The counselor never imagined that the renowned Professor Zhou was already married, and to one of his own students at that.
This was no less shocking than a celebrity announcing their marriage.
There had been no prior news of Professor Zhou getting married; what kind of charm did this female student possess?
He probably wasn't the first to find out, was he?
Watching Zhou Ji sign the reprinted application form, the counselor slowly processed this matter.
“Thank you.”
Zhou Ji handed him the signed application form.
The counselor snapped back to attention and quickly reached out to take it: “P-Professor Zhou, in that case, this student's application to live off-campus is approved. I will contact the dormitory management.”
“Thank you for your trouble.” Zhou Ji nodded slightly at him.
“No trouble at all, no trouble at all.”
“Then we’ll be taking our leave.”
“Okay, okay.”
As Zhou Ji turned to leave with Xin Zhiyao, the counselor, unable to contain his excitement, wanted to immediately share this earth-shattering news with his colleagues.
The moment he pulled out his mobile phone, Zhou Ji suddenly turned back: “Counselor.”
The counselor’s phone nearly slipped from his grasp: “P-Professor, please speak.”
Zhou Ji’s gaze seemed to see through everything: “To avoid causing any trouble, we are not planning to make our marriage public for the time being. Please help us keep it a secret.”
The mobile phone in his hand suddenly felt hot. Meeting Zhou Ji’s sincere gaze, the counselor felt a sense of great responsibility fall upon his shoulders.
“Professor Zhou, please rest assured, I will definitely keep it a secret. As long as you don’t announce it, I’ll take this secret to my grave.” The counselor’s eyes were as firm as if he were joining the Party.
“Thank you.”
Zhou Ji left with Xin Zhiyao.
The counselor roared internally, clutching his phone.
Ahhh, how could he have agreed? This was such torture for someone who loved gossip; such big news and no one to share it with.
It wasn't just the counselor who was excited; Xin Zhiyao was too.
She hadn't expected things to be resolved so easily, nor had she expected Zhou Ji to produce their marriage certificate.
As he signed the application form as her guarantor, looking at Zhou Ji's handsome and refined profile, her heart couldn't stop pounding wildly.
The most important thing was that she could finally move into that home.
“Pack what you need to pack these few days, move in on the weekend, and I'll pick you up.”
Exiting the counselor's office, Zhou Ji softly instructed Xin Zhiyao. Glancing at the little girl beside him, he saw the corner of her mouth slightly raised and her eyes shining.
Recalling her weak voice on the phone earlier, Zhou Ji thought she was indeed young, her emotions so openly displayed.
“Happy?”
Xin Zhiyao met Zhou Ji's gentle gaze, her face flushing slightly. She nodded softly: “Mm.”
“It’s good that you’re happy.”
Zhou Ji's words made Xin Zhiyao momentarily dazed.
He had heard her disappointment, so he came specifically for her?
From childhood to adulthood, Xin Zhiyao's feelings had never been cared for like this before.
“I have something to attend to back at my office.”
Xin Zhiyao immediately understood his meaning: “Then Professor Zhou, I won’t disturb you. I’ll head back to the dormitory.”
After speaking, she quickened her pace. After a few steps, she remembered something and turned back.
“Professor Zhou.”
Zhou Ji looked up, gazing at the little girl a few steps away.
The afterglow of the sunset fell upon her, casting a faint golden halo around her. He heard the girl, in the prime of her youth, say in a sweet voice: “You were quite handsome just now.”
As if embarrassed after saying it, she turned and left.
Zhou Ji was taken aback for a moment.
He had heard countless similar compliments throughout his life and had long since become immune to them; others' praise no longer stirred any waves in his heart.
But the little girl's sudden remark just now made him feel that it wasn't bad at all.
Zhou Ji watched her retreating back, a smile forming at the corner of his mouth.
“What! You’re moving out?”
As soon as Xin Zhiyao returned to the dormitory, she told Song Yujia about her plan to move out. Her reaction was as intense as she had predicted.
Song Yujia tightly gripped her hand: “Why are you moving out? Moving out where? Going home? Why would you go back to that home! Yaoyao, what will I do if you move out? We promised to grow old together, why are you dyeing your hair halfway through? You’re leaving me alone to face Zheng Qiu, how can I live?”
Song Yujia hugged Xin Zhiyao and "cried bitterly." Xin Zhiyao considered it for a moment and decided to tell her the truth.
Her pregnancy would be impossible to hide forever. If Song Yujia were the last to know, she might even wish for her to die and take the baby with her.
“Jia Jia, there’s something I need to tell you. It might be quite shocking, so be mentally prepared.”
“What is it?” Song Yujia looked at her serious expression with a hint of doubt.
Xin Zhiyao swallowed: “I’m married.”
Song Yujia’s eyes instantly widened: “Married? You don’t even have a boyfriend, who did you marry? Yaoyao, are you joking?”
“I’m not joking, I’m really married,” Xin Zhiyao said earnestly.
Seeing that her expression didn't seem like she was lying, Song Yujia immediately asked: “Married to whom? What’s his name? How old is he? Is he handsome? Is he a student or already working? No, Xin Zhiyao, why are you suddenly getting married? Did you lose your mind?”
Song Yujia fired off a barrage of questions, and at the end, she didn't forget to scold her again.
Xin Zhiyao dropped a bombshell: “To Professor Zhou.”
Song Yujia froze for a moment, then put on a knowing smile: “So that’s how it is. Professor Zhou is indeed full of charm. Even you have fallen for him so quickly. I understand, Professor Zhou is everyone’s husband; you’re not the only one who wants to marry him.”
Xin Zhiyao knew Song Yujia wouldn't believe her. If it were her, she wouldn't believe it either.
She silently took out a red booklet from her bag and handed it to Song Yujia.
Song Yujia chuckled: “Alright, Xin Zhiyao, you’ve even prepared the props.”
She reached out to take it, and as she opened it, the smile on her face froze.
After more than ten seconds.
“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.”
A scream of extremely high decibels echoed through the dormitory.
Xin Zhiyao was prepared and immediately covered her mouth.
“Mmph.”
Song Yujia’s eyes were wide, and her muffled mouth still made intermittent sounds.
“Shh,” Xin Zhiyao’s scalp tingled as she gestured for her to calm down.
Damn, who could stay calm about this?
The youngest, most famous, and most handsome professor in the entire school married her best friend; who could possibly remain calm?
She pushed away Xin Zhiyao’s hand covering her mouth, her eyes filled with intense curiosity and a thirst for gossip.
“Calm down first, and then I’ll tell you,” Xin Zhiyao negotiated with her.
Song Yujia blinked her eyes, indicating her agreement.
Xin Zhiyao cautiously loosened her grip.
Song Yujia’s loud voice impatiently blurted out: “Heavens, how did you end up marrying Professor Zhou? Why did Professor Zhou marry you? When did you two get together? You’re moving out to live with him? Why did you never tell me? Ahh, why exactly did you and Professor Zhou get married?”
At this moment, Song Yujia was like a field mouse jumping frantically in a melon patch.
Xin Zhiyao dropped another bomb: “I’m pregnant.”
✦✦✦