Chapter 53

In the darkness, Shuangyun's heart beat rapidly.
How about that! She'd always said Cheng Lang was definitely better at playing than her.
Her heart pounded. She also had to measure her tone.
Shuangyun pretended to be reserved and asked him: "Then what else do you want to do?"
A long silence. But Cheng Lang said: "I'm not allowed to do those things."
The flames he'd lit were extinguished by himself.
Shuangyun actually didn't know if she was expecting him to do something or if she thought it was right that he didn't cross the line at this moment.
Her lips pursed again, from dry back to moist.
Cheng Lang gently turned on the light.
Only now could he clearly, intently look at her.
Look at her black long hair falling behind her, silver earrings swaying on her cheeks.
Very beautiful. Never changed.
Cheng Lang laughed very lightly.
Said: "Shuangyun Liang, I missed you."
How could he say such things right away? So calm, so restrained, yet so full of affection.
Shuangyun, for some reason, felt her nose sting.
"I never saw you say such things to me on WeChat." She deliberately teased.
Cheng Lang said: "I don't know either. I just wanted to say this right now."
Shuangyun wanted to say something more, but her heart was melted by this pure thing that seemed as crystalline as snowflakes. The office wasn't large, so it was quiet like a vacuum.
Shuangyun could hardly bear these intense feelings anymore, so she spoke again: "Didn't you say you were coming to get something?"
"No, I just wanted to talk to you in a private place."
Shuangyun looked at him and laughed. Her heart was completely soft.
Cheng Lang also laughed.
"Shall we go?" He said, also stepping aside to open the office door again.
Shuangyun walked out first.
Cheng Lang followed behind, quietly taking off the ring on his ring finger and putting it in his pocket.
Outside was already night. Streetlights lit up one by one.
"Same as the first time I went to listen to your class." Shuangyun said.
"Yeah, no headache this time?"
"Last time there wasn't either, okay?"
Cheng Lang laughed together with Shuangyun.
Evening wind blew. Shuangyun felt very comfortable in body and mind.
They walked side by side, with a distance that wasn't too far or too close.
Cheng Lang had always held her hand before.
As Shuangyun walked, Cheng Lang also introduced the campus to her. The school was very large. The two walked for a very long time, but neither said they wanted to end.
Shuangyun told him about what had happened in her life this year. It could be finished in a few minutes. Because it was really too boring, not many memorable moments worth mentioning.
But she was full of interest in Cheng Lang's life. Listening to interesting things that happened when he did research here, the big names in academia he'd met, international conferences he'd attended, also getting many grants. Daily life was full of thinking and challenges. Every day for him was completely different, full of meaning.
Cheng Lang also told her about his plans for the next few years. In which year to start preparing materials, in which year to start applying for grant projects, he had clear timelines in his heart. Papers co-authored with others had been submitted to Nature and were waiting for results. Previously published articles had also been noticed by media, invited to speak on TV.
When he talked about these things, his tone was very focused. The details came naturally. Whatever questions Shuangyun asked, he'd considered. This was the life he truly wanted. These were the things he truly cared about.
Shuangyun thought of how he'd looked in the classroom again.
Shoulders gradually moved closer to shoulders. Shuangyun grabbed his hand.
So what? If she wanted to hold it, she held it.
Cheng Lang was still speaking, his rhythm also off for half a beat.
But he didn't stop. Slowing his tone, adjusting his thoughts, also tightening his palm, holding Shuangyun's hand back.
By the time they'd walked back to the teaching building, it was already past eight in the evening.
Cheng Lang asked if she wanted to go to his place for dinner. Shuangyun cheerfully agreed.
The two walked to the parking lot. Shuangyun saw the Lexus she'd bought him.
"Does it drive well?" Shuangyun asked.