At 9 a.m., Liang and I were walking to school.
She glanced at me and asked, "Why do you look so sad?"
I sighed. "Last night, Lu told me he's going to Germany for work."
Liang stopped in front of me, stunned. "What?!"
I walked past her, not wanting to talk more.
But she caught up quickly. "Hey, I asked you something! How long is he going for?"
"Two years," I muttered.
She froze again. "Two years?! Qin, that's so long! What did you say?"
"I told him to go," I replied.
Liang gave me an exasperated look. "You haven't changed at all."
I smirked. "So what do you expect me to do? Cling to him like a child and beg him not to go?"
Liang rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed, as we reached school.
---
Later, while we were in class, Lu and Zhichen came to school to see us.
Lu crept in from the left like a thief, while Zhichen approached from the right. They bumped into each other and apologized, startled like kids who got caught.
Lu blinked at him. "Who are you?"
Zhichen shot back, "I should be asking that. Who are you?"
Lu replied proudly, "I came to see my girlfriend."
"And I came to see my future wife," Zhichen said just as boldly.
They both stared at each other, confused and suspicious.
Lu narrowed his eyes. "Who exactly is your future wife?"
Zhichen pointed. "My Liang."
"Ohh…" Lu nodded dramatically.
Meanwhile, Liang stood behind them with her arms crossed, watching like a strict headmistress.
The moment she heard enough, she grabbed Zhichen by the ear. "What are you doing here?!"
Both men jumped and screamed like startled puppies.
I walked out and saw the three of them. "What are you guys doing here? Are you that free? Do you think this is your playground?"
Lu pouted and apologized like a child. One of my little students peeked out and said, "Teacher, don't scold him~"
I gave my student a look. "Don't take his side."
Lu quickly pulled the kid behind him, pretending I might hit him. Zhichen burst out laughing.
But Liang yanked his ear and dragged him to the side.
"Ow ow! That hurts!" Zhichen cried.
My student pointed and said, "See, teacher? He's hiding behind me at his age!"
I patted her head. "You don't know what he's like. Go inside and play."
She nodded and ran off.
I turned to Lu, slapped his arm lightly, and started walking.
He followed. "What? I took the day off to pack."
I froze. "Wait… when are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow."
My hands trembled a little. "Then stop wasting time here. Go pack."
But instead, Lu hugged me from behind. "I will… but let me hold you for a while."
Confused emotions swirled inside me.
Then he whispered, "I'll come to your place with my luggage."
I pulled his hands off. "What?!"
He smirked. "I know leaving will be hard for you. So I'll sleep at your place tonight."
And with that, he walked away.
---
Meanwhile, Zhichen was still rubbing his sore ear.
Liang asked coldly, "What are you still doing here?"
He replied, "I came to calm you down."
"Why?" she asked, raising a brow.
"I know you were angry when you left. So I wanted to check on you."
"I'm busy. We'll talk after class. Leave now."
Zhichen gave her puppy eyes and stood still. Liang blushed, flustered. "I said leave!"
He turned slowly. She was about to open the door when he turned back.
"I love you, my wife. I'll make dinner. I'll be waiting at our place~"
Liang coughed, pointed toward the gate, and he obediently left like a scolded kid.
---
That night, when I reached home, Lu was already waiting in front of my house with his luggage.
I stared at him. "You really came, Lu?"
He grinned. "I told you I would."
I sighed and opened the door. He walked in and placed his luggage neatly.
"Wait for dinner," I said and went to freshen up.
When I came back, he had already cooked and was waiting.
"What's with you today?" I asked. "You're being clingy."
"Yeah," he said with a soft smile. "After tonight, I won't see you for two years. So I just want to be close."
I chuckled, and we ate dinner.
---
Afterward, I walked to my room. But Lu barged in and plopped on my bed.
I crossed my arms. "Lu, have you lost your mind? How can you enter my room like this?!"
"I'm your boyfriend — and your future husband," he said with a grin. "I don't need permission, right?"
I walked over and told him to get up. But instead, he pulled me down, and I landed beside him.
"Lu, what are you doing?" I asked.
He wrapped his arms around me. "Qin, just let me hug you. I'll leave tomorrow morning."
I turned to face him. "Then let me drop you off at the airport."
He smiled and nodded. "Okay."
He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead and fell asleep, holding me tightly in his arms.