What if you were my student?

  The UK, in the southern town of Colchester, is home to the University of Essex, which retains its complete medieval architectural style and has a peaceful and long-standing academic atmosphere.

  "Hello," said Tan Huiming, picking up the phone while still staring intently at the thesis report displayed on his laptop screen.

  "Hi" Chu Fei's tone was dragged out very long, and as expected, Tan Shu Mo's good-looking eyebrows twitched unconsciously.

  "Coldly said: 'Leave a message if you have something to say, hang up if you don't'."

  "Hey, bro, don't be like that. I just got off work and called you to check in on you."

  Tan Shu Mo picked up the water cup beside him and said, "I'm fine, consolation is over." He smelled the aroma of Darjeeling tea, leisurely leaning back in his chair with the cup, ready to hang up the phone at any time.

  "Ah, I saw your little kid the other day!" Chu Feifei walked into the kitchen and took out a bottle of mineral water from the fridge, satisfied to hear the silence on the other end of the phone.

  Suddenly, a "clunk" sound of putting down the cup was heard, and Tan Shu's cold voice came over: "Speak."

  Chu Feifei curled up the corners of her mouth, knowing that Zhu Xian was still worried about that child and didn't dare to laugh out loud. She coughed and continued: "It's been several months since we last saw Xiaoguang, and she's become a big girl now, not bad at all! She also asked me to thank you for her and wish you good health and happiness."

  Tan Shu Mo held the phone and walked to the window of the restaurant, what a healthy body, happy and contented, thinking about the expression of that child saying these words, he frowned.

  Chu Feifei continued to tease: "Brother, how come we didn't know you're such a respected teacher."

  "Is it?" Tan Shu Mo was a bit distracted

  With a "clunk", Chufei threw the empty bottle into the trash can and said: "Talk about morality. Others may not know you, but I, Chu, do. What's morality to you? Age means nothing to you, you're just a madman, what do you care about?"

  Tan Shu Mo laughed out loud and said: "Director Chu, pay attention to your image."

  "Chu" Feifei scolded and said: "Brother, your dad called me recently and asked..."

  Before long, we talked about books and ink, hung up the phone, opened the window. The weather in southern England was pleasant, unlike the gray night sky of Chinese cities. This night sky was pitch black, with an astonishing number of stars, exuding a quiet atmosphere. Under this vast starry sky, my mood suddenly became expansive.

  Back in the UK for almost two months, his schedule was packed with events related to the exchange meeting, and he was too busy to think about anything else.

  Chu Fei said it was right, he really didn't care, the things he wanted would come to him slowly and naturally, but for Zhao Shui Guang this child, he hesitated at the last moment. He knew that an 18-year-old girl had infinite yearnings for the future, a dreamy definition of love, and after entering university, she might really find a boy of similar age to go through life with passion, as she said deeply in love. But could such love be given by the 27-year-old Tan Shu Mo? He ignored this point.

  He has never been too heartbroken over emotional matters, and he has had a few good relationships, but they all felt fleeting to him. He understands passionate things too well.

  Moreover, at the age of 27, when a man is just rising to prominence, Tan Shu Mo is precisely the best among such men. He has high educational background, strong abilities, a solid family background, and a pleasing appearance. He has everything that a man would want. All along the way, he has been advancing with great fanfare. On the surface, this kind of man appears to be carefree and smiling, but in reality, he is very particular about things. It's unthinkable for him to like 17 or 18-year-old girls.

  The answer is actually very simple. For someone like Zhao Shui Guang, who has seen many women, there are countless beautiful, talented, and elegant ones, but those who have truly touched his heart are extremely rare. He's seen too many, to the point where he doesn't care anymore. But Zhao Shui Guang is one of the few people who can make him feel like she's a breath of fresh air. She's a bit more clever than her peers and has a bit more kindness than the women he's met before. All these characteristics make her extremely precious to him.

  It's precisely because he likes her more that he becomes more mindful of her, considering everything for her sake and planning every step with her in mind, which ultimately leads to a loss of accurate judgment.

  At an age like Book Ink's, he should understand that learning to let go of some things is better for himself, but can he really do it that easily?

  For that child, he has already paid too much. What loving someone means is not about letting go, but rather using one's life to entwine with them until death.

  For Zhao Shuiguan, he just wants to hold her life with a reluctant and cherished embrace, unable to let go.

  Nanjing, late August, the weather is getting cooler, especially at night, it's quite refreshing.

  "Xiao Guang, eat well and go to the front street to pick up the watermelon I ordered." Zhao's mother's words made Zhao Shuiguan, who was about to curl up in his room as a netizen, put on his slippers and head out.

  Carrying a big watermelon, walking towards the residential area, she saw a familiar figure leaning under the loquat tree in front of the building, lowering his head and leisurely playing with a lighter. From afar, she only saw the silver shell shining and the flickering sparks. She was a bit unbelievable, softly calling out: "Teacher Tan". Suddenly feeling that this title had not been mentioned for a long time.

  Even such a small voice was transmitted, and the person turned back, with bright black pupils looking over.

  Zhao Shuiguang ran over, and only when he got closer did he realize that Tan Shumeng was unusually handsome today. He wore a set of milky white silk shirts, which fit perfectly on his shoulders and arms. A dark-colored tie was loosely tied around his neck, and a deep-colored velvet suit jacket was draped over his arm.

  Still talking about Shu Mo being so handsome, Zhao Shui Guang is infatuated with him endlessly.

  Seeing the lip line picked up by the ink on the book, he finally came back to his senses and wanted to say something, asking: "Teacher Tan, are you back?"

  After asking, I want to scold myself, can anyone stand here without coming back?!

  She talked about books and ink, her eyebrows and eyes curved into a smile, but didn't answer her silly question. She stretched out her white jade-like hand and said: "Zhao Shuiguan, I'll take it."

  Zhao Shuiguang handed him a bag containing a large watermelon and asked: "Teacher Tan, would you like to eat the melon together?"

  He ignored her, carrying a watermelon bag and walking forward. A man with a model-like slender figure wore high-end clothing, with a velvet suit draped over his left shoulder and a large white plastic bag in his right hand, looking extremely bizarre.

  Tan looked at Zhao Shuiguan with a mixture of frustration and resignation, shaking his head: "Zhao Shuiguan, let's talk."

  Zhao Shuiguang had long forgotten that she was no longer a student of his, and when he said "Let's talk", it was as if he had said "Zhao Shuiguang, bring your homework to the office after class". She obediently followed closely behind him.

  Walked for a while, to the small civic square by the river, leaning on the railing, in the distance was the warmth of ten thousand families' lights, beside him was his handsome profile under the night light.

  This feeling suddenly became a little unattainable for Zhao Shuiguan, whether it was saying goodbye or something else, she became tense.

  "Zhao Shuiguan, you once said that you don't believe in the distance of time. I'm nine years older than you, but what's wrong with that? All the happiness I'll share with you, all the suffering I'll experience before you do. When we're 50, I'll help you buy a good massage chair. At 60, I'll teach you how to wash your dentures. At 70, I'll help you pick out a walking stick. I've already gone through all these things, so you don't need to be afraid of the unknown future. I'll walk ahead of you and do everything first. What's wrong with that?"

  He said "What's wrong with that", his voice was soft and murmuring, yet full of tolerance. For someone like him, what could she say was wrong? Her eyes were already moistened, unexpectedly he really listened to the excuse she found for herself.

  Actually, Tan Shu Mo thought that if his 18-year-old self knew he would meet Zhao Shui Guang ten years later, he definitely would have gone to see what kind of mischievous expression the 8-year-old her had, and definitely would have stood in front of her to take a good look.

  But he knew all that was in the past. He lifted her face, and the wind by the river blew gently, bringing the end of summer air, the sweet scent of osmanthus surrounded them faintly. He looked at her sparkling eyes and whispered: "When you look ahead to the future or think about how the past used to be. Don't forget to look beside you, because that's where you'll find me, loving you with all my heart."

  When you look forward to a changing future or reminisce about the past, don't forget to turn around and take a glance at your side, because I will forever be standing there, with all my love.

  This man really knows his advantages, with a sexy tone of voice and enchanting eyes. Who says only serious women are moving? Serious men can be deadly too.

  Zhao Shuiguan thought so, and the corners of his lips that had been raised slightly fell back down. This time she closed her eyes, unlike last time. He gently sucked on the corner of her lip, softly brushing against it, and her face quickly flushed with heat.

  This time she really understood that such a man would burn her with his life, and in front of such a strong man, she could only surrender.

  She wrapped her arms around his sturdy waistline, listening to the ups and downs of his heartbeat, buried her head in his chest, and muttered: "I'm your student"

  He burst out laughing, his chest heaving with force, and his voice came: "What's it to you?"

  She raised her head and saw his beautiful eyebrows and clear eyes, which warmed up the cold lines.

  He said: "It seems like someone kissed me first"

  She thought for a moment and suddenly realized he was talking about that time in "Su", so he actually remembered it.

  Zhao Shuiguang became anxious and hastily explained: "That doesn't count"

  He ignored her, just smiling at her, even someone as cold and proud as him had such a burning gaze.

  After some thought, it doesn't add up. If he already knew, why did he still act like a good teacher at school and treat him the same as always, even wishing her well? Isn't someone like that usually unwilling to suppress their true feelings?

  She still asked: "Then why..." and didn't know how to continue

  Later, he seemed to know what she was thinking, and simply reached out to brush the hair in front of her forehead behind her ear, saying lightly: "Because you care" He collected his smile, looking very serious, and furrowed his brow. This kid's hair really grows slowly. Forget it, just laugh, it suits her

  Zhao Shuiguang could only feel his warm fingertips numbly brushing against her face, yes. For Tan Xiang, he wouldn't care about these things, but Zhao Shuiguang had always been mindful of being a good student and living a simple life, he understood, so he was willing to accommodate her life, just because she cared.

  He let go of her, his hands in his pockets, with the left hand on the coat, slightly bent to pick up the bag on the ground. He straightened up and saw her standing there stupidly, hooked up a good-looking lip, smiled extremely charmingly, and stretched out his slender hand from his pocket.

  That night, under the warm starlight, she firmly grasped his warm hand.

  There are so many people in this world, and we brush past different faces every day. I had thought that there wouldn't be such a warm hand again, someone who would make me feel cherished, or someone who would cherish me. It turns out that I can still be moved by the beauty of life, it turns out that I still long for someone to reach out with a warm hand once more. Even if you try to hide, love will always find its way to you.

  This time I choose to move forward firmly, thank you for your new choice, which also gave me the opportunity to rechoose. This time, I really wish you happiness.

  On the way back, Zhao Shuiguan's heart was so happy that he wanted to jump out, and he thought that Zhang Xiaomei was handsome no matter how he looked at him.

  Suddenly, "Ah" cried out: "I've already graduated, I'm no longer your student, you're no longer my teacher!"

  It's like winning the lottery again, feeling so happy and proud. The underdog finally gets to show off his skills with brush and ink, having been suppressed for so long that he had forgotten he too could have his day in the spotlight.

  Talked about books and ink but smiled without speaking, tapped her head lightly, and gave her a chestnut.

  Almost home, under the streetlight, Zhao Shuiguan suddenly found that Tan Shumeng's pair of spirited eyes were already filled with bloodshot.

  She was startled for a moment, didn't see his 530LI, and took another look at his slightly wrinkled shirt, opening her mouth to ask: "Did you just get off the plane?"

  Tan Shu Mo didn't say a word, touched her head, and handed the bag in his hand to her, saying, "Go back."

  How could he tell him that after finishing his speech, he rushed to the airport, got off the plane and came home to put down his luggage, and there was no way to drive tiredly. Such a reckless thing he rarely did in his life, and someone as proud as him would never say it out loud.

  Zhao Shuiguang nodded and took over the bag, stretched out his hand to hug him. For tonight's him, she was deeply moved and couldn't say a word.

  He closed his eyes and felt her small, warm body snuggle up close to him. The fatigue in his heart, the annoyance of flying, all disappeared at once, replaced by a fullness of tenderness.

  He also politely sent the girl home, and most of the women were not kissing goodbye, but implying that he wanted to go upstairs and sit for a while. She was indeed a lovely child, using such simple actions to express her preferences, yet making him feel incomparably comfortable.

  Zhao Shuiguan turned around and hopped into the building with a joyful leap.

  "Zhao Shuiguan," he called, and she turned around. The man was leaning against a lamppost with his hands in his pockets, the dim light of the lamp making his face look even more handsome than the moonlight.

  He slightly curled up the corners of his mouth and said, "I forgot to mention, I'll be teaching at J University after the new semester starts."

  She smiled enchantingly, turned around and left, feeling great.

  What? Zhao Shuiguang watched as someone walked away with a swagger, almost throwing the watermelon in his hand. It seemed that the school she was admitted to was also called J University.

  "Bang bang bang" running upstairs, behind is Zhao mom's voice: "This kid, buying a watermelon for half a day, as soon as he comes back, he goes online."

  The big webpage, new list of professors, prominently written "Tan Shu Mo, School of Business Administration"

  My god, she really doesn't want to live anymore, if only I knew earlier I wouldn't have chosen a school in Nanjing.

  The taxi driver's ink-stained fingers, rubbing his tired eyes, gazing out the window, recalling that child's expression, and a flirtatious smile.