It is a common illusion that time accelerates once the college entrance examination is over.
Upon returning to school, Li Zi immersed herself fully in her studies once more. Meanwhile, Li Zhengting’s shop shook off its previous shadows; his fortunes improved, and he began securing a steady stream of major clients. Yet, amidst his busy schedule, he would still occasionally walk to the wall that once separated them. He would lower his gaze, standing in silence as if trying to peer through the bricks to see that familiar, small figure, before finally turning to leave.
Yu Tianwu’s path to moving in with her partner was not as smooth as she had hoped. She discovered that even as an Alpha, applying to live off-campus required a parental consent signature. She didn't dare approach her parents about it, fearing they would sense something was amiss, and spent a long time lamenting her situation in the dormitory.
When Liu Yan broached the subject with his family during the Mid-Autumn Festival, his usually gentle Abba turned cold and refused to speak to him for an entire day. It was only after Liu Yan offered countless reassurances that he wasn't being reckless—and that Yu Tianwu was truly a wonderful girl and their relationship was steadfast—that his Abba finally gave a silent nod of approval.
Bidding farewell to his family and brothers, Liu Yan headed to Zhennan City with two suitcases. Seeing that her lover had traveled such a distance for her, Yu Tianwu finally resolved to tell her parents she would no longer be boarding at the school. It was unclear what transpired during that conversation, but she ultimately achieved her goal.
Hua Yi and the others weren't sure if Yu Tianwu was truly happy after moving out. Amidst her frequent public displays of affection, they occasionally saw her complain that Liu Yan’s new job required constant overtime. Sometimes, they saw each other even less than they had before. After all, one can rarely have it both ways in this world.
In the blink of an eye, another semester concluded, and Li Zhengting and Li Zi welcomed the New Year.
This New Year was not a particularly happy one for Li Zhengting.
Ever since he had confronted his grandmother, a rift had formed in his heart. Throughout the latter half of the year, he had reduced the frequency of his visits to the nursing home. He felt he needed time to clear his head, fearing he might otherwise fall into another argument with the elderly woman.
It was only during the New Year holiday that he dared to look at her closely again, only to be struck with horror at how much weight she had lost. When he questioned the doctor, he was told that his grandmother had fallen ill shortly after that day. Her condition had remained unstable ever since, showing signs of deterioration, but she had forbidden them from notifying Li Zhengting.
She was, after all, over seventy years old. Combined with her previous cerebral hemorrhage, it was difficult for her body to maintain a state of health. The doctor urged him to visit more often and not to let work cause him to forget, lest he be left with nothing but regret.
Li Zhengting nodded repeatedly in agreement, his heart heavy with self-reproach.
His grandmother did not blame him. Instead, she uncharacteristically kept asking if Li Zi would come to the nursing home this year.
When Li Zi did arrive to pay her New Year respects, the grandmother shooed Li Zhengting out of the room, keeping Li Zi behind to talk in private. When Li Zhengting asked about it later, Li Zi told him that his grandmother had been open about her knowledge of their relationship. She had voiced many of her worries, but in the end, she had held Li Zi’s hand and earnestly pleaded with her to treat Li Zhengting well, to never give up on him, and to stay by his side.
In her previous life, Li Zi had known very little of Li Zhengting’s affairs, and his grandmother had unfortunately passed away during that initial cerebral hemorrhage. It was only in this life that she had come to know the old woman and understood the kind of care under which Li Zhengting had been raised.
To be honest, she deeply respected her.
At the same time, she could see that the grandmother’s health was unlikely to improve. The speed of her aging seemed to have hit an acceleration button over the course of this single year. Looking at the man who was still ignorantly questioning her, Li Zi did not voice these concerns. She comforted Li Zhengting, hoping only that he could spend these final moments with the elderly woman in relative peace.
Yan Yan was a very perceptive man. During the New Year, he privately asked Li Zi if she and Li Zhengting were already together.
Li Zi was surprised by her father’s sharp intuition, but she did not deny it. Instead, she confessed that they had actually committed to the relationship several years ago.
Yan Yan carried this weight in his heart. He was preoccupied during dinner, a fact noticed by Li Shian, though he did not tell her. Only after he had made up his mind did he seek out Li Zi again to state his position.
"For some reason, when you admitted to this relationship, I wasn't particularly surprised," he said. "Your mother might find it more difficult to accept. If you go public later and she loses her temper, try to be patient with her. Her health has also had some issues these past few years."
"Your father has always felt a deep sense of guilt toward you. I wasn't there to watch you grow up, and I was absent for many important stages of your life. But you, Xiao Zi, never blamed me. You never got angry over our mistakes. You’ve been so sensible since you were a child; you always knew what you wanted."
"I feel I have no standing to suddenly interfere with your choice of a partner. Besides, I’ve thought it through—how could our child ever do something foolish? You must have been firm in your choice to be willing to admit it. Li Zhengting is indeed a boy of good character. If you like him, your father will support you."
Li Zi was deeply moved. In her previous life, she hadn't been the "good child" Yan Yan described. Like any ordinary child, she had been angry about her parents' lack of presence. During her adolescence, she had shown clear signs of rebellion and would occasionally talk back. It was because of that strained relationship that her parents, upon suddenly learning she was with Li Zhengting, assumed she was merely being impulsive and refused to agree.
Now, she felt the profound depth of her parents' love more keenly.
She stepped forward to hug Yan Yan. "Thank you, Dad. No matter what I decide to do, I hope you and Mom can be happy."
Yan Yan was already slightly shorter than his daughter. He cherished her reliance on him and patted her back, joking, "It’s just... those grandchildren I’ve always wanted to hold... I suppose they might not be happening now?"
To this, Li Zi remained silent. This reaction caused Yan Yan to sigh inwardly, but he did not want to put more pressure on his daughter, so he did not let his disappointment show.
In the second semester of their sophomore year, everyone began considering the locations and directions for their junior year internships.
Li Zi was busy padding her GPA and preparing documents to apply for early graduation so she could qualify for the postgraduate entrance exams.
When Xun Xin received another one of her greeting emails, he replied, telling her that during her junior year, she could enter his studio early to learn and train. In the process, he would evaluate her potential in the field.
Li Zi was overjoyed.
Hua Yi stated plainly that she had long ago decided to intern at the law firm owned by her parents.
Xie Bing was applying for an internship at a hospital in Zhennan City and would likely have to end her part-time job at "Delicious."
Even Yu Tianwu said she had arrangements and would be learning alongside her family.
Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction.
