The bedroom was filled with an amorous atmosphere.
Clothes were scattered on the floor, and on the bed, the girl lay atop the man, panting softly, her gaze lost in the night sky outside the window.
Aside from her menstrual cycle, the first night of every weekend always took much longer to recover from than usual.
Fortunately, she played tennis often and had good physical fitness; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to endure such exertion.
Yet, the man beneath her stroked her back and lectured her in a paternal tone.
“Studying is important, and exercising is also important. Starting tomorrow morning, you’ll join me for morning runs.”
Su Yue gritted her teeth and uttered, “You’ll never make me.”
He let out a soft chuckle in response.
Finally recovering, she slowly pushed herself up. Seeing his good mood, she thought for a moment before finally bringing up the matter.
“My counselor spoke to me on Monday,” Su Yue said softly, tracing his eyebrows with her finger.
Chen Ziming furrowed his brows slightly. Her gesture was clearly meant to appease him, indicating that what she was about to say was likely not what he wanted to hear.
“Mm, go on,” his hand remained there, his voice deepening.
“Our department has two fully funded opportunities to go to the UK, in partnership with the London School of Economics. It’s for the entirety of the fourth year of undergraduate study and the first year of postgraduate study. My counselor wants me to apply.”
After speaking, she focused her attention, carefully observing his expression.
She noticed a flicker of surprise on his face, but it was immediately replaced by a smile that came from the heart.
“That’s wonderful news, why be so cautious?” Chen Ziming said gently, his finger caressing her cheek. “You scared me; I thought your counselor was marrying you off.”
Su Yue was instantly amused by his remark, recognizing his peculiar way of thinking.
But then, she sighed in relief and asked seriously, “So, I applied. But this means we’ll be in different countries…”
As she spoke, she lowered her eyes, clearly reluctant to be separated from him.
Unexpectedly, he rolled over, bringing them into a side-by-side position, and then kissed her forehead.
Against the lamplight by the headboard, his face was handsome and gentle. He pursed his lips slightly and answered earnestly,
“Your studies are paramount. I’ll come to see you whenever I have time, my darling. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of things here, I’ll be pure and chaste.”
Su Yue was touched.
Upon hearing the last two idioms, she couldn’t help but frown. “Can you be serious for once?”
“I am being very serious,” he replied, mirroring her slight frown as he pinched her cheek. “And you should also remember these eight words.”
Su Yue: …
Yet, her heart felt considerably lighter.
“Why aren’t you speaking? Afraid you can’t keep those promises?” Just as she was quietly lost in thought, the man beside her spoke impatiently, interrupting her train of thought.
She couldn’t resist rolling her eyes.
“Chen Ziming, can you have a little more confidence in yourself? Don’t worry, I won’t look at anyone else but you. Besides…”
She flashed a sweet smile and reached out, playfully squeezing his handsome face. “I’m going there to study, not to chase men.”
She paused, as if remembering something else, and before he could reply, added, “The ways I flirted with you when we first met, I’ve never done that to anyone else. Isn’t that what you call… fate?”
The man before her raised an eyebrow, but the corners of his lips couldn't help but curve into a beautiful arc.
She was using his own words against him again.
“Let me kiss you again.” As silence settled, Chen Ziming felt a sudden pang of loneliness at the thought of their impending long separation.
Not wanting her to notice, he leaned forward, using a kiss to mask his feelings.
“Alright, it’s time to sleep.” Feeling his kisses becoming more restless, Su Yue pushed him away and whispered.
“Mm, sleep.” He chuckled, turned to switch off the light, and pulled her into his embrace.
In the darkness, his low voice spoke again, “There’s an eight-hour time difference between the UK and here.”
It was clear he had just realized the implication, his earlier magnanimous statement about prioritizing her studies likely spoken without much thought.
“Regretting it?” the girl’s voice, tinged with helplessness and amusement, replied.
There was a moment of silence in the air, and then he held her tighter.
Su Yue’s heart fluttered, feeling a touch of pity.
But just as she was about to offer some comfort, Chen Ziming spoke first, “How could I regret it? Whether you believe me or not, I’m happier than you are.”
Love is not about hindrance and constraint.
Love is about tolerance and fulfillment.
The girl he held so dear should go and do what she wanted to do, become the person she aspired to be.
— You just need to bravely chase the light forward, and I will clear all shadows for you.