As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden hue across the campus, Chen Ke felt a twinge of reluctance in her chest. She had packed her bags for a short trip back home, needing to attend an urgent meeting regarding the family company. The weight of responsibility hung heavy, but the thought of leaving Danni behind for two days filled her with an unexpected sense of longing.
Gathering her courage, CK decided to find Danni before heading out. She spotted her sitting on a bench near the courtyard, laughing with her friends, Ye Shuqi, Nanxi, and Zhu Zhu. The sight of Danni's bright smile made CK's heart race, and she approached with a mixture of excitement and anxiety.
"Hey, Danni," CK called out, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her stomach.
Danni turned, her expression brightening as she met CK's gaze. "Hey, Ke Ke! What's up?"
CK took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation. "I wanted to let you know that I'll be away for a couple of days. I have to attend a meeting for my family's company."
Danni's smile faded slightly, replaced with concern. "Oh, I see. Is everything okay?"
CK nodded, her expression serious yet reassuring. "Yeah, it's just business stuff. But I wanted to tell you in person. I'll be back before you know it."
Danni bit her lip, feeling a pang of disappointment. "I'll miss you while you're gone."
"I'll miss you too," CK replied, her heart warming at Danni's words. She leaned in closer, her tone dropping to a more protective note. "Listen, if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to reach out. I'll be available on my phone whenever I can. Just text me, okay?"
Danni smiled softly, her heart fluttering at CK's concern. "I promise. You take care of yourself, too. Don't work too hard!"
CK chuckled, the tension easing as she smiled back. "I'll try. Just keep having fun with the girls, and don't let Li Wei bother you, okay?"
Danni rolled her eyes playfully. "I'll handle him. Don't worry about me. Just focus on your meeting."
CK felt a wave of warmth at Danni's encouragement. "Thanks, Danni. You really know how to make me feel better."
"Always," Danni said, her voice soft yet filled with sincerity.
As the moment hung between them, CK felt the urge to reach out, to pull Danni into a hug, but she hesitated, feeling the weight of her responsibilities pulling her back. Instead, she simply smiled, allowing her feelings to linger in the air.
"Okay, I should get going. I'll text you as soon as I can," CK said, stepping back but unable to tear her gaze away from Danni.
"Safe travels, Ke Ke! I'll be waiting for your message," Danni replied, her eyes sparkling with a mix of admiration and affection.
With one last lingering look, Chen Ke turned to leave, her heart heavy yet buoyed by the warmth of their connection. As she walked away, she couldn't shake the feeling that the distance would only strengthen their bond. In her mind, she resolved to return with more clarity about her feelings for Danni, ready to embrace whatever might come next.
During her time away, CK found herself constantly thinking about Danni. Each meeting was filled with discussions about business strategies, yet her thoughts drifted to the carefree laughter they had shared at the beach, the way Danni had called her "Ke Ke," and how effortlessly they connected.
On her first night back home, as her parents discussed company matters over dinner, CK felt a tug of frustration. They talked about expectations, the future, and responsibilities—topics she had grown accustomed to but now felt increasingly suffocated by. All she could think about was Danni's smile, the warmth of her laughter, and how much she wanted to be with her.
