Huan’er finalized her return date: July 20th, one month away.

This was news that delighted almost everyone. Though somewhat regretful, Qi Qi promised to come down from Scotland to see her off at the airport. Her advisor, Ding Heping, had been eagerly planning work assignments while reminding her not to slack off in wrapping up current projects properly. Song Cong and Du Man seemed even more excited than Huan’er herself, already planning how everyone would get together that weekend when she returned to Tianhe. As for her parents, there was no need to elaborate – Chen’s Dad immediately decided to take leave according to her schedule. Moreover, both parents unusually brought up a topic that had never been mentioned before – “What are your plans going forward, Little Jing?”

Huan’er laughed, “I need to graduate first.”

Chen’s Mom was always open-minded. “You don’t have to deliberately wait. Last year, a doctoral student in our department attended graduation with his wife and children. You’re both twenty-six or twenty-seven now – it’s time to consider life’s major events.”

“You mean marriage?” Chen’s Dad’s “plans” clearly didn’t refer to this, his tone full of reluctance. “Isn’t it a bit early? Don’t rush to arrange things – it depends on what the kids want.”

“Early? What’s early about it? I had you running around at twenty-six or twenty-seven.” Chen’s Mom pulled no punches when challenging her family. “Qi Ci specifically went there for our precious daughter – why else would he leave Beijing? Once Huan’er returns, things will settle down. The sooner it’s resolved, the more peace of mind we’ll have.”

Chen’s Dad snorted before asking, “Daughter, what are your thoughts about the future?”

“I’ve discussed staying at the university with Professor Ding,” Huan’er pondered briefly, deciding to share only the good news. “The key factors are my grades and research progress. There’s still time – let’s take it slowly.”

This year abroad had been much more difficult than expected. Her primary advisor David practiced a hands-off approach, while her relationship with co-advisor Mark remained awkward. Various factors had seriously delayed her research progress. If asked to evaluate whether things were good or bad, Huan’er would say bad – she only had one paper pending publication, and though she could be considered first author in terms of contribution, it was ultimately a joint first authorship.

There are no do-overs in life. She refused to speculate whether things would have gone more smoothly had she not come abroad.

“Don’t put so much pressure on yourself,” Chen’s Mom comforted her. “Getting a university position isn’t as easy as it used to be. With your skills, you’ll shine wherever you go – Mom believes in you.”

“Your mother is right. Health comes first; everything else is minor,” Chen’s Dad maintained his usual stance. “I know my daughter well.”

They had never changed – since her earliest memories, they had been endlessly tolerant and made no demands of her.

As the call was ending, Huan’er cleared her throat and said brightly, “Old Chen, happy holiday!”

It happened to be Father’s Day.

She had expected her usually stern father to be moved and sigh – my daughter has grown up.

Old Chen did speak up, but clearly addressing his wife: “See? I told you our girl wouldn’t forget. You wanted to bet with me – how could you win against our father-daughter connection…”

Huan’er immediately realized the Chen family style remained consistently unpredictable – if they ever truly became delicate and gentle, that would be cause for major concern.

Dr. Qian disagreed with this outcome. “Who knows if you two didn’t conspire together?”

“Accept your loss – don’t struggle,” Chen’s Dad told his daughter. “Since I won this bet with your mom, she has to agree to change cars. Our current car keeps having minor issues. The other day when your mom drove back to Sishui, the exhaust pipe was spewing black smoke the whole way. She didn’t even notice – thinking back, it was quite dangerous.”

“We hardly drive the car; we could just repair it…”

“It’s old enough to be replaced,” Chen’s Dad firmly interrupted. “This matter must follow my decision – there’s no room for discussion.”

Huan’er did not comment, just laughing as she listened to them bicker. If you asked her what a loving couple should be like, she probably couldn’t find the words to describe it immediately. But if the question changed to giving examples, Huan’er thought she could write an entire thesis worth of content.

Of course, not every day and every matter would go smoothly, but from the day they decided to share their lives, that person would remain on the list of those held dear, never to be replaced.

Jing Qi Ci called even later. First asking how long she’d stay at home after returning and when she’d go back to school, upon hearing Huan’er’s plans, he immediately opened the flight booking website. While searching, he said, “I can fly Friday night, landing at eleven. Monday… the earliest flight is at eight, but that won’t work – I have a regular meeting Monday morning, so I’ll have to return Sunday night.”

Hearing his heavily nasal voice, Huan’er asked, “Do you have a cold?”

“A bit.” Jing Qi Ci couldn’t hold back a sneeze, then continued, “I’ll book the tickets first. We’ll figure out how you’ll get here later – I’ll pick you up.”

“Why not skip the trouble? We’ll see each other when I return to school anyway.”

He laughed, “I miss you like crazy – this is nothing.”

Huan’er stopped objecting, softly replying, “Me too.”

She heard keyboard-clicking sounds, guessing Jing Qi Ci was entering booking information, and asked, “Are the tickets expensive?”

“Not bad.”

“Let me reimburse you.”

The man laughed again, “I got a raise – I can support you for now.”

“For now?”

“If you’re willing, I can support you forever.” Jing Qi Ci switched to speakerphone and set it aside, typing information as directed by the webpage while speaking softly to her, “I had a headache today and fell asleep after getting home. When I woke up, the house was completely silent. Then I saw your message, and I thought – in a month, it won’t be like this anymore. That’s wonderful.”

Huan’er snorted, “Who said I’m living with you?”

“Yes, yes, it’s up to you – I’m ready anytime.” He swiped his QR code for payment, and after seeing the successful booking page, turned off the speakerphone and put the phone back in his ear. “Last weekend, I went to look at a residential complex with my colleague. The location and layout are good, and they say the price is reasonable too. The community has a kindergarten, great landscaping, and it’s those red houses you like.” Jing Qi Ci looked out at the city lights, paused for a moment, and then told her, “Huan’er, I want to settle down with you.”

He was talking about their future life together.

In time unknown to her, he had already drawn out – not just in his heart, but in visible, tangible form – a picture of their future.

They would have a home.

At that moment, Huan’er suddenly felt incredibly calm. Whether Mark would give a poor evaluation, whether she could stay at the university, how to approach her research, when to publish papers to graduate early – everything became light as a feather. She could almost see Jing Qi Ci opening his arms, and herself running toward him with all her might.

“Okay,” Huan’er answered solemnly. Hearing another series of sneezes from his end, she quickly asked, “Haven’t you eaten yet?”

“Planning to go downstairs to grab a bite. Should I hang up?”

“No,” Huan’er couldn’t bear to end the call. “Just go like this – I want to listen.”

Jing Qi Ci’s lips curved slightly as he held the phone, changing shoes in the entryway before taking his keys and leaving home. His current place was very close to the company, with a commercial street right outside the complex, offering everything from food to entertainment. Southern summer had arrived, and the streets were crowded with people in cool clothing, seeming to make everything more lively.

After ordering food, Jing Qi Ci waited outside the restaurant. They chatted about Song Cong and Du Man, with Huan’er telling him how nervous her friend had been meeting the parents, even preparing several outfit options. “Come to think of it, Man Man is Song’s first love – of course, he’d be nervous going to meet parents with zero experience. If they ever quarrel in the future, I’ll support Man Man, taking her side without thinking…”

Jing Qi Ci didn’t respond, and Huan’er was puzzled until she heard the background sound through the phone – someone was singing:

Time, time, please slow down, don’t let you grow old anymore

I’m willing to trade everything I have to keep your years lingering

Dad who’s been strong all his life, what can I do for you

Please accept this trivial care

During the interlude, the singer began speaking, “Today is Father’s Day. This song ‘Father’ is dedicated to everyone. Wishing all fathers good health, and hoping children will visit home more often.”

“Qi Ci?” Huan’er called out.

“Oh, I’m here.” Jing Qi Ci came back to himself. “That… there’s a shopping center downstairs, quite big, seems they’re having an anniversary celebration with live music. Lots of people watching, there’s even a mascot – in this weather, sealed in that costume without ventilation, must be drenched in sweat within minutes…”

He fell back into his old habit, of using many irrelevant words to mask his emotions.

Huan’er just listened without responding, and Jing Qi Ci finally ran out of topics, falling silent.

The song hadn’t ended, the singer performing passionately.

“I…” Jing Qi Ci gripped the phone tightly, looking up at the sky. “I know everything now, about my mom.”

Worried about him, Huan’er couldn’t help asking, “Are you okay?”

“I guess so, probably.” Jing Qi Ci said, “You and Song Cong talk about all sorts of things, so I just asked my mom directly. Time has passed so quickly – she, I, we should all move forward. I’m happy for her.”

“Qi Ci.” The more relaxed his tone, the more heartbroken Huan’er felt, her heart twisting into knots.

She suddenly realized that moving forward was neither a right nor an obligation – it was just a choice, willing or unwilling. And they had all been pushing him to look ahead, telling him all the benefits of cutting ties with the past and starting anew, unconsciously ignoring his wishes.

Regarding pain, some people might never move past it their entire lives.

But what was wrong with that? It was okay.

The singer began the final verse –

Time, time, please slow down, don’t let you grow old anymore

I’m willing to trade everything I have to keep your years lingering

Am I your pride? Are you still worried about me?

The child you care for has grown up.

Jing Qi Ci gazed at the crowd from afar, then spoke into the phone, “I want to look forward too, but I’m afraid he’ll blame me. We can be happy, can live well, but he’s all alone there, Huan’er – he’s by himself on that side.”

Sometimes Huan’er felt she was Jing Qi Ci. His concerns, conflicts, and hesitations – his joys and dilemmas alike – she seemed like an organ in his body, a rib; when he hurt, she hurt too.

Just like now.

“Take it slowly,” Huan’er said gently. “Qi Ci, let’s take it slowly.”