Time always flies when you're studying, but when Yan Heqing returned to his dorm late at night and thought of Lu Lin, he felt that time hadn't actually gone by so fast. He watered the succulents on the table, was so tired that he couldn't move, and took a quick shower before going to bed.
Three months of busy yet fulfilling study have passed in the blink of an eye, and it's already October 27th.
Yan Heqing had booked his plane ticket in advance. The person who took him to the airport was an associate professor from the team, who was also a fellow countryman and only 29 years old this year. He had been guiding Yan Heqing for the past three months, so he was considered Yan Heqing's teacher.
There was traffic on the way, and it only took an hour to get to the airport before takeoff. Yan Heqing retrieved his suitcase and politely said goodbye to the associate professor, " Professor Shen, thank you for your help these past few days."
Professor Shen smiled, "Just treat me to hot pot when you go back to China."
Yan Heqing was somewhat surprised, "Are you going back to China?"
"Next month."
After saying goodbye to Professor Shen, Yan Heqing dragged her suitcase and ran into the airport.
Upon reaching the security checkpoint, Yan Heqing finally breathed a sigh of relief. He took out his phone and dialed Lu Lin's number. The call connected quickly, and he said, slightly out of breath, "I've arrived at the airport. I'll land at 7 a. m. tomorrow."
Lu Lin asked with a smile, "Who took you to the airport?"
"My teacher..." Yan Heqing's voice stopped abruptly. Hearing the same commotion on the other end of the line, his breath hitched. He gripped his phone tightly and turned around, only to see Lu Lin standing behind him, smiling as he listened to his phone.
Yan Heqing fell silent. Lu Lin's deep voice came from the other end of the line, "Did you miss me? I missed you so much, so I came anyway."
Amidst the passing pedestrians, Yan Heqing stepped forward, opened her arms, and embraced Lu Lin, whispering in his ear, "I miss you, I miss you so much."
Yan Heqing bought his own return ticket in economy class. Since first class was full and upgrades were not possible, Lu Lin switched seats with the passenger next to Yan Heqing, who happily agreed.
To learn as much as possible from these industry leaders, Yan Heqing had been working 24 hours a day, making it feel like 48. He had lost a lot of weight, and his chin was now very sharp. He hadn't had a good night's sleep in three months, so he leaned on Lu Lin's shoulder as soon as he sat down and fell into a deep sleep before the plane even took off.
When he woke up, there was light outside the window. He didn't know when he had gotten to Lu Lin's lap. He looked up and met Lu Lin's smiling eyes. The cabin was very quiet, and the other passengers were still sleeping.
Yan Heqing grabbed Lu Lin's arm and stood up. Lu Lin leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Are you hungry?"
Having slept for more than five hours in a long time, Yan Heqing was quite satisfied. He shook his head, "I'm not hungry, I just want to go home and take a shower as soon as possible."
Lu Lin tidied his messy hair and chuckled, "Almost there, we'll land in 20 minutes."
Twenty minutes later, the plane landed on time at Capital International Airport.
Lu Lin parked his Maybach in the airport parking lot, retrieved his luggage, and got in the car. Lu Lin took the highway and arrived at his family home half an hour earlier than usual.
The moment Yan Heqing pushed open the door, the first thing he saw was the "floral window" on the balcony.
Lu Lin did it.
A new checkered wooden frame had been installed outside the balcony. The morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the wooden floor. Large, purple-blue roses filled the entire balcony, and the living room and entryway were filled with a faint floral fragrance. Yan Heqing turned around in surprise, about to speak, when Lu Lin closed the door, put down his suitcase, pressed him against the door, and kissed him passionately.
Yan Heqing also wrapped her arms around Lu Lin's neck, responding to him passionately.
Only when he heard voices coming upstairs and talking outside did Lu Lin release Yan Heqing, kiss the tip of his nose, and say, "Go take a shower first."
Yan Heqing's lips were burning hot from the kiss. When he entered the bathroom, he realized that both of his lips were a little swollen. Yan Heqing earlobes were burning hot. He found a white plum blossom scented bath bomb in the cabinet, and after taking a shower, he soaked in the bathtub for 15 minutes.
After not seeing each other for three months, Yan Heqing was somewhat moved.
He didn't change into his loungewear; he came out wearing a bathrobe.
He froze as soon as he stepped out of the bathroom.
Outside the door, Cube of Light of varying sizes were scattered on the floor. Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, and the Cube of Light refracted shimmering, iridescent light, immersing the entire room in a dreamlike world of light and shadow.
Yan Heqing slowly walked into the living room.
Lu Lin was in the living room, with a pile of gift boxes of all sizes and colors wrapped in paper at his feet, as well as a multi-tiered cake.
Each layer of the cake features a lifelike beluga whale, corresponding to the size of the cake.
Yan Heqing counted for two seconds; there were 19 floors in total.
There were also 19 gifts.
Lu Lin brought over a gold birthday hat and placed it on the head of the stunned Yan Heqing, his eyes filled with an overwhelming smile. "Happy birthday, baby."
Yan Heqing's heart felt a tingling, sour feeling, as if he had been soaking in a glass of summer lemonade for a long time—both sour and sweet.
Lu Lin hugged him and whispered in his ear, "I missed your birthdays for the first 18 years, can I make it up to you now? Happy first birthday, Yan Heqing, happy second birthday, Yan Heqing..."
Happy 18th birthday, Yan Heqing! Happy 19th birthday, Yan Heqing!
Yan Heqing's eyes reddened. He hugged Lu Lin back and whispered, "Today isn't my birthday."
Lu Lin released him, her expression complicated. "What?"
"The date on my ID card was fabricated by Yan Shengbing; my birthday is November 8th."
"..."
Lu Lin was speechless.
Yan Heqing's eyes reflected Lu Lin's face. He gazed at him intently, seemingly for a long time, yet also for only a second or two, a radiant smile appearing on his lips.
But I like today's birthday.
"From now on, you'll make up for my birthday every year on this day, okay? You'll keep making it up until our hair turns white and our teeth fall out, and even then, you'll still make it up for me."
"Is it alright, Lu Lin?" he asked solemnly.
Lu Lin finally came to his senses. He raised his hand and gently and tenderly ruffled Yan Heqing's hair.
"With utmost pleasure."
Chapter 137 Daily Life 1
[Daily Life 1]
After waking up from her midday nap, Yan Heqing got up, cut the cake into more than 200 pieces, packed them with ice in a small cart, and went to the Rainbow Bridge Welfare Home with Lu Lin.