The city of S is located in the south. After the long summer passes, autumn arrives.
On the tree-lined path of Galaxy Academy, morning light filters through the gaps in the plane tree leaves, casting dappled spots of light.
Su Qianqian had attended classes for several days now and had basically figured out the school's layout.
Today, wearing a simple cream-colored knit short-sleeve top and light blue high-waisted jeans, she was walking leisurely towards the teaching building, holding a few textbooks.
Fang Qing followed at a distance, close enough to ensure her safety but not so close as to disturb her.
"Qianqian! Over here!"
Just as she reached the building's entrance, she heard Qin Yuwei's voice.
Qin Yuwei was wearing a bright yellow sweatshirt with ripped jeans, waving at her.
Su Qianqian walked over, her eyes curving into a smile. "Yuwei, good morning."
"Good morning? We're almost late!"
Qin Yuwei affectionately linked arms with her. "We have vocal class this morning, hurry up!"
The two entered the classroom. Sure enough, the teacher was already at the podium.
She pushed her glasses up and looked at the two girls slipping in. She didn't say anything, just gestured for them to quickly find seats.
Vocal class was the most taxing on the throat. After two consecutive classes, Su Qianqian felt her throat was a bit dry.
After the morning classes ended, Su Qianqian returned to her dorm.
Galaxy Academy had excellent accommodation conditions—a four-bedroom suite with a shared living room and kitchen, each person having their own private bedroom.
When she pushed open the dorm door, two girls were sitting in the living room.
One was Chen Xue from the directing department, with neat short hair, holding a book. Seeing Su Qianqian, she looked up and smiled faintly. "You're back."
The other was Zhou Wan from the fine arts department, more lively in personality, still holding a paintbrush. Her eyes lit up when she saw Su Qianqian. "Qianqian! I was just about to ask you—if you don't have class this afternoon, could you model for me for a bit? The line of your profile is absolutely perfect!"
Su Qianqian put down her bag and gave a soft smile. "I think I have a body conditioning class this afternoon. If it ends early, I can."
"Great!" Zhou Wan happily made a victory sign.
Their last roommate, Lin Man, was also from the music department, usually quiet, and was probably still in the practice room.
Su Qianqian took out the lunch box Fang Qing had just handed her. Chen Xue and Zhou Wan's takeout had also arrived, and they all started eating.
The three chatted occasionally about their majors or interesting news around the academy, the atmosphere relaxed and harmonious.
The afternoon was body conditioning class, where the teacher challenged the limits of their flexibility.
After it ended, Su Qianqian felt her whole body was slightly weak. Fang Qing had to help her into the RV.
At half past five in the evening, Gu Chengyu returned home.
His gaze naturally fell on the young woman sitting on the carpet.
"Chengyu." Su Qianqian put down her tablet and tried to get up.
But Gu Chengyu walked over in a few strides, not letting her rise. Instead, he went down on one knee, crouching right in front of her.
"What are you watching so intently?" He reached out and ruffled her hair, his movements very gentle.
"Performance theory. It's so hard to understand," Su Qianqian complained softly, pulling him to sit down on the sofa behind them.
She rested her chin on his chest and nuzzled. "You've been coming back an hour early every day lately. Won't your days be especially busy?"
Gu Chengyu let her lean against him, his arm around her waist. "Not too busy. I just want to spend more time with you."
He noticed her bare feet on the carpet, his brow furrowing slightly as he started to lecture again. "Qianqian, it's considered late autumn now. The weather is gradually getting cooler. You can't keep walking barefoot on the floor like before."
"If you really don't like wearing shoes, at least put on some socks from now on, okay?" The young woman nodded obediently. She was always very obedient, but rarely took it to heart.
"Are you tired today?" he continued to ask.
"A little," she admitted honestly, nodding. "We did stretching in body conditioning class this afternoon. My legs are still a bit sore."
Hearing this, Gu Chengyu directly reached out and kneaded her calf with moderate pressure. "Here?"
"Mmm..." Su Qianqian let out a soft sound. It was a bit sore and achy, but also very comfortable. She simply relaxed her body against him.
After massaging for a while, he stood up and pulled her up from the sofa as well.
"Go change into something comfortable first. I'll massage them for you again in a bit."
When Su Qianqian came out after changing, Gu Chengyu had also changed into loungewear.
He was standing by the kitchen island pouring water. Freed from the constraints of a suit, he looked much more relaxed, yet it couldn't hide his innate elegance and upright posture.
He handed her a glass of warm water and watched as she took small sips to finish it.
Only then did he slowly start massaging her legs.
Though called a massage, it was also a lingering, detailed caress.
He even bent down from time to time to plant a few sensual kisses, eliciting playful scolds from the young woman.
He doted on her every night, and Su Qianqian's complexion had improved noticeably lately.
...
