Chapter 204: Going to Hong Kong Alone to Find You
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
She had given him flowers, a red string, lollipops, and even books… At that time, everyone was still young, mere children. Moreover, Lu An spent almost every birthday in Hong Kong, so the two of them couldn’t even meet in person.
Therefore, every year, Jin Nian kept thinking about giving him gifts. Just this kind of intention was rare and commendable.
What Jin Nian remembered the most was Lu An’s 18th birthday.
At that time, Lu An didn’t go to Hong Kong. After the spring festival, it was the second half of the third year of high school, the critical phase of the college entrance examination.
It was also the same winter when Binhai city had a rare snowfall. Jin Nian and Lu An had agreed to attend Northern University together after the college entrance examination.
Jin Nian had taken quite some time to decide and eventually chose to give Lu An a copy of “The Little Prince,” a beautiful adult fairy tale. Simultaneously, she also learned how to bake a cake.
He hadn’t finished eating that cake, and after receiving “The Little Prince” as a gift, he had never seen it again.
In the days leading up to the spring festival, the entire Whale was on vacation. Jin Nian’s workload had lightened considerably, but she couldn’t completely relax. She still had to bring some work home.
Previously, Lu An and Jin Nian had discussed the idea of going to Hong Kong. Seeing that Jin Nian was a bit reluctant, they decided to drop the idea.
Jin Nian thought she had escaped this time, but Teacher Tan believed it was a matter of etiquette. “Lu An spoils you! You didn’t visit his family in Hong Kong during your first year of marriage. Is that appropriate? And, if you don’t go this year, are you telling me you won’t go next year?”
Jin Nian whispered, “About next year… We’ll see next year.”
“What about the year after next?”
“We’ll consider that in the year after next.”
Hearing this, Teacher Tan pinched Jin Nian gently. “Jin Nian! When I gave you this name, I didn’t mean for you to postpone what you should do this year until next year!”
Jin Nian playfully blinked her eyes. “Jin Nian, just hearing it makes it sound distinguished and cultured! Never give up the faith! Mom, you’re truly an outstanding teacher of the people, even my name is so cultured!”
“Never give up the faith. When she named Jin Nian, she hoped that others would remember, understand, and cherish her.
Jin Nian particularly liked her name. Someone had told her that this phrase was a.s.sociated with love. You had to never give up for love to continue. It sounded exceptionally romantic.
“Tell me, you’re not avoiding going because of what happened in Hong Kong during that summer, are you?”
Jin Nian shook her head. “No.”
“You didn’t even inform us and went to Hong Kong on your own. At that time, the police called, saying your wallet was stolen, and you were crying and calling for your mom…”
Before Teacher Tan could finish her sentence, Jin Nian covered her mouth. “These immature past events don’t need to be brought up again, Mom. This matter is just too embarra.s.sing!”
However, today, Teacher Tan was determined to go against Jin Nian’s wishes. Since Jin Nian wouldn’t let her speak, she revealed everything to Lu An that evening.
At the dinner table, Lu An held a gla.s.s of white wine and took a few sips with his father-in-law.
While they were chatting, Teacher Tan teased Jin Nian. “You don’t even know that during the summer vacation after graduating from high school, Jin Nian secretly went to Hong Kong to look for you…”
Jin Nian’s face turned so red it seemed like it might start bleeding. “Mom, please don’t talk about this!”
Seeing that Jin Nian was embarra.s.sed and upset, Teacher Tan smacked her lips. “Alright, I won’t say anything if you don’t want me to.”
After Jin Nian finished speaking, she immediately glanced unconsciously at Lu An. Lu An picked up his wine gla.s.s and took a small sip, his expression calm and composed.
At this moment, Lu An looked at Jin Nian with a mix of confusion, curiosity, and a hint of hard-to-express surprise in his eyes. Those emotions blended, but Lu An possessed a pair of alluring, pa.s.sionate eyes that made it seem like he was carefree and indifferent to everything.
Lu An didn’t ask further questions but used his free hand under the table to gently pinch Jin Nian’s thigh.
She didn’t want Lu An to know about her embarra.s.sing past, and she had never told him about it. She was afraid he would tease her, and she also worried that her lack of intelligence would make Lu An look down on her.
That night, when they returned home, Jin Nian and Lu An were in the bathtub. The warm water gradually submerged their bodies, and there was a rich layer of delicate foam on the water’s surface.
Jin Nian had her hair tied up in a bun. The strands of hair on both sides of her face were wet, and her cheeks were slightly flushed.
Lu An had his hands resting on the edge of the bathtub. Jin Nian could see that his arms were covered with beautifully sculpted muscles and lively veins.
Since it was winter and they wore more clothing, Lu An’s right arm was covered in tattoos. Now, that arm was entirely exposed in front of Jin Nian, radiating a sense of wildness..