"Twenty-eight... That’s a good age. Only four years older than our Ziqing. You’re a teacher? At Beijing University, too? You weren’t Ziqing’s teacher, were you?"

Qi Mingyang smiled. "I was, but Ziqing is going to be a graduate student."

"A graduate student?"

It wasn’t just Mrs. He who was confused; this was the first time Xue Yue had heard the term as well.

He Ziqing explained, "The school just announced in November that they’re recruiting a group of graduate students. It means continuing my studies. I’ve already signed up."

Qi Mingyang nodded. "It’s just a higher level of education."

Xue Yue seemed to understand. "That’s amazing."

Mrs. He didn’t understand all that. After listening for a moment, she changed the subject. "How long have you two been seeing each other?"

He Ziqing’s face flushed as she glanced at Qi Mingyang. ’How am I supposed to answer that?’ she thought. ’Since yesterday?’

Qi Mingyang, looking perfectly calm, said, "Grandma, I’ve liked Ziqing for over a year. I only confessed my feelings recently, though."

He Ziqing blinked. ’It was just yesterday!’ she thought. ’He insisted I take responsibility, used a mix of threats and promises, and today he’s already meeting my family. How can he lie so brazenly without batting an eye?’

After he spoke, Qi Mingyang glanced at He Ziqing, who shot him a glare.

There was a hint of a smile in Qi Mingyang’s eyes.

He Lang, sitting on a stool with one leg crossed over the other, tapped his fingers on the table.

"Ziqing is still a student. Isn’t it a bit early for her to be in a relationship?"

Xue Yue said, "Ziqing is already twenty-four. This is the perfect age to be dating."

He Lang glanced at Xue Yue. Seeing how pleased she was with this Professor Qi only made him more disgruntled.

"He’s already twenty-eight, that’s so old. And he was Ziqing’s teacher. That won’t sound good if word gets out."

Xue Yue looked at him. "What’s wrong with him being a teacher? Besides, he isn’t anymore. And twenty-eight isn’t old. You were twenty-eight when you married me, and I didn’t complain that you were old."

He Lang tilted his head, giving Xue Yue a lazy look.

The moment Xue Yue saw that look on his face, she clammed up and gave him a placating smile.

’Heh heh. Not old, definitely not old.’ He Lang absolutely hated it when Xue Yue called him old.

Mrs. He nodded as well. "Twenty-eight certainly isn’t old, and being a teacher is a good profession. When do you plan on going to see your father?"

At those words, He Ziqing shot to her feet.

"There’s no rush for that, no rush at all," she said hastily.

Qi Mingyang glanced at He Ziqing before saying to Mrs. He, "I was hoping to go with Ziqing to meet her father this year, but she might not be ready. If so, we can wait a little longer."

Mrs. He said to He Ziqing, "The New Year is almost here. Since you’re going back anyway, you might as well take Xiao Qi with you. Otherwise, you’ll be busy with school next year, and who knows when you’ll find the time."

Qi Mingyang nodded. "Grandma, that’s what I was thinking, too."

He Ziqing clenched her fists. "Grandma, I haven’t told my dad yet. What if he doesn’t approve? I should go back and talk to him about it first."

Mrs. He thought for a moment. "That works, too. When are you planning on heading back?"

He Ziqing said, "Tomorrow. I’ve already bought my train ticket."

"Then stay the night. Grandma has a few things to talk to you about."

He Ziqing nodded. "Okay."

After chatting for a little longer, it was time for Qi Mingyang to leave.

"Come visit again when you have time. Ziqing, go walk Xiao Qi out."

"Okay."

Once they were out the door, He Ziqing grabbed Qi Mingyang’s arm and hurried him a few steps away.

She pulled him a little farther away before turning to him, fuming. "We only just made things official yesterday! How could you lie to my grandma like that? And when did I ever say I was going to introduce you to my father?"

Qi Mingyang looked at He Ziqing’s puffy, indignant cheeks, smiled, and reached out to pinch one.

He Ziqing slapped his hand away. "What do you think you’re doing?"

Qi Mingyang leaned against the wall, watching her. "We’re a couple now. It’s only natural for me to be a little handsy, isn’t it? It just shows that I like you."

He Ziqing’s gaze flickered. "How am I supposed to know when you’re telling the truth? A minute ago you were saying you’ve liked me for over a year. You don’t have an honest bone in your body."

Qi Mingyang raised an eyebrow. "And how do you know it isn’t true?"

He Ziqing looked at Qi Mingyang in surprise. Meeting his deep, intense gaze, she felt herself being drawn in by him again and quickly lowered her head.

Qi Mingyang sighed. "I was serious when I said I wanted to go with you to meet your father," he told her. "If you’re not ready, I can wait. But I’ll have to meet him sooner or later."

He Ziqing started to get flustered.

"Mr. Qi, I already told you, that was an accident! I didn’t mean to kiss you. Can you please stop messing with me?"

The smile vanished from Qi Mingyang’s eyes as he looked at her calmly.

"It doesn’t matter if it was an accident or not. I’ve guarded my virtue for twenty-eight years, and I gave it to you. You have to take responsibility. And I’ll say it again: stop calling me ’Mr. Qi’. Use my name. I wouldn’t gamble the rest of my life just to mess with you."

He Ziqing frowned. "Qi—Mingyang, you studied abroad, for crying out loud. You can’t be this old-fashioned, can you? I gave you one little kiss and suddenly you’ve lost your ’virtue’?"

Qi Mingyang nodded nonchalantly. "I may have studied abroad, but deep down, I’m still a man from Hua Country. My first kiss, holding hands... all of my firsts were meant for my future wife. Now, you’ve not only stolen my first kiss, but you’ve also held my hand. You have no choice but to take responsibility."

He Ziqing glanced down at her own hand, then took a step back from Qi Mingyang.

Seeing her reaction, Qi Mingyang felt a pang of disappointment.

He said slowly, "Do you dislike me that much?"

He Ziqing shook her head. She was just feeling very confused right now.

Qi Mingyang straightened up. "Go home and think about it. Do you really dislike me so much? Is the idea of being with me really that unacceptable?"

"I’m going now. I’ll come see you off at the train station tomorrow."

With that, Qi Mingyang left.

He Ziqing stood at the doorway for a long time before finally going back inside.

Xue Yue watched He Ziqing come back inside and noticed her expression wasn’t great.

"What’s wrong?"

He Ziqing shook her head. "It’s nothing, Third Aunt. I’m just a little tired."

Xue Yue patted her back. "If you’re tired, you should go get some rest."

He Ziqing hesitated for a moment before asking, "Third Aunt, do you like Third Uncle?"

Xue Yue paused for a second, then nodded. "Of course. ’Like’ is too shallow a word. I love him."

He Ziqing looked at Xue Yue, bewildered. "Love?"

’What is love?’

Xue Yue put an arm around He Ziqing’s shoulders and led her into the room, where they sat down.

"What’s going on? Are you dealing with something difficult?"

He Ziqing mumbled, "If two people who don’t love each other get married... do they end up like my mom and dad?" 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Xue Yue pressed her lips together. "Your parents might have been in love when they got married. But people’s feelings can change. No one can guarantee they’ll love one person for their entire life. Besides, marriage isn’t just about love. There’s also responsibility and commitment."

"Responsibility and commitment?"

Xue Yue nodded.

"Falling in love is easy, but staying together is hard. When the passion fades, you have to rely on responsibility and commitment to see you through."