Zhou Cheng arrived at 4 PM when he got off the train.

Knowing Grandmother Yu’s address, he headed there directly. His wife must be scared – her laughter on the phone yesterday was just a show of bravery. At a time like this, Zhou Cheng could only come quickly. He lovingly touched the Rolex on his wrist, a gift from his wife that he would always wear.

But at Grandmother Yu’s house, only she was home.

Grandmother Yu approved of Zhou Cheng as a suitable match, given how he rushed to Shangdu the afternoon after receiving news last night. A woman shouldn’t have to shoulder everything alone – she wasn’t a lonely old widow like herself. Xia Xiaolan had a partner, and some things should be faced together.

“Looking for Xiaolan? She went to study at the library.”

Having approved of Zhou Cheng, Grandmother Yu’s attitude was much warmer. Zhou Cheng thanked her, surprised that his wife could still focus on studying at a time like this – truly worthy of being the woman he chose! Though he hadn’t found a frightened Xia Xiaolan, he realized his naivety. How could he not know what kind of person his wife was? At their first meeting, she had managed to injure three thugs.

When facing trouble, Xia Xiaolan wasn’t the type to panic helplessly.

The more Zhou Cheng thought about it, the happier he felt – his wife’s personality was naturally perfect for him.

After finding no one at Grandmother Yu’s, he asked for directions to Shangdu University and took a bus there. His credentials granted him access to many institutions – not because of high rank, but because his profession commanded trust and respect.

“Excuse me, which way to the library?”

Zhou Cheng was in casual clothes.

His spirited appearance and slightly roguish air set him apart from typical university students.

Since when did Shangdu University have someone like him?

Zhou Cheng asked a male student, but several passing female students secretly glanced at him.

Zhuo Na and her roommates were carrying art supplies. As art students, they were bolder, eyeing Zhou Cheng intently:

“What do you think about asking him to be our model?”

“For that portrait sketch assignment…”

“Go ask which department he’s from – how come I’ve never seen him before!”

Zhuo Na rolled her eyes, “Are you all stupid? He’s asking for directions to the library. Even if he were a freshman, who wouldn’t know where the library is after nearly a year here? He’s not from our school!”

Zhuo Na had wanted to ask Xia Xiaolan to model before, but when she refused, Zhuo Na didn’t insist.

Ultimately, it was like repelling like. What artist’s muse would be the same gender, unless the artist’s orientation differed from the majority? The opposite sex was what inspired artistic creation. If male artists loved painting female models, wouldn’t female artists be drawn to compelling male models?

Zhou Cheng completely sparked Zhuo Na’s creative desire!

This fresh face at Shangdu University turned Zhuo Na and her roommates into impromptu stalkers.

The girls pushed each other around, none daring to stop Zhou Cheng from inviting him to model. Wouldn’t it be too forward? If he wasn’t a student here, he wouldn’t easily agree to such a random request! Zhou Cheng’s aura wasn’t that of a gentle, passive man – he was different from the sheltered male students in the ivory tower. Women were easily attracted but dared not approach casually.

Following him, they reached the library entrance.

Without an entry pass, Zhou Cheng simply waited at the entrance.

“Who do you think he’s waiting for?”

“Maybe he has a friend here.”

“A girlfriend perhaps?”

“Shush, don’t jinx it!”

Finding such a rare handsome man, even if they couldn’t have him, at least let them hope he was single! No girl wanted to discover such an attractive man was taken.

If any Shangdu University student had such a handsome boyfriend, they would have shown him off endlessly.

No, no, no – they should keep it secret, hidden from potential competitors. Until the marriage certificate was signed, no man was truly secured. Of course, even after marriage, one had to keep watch, wary of any women appearing around a handsome husband.

Zhuo Na gossiped with her roommates.

The handsome man was so earnest, his stance casual yet carrying a unique spirit. But who could let him wait so long? It had been almost half an hour!

“Should we help?”

“Zhuo Na, go ask who he’s looking for – he seems unable to enter the library.”

Her roommates pushed her forward – helping was a way to start a conversation. A small favor could lead to an acquaintance, then they could discuss modeling. Zhuo Na’s roommates found this logical.

Zhuo Na wasn’t timid.

Though momentarily stunned by Zhou Cheng’s “beauty,” she wasn’t the type to become weak-kneed around handsome men. Growing up cherished by her family had made her particularly confident. What was there to fear about asking? He couldn’t eat her!

Zhuo Na adjusted her clothes.

Trying to appear graceful and natural, she stood before Zhou Cheng:

“Comrade, do you need help? If you’re looking for someone, I know quite a few people here and could ask around.”

Zhuo Na was a pretty girl.

What did Zhou Cheng fear most now? His wife misunderstood again!

Previously indifferent to women his age, he now actively avoided them. Hadn’t they noticed he specifically asked male students for directions? Being who he was, how could he not notice Zhuo Na’s group following him to the library, whispering about him all this time?

He couldn’t even ignore them now that this girl had come to greet him.

Captain Zhou had never been so nervous facing gunfire – rouge and powder were the class enemies preventing him from marrying his wife.

“Thanks, not needed.”

Zhou Cheng spoke without looking at Zhuo Na.

Supporting all his wife’s views and minimizing contact with women would save him much trouble.

Zhuo Na felt dejected – this handsome man was too cold. He’d given her two words initially, but when she tried to persist with her helpful questioning, he completely ignored her.

“Hey, I’m trying to help – at least give me some response!”

Zhou Cheng was tall – Zhuo Na had to crane her neck to see him. Looking up, she found this cold young man had changed from before – his mouth had softened, his eyes suddenly animated. From aloof to joyful in an instant, Zhuo Na felt an urgent desire to paint – inspiration struck in moments like these, and she was so excited!

But he hadn’t changed because of her.

His gaze had locked onto a figure exiting the library over Zhuo Na’s head. They say a day apart feels like three autumns – well, he felt like he hadn’t seen his wife in nearly 100 years.

“Xiaolan!”

Zhou Cheng stepped around the obstructing Zhuo Na, striding forward. His whole being radiated happiness – who said he was aloof?

Zhuo Na’s mouth fell open – who had said the handsome man was single?! The world was too cruel – a top-tier handsome man’s match was also a top-tier beauty. No Shangdu University girl had caught such an outstanding man because his partner wasn’t even a student there.

Zhuo Na felt like coughing blood – how had she forgotten that the girl constantly holed up in the library, Xia Xiaolan, was the one driving Shangdu University’s male students crazy lately?