Chapter 108

The next morning, Song Anan opened her eyes to Pei Kuang's smiling face.

"Awake?"

Song Anan rubbed her sleepy eyes, her voice soft and groggy, "Mm, what time is it?"

Pei Kuang looked at the time and replied, "Just after ten."

Song Anan was stunned, it was so late already.

Her biological clock was usually very accurate, and she normally got up around seven, she didn't expect to sleep so late today.

Pei Kuang's eyes slanted up slightly as he calmly said, "Now I believe it."

Having just woken up, Song Anan's mind was still a little sluggish, "Believe what?"

"What do you think," Pei Kuang looked down at her, his tone lazy and smiling, "Of course, your compliment last night on my performance."

Song Anan almost choked, forcibly reminded of last night's embarrassment.

"You're bringing that up again!" She glared at him indignantly.

This guy, he had already mocked her for so long last night, yet he still wanted to bring up old stories today, could they please move on already!

Seeing the little girl's 'if you say any more I'm going to get upset' stance, Pei Kuang immediately chose to back off, raising his hands in surrender.

"Okay, okay, I won't mention it again."

Song Anan 'humphed', that's more like it.

Pei Kuang smiled gently, stroking her head indulgently, "Are you hungry? I heard the hotel breakfast is very good, should I call them to have it sent up?"

Song Anan was actually quite hungry, "Is there still time?"

Hotels generally stopped serving breakfast by ten o'clock, and it was clearly past that already.

"There's time." Pei Kuang smiled and replied, "I asked, they'll extend breakfast service by half an hour."

Song Anan nodded, "Okay."

When the hotel breakfast arrived, Song Anan had just finished washing up, and the two enjoyed a late breakfast before heading out.

It had to be said, the island Pei Kuang had chosen was really great.

With its unique seaside scenery, local specialty food and wine, plus plenty of ocean activities, if they got tired, the hotel also had hot spring spa services.

But what Song Anan loved most was sitting with Pei Kuang by the hotel's outdoor swimming pool watching the sunset.

The two sat side by side at the edge of the pool, feet in the water, swaying gently. She would tap his feet from time to time, he let her make mischief, but sometimes deliberately dodged as well. It was so comfortable and relaxing.

They stayed there for two days before leaving. After returning, both gradually settled into regular life and studies.

The school Pei Kuang attended was not far from Song Anan's, about an hour's drive. Like Song Anan, he also rented an apartment near campus for convenience.

But that apartment was basically just for show, he tirelessly commuted to Song Anan's place every day to stay over.

In their daily life abroad, they were each busy with their own things. When free, they liked to wander around the city hand in hand, or go see exhibits and such.

It was busy, fulfilling, and happy.

The news that Pei Kuang was going abroad to study didn't come out until two months after he arrived.

The reason was that he and Song Anan were caught on a date by domestic netizens while walking hand-in-hand on the street, and the photos they took were posted on Weibo.

At first, everyone thought the two were just vacationing abroad, but Song Anan being sent abroad by her advisor to do research was not a secret at their school and hospital, many people knew about it.

When it spread online, netizens and fans were in an uproar.

Some inquisitive people also checked Pei Kuang's schedule and found that he hadn't taken any jobs or other engagements for two months, clearly this was not a vacation, it was obviously accompanying his girlfriend to study abroad!

But at this time, an entertainment industry insider came out and revealed that Pei Kuang had indeed gone abroad to study, and the school was not far from his girlfriend either.

Netizens joked in succession that studying was just an excuse, the main purpose was to accompany his girlfriend.

However, neither Pei Kuang himself nor his company made too big a deal of this, in fact Li Dong had suppressed the topic from trending several times.

Gradually, fans also understood that Pei Kuang wanted to study and live low-key.

Of course, to spend a blissful time with his girlfriend as well.

Moreover, many fans expressed their support and understanding for this - public figures also need their private lives.

Happy times always fly by swiftly.

Pei Kuang's study abroad term was one year. Once that ended here, he would have to return home.

But for the people involved, it was not so clear-cut.

After finishing, Pei Kuang seemed in no hurry at all. Li Dong had urged him several times, asking when he planned to come back so he could arrange work accordingly.

But surprisingly, Pei Kuang dodged the question twice, showing no signs of wanting to return at all.

With no other option, Li Dong could only secretly go to Song Anan, hoping she could persuade him.

In the end, it was only under Song Anan's strong urging that Pei Kuang's return date was finally set.

The night before returning home, after dinner, Song Anan helped Pei Kuang pack his luggage.

"I think everything's packed, there shouldn't be anything left behind, right?" Song Anan said.

Pei Kuang sat on the sofa, gazing at her solemnly, "There is!"

Song Anan stood next to him and asked in confusion, "What's left behind?"

Pei Kuang reached out and pulled her over, "You!"

He looked up at her plaintively, "I want to take you back with me."

Song Anan: "......"

Pei Kuang's hands circled her waist, swaying her slightly, "Let me stay with you another month, don't listen to Li Dong's nonsense, it's really not that urgent."

After saying that, he picked up his passport holder from one side, and stuffed the whole thing into Song Anan's hands.

"There, I've given it all to you, I'll write down the password for you later. I'm going to cancel my plane ticket first."

Song Anan: "......"

Is that what she meant? This guy was obviously being difficult on purpose!

But Song Anan was really afraid he would cancel his ticket, so she hurriedly pulled him over and hugged him to stop him from touching his phone.

Just as Pei Kuang was about to say something, Song Anan didn't give him the chance, and directly pressed her lips to his.

It was just a fleeting peck, then she quickly pulled back. Seeing him about to speak again, she repeated it.

This was the tactic he had used on her in the past when he was being difficult. Song Anan felt she was making good use of it now.

The two kissed again and again, but as the kissing continued, things started to get heated.

Pei Kuang's gaze turned intense. "Anan..."

Alarm bells rang in Song Anan's mind, she was all too familiar with this look of his, "No, you already...yesterday..." She coughed lightly, "Anyway, show some restraint."

Pei Kuang held her hand and refused to let go, looking at her plaintively, "You provoked me first."

Song Anan: "......"

This guy, she didn't know what had gotten into him. He used to have great self-control before they slept together, but now he really couldn't hold back at all.

In his own words, he had acquired a taste for it.

Oh dear!

She shouldn't have used this tactic just now, Song Anan thought.

Seeing her defenses weakening, Pei Kuang pressed his advantage, "Besides, after I leave tomorrow, who knows when I'll get to come back, I can't restrain myself even if I want to."

After saying that, he directly pulled her into his arms, then whispered something in her ear.

Song Anan's face immediately flushed red, she was so angry she raised her hand to hit him, "Don't talk nonsense!"

He was always saying suggestive, improper things to tease her.

So annoying!

Pei Kuang laughed out loud, then got up and carried her towards the bedroom.

Once the door closed, it blocked out the room full of passion.

Pei Kuang had started his studies a few months after Song Anan, so when he left, there was still more than half a year left of her time abroad.

This meant their long distance relationship would only be half a year.

However, during that half year, Pei Kuang flew over at least once a month, and sometimes Song Anan would take time off to fly to his drama set for a visit.

So, the two basically didn't have any feeling of a long distance relationship. Their emotions were very stable.

Half a year's time passed quickly, and it was time for Song Anan to return home.

Pei Kuang was going to pick her up, but Song Anan didn't want to make a fuss, so she deliberately didn't tell him the exact return time until she got on the plane and sent him the flight information so he could pick her up at the airport.

More than ten hours later, the plane landed at B City Airport.

Song Anan finally saw Pei Kuang, and Song Linchuan had also come with him to pick her up.

Looking at his appearance, he seemed like he hadn't slept enough.

When she asked carefully, she found out that Song Linchuan had just returned after finishing shooting a TV series, and he had been filming an intense night scene before wrapping up. Then he rushed back without having time to sleep yet.

The time happened to coincide with dinner time, so they went to eat first before driving home.

On the way back, Pei Kuang drove, Song Anan sat in the passenger seat, and Song Linchuan was so tired that he fell asleep in the back seat after getting in the car.

The car quickly drove into the residential area, and Pei Kuang parked in front of the building where Song Linchuan's home was.

"Linchuan, wake up, we're home," Song Anan turned around and called out to him.

Song Linchuan woke up groggily and looked out the window to see that it was his own door. "Oh, okay."

He patted his face to try to wake himself up a bit more, then said to Pei Kuang in the front, "Open the trunk, I'll take my auntie's luggage down."

Pei Kuang and Song Anan looked at each other, then said, "Linchuan, Anan will stay at my place."

Song Linchuan's drowsiness instantly vanished and he said with a displeased expression, "What did you say?"

Although he knew they had been together for so long and probably already done what was bound to happen, this bastard dared so blatantly suggest his auntie go stay at his place, which still made Song Linchuan very annoyed.

Seeing this, Song Anan immediately said, "Linchuan, don't get mad first, listen to me."

Song Linchuan turned his head to look at Song Anan, waiting for her to explain.

Song Anan pursed her lips and said, "Well, didn't you say before that you and Zhou Wei were already living together? I feel it would be a little inappropriate for me to still live there."

A lot had happened in the two years Song Anan had been abroad.

For example, Song Linchuan and Zhou Wei had made their relationship official and were formally together now.

When Song Linchuan heard it was about this matter, he immediately waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, Zhou Wei isn't living with me."

Song Anan let out an "ah", completely confused.

Was her memory mixed up?

He had clearly said before that they were already living together!

Song Linchuan explained, "I've been living at her place the whole time."

Song Anan: "..."

Pei Kuang looked at Song Linchuan and laughed, "No, bro, we haven't seen each other in a long time, look..."

"Piss off!" Song Linchuan said unpleasantly, "Who's your bro!"

Saying they hadn't seen each other in a long time, when this bastard had just flown over last month, lying through his teeth.

Song Anan looked at Song Linchuan pleadingly with her eyes.

Actually, she also wanted to go to Pei Kuang's place.

Song Linchuan steeled his heart and turned his head, saying, "Auntie, don't forget my dad and mom are coming over tomorrow. If the old man finds out you're staying at his place, not only will my dad beat me to death, but you'll also get scolded."

Thinking of her brother's angry face, Song Anan immediately shook her head.

She nimbly followed Song Linchuan out of the car. Pei Kuang wanted to see them off but was rejected by Song Linchuan.

Watching the little girl waving at him while leaving, Pei Kuang helplessly shook his head.

Oh well, there would be time in the future. The most pressing matter now was to think about meeting Song Zhenhui and Zhao Ya tomorrow, this could also be considered formally meeting the parents.

The reason Song Zhenhui and Zhao Ya were coming over this time was first to see Song Anan, and secondly, to attend Song Anan's graduation ceremony.

They had originally thought the couple could come a few days earlier, but unexpectedly they were so busy that their schedule kept changing and nothing was finalized.

It wasn't until the day of the graduation ceremony that they hurriedly rushed over. After this day, Song Anan would be completely graduated.

With a doctorate degree.

Many classmates' families had come, and after Song Zhenhui and Zhao Ya came to speak with Song Anan and take some pictures, they happened to run into acquaintances and were pulled aside to chat.

Song Anan was surrounded by her dorm mates, busy taking pictures in front of the school's iconic buildings to commemorate their time together.

"Anan, did Pei Kuang and Song Linchuan come today?" Li Sirui asked.

Song Anan nodded and replied, "They came, they're already at the school gate. But there were quite a lot of people earlier so I told them to wait for a bit, they should be over now."

Just as she finished speaking, she saw Song Linchuan and Pei Kuang walking over from afar.

The two were very low-key, wearing plain sweats and T-shirts, with baseball caps pulled down low. From a distance they looked no different from the students on campus, dressed casually.

At most their aura and physique stood out a bit, but there was no shortage of good-looking, attractive male students on campus.

"Auntie, congratulations on your graduation," Song Linchuan hurriedly gave his congratulatory words first.

Pei Kuang didn't mind and just smiled as he echoed, "Congratulations on your graduation."

Seeing the two, Song Anan was very happy. She didn't forget to introduce her dorm mates to them.

Of course, it was mainly an introduction for Song Linchuan's sake, as Pei Kuang had met them before.

After exchanging greetings and chatting for a bit, they also took a few group photos together.

Not long after, Song Zhenhui and Zhao Ya also came over. Li Sirui and the others sensed it was time to leave and found an excuse to withdraw first, giving them space.

Pei Kuang slightly bowed his head and took the initiative to greet them, "Uncle, Auntie."

Hearing this form of address, Song Anan instinctively turned to look at him.

Pei Kuang smiled at her to indicate it was nothing.

He had his own considerations for using this address. To put it bluntly, he had agonized over this form of address for a long time.

Due to Song Linchuan's relationship, he had met Song Zhenhui and Zhao Ya before and had always called them Uncle and Auntie. Before obtaining their approval, it would be impolite for him to rashly change how he addressed them.

Additionally, Pei Kuang could also see that although Song Zhenhui and Zhao Ya were Song Anan's older brother and sister-in-law, they actually treated her like their own daughter in their hearts, especially Zhao Ya.

Therefore, after comparing both sides, calling them 'Uncle' and 'Auntie' now would actually be more acceptable to the couple.

As expected, Song Zhenhui and Zhao Ya didn't show any abnormal reaction.

Song Zhenhui didn't say anything, just lightly nodded his head in greeting.

Zhao Ya was very enthusiastic, chatting with Pei Kuang for quite a while and seeming increasingly satisfied with her son-in-law.

Song Anan at the side was completely bewildered. She had even worried before that her older brother and sister-in-law didn't like Pei Kuang.

After all, two years ago the couple still refused to meet him.

But little did Song Anan know, people could change, especially since these past two years, her older brother and sister-in-law had also been assessing Pei Kuang.

Judging from their reaction today, the assessment seemed successful.

Song Linchuan roughly knew some inside details, but still gave a cold "humph" and curled his lips.

After the greetings, it wasn't suitable for them to just stand around.

So Song Zhenhui waved his hand and said to Song Anan, "Alright, you kids go have fun, your sister-in-law and I will walk around and take a look."

With that said, he took Zhao Ya and left, leaving the others glancing at each other.

Song Anan felt it wasn't suitable for them to just stand around either, and was about to suggest taking the two men around, when several classmates suddenly came over.

After they clarified their intention, she realized they wanted to ask if Song Linchuan and Pei Kuang could take a group photo with their class.

Although Pei Kuang and Song Linchuan had already been very low-key, they were still conspicuous standing together with a few others.

The classmates even pointed out that not far away, it looked like another group had just finished their graduation photos.

On such a joyous day for graduates, Pei Kuang and Song Linchuan didn't have the heart to refuse either, so the two successfully got borrowed away.

Suddenly Song Anan was left alone. She didn't dare wander off in case Pei Kuang and Song Linchuan couldn't find her later.

So she walked to a nearby chinaberry tree and stood in its shade to cool off.

On a June day, it really was already very hot.

Plus her doctoral gown was a bit thick, Song Anan was sweating from the heat.

With nothing at hand, she could only fan herself with her hand, which had minimal effect but was better than nothing.

Song Anan sat on a stone bench. At first, she kept glancing over at Pei Kuang and the others from time to time, but gradually she became lost in thought. Her fan stopped waving in her hand.

Suddenly, a cool breeze blew from behind her. She reflexively turned her head to look. She saw Pei Kuang somehow find a small fan and start fanning her.

Song Anan looked behind him but didn't see Song Linchuan. She was a little confused.

"Where's Linchuan?" she asked.

Pei Kuang didn't stop fanning as he smiled and said, "On the way here he met some more people who pulled him aside to take pictures."

Song Anan said "Oh," so how did he get back here?

Pei Kuang shrugged and said, "I told them, sorry, my girlfriend is too hot, I have to go over and fan her."

As he spoke, he raised the little fan in his hand, "See, they even gave me a little fan."

Song Anan said "Ah," and looked in the direction he pointed. She did indeed see several girls looking their way.

This guy really has no sense of keeping a low profile.

"Give it to me, I'll fan myself," she said.

Pei Kuang raised his eyebrows, "No, I said I'd fan my girlfriend, so I have to do it myself for it to count."

As he spoke, he raised his hand even higher so she couldn't reach it.

Song Anan’s rebellious side kicked in instantly. She grabbed his arm with one hand and desperately reached for the fan with the other.

The two of them played this cute little game of cat and mouse, which looked incredibly sweet.

Li Sirui was walking around taking pictures with her camera and happened to capture this scene.

She quickly pressed the shutter, freezing the moment in time.

Under the elm tree, specks of golden light filtered through the dense leaves.

Song Anan stood on her tiptoes, eyes shining. Pei Kuang held her wrist as they both laughed.

She looked up craning her neck, while he looked down chuckling.

This scene made people think of one word, for no particular reason.

Forever!