“Qian Lan, you didn’t need to come out here to explain yourself to me. I’m not upset,” Mo Zichen replied. “Besides, I honestly think that family is more important than anything. You shouldn’t argue with your parents because of a person you don’t know well.”

Mo Zichen’s response made Qian Lan feel even worse.

After all, his every word sounded like he was viewing the situation from a bystander’s point of view. Never did he consider that she had come out here all on her own, just because she was worried that he was upset.

“I understand...” Qian Lan mumbled. “I’m glad that you’re not upset. I’m going to go. Thank you for your jacket.”

“I’ll drive you...”

“That’s not necessary,” Qian Lan said before she quickly turned to leave. However, after a couple of steps, she paused and said to Mo Zichen, “I thought I meant something different to you. But, I guess I’m no different to everyone else.”

“I’m sorry!”

Qian Lan shook her head. There was nothing to be sorry about. Some people needed​ to give things a try before they found out whether they suited each other or not.

If their identities were the obstacle between them, she could have tried her best to reduce the gap. But, if Mo Zichen felt nothing for her, then all her hard work would simply go to waste.

So, it was time to forget about him and give up instead of humiliating herself.

After causing so much drama, Qian Lan returned home to find her mother waiting for her in the living room. When Mother Qian saw the spaced out look on her daughter’s face, her heart ached, “Lan Er, can’t you give your mother a peace of mind? What’s so good about that poor rascal?”

“If you guys insist on interfering with every facet of my life, I might as well die. It’s easier that way.” Qian Lan hated having her life controlled by others. “Mom, if you don’t believe me, then give it a try.”

After speaking, Qian Lan wiped her nose and added, “By the way, you don’t need to worry, I won’t be contacting Mo Zichen anymore. He was never interested in me anyway!”

Afterwards, Qian Lan weakly returned to her room and collapsed onto her bed.

She couldn’t understand why she was born into a family like this. Why did she have such controlling parents? She simply wanted a normal relationship and life.

...

The next day, Qian Lan and Mo Zichen happened to run into each other in the school cafeteria. This had never happened before.

The two of them simultaneously avoided the other’s eyes and found a seat to sit down in.

Qian Lan’s friend noticed the awkward atmosphere and guessed what had happened between the two, so she held onto her tray and sat down opposite Qian Lan to comfort her, “I told you ages ago that the two of you weren’t from the same world. Look how awkward things are now.”

“I still like him, but he doesn’t like me,” Qian Lan replied.

“What? Are you trying to say that he rejected you?” her friend was shocked. “That poor as*hole doesn’t know what’s good for him! Doesn’t he know that he missed out on a relationship with the mayor’s daughter?”

“You’re saying this because you didn’t hear how my sister insulted him with money,” Qian Lan laughed.

“No wonder,” Qian Lan’s friend understood because the Qian Family were indeed frightening. “What do you plan to do now? You must have been crying a lot last night. Your eyes are all swollen.”

“I’m not sure either,” Qian Lan shook her head. “I guess I’ll just accept my fate and listen to my parents. I’ll go on a few blind dates, get married and never return to that family again.”

“Does that mean you’re giving up on Mo Zichen?”

Qian Lan looked at Mo Zichen in the distance and felt her heart ache. If Mo Zichen had shown even the slightest bit of interest in her, she would have persevered to the end. But...

...how was she to know that Mo Zichen had his difficulties. As an intelligence officer he had signed a confidentiality agreement to keep his identity a secret. So, for Qian Lan, he was someone that could disappear at anytime. Why would she want a lover like that?

To forget about Mo Zichen as quickly as possible, Qian Lan decided to focus all of her energy on her work, but for some reason, after clarifying things with Mo Zichen, she couldn’t help but take notice of him even more.

That was the way the human heart worked; people always wanted what they couldn’t get.

But, Mo Zichen’s life continued as normal. He taught during the day, went on missions during the night and slept whenever he got the chance.

All the while, Qian Lan’s phone number sat idly in his phone and wasn’t touched for a long time.

Perhaps, it wouldn’t take long before Qian Lan would forget about the unhappy encounter between them.

...

Suddenly, one day, Nangong Cai showed up at the school. Seeing this familiar face after class, Mo Zichen reacted with a smile, “Why did you suddenly come looking for me?”

“I happened to be passing by, so I decided to drop in to see you. Aren’t you going to treat me to lunch?” Nangong Cai giggled. Nangong Cai was no longer the Little Eggshell from their youth. She was now a graceful young woman.

“Let’s go,” Mo Zichen said before he put away his textbooks and walked through the school with her.

“You disappeared for 5 years. What have you been doing all this time?”

“Can you not ask?” Mo Zichen replied. “I don’t want to talk about the past.”

“Fine, I’m afraid no one can tell what you’re thinking,” Nangong Cai replied, even though she looked a little disappointed.

The two chatted happily as they left the school grounds, but this quickly turned into gossip amongst the other teachers.

After all, Mo Zichen did not come from a notable background. How did he know a young woman who obviously appeared to be an heiress of some sort?

That was when Qian Lan heard about how Mo Zichen walked side-by-side out of the school with a long-legged beauty. Her heart immediately felt a little sour. Did Mo Zichen reject her because he had a better option?

Of course, she simply heard the rumors, but she didn’t expect to actually run into them.

This was when the two returned from lunch and Nangong Cai walked Mo Zichen back to the school, “Can I come look for you again in future?”

“As long as I’m here, you’re welcome at any time.”

Nangong Cai nodded her head happily and hugged Mo Zichen, “I really miss you and your brother.”

“You can visit him at the army base.”

Mo Zichen simply stood still without hugging Nangong Cai back.

But, Nangong Cai was used to it.

Plus, she was well aware that Mo Zichen had no romantic feelings for her...

...

The only reason why Qian Lan ran into Mo Zichen and Nangong Cai, was because she was dropping by to pick up some documents. The two looked really close, as though they had known each other for a long time and this made Qian Lan feel extremely hurt.

However, Nangong Cai noticed the awkward look in her eyes.

So, she laughed and asked, “Is there something going on between you and that teacher?”

Mo Zichen also laughed, “You caught me.”

“It’s written all over your face...So, what happened? Did you upset her?” Nangong Cai asked in an amused manner.