The two of them struggled back home and, without even changing their shoes, rushed eagerly toward the bedroom.
...
Truly, there's warmth in the world, and everyone comes in different shapes and sizes.
Xiao Bai was short, looked young, and had a generous chest—a classic case of a baby face with a voluptuous figure. She was also very light, easy to lift with both hands. Her legs could tightly grip around his waist, and Zhou You only needed to provide an upward support.
Each generation has its own way of living. More and more young people choose not to marry or have children, hoping to live their short, happy lives.
Afterward, Zhou You held Xiao Bai in his arms as they lay in bed.
"Can I ask you a favor? I'm about to leave soon, and this house can't stay empty for long. Could you maybe keep an eye on it for me?"
Xiao Bai flipped over in a flash, straddling Zhou You. "Are you trying to keep me as your hidden treasure?" she said, then couldn't help laughing. She never thought she'd encounter such a scenario, living a life where someone wanted to hide her away.
"Of course not. Xiao Bai, with such big ambitions and outstanding abilities, who could possibly hide you away?" Zhou You flattered her without a hint of embarrassment.
"That's good. I'm a woman determined to be a top-tier tour guide," Xiao Bai said, lifting her chin with a proud, coquettish tone.
Then she let her head droop. But society was tough to navigate.
Seeing Xiao Bai unhappy, Zhou You couldn't help but shift his hips to cheer her up again.
Xiao Bai was just putting on a brave face, not wanting Zhou You to see her vulnerable side. Though she was drawn to his charisma and wealth, that didn't mean she was his plaything.
Originally, Zhou You was supposed to go back today, but given the situation, he'd have to stay a few more days. He couldn't just get up and leave, cutting ties callously.
After some back-and-forth, Xiao Bai eventually moved in. The security, environment, and transportation here were all better than where she'd lived before.
After resting for a few days, Xiao Bai decided to go back to work at the tour guide company. She was still young and didn't know what else to do, so she'd work for a few years and figure it out later.
Zhou You didn't mind; it was up to her.
Those days were their honeymoon phase—they stuck together wherever they went. To avoid gossip, Zhou You specially extended his contract with their company for a few more days.
...
"Director Ren, hello, what's up?" Zhou You answered a call from Director Ren while fooling around with Xiao Bai.
"Nothing much. We're planning to head to Huangshan to shoot some footage. Since you're from around there, I thought you might be interested in joining us," Director Ren said. As an investor, even though they were with CCTV, a big organization, he personally wanted to maintain the relationship.
"Sure, I'm very interested. I'm still out of town now. When are you planning to go?"
"Hmm, the team should head over next week."
"Alright, let me know when you arrive, and I'll drive over."
Xiao Bai asked beside him, "What project are you investing in now?"
Zhou You briefly explained it was a food show and said she could watch it when it came out—it should be pretty good.
Xiao Bai lowered her head and tugged at Zhou You's hand, swaying it. "Are you leaving?"
"Yeah, I still need to go back to teach at the university, or they'll fire me," Zhou You said, unable to bear seeing her like this.
"I'll come to Shanghai often from now on, or if you run into trouble, just call me. I can come anytime since it's close."
"Alright, meeting you has been the happiest time since I graduated. Thank you, You Ge," Xiao Bai said, wrapping her arms tightly around Zhou You's waist.
A thousand-mile send-off must end in farewell.
Life is nothing but partings and reunions; distance creates beauty.
Otherwise, why do so many people have honeymoon phases, adjustment phases, and quarreling phases?
Many couples rush into divorce after marriage because their expectations of each other change.
Meeting should be like the first time, so there's no resentment even in old age.
Before leaving, Zhou You left 50,000 yuan in cash at the house and only texted Xiao Bai when he was about to board the plane.
Though Zhou You had resolved to be a wanderer in this life, he didn't want to deliberately hurt the women he'd been with. He just tried to do what he could within his means.
A leopard can't change its spots.
When do people usually have a great awakening, breaking free from the rules and shackles society imposes on them?
Either through facing death—like car accidents, earthquakes, or losing loved ones.
Or through enduring countless hardships and finding enlightenment through success.
Otherwise, a person's character is hard to change.
Back when Zhou You worked in sales, he met a guy who didn't care about anything. He was always cheerful and easygoing.
Zhou You, still full of ambition back then, even looked down on him a bit, thinking he was just coasting through life. It wasn't until they chatted one day that he learned the guy had been through a massive earthquake. His mother, uncle, and cousin were gone, and most of his classmates had died too.
He felt that just being alive was a win, and that nothing mattered more than living. House, car—have them or not, he didn't care. He didn't want to push himself too hard.
Zhou You was deeply shaken at the time, but without experiencing it yourself, you can't truly understand.
Don't judge others without knowing their pain.
It wasn't until Zhou You went through his own hardships and was reborn that his understanding deepened.
He came to share a similar view with that old colleague: within his means, make himself as comfortable and happy as possible.
...
As soon as he got off the plane, he saw Wang Fangfang in a red outfit, her hair in a ponytail, wearing sunglasses, leaning against a black Wrangler.
Passersby couldn't help but stare.
Seeing him come down, Wang Fangfang trotted over and hugged him.
"Surprise? Unexpected?"
Zhou You was genuinely surprised. "I just said I'd come to your place for a meal, I didn't ask you to pick me up. And your driving skills are good enough now to get to the airport?"
He hugged her back, feeling a twinge of guilt, but it quickly faded.
Letting go, he pulled an LV bag from his pack and handed it to her. "Here, a gift for you. Like it?"
"Ah, LV—I wouldn't even buy it for myself," Wang Fangfang said, excitedly taking off her sunglasses and kissing Zhou You right there in public, not caring who was watching.
Zhou You was still a bit shy and, seeing so many people staring, quickly pulled her into the car and drove off.
On the way, he briefly told Wang Fangfang about his movie investment.
Watching her drive confidently, he realized that having work and a career really could change a person.
She used to be a bit lost, a little weak and unsure.
Now, with her career growing, she radiated a confident glow.
Hope—hope is the most beautiful thing for people. With hope, no difficulty is insurmountable.