Ji Zhaoxi spent every winter and summer break during college interning because she was incredibly eager to make money. But after seeing the educational backgrounds of the full-time employees at her internship companies, she decided she had to keep going to graduate school.
Her GPA was high, and her internships at big tech companies over the years, along with her projects, were impressive enough to put on a resume. Without much hesitation, she started preparing for the TOEFL and GRE.
When Zhou Chiye found out, he was so happy he worked out at the gym for a long time.
After his workout, he immediately called his mom and dad to tell them he was going to pursue a master’s degree.
Zhou’s mother’s mouth twitched. “If you want to study, go ahead.”
But she didn’t really think Zhou Chiye was someone who enjoyed studying.
While Ji Zhaoxi was busy preparing her application materials for studying abroad, Zhou Chiye was more anxious than she was. Whenever a step got stuck in the process, he'd rush to ask questions, bustling around all day, incredibly diligent.
Ji Zhaoxi asked her former internship supervisors and academic advisor for recommendation letters. She got one more letter through someone Zhou Chiye helped find.
Zhou Chiye wished he and Ji Zhaoxi could just fly off to the United States right away and enjoy their private time together.
There were too many familiar faces in City A. Everyone kept interrupting them!
Sometimes when they went out to eat, he’d be enjoying himself, only for someone to come up and say hello within minutes.
While Ji Zhaoxi was busy preparing for her overseas studies, Ji Fangyun brought some good news of her own.
“And then the supervisor said she thought I worked really hard, so she made me the team leader,” Ji Fangyun said, beaming from ear to ear.
The factory team leader position wasn’t exhausting at all, and the pay was much higher than a regular worker’s. Usually, that position went to people with connections, so Ji Fangyun never imagined she’d get it.
“Plus, team leaders don’t have to share a six-person dorm. They get a two-person room. The living conditions are amazing,” Ji Fangyun said, getting more and more excited.
Ji Zhaoxi was genuinely happy for her and sent her a big red envelope.
Ji Fangyun refused to take it. Ji Zhaoxi laughed and joked, “Mom, just send me a red envelope when you become the boss someday.”
Ji Fangyun couldn’t help but chuckle. How could she ever become a boss? All the managers had degrees, and she never even went to school.
Ji Zhaoxi took the chance to tell Ji Fangyun about her plan to study in the United States.
Ji Fangyun listened carefully, still a little stunned. Studying abroad was something she had never even dreamed of in her life.
Ji Zhaoxi’s eyes curved into crescents. “It should work out without problems. Once I finish my degree, I’ll come back to China. Then I’ll buy a house in City A, and you can come back anytime if you want.”
Ji Fangyun watched Ji Zhaoxi on the video call as she painted a picture of the future. In some corner of her mind, she hadn’t realized her daughter had become so outstanding.
She felt both proud and heartbroken for her.
If Ji Zhaoxi had been born into a better family—or one like that male classmate’s—she wouldn’t have had to struggle so much.
But at times like this, Ji Fangyun didn’t want to say anything discouraging. She just smiled and said, “Xixi, when you go, send me lots of photos. I want to show them off. You’ll be the first person in our family to go abroad.”
Listening to Ji Zhaoxi’s cheerful chatter, Ji Fangyun’s smile grew warmer and warmer. It was wonderful. Her daughter knew how to take care of herself, and she knew what she wanted in life.
Even if she’d been forced to grow up too fast.
The sky was so blue it looked almost transparent. Flocks of seagulls circled overhead, rows of palm trees lined the shore, and sunlight spilled across the sandy beach. In the private cove surrounded by reefs and villas, the sound of waves crashed rhythmically.
A volleyball arced crookedly through the air. Ji Zhaoxi watched it intently and spiked it toward Zhou Chiye across the net.
“Heads up!”
They had been playing all afternoon. Zhou Chiye had originally just wanted to sit quietly with Ji Zhaoxi by the sea, maybe cuddle and kiss a little. He never expected things to turn out like this.
What to do when your girlfriend is just too into sports?!
Ji Zhaoxi was having a blast. She realized she actually liked playing volleyball quite a bit. She’d tied her hair into a simple ponytail, and it swung as she ran and jumped.
Zhou Chiye glanced at her bright, sparkling eyes and awkwardly looked away.
They kept playing, hitting the ball back and forth, until Ji Zhaoxi’s arms were covered in little red spots from engorged capillaries. She smiled, her eyes curving. “My war medals.”
Exhausted, Ji Zhaoxi wanted to rest for a while in the hammock. But no matter where she went, Zhou Chiye followed.
A gentle breeze blew. As Ji Zhaoxi lay down in the hammock and was about to close her eyes, Zhou Chiye shamelessly squeezed in with her.
Ji Zhaoxi firmly blocked him. “You’re not getting on!”
Zhou Chiye, as cheeky as ever, raised an eyebrow. “I’m getting on anyway.”
He flopped down and nestled right against her, burying his head in her embrace. He declared loudly, “Go ahead and hit me, yell at me—I like it when you treat me like this.”
Ji Zhaoxi laughed despite herself as he kept burrowing into her. His hair tickled her neck, making her itch. She tried to push his head away, but he clung to her like glue.
Just then, the hammock let out a loud creak. The two of them, along with the hammock, tumbled to the ground.
Furious, Ji Zhaoxi bit Zhou Chiye’s neck.
“It’s all your fault! You owe me a hammock.”
Zhou Chiye was shameless as ever. Seeing her puffed-up face, he leaned in and kissed her before she could react.
“I’ll pay you back. I’ll make you a huge one.”
Zhou Chiye carried Ji Zhaoxi on his back toward the indoor pool. Ji Zhaoxi tugged at his ears and yelled, “Zhou Chiye, you’re such a big dumb pig!”
Zhou Chiye scrunched his nose like a piglet and grunted, “I’m a big dumb pig.”
Ji Zhaoxi buried her face in his neck and couldn’t help laughing again. Zhou Chiye was getting dumber by the day.
Zhou Chiye was quick. “You’re laughing at me again!”
But if she was laughing, that meant she liked him!
At that thought, Zhou Chiye’s mood became absolutely perfect.
