Even though he had pressed her down, Ling Sui's movements were gentle, almost tender as he set her onto the sofa.
Meng Luobai laughed. "Since when is there a 1.94-meter kid?" One counterattack and he could pin her down.
Ling Sui blocked half the light from above, looking down at her lying on the sofa, his delicate features half-lit, half-shadowed in the play of light. "You know I'm 194?"
Ling Sui's gaze was dark and unreadable. "Exactly how much news about me have you watched?"
Meng Luobai: "…"
After seeing Ling Sui in the news, she had done a comprehensive search of everything about him when she got home from her night shift. The same face, but different name, information, and family background.
If she hadn't seen the name Ling Yunqian written in the father column, she would have suspected this was something out of a movie.
After that, the more news about Ling Sui she scrolled through, the more it appeared—as if her phone especially loved pushing everything about Ling Sui to her.
Meng Luobai opened her mouth. "It's because there's too much news about you domestically."
Hearing this, Ling Sui pressed his lips into a smile. "Is there a lot? Or is it just what you wanted to scroll through?"
Meng Luobai looked at him silently, then after a long moment said, "Then you should know I wasn't that angry with you." Compared to the anger over his leaving without a word, she had felt more worry and concern. Though she had worried herself sick, only to discover in the end that Ling Sui was the long-lost precious grandson of a top-tier wealthy family.
Meng Luobai sighed inwardly. She had fretted over him for so long, agonized over him, only to end up looking like a fool.
Thinking about it still made her a bit angry. She was about to scold Ling Sui a little when she realized he was still holding her wrist, dazed, as if lost in thought.
Meng Luobai pulled free in one swift motion and sat up. "So disrespectful."
It was at this moment that Ling Sui realized he had been wrong. Meng Luobai hadn't forgiven him so easily, nor was this a "reward" for his apology. It was that from the very beginning, the Meng Luobai who would forgive him was never truly angry with him.
He maintained the posture from when she had pulled away, gazing at her with deep, unfathomable eyes.
He wanted to hold her.
Meng Luobai was already a bit dizzy from the alcohol, and lying down then sitting up made her head even more muddled. She massaged her temples, leaned back against the sofa, and asked, "Why did you decide to come to China for grad school?"
Even though Empirl was domestic capital, it had always been a French brand. And Ling Sui had already fought his way out of the succession war—staying in France would have been better in every way.
After she asked, Meng Luobai noticed that Ling Sui remained silent for a long time. She glanced to the side and found him quietly looking at her. She was about to speak when Ling Sui said first, "Can you hug me?"
Meng Luobai froze, thinking she must have misheard.
Ling Sui's thick, long lashes drooped as he lowered his head. "I didn't want to go to France at all. I suffered so much in that family—so many people wanted to harm me. And I kept worrying that you were angry with me, that you wouldn't forgive me…"
Meng Luobai's brows furrowed instantly as pieces clicked together in her mind.
No wonder he had left so silently back then. No wonder he hadn't contacted her.
No wonder he was so cautious now, speaking so strangely, so insecure.
Damn France. Damn the French. What had they done to her poor, helpless, utterly alone A-Jin?!
Meng Luobai had been sitting with her knees drawn up to her chest, the soles of her feet lightly pressing against the soft sofa cushion. Now, struck hard by Ling Sui's words, she almost instinctively tilted sideways, knelt up on the sofa, and reached out to wrap her arms around his neck—heedless of posture or propriety, she embraced him at once.
She bowed her head slightly, drawing him into her arms. There was no force, no sobbing—only an unadorned, tender ache of compassion.
Although Ling Sui had been putting on somewhat of an act, the moment Meng Luobai caught him off guard with her embrace, his entire body stiffened.
In his breath was the gentle, faint scent from the side of her neck; the arm hooked around his neck was slender and soft, its warmth against him soothing and tender.
He lowered his lashes, reached out, and lightly pressed his hand to her waist.
Her voice was damp with emotion. "You don't need to worry about whether I'm angry with you—I would never be angry with you. I know you're back in the country, and I'm really, really happy."
"If you don't want to go to France, just stay here. From now on, if there's anything you're willing to tell me, I'll be there with you."
Meng Luobai murmured on and on against his neck, her warm breath carrying a faint, delicate fragrance.
After a moment of restraint, Ling Sui's arm slowly tightened, every inch of his body greedily drinking in her warmth. He leaned quietly into her and closed his eyes. He felt, with profound clarity, how base and shameless he was.
When he left Meng Luobai's place, it was already past ten in the evening.
Ling Sui returned to his car but didn't rush to drive. In the quiet, dim light, his prominent Adam's apple rose and fell in the glow of his phone screen.
He leaned back in the driver's seat, slowly closing his eyes, his fingers unconsciously tracing the air as if he could still feel her waist, her shoulder, the gentle rise and fall of her breath as she pressed against his neck.
Gradually, that warmth faded, replaced by an itch creeping up from the depths of his heart—dense and relentless.
He opened his eyes. His glassy, amber-colored pupils slowly clouded over with an unyielding shadow, the human warmth in them fading inch by inch.
He made a call. "Unit 702, Building 3, Chenjing Residences. Buy it."
The next morning, Meng Luobai was roused by her alarm. Her head still ached from last night's drinking, and suddenly, fragments of the previous evening flashed through her mind—including Ling Sui's silent, downcast eyes.
Her heart gave a small, sharp tug, followed by a faint wave of sadness. She had tossed and turned all night. She knew that Ling Yunqian had always ignored Ling Sui. She had also worried that, given Ling Sui's cold, brooding nature, living with his father might only make their relationship more strained.
But she hadn't expected that Ling Sui was truly doing poorly.
She got out of bed and went to wash up.
Water rushed down as she splashed her face with cool water, letting the restless emotions settle along with it.
Finally, she let out a deep sigh. No matter what, at least Ling Sui was back—that was what mattered.
After washing up, she reached for her phone and saw a message from Ling Sui. [Ling Sui: Good morning.]
Just as she was about to reply, another message came through. [Ling Sui: Was I out of line last night?]
The corner of Meng Luobai's mouth twitched.
[Meng Luobai: Not out of line. But someone seems to have cried.]
Ling Sui had just finished a set of strength training. His black hair was damp at the forehead. Reading the message, he lowered his eyes, and after a moment, slowly typed back, [Well, it's you. It doesn't matter.]
Meng Luobai was still caught up in her earlier emotions, but when she saw Ling Sui's message, her heart suddenly warmed. She also felt a sense of pride that the child had truly grown up.
【Ling Sui: Aren't you working today?】
【Meng Luobai: Mm.】
Ling Sui sent over a sticker of a kitten wearing a tie and suit, with the words "You've got this!" written on it.
Meng Luobai smiled. It was rather adorable.
The doctors at the private hospital where Meng Luobai worked mostly operated on a dual-track model—hospital work plus a general practitioner service for private clients. Before she left Jingzhou Hospital, she had handed over her family doctor cases there, and now she mainly focused on hospital work.
After another two busy days, Zhi Qian invited her out for a meal and shopping. "Chen Luojing sent me a wedding invitation—she's getting married on the ninth of next month. You didn't even tell me. I looked through my wardrobe and don't have anything suitable to wear to a wedding. You have to come with me to buy a couple of outfits."
Meng Luobai held the phone. "It's this month. Today is September second."
Zhi Qian: "Oh, right. September. I can't believe after all this time, she ended up with Ding Yongcheng. Doesn't it feel a bit awkward?"
Ding Yongcheng was also their high school classmate—the son of the largest hotel shareholder in the city. He was tall, played basketball well, and had gone to study in Australia in his sophomore year of high school.
While they were all grinding through the domestic exam-oriented education system preparing for the college entrance exams, Ding Yongcheng would post in the group chat about his leisurely campus life abroad, along with his girlfriend.
The girlfriend was also a high school classmate—a fair-skinned, ethereal little goddess from the liberal arts track.
Though they hadn't had much interaction with the goddess, given how often Ding Yongcheng posted updates and shared moments, their classmates all knew the two had been in a long-distance relationship for years. Ding Yongcheng had even brought the goddess to their class reunions, saying that when he got married, everyone should gather just as fully.
Years passed, and in the end, that day never came.
Zhi Qian hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Then… will Jie Xu come?"
Hearing that name, Meng Luobai was taken aback. "…Not sure."
Zhi Qian: "Are you two still in contact?"
Meng Luobai: "Not really in contact. I occasionally get his mass holiday greetings."
Mass holiday greetings?
Zhi Qian blinked. Why hadn't she received any?
"I also saw Jian Yi comment on Chen Luojing's Moments. When did she get so close to Chen Luojing?"
Hearing those two names together, Meng Luobai was equally puzzled. "I don't know."
Zhi Qian had originally wanted to vent, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she'd spoken too hastily. Jian Yi had been hovering around Meng Luobai for so many years—even complaining about her was enough to make one sick.
"Haha, with how busy superstar Jie Xu's schedule is, he definitely won't be able to make it." Zhi Qian quickly ended that topic and asked, "What time do you get off work? Come shopping with me. Tonight's the only time I'm free."
Meng Luobai: "I'm accompanying Sangsang to school registration this afternoon. Let me see what time we finish, and I'll contact you."
Zhi Qian: "Okay."
In the morning, Meng Luobai sent Ling Sui a message. 【Have you done your school registration?】
【Ling Sui: Isn't it this afternoon?】
Both today and tomorrow were registration dates, so if Ling Sui said that, they must be going at the same time.
【Meng Luobai: We'll arrive at three.】
【Ling Sui: Okay.】
Since that day, Ling Sui had actually become busier. Whether attending events or shooting for magazines, she was busy every day.
Meng Luobai had studied clinical medicine for five years at Longcheng University's medical school, so she knew the way to Longcheng University very well.
Especially as they approached the university town, the streets were filled with energetic college students returning to campus after the holiday. Meng Luobai couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile.
It was freshman registration period now, and the university town was bustling with cars coming and going without end. Fortunately, they had chosen to come in the afternoon, when there were fewer vehicles. With Wan Rongxuan's help on top of that, they managed to park near the registration point.
Although graduate students weren't as numerous as undergraduates, the registration points were set up together, so there was a long line.
Meng Wenjian had always liked Wan Rongxuan, who had a refined appearance, and she was also grateful for his help. She said in a gentle voice, "Rongxuan, you must be busy with the start of the semester too. Go ahead and take care of your own things."
"Auntie Meng, I'm not leading any undergraduate classes this year, so the start of the semester isn't busy for me." Just as he finished speaking, he noticed Sangsang, who had quietly taken her registration materials out of her backpack, walking toward the line for getting a phone card. He tugged at Sangsang's backpack and reminded her, "Sangsang, you need to line up over there." Then he said to Meng Luobai, "Go keep your sister company in line."
Meng Luobai had also noticed and walked forward with a smile. "Sangsang."
Sangsang was always quiet and reserved. Clutching her folder of documents with both hands, she felt a bit embarrassed when she realized she had gotten in the wrong line.
Although the registration line wasn't terribly long, there were many things to confirm, so the line moved slowly.
Sangsang asked her in a low voice, "Sis, has Teacher Wan been with us for too long? Will it affect him?"
Meng Luobai glanced back. "It's fine. If he can stay, then he's not busy."
After waiting in line a bit longer, Sangsang asked, "Sis, has Ling Sui come to register yet?"
Meng Luobai looked at her WeChat page—Ling Sui hadn't replied to her message. She scanned the area. "Probably… hasn't arrived yet."
Finally, Sangsang reached the front of the line. She listened to the senior student's reminders and pulled out the corresponding registration materials in advance. Just then, a commotion rippled through the line.
Then, a clear, cool voice asked politely, "Excuse me, is this where I register for the School of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage?"