Her plan was to arrive today, pick up Suisui, and leave today.

Lately, the weather has been warming up, so she wore a high-waisted top embroidered with beads, light blue denim pants, and her slender legs appeared straight and long. On her feet were a pair of light brown Martin boots, and she wore a fisherman’s hat. Perhaps because she was approaching her thirties in three years, she was increasingly fond of dressing youthful and vibrant, an antidote to the black-and-white series that could often feel stifling at the office.

The rate at which people turned their heads to look at Gu Yuan remained as high as ever as she walked out of the airport.

She had already booked a ride-sharing car and sent a WeChat message to Yu Rujin saying she had arrived earlier than planned and was now coming to pick up Suisui.

Yu Rujin replied promptly.

Spring: Yuanyuan, have you arrived? Jin is also outside the airport, did you see him?

Spring: I was worried Jin would delay again this time, fortunately, I asked him to arrive early.

Spring: Yuanyuan, if Jin picks you up, send me a WeChat message.

’Buzz-’

’Buzz-’

’Buzz-’

The WeChat notification sound buzzed thrice.

Gu Yuan pressed the Home button and opened the WeChat chat with Spring.

Seeing these three WeChat messages—

Gu Yuan: "..."

She had already postponed the flight time by two hours and sent it to her grandmother, but Quan Jin actually arrived two hours early?

Gu Yuan’s steps suddenly halted as she stood there, pondering which direction to head.

This time, Gu Yuan felt frustrated with herself for not having a thorough plan.

She thought she was smart by postponing the time; how did she not anticipate that her grandmother might advance the time? And the reason her grandmother advanced the time was the worry that Quan Jin might be late. Yet he not only wasn’t late, but he also was already there.

While Gu Yuan was contemplating how to handle the upcoming situation, a voice interrupted her: "Hi, young lady."

Gu Yuan glanced to the side, spotting a boy with deep-set features and a pair of ocean-blue eyes standing to her left, politely greeting her.

"Hello." Gu Yuan responded.

The boy’s appearance didn’t suggest a mixed heritage, and his features were exceptionally deep-set. Those eyes were the blue of the ocean. He carried a backpack and a computer bag, seeming a bit shy for initiating conversation, likely a student given his young age.

He openly and enthusiastically praised her: "You are really beautiful. I was attracted to you at first sight. I’ve never seen such a beautiful girl as you." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Gu Yuan: "..."

His accent wasn’t pronounced, and his Mandarin was quite fluent.

Gu Yuan returned a polite smile: "Thank you."

"My Chinese name is Luo Xiang, and I’m pursuing a master’s degree in Yanjing." The boy introduced himself and showed his phone: "Can we exchange WeChat contacts? Don’t worry, I’m not into WeChat business and won’t disturb you."

"..." Gu Yuan hesitated while holding her phone: "You’re pursuing a master’s in Yanjing?"

"Yes, I’m studying Eastern Art History, and I might pursue a PhD afterward because it’s hard to find a job otherwise." He spoke with sincerity and good humor, his friendly demeanor was very charming.

Gu Yuan nodded in agreement: "Indeed."

"You know, right? It’s really tough." His helpless expression was simultaneously adorable and innocent.

Gu Yuan engaged in intermittent conversation without agreeing to exchange WeChat contacts, secretly turning off her phone, making all the preparations appear casually intentional.

During their conversation, Gu Yuan discerned his keen interest in Eastern culture: "You really have a strong passion for Eastern culture."

He showed a surprised expression: "Wow, you figured that out?"

Gu Yuan smiled slightly.

It wasn’t deduced; you said it yourself.

With this smile, Luo Xiang was utterly charmed, captivated by Gu Yuan’s smile: "Your smile is really beautiful. I haven’t seen a girl more charming when she smiles."

The boy’s praise was earnest and intensive.

Lacking a wide vocabulary, otherwise, he might have showered her with all the praise words he could think of.

In this brief conversation, Gu Yuan learned that he was of mixed heritage; his mother was from Hong Kong and his father from the Sun Never Sets Empire. He resembled his foreign father more, only inheriting his Hong Kong mother’s personality.

That’s why at first, Gu Yuan didn’t realize he was of mixed heritage.

As more and more people filled the airport.

Worried about the coming farewell, Luo Xiang asked for her contact information again. Gu Yuan agreed, and when she looked at her phone, she immediately showed an apologetic expression: "I’m sorry, my phone is off."

She pretended to press a few buttons in front of Luo Xiang: "Seems like it’s out of battery."

Luo Xiang appeared very disappointed, thinking she might not want to exchange contact information. He also sensed this, smiling politely at her before preparing to leave, but Gu Yuan called after him: "Luo Xiang, wait a minute."