Zhou Yuwen's class was up next for their performance. The students, in a noisy cluster, moved towards the stage, leaving You Changjin and a few students, including Zhou Yuwen, who weren’t participating, behind.
It felt sowhat empty.
Wanting to appear connected with his students in front of his girlfriend, You Changjin started a conversation with Zhou Yuwen. "You always avoid participating, even though you have talent. If you don’t show it off, how will you find a girlfriend in college?"
Zhou Yuwen smiled without responding. Jiang Xinyi, his girlfriend, thought You Changjin was talking too much. They had t during college. You Changjin wasn’t particularly handso, slightly overweight, but he was genuinely kind.
Throughout their four years at university, Jiang Xinyi never realized that You Changjin liked her. He would coincidentally show up at the library with hot water or breakfast for her. Jiang Xinyi was slow to catch on to romantic cues and had never felt her heart skip a beat.
It wasn't until graduation day that You Changjin unexpectedly confessed. Surprised, Jiang Xinyi had never considered this possibility before.
That year, Jiang Xinyi was already 22. For so families, that age signaled a late marriage prospect. Moreover, for female university graduates, marriage was often the next step. Her family began arranging introductions with young, successful n, ranging from social elites to entrepreneurs. But Jiang Xinyi disliked blind dates.
During this period, You Changjin remained by her side, reliable as ever.
Looking at the not-so-handso but dependable You Changjin, Jiang Xinyi decided, "Let's give it a try."
Up until then, You Changjin only knew that Jiang Xinyi was beautiful and disciplined. He knew nothing of her family background. Only after they got together did he learn more about it.
Jiang Xinyi's mother was a cultured woman, despite her age showing in the wrinkles on her face. When she learned about her daughter’s relationship, she secretly arranged a eting with You Changjin.
They t at an upscale café. You Changjin, keenly aware of manners, brought a gift: a piece of Su embroidery that had cost him 3,000 yuan.
But when he arrived, Jiang’s mother was wearing an exquisite Su embroidery shawl of much higher quality than what he could afford.
Her voice was soft and slow, her Mandarin carrying a slight regional accent. Before You Changjin sat down, she was chatting with a suited man about work. The conversation ended as soon as she saw him.
"You must be Xinyi’s boyfriend?"
"Yes, Auntie, I brought—" He stamred, trying to pull out the gift.
Before he could, she interrupted, "I’m short on ti, so let’s keep this brief."
Her cool tone made him pause. She took a sip of her coffee. "Xinyi has been our pride and joy since childhood. We have high hopes for her."
He bowed his head.
"We hope she’ll have opportunities to grow and that her partner can support her, whether she enters politics or business. At the very least, he shouldn’t hold her back."
Her words were polite yet dismissive, leaving him speechless.
"I won’t ddle in your relationship. This eting is just for
to see you and suggest you consider your future with her seriously. I have a eting to attend now."
She glanced at her watch, stood up, and left gracefully, high heels clicking against the floor, her expensive attire signaling affluence. The suited man beside her, appearing as a bodyguard, had the sturdy build of a forr soldier.
That short eting shattered his pride.
Although Jiang Xinyi later brushed it off with, "Don’t mind her; she just wants to intimidate you," the gap between their worlds remained glaringly clear.
Jiang Xinyi added, "My mom always plays mind gas. Ignore her."
But for soone from a small town, the difference was unbridgeable. He felt insecure, pushing himself to be better and treating her with even more care. This year, he finally secured a job as a university counselor—a position coveted by many.
Yet even this was insignificant to her family. Jiang Xinyi, now pursuing her second year of graduate studies at Nanjing University, was busy traveling for competitions and seminars. Her family lined up prestigious jobs for her, pushing for a governnt position.
Jiang Xinyi resisted their plans. She dread of being a regular girl, free to enjoy street food and walk barefoot on stone paths by the lake after work.
Jiang Xinyi, an idealist, rejected her mother’s expectations. But after failing to secure a job she wanted, she realized how difficult the world was. Workplace politics and unreasonable practices frustrated her.
Her mother’s words echoed, proving correct. And You Changjin couldn’t offer any solution, only suggesting, "If it doesn’t work out, go apologize to your mom."
"She’s your only daughter. She’ll want you back."
Jiang Xinyi insisted, "It’s not about going back; it’s about proving I can stand on my own."
"You can," he assured.
"Enough about worries. Why don’t we watch our school’s freshman party to lift your spirits? I’ll introduce my students to you."
Seeing his hopeful eyes, she agreed.
In this relationship, You Changjin felt small, especially after that eting with her mother. He didn’t dare show affection beyond listening to her worries and offering support. To him, she was a perfect goddess.
On stage, a skit was perford by students in long robes, drawing light laughter. You Changjin shared stories with Jiang Xinyi about the school and his students, trying to seem relatable.
"The performances weren’t this fun back in our day, were they?"
Jiang Xinyi nodded absentmindedly.
Zhou Yuwen, who had lived through thirty years in his previous life, could easily see that their relationship was off. Even others might sense it; they didn’t look like a couple.
The second act ended.
"Hubby!" ca a voice as Zheng Yanyan hugged Zhou Yuwen from behind.
Startled, You Changjin and Jiang Xinyi glanced over.
Zhou Yuwen asked, "Why did you co down?"
"Nothing’s happening backstage, so I ca to see you! Did you watch my dance? Was it good?" Yanyan, dressed in her pink JK skirt, asked gleefully.
Many eyes turned to them. Tonight, Yanyan would surely beco a campus star, while Zhou Yuwen remained understated.
"Did you hear? They’re calling
the prettiest girl in school on the forum! Tons of people have posted confessions!" She sat on Zhou Yuwen’s lap, boasting.
Zhou Yuwen replied, "See, I don’t show my face in photos with you to protect you."
"What? Who needs protection?" she scoffed.
Frustrated, Yanyan said, "Tomorrow, I’ll post our bed photos on the confession wall so everyone knows you’re mine!"
Zhou Yuwen coughed, "Don’t say that. My counselor and his girlfriend are here."
"Ah!"
Finally noticing them, Yanyan blushed, moving off his lap and pinching his arm, "Why didn’t you tell
sooner?"
You Changjin chuckled, "Yuwen, is this your girlfriend?"
Zhou Yuwen nodded and introduced Yanyan to You Changjin and Jiang Xinyi.
Embarrassed, Yanyan greeted them. She hadn’t realized how conspicuous she was, making her feel mortified.
"Full of energy, aren’t you? Weren’t you the lead dancer?" You Changjin smiled knowingly. He had already recognized her when she called out "hubby."
He gave Zhou Yuwen an incredulous look at the display.
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