If You Could Hear My Heart

After that dinner party, Xiao Mo made a phone call to Xia Chuqing.

But he couldn't bring himself to say what was on his mind, and just took a drag from the cigarette between his fingers, casually asking, "Is your trip to France all set up?"

At first, Xia Chuqing thought it was a strange number until she heard Xiao Mo's voice and realized it was him.

Hanging up the phone would only make her seem guilty, so she replied indifferently, "My teachers have arranged everything for me."

"Hmm, do you want me to see you off at the airport?"

"No need, Heng will see me off."

"Hmm."

Silence, silence from both ends.

Xia Chuqing's hand holding the phone was sweating as she said softly, "If there's nothing else, I'll hang up now."

"Study hard over there, the job prospects after studying abroad are better. You will be able to get a job with a good salary," Xiao Mo said.

"Thank you," was all Xia Chuqing said, dispassionately.

In fact, she had decided that she would definitely study hard for those three years, but if possible, she wanted to stay in France. If she was lucky enough to get a green card, she probably wouldn't come back for the rest of her life.

"Call me if you have any difficulties."

"Mr. Xiao, let's keep our distance, after all, we're not getting any younger."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Mo couldn't help but laugh: "Will the distance not be far enough in the future?"

Xia Chuqing stopped talking. Yes, in ten days she would be gone.

"Take good care of yourself, bring more clothes, and also remember to bring some common medications. You're definitely going to experience some discomfort with the new environment when you first get there," Xiao Mo said.

His tone, as usual, did not betray any emotion, but his eyes held a touch of tenderness.

"I know," Xia Chuqing replied with a simple two-word response.

"Alright, hang up then."

Xia Chuqing was stunned and for a moment couldn't snap back to reality.

She didn't know exactly when the call ended, Xiao Mo was gentler today than ever, but she knew it wouldn't go any further than this.

He didn't like her, that was the truth.

The polite and courteous words between friends sometimes felt like a soothing rain to her, she always numbed herself with it.

"Chuqing!" At this moment, someone called out from below.

The girls in the dormitory nudged Xia Chuqing's arm and said, "Your Heng is here again."

Lately, Xia Chuqing had been coming and going with Song Heng, who also stopped going to bars, being almost always at Xia Chuqing's beck and call.

The girls from the dormitory even thought that Xia Chuqing and Song Heng were dating, after all, they were a handsome pair.

"Here I come, what's all the shouting for," Xia Chuqing jogged downstairs to Song Heng, "as if you want to stir up chaos."

"Isn't that my way of announcing to the world that you have a warm, loyal boyfriend," Song Heng said with a laugh.

"Enough, your role as a boyfriend will be over in ten days."

"Fine, it won't be long anyway until you can see me again."

"Hmm? Are you really going to France?"

"Would I lie to you, I'll follow half a year later, just wait for me," Song Heng said.

"What about Song Yingying?"

"She has a boyfriend now; her boyfriend will take care of her. Why ask me?" Song Heng sounded slightly unhappy.

"Oh, let's go out for a meal then, and you can keep me company playing badminton in the afternoon."

"Sure, let's go!" Song Heng took Xia Chuqing's backpack.

As they walked and talked, Xia Chuqing said, "My dad has been especially busy lately, he doesn't even call me proactively anymore."

"Missing the old man?" Song Heng laughed loudly, "Then why don't you call him yourself?"

"I did, but after a few words, he hurriedly hung up."

"Then he must be really busy, better not to disturb His Honor the Mayor."

"Shh, keep your voice down, don't let anyone hear you." Xia Chuqing glanced around.

"Alright, alright, I'll keep it down." Song Heng said, "Will your dad come to see you off when you go to France?"

"He originally agreed to, but now he's changed his mind and said he won't come." Xia Chuqing sounded a bit disappointed, "My mom might come, or she might not, she's busy too. I was planning to go home to get some clothes, and in the end, they were all mailed to me."

"It's not easy to make a trip to A City, don't go back. It's best if your parents can make it, but don't be disappointed if they can't," Song Heng patted her shoulder to comfort her.

"It's okay, I'm not a child anymore, and it's not the first time I'm travelling far. Besides, you'll be there to keep me company in half a year, won't you?"

"Of course, don't worry about it."

The two headed towards the cafeteria. Song Heng disliked the cafeteria food, but Xia Chuqing had dragged him there.

Xia Chuqing's reason was that she wouldn't get to eat C University's cafeteria food many more times, she should cherish it.

Song Heng wasn't as sentimental; if he couldn't eat it, then so be it, he didn't want to eat there. But Xia Chuqing dragged him along, not allowing him to dine in a restaurant instead.

Helpless, Song Heng could only sit down with Xia Chuqing.

After eating, Xia Chuqing specifically called Xu Chaomu: "Sister Chaomu, I'll come to see Xiaobao tomorrow."

"Good, come over, Xiaobao misses you!"

"I'm leaving in ten days."

"I'll really miss you, and I don't know when you'll be back next time," Xu Chaomu said with a sigh.

"It's no big deal, just catch a flight and I'll be back!" Xia Chuqing deliberately suppressed her tears, "When the baby is born, be sure to send me pictures, okay?"

"Sure thing, wait until you come back to see him."

"Okay!" Xia Chuqing promised with a smile, "Sister Chaomu, my flight is in the morning, ten days from now. You don't have to come to the airport, it's too far."

"I'll have Xiaogao take me."

"No, no, no, you are pregnant, and I have Heng to accompany me."

"Song Heng, as in the handsome guy you were telling me about on the phone yesterday?"

"Not handsome, too ugly."

"Are you two dating?"

"That's right, he pursued me, and I'm considering whether to accept him or not!" Xia Chuqing glanced at Song Heng with his face full of black lines and could not help but laugh with malice.

"If he treats you well, then accept him, but don't agree too easily. Boys tend to care less after they have chased the girl down."

"Sister Chaomu, you're an old driver," Xia Chuqing laughed out loud.

Xu Chaomu laughed too. She still hoped for Xia Chuqing to be happy. Since Xiao Mo didn't like her that much, it was right for her to forget him sooner.

"Sister Chaomu, you must not come to the airport; I'll be angry if you do."

"Then take care of yourself."

"Yeah, it's fine, I can come back whenever I want," Xia Chuqing said.

Xu Chaomu knew that despite what was said, coming back was not so easy...

She had been in France for five years, and now, even mentioning France, she still felt a bit of heartache...

She didn't know if she would ever have the courage to go back to that country, where almost every inch of land bore her and Nie Chenglang's footsteps. And now, Chenglang has been laid to eternal rest...

"Well, Sister Chaomu, I've got to hang up now, Heng is taking me shopping."

"Have fun," Xu Chaomu said with a smile.

After hanging up, Song Heng looked like he wished he could thump her: "Who said I'd take you shopping?"