Before Shen Mianmian could respond, Yang Xiaoxi retorted irritably, "By the time Mianmian graduates, Brother He will be almost thirty, still unmarried. How long should she wait? If you really want to attend the wedding, can’t you just come back then? Besides, you’re not the groom, so your presence doesn’t really matter that much."
The thought of him leaving again filled Yang Xiaoxi with resentment. In her mind, the three of them should have finished university together, then stayed in Beijing to start a business, spent time having fun together, walked around, and vented to each other about their troubles—how great would that be! But Lu Siyuan always seemed to want to leave them behind and go it alone.
Back in Licheng, it was a forced situation, but now he definitely had a choice.
Lu Siyuan didn’t argue with her. Rarely, he replied from the heart, "I want to come back and see her off. Mianmian has few relatives here, and if we don’t attend her wedding, people might think she has no one to support her and take advantage of her."
Seeing Yang Xiaoxi’s mood, he continued, "Don’t overthink it. I’m not planning to abandon you to fly solo. My parents’ business is growing, and by going abroad, I can learn more. When I come back, having a foreign-educated friend will give you face, won’t it?"
Over time, Lu Siyuan had realized that the relationship between Shen Mianmian and Brother He was not something he could disrupt. Rather than staying here and feeling miserable, it would be better to go abroad and reflect.
As time passed, his feelings for Shen Mianmian would naturally evolve into pure friendship.
Hearing this, Yang Xiaoxi felt somewhat relieved but still retorted stubbornly, "Who cares!" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝕟𝕖𝕥
Shen Mianmian chuckled and patted her shoulder, comforting her, "It’s okay! We know you’ll miss Siyuan. We’ll make him call often, write letters, and send us some delicious local food. Later, when we have time, we can even go visit him and check out the foreign customs and people."
Shen Mianmian also felt reluctant about Lu Siyuan going abroad, but she understood her place. Since Lu Siyuan had made his decision, he surely had his reasons, and her interference would only make it difficult for him.
After all, going abroad was just a matter of a few years. They could still gather together after a few years. The future was long, so why focus only on the present?
Yang Xiaoxi pouted, "If he doesn’t send food back, we won’t answer his calls or read his letters."
Before Shen Mianmian could speak, she added, "And don’t you bring back a foreign girl."
Lu Siyuan couldn’t hold back any longer and glared at her, "What nonsense are you thinking about?"
As if foreign girls were so easy to snag—only she could come up with something like that.
Yang Xiaoxi made a face.
Since their time together was running short, Lu Siyuan didn’t feel like arguing anymore and seriously instructed,
"If anything happens, write to me. If anyone dares to bully you, I’ll come back and deal with them, even if it means quitting school."
Hearing this, Yang Xiaoxi pouted, "Oh please! By the time you get back, we’ll have been bullied to death."
Lu Siyuan looked at her with frustration, then turned to Shen Mianmian and said, "You and Brother He should try to get along, but if you really can’t, or if his family torments you, don’t suffer in silence. Brother He might be a good man, but he’s not the only good man in the world."