Sniper Butterfly

At twenty-nine, this was the first year Li Wu had been promoted to associate professor.

Nearing thirty, he had completely shed his youthful immaturity. His features had grown more handsome and sharp, and his demeanor had become increasingly composed.

Being in his twenties did not make him more approachable to his students. On the contrary, he was a strict and meticulous professor. In class, he would wear silver-rimmed glasses, appearing aloof and detached. Yet, this did not detract from the quality of his lectures, which were engaging and thoughtfully structured, guiding students from the basics to deeper understanding.

Students from other departments and even other universities flocked to his classes out of admiration. However, it was regrettable that this seemingly flawless academic idol had one major flaw:

He had married young.

Students who had followed his career knew that he had married at twenty-two, and his wife was more than ten years older than him.

Every time he taught a new class, students would curiously ask if he was married. Later, when introducing himself, he would proactively add "married," as if he wanted to engrave the word on his forehead.

Even so, admirers continued to flock to him, confident that such a relationship was fragile.

Until one day, he issued a warning in class without naming names:

"I hope certain students will stop sending me strange messages. They serve no purpose other than amusing my wife."

With that simple statement, the young, accomplished, handsome, and devoted Associate Professor Li once again became a hot topic on the school forum.

Some students joked about his marriage: "This isn't just a case of an older woman and a younger man—it's more like an aunt-nephew relationship. A forty-year-old woman? He could have chosen anyone. Professor Li must be out of his mind."

Others who were in the know retorted: "LOL, do you even know who his wife is before spouting nonsense?"

Curious onlookers flooded the thread, demanding more details.

The informed student replied: "My dad has collaborated with his wife's company and had dinner with the couple. His wife is the founder of 2C."

The founder?

Everyone rushed to search online, digging up the latest photos of Associate Professor Li's wife from news articles and social media posts, which were then shared in the thread.

The crowd was astonished:

—"Holy crap, she's forty?"

—"She's so beautiful. What a perfect match, a heavenly pair."

—"I'd be fine with her even at forty. I'd be fine with her at any age."

—"HAHAHAHAHA now the comments above look like jokes. Take a look at yourselves in the mirror."

—"Her resume says she graduated from our school too, and from the School of Journalism and Communication! From now on, she's my idol!"

—"Posting an old meme: They're a perfect match made in heaven. Who are you, a mere mortal, to object? .jpg"

…

During the summer break, Li Wu returned from an academic exchange abroad and finally had time to pick up his child from daycare every day.

One day, he arrived at the kindergarten right on time. As soon as he stepped out of the car, he heard the teacher call out, "Cen Xiang, your dad is here—"

A little girl with two small buns in her hair shouted "Daddy!" and bounced over into his arms. Li Wu smiled, lifted her up, and gently pinched her round nose.

His and Cen Jin's daughter was almost four years old. Her full name was Cen Xiang, and her nickname was Li Li. She resembled her father more, especially with her large, bright eyes, which were as clear and sparkling as precious pearls, just like Li Wu's.

After securely fastening his daughter into her car seat, Li Wu returned to the driver's seat and heard her mutter from the back, "Li Wu, how old do I have to be before I don't have to sit in this?"

In their family of three, they often addressed each other by their full names in private.

Li Wu turned to look at her, his lips curling into a smile. "Twelve.""Ahhh——" Lili pouted her little mouth, her brow drooping: "It's still such a long time away."

Li Wu said: "It'll come quickly."

Lili asked: "Then when I'm twelve years old, can I sit in the front passenger seat?"

Li Wu thought for a moment: "You can sit in the front seat of your mom's car."

Lili made a scoffing sound: "Why don't you ask Cen Jin if she'd agree to that?"

"Right now?"

"You could ask her when we get home too."

"Let's ask now."

"Why?"

"No particular reason."

He just missed his wife. Li Wu immediately took out his phone and video-called Cen Jin.

She answered quickly, her bright, beautiful face appearing in the center of the screen: "What's up?"

Li Wu said: "I've picked up Lili. I'll come pick you up from the office later."

Cen Jin asked: "Where is she?"

Li Wu: "Can't you look at me first?"

Cen Jin curved her lips, stretching out the words "O—kay—I'm—looking—" for three full seconds before saying indulgently: "Alright, I've looked my fill."

Only then did Li Wu turn the phone to face their daughter.

Lili pulled at her eyelids and made a face: "I'm gonna throw up."

Cen Jin laughed at her: "Throw up what? Did you eat something bad?"

Lili said: "None of the other kids' parents in my class are as mushy as you two."

Cen Jin: "How do you know they're not mushy? They just don't let you see it."

"Okay," Lili thought that made sense and returned to her main point: "When I don't need a car seat anymore, can I sit in your front passenger seat?"

Cen Jin said: "Of course, you're welcome to."

Lili glanced at her smiling dad who was watching them: "Then why won't Li Wu let me sit in his?"

Cen Jin said: "Lili, think about it—if you sit in Daddy's front seat, wouldn't Mom be lonely sitting alone in the back? Mom would be scared."

Lili had a sudden realization, her eyes widening: "Oh right! I'll still sit in the back with you then."

But then another thought occurred to Lili: "But if we both sit in the back, wouldn't Li Wu be scared sitting alone in the front?"

The usually steady Associate Professor Li raised his voice: "Of course I would be!"

Lili frowned at him, then scratched her head: "Then you two should sit in the front together. I'm not scared at all anyway."

How could adults be so timid?

Three-year-old Cen Xiang couldn't quite comprehend it yet. She only knew that aside from work and business trips, her parents were almost always together.

They didn't dare to take walks alone, saying it was dark outside and they needed to hold hands;

They didn't dare to sleep alone, saying they might catch cold and needed to cuddle together;

They didn't dare to cook alone, saying hot oil might splatter and they needed to shield each other.

And now, they were going on another trip together, saying the mountains and rivers were far and they might get tired walking, so they needed to accompany each other.

—

Early the next morning, Li Wu took Cen Jin out.

He was being mysterious about their destination. Cen Jin asked curiously for most of the journey until she saw the landmark of Shengzhou and finally understood. She glanced at the man driving: "Are you going back to your hometown?"

Li Wu glanced at her, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly: "Yes."

"Why the sudden trip back?" Cen Jin squinted against the bright sunlight outside.

Li Wu said: "I want to show you something."

Cen Jin blinked, her curiosity peaking: "What is it? Can you give me a spoiler?"

Li Wu replied: "You'll know when we get there."

The village had changed dramatically over the years, with many cement roads built, no longer bumpy and difficult to travel.

Li Wu parked the car in front of the village committee office. After more than ten years, the place had been completely renovated with a two-story building. More young people had joined, bringing new vitality to the village.He got out of the car and walked around to the passenger side to take Cen Jin's hand.

Interlacing their fingers had become habitual for them—not quite a reflex, but as natural as a heartbeat or breath.

Hearing the car, a familiar face came out to greet them. Cen Jin recognized her immediately and called out, "Miss Cheng." The girl seemed more mature now, and more composed.

Li Wu said, "You should call her Village Chief Cheng now."

Cen Jin's eyes curved into a smile. "Village Chief Cheng, I failed to recognize your importance."

"Not at all, I'm still just a small village official," Cheng Lixue laughed along and returned the greeting before turning to Li Wu. "Mr. Li, should I give you the certificate now?"

Cen Jin raised a puzzled brow. "What certificate?"

Li Wu glanced at her. "That's fine, but don't give it to me. It's for her."

Cheng Lixue led them inside, retrieved a file folder from the top of a cabinet, and carefully pulled out a certificate, handing it to Cen Jin. "This is for a Hope Primary School your husband donated in your name to Yunfeng Village two years ago. It was completed last year and has been in operation for over a year now, currently enrolling more than a hundred students."

Cen Jin looked at Li Wu in astonishment, momentarily speechless.

Li Wu smiled. "Take a look."

Cen Jin lowered her gaze, once again stunned by the amount, then lifted her eyes to him. "I actually had no idea about this."

Li Wu said, "How could I let you know? This is the 40th birthday gift I've been preparing for you for nearly three years. Do you like it?"

Cen Jin smoothed her hair, still somewhat incredulous. "You really..."

If others hadn't been present, she would have hit him, then kissed him—both exasperated and amused, torn between love and frustration.

Cen Jin pointed outside. "Can we go take a look?"

Li Wu nodded. "That's exactly why I brought you here."

He led her outside, complaining with feigned grievance: "It's so hard for me. You're too capable and independent—you don't need this, you don't need that. Whenever I buy you anything, you say it's a waste of money. If I give you cash directly, you say I'm tacky. So what else could I do with my savings? I could only use it to do good deeds and accumulate virtue for you."

Cen Jin snorted coldly, wanting to tease him with a retort, but in the end, no words came out—only emotion, overwhelming her heart and eyes.

This emotion multiplied a hundredfold when Cen Jin saw the actual school building.

It was summer vacation, so the campus was quiet and empty, but fully equipped with a basketball court, a running track, and two ochre-red buildings standing bright and new against the backdrop of lush green mountains.

Cen Jin's nose tingled with emotion as she let the school's name gradually blur in her vision.

Six white characters against a red background read: Jin An Hope Primary School.

The man beside her asked proudly, "What do you think of the school's name?"

"What about it?" The woman's voice was choked.

"I came up with it. Does it sound nice?"Is there any anecdote behind it?" She played dumb, asking knowingly, "I don't really understand~"

Li Wu pulled her into his arms, his chest vibrating with a laugh as refreshing as a mountain breeze. "There's no special allusion really—it's just what you see.""

It was also his greatest wish, his only wish, from the age of seventeen until now.

That his sister, his wife, the love of his life, would always have joy accompanying her, happiness and well-being.