With only an hour to meet, bringing up the exchange student program abroad was difficult for Xia Xiao Lan.
But if she didn’t mention it, when would she get another chance to see Zhou Cheng? She didn’t know the exact timing of the exchange program – it might start as early as next semester. Not telling Zhou Cheng now would catch him completely off guard later.
Zhou Cheng noticed her lowered head, trembling eyelashes, and avoiding gaze, and knew Xiao Lan was nervous.
How precious – she could still get nervous? Zhou Cheng had only seen Xia Xiao Lan nervous once before, during their first meeting when she was cornered in an alley by hooligans. She had escaped and run into Kang Wei first, then him. He had noticed her unease then – she’d feared they might be accomplices of the thugs!
Later, when they first held hands, embraced, and kissed, Xia Xiao Lan was nervous too, but different from now. The sea breeze blew her hair wildly, brushing against Zhou Cheng’s face, nearly melting his heart.
His wife was finally taking his feelings into consideration – not like comforting a child, but truly valuing his opinion.
Though he wanted to savor this feeling of “being cared for,” he also hurt seeing Xiao Lan anxious without an answer. Zhou Cheng initially thought of playing a prank by saying he didn’t approve of her being an exchange student, to see how she would choose – but immediately felt childish. What if he had to go on a mission and she forbade it?
If he followed her wishes, he’d have to leave his unit and say goodbye to the work he loved – he would regret it deeply.
If he didn’t listen to her, she would be disappointed, and he would feel terrible.
That’s why Xia Xiao Lan never put him in such difficult positions, instead encouraging him, saying they should both work hard while they were young!
“Comrade Xia Xiao Lan, I’m very disappointed in you!”
After waiting anxiously, hearing these words, her heart sank – until she heard Zhou Cheng’s suppressed laughter:
“…Having so little faith in me, am I really that unreasonable, hmm?”
This man, making such jokes!
Xia Xiao Lan angrily stepped on Zhou Cheng’s foot, “I thought you were really angry!”
It was quite a forceful stomp, but Zhou Cheng dared not complain about the pain – he had brought it on himself by teasing her and making her angry.
“I was just joking. I’m happy for you! No competition is easy, and you earned this honor yourself. I can’t help with your studies, but I won’t hold you back either.”
Of course, he would miss her.
Even now, the meeting was difficult – just look at how hard it must have been for Xia Xiao Lan to come here today.
But no matter how difficult things were domestically, both the academy and work units had holidays, and they could always find ways to meet. Mail might be slow, but they could receive at least one letter a month, and though phone calls weren’t convenient, waiting by the phone for an hour would let them hear each other’s voice… Abroad, none of these three options could be guaranteed.
Zhou Cheng kissed her: “I also hope to become an outstanding person soon.”
Being outstanding wasn’t about stopping progress, but about being able to stay together with Xiao Lan long-term, as husband and wife rather than just lovers. Both had to compromise – Xia Xiao Lan didn’t want to be confined by family life, but hadn’t she agreed to marry after completing her studies?
Zhou Cheng was compromising too, not out of obligation, but out of love.
Neither wanted to part. The salty sea breeze wasn’t romantic, but rare lovers don’t need deliberate romance. Being close enough to see each other, skin touching skin, embraces and kisses felt overwhelmingly blissful.
One hour?
Even a day, a week, or a month wouldn’t be enough.
Time passed especially quickly as they quietly leaned against each other, neither wanting to speak.
Xia Xiao Lan regretted discussing serious matters earlier – was this the time for that? She should have been more selfish, just holding Zhou Cheng continuously, savoring his presence, his scent… The instructor waited a full hour and a half before calling Zhou Cheng back.
When they parted, Xia Xiao Lan’s eyes glistened with tears.
She had so much more to tell Zhou Cheng. Seeing his harsh conditions here, how could she complain about her hardships? Wouldn’t that just make him worry? An uncontrollable urge to confide welled up, but she forcefully suppressed it, though she couldn’t hold back her tears.
Zhou Cheng felt distressed and wiped her tears away: “Don’t cry. With tears and sea wind, your skin will wrinkle. I’ll try to arrange two more meetings with you.”
“Mm, you promise?”
“I promise.”
Comforting his wife was the priority now. Zhou Cheng hadn’t expected Xiao Lan to cry and became flustered.
Others in relationships, regardless of circumstances, at least could see each other.
Xiao Lan had gotten into a Beijing university for him, while he went to Hebei Province for further studies. Beijing and Hebei were quite close, but then he was suddenly transferred south for this mission… A mission with no end in sight, and Zhou Cheng didn’t even know if he could return to his academy studies within the two-year training period.
Even without going abroad as an exchange student, the meeting would be difficult for Xiao Lan.
Now Zhou Cheng hoped the exchange program would start and end quickly so that when he finished his academy training, Xiao Lan would already be back in China!
“Alright, enough cuddling, what will the other trainees think if they see you?”
The instructor didn’t want to break up the lovebirds, but this was a temporary base, and the other trainees weren’t blind – all this hugging and embracing wasn’t appropriate!
Better to come and go quietly, so others won’t feel unbalanced.
The instructor had already given them an extra half hour, and Xia Xiao Lan didn’t want to make things difficult. She was being emotional, crying in front of Zhou Cheng. President Xia’s tears across two lifetimes could be counted on fingers – was she less resilient now that she was younger in this second life?
Zhou Cheng kept looking back as he left, and Xia Xiao Lan only turned away when she could no longer see his silhouette.
She walked slowly toward more populated areas, and after more than half an hour, she saw Kang Wei’s car parked there.
Kang Wei also thought Xia Xiao Lan was impressive, able to find Zhou Cheng even during a mission. His sister-in-law was different now, with her network. Or rather, she had always been developing her connections, not leaving everything for Brother Cheng to solve.
Kang Wei felt this wasn’t a bad thing – he quite admired Xia Xiao Lan.
“Sister-in-law, did you see Brother Cheng?”
Her eyes were bloodshot – from crying or the sea wind?
Xia Xiao Lan nodded, “Yes, sorry I couldn’t bring you along.”
“I grew up with Brother Cheng, seeing him isn’t important. You’re the one having it tough.”
Kang Wei had never seen a young woman who didn’t complain or make trouble. Zhou Cheng was lucky to find Xia Xiao Lan – last time during the isolation and investigation, it was Xia Xiao Lan who decided to find Pan San.
“Let’s go accompany Sister Bai to see the new store.”
As Kang Wei turned to speak to Xia Xiao Lan, a car suddenly shot out from the intersection. Kang Wei’s mind went blank, but Xia Xiao Lan lunged forward and forcefully turned the steering wheel – BANG! The other car crashed into their rear!