CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: LIFE IS VAST AS SEAS AND ENDLESS AS MOUNTAINS AND RIVERS

"Ah, I forgot to take the umbrella!"

He Fang realized she had left her umbrella at Qin Guanglin’s place only when the bus started moving.

"It’s not raining anyway," Qin Guanglin said indifferently, "You can get it another day, or I can bring it to you."

If she came over to pick it up, the two of them could hang out in his room again—the thought made him happy.

"What if it rains tomorrow?" He Fang gazed out the window, guessing tomorrow’s weather.

"If it rains, I’ll bring it to you tomorrow."

Qin Guanglin paused, then suddenly laughed.

"What are you laughing at?"

"It was when Xu Xian was delivering an umbrella that he got hooked up with Lady Bai," Qin Guanglin looked at her with amusement. "You’re also wearing white clothes."

"What do you mean ’hooked up’? You make it sound so ugly," He Fang slapped him lightly, "Besides, it was Lady Bai who borrowed Xu Xian’s umbrella, and he went to ask for it back, not to deliver an umbrella."

"Is that so?" Qin Guanglin was puzzled, not really remembering who borrowed or returned the umbrella.

"That’s right."

"Anyway, it’s pretty much the same."

Qin Guanglin didn’t care about the details; an umbrella was an umbrella, after all.

Thinking about it, it was quite magical. Xu Xian was charmed by Lady Bai first, and he was charmed by He Fang first. Lady Bai was gentle and graceful, and He Fang was more or less the same...

Could it be that in a past life, he was a great kind man?

That must be right, these are all blessings, Qin Guanglin thought contentedly, picking up He Fang’s hand and kissing it, "Thank myself."

He Fang looked at him bewildered, "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing." Qin Guanglin flipped her hand over and kissed the palm, "You’re really great."

"Morals." He Fang snorted, turning her head back to continue looking out the window.

After a while she couldn’t help but gently curl the corners of her mouth, "Only saying the big truths."

There were only the two of them as passengers on the bus, with the driver occasionally glancing at them through the rearview mirror.

Ah, to be young... he touched his bald head, remembering when he had hair and love, now only left with a naughty kid and a fierce wife.

After getting off the bus, they held hands as usual and walked toward the school; they had time to spare, so Qin Guanglin intentionally controlled his pace, trying to walk slower.

"You won’t be able to live in the dormitory in a month, do you have any plans?" Qin Guanglin wouldn’t be at ease until he heard her specific intentions.

"Didn’t I tell you not to worry? Just relax," He Fang had her plans and didn’t want to elaborate.

"It’s always good to discuss with someone. It’s a lot of pressure looking for a job during graduation season. Don’t keep it to yourself."

"Then what’s your good suggestion?" He Fang asked offhandedly.

"My suggestion?" Qin Guanglin thought for a moment, "Best to find a job, I suppose. If not, then... rent a place and take your time searching?

Or you could do some other work first, there’s no need to rush into teaching straight after graduation. I’ve looked into your field, things like editing, copywriting are quite relaxed... Of course, I’m just suggesting, it’s up to what you like in the end."

"Mhm, nicely thought out," He Fang nodded.

Qin Guanglin was waiting for her to continue, but saw her close her mouth, not planning to say more, and he couldn’t help but pause, "That’s it?"

"What else? You’ve thought of everything I could think of."

"But you have to give some input," Qin Guanglin scratched his head, "like which one to choose?"

"Can I really have whatever I choose?" He Fang rolled her eyes at him. "If I choose to find a job right now, will you give it to me?"

"Uh... yeah, that’s true." Qin Guanglin thought there was no issue, but then felt something was off. "There should always be a plan, right?"

"Plans change with the situation. I’ll know which step to take when the time comes."

"I think it’s still better to be prepared. Otherwise, when the time comes... hey, have you already calculated your moves?" Qin Guanglin suddenly became curious. "You definitely have, haven’t you? What steps will you take next? Tell me, and I’ll give you some advice."

He Fang found him tiresome and fumbled in her pocket, pulling out a hard fruit candy. She unwrapped it and popped it into his mouth. "Don’t talk to me until you’ve finished it."

"Why should I..."

"Hmm?!" He Fang glared.

Qin Guanglin curbed his curiosity and obediently closed his mouth, slightly puzzled. Why was she stuffing candy in his mouth? Was it because she found him too talkative?

"How adorable you are when you’re quiet," He Fang said with a satisfied smile. "Don’t be such a... don’t nag all the time."

Qin Guanglin pouted. He really was being called talkative.

Isn’t it just to keep you from worrying later on?

"I’ve told you there’s no need to worry, and I mean it." He Fang shook her head at him. "Understand? Then nod your head."

Qin Guanglin opened his mouth to speak but was silenced by her look, and he nodded reluctantly.

"Hmm, that’s a good boy."

He Fang walked lightly toward the school, pulling Qin Guanglin along. She glanced back at him from time to time, her eyes brimming with laughter she couldn’t hide.

"Alright, you can chew it now." After entering the school gates, He Fang allowed him to talk. "But no more nagging."

"Do you always carry candy with you?" Qin Guanglin quickly chewed up the fruit candy in his mouth.

"Yes, did you like it?"

Qin Guanglin nodded. "It’s tasty, but I couldn’t talk."

"You wouldn’t have to if you weren’t so naggy." He Fang pulled out another piece and handed it to him. "Remember to be good, and you’ll get one more."

The one he had just eaten was peach-flavored. By the light of the street lamps, he checked the candy in his hand—it was pineapple-flavored.

It seemed He Fang really enjoyed these sweets. He should buy more of the same for her to keep at home.

"The school is really big," Qin Guanglin remarked. "Back then, I used to walk down this road arm in arm with my friends."

"Which is better, holding hands or arm in arm?" He Fang swayed their clasped hands.

"Of course, holding hands is better. How nice it would have been if I’d known you when I was in school?" Qin Guanglin imagined scenes of them eating together and going to the library, feeling a sense of regret.

He had missed out on so many wonderful things. It would have been perfect if he could have shared all the good times with her.

"It’s not too late now." After a moment’s thought, He Fang slowly said, "Whether it’s early or late, meeting you was the best start."

"You didn’t have a crush on me back in school, did you?" Qin Guanglin looked at her skeptically; that would explain everything.

He Fang gave him a sidelong glance. "Egomaniac."

"You should have found me sooner." Qin Guanglin complained, having taken such a big detour and wasted so much time that could have been spent together.

"Stop being so full of yourself. Why didn’t you come find me, huh?" He Fang was disgruntled. It was the man’s job to take the initiative, after all, and this fool was addicted to being passive.

"If I could have found you, I would have a long time ago." Qin Guanglin pondered for a moment. "Maybe we would already have our little notebooks by now."

"You wish," He Fang scoffed. "I haven’t even graduated yet. You could stand to accumulate some virtue."

"College students can still..." Qin Guanglin muttered, then his mood brightened again. It wasn’t too late now, and there was still plenty of time ahead.