In the quiet surroundings, a few leaves slowly drifted down from the trees.
The light reflected off the raindrops, giving them a golden glow as they fell one by one.
The sensation of his kiss still lingered on her lips. Liang Zhiyi’s mind went blank for a moment, and her cheeks suddenly flushed with heat.
A wave of sweetness spread through her heart as she looked at him, a slight smile curving her lips as she asked softly, “Pei Chen, are you jealous?”
“What do you think?”
The man stared directly at her, desire swirling in his eyes, his voice hoarse, “You said you were considering someone else, and you think I wouldn’t get jealous?”
In that moment, when he heard her say she was considering being with someone else, even though he suspected she was teasing him, he still felt a surge of irrational jealousy.
The palm pressing against the small of her back was burning hot. She was held tightly in his arms, her cheeks flushed, lips pressed together as she let out a small sound of protest:
“When did I say I was considering someone else? There’s already someone here I need to evaluate every day—how would I have time for anyone else?”
Pei Chen leaned down to look at her and asked in a low voice, “And how is this one in front of you doing on that evaluation?”
She pretended to think seriously, “Hmm…”
Seeing her serious expression, Pei Chen’s voice softened with affection, “Zhiyi, I’ve never been unwilling to love. My love for you has never stopped.”
Fate had brought her into his life; he had almost lost her once, but now he would never let her go again.
Liang Zhiyi was moved by his words, meeting his gaze, her eyes bright:
“Pei Chen… I love you too.”
“From the beginning until now, it has never changed.”
Even when they were apart, even when he couldn’t respond to her, as she had once told Ji Fei’er, she never cared about what she gained or lost.
Even if they never ended up together, she would still be content.
She playfully raised an eyebrow, “Alright, Pei Chen, in light of your recent excellent performance, I’m officially announcing—you’ve passed the evaluation and have been awarded the honorary title of ‘Liang Zhiyi’s Boyfriend.’ Do you accept?”
Upon hearing her words, Pei Chen pulled her tightly into his arms, a smile tugging at his lips:
“Greatly honored.”
The girl smiled sweetly and happily wrapped her arms around his waist.
Under the streetlight, the two quietly embraced.
Pei Chen tilted his head, his deep voice murmuring in her ear, “Indeed, sincerity brings results.”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“I have a new wish.”
His wish was to be with her.
He once thought it was impossible, but now, finally, his wish had come true.
They hugged for a long time, and after a while, he slowly let go. Liang Zhiyi noticed the unusually obvious smile on his face. She couldn’t help but tease him, remembering how cold and aloof he used to be. “What’s this? So happy to be with me?”
He responded, “Aren’t you?”
“Well, I guess so. After all, you’ve got such a cute and beautiful girlfriend now,” she chuckled. “You better cherish me, because if you lose me again, I won’t come back looking for you.”
He gently touched her head, “I definitely won’t.”
They continued walking forward. Pei Chen held the umbrella and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, tilting the umbrella toward her side.
Liang Zhiyi thought back to earlier and couldn’t help but laugh, “Pei Chen, you’re so silly. Did you really think I would consider He Ming? I was just teasing you.”
He pressed his lips together, “I was afraid I wasn’t good enough, afraid you’d regret liking me.”
She looked up at him and glared, “Don’t say that. In my heart, you’re the best. No one can compare. Do you hear me?”
His heart softened, “Hmm.”
Since she was willing to be with him, he would do his best to give her the best future.
Liang Zhiyi’s phone vibrated, and she casually picked it up to see a notification from her high school class group. The graduation ceremony was scheduled for the morning after tomorrow, and the teacher appreciation banquet would be held at noon on the same day.
She relayed the information to Pei Chen, sighing lightly, “I was planning to visit uncle tomorrow, but I guess I’ll have to go to W Province instead.”
“It’s okay. Take care of your school matters first.”
“Pei Chen, do you want to come with me? I can show you around my school.”
Pei Chen was interested, but a trip would take at least two days, and with Pei Yongxia home alone, he didn’t want to trouble the community volunteers again. The last time he went to W Province to find Liang Zhiyi, it was the first time he had been away from home for so long, and he still felt uneasy about it.
After listening, Liang Zhiyi understood, “It’s okay. Taking care of uncle is more important. We can visit the school together another time when there’s a chance.”
“Alright.”
The two of them chatted sweetly as they walked to the entrance of the villa community.
The rain had stopped, and Pei Chen told her to go home early. Seeing that he wasn’t making any other moves, the girl pouted, “So, I’m leaving?”
He gazed into her eyes, “Hmm.”
“Fine, I’m really going.”
Just as she turned to leave, he pulled her back into his arms.
The man tightly embraced her with both arms, and the girl leaned against his chest, listening to his strong, steady heartbeat, her eyes curving into a smile.
As expected, he couldn’t bear to let her go…
After a while, Pei Chen lowered his gaze, his eyes falling on her red lips. The memory of the soft touch of her lips stirred a restless desire within him, making his throat dry.
A car drove by, and Pei Chen forced himself to suppress the uncontrollable urge, releasing her gently and saying softly, “Go on home.”
She smiled, “Bye-bye, boyfriend.”
She turned to walk away, taking a few steps before glancing back at him. She saw the gentle smile in his eyes.
Her heart felt so light and sweet that it seemed like it could float away.
She happily skipped all the way home, and as soon as she reached her bedroom, she called Ji Fei’er. “Fei’er, Pei Chen and I are together now!”
“Wow! Congratulations! What did I say yesterday? I knew it wouldn’t take long—this is truly a case of love triumphing in the end!”
“My parents invited Pei Chen over for dinner today, and on the way back, we got together.”
“Whoa, you two are moving fast! Already meeting the parents, huh?”
“Not in that sense, but my parents do approve of us being together.”
“Your parents are really open-minded. I was a bit worried at first that they might mind Pei Chen’s background.”
“I was a little concerned too at first, but they don’t. Besides, Pei Chen is a great catch! He’s so outstanding, hardworking, and diligent—much better than those lazy rich kids with no future.”
Thinking of this, Liang Zhiyi cupped her face and sighed, “Hehe, I really do have great taste.”
“Look at you, praising yourself now.”
The girl grinned, saying she was especially grateful for Ji Fei’er’s help behind the scenes, including that time when she scolded Pei Chen, which actually helped bring them closer. “When we have some free time in a few days, Pei Chen and I will treat you and Xuan Xia to a meal.”
“Definitely! We’ll make sure to get a big meal out of you two,” Ji Fei’er laughed.
After their chat, Liang Zhiyi played on her phone for a while. Estimating the time, she called Pei Chen, “Pei Chen, are you home yet?”
“Yeah, I’m almost at the entrance to the neighborhood.”
“I just finished chatting with my friends. I’m flying to W Province tomorrow morning. I’m going to meet up with a few close friends first since we won’t see each other often after this.”
“Alright, should I come see you off in the morning?”
She smiled, “Sure.”
Finally, when Pei Chen got home, he had to give Pei Yongxia a bath first. He said he’d call her after finishing up, and she agreed.
After hanging up the phone, Liang Zhiyi lay on her bed, resting her chin in her hand as she gazed out at the night sky, her lips curling into a sweet smile.
After all the twists and turns, in the end, she finally reached her goal.
The next morning, Liang Zhiyi and Liang Tongzhou headed to the airport, with Pei Chen coming along to see them off.
Liang Zhiyi took Pei Chen’s hand and formally introduced him to Liang Tongzhou:
“Pei Chen, my boyfriend. You’d better be nice to him from now on.”
Seeing this, Liang Tongzhou couldn’t help but laugh, “So, you two are finally together.”
He patted Pei Chen on the shoulder and said to Liang Zhiyi, “Alright then, my brother’s in your care now. You’d better be nice to him too.”
“Of course…”
Pei Chen watched the sibling banter with a faint smile.
When it was time for the security check, the girl reluctantly said goodbye to Pei Chen, and she and Liang Tongzhou set off.
After arriving in W Province, Liang Zhiyi spent the day catching up with some friends. The next morning, An’nan High School held its graduation ceremony. Liang Zhiyi took graduation photos with her teachers and classmates, even taking a few individual pictures as keepsakes. She felt particularly nostalgic.
After all, she had spent half of her high school years here, forming deep bonds. They had all gone through the intense yet fulfilling experience of their senior year together, like comrades in arms.
As she was taking photos, she heard a voice behind her:
“Zhiyi—”
She turned around to see He Ming approaching with a bouquet of sunflowers. He was tall and slender, with a handsome and refined appearance.
“Zhiyi, congratulations on your graduation. This bouquet is for you.”
A few classmates in the distance noticed and started teasing them. Not wanting to embarrass him, Liang Zhiyi accepted the flowers. “Thank you, and congratulations to you too.”
“Are you heading to Lincheng soon?”
“Yes, I’m going back tonight.”
A trace of sadness flickered in He Ming’s eyes. “I thought you might stay a few more days. Have you decided which university you want to attend? Is it still C University?”
“Yes, my boyfriend and I have already made plans.”
He Ming suddenly froze, “Boyfriend?”
The girl smiled lightly, “Yes, we just got together yesterday.”
“Is it that former classmate?”
“Yes, I’ve liked him for almost two years now.”
The light in He Ming’s eyes gradually dimmed, and he forced a smile. “That guy must be really exceptional for you to like him for so long.”
Liang Zhiyi looked at him with warmth. “He Ming, you’ll meet someone special who you’ll really like too.”
He Ming smiled faintly. “Shall we take a photo together?”
She nodded, and they took a picture together.
Someone came to find Liang Zhiyi, so she excused herself and started to walk away. After taking a few steps, He Ming’s voice suddenly called out from behind:
“Zhiyi—”
She turned back, and he looked at her. “Goodbye.”
If fate allows, perhaps they would meet again.
The girl smiled softly, “Goodbye.”
After the teacher appreciation banquet, Liang Zhiyi met with her close friends one last time in the afternoon and then returned to Lincheng that evening.
Originally, Pei Chen had planned to pick her up, but considering the late hour and the fact that the family driver would be taking her and Liang Tongzhou home, she told him not to trouble himself.