Jiang Fuyue opened the iron gate. The garden had an automatic irrigation system—just flip the switch, set a simple program, and over a dozen sprinklers would start working at once.
Suddenly, her gaze halted on the “remote control” button on the panel.
The green light meant… it was on?
Since it could be operated remotely, why had Xie Dingyuan asked her to water the flowers?
Just then, her WeChat notification sounded again.
She tapped it open—
Xie Dingyuan: 【The garden outside has an automatic irrigation system, the control panel is on the right side of the entrance. But the indoor potted plants can’t be watered by it, so I’ll have to trouble you to take a look inside.】
Xie Dingyuan: 【If I remember correctly, there are three pots in the living room, three on the balcony, six in the master bedroom, and on the top floor in the sunroom there’s a flower trellis. The system there doesn’t have remote operation enabled, so you’ll need to set it manually. That’s about it, thanks~】
Looking at the little wave “~” at the end, Jiang Fuyue raised a brow.
She replied: 【You’re welcome.】
She handled the garden first, then used the key to unlock the front door, slipped on a pair of shoe covers, and followed his instructions.
From the utility room, she found the watering can, filled it with water, mixed in nutrient solution.
The three plants in the living room were thick-stemmed, but withered from lack of water, their leaves dull and drooping.
After watering, Jiang Fuyue plucked away the dead leaves.
Sure enough, with just that, they looked a little more refreshed and lively.
By contrast, the three pots on the balcony weren’t so lucky.
Under long hours of direct sunlight and no water, two were already dead, and the last one barely hanging on.
Jiang Fuyue moved it into the shade, checked the roots—still some life left.
She didn’t dare water too much, so she dampened a cloth and spread it over the soil, hoping it would help.
Downstairs finished, she took photos and sent them to Xie Dingyuan.
No reply came—he must be busy.
She didn’t mind, picked up the watering can, and headed for the top floor.
Green vines covered almost the entire flower trellis. The flowers had clearly been carefully tended—though lacking water, their stems were straight, their buds plump.
Jiang Fuyue located the panel, set the watering program, and enabled remote control.
She photographed the results, sent them to him.
Still no response.
Now only the second-floor master bedroom was left.
She refilled the can, added half a tube of nutrients, and went downstairs.
The master bedroom wasn’t hard to find—his home had the same layout as hers. Plus… cough… she had once climbed over the wall and come in before, so she knew the way.
The moment she twisted the doorknob, sudden darkness made her squint.
The curtains were shut tight, the room like night.
She reached out to find the switch, fingertips brushing the wall—just as she was about to press it, the room suddenly lit up.
Whirling around, she saw it—candles on the floor, arranged in the shape of a heart.
That was the light.
And standing there, the man who should have been in F Continent, holding a bouquet of roses, caught her completely off guard.
His skin was a little tanned, hair cropped into a crew cut, leaving only a shallow stubble—adding a rugged edge.
His cold brows and eyes were softened under the warm orange candlelight, even the sharp line of his jaw gentled.
He smiled lightly at her, stepped over the candles, and came straight to her.
Handsome man, bright roses, soft flickering light—Jiang Fuyue’s breath stalled, her heart raced.
“You… you’re back?”
“Mm. Back.”
“Then why didn’t you say earlier? Why make me come water the flowers?”
“If I said so, what if you didn’t dare come?”
Jiang Fuyue pressed her lips. “Your home isn’t a dragon’s lair. Why wouldn’t I dare?”
“Because some people can’t escape once they come.”
She turned her eyes away. “Since you’re back, water them yourself.”
She set down the can and turned to leave.
The next second, his hand closed around her wrist. “Going where?”
“Home.”
“Jiang Fuyue, are you scared?”
“…Reverse psychology doesn’t work on me.”
“You are scared.”
“…”
“Before, you used graduation as an excuse. Now the exams are over, you’re eighteen. What excuse now? Hmm?”
“…”
He tugged her lightly, pulling her to face him. “Look me in the eye.”
She lifted her gaze. Calm, composed—as if carved into her bones.
But her bright, shimmering eyes, and the faint evasive glimmer deep inside, betrayed her nerves.
He wasn’t much better.
His heart pounded hard, his breathing grew uneven, his throat dry, palms sweaty.
The hand holding the roses trembled slightly.
Their eyes locked, each heartbeat like a frantic deer, ready to burst free.
No one knew how long passed—two seconds? Two minutes? Longer?
At last, his gaze firmed, and he said each word distinctly: “Jiang Fuyue, I’ve liked you for a long time. Be my girlfriend. Will you?”
“Alright.”
“…What?” He froze, then finally reacted, “You—agreed?!”
She curved her lips. “What, not satisfied? Fine, then I won’t—”
Before she finished, he pulled her into his arms.
The force was strong, but careful.
The roses brushed her cheek, pine-wood scent from him mingled with the sweet fragrance of flowers.
“Satisfied! I’m more than satisfied!” His voice shook with excitement, his usual composure gone. No longer the aloof professor, but a young man in love, fumbling, unsure even of how tightly to hold her.
Jiang Fuyue found it amusing, her tension gone, only a smile at her lips.
Truthfully, she had been prepared for this moment.
Whether it was his “after your exams” or “wait for me to come back,” his hints had been obvious. She wasn’t foolish—how could she not know?
Before, she might have wanted to run.
But now, she felt—happiness was most important.
Since she didn’t dislike him, why not try?
If someday she stopped liking him, she could leave.
At this time, in this way, when she was ready—he gave his confession.
And she happened to want to say yes.
Everything was just right.
“Hey, how long do you plan on hugging me?”
Like burned, he let go instantly, a trace of red flashing in his eyes.
His Adam’s apple bobbed, ears tinged pink. “…Flowers.”
He held them out with both hands.
After a pause, he added seriously: “I’ll give you more in the future. As many as you like.”
“You like giving roses that much?” The night before he left for F Continent, he had done the same—appeared suddenly, handed her roses.
“I’ve only ever given them to you,” he explained quickly.
“Really?”
“Really! Oh, and…” He took her hand, led her to sit by the bed, opened the safe.
Under her puzzled gaze, he pulled out a thick stack of documents in a kraft envelope, dumping them all in front of her.
Jiang Fuyue: “?”
“These—are for you.”
She picked one up, opened it, and froze.
Then another, and another…
All bearer bonds.
The few she checked alone added up to nine figures, and there were plenty unopened.
Bearer meant no identity verification, whoever held them owned them—directly exchangeable for cash.
No wonder he kept them locked in a safe.
And this fool was giving them all to her?
“You…” Jiang Fuyue didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh. “Are you trying to… smash me with money?”
“No… I’m not…” He ruffled his cropped hair anxiously, lips tight. “I just wanted to give you what I have. But I didn’t know what else to give…”
He’d even asked Xie Yunzhao.
The advice: money is universal—buy whatever she wants.
It sounded reasonable. He wasn’t short on money anyway.
And so… this.
“I don’t want it.” She put them back, returned them.
“…You don’t like it?”
“I already have enough.”
“…Oh.” He lowered his head, visibly disappointed.
Then suddenly, he grabbed her hand, pressed her finger to the safe’s fingerprint scanner, quickly entered it.
“What are you doing?”
“I added your fingerprint. If you ever want to use it, just come take it.”
Jiang Fuyue: “?”
…Do I look like I’m that short of money?
Dog-uncle Xie Dingyuan note: “If I like her, of course I’ll share my safe with her~”
Today, from head to toe, he’s written all over: “Your man is rich.”
