The Only Choice - 33

After arriving at the children's play area, Xiao Heng went wild, running up and down.

Fang Ting, afraid he might fall, kept calling for him to climb slower while keeping a watchful eye from below.

Zhou Fanfan finally let go of Guan Yuanbai's hand. Her palm had gotten sweaty again, and she wiped it thoroughly with a tissue before offering one to him.

Guan Yuanbai had already slipped his hands back into his trouser pockets and shook his head.

The heart-pounding experience of holding hands finally began to settle.

Zhou Fanfan threw away the tissue and stood by the ball pit railing, watching Xiao Heng clambering about in the distance and Fang Ting following closely behind.

"Do you want to go in and play?" Guan Yuanbai suddenly asked.

Zhou Fanfan was taken aback. She retracted her gaze and smiled. "Play what? How could I go in and play? I'm not a kid."

Guan Yuanbai glanced at her sideways and said, "You seemed completely engrossed watching, almost as if you were yearning for it."

Zhou Fanfan made a noncommittal sound, her enthusiasm lacking. "Not really... I'm just worried Xiao Heng might fall, so I'm keeping an eye on him."

"Your mother is watching him. Besides, this place has safety guarantees. There's no danger, don't worry."

"Oh..."

Zhou Fanfan fell silent, propping her chin on her hand as she watched the children in the distance.

Guan Yuanbai took another look at her. He felt she seemed a bit off at the moment, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly why. He just sensed she wasn't particularly happy.

Or perhaps, a little lonely.

After a while, Xiao Heng got tired from playing and ran over, dragging both Zhou Fanfan and Guan Yuanbai to the Lego area to build.

Zhou Fanfan smiled and cheerfully took Xiao Heng's hand. Guan Yuanbai noticed the trace of loneliness from before had vanished again. Or maybe he had just misread it.

In the evening, Zhou Fanfan didn't go home. She stayed with Fang Ting and Xiao Heng at Nanjue Hotel.

Her grandmother knew she always stayed with Fang Ting whenever she returned, so she didn't call her home.

After showering past ten o'clock, Zhou Fanfan lay down next to Fang Ting. Xiao Heng wanted to sleep with his sister too but couldn't squeeze between them, so he lay down beside Zhou Fanfan.

"Sis, will you tell me a story?"

Zhou Fanfan pinched his little cheek. "What kind of story?"

"Any story! Or... you could tell me the love story between you and that Big Brother from today!"

Zhou Fanfan laughed. "You little rascal! How old are you, wanting to hear love stories already!"

"I want to, I want to! Mom wants to hear it too! Right, Mom?!"

Fang Ting said,"Well... that's true."

Zhou Fanfan turned to look at Fang Ting. "About Mr. Guan and me... we just met through an arranged meeting. You already know that."

"Then how did you end up together?"

Zhou Fanfan's eyes shifted slightly. "Well... we felt we could be together, so we are. Grandma really likes him."

"And what about you? Do you really like him too?"

Zhou Fanfan paused, then immediately said, "I, of course I do!"

Fang Ting looked at her for a moment, then reached out and stroked her hair. "Fanfan, things like dating and marriage should only happen when you truly love and like the person. You shouldn't do it just because the family is pushing, or because you feel it's about time."

"But even people who get together for true love can stop loving each other and choose to separate in the end," Zhou Fanfan said without thinking.

Fang Ting was taken aback. "Not everyone ends up like that."

"But you and Dad did."

The words slipped out almost reflexively, but Zhou Fanfan regretted them immediately, especially with Xiao Heng there.

"Sorry..."

Fang Ting sighed. "No matter what, you should be together because of love. Even though your father and I separated, we at least loved each other once. I've never regretted being with him because I was happy during that time, and besides, we had you."

Zhou Fanfan gave a muffled "Mm" and didn't say anything else.

Fang Ting pulled her into her arms. "What I want to say is, don't avoid loving someone just because you're afraid of parting. Falling in love with someone is actually a beautiful thing. Now that you're with Yuanbai, you should cherish it."

"I know..."

Fang Ting added, "But I feel reassured about Yuanbai. I can tell he really likes you."

Zhou Fanfan wasn't really focused on this. She muttered, "How can you tell?"

Fang Ting chuckled softly. "During the meal today, and when we went to play, his gaze was always on you. I could really see it."

Zhou Fanfan hadn't noticed, nor did she believe what Fang Ting said was true.

She just thought Fang Ting must have misread the situation or was simply trying to comfort her.

Their being together was fake. How could he possibly like her?

—

Fang Ting had some personal matters to attend to during her stay in the country. The next day, she went out to handle her affairs, leaving Xiao Heng in Zhou Fanfan's care.

Since she still had assignments to do, Zhou Fanfan returned to the university.

Xiao Heng was relatively obedient at times like these. She went to the library to research, and he followed, sitting beside her reading a picture book.

After working on her short essay for a while, Xiao Heng leaned over and tugged on her clothes.

"What's up?"

Xiao Heng whispered, "I'm thirsty. I kind of want something tasty to drink."

Zhou Fanfan checked the time. "Wait a bit. I'll order delivery for you."

Xiao Heng said,"Then give me the phone. I'll look myself to see what I want."

Zhou Fanfan was busy with her work, so she opened the delivery app and handed the phone directly to him. "See what you want to drink. I'll place the order once you've chosen."

"Okay."

Zhou Fanfan went back to her work, not realizing Xiao Heng held onto the phone for a long time.

When he finally returned the phone to her, she asked what he had chosen. Xiao Heng shook his head and said there was nothing he wanted to drink on the delivery app.

"Then have some water for now, and wait for me a little longer, okay? I'll take you out to buy something tasty to drink once I finish this part."

Xiao Heng nodded."No rush, Sis. You go do your homework."

Zhou Fanfan patted his head. "Good boy."

Xiao Heng went back to his picture book. Zhou Fanfan stopped paying attention to him, focusing entirely on her computer without looking away.

Until, not long after, two cups of milk tea were placed on the table.

Zhou Fanfan looked up in surprise to see someone standing by the table whom she hadn't noticed arrived.

He wore a dark coffee-colored wool overcoat over a black shirt and trousers. His long legs were impossibly proportioned, making him stand out even in the quiet library.

Zhou Fanfan's eyes widened slightly, astonished that Guan Yuanbai was here.

He, however, offered no explanation. He pulled out a nearby chair and sat down casually.

Seeing his arrival, Xiao Heng happily took one cup of milk tea and gave Guan Yuanbai an approving look. At this point, Zhou Fanfan completely understood. She checked her phone and, sure enough, saw that Xiao Heng had sent a message to Guan Yuanbai on her WeChat.

And the content of the message... was mortifying!!!

[Darling, I'm so thirsty, I want milk tea~]

Darling???

Zhou Fanfan felt dizzy. She imagined Guan Yuanbai must have been pretty stunned receiving this message too, as he had sent a question mark in reply.

Then, Xiao Heng directly sent him the name of the milk tea shop he wanted: [Darling, buy it and bring it to our university library, okay? Xiaoheng and I are waiting for you in Reading Room 2 on the 3rd floor~]

Zhou Fanfan shuddered at the word 'darling.' Not being able to talk freely in the library, she directly messaged Guan Yuanbai.

[It was Xiao Heng who sent that!]

Guan Yuanbai, sitting beside her, replied: [I know]

Zhou Fanfan: [And you still brought milk tea over.]

Guan Yuanbai:[I happened to be free]

A few seconds later,Guan Yuanbai added another message: [Besides, your little brother requested it. It would seem strange if I didn't come.]

Zhou Fanfan felt a bit apologetic: [My mom isn't here today. He's just a kid, you could have ignored him really.]

Guan Yuanbai: [It's fine]

Zhou Fanfan glanced at the milk tea and still said: [Thank you!]

Guan Yuanbai: [Mm. Focus on your assignment.]

Zhou Fanfan: [What about you?]

Guan Yuanbai: [I'll just sit here for a bit.]

Zhou Fanfan: [Okay, wait for me a little!]

Zhou Fanfan, who had been working at a leisurely pace and estimated she needed another hour to finish today's tasks, unconsciously became more focused and sped up, knowing Guan Yuanbai was nearby.

But Guan Yuanbai seemed quite relaxed. He got up, fetched a book, and started reading right there in his seat.

Xiao Heng was very satisfied with Guan Yuanbai's performance. He felt a boyfriend should be just like this—available at a moment's notice!

He swung his short legs, sipping his milk tea and looking at his picture book. As he did, he noticed out of the corner of his eye a girl approaching.

The girl didn't speak, just gently tapped the table in front of Guan Yuanbai to get his attention, placed a note on the surface, and then hurried away.

Xiao Heng turned to look and noticed the girl was sitting not far from them, by the window, in a position directly facing Guan Yuanbai.

"What did she write?" Xiao Heng, highly vigilant, immediately slipped over to Guan Yuanbai's side.

Guan Yuanbai picked up the note and glanced at it, making no attempt to hide it, allowing Xiao Heng to snatch it away.

[Hi there, noticed you earlier. You seem so focused on reading. Can I get your WeChat? If yes, add this: juygo*1234]

Xiao Heng read it out softly. Now Zhou Fanfan looked over too.

Xiao Heng immediately tattled: "Sis, Big Brother got hit on! He's going to add someone else's WeChat."

Zhou Fanfan: "..."

Guan Yuanbai took the note back from Xiao Heng."You recognize a lot of characters for such a little kid."

Zhou Fanfan coughed lightly."His Chinese is very good."

Guan Yuanbai looked at her and said, "But I never said I would add her WeChat."

There was a hint of explanation in his tone.

Zhou Fanfan was slightly stunned. Under Guan Yuanbai's serious gaze, she suddenly felt a bit strange.

"Ah...okay."

Xiao Heng snorted lightly. "Good that you're not! Then I need to go tell the note-passing sister!"

Zhou Fanfan hurriedly tried to stop him. "Hey—"

But Xiao Heng was incredibly fast, darting over to the girl's table in an instant. He leaned over and said something; the girl looked over at them in surprise, then showed an expression that was both admiring and apologetic.

A moment later, Xiao Heng ran back, bringing another note with him.

It was from the girl: [Wishing you 99~ (Note: '99' is internet slang meaning 'may you be together forever')]

Zhou Fanfan felt embarrassed looking at the note. She pulled Xiao Heng aside and asked in a low voice, "Stop running around... What did you say to her?"

Xiao Heng grinned mischievously. "I said I'm your kid. That Mom and Dad got married very young, so sorry about that."

Zhou Fanfan: "…………"

Even Guan Yuanbai was taken aback this time.

Xiao Heng, eyes curved into smiles, said, "Mom, finish your homework quickly. When you're done, let Dad take us out for dinner."

Zhou Fanfan's ears turned red instantly, as if about to drip blood. "You... you're mixed-race! Anyone can see you're not born from me and him!"

Xiao Heng said matter-of-factly, "So what? I said my dad is a mix of four nationalities but just looks more Chinese."

Guan Yuanbai, with his deep-set features, tall and handsome, made Xiao Heng's tall tale somewhat believable.

Zhou Fanfan felt even more embarrassed. She glanced at Guan Yuanbai. "He's talking nonsense... Don't mind him..."

Guan Yuanbai didn't seem bothered. He pulled Xiao Heng back onto the chair and said, "Alright, sit still."

Xiao Heng asked smugly, "So, was my way of rejecting her acceptable?"

Guan Yuanbai's eyebrow quirked slightly. He gave a light laugh under Zhou Fanfan's apologetic gaze. "I think... it was pretty good.”

---

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