A skin-thirsty episode occurred, in her brother's arms.

A picture of the registration form was sent to Qin Ge's phone.

The light from the screen was particularly glaring in the dimly lit living room, like an unexpected wound.

Only at this moment did he realize that what his assistant had said was true.

He stared at the clear picture for a long time, his fingertips even unconsciously stroking the gold-plated English letters "Royal Academy of Country Y" on the screen.

Too many emotions intertwined—shock, panic, anger, and a dull ache that had been concealed—ultimately exploded in my mind, leaving it blank.

After a long while, Qin Ge seemed to regain sensation in his body.

He placed his phone in front of Xu Xingchen. On the other end of the screen was the applicant's signature section, which his assistant had specially selected—the three characters "Xu Xingchen" were written clearly and without hesitation.

"Star,"

His voice was terribly hoarse, with a barely perceptible tremor, "Did you apply for this?"

This was clearly an undeniable answer, yet he still hoped for a miracle.

Xu Xingchen's eyes slowly lowered, his long eyelashes concealing all his emotions.

"Yes, I applied."

Qin Ge felt his heart, which was beating erratically in his chest, being squeezed and crushed.

He couldn't accept it, he simply couldn't.

"Why? Why go to Country Y, and for a whole six months? Why didn't you tell me?"

Each question felt like a piece of gravel being forcibly dug out of one's throat.

Xu Xingchen spoke calmly, as if he were discussing tomorrow's weather.

"This is a rare opportunity. I can learn a lot in Country Y. If I decide to pursue a career in scientific research in the future, it won't hurt to get a feel for it beforehand."

"I thought about it for a long time before making this decision, and I was just about to tell you."

He added, trying to make the reason sound more convincing and harmless.

"I've already contacted many teachers, and they can come to China to teach you."

"I can get you top domestic scholars to provide one-on-one guidance. Whoever you need, I can get them."

Xu Xingchen gently shook his head. "The conditions at home and abroad are different, and the focus is also different. Going out allows you to see many different and new things, which cannot be achieved by working behind closed doors."

"Anything you need, I can get it back. I have the means, I can do it!"

Qin Ge raised his voice slightly, carrying an almost obsessive promise.

"Whether you want to pursue further studies or focus on research after graduation is fine."

"The lab... I've been building it for a while now. I wanted to surprise you, so I haven't told you yet."

He spoke quickly and urgently, as if afraid of missing any bargaining chip that could keep Xu Xingchen.

"I can provide whatever manpower, machines, or anything else you need. That laboratory will be exactly what you want it to be."

As Xu Xingchen listened to these carefully laid-out plans for the future, a complex weariness flashed in his eyes.

He maintained his nonchalant demeanor: "Qin Ge, you're too tense. It's only half a year, it'll be over quickly."

"It's not like we can't see each other anymore. We can call each other, and we can get together on holidays."

He tried to ease the tension, even using a coaxing tone, and reached out to touch Qin Ge's tense hand.

"Alright, alright, at worst I'll just report back to you every day after I get there, it won't be any different from before."

To reassure Qin Ge, Xu Xingchen even unlocked his phone and found information about the Royal Academy of Y Country in his photo album, trying to distract Qin Ge.

"Look, their Professor Weinberg has made remarkable achievements in this field, and his latest research results just happen to be..."

"Smack."

A crisp sound interrupted Xu Xingchen's words.

Qin Ge slammed his phone onto the carpet, and the screen went dark instantly.

The shadows and sorrow in Qin Ge's eyes were intertwined, so dark that the bottom could not be seen, like two unfathomable abysses.

"It's always the same excuses and reasons!"

"Again and again."

"How much longer are you going to lie to me?"

His voice was low and suppressed, like a volcano about to erupt, "You just want to leave me."

"I'm not stupid!"