The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later-Chapter 206 - 205: You’re Saying I’m Old?

After leaving the shop, they went straight to He Ziqing’s university.

Beijing University truly lived up to its reputation as one of the top universities in the country. It had a long history, and even its campus was distinctive, with every corner steeped in cultural heritage.

From the moment He Nan walked through the school gates, a wide grin never left his face, his eyes darting around, trying to take everything in.

He Lang pushed Mr. He’s wheelchair, and Mr. He also looked left and right with great interest.

"Dad, what do you think? This is the best campus in the whole country. Your granddaughter goes to this university, and she’ll be a great asset to the nation one day. Doesn’t that make you incredibly proud?" He Lang teased.

Mr. He nodded. "Yes, it does. Ziqing really brings honor to our He family."

"Hehe!" He Nan couldn’t help but chuckle.

It was currently summer break at Beijing University, so only a few people could be seen walking around campus. He Lang knew where He Ziqing’s dorm was and led them straight there.

"Dad? Grandpa? What are you guys doing here?"

He Ziqing’s eyes filled with pleasant surprise when she saw her family suddenly appear.

But when she noticed Mr. He in a wheelchair, she grew concerned. "Grandpa, what happened? Why are you in a wheelchair?"

He Nan explained to her, "Your grandpa’s leg is hurting, so we came to Beijing City to see a doctor. I’m heading back the day after tomorrow, so we came to see you."

He Ziqing looked at Mr. He’s leg. "Grandpa’s leg hurts... why didn’t you guys tell me?"

Mr. He smiled. "Well, we’re here now, aren’t we? Besides, you’re not a doctor. Telling you would have just made you worry."

Her face full of worry, He Ziqing asked, "Dad, have you taken Grandpa to the hospital for his leg? What did the doctor say?"

"We have. Your grandpa will be staying with your third uncle for treatment. I’ll head back first. You should go visit when you have time."

He Ziqing started packing her things. "Let’s go, then. I don’t have classes today. I just need to be back by tomorrow afternoon."

He Nan nodded. "Alright."

After they left the dormitory and had walked a short distance, a man in a white shirt and black trousers approached them. He didn’t look very old and wore a pair of glasses. Xue Yue found herself staring for a few extra seconds; he was quite good-looking, with a chiseled face and an unapproachable air about him.

"Hello, Professor Qi," He Ziqing called out to the man.

The man looked at He Ziqing, then glanced at the group with her. "Going out?"

He Ziqing nodded. "This is my family. They came to visit me, and I don’t have class today."

"Mm, be back early."

After speaking, the man even gave them a slight nod before striding away.

Xue Yue turned to watch his departing back and nudged He Ziqing with her elbow. "Is that one of your teachers? He doesn’t look very old."

He Ziqing nodded. "Yeah. Professor Qi was just hired by the university this year. I heard from other students that he just got back from studying abroad. He’s only a little older than us."

Xue Yue blinked. "So handsome. And a professor at such a young age. That’s really impressive."

Catching her third uncle’s sour expression from the corner of her eye, He Ziqing hid a smile and said, "He is handsome. A lot of the girls in my class have secret crushes on him."

Xue Yue nodded. "Tsk, as they should."

He Lang said flatly, "Should I call him back so you can chat some more?"

Xue Yue shook her head. "No, forget it. He’s already far away."

As soon as she said that, she saw He Lang staring at her, his face a mask of displeasure. Xue Yue’s eyes darted, and she quickly grabbed He Ziqing’s arm. "Oh, let’s get going! I’m getting a little hungry. What should we have for lunch?"

He Nan grinned and clapped He Lang on the shoulder. He Lang gritted his teeth.

Xue Yue clearly noticed that He Lang was much quieter today. That evening, after washing up and entering the room, she saw he was already lying in bed with his back to her.

Listening to his breathing, Xue Yue knew he wasn’t asleep yet.

"Big Brother seems really happy today. I can hear him and his daughter still talking."

He Lang grunted, "Mm."

Xue Yue got into bed, crawled on top of him, and peered at his face, finding his eyes closed.

"Sleepy?"

He Lang didn’t speak, clearly giving her the silent treatment.

Xue Yue’s lips twitched. She pinched He Lang’s cheek. "What’s wrong? Are you upset?"

He Lang snorted. "What’s there for me to be upset about? I’m an old man now. How can I compare to a young, promising, and handsome lad?"

Xue Yue pressed her lips together as a smile slowly bloomed in her eyes.

She leaned in and gave He Lang a kiss on the cheek. "Who says that? I like older men. Older men know how to dote on someone."

He Lang’s eyes snapped open. He stared at her. "You’re saying I’m old?"

Xue Yue’s expression froze. She mumbled, "You’re not that old. Just a—a little bit—old."

"Hah!!!"

He Lang snorted again and closed his eyes. This time, he was genuinely angry.

Xue Yue climbed off him and lay down facing him, staring right at him while cooing, "I was wrong. Don’t be mad. You’re not old at all."

He Lang continued to ignore her.

Xue Yue reached out, pulled He Lang’s arm away, and snuggled in, their faces now inches apart.

"Really. I just like you the way you are. Whether you’re young or old, you’re exactly my type."

As Xue Yue spoke, her breath tickled his face.

Xue Yue lightly brushed her lips against his. "I mean it. I like you the most."

He Lang opened his eyes and looked at her. "You like me the most? Then why were you staring at another man and calling him handsome?"

’This guy is still hung up on what happened earlier today.’ She pursed her lips, fighting back a laugh.

"No matter how good-looking he is, it has nothing to do with me. Besides, my man is very handsome too, okay? If you really have to compare, my man is the best."

The corners of He Lang’s mouth curved up slightly, but he still said to Xue Yue, "If I ever catch you staring at another man and calling him handsome again, just you watch how I’ll deal with you."

Xue Yue nodded. "I know, I won’t look anymore. That way you won’t get all jealous."

He Lang’s eyes widened slightly. "Who said I was jealous?"

Xue Yue rolled her eyes. "Whoever the shoe fits."

He Lang rolled on top of her. "You’re asking for it."

But then Xue Yue turned over and yawned. "Ah, I’m so tired. I want to sleep."

He Lang gritted his teeth, but seeing Xue Yue close her eyes as if she were truly about to fall asleep, he lay back down. Now he was wide awake.

And Xue Yue did fall asleep. She didn’t know how long she’d been out when she felt something strange—a hot breath washing over her skin.

Xue Yue groggily opened her eyes and saw that it was already light outside.

She looked down and saw He Lang under the covers, kissing her relentlessly.

Her voice was a little hoarse. "What time is it?"

Seeing that she was awake, He Lang let go completely.

When it was over, Xue Yue glanced at her watch. It was just after six o’clock.

She looked at the still panting He Lang. "Don’t tell me you were up all night."

He Lang shot her a sideways glance. "What do you think?"

Xue Yue shut her mouth and blinked, not daring to bring up last night’s events again. ’Tsk, tsk, this man holds such a grudge.’