After concluding the company's annual gathering held in Jiangcheng, the yearly season of separation for the trio had once again arrived.
Having spent so much time with his childhood sweethearts, Mei Fang didn't really feel much about these farewells anymore, especially since he had too much work to keep him occupied.
However, Xia Yuan, who was in the midst of a passionate relationship with Mei Fang, saw things differently. She pulled Lin Youxi and Mei Fang together to make some calculations:
"Although we agreed at the beginning to determine our relationship time by school terms, if we go by that, I'm always in the first semester, and the first semester is shorter than the second."
Xia Yuan continued, "Plus, this year we only started dating in late October, and we're supposed to break up at the end of the semester when January has just begun. Calculating this way, Ah Fang and I have been only dating for less than 3 months. Not to mention that Ah Fang has to return to Baizhou City at the beginning of the year, so there are two weeks when I can't be with Ah Fang..."
Mei Fang and Lin Youxi listened quietly to Xia Yuan's tearful complaints. Mei Fang couldn't help but shake his head and say, "If you put half as much effort into your math problems as you do into this, you wouldn't have done so poorly on your finals-"
Xia Yuan immediately interrupted, mumbling that Mei Fang shouldn't say any more.
"Ahhh-stop talking! I'm different from you two, and I've been totally focused on Ah Fang lately. I haven't been studying at all."
Lin Youxi shook her head, "That's no excuse for scoring so badly. My mind has also been on Ah Fang, and I still got first in the class."
"No, you can't compare me to yourself like that..."
Mei Fang chimed in to support Xia Yuan, "Let's put aside the matter of Yuan Yuan failing her math test for now. I do think she has a point. Even though we haven't publicly announced our relationship on social media, breaking up so soon might cause a backlash. I don't mind if people criticize me, but Yuan Yuan's reputation could also be affected."
"In that case, why don't we adjust the terms of our previous secret agreement?"
Lin Youxi thought for a moment and continued, "Let's set a time limit of one year. Ah Fang will belong to Yuan Yuan in our second year, and to me in our third year. How does that sound?"
"You're so great, Youxi!"
A very touched Xia Yuan hugged Lin Youxi, showering her with affection. Lin Youxi, enjoying the attention, acted with a loving and indulgent expression.
While hugging Xia Yuan, Lin Youxi asked Mei Fang, "Speaking of which, ever since you moved to your new house, we haven't visited yet. I was thinking, since Yuan Yuan and I don't have much to do at home before the New Year, and you said your house is quite spacious now, could we stay at your place?"
Mei Fang was taken aback, "Huh? Stay at my place... Can you even convince your families to agree?"
"I talked to my mom about it last night. She said it's fine as long as Yuan Yuan goes too."
Xia Yuan had been pondering how she would get through the two weeks without Mei Fang, but when she heard what Lin Youxi suggested, she quickly perked up.
"Oh right! I've moved recently too, so it's not convenient to hang out with Youxi and Xiaoxue anymore."
"But... it's rare for us to come home..." Mei Fang scratched his head with some reluctance. "I think it would be better if you two spent more time with your parents."
However, when he arrived at the entrance of the residential complex, he was surprised to see his daughter standing in the cold wind, waiting for him.
Recognizing his car's license plate, Xia Yuan excitedly waved at him.
Xia Xun pulled over and was about to get out to ask how she was doing when Xia Yuan suddenly ran up and threw her arms around him in a big hug.
"Dad! Long time no see!"
After hugging him tightly, Xia Yuan playfully patted Xia Xun's back hard. "You look so much chubbier than you do in the video calls! What's going on?"
"Uh... well..."
Xia Xun scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. "Actually, your mom's cooking has gotten way better than before."
"Wow! Really? I'm definitely going to have to try it when I get back."
Xia Xun nodded, then turned his attention to Mei Fang, whom he had been pretending not to notice this whole time. Mei Fang stepped forward to greet him. "Hello, Uncle Xia."
Xia Xun nodded at Mei Fang, then asked Xia Yuan. "So, where are Youxi and Sister Meijuan? Did they head back earlier this year?"
"Ah, no... They're not in a rush to go home today. I actually wanted to go to the mall first, buy some local specialties and gifts for Mom. Dad, could we leave a bit later?"
"That's no problem... just don't be too late."
Xia Xun glanced over at Mei Fang, thinking that he was probably going to end up being the designated carrier for all the shopping bags again.
But just then, Mei Fang spoke to Xia Yuan briefly before turning to him. "Uncle Xia, why don't you accompany Yuan Yuan to go shopping? I won't disturb you both."
Xia Xun was a little confused. "What about you, Mei Fang? Where are you going?"
Xia Yuan quickly responded, "Ah Fang's going to the mall with Youxi and Aunt Meijuan."
"If you're all going to the mall, why not just go together? I can drive you there."
"No need, Uncle Xia!"
Mei Fang scratched his head with a smile. "Youxi actually wants to buy some clothes for her dad, and I promised to help her pick."
"Oh... I see."