The professor on the podium was delivering his lecture in English with a heavy accent, and his derivation was particularly fast. Ji Zhaoxi stared at the screen filled with algorithm formulas, feeling a headache coming on.
She knew she would improve eventually, but this transitional period still felt excruciating.
The local students tossed around professional terms with ease, their logical thinking sharp and quick. Ji Zhaoxi had prepared in advance, but she still found herself at a loss in this situation.
All she could do after group discussions was endlessly look up materials. She recorded every lecture with her voice recorder and listened to them repeatedly at home.
These days, the study room light stayed on late into the night. Zhou Chiye walked over quietly and kissed her.
Ji Zhaoxi’s eyes reddened as she buried herself in his arms.
“It’s so annoying—everyone else gets it in one go, and I have to waste so much time,” she mumbled, her voice subdued.
“I’m done studying…”
Zhou Chiye rested his chin on her hair, gently patting her back. “Then take a break.”
He knew she wouldn’t actually stop studying. Even if she said she was done, she’d probably get up from bed later and keep at it.
Zhou Chiye understood this was just a rough patch; her grades would shoot up soon after.
And just as he predicted, the moment Ji Zhaoxi rested, she went back to studying.
She was determined to buy a big house in City A!
Finally, after repeated preparation and practice, Ji Zhaoxi could fully understand the professor’s accent. During group discussions, she actively voiced her opinions.
She gradually returned to the confident state she had back in China.
So satisfying!
Meanwhile, Zhou Chiye was enjoying the breeze on the beach. When he received an invitation from Ji Zhaoxi for a date, he thought it was a scam message.
This was the first time Ji Zhaoxi had formally invited him, even asking him to dress formally. Zhou Chiye suddenly felt nervous.
What’s going on?!
He looked at the restaurant address—many people proposed there. Zhou Chiye’s mind went blank.
But he calmed down and reasoned that his earlier thought was completely impossible; he must’ve been daydreaming too much.
Still, he rushed to get ready. He had to make her proud.
The restaurant was on the top floor, quiet and elegant. The embossed wallpaper shimmered softly in the candlelight, while the air carried the deep notes of a cello and a faint, pleasant fragrance.
When Zhou Chiye entered the restaurant, he felt oddly moved. She had chosen such a romantic place; she was really stepping up.
While other couples sat across from each other, they insisted on sitting side by side.
Zhou Chiye thought Ji Zhaoxi had picked this restaurant for him, and his heart swelled with emotion.
But Ji Zhaoxi’s eyes sparkled as she rattled on about how the professor praised her today and how impressed her classmates were. Zhou Chiye’s heart sank.
So even her professor and classmates ranked above him.
Seeing his gloomy expression, Ji Zhaoxi faltered. “What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy? You said last time you wanted to go on a date, so I specially chose this restaurant.”
Zhou Chiye was too upset to speak.
“Really?”
Ji Zhaoxi nodded earnestly, her eyes full of sincerity. “Really. I picked it especially for you. It took me a long time.”
Zhou Chiye finally felt a little better. Ji Zhaoxi looked at him for a moment, then suddenly kissed him on the cheek.
Zhou Chiye’s face instantly turned bright red. He coughed lightly. “I see.”
Seeing his reaction, Ji Zhaoxi went back to talking. Now Zhou Chiye could finally listen to her.
He felt moved all over again. Ji Zhaoxi wasn’t great with things like this, and she must have spent so much time choosing.
His eyes reddened. She was so busy with her studies, yet she still made time for him. That’s what true love was—sacrificing for someone.
Zhou Chiye took many photos and promptly plastered them on his social media.
【Today.】
He uploaded dozens of pictures, with a couple shot in the center.
The caption was short and cool, but the boastfulness beneath it was impossible to hide.
This joy was beyond words!
The two had a wonderful time abroad. Once Ji Zhaoxi’s studies were on track, they traveled whenever they had time.
Zhou Chiye loved taking photos of her with his camera, but he never posted them—he kept them just for himself.
The sunlight in Country D had a ripe, mellow warmth.
They played wherever they went. Ji Zhaoxi stood at a stall, took a bite of a suspiciously colored cookie, and under Zhou Chiye’s curious gaze, calmly handed it to him.
Zhou Chiye eyed her but took a bite anyway. Ji Zhaoxi was about to laugh at him—until the strange spiciness made her face turn red.
Zhou Chiye wasn’t any better, but his pride was stronger. He forced himself to swallow. “Not bad.”
If you ignored his red-rimmed eyes.
Later, as they walked, they encountered a muscular kangaroo. The moment they made eye contact, it raised its arm as if to swat them.
Scared out of their wits, they ran as fast as they could. Afterward, they swore they’d stay far away from kangaroos from then on.
During their travels, all sorts of things happened, but they rarely argued. Zhou Chiye loved taking care of Ji Zhaoxi, and she was used to being cared for. There wasn’t much to fight about.
One evening, they were strolling through a small street town when a man on a motorcycle snatched Ji Zhaoxi’s bag.
Before they even processed what happened, their bodies took off in pursuit. The two sprinted through alleyways, and after a chaotic standoff, they got the bag back.
The man slumped helplessly in the corner, staring hopelessly at the couple’s retreating backs.
Where did those crazy lovers come from? They ran so fast?!
Exhausted after retrieving her bag, Ji Zhaoxi was carried home on Zhou Chiye’s back, his hair disheveled.
Snow fell as promised, and Ji Zhaoxi and Zhou Chiye returned to Country M. Fine snowflakes danced in the air, and beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, everything was a pristine white.
This was their first Christmas in Country M. The house was warmed by heating, and in the corner of the living room stood a giant Christmas tree, its branches wrapped in strings of warm yellow lights.
Ji Zhaoxi stood on her tiptoes, struggling to place the star on the tree. Zhou Chiye came out of the kitchen, put down the mulled wine he had just made, wrapped his arm around her waist, and kissed her on the lips before reaching up to hang the star.
Ji Zhaoxi thought Zhou Chiye was an absolute kiss monster.
They cooked together in the kitchen. Zhou Chiye always found excuses to get close—tying her apron strings, stealing kisses from her flour-dusted face—endlessly affectionate.
The firewood in the fireplace crackled, the snow-laden branches outside snapped, and the bells on the Christmas tree jingled softly. It was late at night.
The living room was dark except for the firelight. The embers cast flickering shadows. The air was thick with intimacy and heavy breathing.
The wool blanket had been kicked to the floor. Their breaths mingled, soft and urgent. The only sounds in the room were the rustle of fabric and the whisper of hands gliding over skin.
Slender arms wrapped tightly around broad shoulders, her fingertips involuntarily leaving faint scratches on his muscles. Soon, even the strength to hold on faded, leaving only a gentle trembling.
On the edge of the table, a glass full of water, unable to bear the movement from the outside, slipped and crashed to the floor. With a clatter, it landed on its side, darkening the carpet beneath.
He held her close, as if trying to merge her into his very marrow. His sturdy frame completely covered her, yet the skin that occasionally peeked through was covered with red marks.
“Zhou Chiye…” a voice, trembling with sobs but laced with satisfaction.
“Baby, why are you crying so pitifully when you enjoy it so much?”
Outside, the snow fell thicker, the wild wind tearing apart the snowflakes until they blanketed the fir trees. The sounds within the room were swallowed whole by the heavy snow.
