Even the day of departure, how to book the plane tickets, and arranging accommodations in Boston... every single thing required his involvement.

Is this how dependence is cultivated?

It would be fine to enjoy this dependence if it lasted a lifetime—but what if, one day, he couldn’t provide anymore?

Like a golden monkey caged in a zoo, having completely lost its survival skills, what would it do then?

You aren’t a panda; no one fears your species will go extinct.

Nor do you possess the research value of a panda.

"So, you decided to break up with me?"

"Yes. I want us to take some time apart, for both of us to cool down. If I can grow and strengthen my resolve quickly enough, gaining the courage and worthiness to stand before you again, then even if I can’t assist you in any way, at least I can look after myself. I won’t be a burden to you. I want to stand beside you, not rely on you forever... My dear, this is the kind of relationship I want..."

"..."

She paused, then continued, "Of course, if by then you still need me, if you can still accept me, then I promise I will never leave you again."

"How long will this period be?"

She was stunned into silence.

"Three months? Five? A year or so? Ten years, perhaps?"

She remained silent.

He made no effort to hide the mockery on his face as he asked, "You want me to be like Yang Guo and wait for sixteen years?"

She was aghast.

"Do you know what Yang Guo went through during those sixteen years? Alone, with only one arm—how did he manage basic hygiene? How did he tie his shoelaces? How did he deal with his physiological needs?"

If it hadn’t been for the current circumstances, she might have burst out laughing, but right now, laughter was impossible.

She lowered her head, her voice strained. "I... I just want to finish my studies at Harvard first... Let’s make that the deadline..."

"Two years! Let’s settle for two years!"

Two years!

That wasn’t such a long duration.

He continued calmly, "Yan Xixi, do you know how old I am?"

She didn’t answer. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

You never showed me your ID, did you? Your age is more closely guarded than a beauty queen’s!

He took out his ID card and handed it to her.

She accepted it silently, glanced at it, and mumbled, "According to United Nations standards, you could still be considered an outstanding youth."

He said coldly, "So, you mean I have to wait until I’m middle-aged to marry you?"

She flinched, words deserting her.

Would getting married beforehand make any difference at all? Must growth always come at the cost of a breakup? What kind of ridiculous logic is this?

Such excuses. How absurd and flimsy.

He stated straightforwardly, "Yan Xixi, I don’t have the patience to wait for you for two years. In fact, I don’t want to wait even six months. Today’s proposal: are you accepting it or not?"

She didn’t dare utter a sound.

Her gaze drifted to the extraordinary rose. It was vibrantly red, with a startlingly vivid beauty—as if freshly plucked from its branch, still radiating the potent vitality of spring.

A rose like this is unique in all the world.

Rejecting it would be pure idiocy!

Anyone who rejects such a proposal is the biggest fool in the world.

Her hand instinctively reached out. Accept! A thousand times, accept!

Who would be foolish enough to reject such an opportunity?

It wasn’t like she was insane.

Yet, her hand recoiled. Her words changed, "My dear... I think we should break up."

He was suddenly, deeply disappointed.