Early in the morning, Zhu Yun packed her luggage and loaded the car.
“Are you sure you don’t need us to take you?” Her mother offered again. “Let me have the driver take you both.”
“No need.” Wang Yuxuan patted his chest reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Auntie Liu. I’ve been driving for years — I guarantee I’ll get Zhu Yun there safely.”
Wang Yuxuan went to sort out the boot. Her mother drew Zhu Yun aside and said quietly: “Don’t fall asleep on the road. Keep an eye on things — the driving conditions overseas and at home are different.”
“Mm.”
“Once you’re there, you handle booking the accommodation. Leave the driving to him. When you go out, don’t let him pay for things.”
“Alright.”
“And another thing —”
“I know, I know, I know everything. Don’t worry, I’ll take proper care of everything. We’re off.”
Zhu Yun extracted herself from her mother and ducked into the car.
As the car pulled out of the courtyard, she let out a long breath.
Wang Yuxuan grinned and pressed the accelerator, announcing in a booming voice: “Ladies and gentlemen, what you are about to witness is DreamWorks’ classic film, The Island — escape edition.”
Zhu Yun gave him a sideways look.
Wang Yuxuan snickered. “Alright, navigate for me.”
“Follow this road straight and get on the highway.”
Wang Yuxuan was a talker through and through — he chattered the entire journey without stopping, until Zhu Yun was yawning continuously.
She rested her head against the car window and took out her phone.
No missed calls. No unread messages.
She had told Li Xun several days ago that she would be returning today. They had kept in touch during the New Year holiday, but before long Li Xun had taken on another project, and his messages had become sparse.
That afternoon, they arrived at the university without trouble. The break was not yet over, and the campus was deserted and quiet.
Zhu Yun climbed out with her luggage. “I’m heading in. Can you find the hotel on your own?”
Wang Yuxuan stared at her. “Seriously? You’re done with me just like that?”
That was perhaps a little unkind of her…
“How about this,” Zhu Yun said. “Tomorrow I’ll make time to take you to the sights. It’s too late today anyway, and you’ve been driving — get some rest first.”
Wang Yuxuan was twirling his car keys, just about to say something, when his gaze drifted past Zhu Yun and stopped.
He tilted his head to signal Zhu Yun to look behind her. “Hey — do you know him?”
Zhu Yun turned around, and every hair on her body stood to attention.
A certain golden-haired figure was strolling toward them in casual clothes, hands in his pockets, looking as though he had just come back from a wander. A plastic bag from the nearby convenience store hung from one wrist.
He was idly sizing up both Zhu Yun and Wang Yuxuan.
Zhu Yun thought very quickly about whether to introduce the two of them, then abandoned the idea. Going by Li Xun’s present expression, he did not appear to have the slightest interest in meeting Wang Yuxuan.
“You’re back?” Li Xun said.
“Mm.”
Li Xun said flatly: “Come on then.” He turned and headed into the campus.
Zhu Yun quickly turned back to Wang Yuxuan. “I’m going. I’ll be in touch tomorrow.”
Wang Yuxuan shrugged. “Alright. Get some rest.”
Wang Yuxuan got back in the car and started the engine. He looked up through the windscreen and watched Zhu Yun breaking into a quick stride to catch up with the man ahead.
Zhu Yun dragged her suitcase along beside Li Xun.
She stole a glance at him. He was the same as always — unhurried, at ease, moving through the world as though he owned it.
Zhu Yun cleared her throat. “So, um…”
Lazily: “So um what?”
“What’s the new project you’ve taken on?”
“An inbound and outbound inventory management system for an automotive parts company.”
“Is it difficult?”
Li Xun pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and said nothing.
Right. Pretend I didn’t ask.
“Who was that just now?” Li Xun said around his cigarette, voice slightly muffled.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Zhu Yun said: “My family’s driver.”
Li Xun’s mouth curved into a knowing smirk. “Oh?”
They arrived at the foot of her dormitory building. Li Xun made a perfunctory gesture and said: “Your Royal Highness — does the princess require someone to carry her bags?”
She wouldn’t dare impose.