The next day, Liang came to her house while her mother and I were waiting for her. As soon as she entered, her mother and I popped the balloons and shouted, "Congratulations!"
Liang stood frozen, eyes wide. "What are you two doing?"
I grinned. "I know Zhichen proposed to you. How did it go?"
Her mother leaned in eagerly. "Can I meet him? When are you getting married, Liang?"
Liang groaned, "Ma~" Then turned to me with narrowed eyes. "So this is your doing, right? Qin, you've started spreading lies now?"
She faced her mother again and sighed, "Ma, if I bring him here, you'll start wedding preparations immediately. He's a shy man. I can only manage him."
Her mother raised a brow, half teasing. "How did a shy man like him even fall for you? I wonder what spell you cast."
I burst into laughter. "Auntie, I know exactly what she did!"
Her mother turned to me curiously. "What~~?"
"It's simple," I said, trying not to laugh. "She just flirted with him, and he fell for her like a coconut falling from a tree!"
Liang's mother laughed and playfully tapped her daughter's shoulder. "I'll be waiting to meet him."
Liang glared at me. I pulled her into a hug. "Ahh~~ I was just teasing you! Don't be mad."
We got ready for work, and she nodded silently.
---
At school, while I was in the middle of teaching, Lu showed up unexpectedly. He opened the door, but I didn't notice him. The little cuties in class did, though. Lu hushed them with a finger to his lips and gestured for silence.
He walked up behind me and gently closed my eyes with his hands.
The children gasped in unison, "Waa~~!"
I pulled his hands away and turned around. Before I could react, he kissed me softly on the forehead.
The kids squealed again, "Teacher~~!"
I gave him a playful slap. "What are you doing?! This isn't home, it's school!"
One little cutie chimed in, "Dr. Lu is totally affected by you, teacher!"
Surprised, I asked, "Do you even know what that means?"
He folded his arms seriously. "Couples are like this."
Lu chuckled, lifted him up, and kissed his cheek. The boy shyly kissed him back.
I pulled my student away. "Lu, are you trying to steal my cuties?"
He smiled. "I don't need to steal them. They'll come to me willingly."
The children laughed with us.
I crossed my arms. "What are you doing here anyway? Don't you have work?"
"I was on my way," he said casually. Then he leaned down and whispered in my ear, "I'll come to your place for dinner."
Covering my ears, I stared at him. "Lu~~ you've changed so much since falling in love."
He stood up, grinned, and walked to the door. Just before leaving, he formed a heart with his fingers and chuckled as he left.
The kids, who had been watching the whole time, giggled and playfully covered their eyes.
---
After work, I went home and prepared dinner for Lu. He arrived around 9 PM. As soon as he walked in, I greeted him warmly. "Lu, you're here. I've made dinner. Go wash your hands—I'll set the table."
"Haa~" he said softly, and went to wash up.
When we sat down to eat, he looked exhausted.
"Come on, eat," I said gently.
He picked up his chopsticks and began eating, but only in small bites. I watched him closely.
"Lu, are you okay? You seem drained. Did something happen at work?"
He shook his head. "No."
I took a bite, but then he reached across and held my hand. "Qin… I think we have to be separated for a while."
My body froze. I tried to stay calm. "Are you going to do night shifts now?"
He replied, "No. I'm going to be away for…"
I dropped my chopsticks. My hands trembled. "It's just a few months, right?"
He hesitated. "No… two years."
Tears welled in my eyes. I lowered my head, facing the bowl. "How many months?" I asked softly.
"Two years," he repeated.
The words hit like a stone. I burst into tears, trying to steady my breathing. Then I lifted my head and asked, "Why? Why are you going?"
Lu looked at me with heavy eyes. "This morning, my professor called. He told me I've been selected to work and train under a team of top international doctors. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It's in Germany."
I forced a smile, though my heart was breaking. "It's your dream, right?"
He nodded. "Yes."
"Then you should go. I'll wait for you. It's just two years." I picked up my chopsticks again, trying to hide the trembling in my hands.
He looked at me with concern. "Aren't you worried?"
Tears spilled down my cheeks. "Do you think I'm not? We just started dating, and now we'll be in a long-distance relationship."
He looked conflicted. "That's why I wanted to talk to you. My professor gave me a day to decide."
"Did you tell your parents?"
"Yes."
"What did they say?"
"They told me to go."
I nodded. "Then you should go achieve your dream."
"But you—Qin…"
I raised my voice, emotions bubbling over. "If you don't go because of me, it'll feel like I'm holding you back. I don't want to be your obstacle. I want to be your support."
I met his eyes with determination. "If you're worried that our love won't survive these two years, then let me say this now—I won't let that happen. I'll message you, send photos whenever I can. And even if you're too busy, just send me a dot. That'll be enough for me."
Lu was crying now.