Ever since the college entrance examination ended, Zheng Binyang was bored out of his mind and came over every day to play basketball with Lu Yu.
However, the weather was getting hotter and hotter. No matter how much they loved playing, their bodies couldn't quite take it. So the next time Zheng Binyang came over, Lu Yu firmly refused him.
"Alright then." Zheng Binyang had no choice but to hole up at home with him.
While scrolling on his phone, Zheng Binyang suddenly stood up and tugged at Lu Yu's shoulder. "Li Zhiqiang from our class went to Tibet. Look at this picture he took of the sun shining on the golden mountain, it's so cool! And he said he plans to climb Mount Everest tomorrow!"
Shu Qingqing happened to walk into the living room and casually asked, "Who went to Mount Everest?"
"A classmate of ours. Auntie Shu, look, the scenery he captured is so beautiful." Zheng Binyang handed the phone to Shu Qingqing and then shook Lu Yu. "Let's go on a graduation trip too, and make Tibet our first stop."
Lu Yu shook his head. "I'm planning to find a part-time job in a couple of days."
"Ah." Hearing this, Zheng Binyang instantly slumped his shoulders.
Shu Qingqing handed the phone back to Zheng Binyang. "There's no need to rush into a part-time job. You'll have plenty of opportunities once you go to college. So take advantage of this time and properly enjoy your beautiful youth."
Zheng Binyang chimed in, "See how much sense Auntie makes? Lu Yu, let's just go."
Seeing that Lu Yu still didn't agree, Zheng Binyang turned to look at Shu Qingqing. "Auntie Shu, how about the two of us go together? I've always wanted to visit Tibet."
Shu Qingqing's heart fluttered with the idea. She also yearned to visit Tibet, but...
Zheng Binyang saw that she was wavering and immediately continued to persuade her. "Auntie Shu, you said it yourself, we need to enjoy our youth while we can. Look at you, so young and beautiful right now, shouldn't you go to Tibet and take lots of pretty photos? If you wait until you're older to go, what's the fun in that?"
Shu Qingqing was indeed convinced. "Lu Yu, why don't we go together? By the time we get back from the trip, the college entrance exam results will be out soon anyway."
Once Shu Qingqing spoke up, Lu Yu no longer hesitated.
It just so happened that there was a special train to Tibet where they could enjoy the scenery along the way, so the three of them booked train tickets for the morning of the day after tomorrow, planning to take a flight back.
When Lu Bochuan returned that evening, Shu Qingqing told him about the plan.
Uncharacteristically, Lu Bochuan didn't agree right away, but instead asked, "Are you going for over a week?"
Shu Qingqing nodded and asked, "Is there something going on?"
There was, indeed.
Lu Bochuan had originally planned to propose to her on the 20th.
But if he told her in advance, it would ruin the surprise.
He would just propose after she came back.
So he said, "No, just confirming. Have you bought the tickets?"
Shu Qingqing: "Already bought them. It's a special line too, I heard the scenery along the way is beautiful."
As Lu Bochuan listened, he suddenly pinned her beneath him. "Since you'll be gone for a week, let's do everything we need to do in advance."
Shu Qingqing: ...
The two tossed and turned until the middle of the night, and even when she boarded the train, Shu Qingqing's lower back was still aching.
However, this bit of pain quickly disappeared the moment she saw the scenery along the way.
The beautiful views outside the window looked like a picturesque scroll in every frame.
Over twenty hours later, the train finally arrived in Lhasa.
After resting for a night, they went to the Yarlung Tsangpo River on their first day.
The next day, they woke up early to visit Namcha Barwa, and were lucky enough to see the sunlight bathing the golden mountain.
Shu Qingqing, someone who rarely posted on her WeChat Moments all year round, actually posted two updates in a row.
She also sent them to Lu Bochuan separately.
[Qingqing: I saw the sun shining on the golden mountain, it's absolutely gorgeous!]
In the photo, Shu Qingqing was flashing a peace sign at the camera, smiling very sweetly.
Just as Lu Bochuan was about to reply, a sudden sharp pain shot through his abdomen.
He endured the pain to finish his reply, then dialed the intercom to call Zhou Zheng in.
The moment Zhou Zheng saw his condition, he knew his stomach illness had flared up. Back when the Lu family's old master had just passed away, in order to regain full control of the company, Lu Bochuan had worked day and night. Drinking and skipping meals were commonplace, which left him with this stomach problem.
However, after the company stabilized, he spent a year regulating his health with traditional Chinese medicine, and the stomach issues gradually improved.
He didn't expect it to suddenly act up again today. He hurriedly drove him to the hospital.
Fortunately, it wasn't anything too serious; he just needed an IV drip for three days.
Meanwhile, upon receiving Lu Bochuan's reply, Shu Qingqing figured he probably wasn't busy, so she wanted to video call him and share the beautiful scenery of the moment.
But she made several video calls, and no one answered.
That shouldn't be right, he was just replying to messages a moment ago.
Shu Qingqing thought for a moment and called Zhou Zheng instead.
"Madam, Mr. Lu is in a meeting and doesn't have his phone on him." Under his boss's signaling, Zhou Zheng had no choice but to lie.
"Oh, I see. Then I won't bother you." Shu Qingqing was just about to hang up when she heard a voice from the receiver say, "Will patient XX please proceed to Consultation Room 3."
Shu Qingqing paused. "Assistant Zhou, are you at the hospital? Are you sick, or is Lu Bochuan? Your voice is full of energy so it's definitely not you. Put Lu Bochuan on the phone."
Zhou Zheng had absolutely no chance to interject.
He could only cover the receiver and walk over to Lu Bochuan. "Mr. Lu, Madam heard the number being called and guessed you're in the hospital. She wants you to answer the phone."
Lu Bochuan had no choice but to take the phone. "Qingqing."
"Lu Bochuan, are you sick? Where does it hurt? Is it serious? What did the doctor say?"
Lu Bochuan said softly, "It's just a minor stomach problem. I'll be fine after an IV drip, you don't need to..."
Before he could finish the word "worry," the voice on the other end said, "I'm coming back immediately."
Lu Bochuan looked at the disconnected phone and helplessly instructed Zhou Zheng, "Madam is coming back. Go pick her up from the airport when she arrives."
Zhou Zheng nodded.
Fortunately, there was still a direct flight that day. At eight o'clock in the evening, Shu Qingqing arrived in Beijing.
Lu Bochuan was still working overtime, so Zhou Zheng drove her to the company.
As soon as she entered the office, Shu Qingqing cupped Lu Bochuan's face and examined him.
Seeing that his lips were still a little pale, she pulled him up without another word.
"Come back with me. Look at the time, and you're still working overtime."
Lu Bochuan obediently let her lead him outside.
Back at home, Shu Qingqing immediately tugged at his coat. "Go rest in bed, I'll have the chef make you some..."
Before she could finish, she was pressed against the low cabinet.
Lu Bochuan cupped the back of her neck and kissed her deeply.
When Lu Bochuan had kissed her enough, Shu Qingqing wrapped her arms around his waist and murmured, "If I had known, I wouldn't have gone to Tibet, leaving you to go to the hospital all pitiful and alone. Since when did you have stomach issues? How come I've never heard you mention it."
Lu Bochuan ruffled her hair. "It's a minor ailment, and it was already treated."
"Then why did it suddenly start hurting again? Never mind, it seems like all you domineering CEOs have this stomach problem." Seeing the needle mark on his hand, Shu Qingqing held it and rubbed it affectionately. "It must have hurt a lot when they put the needle in. I'm most afraid of that."
Lu Bochuan stared at her red eyes and couldn't resist leaning in to kiss her again.
Shu Qingqing leaned backward from the kiss, her hands subconsciously propping against the low cabinet behind her, but her hand suddenly bumped against something hard.
After Lu Bochuan finished kissing her, she turned her head to look for what had poked her hand.
On the low cabinet, there was only a white seashell.
The seashell was also adorned with pearls.
"Huh, what is this?"
"Wait a moment."
Lu Bochuan tried to stop her.
But Shu Qingqing had already opened the shell.
