Little Sweetheart

Gu Siyi was sleeping soundly when she heard the bedroom door open.

Xu Jiahui came in with the housekeeper to clean the room.

Gu Siyi forced her eyelids open. Realizing she was completely naked, she quickly pulled the duvet over herself.

Xu Jiahui tugged at the duvet. "Time to get up and eat breakfast. Xia Zhijun's been up for ages. Why don't you learn from him…?"

Gu Siyi rolled over in bed, wrapping herself tightly in the down comforter, and mumbled, "I didn't sleep well…"

Then, from the corner of her eye, she saw the housekeeper about to empty the trash can—

A wave of memory surged over her. She remembered the used condom she had casually tossed in there last night…

Gu Siyi's face flushed crimson. Like a caterpillar in a cocoon, she rolled off the bed.

Xu Jiahui and the housekeeper were stunned, staring blankly.

Gu Siyi rolled towards the trash can, sat up still wrapped in the duvet, and peered inside—huh? It wasn't there?

Completely bewildered, Xu Jiahui asked, "What's going on?"

Relieved, Gu Siyi looked up and asked innocently, "Huh?… How did I get on the floor?"

She scrambled back onto the bed, thoroughly snuggling under the covers. "I must still be half asleep. I'll get up after a little more sleep…"

"…" Xu Jiahui was at a loss.

After her mother and the housekeeper left, Gu Siyi quickly got up and got dressed.

Looking in the mirror, she noticed that her studious boyfriend had been considerate enough not to leave any marks on her neck.

Wait, that condom… Did he take care of it?

It couldn't have just vanished into thin air, right?

When Gu Siyi went downstairs, Xia Zhijun was sitting at the dining table, eating porridge. Hearing her footsteps, he looked up, met her gaze, and gave her a thumbs-up.

So smooth, my studious boyfriend.

Xia Zhijun calmly turned back and continued eating his porridge.

Gu Siyi sat down opposite him and pretended to scold him. "Why did you get up so early? You made my mom come to my room to wake me up… She usually lets me sleep in."

Xia Zhijun immediately caught the key point: Mom went to the room…

Thank goodness.

Hearing this, Xu Jiahui chimed in, "You'll develop bad habits. When you go back to school, you'll be late for class."

Gu Siyi retorted with a smile, "But at school, my studious boyfriend will call me to wake me up."

Xu Jiahui turned to Xia Zhijun and said, "This girl… Thank you for putting up with her."

Xia Zhijun smiled. "It's no trouble. Taking care of her is what I should do. These are small things."

Xia Zhijun stayed at Gu Siyi's home for three days. Gu Zhiyuan drove them to visit some nearby scenic spots. Three days later, the whole family saw him off at the train station.

Xia Zhijun was becoming increasingly familiar with Gu Siyi's parents. Ever since Gu Zhiyuan had shown him the project feasibility report and learned that he was minoring in economics and management, he enjoyed discussing business matters with him from time to time, listening to the young man's ideas, which helped him broaden his own thinking. Gu Siyi was now most afraid of them chatting; once they started, they couldn't stop, and even her boyfriend got sidelined.

The one-month winter break was exceptionally short, and in the blink of an eye, it was time to return to school.

Because of her agreement with Zheng Peipei, Gu Siyi went back a few days early and stayed at Zheng Peipei's place to supervise her preparations for the make-up exams. Xia Zhijun knew about Gu Siyi's arrangement and didn't interfere.

Zheng Peipei had specially rented an apartment off-campus. It was only about 40 square meters, but it had everything. It was much more comfortable than the dorm.

Gu Siyi lay on the comfortable sofa and asked with a smile, "Is this your love nest with Su Han?"

Zheng Peipei sighed and said self-deprecatingly, "Love nest? More like an empty nest."

She counted on her fingers and concluded, "In six months, he's only been here twice, and one of those times he didn't even stay the night."

She had eagerly rented this apartment at the beginning of the semester simply for the convenience of meeting with her celebrity boyfriend. Going to a hotel was inconvenient and risked being recognized, and meeting at school was even more inconvenient; half the students at school were his fans…

So she had prepared this nest…

However, while her ideals were full, reality was bony; the nest had become an empty nest…

With Gu Siyi's supervision, Zheng Peipei's study efficiency significantly improved.

While Zheng Peipei studied, Gu Siyi read beside her. If Zheng Peipei's mind wandered, Gu Siyi wouldn't hesitate to call her out. If they got too tired, they would chat about gossip, which immediately boosted their morale. They didn't deprive themselves during breaks either, searching the streets and alleys for delicious food and drinks.

Once Zheng Peipei could smoothly complete the review papers the teacher had given her, they considered their task largely accomplished; the make-up exam questions would be drawn from those papers.

A week after the start of the semester, Gu Siyi received good news from Zheng Peipei.

Zheng Peipei: "[Photo]"

Zheng Peipei: "I passed both subjects I failed! [Victory][Victory]"

Gu Siyi: "Awesome!"

Zheng Peipei: "Hugs~ All thanks to Teacher Gu~"

Gu Siyi: "Hey, Xiao Zheng was also amazing~ You deserve praise~"

Zheng Peipei: "[Tears] What do I need a boyfriend for? I still want to marry you, Yi Ge!"

Gu Siyi: "I want to marry you too, but my studious boyfriend definitely won't let me have a harem. [Grievance]"

Zheng Peipei: "With me! You still want a harem?"

Gu Siyi: "You can be my concubine. [Evil grin]"

Zheng Peipei: "Get lost!"

Gu Siyi: "[Grin][Grin]"

The first semester of freshman year was full of novelty; everything was a new experience. But after a semester, by the second semester, everything had become familiar. Every day was a repetition of classes, occasionally interspersed with club activities and student council work.

Time always flies when it's repetitive…

Gu Siyi and Xia Zhijun's first birthdays at university were approaching.

Xia Zhijun and Zhou Xiao had both gotten their driver's licenses and planned a short trip to the mountains.

Half a month in advance, in their eight-person group chat, Xia Zhijun polled everyone about who was coming and made hotel arrangements.

Zheng Peipei: "@Lu Ye is Your Grandpa, are you coming back?"

Lu Jiaye: "Busy!!! Busy as a dog!!!"

Zheng Peipei: "I think you're just worn out from chasing girls!"

Lu Jiaye: "You've seen right through me. [Applause]"

Zheng Peipei: "As we agreed, you can't miss the birthday party."

Gu Siyi: "Exactly, come back. We'll reimburse your travel expenses."

Lu Jiaye: "Little Dimple's words are more convincing. With someone covering my travel expenses and taking care of food and lodging, a trip back home sounds good~"

Zheng Peipei: "[Despise][Despise][Despise]"

Gu Siyi: "@Su Han, are you free to come?"

When Gu Siyi asked this question, even Zheng Peipei held her breath.

He had recently taken on a new drama and was working from dawn till dusk on set. Looking at the photos posted from the set made her heart ache, and apart from her usual daily greetings, she didn't dare disturb him. Knowing that this drama would take several months to film, given his dedication and the director's strictness… it was likely he wouldn't have time to join their gathering.

Not wanting to affect his work, even though she longed to see him, she hadn't asked the question.

Now that Gu Siyi had asked, she couldn't help but anticipate his answer.

After a while, Su Han replied: "Sorry, I'm not sure, it depends on the situation. I can't give a definite answer right now."

Gu Siyi: "[Smile] Okay, the superstar's spot is pending."

Su Han: "I'm such a party pooper…"

Gu Siyi: "No, you're just really busy!"

Gu Siyi: "Hee hee hee, it's our honor to be friends with a superstar! The more popular you are, the more face we have!"

Zheng Peipei watched their conversation without saying a word.

…I wasn't expecting anything anyway, so it's not really a disappointment, right?

Now only Su Han's attendance was uncertain. The others, needless to say, would definitely be there. They were even impatient for it.

On the day Lu Jiaye returned, Xia Zhijun drove to the airport to pick him up.

Xia Zhijun had originally intended to go alone. When he and Lu Jiaye were discussing the pickup time in the group chat, Gu Siyi chimed in, "I'll go too."

Seeing this, Zheng Peipei replied: "I'll go too."

Lu Jiaye: "[Grin] Wow, I'm so popular~ Did you all miss me?"

Zheng Peipei: "No, I just want to see if you, you idiot, have become even remotely presentable after a year abroad."

Xiang Li: "I'm free that day, I'll go too."

Zhang Xinyi: "I want to go too."

Xia Zhijun: "The car won't fit everyone…"

Zhou Xiao: "Forget it, I'll drive too. Let's all go pick him up and give him a taste of the motherland's warmth."

Lu Jiaye: "[Grin][Grin][Grin][Grin][Grin][Grin]"

Lu Jiaye: "[Tears][Tears][Tears][Tears][Tears][Tears]"

Lu Jiaye: "So touching! My brothers and sisters! Can you get an armored car? And maybe some fireworks?"

Everyone: …………

No one responded to him.

His question withered in the group's silence.

After a while, he sent another message: "[Grievance][Grievance][Grievance] You guys don't love me anymore…"

…Still no one responded.

While feigning misery in the WeChat group, he was actually enjoying himself in a towering hotel in New York. He strolled over to the wine cabinet, opened a bottle of red wine, turned on some music, and sipped his wine while enjoying the tunes. He couldn't resist picking up his phone again and sending another message to the group, "I miss my family especially during festive times."

Lu Jiaye hadn't returned home during the Spring Festival; his whole family had come to visit him.

He had gone abroad last summer, so this return trip marked almost a year.

He hadn't gone back during that year, not because he didn't want to, but because he didn't have a suitable reason. His heart felt heavy.

Now, with this unavoidable opportunity to return home, he felt a sense of relief, finally able to face the feelings in his heart.

Three days later, at the airport.

The group of friends waited at the exit and saw Lu Jiaye emerge, wearing sunglasses and a backpack, looking incredibly dashing and suave.

His skin was tanned, his physique more imposing, and with the sunglasses, if it weren't for his recognizable deep-set eyes, they might not have recognized him at first glance.

The first thing Lu Jiaye's eyes, behind the sunglasses, locked onto was Zheng Peipei…

His gaze was fixed on her.

She's still the same… It's so clear, like it was just yesterday…

And… suddenly… my heart is racing! Damn it!

What is this! This is so unfair!

Lu Jiaye almost covered his mouth to complain.

Everyone was looking at Lu Jiaye, but they didn't know who he was looking at.

Xia Zhijun stepped forward, and Lu Jiaye gave him a warm hug. Xia Zhijun reluctantly accepted it, then pushed him away in disgust a second later.

Lu Jiaye took off his sunglasses and looked around at everyone. His previously fair face, now tanned, gave him a different kind of charm.

Lu Jiaye: "No one's going to give me flowers or anything?"

Everyone: "…??"

Lu Jiaye: "Then how about applause? A round of applause to welcome me, that's acceptable, right?"

Everyone: "…"

Xia Zhijun put his arm around Gu Siyi's shoulders and led her away.

The others turned and left as well.

Lu Jiaye: …???

What happened to the warmth of the motherland?

"You bunch of liars! Wait for me! You tricked me into coming back and now you're abandoning me! I'm so pitiful!" Lu Jiaye shouted, chasing after them.

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