Spring came after the New Year, leaving only a month until the written national civil service exam.
After years away from it, Cheng Yue once again entered the nerve-racking final sprint.
Before, he had still had time to cook, drink a cup of coffee, and give his brain a break.
Now, to let him immerse himself in studying, Ji Huaijin took care of all the practical details, making sure no other distractions got in his way.
Cheng Yue stared at the plate already portioned out for him, the chicken soup with goji berries and red dates at just the right temperature, and the Bluetooth earbuds Ji Huaijin handed him.
He listened to the online course playing through them.
Cheng Yue dropped his head onto the table and cried out in despair, "When will this ever end?!"
Ji Huaijin set a platter of sliced fruit in front of him, then reached out to massage the back of his neck with just the right pressure. "Soon. Once the exam's over, I'll take you surfing in the Seychelles."
"Really? You can leave your work behind?"
No one could blame him for doubting it. Everyone knew Ji Huaijin's true love was his work. Cheng Yue was just an accident!
Ji Huaijin tugged at the little ponytail he had tied to keep his hair out of his eyes, his gaze tender. "Everything's arranged. We can leave as soon as you finish the exam."
"It's a deal!"
Cheng Yue instantly felt ready to tackle it again. No kid from Northern China could resist the sea.
With surfing dangling in front of him like a carrot, he felt as though he had two buffs stacked on him. He studied so hard he forgot to eat and sleep.
Anyone who contacted him during this period was treated as