37. Bai Jinyan’s Aspiration

For this date, after much deliberation, Chen Ruowen decided on horseback riding as their activity, and chose her family’s stable as the venue.

As for why she picked horseback riding—not because she wanted to share some carefree companionship with anyone, nor to flaunt her family’s possession of a stable, which she found utterly trivial. The real reason was simply that she thought it would be fun.

Besides, every time they’d gone out before, Bai Jinyan always brought her to those deathly quiet places. Now, finally, with the choice in her hands, Chen Ruowen was determined to pick something completely different, something so far removed from their usual dates that Bai Jinyan would get a taste of it himself—a childish sort of rebellion, perhaps.

Because she’d stayed up late watching movies the night before, Chen Ruowen woke up at noon, yawning as she got out of bed.

It wasn’t really her fault; the films Bai Jinyan liked were never much to her taste, and she often fell asleep halfway through when watching at home, only to wake up and fumble back to re-watch what she’d missed.

But after Bai Jinyan’s comments last time, Chen Ruowen forced herself to finish over a dozen movies, not missing a single second, and even compared them with Bai Jinyan’s reviews posted on the forum, taking thorough notes. The cleaning lady at the Chen household was astounded by her diligence.

Since her interests diverged from his, Chen Ruowen watched with extra attention, which meant slower progress—managing two films in a day was already exceptional for her. By the day they went riding together, she’d only gotten halfway through the list.

Bai Jinyan rarely rode horses, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t. After two laps around the field, it was Chen Ruowen who tired first, dismounted without protest, and collapsed onto the artificial lawn reserved for rest.

“I’m done. I can’t beat you.”

Bai Jinyan, good-natured as ever, secured her horse, brushed the dust from his hands, and sat beside her.

“Want to eat something to regain your strength? We could race again in a bit.”

Chen Ruowen pouted, “No, I don’t like suffering.”

Bai Jinyan chuckled softly, leaned over, and ruffled her hair. “If you’re tired, we can head back.”

“Don’t you dare!”

She grabbed his hem and pulled, catching him off guard so he tumbled down beside her.

“No leaving…”

For a moment, their gazes met, and Chen Ruowen’s heart skipped a beat. She was dazed for a while before she managed to pick up her train of thought.

“You... can’t leave.”

“Alright, I won’t,” Bai Jinyan replied, easing himself onto the grass beside her.

It was already winter in South City in December; though the snow had not yet fallen, the air was chilly. The two lay side by side, looking up at the pale blue sky and drifting white clouds. Chen Ruowen suddenly felt a peacefulness, a sense of time slowing down, and an urge to sleep.

She stifled a yawn and turned to face Bai Jinyan.

“When are you planning to join Zhongyu Technologies? Among our group, you’re the only one who hasn’t started working with the family business.”

The question altered Bai Jinyan’s expression ever so slightly. He gazed at the distant sky, his thoughts wandering.

Only when Chen Ruowen leaned in and asked again did he reply quietly, “After graduation, perhaps.”

Chen Ruowen reached over and fiddled with the buttons on Bai Jinyan’s riding jacket, bored.

“Why? Don’t you want to take over Zhongyu?”

Instead of answering, Bai Jinyan grabbed her hand.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?” Bai Jinyan raised an eyebrow, his gaze sliding to her fingertips. “If you’re doing nothing, why are you unbuttoning my jacket?”

Chen Ruowen’s cheeks flushed and she hurriedly withdrew her hand. But then, thinking better of it, she deliberately tugged at his button again, stubbornly saying,

“I just think your buttons are fun, isn’t that allowed?”

“...Alright then.”

Bai Jinyan, unwilling to argue, slowly fastened the button she’d undone.

“Are you planning to study abroad in college?”

Chen Ruowen nodded and, once more, unfastened the innocent button.

“To America?”

“Yes.”

“Have you decided on a school?”

“Yes.”

“…Do you just really want to unbutton my clothes?”

“Um… Bai Jinyan!”

Chen Ruowen shoved him, her face so flushed that even the blind could see it.

“I’m planning to apply to Southern University. Looks like for the next four years... it’ll be hard to see each other.”

Chen Ruowen paused.

“Southern University? Uncle Bai told me he wanted to send you abroad!”

“I don’t want to go.” Bai Jinyan patted her hair, smiling lightly. “I’m planning to apply to the medical school at Southern University and become a doctor.”

This time, Chen Ruowen was dumbstruck, as if struck over the head.

Bai Jinyan wanted to be a doctor?

He, a wealthy heir to an internet-listed company, actually wanted to give up a fortune and become an ordinary doctor?

He must be out of his mind.

Seeing Bai Jinyan’s serious expression, Chen Ruowen tentatively asked,

“Do Uncle Bai and Aunt Qi know about this?”

Bai Jinyan gestured for silence. “I haven’t told them. You have to keep it a secret for me.”

The news was shocking—Bai Jinyan didn’t want to inherit the family business; what would become of Zhongyu? Would his parents agree? But Chen Ruowen quickly shook her head, casting aside such worries.

“Don’t worry, if your family throws you out and you can’t afford food, I’ll take care of you.”

“Chen Ruowen…” Bai Jinyan gritted his teeth. “Do you believe I’ll deal with you?”

“What, are you going to resort to domestic violence?”

She snorted, tugged at his collar, and sat up from the grass.

“Anyway, now I know your secret. As for whether I’ll tell your parents... that depends on how you behave.”

Bai Jinyan knew her temperament well; though her words could be abrasive, she never betrayed a secret entrusted to her. So he sighed, giving up on the matter of “taking care of him,” and asked helplessly,

“How am I supposed to behave?”

“First, you must do everything I say,” Chen Ruowen said, delighted.

“And?”

“No bullying me, no lecturing me, no spouting nonsense philosophies at me. When we go out, I get to decide what we do, you have to accept it without protest. Most importantly, you’re not allowed to secretly report to my parents. If they ask you to monitor me or help them, you must tell me immediately—we’ll be allies!”

The more she spoke, the more excited she became, her eyes shining as if she were anticipating the arrival of a long-awaited, unfettered happiness.

Bai Jinyan sighed, sat up from the grass, and reached out to touch her forehead.

“Are you… dreaming a bit too much?”

“What are you doing?” Chen Ruowen slapped his hand away. “Just tell me—can you do it?”

Bai Jinyan nodded, and as Chen Ruowen’s eyes lit up, he curled his lips.

“Of course… I can’t.”

...

...

“Bai Jinyan! You’re messing with me!!”