Chapter 9

Just when Ling Peng felt that everything was going well and was ready to gradually deepen their relationship, a sudden piece of news interrupted his "plan".

Zhao Jinglu was selected by her department to represent the university in a prestigious national professional competition. This meant she would soon be accompanying her mentor and team on a three-month nationwide tour of research and project roadshows.

The news came suddenly, and the schedule was packed. Before leaving, she sent Ling Peng a message, her tone tinged with excitement and a hint of panic at the impending journey: "The department suddenly called up a conscription! I have to go out with the teacher to run a three-month competition! Oh my god, it feels like a dream!"

Ling Peng was in a meeting when he saw the message. His phone screen lit up, and as his eyes scanned the words, his heart skipped a beat. Then, a wave of pride for her overcame him. He replied almost immediately, "This is a fantastic opportunity! Give it your all. You'll definitely be able to handle it."

He typed a lot, wanting to ask which cities they were going to, when they were leaving, wanting to remind her to be safe and get enough rest... but in the end, he deleted it all. He didn't want to show any concern that might distract her before she left.

In the end, he simply sent a message: "Keep reporting on the race progress. Waiting for your triumphant return."

Zhao Jinglu's reply was quick and concise: "Okay! I'll do my best!"

For Ling Peng, these three months of separation became a sweet yet torturous silent waiting.

His thoughts were direct and strong, but he carefully packaged them in daily greetings.

He would calculate her time and send her a text message when she arrived in a new city: "Are you there yet? This city has many famous snacks that are perfect for a little glutton like you. You can go and try them when you're done."

On the eve of a possible challenge, he would send her a simple message: "Tomorrow, good luck."

Whenever she posted a photo of the team working late into the night on her website status, he would immediately call her. After the call was connected, he would just ask in a normal tone, "Are you still staying up late? Have you finalized the strategic framework?" Hearing her slightly tired but forcing voice on the other end of the line, he wanted to fly over immediately.

His phone's weather forecast included all the cities she was in. He knew about the temperature drop in Xi'an, the rain in Guangzhou, the strong winds in Shanghai... He knew before she did. So, his text messages would always include, "It's getting colder there, did you bring any warm clothes?" or "It's forecasted to rain tomorrow, remember to bring an umbrella."

He even developed a habit of looking at the watch she'd given him every night before bed. The hands shone a clear, faint blue light in the dark night. He stroked the cool metal strap, mentally calculating how long it would take for her to return. Every day of those three months felt clear and long.

His thoughts were everywhere, permeating every breath, yet he never crossed the line and uttered the words "I miss you." His actions wove a dense, gentle web, silently enveloping her in his care.

For Zhao Jinglu, these three months of longing were a chaotic battle with her own heart.

After the initial excitement and busyness, in a hotel in a foreign country, on a busy train, and late at night after a day of intense discussions, a strange emotion began to quietly grow.

She would subconsciously check her phone first, anticipating a casual greeting from that familiar number. Seeing his text messages would bring a smile to her face. If he didn't send her a message one day, she would feel empty and even a little anxious.

She began searching for their respective cities on a map, calculating the distance between them. Whenever she saw something interesting or ate some local delicacies, her first thought was: "I wish he were here, so I could share it with him."

She found that she would unconsciously compare him with other boys of the same age she met - this one was not as tall as him, that one was not as handsome as him, and some were far less calm and reliable than him... In the end, he always won.

This ubiquitous and strong reference and longing made her feel flustered.

She was no longer an ignorant little girl. This level of concern had already surpassed the boundaries of ordinary friends.

A thought that made her heart beat faster became clearer and clearer in countless silent nights: Is she in love with Ling Peng?

This realization made her feel a surge of panic, but it was followed by even more overwhelming longing.

She thought of his previous depression, the "person he liked", and his firm words "she couldn't lose anything"... If, if she told him her feelings, would he like her?

This assumption made her heart beat irregularly, but she didn't dare to think about it any further, for fear that her wishful thinking would embarrass both of them.

Various thoughts tugged and tangled in her mind. She felt ashamed of her own thoughts, but she couldn't suppress the madly growing desire.

She missed him.

I miss him so much.

I want to end this long tour immediately, fly back to the city where he is, see him with my own eyes, and ask him in person... whether that "she" is still there.

This strong longing, mixed with sweetness, confusion, desire and a hint of uneasiness, became her most profound concern during the three-month journey, except for the pressure of the competition.

She quietly replied and deleted his text message "Waiting for your triumphant return" again and again, leaving only a "read" mark automatically generated by the system.

Thousands of words are stored in my heart, just waiting to burst out at the moment of reunion.