"Hubby, you’re the best~"
Zhou Sinin seemed a little embarrassed, pressing her chin firmly against the man’s shoulder. Her peach blossom-shaped eyes squinted into two beautiful crescent moons.
Her hand unconsciously stroked the back of Lu Jincheng’s neck, full of reliance, as if reluctant to let go.
"My mom will definitely like you very much."
Unlike the caution girls often show when confessing their relationships to family, male college students tend to be carefree about such matters.
Ninety-nine percent of parents wouldn’t stop their sons from dating during their college years.
After all, as the saying goes, boys don’t really suffer losses.
Even if it doesn’t end in marriage, gaining social skills and experience interacting with the opposite gender is valuable.
So, without much thought, Lu Jincheng agreed to Zhou Sinin.
As for how Li Yan and Lu Yuqing might view him juggling two relationships, well, that was another matter altogether.
"Since you came to Shanghai this year, then next year around this time, I’ll visit your hometown... How’s that?"
Zhou Sinin lifted her chin with sparkles dancing in her starry eyes, filled with anticipation for the future.
"Sure, it’s super lively back home during the New Year. I’ll take you skiing, to feast, soak in hot springs—anything you want to do."
Leaning close, the two of them ping-ponged ideas back and forth, planning activities for the upcoming Spring Festival. Follow current novels on N0v3l.Fiɾe.net
Whether it was just wishful thinking didn’t matter; as long as they talked about it, Lu Jincheng could easily make her happy.
"It’s past eleven. Isn’t Auntie hurrying you to go back?"
After chatting for over an hour, Lu Jincheng leaned against the headboard, occasionally glancing at the wall clock nearby in curiosity.
The sky was completely dark by now, and neon lights were no longer glowing everywhere.
At this hour, even in Liao City, during his evening dates with Zhong Ruixi, it would already be time to head home.
Zhou Sinin blinked, her dimples clearly visible, and said, "I told my mom I’m not going back."
Lu Jincheng was taken aback.
Before he could ask further questions, the girl’s face flushed crimson as she clarified, "My family’s situation is a bit special..."
"If I tell my dad I’m going home, then tell my mom I’m going to my dad’s place, I can basically fool both sides and stay out overnight."
"Since they probably won’t contact each other."
Lu Jincheng rubbed his girlfriend’s head sympathetically, showing understanding.
Parents’ love often comes with boundaries; this is perhaps the unique reality of single-parent households.
"Where do you want to go tomorrow?"
"Let me tell you, the Golden Stone Coffee shop in Shanghai just opened the day before yesterday..."
"And I’ve been wanting to visit a few spots for ages—look, look, tomorrow we’ll go together!"
"Your Golden Stone Media recently has a streamer who’s really popular, right?"
"I watched her highlights. Haha, she’s so entertaining!"
Holding her phone, Zhou Sinin giggled as she snuggled closer, bombarding him with random memories slipping loose from her mind.
It wasn’t the exact words that mattered—what lingered were the emotions wrapped within them, the true essence of every story.
The man listened quietly to her rambling as if it were a sleep-talking monologue, absentmindedly stroking her hair.
"If only I could lie here with you all the time."
"Your mom might not agree right now. How about trying again when we’re back at school?"
Lu Jincheng said with a chuckle.
"Hmm, if only I could hold on to you forever..."
Zhou Sinin reached out to tuck away loose strands of hair from her ear, her tender voice fading into the room’s stillness.
Lu Jincheng didn’t reply immediately; instead, he gazed at her lovingly, with a faint smile.
Longevity and permanence only exist in fantasies, while the real world is fragmented and flawed.
Zhou Sinin knew this all too well.
The man’s response was: It’s wonderful that you feel this way.
She was aware of one thing—at this point in time, she was not the only one in Lu Jincheng’s life.
Yet he couldn’t re-freeze the places she had already melted.
Those stirring impulses were bound to eventually throttle everyone’s throats.
"Weren’t you saying earlier that you’re tired? What are you up to now..."
Under the faint moonlight, Lu Jincheng kissed the girl back, feeling the slightly dry surface of her lips.
Throughout most of their late-night conversation, she had been talking nonstop, spinning through various mundane topics.
Until her lips grew parched, seemingly in desperate need of water.
Yet she didn’t hop out of bed; instead, she chose a much more straightforward approach.
She snuggled closer, her eyes filled with affection.
"I’ve rested enough~"
The girl murmured sweetly, her voice syrupy and dreamy.
"My legs don’t hurt anymore. My waist feels much better."
That’s only natural, since girls with active lifestyles recover faster than others.
Still, the man thought for a moment and felt pity: "Didn’t we plan to visit so many places tomorrow?"
"I don’t care, I just want to..."
She muttered unclear words, shaking her head at Lu Jincheng.
"Let me get you some water."
Lu Jincheng said while attempting to get up, but was blocked by the arm she draped across his chest.
"Baby, you won’t be able to get up tomorrow morning."
Lu Jincheng caressed her face, half-smiling as he spoke.
Zhou Sinin muttered repeatedly, her hand hesitantly reaching out from beneath the blanket, clumsily fumbling with no finesse.
Looking at her radiant yet stubborn eyes, along with her flushed cheeks, the man seemed to find no reason to refuse.
Lu Jincheng lazily stretched out and embraced her tightly, his chest pressed against her back.