The evening breeze gently swept across the square in front of the Farmers Association, while the soft chirping of crickets came from the fields. The setting sun cast its fading light over the branches and leaves of a large camphor tree. Its shadows swayed, and patches of dappled sunlight shifted with the breeze. Chen Ruyu walked lightly along the winding path, holding a newly purchased guitar in her hand, until she arrived in front of the Earth God Temple. Her gaze swept toward the figure sitting beneath the old tree. It was Lü Heruo. His head was lowered as he concentrated on playing his guitar. The notes flowing from his fingertips drifted lightly through the air, blending with the quiet evening into a moving scene.

"Brother Wang, I knew youd be here."

Ruyu smiled faintly as she walked around the tree trunk and approached Lü Heruo, speaking in a gentle voice.

Drawn by the unexpected voice, Lü Heruo looked up. He politely stood and gave a slight nod with a smile.

"Youre off work, Ruyu?"

"Yes, I just finished work." Ruyus voice was clear and pleasant, with a hint of shyness. She gently stroked the body of the guitar in her hand, a look of anticipation flashing in her eyes. "At lunchtime today, I specifically asked a colleague to go shopping with me and help me pick out a decent guitar. Since Ive asked Brother Wang to teach me how to play, I figured I should have a guitar of my own so I can practice whenever I have time."

Lü Heruo glanced at the guitar in her hand and smiled. "That makes sense. Its more convenient when you have your own instrument." He gestured toward the stone bench beside him. "Sit down. Ill tune your new guitar for you first."

Ruyu did as he suggested and sat down beside him. Their close proximity made her heart beat faster. She lowered her head slightly and smiled. "Sorry to trouble you, Brother Wang."

Lü Heruo gently took the guitar. His fingers moved skillfully over the strings, producing several clear notes. He adjusted a few of the pitches, then looked at her with a smile.

"You have a good eye. This guitar has quite a nice tone. The music store owner seems to have tuned it for you already. I only need to make a few minor adjustments."

Ruyu gently stroked her long hair, a faint, knowing smile in her eyes. "Ive practiced these chords and picking techniques over and over at home, but they still feel unfamiliar to me." She lowered her head unconsciously, hiding her nervousness beneath her slightly lowered eyelashes.

"Dont rush. These chords and finger movements arent difficult. Youll learn them quickly." Lü Heruo smiled, his eyes showing a trace of appreciation.

A sweet smile appeared on Ruyus face. She raised her head, her eyes clear and bright, her heart filled with joy. "Thats because youre such a good teacher, Brother Wang."

Her smile was like a ray of sunshine, warm and radiant. Even Lü Heruo found his mood lifting slightly without realizing it.

"Learning a musical instrument depends largely on natural talent. You have a good ear, strong comprehension, and youre diligent about practicing. Thats why youve learned so quickly," Lü Heruo said softly, his voice carrying sincere praise.

Ruyu smiled faintly, a trace of weariness appearing in her eyes. "Brother Wang, how did you learn to play this instrument in the first place?"

Lü Heruo looked up toward the distant horizon, as though memories were rising in his mind.

"I learned from my roommate when I was studying in Japan. We were all living far from home in a foreign country, and life was difficult. Learning to play the guitar became one of our ways to relax and enjoy ourselves."

Listening to him, Ruyus expression softened. "That makes sense. If I were in your place, I would have learned to play the guitar to take my mind off things, too. By the way, have you written any new stories lately?"

Lü Heruos smile turned somewhat bitter. "Of course I have. Its just that these stories may never have a chance to be published. Sigh..." His gaze drifted away involuntarily.

"Dont lose heart, Brother Lü. At least Im one of your loyal readers." Ruyus voice was gentle, yet her support was firm.

"I fled here to save my life. I have no idea what will happen in the future. Even I feel completely lost," Lü Heruo said in a low voice, with a trace of helplessness.

"Dont sigh. Theres always a way forward." Ruyu gently stroked the guitar, her voice offering a little comfort. "If you, Brother Lü, dont..." She suddenly stopped, her words becoming hesitant.

Lü Heruo was taken aback and turned to look at her. "Dont what? What are you trying to say?"

A blush spread across Ruyus face. She lowered her head and spoke softly. "If you dont mind living in such a remote place, getting by on simple meals, I, Ruyu, would be willing... willing to..."

Her words carried a hint of uneasiness, but they were also filled with anticipation. Lü Heruos heart suddenly began to race. He knew that this was a moment of truth he could not avoid.

Lü Heruo forcibly suppressed the feelings stirring within him. His voice carried a trace of helplessness. "Ruyu, you know very well that Im a fugitive. I dont even know when something might happen to me. If you stay with me, all youll get is hardship and suffering."

Ruyu kept her eyes fixed on him. Her gaze was determined, and her voice was even clearer than before. "I grew up in the mountains. Its not as though Ive never suffered."

Lü Heruo shook his head helplessly. "Thats different, Ruyu. I cant be selfish and think only of myself."

Ruyu still did not understand. "Whats different about it, Brother Lü?"

Lü Heruo took a deep breath and decided to tell her everything. He lowered his head, his voice heavy.

"Ruyu, I dont want to hide anything from you anymore. My real identity is Lü Heruo, the man wanted by the military police."

"I know that!" Ruyu replied casually, as though she were not surprised at all. "So what if youre a wanted man? Its not as though youre a criminal who murders people or commits arson. You simply oppose the authorities."

Lü Heruo stared at her in surprise, never expecting that she already knew.

"So youve known all along?"

Ruyu smiled faintly. "I even went out of my way to find your newspaper clippings. I know youre no ordinary man." Her voice was sincere, and her eyes revealed a trace of determination.

Lü Heruos heart was filled with conflicting emotions, but he continued to remain calm. He knew that, no matter what, he could not allow Ruyu to develop any false hopes about him.

"Ruyu, there may be something you dont know. I already have a legal wife, and I also have a live-in girlfriend. Each of them has given birth to one of my children."

After hearing this, Ruyu did not retreat in the slightest. Instead, she replied casually, "All of that has been reported in the newspapers! Your live-in girlfriend, Su Yu-lan, wasnt she just arrested by the Garrison Command? Brother Lü."

Lü Heruos heart jolted. He realized that his last line of defense had already crumbled. He had nothing left to say, and could only smile bitterly.

"What are you smiling at, Brother Lü?" Ruyu asked softly.

"Im laughing at myself. Im the one who has been kept in the dark by you," Lü Heruo replied. His smile was somewhat bitter, and a faint blush appeared on his cheeks.

Ruyu did not back down. Her eyes were filled with affection.

"Brother Lü, no matter what happens in the future, as long as I can be with you, even if its only for a few months, or even just a few happy days, Ill have nothing more to ask for."

Lü Heruos heart trembled. Without realizing it, he placed both hands on Ruyus shoulders and said in a trembling voice, "Ruyu, why would you put yourself through this?"

Ruyu looked at him, her eyes filled with unwavering determination and tenderness.

"I dont care about a love that lasts forever; I cherish only what we have once shared. Brother Lü, those are the two lines you wrote on the inside of the back cover of your manuscript. I havent remembered them incorrectly, have I?"

Lü Heruo nodded silently, gently biting his lower lip as emotions surged within him.

Ruyu gazed at him intently.

"I dont care about a love that lasts forever; I cherish only what we have once shared. Those two lines express exactly how I feel about you, Brother Lü. My love for you is without regret."

Her words were like a ray of light, illuminating Lü Heruos heart.

At that moment, Lü Heruo could no longer resist. He let down all his defenses, tears welling in his eyes as he felt the sincerity of Ruyus love. Just then, their eyes met, and their heartbeats seemed almost to merge into one.

However, their intimate moment was inadvertently witnessed by Dong Zhiqian. He stopped silently and watched them for a while. Then he quietly turned and walked away, secretly calculating how he could convince Director Chen Danghe that Chen Ruyu had successfully captured Lü Heruos heart.