As soon as they entered the apartment, Huan’er asked eagerly, “So what’s the good news?”

“At least let me have some water first.” Before Jing Qichi could finish speaking, his stomach betrayed him with a loud growl, and he quickly added, “A meal would be even better.”

It was already nine o’clock, well past dinner time.

Huan’er went to check the refrigerator, and the best she could find was a bag of frozen marinated ribs. She had originally planned to go to the supermarket before heading to the airport, but a problem with the microscope had delayed her, ruining her plans to show off her culinary skills. While urging Jing Qichi to freshen up, she stared at the half-empty refrigerator worrying—how could she properly satisfy his hunger?

She unwrapped the ribs and put them in the oven, concerned they might not be flavorful enough, she brushed them with oil and sprinkled some Mexican seasoning. Making do with what she had, she washed a few potatoes, cut them in half, and steamed them over high heat. Meanwhile, she chopped green onions and shredded the cheese slices left from breakfast. In her haste, she grabbed the steamed potatoes with her bare hands, and the escaping steam scalded her. But she was still happy because while doing all this, she could hear the sound of running water from the bathroom—the person she loved deeply was right there beside her.

This was exactly the life Chen Huan’er had always dreamed of—sitting down to share a simple meal at the end of a tiring day.

As she took out the ribs and put the potatoes in the oven, Jing Qichi emerged from his shower and noticed the desk had been transformed into a dining table. He exclaimed, “It smells amazing!”

“Try my…” Huan’er patted her mouth, “I mean, try Marks & Spencer’s cooking.”

The food was from the supermarket; she couldn’t take credit for it.

Jing Qichi picked up a piece with his hands and popped it in his mouth. Despite burning his tongue, he couldn’t help but praise, “This is delicious!”

“This is good too!” As the oven dinged, Huan’er presented her homemade cheese-baked potatoes, “Sorry for the simple meal tonight, my lord. Tomorrow your humble wife will prepare proper wine and dishes.”

Jing Qichi burst out laughing, “This humble brother appreciates the lady’s thoughtfulness.”

He always caught on to her silly jokes perfectly.

The ribs were fragrant, and the mashed potatoes were flavorful. Huan’er’s cooking skills impressed Jing Qichi, but alongside his appreciation was subtle guilt—she had learned to cook. She had to, adapted to living alone because she had no choice. These were the changes Huan’er had been forced to make during the more than six months he wasn’t by her side.

“Eat up.” Huan’er stood beside him and poked his forehead with chopsticks, “Has the taste stunned you silly?”

Jing Qichi got up and took his phone from his coat pocket, found an email, and handed it to her, then continued eating while waiting for her reaction.

Strangely, Huan’er stared at it for a long time without saying anything.

“What’s wrong?” Jing Qichi stood up too, thinking he might have shown her the wrong email, and took back the phone to check.

But no, it was the correct HR mass announcement email he’d meant to show her.

“I’ll report directly to the R&D Center when I go back,” Jing Qichi explained, thinking she might not have understood. “I’ll be leading the major medical project there, and the medical platform will also be merged in.”

Huan’er still didn’t react.

He put down his chopsticks, his heart tightening, “You… aren’t planning to stay in academia?”

Huan’er finally shook her head, with increasing vigor, and threw herself into his arms, “I just feel… I… we…”

“You scared me,” Jing Qichi relaxed and patted her back, “I’ll go first and get everything settled waiting for you. It’ll be at most another year before you’re done.”

Huan’er let go and looked at him steadily, correcting him, “Half a year, at most half a year.”

“But your project isn’t…”

“I applied for early return, just yesterday.” Huan’er took a deep breath to calm her emotions, “Qichi, we seem to have done the same thing.”

While I was rushing toward you, you were running rapidly toward me.

Such a romantic and serious thing.

Jing Qichi couldn’t contain his excitement and picked her up, spinning three circles in the tiny room until Huan’er patted his shoulder complaining of dizziness, and only then did he set her down.

Huan’er complained coquettishly, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“The official notice just came down recently, and I wanted to see your reaction in person.” Jing Qichi scratched his head with a smile, then added, “You didn’t tell me either.”

“I just applied, my supervisor hasn’t approved it yet.” Huan’er pulled him to sit down, “Eat quickly, before it gets cold.”

Jing Qichi ate large bites, then suddenly thought of something, “Why did you decide to return early?”

“Well…” Huan’er chewed slowly, using the time to think about how to answer this question. She finally decided to tell the truth, “I’m not very happy here. Although my colleagues are nice and the resources are first-rate,… my supervisor David has a hands-off approach, I rarely see him, and co-supervisor Mark… we don’t get along well.”

“The one who called you earlier?”

Huan’er nodded and began explaining her decision, “At first, Mark had me do some private work, which I did and submitted, but I wasn’t happy about it—those were originally his responsibilities. About twice, I mentioned this to David, and the big boss probably talked with him. After that, he stopped giving me such tasks, but my research…” Huan’er’s tone carried self-mockery, “Maybe I’m not meeting his standards. This half year, my research progress has been far behind what it was back home. It’s like all my luck ran out—nothing seems right, and the pressure is immense.”

Jing Qichi remained silent, looking at her with complex emotions.

“Eat your food, I can’t continue when you look at me like that.”

He could only lower his head to eat, though the previously delicious meal now seemed tasteless.

“Part of it is my fault. Once I decided he was targeting me, I started seeing everything as targeting me. Mark’s academic level is quite good, he’s published in major journals, and he’s qualified to be my co-supervisor. It’s just…” Huan’er sighed softly, “I can’t work with him long-term. I miss you, miss home, miss old Ding, miss the days when I could freely do experiments and research. I want to go back.”

“You’re not the type to judge others without reason,” Jing Qichi looked at her, emphasizing each word, “So, don’t convince yourself you’re wrong.”

Huan’er’s lips curved slightly, “You trust me that much?”

“Yes.” Jing Qichi’s tone was absolute.

Chen Huan’er might be fierce at home, but she was more protective of others than anyone. Once in university, while they were eating, they overheard the next table gossiping about Qiu Li, saying his department transfer was through connections and that he was an arrogant rich kid, with various uncomfortable words piling up. Huan’er had angrily gone over and told them she’d sew their mouths shut if they didn’t stop, asking how they could judge someone they didn’t even know. Unknown things and unfamiliar people shouldn’t be judged—this was Huan’er’s principle, and Jing Qichi knew this well.

She would never claim someone was “targeting” her without reason.

“Anyway,” Huan’er continued, “I’ve talked with old Ding on the phone, and he’s eager for me to return, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Jing Qichi pinched her cheek, “I’ll wait for you.”

Huan’er smiled, “How will you wait?”

“Well,” he paused briefly, “Earn more money, ask for less dowry, and properly marry you into my household.”

“Less dowry?”

“None is fine too.” Jing Qichi pushed the last few pieces of ribs to her, “Living in the same neighborhood, I’ll have to get you over even at a loss, right?”

Early Monday morning, Huan’er went to school. Two hours later, Jing Qichi followed the navigation to find his way there.

He successfully located Mark’s office and pretended to be a student from the school, watching the activity there from the corridor while holding a book.

He had looked up information on the official website beforehand and knew what Mark looked like.

After about half an hour, a not particularly tall white man in a suit entered the office alone.

Jing Qichi looked around, took a deep breath, and approached to knock on the door.

“Come in.” He heard the permission to enter.

Mark frowned, clearly not knowing the visitor’s identity.

“I am Huan’er’s…” Jing Qichi adjusted his wording, “Chen’s fiancé.”

Mark stood up, exchanged polite greetings, and shook his hand, “What can I help you with?”

To Jing Qichi, he looked no different from the other passengers on the subway.

“As her family,” Jing Qichi adopted an even more formal attitude than when giving presentations at work, clearly delivering the English speech he had practiced several times, “I’ve heard some things about her studies from Huan’er, and while I might not be objective, I believe she has received some unfair treatment.”

Mark frowned, already sensing the unfriendly nature of the visit.

“What specifically?”

Apart from the opening, Jing Qichi had of course practiced for the other’s responses; this question was expected.

“You should know the specifics better than I do,” he met the other’s gaze steadily, neither servile nor overbearing. “Just as you should know Huan’er’s capabilities better than I do.”

Mark showed some anger, “If this is about academic matters, I’d prefer to discuss them with Chen herself.”

“I certainly have no right to comment on academic matters; Huan’er has mentioned her respect for your research achievements.” Jing Qichi softened his tone, “From my position, I only care about whether she’s happy here, whether she can pursue her dreams freely like before.”

“Sir,” Mark remained polite, “Whether she’s happy or not is Chen’s own business. I don’t have the energy to worry about how each doctoral student feels every day.”

He’s met his match, Jing Qichi bit his inner lip.

“My request is simple.” After years in the workplace, he knew too well that solutions only come with demands, so he said seriously, “I hope you can treat my fiancée the same way you treat others.”

Mark frowned again, “I certainly treat everyone equally.”

“Thank you.” Jing Qichi gave a slight bow.

“I have a meeting, please excuse me.” Mark didn’t look at him, going straight back to his screen.

Leaving the office, somehow, Jing Qichi felt he might have made things worse.