Xing Tuo picked up the ring and put it on her slender ring finger, fitting perfectly.
The rich fragrance of gardenia flowers drifted in from the door, and a young boy entered carrying a large bouquet of snow-white gardenias: “Is this the flower order?”
Qian Zhi hugged the bouquet of flowers, smiling.
The dense fragrance filled every corner of the jewelry store.
It was almost winter break, and this was the last class of the semester. When class ended, Qian Zhi said to her students: “Starting next school year, I won’t teach you anymore. I’ve resigned.”
“Why? Are you getting married, Teacher Xia?” A student noticed the ring on her ring finger.
Qian Zhi lowered her head and smiled, slightly choked: “Perhaps.”
She gathered her books and turned to walk out of the classroom.
“Teacher Xia.” Shan Chen followed her out.
She turned back: “What is it?”
“You…” Shan Chen put his hands in his pockets, paused, and then said: “Are you going to marry that guy?”
Qian Zhi said nothing, just smiled at him.
Shan Chen felt uncomfortable under her gaze: “If… if he bullies you, tell me. I’ll help you.”
“Thank you, Shan Chen.”
Late at night, Xing Tuo was already asleep.
Qian Zhi slowly pulled away his arm around her waist. She leaned her head by the bedside, looking at him in the light streaming through the window – his forehead, eyebrows, nose, lips, chin… This was the man she loved, the boy who could give up everything for her, the man who still deeply loved her despite being deeply hurt by her, the only person in this world who truly loved her besides her mother. She pressed her face into his palm, letting his warmth seep into her skin.
