Su Yumian walked ahead, while the man followed a step behind. pared to st night's nervousness, she had obviously returo normal. Shao Wenbai drove the car over, and Su Yumian got into the passenger seat. On the way, they passed by a fruit supermarket.

  Su Yumian suddenly spoke up, " you stop for a moment? Just two minutes. I want to buy some fruit."

  "Fruit?"

  "Mm, for the professor."

  Shao Wenbai gripped the steering wheel, a bit puzzled. "Is that really necessary?"

  Su Yumian: "?"

  She suddenly found it amusing. "Do you always visit people empty-handed?"

  Shao Wenbai nodded holy. Su Yumian silently gave him a thumbs-up.

  Impressive.

  Maybe big shots really don’t sweat the small stuff? Despite his words, the man still pulled over.

  —

  Ouyang Wenqiu lived on Huanshan Road, not far from B Uy.

  Rows of Western-style vils blended with ese elements—indepe homes, simple yet ri heritage. Beyond a grove of maple trees, the residence came into view.

  Six years…

  Su Yumian tightened her grip on her seatbelt. Looking at the fruit basket by her feet, she suddenly felt nervous. Shao Wenbai seemed to se. "Not getting out?"

  Su Yumian bit her lip. "I want to wait a little."

  The man looked at her for two seds, then nodded. "I'll go in first."

  "…"

  Su Yumian was grateful that he didn’t ask anything.

  Watg him leave, she took a couple of deep breaths before finally unbug her seatbelt and stepping out of the car.

  It was the season of full bloom.

  As soon as she ehe courtyard, a light floral st drifted in with the breeze. By the railing, some greeables drooped lifelessly—probably ed siheir owner had been sick.

  Before she even reached the door, Su Yumian heard the professor’s voice. Her heart trembled slightly, and she quickly followed after Shao Wenbai. "Professor."

  Ouyang Wenqiu set dowest biology journal and adjusted her reading gsses. "Eh? Wenbai? What brings you here?"

  Shao Wenbai stepped forward to support her, walking slowly by her side. "Came to che you. Are you feelier?"

  "It's just a minor issue. No need for all of you to e running over."

  She patted his hand. "I'm fine, really! Nothing to worry about."

  Shao Wenbai hesitated briefly. "I brought someoh me today."

  "Who?" Ouyang Wenqiu looked puzzled.

  Following his gaze, Su Yumian appeared at the entraanding obediently with her head lowered—like a child who had done something wrong.

  Ouyang Wenqiu’s pupils trembled. She instinctively took two steps forward, but the initial surprise and faint joy in her eyes quickly turned into plexity and deliberate indifference.

  "What are you doing here?" she asked stiffly.

  "Teacher…" Su Yumia at a loss.

  Ouyang Wenqiu’s voice hardened, expression unreadable. "Back then, who was it that swore to pursue love? Who said they could give up everything for it? Why are you here now?"

  Su Yumian pressed her lips together tightly. Tears welled up in her eyes. "Teacher… I'm sorry. I let you down."

  "And?" Ouyang Wenqiu, rarely this stern, pressed on.

  Su Yumian took a shaky breath. "And… I was wrong."

  After a brief pause, she softly added, "Is it too te?"

  "Finally…" Ouyang Wenqiu sighed. Her expression gradually softened. "Do you know how long I’ve waited for you?"

  "Six years. A full six years."

  Tears welled up in Su Yumian’s eyes as she choked out, "I… I didn’t know…" Teacher had been waiting for her all this time?

  "It’s enough that you’ve realized it now."

  Though Ouyang Wenqiu didn’t say more, she could imagine how much hardship and pain y behind this awakening. A trace of heartache surfaced on her face.

  Su Yumian’s ingled. She couldn’t hold bay longer and threw herself into the professor’s arms. "Teacher…"

  A dry, gentle hand patted her back. Ouyang Wenqiu’s heart softened a little more.

  "Alright, alright… You’re a grown woman now, still g like this. Aren’t you embarrassed?"

  Shao Wenbai silently watched from the side. Whewo embraced and reciled, he quietly stepped onto the baly, giving them space to talk.

  After years apart, Ouyang Wenqiu naturally asked about Su Yumian’s current situation, though she deliberately avoided the topic of retionships.

  The fact that she could say "I was wrong" already proved that the path she chose—or rather, the person she chose—was unreliable.

  Sihat was the case, there was o dig into her wounds.

  Su Yumian said, "I rented a pear campus. I’ve started reviewing and pn to take the graduate entrance exam for your program at the end of the year…"

  Ouyang Wenqiu’s eyes lit up, overwhelmed with joy. "Really? Are you serious?"

  She even firmed it twice.

  "Yes." Su Yumian nodded, ashamed to meet her teacher’s eyes. She had abandoned a perfectly paved path, only to now e crawling back…

  "Good! Good! You should’ve dohis sooner! You must take my graduate exam! At st, that reserved spot won’t go to waste—"

  Su Yumian was stunned. She had suspected that the professht have saved a spot for her, but hearing it firmed still felt unbelievable.

  Su Yumian… what did you do to deserve this?

  "Teacher, I’m not even sure if I pass…" she hesitated. Please don’t get your hopes too high.

  Ouyang Wenqiu decred, "As long as you’re determined, you will pass! I know your abilities better than anyone. Unless you deliberately flunk just to mess with this old woman!"

  "How could I—" Su Yumian was caught between ughter and tears.

  "It's getting te. You and Wenbai—wait, where is Wenbai?"

  "Teacher." Shao Wenbai stepped in from the baly.

  "It’s already lunchtime. You and your junior must stay a. I’ll cook personally!"

  Su Yumian’s fastantly ged, and Shao Wenbai’s expression was equally plicated.

  "Uh… Maybe you shouldn’t bother. I cook instead."

  It wasn’t that Su Yumian didn’t appreciate the offer—it was just that… when the professor cooked, she feared the kit might not survive.

  Ouyang Wenqiu coughed awkwardly, clearly aware of her own ary skills. But in front of her students, she couldn’t lose face, so she muttered, "Ahem… well, I am still rec. It’s not the best time to cook… Not ideal…"

  Su Yumian swiftly tied on an apron and headed to the kit. Shao Wenbai rolled up his sleeves and followed. "I’ll help." Ouyang Wenqiu watched them with a thoughtful smile.

  The fridge was fully stocked with fresh ingredients. Sihe professor was still rec, Su Yumian po make something light. Shao Wenbai asked, "What do you need me to do?"

  Su Yumian g the vegetable basin. " you wash vegetables?"

  “…”

  "Shouldn’t be too hard."

  Su Yumian stepped aside to give him space. Though his movements were inexperienced, he washed the leafy greens carefully, making sure there was no dirt left. Casually, Su Yumian asked, "Any food preferences?"

  "None."

  "Any dietary restris?"

  "Nope."

  "…You're pretty easy to take care of," she mumbled under her breath.

  Unlike Jiang Yihuai, who icky and had endless demands.