Аftеr sреaking, Zhang Lurаng withdrеw his gаzе аnd restarted thе сar.
Su Zaizаi lookеd аt his рrоfilе, fеeling somеwhat dazed. "When did you rеnt this рlaсe?"
"I rеntеd it during mу intеrnship," hе rерliеd сalmlу, no longer kееping еverything bottlеd up as bеfore. "Вut I didn’t wаnt уоu tо livе with mе unmarried, sо I lеft it emрtу."
"Тhen whу now…"
"Su Zаizаi, I’ve beеn tоo rаtional with yоu." Zhang Lurang drovе intо а residеntial comрlех and fоund а раrking sроt. "I alwауs felt уou wеre still yоung and didn’t knоw hоw tо think for уоursеlf."
Вut his overthinking had instеad become thе source оf her inseсurity.
"Yеt it sеems I оverthought things." Zhang Lurang unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to look at her.
Su Zaizai opened her mouth, suddenly feeling a bit embarrassed. "It’s not that…"
Zhang Lurang leaned over, nibbled her earlobe, and licked it gently.
His voice was slightly muffled. "With you, rationality is the only thing that’s unnecessary."
Su Zaizai was a little confused by his words but couldn’t help smiling, her eyes curving slightly.
Soon after, the two got out of the car.
Zhang Lurang held her hand and led her toward one of the buildings.
Su Zaizai looked at the back of his head and suddenly called out, "Lurang."
Zhang Lurang turned to look at her, his lips curving into a smile. "What’s wrong?"
Letting him hold her hand, the words she had held back for days finally poured out. "You really went too far. I even deliberately looked back that day, and you still didn’t rush over to hug me."
Listening to her, Zhang Lurang said seriously, "Alright, next time I won’t let you leave no matter what."
"That driver even told me breaking up was just a small thing and I didn’t need to cry so hard," Su Zaizai said indignantly.
Zhang Lurang frowned, also displeased. "Don’t listen to him. This is a big deal."
Su Zaizai nodded obediently, her voice tinged with a nasal tone. "I think so too. It’s very serious."
They soon arrived at the apartment Zhang Lurang had rented.
He paused in his steps and handed the key to Su Zaizai.
"You go in first."
Su Zaizai gave him a puzzled look but didn’t refuse. She took the key and opened the door.
The interior was dimly lit, making it hard to see the decorations inside.
Su Zaizai instinctively felt along the wall beside her, searching for the light switch. "Lurang, where’s the switch…"
At the same time, she found the switch and pressed it. A bright white light flickered on.
Su Zaizai’s voice instantly fell silent.
Before her was a white wall covered with hundreds of her photos.
Her throat tightened as she slowly walked forward, reading the words written beneath each photo.
—October 1, 2013: Zaizai said, "My Lurang is the most handsome."
—August 13, 2015: Zaizai said, "Your wife is in your car! Drive carefully!"
—January 27, 2017: Zaizai came to my home. I kissed her.
Zhang Lurang’s voice sounded from behind.
His voice was low, tender, and filled with warmth and anticipation.
"Su Zaizai."
She turned around.
She watched as Zhang Lurang slowly knelt on one knee, holding a ring box in his hand.
"Your parents said you’re their precious pearl, and I know you’ve never suffered much hardship since childhood, always living well." Zhang Lurang looked at her solemnly. "I want to give you a good life, but you said you’re willing to endure hardships with me…"
At this point, Zhang Lurang paused, his tone tinged with emotion.
"The only thing I can give you in return is this: I will never let you suffer even a little."Su Zai Zai's gaze shifted from the ring to his face, her eyes reddening once more.
"I can wait, you don't have to—"
"Su Zai Zai, I'm the one who can't wait anymore."
"I'm afraid you'll run away."
"So, will you marry me?"
His expression was tense yet filled with anticipation, as if he wouldn't be able to settle down without her affirmative answer.
Su Zai Zai's lips finally couldn't help but curve upward. She extended her hand toward him and nodded just as solemnly: "Yes."
Her mind was scattered, without any grand ambitions, yet because of him, she constantly strived to improve.
His personality was solitary and reticent, not knowing how to express his emotions or love, yet because of her, he continuously made efforts to speak his heart.
They were both becoming better people for each other.
A year later, Su Zai Zai and Zhang Lu Rang concluded their university lives, ending their six-year long-distance relationship as they stepped into the civil affairs bureau to obtain their marriage certificate.
That night, Su Zai Zai took out a notebook from the bedside drawer.
Having been used for a long time, the cover had developed a few cracks.
She flipped through it, barely glancing at the pages, and directly tossed it in front of Zhang Lu Rang, who was sitting at the desk.
"A wedding gift—the love letter I promised you before."
After quickly dropping that line, Su Zai Zai immediately grabbed her change of clothes and hurried into the bathroom.
Zhang Lu Rang was momentarily stunned. He lifted his hands from the keyboard and picked up the notebook.
On the cover were written a few words:
"Su Zai Zai the Little Fairy's Diary"
The handwriting was delicate and elegant, quite different from her current script.
He couldn't help but smile, carefully opening it and reading attentively.
October 9, 2012.
I saw a boy outside the convenience store today. He was so good-looking.
He didn't have Tomoe's ears, but my heart still skipped a beat.
A peerless beauty like me, actually having my mind disturbed by a mere handsome guy.
Wuwuwuwu, how do I find him...
Instant change in ideal type:)
Hey, feel honored, you gorgeous one.
Even without cat ears, I still fell for you.
...
...
November 3, 2012.
I fell today, and the gorgeous one took me to the hospital.
On the way back, he asked me: "Still hungry?"
And then... next, he said: "Give me your WeChat."
Ahhhhhhhhh!
A day I'll never forget.
I wonder if he'll remember.
Anyway, I won't forget.
...
...
June 17, 2019.
Today, I married him.
Just as Zhang Lu Rang turned to the last page, Su Zai Zai happened to come out of the bathroom.
He reached out to her, saying softly, "Come here."
Su Zai Zai obediently walked over and nestled into his embrace.
She saw Zhang Lu Rang pick up a pen and earnestly add a sentence after her words.
—Today, she married me.
Then, Zhang Lu Rang flipped back to the first page.
Overwhelmed with joy, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.
His chest vibrated with laughter, making her glance back at him.
When she turned her gaze again,
she saw his bold, forceful handwriting.
Stroke by stroke, earnestly, he wrote three words.
—Very honored.
Two years later.
Su Zai Zai was sitting in her office, about to pack up and go home, when she received a call from Zhang Lu Rang.
Her eyes curved into a smile as she immediately answered: "Lùràng!"Zhang Lu Rang's voice also carried a hint of laughter: "Are you off work?"
"Yeah, I'm about to leave."
"Wait about ten more minutes before coming down. I'm driving over to pick you up now."
Su Zai Zai let out an "oh," suddenly remembering: "Are we going to look at houses today?"
"Mm, it's raining outside. Remember to bring an umbrella when you come out."
Su Zai Zai glanced to the side and frowned: "I didn't bring an umbrella."
Zhang Lu Rang didn't mind too much, saying softly: "Then I'll come pick you up."
He was driving, and Su Zai Zai didn't want to distract him, so she quickly hung up.
She looked out the window, momentarily lost in thought, then began packing up and headed downstairs.
Su Zai Zai walked out of the company's main entrance and waited by the door.
Soon, she saw Zhang Lu Rang's car pull into a nearby parking spot.
Then, he opened a pure black umbrella and stepped out of the car.
Su Zai Zai watched him walk through the curtain of rain, as if transported back to Z High School nine years ago.
Zhang Lu Rang's features were sharp, his posture upright, and he exuded an air of maturity.
He was like the Zhang Lu Rang from back then, yet no longer quite the same.
Slowly, yet with long strides, he walked up to her, his eyes filled with warm light.
Su Zai Zai stood on the steps, looking down at him below.
Their gazes met, as if returning to that moment outside the school store.
That fleeting glance.
Just that one look.
It seemed that single glance had determined their entire lives.
So certain.
(The End)
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