Shen Xi Fan continued leaving him messages every day, eagerly sharing stories about her school life. She especially loved talking about the Hotel Management program at her university, her excitement evident in every message.
“He Su Ye, guess what! Today we went to the hotel operations lab, and I learned how to make cookies. When I get back, I’ll have to show off my skills to you!”
“Cornell is such an amazing university. They actually built a hotel just for the Hotel Management program, and it’s connected to the academic buildings. We get frequent opportunities to intern there. But I do feel a bit regretful—why didn’t I spend my four undergraduate years here? Now that I’m studying Operations Management as part of my MMH program, it’s mostly theoretical.”
“The school has seven dining halls, and every dinner offers at least twenty-eight main courses. It’s so extravagant! I haven’t cooked for myself in so long. For someone like me, who loves good food, this feels like a divine blessing. When you visit, I’ll make sure you get to try the best food in the Ivy League!”
He Su Ye chuckled as he read her message. Even Penn’s dining options were excellent, but her enthusiasm was infectious. It made him want to try it for himself. His eyes drifted to the calendar.
It seemed his advisor would only allow a break during Christmas. He sighed. After waiting so long, he figured a little more patience wouldn’t hurt.
* * *
The next morning, as he headed to the lab, he heard a deep female voice behind him call his name—in Chinese. His mind reacted instinctively: Zhang Yi Ling.
After all these years, she still carried that same commanding presence. Some things never changed. He couldn’t help but smile.
“Good morning!”
Raising an elegant eyebrow, Zhang Yi Ling teased, “Wow, He Su Ye, you’re such a big shot now! You’ve been here for months, and you didn’t even think to reach out. Ugh, after all these years, you’re still so slow to warm up—it’s infuriating but impossible to stay mad at you.”
He spread his hands, laughing lightly. “The research keeps me busy—working day and night.”
Curious, she asked, “Who’s your advisor? Though honestly, with someone like you, even without an advisor breathing down your neck, you’d still work hard.”
“Leonard,” he replied.
Her face instantly contorted in exaggerated disbelief.
“What—the cranky old man? Oh my God, how are you putting up with him? He’s so harsh!”
He smiled. “Are you cold? Why don’t we head to the café and grab something warm to drink?”
He ordered a cup of black tea for himself and handed her a cappuccino. Zhang Yi Ling covered her mouth, giggling.
“He Su Ye, has your girlfriend influenced you? You never used to drink black tea!”
Why was everyone around him so sharp? They seemed to spot his feelings at a glance. He nodded honestly.
“Yes, she has.”
Zhang Yi Ling sighed softly. “I used to like black tea too. But one day, you casually mentioned, ‘Green tea is better,’ so I switched to green tea—and stuck with it until I came to the U.S.” She took a slow sip of her drink, her tone bittersweet. “That’s the difference between how you treated me and how you treat her. I changed for you, but you changed for her. That’s why, even when I left you, I didn’t feel like I lost anything—and neither did you.”
He didn’t know how to respond. He gripped his cup, the black tea still steaming and fragrant.
It was true—he’d changed. He used to drink only green tea, but every time he went out with Shen Xi Fan, she’d order a cup of black tea, cradling it in her hands with such contentment. The first time he tried it, he found it unfamiliar. Later, to match her order, he started getting black tea too. Eventually, it became a habit he couldn’t shake.
Now, he always brewed a cup of black tea late at night, holding it in his hands while chatting with her. Her QQ avatar would flash—sometimes with a smiley face, sometimes a crying emoji. No matter what it was, he always felt happy.
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