1970s: Hot wife accompanies the army, cold-faced rough man is not easy to tease

Chapter 315 Hidden in My Heart (Updated)

Lu Youyou didn't react much; it was just that her guess from five minutes ago had been confirmed immediately, and she felt it was a bit of a coincidence. But Yu Qingtian was not so calm.

After a series of events, including illicit relationships and premarital pregnancy, Yu Qingtian felt she had developed an extremely high expectation of Li Mingyue. However, seeing her with a man a few years older who could be her grandfather, Yu Qingtian still couldn't accept it.

Holding hands and leaning on each other's shoulders—this is by no means a normal social distance, and you can't fool yourself into it.

"This...this is Li Mingyue's new...new boyfriend?"

The last two words were vague, as if uttering them would be a sin.

Lu Youyou knew that was probably it, but there was no need to say it out loud if it was just a guess without any evidence; it was enough to just understand it.

Yu Qingtian didn't really need an answer, after all, anyone with eyes could see that Li Mingyue and that old man had an unusual relationship.

People in and out of the auditorium were all wearing graduation gowns. Logically speaking, Lu Youyou should not have been conspicuous, but Li Mingyue still saw her immediately, and naturally also saw Yu Qingtian next to her.

Li Mingyue's first reaction was to avoid eye contact, but she turned her head away for only a second before turning back.

In terms of reputation, Li Mingyue was undoubtedly at the bottom of the dust, but she had already made up her mind not to go back and had found a way not to go back, so why should she run away?

She'll be able to stay in the US and enjoy a better life soon. What does reputation matter? As long as she doesn't go back, it doesn't matter at all.

Yu Qingtian was shocked by her "upright and open" gaze. What was so glorious about this? She was not ashamed but proud of it.
With so much to say, even the usually loud-mouthed Yu Qingtian was speechless for a long time. Now that the ceremony was about to begin, she could only leave Lu Youyou and find her friends to start a new round of gossip.

The graduation ceremony was unremarkable. As one of more than a thousand graduate students, Lu Youyou didn't think she was anything special. However, whether it was speaking on stage as a representative of the graduates or being called away by professors from two departments as soon as the ceremony ended, it was clear that she couldn't stay low-key.

Sitting in the back row, Yu Qingtian couldn't help but say to her friend, "If I were so highly regarded by my mentor, I definitely wouldn't be in a hurry to go back to China."

"Maybe Lu is in a hurry to get back to work?"

"What's the rush for work? With multiple doctoral degrees, you'll be treated like royalty no matter which organization you go to."

"So you're homesick?"

Yu Qingtian choked, but couldn't find any words to refute it.

Unlike Li Mingyue, who was single-mindedly focused on staying in the United States, she honestly believed that if she had the opportunity to pursue further studies and was very likely to earn a large scholarship, she would not be in a hurry to return to China.

No matter what job you do, even your family has to take a backseat.

Although she has a spot approved by her advisor, whether it will be approved depends on the situation in China. She doesn't have the ability to fight for scholarships, so the spot needs to be negotiated between China and the United States. If it doesn't work out, she will have to return to China in six months.

She glanced again at the exceptionally "kind" academic bigwig beside Lu Youyou; she was tired of using the word "envy."

At this moment, Professor Hopkins was indeed kind. He already knew that Lu Youyou was preparing to return to China, but he always wanted to persuade her again.

"Lu, are you really not going to reconsider?"

The professor has been asking her this question every time they meet lately, and he's been promising her all sorts of "benefits." If you didn't know better, you'd never guess he was recruiting students.

Lu Youyou declined again, and unsurprisingly, the professor started sighing again. He's probably sighed more lately than he's ever sighed in his entire life.

"I won't stop you if you insist on going back, but if you want to pursue a doctorate in the future, just come to me. As long as I'm still teaching, I'll definitely take you as my student. Even if I stop teaching, I'll definitely find you a good teacher!"

This promise was undeniably significant. Lawrence, who had been Hopkins' assistant for several years, had never heard him say anything similar, but given his family background, he probably didn't care about such a thing.

What he cared about was that Lu Youyou still didn't want to stay.

Professor Hopkins had other things to do, so after he left, Lawrence was left alone with Lu Youyou. "Before I leave, shall I treat you to a meal? Speaking of which, I haven't properly thanked you for saving my life yet."

Lu Youyou laughed and said, "Isn't a two-meter-tall Buddha statue formal enough?"

"That was just a thank-you gift, and I was in the hospital at the time, so I didn't personally deliver it to you. Of course, it wasn't a formal gift."

Lawrence looked very serious, with a hint of barely perceptible unease.

Lu Youyou thought she might have misread it.

In fact, the two have always had a good relationship, especially in the laboratory, where they work together very well.

As a wealthy young man, Lawrence had few of the vices common among the rich, making him easy and comfortable to be around.

"Okay, when?"

"So, today then?"

Lu Youyou nodded. After the graduation ceremony, she would be free. The formalities had been completed, and these few days before returning to China were the most leisurely time she had been in the United States.

Lawrence drove himself again, and he chose a well-known local restaurant in San Francisco.

Coincidentally, it was another place that still existed forty years later, requiring advance reservations, which clearly showed that Lawrence's decision was not impromptu.

The waiter led the two to a table by the window, with the other side against the wall, which was one of the quietest spots in the restaurant.

Knowing that Lu Youyou doesn't drink alcohol, Lawrence didn't even ask for a wine list. Soon, a waiter brought over two cups of white tea, both hot and cold.

Lu Youyou glanced at Lawrence. It was obvious that it could only be his order. Even if the most prestigious French restaurant in San Francisco offered tea, it would most likely not have white tea.

"Thank you."

Since it was something she liked, Lu Youyou accepted it well. She had lived like this in her previous life, and most of the time, having money did allow her to do whatever she wanted.

Lawrence is a very talkative person, and he talked about everything from cutting-edge academic research to scenery and food, and even the various national treasures that Lu Youyou was interested in. The topics were very random.

Lu Youyou remained relaxed throughout the meal, until Lawrence asked her a question she knew very well.

Are you really not going to stay?

Lu Youyou looked up in surprise. In addition to the fleeting unease that had passed before, Lawrence's eyes held a different kind of emotion.

This time, Lu Youyou wasn't mistaken.

She gave the same answer: she would be home soon.

Lawrence lowered his eyes; perhaps he wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

"I wish you a safe journey in advance. Remember to contact me if you come to the United States again."

He smiled and raised the crystal glass; the pale tea liquor looked exceptionally clear and translucent under the light.

Lu Youyou also raised her glass and clinked glasses with him.

The crisp sound of the impact, along with that harrowing day and the hundreds of days and nights that had passed, were etched into Lawrence's heart.