingli, feel free to visit us anytime," He Tiantian said with a smile, not wanting to talk with Liu Lingli anymore, especially the way she looked at Huo Yingjie, like a wolf who hadn’t eaten for a long time at the sight of a piece of fat meat. And that wolf was still wearing a sheepskin, harboring sinister intentions!

He Tiantian briskly walked forward, with Huo Yingjie’s long legs quickly catching up.

Liu Lingli, left behind, watched He Tiantian and Huo Yingjie enviously. How wonderful it would be if she were He Tiantian; she could be neighbors with Huo Yingjie, childhood friends, and very close.

But who knows about the future? I heard Huo Yingjie has gone to the military, and He Tiantian went to the countryside. With such a distance between them, maybe they won’t stay as close in the future.

Distance can make the heart grow fonder, but too much distance can cause cracks.

After walking briskly for several hundred meters, Huo Yingjie felt a bit tired and said, "Why are you walking so fast? That woman isn’t going to eat you, is she?"

On hearing this, He Tiantian slowed down and turned her head with a smile, "I did it on purpose. I don’t want her sneaking peeks at you!"

Huo Yingjie paused for a moment, then chuckled and shook his head, saying, "Why would you think that? I’m not interested in that person!"

He Tiantian felt a secret joy and crinkled her little nose, "You’re not interested in her, so who are you interested in?"

After uttering these words, He Tiantian wished she could bite her own tongue. They had already kissed and touched, and yet in broad daylight, she was starting to get coy!

As the leading man, he was certainly no ordinary character; he knew all too well the contrary thoughts a young girl might have.

Huo Yingjie hurried a few steps to get in front of He Tiantian and whispered in her ear, "You asked who I’m interested in?"

He Tiantian turned her head and glared at Huo Yingjie. Although her question was a bit coy, it was wrong of Huo Yingjie not to answer properly.

"I’m not your stomach’s roundworm, how should I know what you’re thinking," He Tiantian rolled her eyes and pouted, the very picture of a little vinegar jar.

So this is what love is like!

Being with the one you adore, even the most childish words seem sweet.

"You’re not my stomach’s roundworm, but you are the air I breathe, omnipresent, I can’t live without you!" Huo Yingjie blurted out without a second thought.

If it were anyone else saying this, Huo Yingjie would have found it so cheesy he might’ve gagged.

But now, facing the girl he loved, he could say even cheesier things without feeling the slightest bit uncomfortable.

He Tiantian was briefly stunned by his words, then her face flushed.

If only that were true—it would be great. Air is common, but it’s everywhere, and you can’t live without it.

"That’s more like it," He Tiantian said proudly, her look of satisfaction exactly like that of the Snake King in the Barrier Space when his schemes succeeded.

The saying goes, ’you are influenced by the company you keep,’ and it couldn’t be more accurate.

The Snake King, who had awoken from cultivation within the Barrier Space, decided to continue his cultivation after seeing the two being so affectionate.

After returning home together, Wang Shuping had already gone off to work, and Third Grandma Qi was heating up the food for He Tiantian and Huo Yingjie.

"Let’s have both families eat together this year," Huo Yingjie suggested as he brought everything over to He Tiantian’s place. After all, the New Year should be celebrated with lively gatherings. He Tiantian’s family was quite nice, with two elders. His own family only consisted of the three of them.

Huo Yingjie could exchange small talk with his mother, Jiang Lifang, but when he was with his father, Huo Zhekun, aside from some work-related topics, they had nothing else to talk about.

The atmosphere was cold and quiet, nothing like the warmth of He Tiantian’s home!

"Sure, Aunt Jiang and my mom mentioned that this year we’ll eat at our place. After all, we’re just separated by a wall; it’s like one big family," He Tiantian said. "Since I’ll be home, I can cook, so they’ll have a hot meal ready when they come back."

"I’ll help you out," Huo Yingjie offered. "Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it!"

He Tiantian was delighted, as this was much more fun than cooking alone.

"Great, let’s have breakfast now. Afterwards, we can take grandma and grandpa out for a stroll," suggested He Tiantian. "My dad has already borrowed a tricycle for us to ride around."

"Sounds good, I’d like to wander around Nan City too," said Huo Yingjie. After all, he had nothing else to do at home, and going out with everyone could be fun.

It would be even better if it were just he and He Tiantian alone.

It wasn’t that he disliked the company of the two elders; it’s just that young people wanted to date their beloved without others around, especially elders, which could be inconvenient.

This... well, everyone understands this!

After eating, Huo Yingjie washed the dishes and then rode the tricycle with Third Grandma Qi, He Tiantian, and Old Man Qi walking behind. Today, they were visiting Nan City University. Although the school was no longer accepting students, it remained a sacred place in many people’s hearts.

The ancient gate was closed tight, with just an old man inside the guardroom watching.

Huo Yingjie took out a pack of cigarettes and walked in, asking, "Uncle, busy right now?"

The gatekeeper was puzzled, not understanding why a young man had suddenly appeared. In the past, kids of this age were numerous in the school, all the most outstanding students from across the country. But now that the school was closed, the young people had left.

Alas, it was quiet! Not busy at all!

But since the young man had offered him cigarettes, why not take them? The gatekeeper wanted to see what the boy was up to.

As a seasoned smoker, he recognized that the cigarettes the young man offered were of good quality, not something a little gatekeeper like him could afford. And since there were no valuables inside, he wasn’t worried about mischief.

"There are no students; what’s there to be busy with!" said the gatekeeper. "Young man, what brings you here?"

Huo Yingjie saw that the old man was easy to talk to and did not send him away, so he smiled and explained, "Uncle, she’s a distant relative of mine from Huai City of An Province, quite far away. She’s come to visit, and we wanted to see this university in Nan City!"

"Young man, there are plenty of nice places in Nan City to visit. Just take her around; what are you doing here? These are just old buildings, and the gardens are overgrown," the gatekeeper advised. If it were just someone they casually knew, it’d be fine to let them in to play around for a bit. However, if there were criminals who might damage the property or do something illegal, it would also be trouble for him!

Although it’s not as chaotic as it used to be, who knows what could happen?

You never know what’s in people’s hearts; it’s always best to be cautious!

For his age, it wasn’t easy to have this job to make ends meet. He couldn’t afford to lose it, or else his entire family would starve!