Evelyn didn’t dare tell Emily the truth. She had told Stella she liked girls. Stella thought Evelyn and Emily were a couple. If Emily found out, she would strangle her. Luckily, the whole thing blew over. Evelyn finally felt relieved.
That morning, she took her first final exam. For two hours, she answered the paper seriously. Now she was back in the dorm, wondering if she could have done better. Her phone rang.
“Hello?” Evelyn picked up. Then she suddenly realized something. “Actually, non-business income would be more appropriate!”
“Are you discussing problems with your classmates?” Alexander’s voice came through the phone, laced with amusement.
“Ah? No, I’m just thinking about the morning exam!” Evelyn snapped to attention. She sat up straight and replied awkwardly. “The exam has started?” Alexander asked again.
“It’s the first exam today. But winter break doesn’t start for two weeks. Are you back?” Evelyn answered.
“Just got off the plane. I’ll pick you up for dinner later.”
“Oh, okay!” Evelyn agreed. Then she hesitated. “You just got off the plane. Aren’t you tired? Maybe you should rest first. We can have dinner tomorrow instead.”
Alexander had gone on a business trip just a few days after returning last time.
“You want to review?” Alexander asked.
“No, I’m just afraid you’re too tired,” Evelyn replied awkwardly.
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. You can come pick me up.”
“I’ll call you when I get there.”
“Okay,” Evelyn said.
Since Alexander was picking her up for dinner, Evelyn decided to take a shower first. After showering and changing clothes, she continued reading while waiting for his call. When Alexander called, Evelyn grabbed her bag and told Emily she was leaving. She walked out of the dormitory.
“What’s Evelyn been up to lately? Why does she go home so often?” Stella asked Emily.
“Yeah, you’re right. I didn’t notice until you mentioned it. Evelyn’s been staying in the dorm a lot less than usual,” Emily echoed.
“Hasn’t her family already settled down?”
“I heard she sorted that out a while ago.”
“Could she be going on dates?” Stella said with a smile.
“Dates? It’s possible. Evelyn’s been going out a lot after answering her phone lately,” Emily nodded.
“Is it with that handsome guy who sent flowers?” Stella asked hesitantly.
“Can’t be. Didn’t she already reject him?” Emily replied, puzzled.
“Maybe she changed her mind. Or maybe it’s someone else. That’s why she turned him down.”
“It must be someone else. Looks like someone in our dorm has finally ended her single life.”
“Evelyn’s not like us when it comes to love. She’s a local. She’ll graduate and work here. We don’t have that luxury. We don’t know where our future will take us. If we find someone now, it’ll probably be long-distance. It might fall apart one day. It’s not worth the risk,” Emily sighed.
“I think so too. My parents always tell me it’s unreliable to date now. Wait until I have a stable job,” Stella nodded in agreement.
“Your parents are right. Puppy love is unreliable.”
“At our age, it’s more like late love,” Stella turned to look at Emily and smiled.
“Well, they used to have puppy love. Now we have no interest in it,” Emily said with emotion.
“Really? Is that true?” Stella immediately leaned in, ready for gossip.
When Evelyn arrived at the school gate, Alexander was already waiting for her. She got into the passenger seat and turned to greet him.
“Have you been waiting long?”
She had thought Alexander would be exhausted after his business trip. She expected a driver to pick him up. But he was driving himself.
Alexander didn’t answer her question right away. He tapped the steering wheel with one hand and looked at her quietly. When Evelyn started to feel uncomfortable, he finally spoke. “Not long.”
Then he looked away, started the engine, reversed out of the parking space, and drove away from the school. Alexander didn’t take Evelyn back to his apartment. Instead, he drove toward her parents’ house. When Evelyn realized where they were going, she turned to him in surprise.
“Are we going to my home?”
“William called me two days ago. I was on a business trip. I promised him I’d take you to dinner tonight,” Alexander explained.
“Oh,” Evelyn replied.
If she had known she was going home, she would have brought her books with her. She could stay at home for the evening.
When they arrived, Alexander stopped the car. He got out and opened the passenger door for Evelyn. He reached out his hand. Evelyn felt a little awkward, but she took his hand and got out. Maybe it was nerves, or something else. She stumbled and lost her balance. She fell directly against Alexander’s chest.
She was so embarrassed she wanted to disappear into the ground.
“I’m sorry. I just twisted my ankle,” Evelyn apologized awkwardly.
Alexander didn’t say anything. He crouched down and asked, “Which foot?”
“Left foot. But it’s fine,” Evelyn said quickly.
Alexander looked up at her.
“Really, it’s nothing!” Evelyn quickly pulled him up.
“Be careful next time.”
“Okay,” Evelyn replied, blushing.
They walked into the house. Her parents and sister Victoria were all there. Even though it was her own home, this was the first time she had come back with Alexander. With his hand holding hers, Evelyn felt a little shy. But at that moment, she didn’t know what else to do except greet everyone and follow Alexander silently.
Alexander exchanged pleasantries with the Vance family. He was modest and polite. Evelyn admired him inwardly. He really was a man of great composure. Calm and steady.
She turned her head and saw Victoria raising an eyebrow at her. Evelyn couldn’t help but smile.
After sitting in the living room for a while, Evelyn went upstairs with Victoria. Alexander stayed downstairs, chatting with William about tea and the economy. Amelia was acting like the hostess, helping to arrange dinner in the kitchen.
“So that’s Alexander,” Victoria muttered after they entered Evelyn’s bedroom. She sat down at the head of the bed.
“Sister, haven’t you seen him before?” Evelyn asked with a smile, sitting on the chair in front of the desk.
“I saw him once a long time ago. But he didn’t know me. Today is the first time we’ve formally met. And he’s my brother-in-law!” Victoria said with a grin. “Evelyn, you really hit the jackpot this time.”
Evelyn felt a little embarrassed. If she told Victoria that Alexander was rumored to be gay, she doubted her sister would think so highly of him. But aside from that, Alexander was a good person.
“You’re making great progress. You just came back, and you’re already holding hands,” Victoria teased.
“It’s… okay,” Evelyn replied, a bit flustered. She was too embarrassed to tell Victoria that Alexander always liked to show affection when others were around. She didn’t know why. Their relationship wasn’t even that close, was it?
“Anyway, you have the certificate now. You’re just waiting for the wedding. He’s locked in. He can’t fly away. You can just be his wife at home.”
“I’m not worried. I’ll just let things take their course,” Evelyn replied with a smile. Then she asked, “Sister, what have you been busy with these days?”