Xia Xiaolan forced herself to stay disciplined, determined not to let her review plans fall behind schedule.
As usual, she came to study at the Business University library, where she could quickly find her focus. It was more efficient than studying alone at home, as the studious atmosphere of others around her was contagious.
At six in the afternoon, having completed her day’s review plan, she packed up to leave.
Just as she stepped out of the library doors, she heard an incredibly familiar “Xiaolan.” She thought her stressed mind was playing tricks on her. But even if she could mistake the voice, could the figure before her eyes also be an illusion?
Those long legs gave Zhou Cheng an advantage as he reached Xia Xiaolan in just a few strides.
“Xiaolan, I’m here. Don’t be afraid!”
When Zhou Cheng’s hand touched her arm, Xia Xiaolan finally felt the reality of his presence. Oh, so it wasn’t an illusion – Zhou Cheng’s firm touch proved he was real! Zhou Cheng had truly come. After last night’s phone call, he appeared in Shangdu today and even found his way to the Business University library. Originally, Xia Xiaolan had felt only disgust and anger about the whole situation – toward Liu Fang’s family, toward Fan Zhenchuan whom she’d only seen once across the street, toward Aunt Li who always tried to chat her up when buying clothes at the store. All of them treated Xia Xiaolan like merchandise to be picked over, and her emotions were pure disgust and anger!
But suddenly seeing Zhou Cheng, Xia Xiaolan inexplicably felt a surge of vulnerability.
To President Xia, vulnerability was the most useless emotion. She had never felt vulnerable despite all her hardships – who would she show vulnerability to? Behind her, there was no one. She could only forge herself an impenetrable shell, not allowing such useless emotions. Gradually, she seemed to become capable of handling anything by herself!
She trusted Liu Fen and Li Fengmei, but neither of them allowed Xia Xiaolan to let her guard down.
Because neither could protect her – they were even less stress-resistant than Xia Xiaolan herself.
Zhou Cheng was different.
Upon receiving the phone call, he had come straight from Beijing to Shangdu. Xia Xiaolan had thought Zhou Cheng would ask others for help, perhaps Master Shao’s uncle or someone else – Zhou Cheng’s family had such good circumstances, and his connections were unknown to Xia Xiaolan… But having others help versus Zhou Cheng rushing here personally gave Xia Xiaolan completely different feelings! The more Zhou Cheng valued her, the more feminine emotions surfaced in Xia Xiaolan. Just as fierce beasts only show their backs to trusted companions, Xia Xiaolan knew Zhou Cheng’s intentions, and that vulnerability welled up inside her.
Zhou Cheng cherished her so much, yet there were always some annoying men coveting her.
Like gang leader Ke Yixiong and Fan Zhenchuan, the tyrant of Hedong County – being noticed by such men gave Xia Xiaolan no pride whatsoever.
“Zhou Cheng…”
Xia Xiaolan’s voice was naturally delicate. Usually, she deliberately subdued it, but now with that hint of vulnerability, its devastating effect was multiplied. King You of Zhou lit the beacon towers to amuse Beauty Baosi, not caring that it would deceive his vassals and eventually lose him his kingdom. When Zhou Cheng had heard his grandfather tell this historical tale, he couldn’t understand how an emperor could do something so foolish – to be so incompetent and then have history blame a woman for the country’s downfall seemed ridiculous… But at this moment, Zhou Cheng felt his previous views had been too narrow. Hearing the vulnerability in his wife’s voice, he wanted to tear apart anyone who had upset her!
In each other’s eyes, no one else existed.
Female students like Zhuo Na were merely startled and disappointed – after all, Zhou Cheng had just appeared at the Business University. Was it worth getting so worked up over someone who already had a girlfriend after just one meeting?
But for the male students of the Business University…
All those academic stars who had struggled to get seats near Xia Xiaolan were truly heartbroken at this scene!
No one had claimed victory meant everyone still had a chance to slowly build a presence in front of the young junior sister.
Damn, what was happening now? Suddenly a man appears and grabs the junior sister’s hand, and she doesn’t even push him away… In an instant, countless young men’s hearts shattered on the ground. If it had been any other man, they would have objected. But seeing Zhou Cheng, who dared to object?
No greasy hair.
No stubble.
Not even a single pimple on that clean face!
Was being handsome not enough? Why did he need such long legs? The junior sister was graceful and tall, and the shorter male scholars had been researching how to appear more compatible… Zhou Cheng’s tall and handsome appearance was their fatal blow.
The men who had been eager to show themselves were utterly deflated.
If males needed beautiful plumage to attract females, then Zhou Cheng was a magnificent peacock while they were drab wild chickens.
This showed how pure and lovely the current atmosphere was – seeing two attractive people together, everyone’s first reaction was that they were a perfect match. No one thought about Zhou Cheng’s circumstances or whether he was worthy of Xia Xiaolan – the two of them simply looked like they belonged together.
Zhou Cheng was thinking about how to comfort his wife, while Xia Xiaolan was thinking about how to tell him her troubles.
Their unconscious public display of affection continued as Zhou Cheng took the things from Xia Xiaolan’s arms into his own hands, and they walked away. What did they care about whose hearts had been crushed to pieces?
Xia Xiaolan rode a ladies’ bicycle to the Business University every day.
It was just right for her height, but Zhou Cheng’s legs were too long, forcing him to scrunch up awkwardly, so he simply chose to push the bike instead. Neither of them brought up the Fan family situation yet – they hadn’t seen each other for a month and had their own couple’s talk to catch up on. Zhou Cheng rolled up his sleeve once, revealing that Rolex, saying he liked the watch.
“But it was too expensive. Do you still have money left?”
Zhou Cheng knew Xia Xiaolan made good money in business, certainly considered wealthy by ordinary standards.
But Xia Xiaolan had no family assets. After leaving the Xia family, mother and daughter had lived as guests in Liu Yong’s home in the countryside, then rented Grandmother Yu’s house in the provincial city – until now, they didn’t have a true “home” of their own. His wife carried heavy burdens; though she earned well, she had even more uses for the money. After the college entrance exam, they needed to build a house in the countryside and start a construction materials and renovation business with Kang Wei. All this money had to come from Xia Xiaolan while she studied.
Zhou Cheng felt such pain for his wife.
He remembered when they went to Yangcheng to stock up on goods – Xia Xiaolan sold women’s clothing but wouldn’t wear new clothes herself. At wholesale prices, how much could an outfit cost? Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t spend tens of yuan on clothes for herself but was willing to buy him a thousand-yuan Rolex. If Zhou Cheng wasn’t moved by this, he’d be a heartless bastard!
He wanted to supplement her finances, to hand over all his savings, but his wife wouldn’t accept it. Zhou Cheng admired her independence while his heart ached for that very independence. Sure enough, when this topic came up, Xia Xiaolan immediately changed the subject:
“You had no more vacation days this year, how could you come to Shangdu again?”
“When someone bullies you, how could I not come?”
Though she knew the answer, she still asked, and Zhou Cheng wasn’t annoyed at all. From the moment they met, he had noticed that Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help showing vulnerability in front of him. People only show vulnerability to those close to them, and Zhou Cheng was delighted – it felt like he and his wife had grown even closer. Not the intimacy of hugs or kisses, but their hearts drawing nearer to each other.
Every tiny step Xia Xiaolan took toward him brought Zhou Cheng immense joy.
He had fallen for Xia Xiaolan first, pursued her first, and determined that he would marry her… Though Zhou Cheng was now enthusiastic about his one-sided sincere devotion, it didn’t mean he didn’t hope for reciprocation!
Zhou Cheng held the bicycle handlebar with one hand and naturally took Xia Xiaolan’s hand with the other.
“Don’t be afraid. No one can bully my wife.”