Chapter 65: Asking for Recognition

Chapter 65: Asking for Recognition

"Did you arrive early, or did you just get here?"

Ye Xiaoxiao stood with her hands behind her back, slightly bent at the waist, her eyes and eyebrows curved in a faint smile.

Lu Hanchuan found the smile incredibly sweet, touching the depths of his heart.

He got out of the car immediately.

Ye Xiaoxiao eyed him up and down.

Indeed, there was a difference between a nouveau riche and someone from a military family. Lu Hanchuan, coming from a big city, didn’t wear clothes as flashy as her third brother’s.

But with his innate superior physique, broad shoulders, and long legs, even a simple T-shirt looked like it belonged on a runway.

"I just got here. Have you finished your exams?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I finished it yesterday."

Lu Hanchuan: "How did it go? Do you feel confident about getting into Jinghua?"

Jinghua University offers recommended admission slots. Given the status of the Lu family, obtaining such a slot wasn’t difficult.

He had checked Ye Xiaoxiao’s past grades, which were average.

Lu Hanchuan’s question wasn’t meant to mock her; he was simply showing concern for her situation.

To Lu Hanchuan’s surprise, Ye Xiaoxiao smiled confidently, "Of course, I’m sure I’ll get in."

Lu Hanchuan also smiled.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "What are you smiling about?"

Lu Hanchuan stifled his smile. "Nothing. Are you free now? I’ll take you somewhere fun."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Where are we going?"

Lu Hanchuan didn’t answer, just opened the passenger door for her. "Get in."

Ye Xiaoxiao sat in the car.

Although she didn’t know the destination, back then, entertainment options were limited to movie theaters or dance halls.

As they headed out of the city, Ye Xiaoxiao grew more curious.

"You’re not planning to kidnap and sell me, right?"

Lu Hanchuan: "It’s too late to back out now."

Ye Xiaoxiao stared at Lu Hanchuan. "Who’s selling who isn’t certain yet."

Lu Hanchuan: "Yes, with you being so smart, I certainly can’t keep up with you."

Admitting defeat so quickly wasn’t like Lu Hanchuan at all.

Ye Xiaoxiao, with a hint of arrogance, withdrew her gaze.

That hint of pride was written all over her face.

They soon arrived at their destination, and before Ye Xiaoxiao had even stepped out of the car, she could already hear the sound of water.

"It's a waterfall."

Ye Xiaoxiao pushed the car door open and looked out at the mountain scenery.

Ever since she had arrived here, aside from the school, Songlin Town, and Baichuan Village, she hadn't really familiarized herself with the surrounding environment.

Seeing the waterfall, like a jade ribbon amidst the mountains and forests, she felt as though she had been transported to another world.

"How did you discover this place?"

"I happened to come across it. The scenery is pretty great."

The temperature in the mountains was lower than in the city; even in midsummer, it didn't feel stifling.

Ye Xiaoxiao sat on a rock by the waterfall, quietly soaking in the moment.

Lu Hanchuan stood nearby, not uttering a sound to disturb her.

The two of them spent the entire morning there.

By noon, they had returned, and they ate two bowls of cold noodles at a noodle shop in town.

Ye Xiaoxiao asked, "Is there something else you're doing here this time?"

Lu Hanchuan: "No, I came here specifically to see you."

Ye Xiaoxiao froze mid-bite.

"I told you before that after the college exams, I'd help Ye Changyuan with his enlistment. The letter of introduction is ready; I brought it for you."

It could've been mailed, but you didn't have to make a special trip.

That was really thoughtful. All Ye Xiaoxiao could do was sincerely say, "Thank you."

Lu Hanchuan: "No problem, but don't forget the promise you made."

Ye Xiaoxiao couldn't really remember what it was.

Seeing that she was silent, Lu Hanchuan's expression darkened.

"We're going public with our relationship after the college exams."

It suddenly clicked for Ye Xiaoxiao.

"That... But didn't we agree it would start when I get to the capital?"

That had indeed been the original agreement.

She distinctly remembered it.

Lu Hanchuan: "We need to notify the Ye family. My grandfather might send someone to check into the situation here. If it's found out to be fake, things could get even more complicated."

Ye Xiaoxiao furrowed her brows.

The Lu family's old man was a formidable figure in his younger days and wouldn't be so easy to fool.

If a background check is conducted, we'll definitely get caught.

And Lu Hanchuan has helped me countless times, so the request he made isn't unreasonable.

After some thought, Ye Xiaoxiao felt that introducing Lu Hanchuan to the Ye family in advance wouldn't affect anything.

Anyway, it's all just a charade.

"No problem. From now on, you're my boyfriend, and I'm your girlfriend."

Ye Xiaoxiao put down her chopsticks and offered her hand, "Comrade Lu Hanchuan, please take care of me."

"Don't worry, Comrade Ye Xiaoxiao, I will definitely take good care of you."

Lu Hanchuan reached out and shook her hand, their skin tones noticeably different.

One was a healthy tan, and the other was as delicate as porcelain.

As soon as Ye Xiaoxiao released his hand, she heard Lu Hanchuan ask, "Should we go back to Baichuan Village together?"

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Ye Xiaoxiao admired Lu Hanchuan's efficiency, so she could only say, "I'll leave it to your arrangement."

Lu Hanchuan immediately offered to handle it.

In the afternoon, Lu Hanchuan dropped Ye Xiaoxiao off at Songlin Town, and she headed back to Grandpa Miao's house.

After dropping Ye Xiaoxiao off, Lu Hanchuan took off on his own.

Ye Xiaoxiao didn't ask where he would stay; there was no need to worry about that.

After staying at Grandpa's house for one night, the day after breakfast, Ye Xiaoxiao went to the pharmacy.

The first thing Master Song asked his apprentice was, "How did the exam go? Did you get into Jinghua?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I'm pretty confident."

Song Guangjing: "Good, good, good. When the scores come out, if you do well, I'll give you a big red envelope."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "You've already given me quite a few."

Song Guangjing: "This one's different and will definitely be big."

Ye Xiaoxiao jokingly asked, "What if I don't pass?"

Song Guangjing could now tell the truth, "If you don't do well, we'll head back to the capital city in advance and discuss finding another way in."

Ye Xiaoxiao pretended to be shocked, "Master, you're well-connected, huh?"

Song Guangjing stood with his hands behind his back, "It's not about being well-connected; I am the connection."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "..."

At the pharmacy, Ye Xiaoxiao organized herbs in the morning and read in the afternoon.

Song Guangjing came into the backyard, "Comrade Lu is here. He's here to see you, right?"

Ye Xiaoxiao raised her head and met her master's probing gaze.

At that moment, Lu Hanchuan also walked in.

Ye Xiaoxiao thought she could test the waters with Song Guangjing.

"Master, Lu Hanchuan and I are in a relationship. He’s my boyfriend now."

Song Guangjing was still smiling just a moment ago, but upon hearing this, his eyes almost bulged out.

"When did this happen!?" Xiao Xiao, you're still young, don't let anyone sweet-talk you.

Little did Song Guangjing know, they were still at the stage where nothing was certain, and yet this big bad wolf had already snatched away the little lamb.

His disciple had always been so obedient.

That Lu guy looked fierce and was too cunning.

Lu Hanchuan behind them heard this very clearly.

The old man wasn't wrong, after all.