The baby slapped me, and I said, "Sit on my lap and slap me."

Wen Yu squatted in front of the open suitcase, his brows slightly furrowed, his expression focused as if he were dealing with some important corporate matter.

His slender fingers fiddled with the neatly folded clothes inside, while he muttered to himself.

"The cold in Shanghai is different from that in northern Beijing; it's a damp cold that can seep into your bones."

"Just bringing a down jacket isn't enough, you have to bring thermal underwear too, this fleece-lined set... What about hand warmers? Hmm, I brought those, and foot warmers too..."

As he muttered to himself, he carefully stuffed the hand warmers and foot warmers into the compartment of his suitcase.

He then picked up a transparent file folder next to him and carefully checked it.

"The child's admission ticket, ID card, student ID... are all here. The competition guide, hotel confirmation, and the contact information for the team leader are also all here."

Still feeling uneasy, she checked her clothes, toiletries, frequently used medicine kit, notebooks, pencil cases, and even her usual eye mask and a small box of calming and sleep-inducing aromatherapy.

Each item was placed there by his own hand, bearing his scent and mark.

"I think... there's nothing I've missed, right?"

Wen Yu raised his head, as if talking to himself, or as if seeking affirmation. His handsome face showed a rare hint of uncertainty, and even a somewhat...uncommon blankness.

It was as if what was about to be taken away was not luggage, but a part of him.

Su Qingyao sat cross-legged on the carpet next to her, her elbows resting on her knees and her palms supporting her chin.

Her clear eyes were filled with an unyielding tenderness and a hint of helplessness as she quietly watched him busily performing his examination.

"Okay, okay, my darling Yuyu~"

Her voice was soft, "You've checked over and over again at least three times. I'm only gone for three days, I'll be back soon."

Instead of relaxing, Wen Yu put on a serious face, turned his head, and looked at her earnestly.

"How can that be? Baby is representing Peking University in the National Physics Competition this time. It's crucial, concerning the school's honor, and it's also an affirmation of your abilities."

"As the husband of a future great physicist and a capable helper, I must ensure everything goes smoothly so you can focus on your work without any worries."

He spoke with righteous indignation, as if this were not a short race, but a major battle on the front lines.

Su Qingyao did not refute, but her smile deepened, the softest part of her heart was gently touched by his undisguised concern.

She continued to cup her face in her hands, obediently watching him lower his head again and check the list item by item.

The light fell on his thick eyelashes, casting a small, gentle shadow that made her heart flutter.

After a while, Wen Yu finally straightened up and let out a long sigh of relief.

He turned to look at Su Qingyao.

Those usually deep and gentle peach blossom eyes were now veiled with a layer of watery grievance, and the corners of their eyes were even a little red.

Su Qingyao's heart trembled at his gaze, feeling weak and trembling. She couldn't help but lean forward and ask softly with a smile.

"My dear wife, are you finally done with the check-up? Is there anything else you need?"

Wen Yu nodded, then immediately shook his head.

He scooted forward, wrapped his arms around her, rested his head on her shoulder, and looked up at her.

"Okay, the checkup is complete."

His voice was a little strained, and his Adam's apple bobbed. "But baby..."

He paused, seemingly searching for the right words to express the turmoil of unease and possessiveness surging within him.

"But... there's still one crucial thing missing. Without it, I feel... empty inside."

"Huh? What is it?"

Su Qingyao also lowered her voice, her fingertips gently brushing across his slightly furrowed brows.

Wen Yu grasped her hand and pressed it tightly against his heart, where he felt a steady and powerful heartbeat.

It struck her palm again and again.

"I'm missing."

He uttered two words, his voice low and hoarse, yet carrying a heavy weight.

"what?"

"Baby, pack me up and take me with you too."

He moved even closer, his nose almost touching hers, their warm breaths mingling.

"I don't want to be apart from you, not even for a second. The thought of leaving me for three whole days makes me..."

He couldn't find the right words to describe the anxiety of losing a part of his soul, so he could only hold her hand tightly.

Su Qingyao was both amused and exasperated by his blunt and clingy words. She tapped his face with her fingertip, trying to reason with him.

"Yuyu, my darling, I'm going to participate in a competition, not to play. This competition is very prestigious and the schedule is tight. In addition to the written test, there is also an experimental competition. Most of the time will be spent in the laboratory arranged by the organizer to do experimental projects. Even if you come with me, I won't have time to spend with you during the day. We may not even see each other a few times."

The grievance in Wen Yu's eyes was almost tangible, so thick it couldn't be dissolved.

He whispered accusingly, "But a day apart feels like three autumns. Baby, you'll be gone for three days, that's a full nine years! Nine years without seeing you, I'll miss you so much..."

He racked his brains and used some sour words he'd picked up from who-knows-where.

"...I've been staying up so late that the flowers have all withered, I have no appetite, I toss and turn all night, and I'm completely out of it."

Su Qingyao burst out laughing at his antics. "Oh my, where did this young man in ancient style come from? How did he end up in my house?"

She laughed and teased him, then leaned in and placed a soft kiss on the corner of his tightly pursed lips.

"Alright, alright, here's a reward. You're not wronged anymore."

She touched his slightly cool cheek, her fingertips tracing his handsome features.

"I'll make it up to you when I get back from the competition, okay? I really have to go to school now, or I'll miss the bus."

Su Qingyao's kiss slightly smoothed out the wrinkles in Wen Yu's heart, but the anxiety of impending separation and possessiveness still pounded in his chest.

He reached out, cupped her face without a word, and kissed her fiercely.

The kiss was lingering and deep, even carrying a hint of punishing sucking, as if it were trying to absorb all the longing, anxiety, and possessiveness of the next three days in advance.

Wen Yu's aura completely enveloped her, not allowing her to escape even a little bit.

Su Qingyao was breathless and blushing from the kiss. She gently pushed against his chest, and he reluctantly withdrew slowly.

When they parted, both of them were a little unsteady on their feet, and the air was filled with an ambiguous atmosphere of separation.

The darkness in Wen Yu's eyes and the surging possessiveness had not completely faded, but were forcibly suppressed deep within.

He took a deep breath and calmed his breathing and heartbeat with astonishing self-control.

He stood up and gently pulled her to her feet, lifting her suitcase, which he had stuffed full, with one hand.

"Let's go, baby."

He took her hand, their fingers intertwined, and his voice, though seemingly calm, was deeper and hoarse than usual.

"Your husband will personally take you there."

Su Qingyao smiled and squeezed his hand back, nodding vigorously.

As the bus slowly started moving, Wen Yu's tall figure grew smaller and smaller outside the window, and only then did a surge of overwhelming longing well up inside her, instantly engulfing her.

I could almost smell his fresh and pleasant scent on my nose, and the warmth of his palm still lingered on my fingertips.

It turned out that she, like him, was very reluctant to part with him.

"Qingyao? What are you daydreaming about?"

Li Wei, the senior student sitting next to her, gently nudged her with her arm and teased her.

"The bus has only been going for less than ten minutes, and you're already getting distracted. Missing your Mr. Wen?"