FQ chapter 69

“Your relationship,” Luan Ping continued, “does his family know?”

Then she caught herself, realizing the question sounded too much like the old her, and explained quickly: “He’s so young, I worry his parents might think you…”

She paused, and Luan Ye understood. “His parents are gone. It’s just his grandmother and aunt at home—haven’t told them yet.”

That surprised her. Luan Ye went on: “I don’t plan to tell them for now. At least not until after college.”

Just like she’d said, Fan Qing was only just starting university, the same age he had once been. He believed in their feelings for each other, but even the smallest chance of history repeating made him unwilling to let Fan Qing face what he himself had gone through.

At least after graduation, with a job, as an independent adult—then the choices Fan Qing made in love would carry more weight.

Luan Ping nodded. “It’s up to you.”

In the past, she never could have said those words. But after so many years apart, both had changed. Now they could sit together calmly, talking about past and future, chatting into the night.

“You should get some rest,” she finally said. “After such a long flight, you still need to adjust to the time difference.”

Luan Ye nodded. “You still have work tomorrow?”

“Almost finished,” she said. “Tomorrow’s just finalizing details and signing.”

“Then rest early.” He glanced at the time; it was already late. “Fan Qing bought some medicine and left it at the front desk. I’ll bring it up for you.”

“Very thoughtful of him.” She looked amused. “Just have the front desk send it up. Remember to thank him for me.”

After a moment she added, “If I finish early tomorrow, why don’t I treat you both to dinner?”

“He has night classes—freshmen still have evening self-study,” Luan Ye said, almost laughing as he said it. “Let’s wait for the holidays. There’ll be plenty of chances to eat together.”

“Alright.” She chuckled too.

She saw him to the door. Before leaving, he turned back and reminded her, “Use a hot towel on your eyes. You’ve got a contract to sign tomorrow.”

She gave him a light slap. “Nagging.”

“If you can’t sleep, I’ll send you some white noise tracks. They help. Try not to take pills.”

“Got it.” She looked up at him. “Your hair…”

“You wanted to say that earlier, didn’t you?” Luan Ye smiled. “A bit long?”

It was true. Since arriving in Xuehu Village, his hair had grown, long enough now to brush past his collarbones when let down.

“A bit.” She brushed some strands from his face with a smile. “As long as you like it.”

As long as he liked it—that was all that mattered now.

Downstairs, Luan Ye asked the front desk to deliver the medicine to her room, then turned back and immediately spotted Fan Qing on the lobby sofa.

Fan Qing saw him too and walked over quickly. “Done talking?”

“…Why are you still here?” Luan Ye was a little surprised, then smiled. “Been waiting for me this whole time?”

“Worried you’d feel bad talking about the past,” Fan Qing lifted the bag of plums in his hand. “Didn’t wait too long, I took a walk and bought some fruit.”

Luan Ye chuckled, pinching his chin lightly before letting go.

Fan Qing could tell he was in a good mood. On the way back to the hotel, sitting together in the back seat, Luan Ye leaned back with his eyes closed, looking tired.

“Tired?” Fan Qing asked softly.

“A bit,” came the reply. “Too much talking.”

That meant the talk had gone well.

“She’s not mad at you, right?”

“No… but she cried,” Luan Ye murmured. “That made me feel awful too.”

Fan Qing squeezed his hand, fingertips stroking his skin to comfort him.

“My mom invited you home for Mid-Autumn.”

Fan Qing turned quickly, startled.

“Nervous?” Luan Ye opened his eyes to look at him.

“…A little,” Fan Qing admitted, recalling her imposing aura. “It’s so sudden.”

Tonight’s unexpected meeting—who knew what impression he’d left? Probably just a clueless college freshman in a white T-shirt and sweatpants…

“She likes you,” Luan Ye reassured him. “And besides—you’ve got me.”

“Your mom’s presence is overwhelming, intimidating without even trying,” Fan Qing laughed. “A little scary.”

“Well, she’s been a boss for years.” Luan Ye grinned. “Relax, I’m the real sugar daddy here.”

The sugar daddy for an entire summer.

He squeezed Fan Qing’s hand. “And this sugar daddy happens to be very fond of you.”

The driver glanced at them in the rearview mirror.

Fan Qing sighed. “…Oh.”

….

Luan Ye really was exhausted. He slept deeply, not waking until late morning.

When he opened his eyes, it was already past ten. Fan Qing had just come out of the shower, wearing only pants, towel-drying his hair. Luan Ye, still waking up, watched for a moment before breaking into a smile.

Hearing it, Fan Qing looked at him for a few seconds, then tossed the towel aside and leapt back onto the bed.

By the time they finally left the hotel, it was already afternoon. They grabbed lunch, wandered a bit, and then Fan Qing had to return to school.

“Go on in,” Luan Ye said at the gate, watching him. “Tomorrow I’ll swing by Xu Song’s place to pick something up. Might stay there a couple of days—he’s been waiting forever.”

“You’ll stay at his studio?” Fan Qing asked with a laugh.

“Not sure yet. Might just learn from him a bit. If I really stayed, I’d have to think it over—his studio’s full of celebrities and models. With my temper, if I ran into some diva, I’d probably start a fight.”

Fan Qing couldn’t stop laughing. “I think your temper’s just fine.”

“That’s only with you.”

People bustled past the school gate. Luan Ye squeezed Fan Qing’s wrist and let go. “I’ll come get you once break starts—just in time for your birthday.”

“Any gift you want?” he asked.

“…No.” Fan Qing blinked, then answered. “You actually remembered.”

“Well, I did see your driver’s license,” Luan Ye teased. “Go on in, kid. Study hard, improve every day.”

“You sound like you’re sending your kid to school.” Fan Qing wanted to laugh, but felt a little wistful too.

“Go on in, baby,” Luan Ye switched smoothly. “I’ll call you tonight.”

Fan Qing smiled and hummed in reply, looking at him for a few more seconds before turning toward campus.

But after stepping inside, he couldn’t resist glancing back. As if expecting it, Luan Ye was still standing there. He lifted his hand to his lips, blew him a quick kiss, and waved.

What would have seemed cheesy on anyone else, with Luan Ye’s face and crisp movements, somehow came off as bold and dashing—making Fan Qing burst out laughing.

Soon after, the longing that was almost overflowing even before parting came rushing in.

But compared to before—when they never knew when they might separate, or when they might meet again—that anxious uncertainty was gone. Now, whether apart or together, everything was clear and certain.

Even the future was.

That kind of calm assurance brought by clarity put both of them in a good mood, so much so that even Xu Song, who came to the high-speed rail station to pick up Luan Ye, could feel it.

“In such a good mood?” Xu Song glanced at him while driving. “Love really is something—it makes you feel reborn.”

“You’re almost getting married, what’s there to envy about being in love?” Luan Ye said. “Does Meng Zhao know you’re like this?”

“Get lost.” Xu Song laughed and cursed. “Can’t I just be happy for you?”

While bantering, Luan Ye checked his phone. Fan Qing had sent a quick update: just finished lunch, planning to spend the afternoon at the library.

Luan Ye replied with a “fighting” emoji.

Fan Qing: [What are you doing?]

Luan Ye: [Showing off my love life. Making Xu Song jealous.]

Fan Qing clearly hadn’t expected that. After a while, he replied with a buffering-cat emoji.

Luan Ye chuckled and put his phone down.

“Now that your love life’s stable, how about considering your career?” Xu Song continued. “Come work with me.”

“I’ve been waiting for that,” Luan Ye smiled.

Xu Song had rented a villa as his studio—spacious and professionally set up. Besides him, there were seven or eight staff members, all young. Their workstations were spread across the large, open-plan hall on the first floor, separated by plants so everyone could work without disturbing each other.

“There are private offices upstairs too. If you want, I’ll set one up for you.” Xu Song led him around, heading upstairs. “Your cameras are all stored here.”

“I’m used to shooting landscapes.” Luan Ye sighed. “Doesn’t really fit the style of your studio.”

“Then just keep shooting landscapes,” Xu Song said. “Consider it expanding the studio’s business. I was planning on getting into that anyway.”

“Seriously?” Luan Ye gave him a look. “Sounds like you’re just wrapping dumplings for my one jar of vinegar.”

“I’m a businessman, not your boyfriend.” Xu Song clicked his tongue. “Your boyfriend’s in class right now.”

“He just texted—he’s in the library,” Luan Ye replied.

“Don’t flaunt your romance being someone who hasn’t even proposed yet. You’re not qualified.” Xu Song teased. “Get engaged first.”

They laughed, then sat down on the studio’s sofa. Xu Song went on.

“That tourism promo video you shot—the one for Xuehu Village—it’s gotten good traction.” He poured Luan Ye some coffee. “You used a pseudonym, I used my real name, and they even booked me for an interview. Colleagues keep calling me, asking if I’ve switched fields…”

That interview had been set up by Fan Qing himself—Luan Ye couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

“Lots of people are asking who ‘Teacher Yi Mu’ is. A few big names even guessed from the style, asking if it’s that landscape photographer surnamed Luan.”

Hearing that, Luan Ye raised his brows.

“Well, you have won several awards. Not strange they’d recognize you.” Xu Song continued, “Quite a few people like it—media, industry folks, especially those photo sets you shot.”

Luan Ye had been shooting for years, won awards, and held two exhibitions. Even in China, he was already a well-known name in the photography circle.

“A few tourism boards and scenic spots have been asking how to book you, what your rates are. The cultural tourism market is competitive, but there aren’t many truly professional photographers. Especially ones like you.”

“The kind who put their heart into it—you can tell you really love the place, and you make others feel its beauty too,” Xu Song said.

Luan Ye only smiled without replying.

“I just thought, if you joined, focusing on this would be interesting. You’re professional, and you enjoy it anyway.”

The coffee was fragrant. Luan Ye sipped slowly, thinking as he drank.

“Just think about it. No rush.” Xu Song encouraged. “It suits you—flexible time, no need to stay in one place, and you’d still get to travel all over like before…”

“That was before.” Luan Ye said. “Now I kind of want to stay in Nanjing. I’m even looking at houses.”

“Have some ambition, will you?” Xu Song clicked his tongue. “It’s freelance. Worst case, you come back on weekends and holidays. Anyway, with your campus romance, you only get to see him on those days.”

“You’re just trying to rile me up.” Luan Ye laughed, set down his cup, and after a pause, said: “I’ll think about it.”