Chapter 18
“Hello Ms. Qiao. I go by Shen Yanshi now, don’t blow my cover,” he smiled in greeting, quickly correcting her
1217
Qiao Zixin glanced at him and somewhat bashfully handed him a box of still–warm pastries: “Alright! Mr. Shen Yanshi, I checked the schedule and figured you probably didn’t have time to eat after exercising, so I made these specially for you.”
The sweet osmanthus fragrance wafted from the box, and only then did Nathan realize he was a bit hungry.
He smiled appreciatively: “Thank you, Zixin.”
Nathan graciously accepted the pastries from Qiao Zixin, eating some himself while also offering her a piece.
“These are really delicious today.”
Nathan’s bright smile as he took a bite made Qiao Zixin blush a little.
As a newly promoted professor at St. Petersburg University, in addition to teaching students specialized knowledge, Nathan also didn’t forget to exercise.
So for these three years, Nathan would unfailingly come running every day, then start reading after his run.
Although he was currently abroad and the foreign school’s food wasn’t as familiar as what he was used to back home, Nathan was still often able to enjoy some delicious foreign cuisine.
“What’s wrong, Zixin?”
Seeing Qiao Zixin’s reddened ears, Nathan couldn’t help but smile and lower his head.
For three years he had unfailingly exercised here, and for three years Qiao Zixin had unfailingly appeared here.
12:22
<
In these three years, he had gained some weight, and half of that was thanks to Qiao Zixin.
Because she had consistently brought him delicious food for three whole years.
Nathan wasn’t blind to Qiao Zixin’s intentions, but he no longer had those kinds of thoughts.
Not only because Olivia had hurt him too deeply, making him disillusioned with love.
Nathan wanted to focus his energy on research instead.
He had been frank about this with Qiao Zixin, but to Nathan’s surprise, she wasn’t discouraged.
She continued to show up, but her doing so didn’t make Nathan uncomfortable.
Because Qiao Zixin was highly knowledgeable, and every interaction left Nathan feeling refreshed.
So to say he had no fondness for her at all,
That would be a lie.
But to be honest, even after three years, the emotional pain Nathan had experienced wasn’t something he could easily move
past.
Now, tasting the freshly baked pastries, Nathan started thinking again.
How could he make things clear to Qiao Zixin without affecting their friendship?
Just then, Qiao Zixin handed him a notebook, smiling brightly: “Mr. Shen, these are the notes I’ve compiled. I hope you can give me some feedback.”
Though she called it a notebook, it looked more like a diary. The cover was yellowed and old, clearly from many years ago.
Nathan took the notebook in front of him. As soon as he opened it, he was shocked.
Because the first sentence in the notebook was in a very familiar handwriting – his own.
“When I grow up, Little Seven, will you be my bride?”
“Brother Nan, it’s been three years. Have you still not remembered who I am?”
Qiao Zixin’s next words nearly made Nathan fall over.
“Little Seven is 24 now. Brother Nan, aren’t you going to marry me yet?”
