The day Qin Ruofang was sent back to their home country, Su He and Lu Yanbei were already on a plane bound for Princeton.
This was a plan they had made in advance.
In first class, the air and humidity were just right. The adjustable sofa seat was also quite comfortable, and Su He unconsciously fell asleep.
When she woke up, they had already arrived at their destination.
Listening to the landing announcement on the radio, Su He opened her hazy eyes.
A thin blanket was draped over her, and the man beside her was quietly explaining something to a flight attendant. Seeing that Su He was awake, he casually adjusted her seat.
"We're here already?" she asked.
Lu Yanbei hummed with a smile.
Su He was indeed a heavy sleeper.
But it was understandable. Last night had been quite… intense, and she had only fallen asleep close to dawn. Then they had to rush to the airport, so naturally, she hadn't had a chance to catch up on sleep.
Thinking about last night's fiery evening, Lu Yanbei’s smile was one of pure satisfaction.
They had, after all, become a real, bona fide married couple.
Su He had actually had a premonition that their relationship would take a step further, but she hadn't expected that day to come so quickly. In a way, there hadn't been any deliberate atmosphere created; it was just… a natural progression.
Su He hadn't taken baths for a long time due to her cycle. The day it ended, she had immediately scheduled one for herself. But perhaps because she was too happy, she forgot to bring her pajamas. She had no choice but to ask for help from a certain person.
That person looked at the small woman curled up in the bathtub, her cheeks as rosy as clouds, her neck flushed red from the steam, and her alluring collarbones subtly visible. His Adam’s apple involuntarily bobbed.
Then, starting with a kiss, they revealed themselves to each other. And then, as a matter of course, they did all the things that couples do.
From the bathroom to the vanity and then to the bedroom, they were entangled, with a sense of "till death do us part."
Su He finally fell asleep from exhaustion.
The man, who hadn't indulged for many years, wasn't easily satisfied. But seeing his wife’s tired expression, he restrained himself. He carried her back to the bathroom for a shower, and then they held each other until dawn.
Because of what happened last night, Su He was still feeling shy. Whenever Lu Yanbei got close, she felt her face burning.
This after-effect was truly something.
However, there was one thing Su He had to admit: Lu Yanbei, who was passionate about her, was incredibly charming.
Su He covered her face and only regained her composure after a while.
Outside the airport, a driver was already waiting.
Lu's Group had a branch company here, and Lu Yanbei occasionally came to inspect it. Therefore, he also owned many properties here, which served as resting places when he was on business trips.
Although this trip was not for official business, the company had received the news early and had diligently sent a manager to greet them.
Seeing Lu Yanbei walk out with a woman in his arms, the manager was stunned for a long time, thinking he was seeing things.
How had their boss, who had always been indifferent to women, suddenly changed his ways?
Lu Yanbei glanced at him indifferently and pushed the suitcase towards him.
The manager snapped back to reality and quickly stepped forward with a smile to greet them. "Mr. Lu, and this lady is…?"
"My wife," Lu Yanbei explained simply.
Since they hadn't had a wedding ceremony, very few people knew about his marital status.
"Wife?" The manager's astonishment deepened.
Lu Yanbei didn't bother with him, directly opened the car door, and helped Su He get in.
The manager reacted quickly, hastily putting the suitcase in the trunk and rushing back to the driver's seat to act as their dedicated driver. "Mr. Lu, would you prefer to go back to the hotel to rest, or find a place to eat?"
At this hour, it was still morning in local time.
Lu Yanbei turned his head to ask Su He beside him, "Are you hungry?"
Su He honestly nodded. "Hungry."
"Then let's go eat first," Lu Yanbei decided.
The manager, having received the instruction, drove them to a well-known restaurant nearby.
It was early in the morning, and the restaurant hadn't even opened yet. But with Lu Yanbei's connections, getting a meal was quite easy. Thus, the chef, who was sound asleep in bed, was rousted out to prepare a meal specifically for the two of them.
After a satisfying meal, Su He suggested they take a walk around the area.
Arriving in a foreign land, Su He felt a little excited.
They walked along the street, mingling with a crowd of people of all colors, enjoying a rare moment of ease. Lu Yanbei let Su He lead him, and seeing the smile on her lips, he couldn't help but smile too.
At the end of the street was a small park. There were many pigeons in the square, and children chasing them.
Su He looked at the scene before her and felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity.
Seeing her standing still, Lu Yanbei leaned down and asked, "What are you looking at?"
"I just feel… this scene is a bit familiar…" Su He let go of his hand and walked step by step towards the fountain in the center of the square.
The fountain looked ordinary, no different from any she had seen before. Yet, an invisible force seemed to be calling her, drawing her forward.
Lu Yanbei followed closely behind, not stopping her.
He knew that many things needed her to recall them herself; no one else could help.
This square was not far from Princeton University. In the past, they often dated here. There was a romantic legend about the fountain: if two people threw a coin into it at the same time, lovers would eventually be united.
When she heard this legend at the time, Su He couldn't help but scoff, "This kind of gimmick is so cliché! It seems that marketing tactics are pretty much the same all over the world!"
However, despite her complaints, Su He ended up foolishly throwing a coin into it with Lu Yanbei.
Recalling the past, Lu Yanbei's heart couldn't help but race.
Su He walked closer and closer.
She bent down, placed her hands on the edge of the fountain, and stared blankly at the coins scattered in the fountain pool, familiar images flashing through her mind.
"Ah Yan, do you think this legend is a lie? Throwing two coins in will make us stay together forever, grow old together?"
"How will we know if we don't try?"
"But I didn't bring any coins."
"I have them."
"You actually believe it!"
Then, they turned their backs to each other, closed their eyes, counted to three, and simultaneously tossed the coins they held behind them. The coins landed in the water with a soft splash, and they looked at each other almost at the same time, smiling.
"After graduation and returning home, I'll take you to meet my grandfather."
"Are you that eager to marry me?"
"Yes, you're so wonderful, I can't rest easy if I don't marry you soon!"
"But I still have to stay here for another year."
"It's fine. I'll visit you often until you finish your studies."
Those words, echoing in her ears, were so clear.
Su He slowly straightened up and looked at Lu Yanbei behind her.
Her Ah Yan.
So, they had known and loved each other for a very long time.
He hadn't lied to her!
She really was his first love!