August 22nd.
Ni Xue and Hua Linglong ultimately left together, and Qiu Xi saw them off at the airport.
After leaving the airport, Qiu Xi didn't go home. Instead, she drove to the location where she had arranged to meet Nan Hua.
"Ah Hua~"
As soon as they saw each other, Qiu Xi quickened her pace and walked over.
"Xixi." Nan Hua, who embraced her, softly called out her name.
This was their first meeting after getting engaged, and her heart was filled with a touch of joy.
"Let's go for a stroll," Nan Hua said, then took her hand.
"Okay~" Qiu Xi nodded.
...
"Xixi, I have an idea about pursuing my master's degree, and I wanted to discuss it with you," Nan Hua said, holding her hand, glancing at Qiu Xi before looking straight ahead.
"What is it? Tell me," Qiu Xi readily agreed.
"It's like this: I was thinking that when it's time to check in for graduate school, I'll apply to live off-campus. We can move out and live together. What do you think?"
Given their circumstances, the issue of buying property wasn't a concern; the only considerations were time and space.
After hearing Nan Hua's proposal, Qiu Xi furrowed her brow in thought for a moment before nodding.
"We can do that!"
"Where should we live? How about my place off-campus?"
It was relatively close, and it would be just right for the two of them to live there; it wouldn't feel too cramped or too empty.
The more she thought about it, the more Qiu Xi felt her idea was a good one.
Then, Qiu Xi asked again, "Ah Hua, what do you think?"
Nan Hua chuckled, "It's possible, but I've already prepared a place, and I was just waiting to show it to you."
This was a place he had started preparing when his family had been urging him to marry. It wasn't a future marital home, but rather intended as their secret base.
With their three years of graduate studies ahead, this place was perfectly suited.
"Oh? You've kept this a secret quite well! Where is it?" Qiu Xi was a bit curious, as she had never heard Nan Hua mention it before.
"I prepared it quietly. It's in that neighborhood behind the school, not far from the South Gate."
"Shall I take you to see it?"
Qiu Xi nodded, "Okay~ Let's go see."
Going out the South Gate was indeed closer to the faculty building where she would be studying for her master's. It would also be much closer to Teacher Qi's office.
"Then let's go."
Thus, halfway through their date, the couple decided to drive off to look at apartments.
When they arrived, Qiu Xi realized how truly close it was to the school, much closer than her place which was separated by the university.
From here, it would be quite convenient for her to walk to school and then rent a shared bike.
After her initial thoughts on the external conditions, Qiu Xi followed Nan Hua directly to the building where the apartment was located.
The apartment was on the sixth floor, and taking the elevator up was very convenient.
"Here we are, this is it!"
Nan Hua, bringing Qiu Xi here for the first time, felt a little excited.
Perhaps this would become their little nest in the future.
*Click.*
As the door opened, they stepped inside.
"Here, change your shoes." Nan Hua personally handed Qiu Xi a pair of indoor slippers.
Qiu Xi changed into them and then walked a few steps forward to survey the place.
Here, just the living room alone looked bigger than her current apartment. Even if they both worked on their own things, it wouldn't be an issue.
The apartment was a two-bedroom, one-living room layout, with the master bedroom having an en-suite bathroom. Outside, there was another bathroom, a kitchen, and a separate small study.
After a tour of the place, Qiu Xi nodded with some satisfaction.
"Ah Hua, this place is really nice~"
If Qiu Xi had been satisfied with the apartment's location before seeing it, she was now very pleased with the apartment itself.
"Mm," Nan Hua nodded, then asked, "So, you agree?"
"Ah~ I agree!" Qiu Xi nodded happily.
Given their current relationship, this was no longer a significant matter.
Perhaps by living together, she could get to know this young man a little better.
After all, dating was different from living together. Perhaps this way, they could understand each other better and see each other's other sides.
"Great!" Nan Hua smiled happily, then excitedly hugged Qiu Xi and spun her around.
He had thought he would have to wait much longer, but his wish had been granted so quickly, he was a bit overwhelmed!
"Okay.... okay..." Qiu Xi hugged Nan Hua's waist tightly and then laughed, "I'm getting dizzy..."
Nan Hua slowly stopped, then seemed to freeze for a moment.
"Hehe~"
"Xixi, I'm just so happy." Nan Hua leaned in, his forehead touching the girl's.
As their eyes met, the atmosphere slowly became more intimate.
"Xixi~"
As he spoke, he slowly drew closer, and the minuscule distance between them vanished as they became entwined, their kiss becoming passionate.
The girl's slender hands clutched the corner of his shirt, slowly tightening, and soon a hint of pink appeared on her cheeks.
"Mmm~"
The soft sigh that escaped her made the air around them grow warmer.
As he held the girl, slowly stepping backward, they soon found themselves pressed against the side of the sofa.
*Bang~*
Lost in the moment, their balance shifted, and the two figures tumbled onto the sofa.
In that instant, the feeling of losing balance, their lips slightly parted, their heartbeats quickened.
*Knock knock knock~*
She didn't know how to describe the feeling; was it exciting or addictive?
For a moment, it was captivating.
After a long while—
A mischievous wind blew outside, revealing a bare shoulder. Qiu Xi, whose clothes were slipping off, slowly came back to her senses.
As she moved, Nan Hua's mind also cleared.
His ear tips turning red, he tried to cover his embarrassment by reaching out to adjust her clothes.
"Ahem~"
This wind, it was either ill-timed or perhaps a bit too timely...
Well... it was a warm gust of wind...
"Xixi, I..."
"Okay!"
"Ah Hua, I'm a little thirsty..."
Nan Hua, who was about to make an excuse after composing himself, was interrupted by Qiu Xi's words.
He acted swiftly, "Okay, I'll go get you some."
"Mm~"
Watching Nan Hua walk away, Qiu Xi immediately reached up to rub her flushed cheeks, trying to dissipate the heat.
It was too intoxicating!
If it hadn't been for that gust of wind, who knew how long they would have continued...
Thinking about their earlier state, Qiu Xi's cheeks, which had just begun to cool, seemed to flush again.
After a moment of thought, Qiu Xi also stood up and walked to the window, hoping the gentle breeze would help to blow away some of her agitation.
However, the August wind seemed truly mischievous; it was hot, and standing there, she felt inexplicably hotter...
Hmm!
The air conditioning must be inadequate!
After so long, the wind from the window seam could still drift in!
Qiu Xi, feeling a surge of self-consciousness, quickly fanned herself.
Seeing that Nan Hua hadn't returned yet, she quickly went to the bathroom, intending to cool herself down physically.
"Hoo~"
Two splashes of cool water on her face seemed to really cool her down considerably.
After wiping the water off, Qiu Xi walked back.
"Xixi, here."
"I just took it out of the refrigerator. I came in such a hurry, this is all I have," Nan Hua handed her a bottle of mineral water he had retrieved.
"It's fine~"
"This is good."
It was just right for cooling down.
...
After returning from there, Qiu Xi told her parents about the matter.
"You two should discuss this yourselves. Your father and I have no objections."
"We just want you to visit us when you have time."
Qiu's mother had come to terms with it. Their children were already engaged, and it was good for them to cultivate their relationship.
Hearing her mother say this, Qiu Xi felt relieved.
"Mom, you're the best~"
She was so understanding towards her.
"Ahem~" Qiu's father interjected a friendly reminder, indicating there was someone else present.
Qiu Xi chuckled, "Mm~ And my dad, just like mom, a wise father~"
"Mm, that's right!"
"If that boy Nan Hua treats you badly, come back and tell your dad. Although we can't compete with his family, protecting his daughter is still something your dad can do."
For Qiu's father to say this was quite a difficult thing for him.
However, for his daughter's sake, occasional exceptions were permissible.
Qiu Xi listened and nodded seriously, "Dad, I understand~"
"If anything happens, I'll definitely come home to find you!"
"Mm!"
Qiu's father was very gratified, "It's good that you understand."
Qiu's mother watched the father and daughter with a contented smile.
Then, looking at her son engrossed in some research nearby, her satisfaction grew even greater.
This kind of life was truly wonderful~
...