Rejected by the Campus Belle, I Find My True Love-Chapter 94: There’s So Much I Want to Do, but Not Enough Time
The editor replied, "I know, sweetie. Just remember not to miss any updates, and for now, try to focus on your studies."
"Thank you for understanding, Editor," Lin Xi replied.
After putting down her phone, Lin Xi breathed a sigh of relief. She needed to finish the drafts for the next two days so she could ride the Ferris wheel with Xue Yang on New Year’s Day with a clear mind.
After the Ferris wheel, she also wanted to go to the cinema with Xue Yang, go out to eat, and wander the streets... In short, there were so, so, so many things she wanted to do with him.
There just wasn’t enough time, not nearly enough. She felt like she needed a lifetime to do all the things she wanted to with Xue Yang.
In the library, Chen Ying approached Xue Yang. "Xue Yang, I don’t quite understand this part. Can you explain it to me?"
Without looking up, Xue Yang replied, "I’ll just give you the data directly. It’s faster that way. You can review it on your own later."
Chen Ying pursed her lips and said, "Okay."
Xue Yang solved the problem that had stumped Chen Ying for half an hour in less than three minutes.
He really is... so impressive!
Xue Yang glanced at the time and realized it was already almost midnight. Outside, heavy snow was falling, and the entire campus was shrouded in silence. In the library, besides Xue Yang and Chen Ying, a few others were also rushing to finish their data work. But at this late hour, it was time to head back and get some rest. Getting home at this hour was going to be tough.
Thinking of the girl waiting for him at home, Xue Yang packed up his things, preparing to call a cab.
Chen Ying called out to him, "Xue Yang, to thank you for your help, let me treat you to a late-night snack."
"It’s too late, I have to get back. And, Senior Sister Chen, be careful on your way back to the dorm. Goodbye!"
There were other girls in the group besides Chen Ying, so Xue Yang didn’t plan on escorting her back to the women’s dormitory. He just packed his things and left. He strode into the wind and snow, his departure so decisive, so aloof. She had promised herself that after today, she would never bother him again.
Chen Ying lowered her head to pack her things. A tear fell, splashing onto the paper and blurring her world.
Catching a cab on a late winter night was incredibly difficult.
Xue Yang stood at the school gate for nearly half an hour before he managed to flag down a taxi. By the time he got into the car, his body was nearly frozen stiff. Yet even so, the thought of the sweet girl waiting for him at home made all the hardship seem to melt away.
It was 1:35 AM by the time he reached his apartment building. He stood outside the door for a moment, brushing the snow off his clothes and taking off his coat before pulling out his keys to unlock the door.
The moment she heard the door open, Lin Xi, who had been dozing, snapped awake. When she saw him at the door, she bolted over without a second thought.
"Xue Yang, you’re finally back."
Xue Yang set down his coat and caught the little missile that launched herself at him, hooking an arm under her bouncy little bottom and carrying her toward the sofa.
"I told you not to wait up for me. It’s too late."
Lin Xi wriggled in his arms. "But I wanted to wait for you."
Auntie Shen’s heart went out to Xue Yang, seeing him return so late. "I saved you some dinner and soup," she said. "Have a bowl of soup first to warm up. Look, your hands are red from the cold."
"Thank you, Auntie Shen. You really shouldn’t have."
"It’s no trouble at all."
Auntie Shen brought out a bowl of steaming soup. Xue Yang’s hands warmed up the moment he held it. He could tell she had kept the soup in a thermos so it would be hot and ready for him the moment he got back.
Next, Auntie Shen brought out the rest of the meal. It was a sumptuous spread of four dishes and a soup. This was the kind of treatment he only got from his parents when he went home. To say he wasn’t moved would be a lie.
"Auntie Shen, this is really too much."
"Nonsense, eat up! You must be starving coming back so late!"
Who wouldn’t dote on such a hardworking young man?
Lin Xi hugged Xue Yang’s arm and said, "That’s right, just eat. Auntie Shen is one of us, so you don’t have to be so formal."
Xue Yang was indeed starving, and he dug in with relish. Occasionally, Lin Xi would place a choice morsel on his plate, and he, in turn, would feed her a bite. The two of them quietly savored the peaceful moment together.
Sensing they needed some space, Auntie Shen discreetly excused herself to her room, closing the door behind her.
Besides, Xue Yang managed to persuade the Young Miss to come home. He deserved this much.
Seeing Auntie Shen leave, Lin Xi grew bolder.
"Hugs~"
"Auntie Shen is still here."
"She’s not. She went to her room."
"What if she comes out later?"
"She won’t."
Auntie Shen isn’t that tactless.
Xue Yang chuckled and pulled the restless little imp into his arms.
Lin Xi hugged his arm, resting her head on his shoulder and breathing in his familiar scent. "Xue Yang," she murmured, "I missed you so much."
I start missing you before you even leave. What am I going to do?
"I’m right here," he said softly.
"But I just miss you."
"When you miss me, look at the bracelet I gave you. Think of it as me, keeping you company."
"But it’s not the same as having you here."
"..."
"Xue Yang, why don’t you come home with me? I’ll work hard to convince my father to let us be together."
"So eager for me to meet the parents, are we?"
"I’m being serious."
"So am I."
He gently turned her to face him, his expression serious as he looked her in the eye.
"Lin Xi, I love you so much, and I want to be with you more than anything. Because of that, I want to meet your family and earn their approval even more than you do. But I want to earn it on my own merits, not because you pressured or manipulated them. Do you understand?
"This isn’t just an excuse. It’s the goal I’m working so hard for right now. Lin Xi, let’s work toward it together, okay?"
"Okay. Xue Yang, I promise you."
Lin Xi threw herself into Xue Yang’s arms, hugging him tightly. At that moment, nothing and no one could separate them.
In the deep silence of the night, the only sound was their breathing.
"Xue Yang~" she murmured.
When no one answered, she called out again, a little louder. "Xue Yang?"
Only when she heard faint, even breathing from just above her did she realize he had fallen asleep while holding her.
Lin Xi tilted her head up slightly. Xue Yang was leaning back against the sofa with his head tilted to one side, fast asleep. From her angle, she could clearly see the dark circles under his eyes.
A sudden ache filled Lin Xi’s heart. She had seen how busy he’d been these past few days and knew he was working so hard for their future.
How could she ever bear to let such a good man lose?
Lin Xi raised a hand to gently stroke his face. He’d been leaving early and coming home late so often that he hadn’t even had time to shave. The prickly feeling of his stubble seemed to scratch right at the deepest part of her heart, stirring her very soul.
