After talking to Wang Lei, Pan An sighed as he entered the house. He was then surprised to see Zhang Ren and Shi Lian on the couch with Shu Xian, greeting them with a smile.

"Hello, you two. How are you? I didn't expect you today.

"

"Neither did we. We were just about to leave, anyway,

" Shi Lian said, now standing up with Zhang Ren following her in tow.

"Congratulations, by the way. That's why we're here.

"

"Oh?

"

Pan An arched a brow at her, already grinning as he understood what she was talking about.

"Is this about you guys knowing that me and Shu Xian are already official?

"

"Yup,

" Shi Lian answered, crossing her arms in front of her chest confidently as she tipped her chin up.

"And you better take care of her.

"

"Of course.

"

Pan An then turned to Zhang Ren, arching a brow at him though his grin never left his face.

"And you better take care of Shi Lian. His brother may not seem like it, but I know he's definitely overprotective of her.

"

"Oh, you got that right,

" Shi Lian agreed, playfully rolling her eyes at him.

"So you know?

"

"Yes,

" Pan An answered, scoffing as he made the others laugh with what he said next.

"He barged in our home a moment ago and interrupted my sweet moment with Shu Xian. Other than that, he complained that I am no longer single—and so does his sister.

"

Shi Lian shook her head in laughter. With Zhang Ren and Shu Xian laughing as well, it was indeed a light atmosphere, all of them comfortable in each other's presence.

"Alright,

" Zhang Ren said, now wrapping his arm around Shu Xian's shoulder.

"We're going back to Shi Lian's home now. I was invited to dinner.

"

"Take care,

" Shu Xian said, already smiling at them sweetly.

"Thanks for visiting me and then catching up.

"

Shi Lian then turned to Pan An. With her cocking her head to the side, she asked a question about her older brother.

"Is big brother Wang Lei going home? Did he tell you anything?

"

"Nope,

" Pan An answered, making Shi Lian roll her eyes once more with what she heard next.

"He vented to me about him getting closer to his secretary, Yu Yan. You'll know from him more later. He told me he's going to have dinner with them tonight.

"

"That lunkhead,

" Shi Lian commented, shaking her head in disapproval.

"Sometimes, he doesn't tell me anything.

"

"Well, you gotta understand the man,

" Zhang Ren said, everyone's eyes on him.

"I may not know him but in a guy's perspective, there are some things that we can't tell to our family members and just to our friends. Especially if it's about guys.

"

"Oh?

" Shi Lian narrowed her eyes at him.

"And do you have someone to talk to if you want to talk about me then? Hmm?

"

"Of course.

"

Zhang Ren showed her a lopsided smile, Pan An liking his answer.

"I'll definitely talk to Professor Pan An or maybe even your older brother.

"

"Wow,

" Shu Xian reacted, a big grin appearing on her face.

"You really seem to think that you're close with them for you to want to talk to them anytime.

"

"Well, why not?

" Zhang Ren said confidently, shrugging his shoulder at the same time.

"I could see that I could get along with them with no problem at all. And besides, I should get to know my girl's brother better. For you know… future purposes.

"

With a wink coming from him, Shi Lian blushed, Pan An and Shu Xian already liking how the two are progressing.

"Alright, alright,

" Shu Xian then got their attention, both her and Pan An already walking by the door.

"Go now and I have to prepare a rushed dinner for me and Pan An.

"

With them already waving their hands good bye, both of them already left, Shu Xian turning to look at Pan An.

As Pan An reached out for her, Shu Xian gladly rested her head on his chest, the professor embracing her tightly.

"How was your day?

"

"It was nice. Yours?

"

"Great. Despite that stupid Wang Lei interfering with our moment.

"

Shu Xian giggled.

"Well, you're here now.

"

"Of course.

"

As both of them then looked into each other's eyes, they realized that they were completely comfortable in each other's arms and presence. With Pan An suddenly sighing, he remembered here and then of what's about to happen next week.

Shu Xian might be moving out by then. She did not need to prepare a lot of her things since she only brought a few—especially only her things that she needed for university.

With this in thought, Pan An knitted his brows together, making Shu Xian worry as she saw the expression on his face.

"Pan An, is something wrong?

" she asked, Pan An honestly telling her his feelings.

"Do you have to move out?

"

With his question heard, it was then that it dawned on her that Shu Xian might be leaving soon because the Office of the Chief Librarian already offered her a place to space—even for free!

As she thought that there was no more problems about her moving out since it will give her her own privacy and that it will not cause issues for the two, she felt a slight ache in her heart realizing that she would have to part from Pan An.

Both of them knew that they're neighbors—their houses just across each other's.

But then in their current situation now, they could always see each other every day and every night—even in between of the day.

Now that she is going to move out, will they still see each other frequently?

"I… almost forgot about that,

" Shu Xian commented in a form of a mumble but it was still heard by Pan An. With him kissing the top of her head, he closed his eyes, then rested his chin on top of her head.

"We will still see each other, Shu Xian. Remember that we still have to do our weekly groceries together. You're still going to cook for me, no?

"

"Of course,

" Shu Xian replied, the slight ache in her heart not leaving her.

"You'd always see Wan Wan still, too.

"

Both of them stood in silence, embracing each other. With them realizing that they grew attached to each other for such a quick time, Shu Xian's mumble broke the silence.

"I didn't know that love can make us feel this way for such a short span of time.

"

Pan An knew what she meant. However, it's as if he still wanted a further elaboration, asking her about it.

"Like what?

"

Shu Xian's arms around his waist tightened. With her snuggling her head on his chest, Pan An felt warm in his heart to feel this way—as if Shu Xian was frail and that she needed him.

"That I can't stand to be away from you. How is that even possible when we just became a couple recently? I'm too smitten. Is it always like this?

"

Of course, Pan An knew how it felt. With his first love, Ruo Xi, he had always felt this way.

How about for Shu Xian?

Well… it was also the same, but at the same time, different.

Different in a way because he knew that Shu Xian is someone he knows that he can trust—someone that he knows that would stay despite everything.

With this in thought, Pan An tipped her chin up, making her look at him. As their eyes locked gazes with each other, he smiled, his words tugging her heartstrings.

"I feel the same way. I thought at first it would be convenient for us so we can prevent issues. But… here we are. Already finding each other precious.

"

Without even expecting a single word from Shu Xian, Pan An softly placed his lips against hers. This time, it was different from his other kisses that possessed passion and possessiveness.

This time, his kiss was loving and sweet—full of feelings that was sincere that no words are needed to fully express what he meant.

With his actions speaking louder than his words, Shu Xian felt giddy in her heart. As they parted away from the kiss, tears started pooling in her eyes, hiding her sadness with how she let out a soft chuckle.

"How stupidly emotional of me that this made me cry. We're just living across each other. Why is this a big deal for me? I feel so childish.

"

"You're not,

" Pan An said, caressing her cheek with his thumb.

"Allow yourself to feel this way. It is indeed your first time to fall in love.

"

Shu Xian nodded. With her already holding his hand as she started walking to the kitchen, the professor gladly followed her, listening to Shu Xian's words as she wanted to forget this sad thought of moving out soon.

"Cook dinner with me?

"

"Of course, Shu Xian,

" Pan An said, wanting to make every moment count.

"I'll do anything with you.

"