Xu Lin closed his eyes: "Let's sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow. Driving from Jiangdu to the provincial city takes seven hours. If we leave at nine, we should be home by four or five in the afternoon."

"Then I'll tell my mom to buy more groceries and make something delicious. We'll eat at my place tomorrow!"

"OK."

"Honey, I love you."

"We're so familiar with each other already; no need for such mushy words. We both know it in our hearts."

"No, I have to say it, honey!"

In the darkness, she gave Xu Lin a few more kisses.

"Don't be naughty now. Let's sleep, early to bed and early to rise."

"Mmm hmm."

They tucked themselves in and spoke no more for the night.

Yu Xinyan had a sweet dream that night, dreaming of walking hand in hand with Xu Lin into the halls of marriage.

When she woke up, it was still dark outside, but the phone showed it was past five-thirty.

Yu Xinyan couldn't sleep anymore and just watched Xu Lin's face in the dim light.

Xu Lin was already very handsome, and Yu Xinyan saw him through rose-colored glasses, so in her eyes, Xu Lin's handsomeness was beyond words, something even Xu Lin himself wasn't aware of.

A bit past six, Yu Xinyan woke Xu Lin up, saying they should get up, have breakfast, and gather energy.

"You're getting up so early. It's not even light yet."

In January, it indeed wasn't bright by six.

"But, taking a shower, checking out, and having breakfast all take time."

"How long could that take? It's only 6:15. No, I need to teach you a good lesson."

They hadn't worn any clothes to bed last night.

So Xu Lin just did a bit of preliminary work.

Before seven when daylight broke, Yu Xinyan was already being teased by Xu Lin.

By the time they finished, the day had brightened.

"Honey, let's take a shower." She was exhausted.

"Mmm, let's shower, and then check out."

Yu Xinyan calling him "husband" took Xu Lin a bit of getting used to.

After all, she'd been calling him Xu Lin for more than seven years, so suddenly changing titles was definitely an adjustment.

The shower was done in about ten minutes.

Then they spent another ten minutes packing up.

At 7:46, they went downstairs to check out.

In the morning, getting food wasn't easy; they had to settle for either McDonald's or KFC, or various breakfast diners.

Xu Lin chose to go to KFC nearby.

After breakfast.

It was eight-thirty.

Fortunately, there was a CHAGEE nearby, and for a seven-eight hour drive, buying some tea to drink on the journey was a great idea.

So Xu Lin bought two fruit teas with Yu Xinyan.

A bit past nine, Xu Lin officially started the drive to the provincial city.

In the passenger seat, Yu Xinyan was very happy, more so than ever before, as if she was about to step into the marriage hall with the boy she loved.

At nineteen, she had many beautiful dreams about the future.

Marrying Xu Lin was one of those dreams.

A bit after four in the afternoon, Xu Lin drove into the provincial city.

In about another hour, he reached the outside of Yu Xinyan's residential area.

It was a gated community with guards, not easy to get into.

Luckily, Yu Xinyan was there.

Ten minutes later, the two of them were home.

Yu Jianhua and Lin Yajing hadn't returned yet, one just got off work and was on the way back, the other had gone to the market for groceries.

Eventually, the elderly couple returned together, as Yu Jianhua had picked up his wife.

As soon as Yu Jianhua got home, he saw Xu Lin sitting on the sofa.

"Uncle, Auntie, long time no see."

"Xu Lin, was the drive tiring today?" Lin Yajing asked with concern.

"It was fine, quite relaxed."

"That's good."

"Auntie, what's for dinner tonight?"

"Six dishes and a soup, you'll know later."

"Mom, let's cook together!"

Yu Xinyan went over to help Lin Yajing with the groceries in her hands.

On the other side, Yu Jianhua also sat down.

Xu Lin was sitting on the long sofa, and Yu Jianhua on a single-seater.

"Is the Young Master Xu online, you?"

Once mother and daughter were in the kitchen, Yu Jianhua asked.

"It's me."

"Impressive!"

Yu Jianhua really was at a loss for words. Any advice from an elder already felt irrelevant; he was no longer qualified to advise Xu Lin. Xu Lin, at just nineteen, had reached heights others couldn't in ten lifetimes.

At work, Yu Jianhua had even asked his higher-ups, who knew the details, and was told that Young Master Xu had gone to the Capital City and that top leaders in Zhonghai held him in high regard.

Last summer, Xu Lin came over and mentioned meeting significant figures in the Capital City, even joking he's just one word away from having Yu Jianhua removed. Yu Jianhua thought it was a joke, but later realized Xu Lin wasn't joking at all.

He had reached a very high position.

Then Xu Lin smiled and said, "But I'm still myself. The ancients said, 'Gentlemen form associations without being ingratiating and maintain connections without being condescending. In high places, they are not arrogant; in low places, they do not withdraw.' I dare not say I'm a gentleman, but I strive to achieve this, so don't overthink. I'm still the Xu Lin you know."

Yu Jianhua was educated enough to understand the profound meaning of these ancient words.

It meant that someone, at a low position, doesn't curry favor with those higher, and at a high place, doesn't bully or look down on others. It's a very noble character trait that most people can't achieve, and thus such a person can be called a gentleman.

"Honestly, seeing you like this, I'm very pleased, even proud," Yu Jianhua said with a smile. He wasn't being insincere; he had watched Xu Lin grow up. Although Xu Lin had been quite the handful earlier, after some time, Yu Jianhua grew fond of him. After Xu Lin went to university, Yu Jianhua found it hard to adjust since they hardly saw each other afterward.

In Yu Jianhua's eyes, Xu Lin was like half a son. How could he not be proud seeing him shine and succeed?

"If you ever need anything, just reach out to me." Xu Lin patted his chest with a smile.

"I'll be sure to."

Lighting a cigarette, Yu Jianhua said, "I've reached a comfortable position as it is. I have no intention of climbing higher. Honestly, I'm also not quite at home in the provincial city even after a few months. Back in our old neighborhood, I knew everyone, had friends to chat with. Look at this complex now, full of strangers; it feels lifeless. Even people came asking about the cigarettes you brought last time. Frankly speaking, it lacks the down-to-earth man-on-the-street vibe of our old community."

"It's fine. Without too many desires, a peaceful life is good." Xu Lin nodded.

The two of them talked quite a bit while Lin Yajing cooked with their daughter.

Soon it was mealtime.

Dinner was naturally joyful and warm, with much laughter shared between Xu Lin and the two seniors.

Xu Lin cherished this tranquility, hoping they would continue to see him as the mischievous young man he once was.

When one's status is elevated, some forms of happiness, mundane in others' eyes, tend to disappear.

It isn't about forgetting one's roots, but those in lesser positions become cautious, fearing offense, thus treating him with undue reverence, even the father-in-law was no exception.

Being so outstanding, even one's father-in-law hesitated to speak loudly.

When Xu Lin first joined the class at university, everyone spoke freely with him, common student exchanges, just as anyone would.

But after it was exposed that he was Mr. Xu, and his fame grew, people stopped speaking so freely with him. Those who understood societal workings started trying to ingratiate themselves with Xu Lin.

Thankfully, they didn't yet know he was also Young Master Xu.

Otherwise, Xu Lin believed that many school leaders would try currying favor with him.

Xu Lin was well aware of this, so he valued this tranquility.

Maybe one day in the future, he'd lose this ordinary form of happiness.

In life, it's impossible to have it all.

After eating, Xu Lin rested for half an hour before getting up to leave.

"Uncle, Auntie, I'm heading back."

"Xu Lin, I'll walk you out!"

"Leaving so soon?" Lin Yajing asked.

"Yes, I have to go back to Jiangdu and handle some things tomorrow."

"I see."

"Drive safely tonight," Yu Jianhua cautioned.

"Ok, don't worry."

Yu Xinyan accompanied Xu Lin downstairs, reluctant to part, giving him a kiss before he left.

"Goodbye, honey!"

"Mmm, head back up, it's quite cold outside. Call me if anything comes up."

"Will do!"

After a farewell, Xu Lin drove away.