Chapter 109: He is Family, Not a Lover

Until the end of the semester exams, Luo Xing finally felt, in a tangible way, that half of her junior year had passed. While everyone else went home for winter break, the school had already purchased their tickets to Country M in advance. Luo Xing made a trip to her grandmother’s house and saw the wooden box placed on the table. She opened it and gazed at the jade bracelet resting on the black velvet cloth, its beauty translucent and glowing like fireflies. She closed the lid and put it back on the table.

…

Beicheng Airport.

Only four passed through security; Gu Shiyan hadn’t come. Xu Yan was worried Gu Shiyan would miss the departure time. They would be staying in Country M for twenty days. Gu Shiyan needed to arrive within the first three days at the very least.

Once on the plane, Xu Yan couldn’t hold back and asked Luo Xing, “Is something serious happening in his family?”

Luo Xing shook her head. “I don’t know either.” Her grandmother still hadn’t returned. The answer was almost self-evident.

“Sigh, I hope he makes it in time,” Xu Yan said.

Qi Changbai suddenly remembered something, his gaze intense. “You guys, do you think Gu Shiyan is caught up in some inheritance dispute?”

It was a matter beyond their social class, evoking only curiosity.

But Luo Xing had witnessed firsthand the ruthlessness of the Gu family. For the sake of company shares, they could even kidnap her grandmother. Such people could hardly be called upright.

Gu Shiyan…

Luo Xing’s mind became muddled, as if she were back in the darkness.

“Luo Xing, love me…” That murmured voice seemed to linger by her ear. “Don’t give up on me, please…”

Her heart suddenly trembled. She turned to glance beside her.

Shen Que asked, “What’s wrong?”

Luo Xing came to herself and shook her head. She took out the MP3 from her pocket and plugged in the earphones.

That last trip to her grandmother’s house, she only brought this one thing—a relic from her high school days.

She’d used it for three years, and after entering university, it was gradually forgotten.

She listened to the slow melodies inside, yet her mind was occupied by other voices.

He said he didn’t like Su Mo.

Gu Shiyan had no reason to lie to her.

Those words were true.

The plane slowed, landing smoothly on a long strip at the right moment.

Luo Xing followed behind and exited the terminal, taking off her earphones and stowing them away.

“I’m back in New York.”

Luo Xing heard a familiar voice and looked to her left, her gaze following the figure.

Yao Xiangming.

Luo Xing withdrew her gaze; he was already far away, so she didn’t greet him.

Yao Xiangming had come to New York during summer break, and now again in winter?

Before Luo Xing could think further, their designated host led them to the hotel.

Luo Xing sat in the back seat, scenery flashing past outside the window. Snowflakes drifted from the leaden sky, cars glided slowly down the streets, ancient buildings stood dignified amid the snow—the Gothic church spires, European-style row houses. The snowy landscape blended perfectly with the city, tranquil and peaceful.

A piece of bread was handed to her. “Eat a little to fill your stomach; it’s a thirty-minute drive to the hotel from here.”

Luo Xing glanced over; Shen Que was always like this, attentive to every detail.

Even the bread was unwrapped for her.

Luo Xing’s eyes were dark; she stared at Shen Que. “Shen Que…”

She looked ahead—the front passenger seat, Xu Yan was on a call with his parents, reporting his safety. Qi Changbai and Professor Wen were in another car.

Only she and Shen Que sat in the back.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Que raised his hand, offering the bread to Luo Xing.

She didn’t take it. She asked, “What is it you most want to do?”

The sound of plastic crumpling echoed in the air.

“I…”

Luo Xing pressed further, “Do you really like physics?”

…

Silence.

Luo Xing turned her gaze away and took a deep breath. “Have you ever thought about your future?”

In Shen Que’s eyes, her profile was tinged by the glow of the setting sun, as beautiful as every day before.

His future was right before him.

But he couldn’t say it.

If he did, it would all vanish.

“Why did you choose physics? I remember you once said you wanted to be a freelance illustrator.”

Madam Jiang had once offered to sponsor Shen Que to study art. He was gifted.

No, Shen Que was gifted in everything—his talent was his hard work.

Anything he did, he succeeded.

“I…” Shen Que lowered his head.

Yes, physics was a last-minute change.

“I don’t have anything I love, nothing I want. I only want…” Shen Que withdrew his hand, his gaze falling on the rejected bread, “to graduate smoothly, to work, to live a stable life.”

“You never thought about graduate school? You’re a natural-born scholar!” Xu Yan, having finished his call, was surprised to hear Shen Que wanted to go straight to work.

“I just want to start earning money quickly.” Shen Que was frank, without hiding his desire for money.

Xu Yan was surprised; Shen Que always seemed indifferent to worldly desires. He’d thought Shen Que would at least aim for a doctorate or professorship.

“There’s always time to earn money, but nowadays it’s tough without a graduate degree,” Xu Yan said. He had always planned ahead, and he certainly intended to pursue further studies.

But Luo Xing understood Shen Que’s concerns. She smiled and said, “Working and earning money is pretty good.”

When Xu Yan fell silent, Luo Xing leaned close to Shen Que’s ear and whispered, “You’re so talented, you’ll definitely find your ideal job and excel. If you ever want a master’s or doctorate, I’m sure you’ll handle it with ease.”

Luo Xing spoke no more, her gaze drifting outside the window.

Shen Que heard her words clearly; his eyes stung, soon growing moist.

She would never know that whether it was his love for art, for physics, or his dreams and plans for the future, she was always there.

Why did he give Luo Xing the cassette tape? Because he knew she wouldn’t listen.

Shen Que sent Luo Xing a cassette every year, always the same song she liked.

It seemed that, long ago, he had been preparing for this day, certain she would never open it.

He cut off his own retreat.

Yet a faint hope rose in his heart.

What if she did listen?

And, what if she truly heard it?

He thought Luo Xing would never know.

But suddenly she asked him what he wanted, what his plans for the future were.

She refused what he offered.

Stepping out of the car, the cold wind carried sleet, chilling them to the bone.

Luo Xing wrapped her coat tighter. Seeing Shen Que about to take off his jacket, she quickly pressed his hand, “Shen Que, you don’t have to do everything for me. I’ll be fine in the cold for a while; you owe me nothing, you don’t need to take care of me like this. If Grandma saw you give me your coat and freeze in the snow, she’d feel sorry for you.”

Shen Que’s movements paused. “Are you…”

Luo Xing tucked her hands into her sleeves. “I’d feel sorry for you too, because to me, you’re already like family.”

Shen Que had no time to be happy about her concern; her next words made him never dare hope for more.

Family…

He was family, not a lover.