Chapter 16: The Daughter Falls in Love

“First condition,” she began.

“Although I’ve agreed to you, we can’t make our relationship public until after the college entrance exams are over.”

Chen Fan nodded.

“No problem, I promise.”

Su Ruochu continued, “And don’t forget what you promised me before.”

“You said you’d apply to the same university as me.”

“If you don’t get in, then what I just said doesn’t count.”

“Can you do that?”

“I can!” Chen Fan said firmly.

“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely get in.”

“No matter where you go, I’ll never let you leave me this lifetime.”

Su Ruochu’s cheeks flushed pink, but her heart felt warm.

She wasn’t a cold-hearted woman; Chen Fan’s sweet words stirred something inside her.

Besides, she hadn’t disliked Chen Fan before—in fact, she even harbored a faint fondness for him.

“And the last request?” Chen Fan asked with a smile.

“The last one… I haven’t thought of it yet. I’ll tell you when I do.”

Chen Fan laughed, understanding that Su Ruochu’s mention of three conditions was just a way to mask her shyness.

It was really just a way for her to find an excuse to back down gracefully.

“Alright. Whenever you think of it, just tell me. I’ll keep my promise.”

With that, their relationship finally crossed the most crucial threshold.

As the heavy rain poured down, the atmosphere grew tender.

Su Ruochu snuggled close to Chen Fan, lost in thought.

Chen Fan hesitated briefly, then slowly wrapped his arm around Su Ruochu’s shoulder and pulled her gently into his embrace.

Su Ruochu shivered.

But this time, she did not resist.

Instead, she leaned softly against Chen Fan’s shoulder.

“Ruochu.”

“Mm?”

“I want to remember today forever. July 5th—today is our anniversary.”

“Mm.”

Su Ruochu murmured softly, mustering the courage to wrap her arm lightly around Chen Fan’s.

At last, Su Ruochu fully accepted Chen Fan.

This was a year and a half earlier than the promise she had made to be Chen Fan’s girlfriend in her past life.

The two of them nestled together, watching the raindrops fall continuously from the sky.

Both seemed to treasure this rare moment together.

After more than ten minutes, the rain finally eased.

“I have to go back now,” Su Ruochu said softly.

“Stay with me a little longer.”

Seeing Chen Fan’s reluctance, Su Ruochu shook her head.

“No.”

“I’ve been out for a long time already.”

“If I don’t go back soon, my family will start to worry. You wouldn’t want my parents to catch you, would you?”

Hearing this, Chen Fan hurriedly spoke.

“Then I’ll walk you back.”

This time, Su Ruochu did not refuse.

“All right.”

They didn’t ride the bike but instead pushed it slowly along the road on their way back.

Unfortunately, before they had gone far, a voice called out from a distance.

“Oh no, it’s my mom.”

Su Ruochu’s expression changed, and she quickly nudged Chen Fan.

“You should leave first.”

Chen Fan felt reluctant.

“Why don’t I come with you? I’ll just say I’m your classmate.”

Su Ruochu blushed and whispered, “Do you think my mom would believe that?”

“If you want to be torn apart, then go ahead.”

Hearing this, Chen Fan decisively got on the bike.

“All right, I’ll go first.”

“Hey, take the umbrella!”

Su Ruochu handed him the umbrella.

“See you tomorrow.”

Chen Fan smiled, waved, and pedaled away.

From afar came his excited singing.

“We common folk are really happy today…”

“Pfft.”

Seeing this, Su Ruochu couldn’t help but laugh softly.

Then she quickly waved goodbye and rode her bike to meet her mother.

“Mom, I’m here.”

“Where have you been, child? You scared me.”

Lin Wanxiu hurried over, her eyes filled with concern.

“Mom, why did you come out?”

Su Ruochu smiled and linked her arm with her mother’s.

“It was raining so hard, I couldn’t help worrying.”

“What were you doing out there?”

“Oh, nothing. I just forgot my textbook at Honghai’s computer school.”

“Of all times, you had to come get it now?”

Lin Wanxiu clearly didn’t quite believe her.

“Look at you, soaked through; the college entrance exam is coming up soon. What if you catch a cold?”

“Also, who were you chatting with just now?”

Su Ruochu’s cheeks reddened and she quickly replied, “No one, just a stranger I sheltered from the rain with.”

“Really just a stranger?”

Lin Wanxiu stared suspiciously at her daughter.

“Mom, can’t we talk about this later? I’m freezing and almost catching a cold.”

At her words, Lin Wanxiu hurriedly let it go.

“Quick, go change clothes, I’ll make you some ginger soup.”

Before leaving, Lin Wanxiu couldn’t help but glance back.

She just felt something was off about her daughter tonight.

…

That evening, Su Xuecheng entered the bedroom where Lin Wanxiu was applying lotion.

“Is our daughter asleep?”

“She is.”

“Then let’s go to bed early too. I’m exhausted after a day of socializing.”

Su Xuecheng lay down on the bed and stretched comfortably.

Lin Wanxiu turned to him.

“Old Su, haven’t you noticed something’s been off with our daughter lately?”

“What’s wrong with her?”

“I suspect she’s in love.”

Su Xuecheng suddenly laughed.

“What else could it be? Our daughter’s grown up now; isn’t it normal to fall in love?”

Lin Wanxiu jumped up.

“Su Xuecheng, is that how you act as a father?”

“Our daughter’s about to take the college entrance exam, and you don’t care at all?”

Seeing his wife upset, Su Xuecheng hurriedly sat up and chuckled awkwardly.

“Maybe you’re mistaken. Perhaps it’s just the stress from studying giving you that impression.”

“No way!”

Lin Wanxiu glared and sat down, lowering her voice.

“Tonight, just before dinner, our daughter suddenly grabbed her raincoat and umbrella and ran out.”

“She was gone for almost an hour before she came back.”

“When I went out looking for her, she looked nervous, like she’d just parted from someone…”

Su Xuecheng frowned.

“Are you sure? Maybe you’re overthinking.”

“Hmph. Do you think I’m stupid? I’m not that easily fooled.”

Lin Wanxiu snorted coldly. “I saw clearly how anxious she was.”

“Tonight she came back wearing a school uniform, hiding it in her room, thinking I wouldn’t notice.”

“That uniform is so big—it’s clearly a boy’s.”

“Also, she took her raincoat and umbrella when she left, but the umbrella was missing when she returned.”

Hearing this, Su Xuecheng frowned deeply.

“Even if everything you said is true, even if she is in love…”

“Isn’t it no big deal? Our daughter’s grown up; she should have her own private space.”

Lin Wanxiu glared at him.

“I’m not against her dating, but it has to be at the right time.”

“What time is it now? The exam is in three days.”

“What if it affects her and she fails?”

Su Xuecheng looked at his wife and asked, “Did you ask her?”

“Do you think I’m a fool? Of course, I pretended not to see it.”

“That’s good.”

“No matter what, we won’t bring this up for now. We’ll deal with it after the exams.”

Lin Wanxiu was unwilling.

“I’m not worried about our daughter, but you have to find out who that brat really is.”

Su Xuecheng laughed helplessly.

“Is that really necessary?”