65
"Daddy, I don't want to grow old?"
Amidst the youthful and heart-fluttering confession of first love, a tender, childish voice babbled out.
Although Ning Zhitou had covered her ears, she couldn't block out the sound completely.
She didn't quite understand what her mom and dad were talking about, but she caught the phrase "until the children grow old." She quickly uncovered her eyes, ears, and mouth, looking up at her parents who were holding each other.
"When will I grow old?"
Ning Ye finally snapped out of her daze. Waking up from the bewitchment of the handsome face so close to hers, she suddenly remembered there was a little kid right next to them...!
Oh my!
Her face instantly turned bright red. The heat immediately spread along her porcelain-white cheeks to her ears, falling clearly into a certain someone's eyes, inch by inch, like the process of painting glaze on porcelain.
It made one's hands and heart itch to watch.
Bian Xun's breath was slightly hot. He leisurely released her to create a bit of distance, but she was still within the reach of his arms.
She couldn't run away, and refusing wasn't an option.
Ning Ye's heart was beating fast. Her eyelashes fluttered at the frequency of a butterfly beating its wings. She tried her best to look down calmly and tell the little girl, "You won't grow old. That was just... a figure of speech."
—Until the children are old, we will still be together.
It meant, for a lifetime.
The corners of Bian Xun's lips curled up, knowing she understood.
Ning Ye hadn't actually thought that far ahead. She had just felt lonely in her burdensome life, and happened to meet a boy who was highly compatible with her and perfectly matched her aesthetic. She just wanted to draw a little bit of sweetness from huddling together for warmth.
But now, the compatibility seemed to be a misunderstanding. Their lives were worlds apart; could they really have a distant future?
Ning Ye instinctively thought it would be difficult, but as soon as she looked down, their "future" was right in front of her.
Right in the little girl's round, crystal-grape-like eyes.
Ning Zhitou held her little hands together. Her cheeks were rosy and plump, and she always looked in high spirits, showing that she was growing up very well in her family.
Could there really be a lifetime?
"So why did you insist on fighting for that seat?" She turned to look at the other person in her future.
Her understanding of him needed to be completely expanded.
Wasn't it because his family was poor and he needed a familiar environment to study hard and compete for scholarships?
"I..." Bian Xun let out a slight cough, his dark eyes shifting slightly. "Because I have to sit in a fixed seat, otherwise I'm not used to it."
For the second time, she doubted his brain wiring, her almond eyes full of incomprehension.
Are rich people's brain circuits just different from ordinary people's?
Bian Xun's deep gaze fell back on her.
The food he ate, the mattress he slept on, the way he ate, slept, and even... the timing...
And the person he liked.
It was best if they were all fixed and unchanging.
Only then did Ning Ye understand what he meant by obsessive-compulsive disorder. She immediately associated it with more details, such as how the clothes Bian Xun wore were almost all the same simple black outfits. Ning Ye couldn't tell any obvious difference and thought he only had one or two pieces of clothing that he rotated every day T_T.
...She would never tell him that she had even planned to buy him new clothes!
"Then when you bought milk tea before, you only bought one cup..." As Ning Ye said this, she had an epiphany.
She looked at Bian Xun's dark, ocean-like eyes, his healthy cool-white skin, and his noble posture, and understood.
He didn't drink low-quality beverages, did he...?
Ning Ye covered her eyes, remembering she still hadn't asked him to split that 13 yuan.
So awkward, it was truly too awkward.
She didn't want to expose the immense awkwardness brought about by this information gap, trying desperately to think of other things, when suddenly she looked up again.
Bian Xun had been staring at her intently, not missing a single detail of her expressions.
Ning Ye asked, "Then what about the study abroad fund?"
"I've already turned down that study abroad program. Originally, I did plan to go abroad, but now..." Bian Xun tilted his head to look at her, a hint of a smile on his lips. "My wife and child have to be by my side."
Wha-what, Ning Ye's face was burning again, but she pursed her lips to prevent a single trace of shyness from leaking out.
He was too bad. They were just the child's father and mother, but it hadn't reached the level of husband and wife... Well, even Ning Ye herself found it funny to explain this sentence.
How could there be such a complicated and wonderful relationship?
—"So, do you agree or not?"
Bian Xun smiled and pulled her, lowering his head, looking for a moment as if he was going to kiss her.
The distance between the two completely crossed the safety boundary, establishing a connection between a man and a woman. Ning Ye forgot to breathe for a moment, seeing her clear reflection in his dark eyes.
The slightly cool scent of mint intertwined with cold sandalwood as Bian Xun curled his lips and spoke.
"Be my girlfriend, and then... wait until the future."
—Be my wife.
This was his implied meaning.
Ning Ye's palm was still stuffed with a little paw, holding her future.
Before her was the present, bearing all his earnestness.
She nodded gently.
Then let's give it a try.
Although she still didn't have a clear understanding of his family background, and although there might be many, many problems, her heart had already been moved several times before this.
Don't back down so easily, you always have to try with him.
Ning Ye's slightly red cheeks bloomed like a flower, her voice very soft.
"After all, I like you too."
A few notes landed lightly.
The fingertips hanging by Bian Xun's side suddenly clenched, as if he had heard the most beautiful melody in the world. A immense joy climbed up his nerve endings, making his spine tingle with pleasure.
His throat tightened, and he uncontrollably wanted to kiss her, his eyes beginning to turn dangerous. A boy in his early twenties could be ignited by a single look.
It was exactly the age for... that.
Just in this increasingly thick atmosphere, the child's innocent and cute cheers rang out again.
"Mommy, Daddy, am I born yet?"
Bian Xun closed his eyes abruptly.
Forget it, not here.
Ning Ye's heart was pounding wildly from his stare, her mouth dry. Looking away with lingering trepidation, she lowered her head and held the little girl's hand.
"Let's go, we should go celebrate."
Her voice was sweet and soft, savored by Bian Xun a few times.
Then he reached out his hand, this time openly holding hers.
Their fingers intertwined tightly.
At the overlapping and hidden cuffs, they touched without anyone knowing.
...
Although they were together, Ning Ye's life didn't actually change immediately.
Exam week was right in front of them, and she had practically entered a state of battle readiness.
Many students, after going through the grueling ordeal of the college entrance examination, inevitably lose some momentum after entering university, but Ning Ye did not. She was practically still using her high school senior exam prep state to prepare for finals week.
At the same time, she couldn't be absent from her work-study position, so she studied while working.
She still needed to earn money very much in order to achieve a kind of balance in her relationship with Bian Xun.
There were quite a few people in the college who were curious about her and Bian Xun's relationship, or who were waiting to see a joke, but after waiting for quite a while, they found that Ning Ye's living state hadn't changed at all. In fact, after watching for a long time, they would inexplicably be influenced by her drive, and finally, silently bathed in the glory of the top-student goddess, they went off to study well too.
Bian Xun also had exams, but as a senior, he had very few classes. In comparison, Ning Ye's state was very prominent.
Ning Zhitou had never seen her mother during finals week.
When she saw her mom lifting iron buckets, she could intuitively understand her hard work.
But studying for exams didn't seem to require physical strength, nor did it involve rushing about, yet Ning Zhitao just felt that her mom was still working very hard.
It was an exhaustion hidden deep within the body; her eyes looked somewhat dull, and when she came to check on her at night, she would secretly yawn.
Ning Zhitao was anxious but didn't know what she could do.
She could only run over to see what her dad was doing.
Dad was... eating??
Ning Zhitao scratched her head.
Bian Xun sat in the dining room, looking down as he plated a few dishes—medicinal meals arranged by a nutritionist to boost energy and refresh the mind. He pretended it was ordered takeout and packed them into plastic containers.
The exams were mandatory, and asking her to stop was impossible.
So Bian Xun could only provide her with nutritional supplements, trying his best to keep her from losing weight from exhaustion.
Ning Ye was called over by Bian Xun at noon to eat takeout together. She was indeed tired. This time, she finally stepped into the building she had assumed was old, dilapidated, and small, only to find out it was a spacious three-bedroom apartment. The child's room was simply and warmly decorated with the things she had bought, and Bian Xun slept in the master bedroom.
As Ning Ye passed the doorway, the door was wide open, and she accidentally caught a glimpse inside.
...What a huge bed.
Her eyes darted away as if burned, hastily retracting her gaze.
Shaking off those inappropriate, wandering thoughts, she sat down to eat. Ning Ye found the takeout to be incredibly delicious. Her tense, slender shoulders slowly relaxed, finally taking a brief break from her exam-prep battle mode.
Which restaurant is this from? I'll order it next time, Ning Ye said, holding a small bowl and looking down to blow on the hot food.
Recently, she had been busy with finals, and Bian Xun had done most of the work regarding the child's kindergarten registration and residency matters. She was very grateful in her heart. If she had to handle this on her own right now, she didn't know how overwhelmed she would be.
Bian Xun paused for a moment, then said casually, No need, wait until winter break.
He watched Ning Ye slowly finish her soup, the corners of his lips curling up. The phone next to his hand suddenly lit up; it was a call from the Bian family's old estate.
Bian Xun glanced down at it and hung up.
Is it inconvenient? Ning Ye looked up, instinctively thinking her presence made it awkward for him to answer, and immediately put down her soup bowl, ready to get up.
Just focus on eating, Bian Xun frowned and held her down.
It's just a spam call.
He didn't even need to think to know what Old Master Bian wanted to say to him: feudal class notions, status, family background, a well-matched marriage...
Bian Xun couldn't be bothered to listen at all.
Thinking of the winter break, his lips curled up imperceptibly.
Ning Ye was usually too busy, but winter break was a full month and a half.
They could... spend every day and night together, truly dating.
Bian Xun closed his eyes slightly, not daring to let himself think too much in front of her.
Otherwise, it would be very hard to fall asleep at night.
Ning Zhitao was also looking forward to winter break, sitting on a chair and swinging her two little legs.
Because Mommy said she could take her out to play during winter break!
Bian Xun's expression was unfathomable: envisioning a passionate world for just the two of them.
Ning Zhitao's eyes sparkled: I will follow Mommy forever and ever!
Father and daughter silently cheered for Ning Ye's exams in their hearts.
...
Finally, finals week was over.
Although the grades weren't all out yet, Ning Ye could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Bian Xun also welcomed his first date with Ning Ye.
—Pick up the kid?
Bian Xun looked up expressionlessly, staring at the man in the dressing mirror.
He had styled his hair today and wore a light-colored shirt, looking less cold and plain than usual, highlighting his tall, clean figure, like jade and pine. Most importantly, the color scheme perfectly matched her usual style.
He had even swapped his car keys; the Ferrari was sent back to gather dust, and he was now driving a model that would be more comfortable for her to sit in. Once she learned how to drive, he could just give her this car.
Bian Xun had made grand preparations, eager to get going.
—To the kindergarten.
Yeah, Ning Ye held the phone between her ear and shoulder, carrying her backpack as she hurried out of the library. Taotao also gets off for the holidays at noon today. Let's pick her up first and then take her to the amusement park together, okay?
She had already joined Ning Zhitao's class parent group chat, keeping an eye on the daily messages. Although she still couldn't completely step into the role of a parent, she was slowly learning to shoulder a parent's responsibilities bit by bit.
Ning Zhitao seemed to naturally possess this kind of magic; even though she was a complete stranger to Ning Ye half a month ago, Ning Ye had now started to get used to a life with her in it.
Who wouldn't love a little grape?
The little girl's arrival had enriched her life, and Ning Ye had never been to an amusement park herself.
Her wages from various part-time jobs at the end of the year had been paid out, and Ning Ye was fairly confident about her final exams. She could relax a bit and fulfill her promise to take the kid out to play.
Bian Xun's thin lips parted and closed, and finally, he could only shut his eyes briefly. Alright, I'll go pick you up.
Forget it, it's fine.
Kids go to sleep at eight or nine every night anyway.
The rest of the time would be all theirs.
Ning Ye hung up the phone, a joyful lightness blooming in her chest.
This really was their first date.
Even though they had defined their relationship, they hadn't actually started dating.
She looked down at herself; she rarely wore dresses, but today she did, and the hem of her skirt fluttered gently along with her mood.
But an urgent voice from behind called out, stopping her.
Classmate Ning... Classmate Ning!
Ning Ye turned around and saw the science top scorer striding over nervously.
With winter break approaching, he wouldn't be able to see Ning Ye soon, so Mr. Top Scorer was getting anxious too.
He thought Ning Ye was incredibly excellent and super pretty. Although the overall rankings weren't out yet, in the subjects that had already released scores, besides him having a higher English score because he attended a bilingual school since childhood and had foreign tutors, Ning Ye ranked in the top 2 for all other major courses. It was highly likely she would be first in both her major and overall rankings.
He wanted to seriously confess his feelings before the winter break!
Otherwise, he worried that once winter break passed, he would never have a chance again.
Perhaps to build momentum, Mr. Top Scorer had a lot of classmates trailing behind him. Most of them were naturally there to support him, but quite a few gazes mixed in were just there to watch a good show.
After all, everyone knew that around New Year's Day, rumors had just spread that the wealthy young master liked Ning Ye.
But a dozen days had passed, and seeing as it was almost the holidays, why was there no follow-up? It seemed they weren't together, or maybe it was just a brief fling?
If Ning Ye accepted someone else, wouldn't that mean Bian Xun was just playing around on a whim?
Therefore, more and more people gathered in the square in front of the library, because there was another invisible name involved in this gossip.
Ning Ye was suddenly surrounded, her brows furrowing unconsciously.
Mr. Top Scorer was extremely nervous. Standing in front of Ning Ye, he stuttered slightly as he expressed his admiration for her, which was indeed genuine.
The people around them started to cheer and jeer.
A talented man and a beautiful woman, what a perfect match!
Our Brother Zhou is a science top scorer, and he's quite handsome too!
His family background might not be as wealthy and noble as you-know-who, but it's very well-off.
The vague comment didn't name names, but a certain someone's presence had already been dragged into it, and a knowing laughter immediately erupted around them.
I'm telling the truth, Brother Zhou's conditions are already exceptionally good.
Exactly, Ning Ye, just say yes.
As Ning Ye's attitude remained excessively calm, Mr. Top Scorer's face grew redder and redder. The bros behind him couldn't stand it anymore and couldn't help but mutter.
"Don't tell me her standards have already been raised too high by you-know-who."
"If she were really with you-know-who, would she still need to work part-time every day? Would she still need to take exams?"
"Families like that actually care the most about family background, at least requiring a well-matched social status..."
For the first time, Ning Ye truly felt a direct sense of the gap between herself and Bian Xun in the eyes of outsiders.
But no matter what choice she made, whether right or wrong, it was her own business.
It wasn't up to others to point fingers and dictate terms.
Ning Ye looked down at the time, then spoke softly, "Classmate Zhou, I believe my previous refusal was already very clear."
Her voice was clearly very light, but inexplicably, it silenced all the whispering around her.
Perhaps it was because the girl's back was always kept perfectly straight. There wasn't a trace of shyness on her delicate, porcelain-like face as she faced everyone's pointing fingers peacefully and generously.
Mr. Top Scorer's face flushed red. The buddies behind him couldn't bear to watch and forgot the demeanor expected of students from a prestigious university, their tone turning mocking. "You don't really think you can marry into a wealthy family, do you—"
Before he could finish, his voice got stuck in his throat.
Everyone around also fell silent.
Bian Xun, looking aloof and cold, walked towards the library with a calm pace.
His expression revealed neither joy nor anger. His cold, stern eyes swept lightly over everyone present, as if looking at trash.
Everyone harbored a natural and ignorant speculation, saying that a person like him would definitely look at family background and see if their resources matched when looking for a partner.
But Bian Xun had possessed all of this since birth.
This was precisely what he cared about the least.
Most of those piled up in a bed of roses were just good-for-nothings, and he had seen too many of them.
But a flower taking root and growing in the rocky peaks of a cliff had the most elegant and beautiful appearance, truly one of a kind.
Once he snatched it, it was his.
Bian Xun narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at that relentlessly pursuing Mr. Top Scorer. Bian Xun had already investigated this guy's entire life history.
He wasn't worth his attention.
Yet, Bian Xun felt a surge of sour anger in his heart.
Who the hell do you think you are.
And a whole bunch of people chattering about whether she was worthy or not. He was the one who pursued her, and they still had decades of future ahead of them.
Get lost, all of you.
Having finished what she needed to say, and seeing that they had nothing else to add, Ning Ye turned around calmly. She still had to go pick up the kid.
She looked down at the time, hurrying forward, and was suddenly stopped by a figure.
Ning Ye raised her eyes and saw the expressionless Bian Xun a few steps away. She froze, and then suddenly had a premonition in her heart.
...It seemed like he was holding back some ultimate move.
At this moment, Ning Ye was standing right at the entrance of the library, on the edge of the steps. Bian Xun stood in the open space a few steps below her, looking up at her.
In that instant, their height difference seemed to be frozen by an invisible camera shutter.
Bian Xun looked at her quietly for a second, his peripheral vision sweeping over the silent onlookers behind her, and suddenly bent his knee.
He knelt on one knee.
The certain someone who had been extremely dissatisfied with the date plans just a few minutes ago.
At this moment, he solemnly took out a car key from his hand and asked her in a volume that only the two of them could hear.
—"Would you be willing to go pick up the kid with me?"
Ning Ye looked at him in shock.
Everyone behind her also looked at him in shock.
"Holy crap, that's a Maybach key—"
"Is this a proposal??"
"Holy crap, an official announcement??"
All the commotion and the bustling crowd from just now couldn't compare to that man gently kneeling on one knee.
A strong, bottom-up sense of lifting was vividly displayed in his looking-up posture.
The wealthy young master of the Beijing circle just knelt on the ground on one knee, looking up at the girl in front of him. He actually looked like he was begging for pity, like the subordinate one in a relationship??
The young man's handsome and cold features outlined perfect angles of light and shadow under the midday sun. Family background, wealth, and status were all pressed beneath his single knee. His gaze was profound, as if no one else was around.
Ning Ye finally came to her senses, almost breaking out in a sweat: "You, you get up first..."
Is he crazy??
Bian Xun raised an eyebrow and curled his lips, looking very much like he wouldn't get up unless she agreed.
"Holy crap, a real proposal?!"
"Holy crap—"
This is way more thrilling than a confession!!!
Bian Xun didn't care about any of that; it would be best if the whole world knew.
This was now his girlfriend.
His future wife.
The mother of his children.
Ning Ye couldn't take it anymore and hurriedly grabbed his hand: "I'm willing, I'm willing!"
Bian Xun held her hand in return, leading her to jump down the steps. The hem of her skirt drew a beautiful arc in the air, and the two ran towards the outside of the campus together.
Panting heavily, Ning Ye was led by him and stopped on a small path next to a well-known kindergarten in the adjacent block.
Fortunately, the class meeting hadn't ended yet, and the teachers in the kindergarten's teaching building were still educating the little kids.
Ning Ye held onto her knees, caught her breath, straightened her body, and finally managed to say the words etched in her heart.
"Bian Xun, are you sick in the head!!—"
But Bian Xun had already lowered his head, accurately tilted his face, and pressed his lips against hers, sealing off the rest of her words.
Breathing paused.
Her almond-shaped eyes were left with only a moist, blank stare.
Her soft and warm touch was finally branded onto Bian Xun's lips.
In the distance, the children's reading in unison faintly came from the kindergarten classroom: "Little mouths, close them tight, little mouths, do not speak—"
It was Ning Ye's first kiss, and she was so nervous that she subconsciously followed along, closing her lips tightly and clenching her teeth.
Her little mouth was also closed shut.
Bian Xun laughed, his chest vibrating.
How could she be... so cute.
At this moment, his restless heart was left with nothing but melting sweetness.
"Open up," his thin lips moved slightly against hers, his voice low and coaxing, "let me in."
She obediently opened them slightly.
This year, next to the kindergarten.
This was their first kiss in their youth.
