"Lu Lu."
In the night, the streets of the capital were brightly lit, as if at some point, the pure darkness of childhood nights had disappeared, forever replaced by various colored neon lights.
Zhang Lu turned her head to look at Tang Song beside her. The two had gone ice skating and even visited a boxing gym today, having a great time. She was in a very good mood, wearing a big smile. "Hmm?"
"Are you going back to the military the day after tomorrow?"
Zhang Lu wasn't surprised that he knew this news because her mother and Tang Song had always been in contact, and her mom would have definitely told him.
She nodded, "Yes, the flight is in the morning the day after tomorrow."
"Lu Lu, do you still have no feelings for me now?"
Zhang Lu thought for a moment and said, "It's not that I have no feelings, but I can't tell if it's just friendship or something more. I always feel awkward thinking about us as a couple because we're so familiar with each other."
Because they were too close, she had never considered the possibility of being a couple.
Tang Song stopped, and Zhang Lu stopped along with him, looking at him without saying anything.
"Sorry, I might offend you a bit."
Tang Song reached out to Zhang Lu, "Can I hold your hand?"
Zhang Lu nonchalantly extended her hand, "Sure."
Tang Song held her hand, and at that moment, Zhang Lu suddenly felt the warmth and breadth of his palm, giving her a different kind of feeling.
Tang Song kept his eyes focused on her, "What do you feel now? Is it still like being with a friend, or is there something more?"
Zhang Lu remained silent. Tang Song wasn't disappointed. After letting go of her hand, he asked if he could hug her.
Zhang Lu nodded in agreement.
Tang Song carefully embraced Zhang Lu. He didn't know how she felt, but he knew that when he hugged her, his heartbeat raced as if it wanted to leap out of his chest.
He only hugged her for a few seconds before letting go, but his heartbeat still hadn't calmed down, and his ears turned red as if they were about to bleed.
Tang Song's voice remained steady as he asked about Zhang Lu's feelings. If she truly didn't feel more than friendship, Tang Song wouldn't force her. He would continue silently caring for her.
Zhang Lu's expression was somewhat dazed. She subconsciously touched the left side of her chest and then looked up at Tang Song. "It seems... it's a bit different."
But Zhang Lu couldn't articulate what kind of difference it was.
Tang Song's expression went from disbelief to ecstatic joy. The joy in his eyes couldn't be contained.
However, he restrained himself and reached out to grasp Zhang Lu's arm, but he quickly pulled back before making contact.
"Lu Lu, I..."
Tang Song was so happy that he didn't know what to say. Zhang Lu was also taken aback, seeing this usually reserved and expressionless man revealing such a joyful smile for the first time. She stood there in astonishment.
After a while, Tang Song regained his composure and spoke to Zhang Lu word by word, "Lu Lu, you do have feelings for me. I've always wanted to tell you that if you give me a chance, I want to make you happy forever. Whatever it is, I'll accompany you, support you in everything you want to do."
Tang Song paused and continued, "Actually, I've thought about the possibility that you may not have feelings for me. If you really can't like me, I still wanted to say these words to you. I even thought about how to convince you to let me be your boyfriend."
Zhang Lu laughed and asked, "How would you convince me?"
Tang Song lowered his eyes, "We've been classmates since middle school, we understand each other. I know all your hobbies and am willing to accompany you in everything you want to do. If you don't want a boyfriend or to get married, and your mom urges you, I can pretend to be your boyfriend to make your parents happy. When you're in the military, I'll take care of your parents as if they were mine."
Zhang Lu burst into laughter, "Pretend to be my boyfriend? What were you thinking? But maybe, just to deal with my mom, I might actually consider it."
Tang Song didn't say anything. He just looked at Zhang Lu seriously, and his nervousness was evident from the tight grip of his fist.
"To be honest, I never thought about being in a relationship."
Zhang Lu spoke seriously, and disappointment appeared in Tang Song's eyes. He slowly released her hand, trying to force a smile, "It's okay."
Before he could finish his sentence, Zhang Lu interrupted him, "Don't say anything for now, let me finish. But your words moved me. I do have to find someone in my life; my mom won't allow me not to get married. Among all the men around me, besides family, I feel most comfortable with you. And it seems I do have some feelings for you, though it's rare for now. If you don't mind, let's give it a try."
As Zhang Lu finished speaking, Tang Song was stunned for a few seconds. Then, his face showed an even more joyful expression than before. He didn't know what to do because he was overwhelmed with happiness.
"Don't mind, don't mind. I don't mind anything, as long as you're willing to be with me."
Tang Song spoke incoherently, fearing that if he spoke too slowly, Zhang Lu might change her mind.
Unable to hold back, Zhang Lu laughed again and reached out to hold Tang Song's hand. "You don't seem like the silent and steady Tang Song from before. But I like the way you are now."
Tang Song didn't know how to proceed for the rest of the way. He was too happy, and his entire focus was on the fact that Zhang Lu agreed to be with him.
They walked hand in hand, and Tang Song replied to everything Zhang Lu said, although his responses were all jumbled because, at this moment, he couldn't think straight.
This made Zhang Lu laugh at him several times on the way home, calling him silly.
Finally, they arrived at the entrance of Zhang Lu's home. Zhang Lu let go of Tang Song's hand, but he was reluctant to do the same.
Zhang Lu teased him with a smile, "What? Do you want to come up and meet my parents?"
Tang Song immediately let go of her, shaking his head, then nodding.
Zhang Lu smiled and looked at him, "Tomorrow, I'll be packing at home and might go to a nearby mall to buy some things."
"I'll accompany you," Tang Song said without hesitation.
"Okay, then come find me after lunch tomorrow."
The next day at noon, right after Zhang Lu had finished her meal, she received a call from Tang Song.
Upon hearing it was Tang Song, Jiang Zhiguan told Zhang Lu to let him come up.
Zhang Lu grabbed her wallet, stood up to change her shoes, and said, "We're going to the mall to shop. It's inconvenient for him to come up and down. I'll let him in after we finish shopping."
However, Jiang Zhiguan quickly grabbed her hand, "Wait a minute. You're about to return to the military. Tell me first. You and Xiao Song go out every day. What's the situation between you two now?"
"What else could it be? We're in a boyfriend-girlfriend situation. Mom, I'm in a hurry. I'll talk to you later."
While Jiang Zhiguan was still in a daze, Zhang Lu pulled her hand away, quickly opened the door, and ran out. Jiang Zhiguan watched her figure, a happy smile on her face, "Finally found a reliable son-in-law. No need to worry."
Zhang Lu ran downstairs, and Tang Song stood in the shadow of the corridor, wearing a white T-shirt and black pants, looking simple yet refreshing.
Seeing Zhang Lu coming down, a natural smile appeared on his face, a smile that would surely surprise his subordinates if they saw it.
After graduating from college, Tang Song formed his own team and entered the computer industry. Now, the various software his company developed was highly sought after by many companies.
Zhang Lu always knew what he was doing, after all, they had been friends before.
Seeing Tang Song's smile, Zhang Lu also smiled back at him, walked over, and held his hand, saying, "Let's go."
Just a few steps away, she added, "By the way, my mom said after shopping, you should come home with me to meet her."
Tang Song froze for a moment, suddenly nervous. "Do I have to meet your parents now?"
Zhang Lu glanced at him, "Haven't you met my parents before? You were the matchmaking candidate my mom insisted I meet. What are you afraid of?"
Tang Song replied, "Things were different back then."
"What's different?"
"The status is different."
Meeting Zhang Lu's parents as her boyfriend did make Tang Song more nervous than before.
Zhang Lu smiled and said, "You don't need to be nervous. My mom would be thrilled if she knew we were together."
After a few seconds of silence, Tang Song softly said, "I'm happy too."
Neither Zhang Lu nor Tang Song was fond of unnecessary chatter. After they arrived at the mall, their goals were clear.
Zhang Lu had already prepared a shopping list in advance. Once inside, she went straight to the items she wanted to buy, and within half an hour, they had everything they needed.
Exiting the mall, Tang Song carried two large bags, but Zhang Lu insisted on carrying one, and he didn't allow it.
"Next, to my place?"
Zhang Lu fanned herself with her hand and asked.
Tang Song nodded, without any objection.
Seeing the two enter, Jiang Zhiguan checked the time, surprised, and asked, "You're done shopping already?"
Zhang Lu nodded, "Done."
Holding the remote control, Jiang Zhiguan turned off the TV, stood up, and looked at Tang Song up and down, making him blush.
"Xiao Song, sit down. Quickly, sit. Lu Lu, pour a cup of tea for Xiao Song."
Tang Song quickly waved his hand, "Auntie, I'll do it myself."
Zhang Lu reached out and pressed him onto the sofa, "Enough, sit. In my house, you have to listen to my mom."
Tang Song obediently took a seat.
Jiang Zhiguan smiled affectionately at Tang Song, "Xiao Song, come and have some fruit. My daughter, Lu Lu, has a strong personality, and she likes things related to martial arts. If you can tolerate these, I'm really happy."
Zhang Lu placed the tea in front of both of them, wearing a speechless expression on her face.
Tang Song looked at Jiang Zhiguan and said earnestly, "Auntie, Lu Lu has a great personality, cheerful and sunny. Her hobbies are also wonderful, and she can protect the ones she cares about. I really like her, I like everything about her."
Jiang Zhiguan, even happier, remarked, "I knew I didn't make a mistake."
Jiang Zhiguan knew a lot about Tang Song's family, work, and character. After all, without a clear understanding, she wouldn't let Zhang Lu go on a blind date with him.
She asked Tang Song about his work, leaving space for the two young people.
"Lu Lu is leaving tomorrow. You two have a good talk."
Jiang Zhiguan got up and left. Zhang Lu had been curious about why Tang Song liked her and had liked her for so many years. She didn't get a chance to ask yesterday, but today was a perfect opportunity to ask everything she wanted to know.