Gu Mang scanned through the information on the paper and returned it to him. She said simply, “Professor Yang, I’m not joining the competition.”


  This was the third rejection. Yang Tianming had never felt so sad before. He had thought that the exchange programme offered by the Jijing Special Institute could be his trump card. However, to his dismay, Gu Mang was firm on her decision.

  He was out of tactics to convince her.

  Trying his best to maintain the smile on his face, he took the paper back and thought for a moment. Then, he said in an amicable tone, “Gu Mang, don’t be too quick to reject me. How about this? We still have three days before we have to submit the members name list, so give it some more thought.”


  Gu Mang answered, “No need……”


  “You must think about this seriously!” Yang Tianming pretended that he had not heard what she just said. After saying this, he turned to leave. “I still have something on, so I’ll get going first.”


  He left, as if he were escaping from her. Gu Mang remained silent. When Yang Tianming turned for the staircase, he walked down the stairs quickly.

  He could not understand her. The other schools were probably pulling all the strings they had to get a spot. He had offered the spot to this big boss so sincerely, yet she did not want it……

  Gu Mang was not too concerned about getting a spot in the competition. Hence, she did not take it seriously. After the two afternoon classes ended, she stayed in the operating room.

  Today’s animal experiment was more time-consuming. Gu Mang took off her disposable gloves and threw them into the bin. The sky was already dark.

  She glanced at the time. 10:20 PM.

  As she walked out of the operating room, she took out her phone and gave Lu Chengzhou a call. Within a few seconds, a familiar ringtone could be heard in the lab.

  Gu Mang raised her eyebrows and hung up. Upon taking a few steps towards the lab’s door, she saw Lu Chengzhou sitting in her seat.

  Propping his face up with a hand, he was looking at her while spinning a pen in his other hand. His gaze was dark and unwavering. It was already very late, so Lu Chengzhou was the only person left in the lab.

  Gu Mang smiled. She took off her white coat and hung it in the cupboard. “Help me put my laptop and the book into my bag.”


  “Okay.” Lu Chengzhou nodded and helped pack her bag.

  After Gu Mang finished changing, she turned around to see Lu Chengzhou standing behind her with her backpack hanging on one of his shoulders.

  Lu Chengzhou passed her an opened thermos bottle. “Have something to drink.”


  She had been in the lab for more than three hours. Gu Mang’s eyes curved into crescent moons. After taking the bottle from him, she tilted her head and took a few sips. Then, she returned it to him.

  Lu Chengzhou placed the cap back on.

  Looking at him, Gu Mang chuckled and said, “Everyone needs a good house husband.”


  Lu Chengzhou caressed her face with his other hand. “Only Gu Mang needs me.”


  She smiled.

  Lu Chengzhou said, “Let’s go home.”


  Gu Mang locked the lab door and walked towards the lift with their hands interlocked.

  Gu Mang turned toward him. “You don’t have to wait for me next time. I don’t know when I can finish my experiments. I will text you when I’m about to finish.”


  Lu Chengzhou glanced at her. “I don’t have to wait for you?”


  Gu Mang responded with a hum.

  “Then who else can I wait for?” When they arrived at the lift lobby, Lu Chengzhou pressed on the button using the bottom of the bottle. He gazed at her fixedly. “If I don’t wait for you, who else can I wait for?”


  Gu Mang could not help but laugh. Her eyes were filled with delight. “Alright, then you can wait.”


  “Tsk.” Lu Chengzhou tightened his grip. He could feel her joints. He sighed. “You are so heartless.”


  When the lift arrived, the two of them walked in.

  Gu Mang thought for a moment before saying, “I’ll treat you to supper. What do you want to eat?”


  “Can I choose anything?” Lu Chengzhou asked seriously. As he stared at her, his gaze was dark.

  Gu Mang looked into his eyes. She felt as if there was a car waiting for her and that she did not have a choice not to get in.

  Gu Mang’s chin shifted. She said, “Can’t you have more decency?”


  A deep chuckle resonated from Lu Chengzhou’s chest. “Okay, you treat me. I scan.”


  “Okay.” Gu Mang was not being courteous with him either.

  There was a night market near the entrance of Capital University. Lu Chengzhou only patronized street food stalls when he was with Gu Mang. Both of them ordered a plate of fried noodles, oden, barbecue meat, and chicken wings.

  Lu Chengzhou did not eat much. He kept staring at Gu Mang as she ate as he held a cigarette in between his slender fingers.

  It was late, so there were not many vendors left. The barbecue stall was managed by a young married couple. As there were no customers, the couple sat on plastic chairs nearby.

  When the woman saw the man whipping out a box of cigarettes, she scolded him in a low voice. “We are preparing for pregnancy! Why are you still buying cigarettes?!”


  The man’s hand shuddered. He admitted his mistake quickly. “I’m sorry, my dear. It’s out of habit. I’m not going to smoke anymore! If I ever smoke again, you can hit me!”


  To express his determination, the man threw the entire box of cigarettes into the bin. Lu Chengzhou looked at the cigarette in between his fingers.

  Without saying anything, he threw the cigarette on the floor and stepped on it.

  After the meal.

  Lu Chengzhou scanned the QR code and paid the bill. The meal cost about 70 yuan.

  “You are so low maintenance,” Lu Chengzhou said softly as they walked towards the car while holding hands.

  When they walked past a convenience store, Gu Mang stopped. “I’m going to get a box of cigarettes.”


  Lu Chengzhou let go of her hand. Instead, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

  He walked forward with her expressionlessly. “Quit smoking. I’ll do it with you.”


  Gu Mang remained silent.