I couldn't resist replying in the verification message box.

[What’s with the question mark? Who are you?]

The person replied instantly.

[Didn't the school notify you?]

[We’re heading to the neighboring city for the lecture tomorrow. You're riding with me.]

It suddenly clicked—the school had indeed organized a study trip for young teachers to visit a neighboring city recently. Because I was preoccupied with Julian and the flowers while filling out the form, I had submitted it late and was automatically assigned to the last group. As for who else was in that group, I hadn't paid any attention at all.

I quickly accepted the friend request and introduced myself.

[Hello, Mr. Zhou. I’m Clara. I currently teach Chinese for the sophomore honors class.]

The reply was exceptionally concise:

[Nathan Zhou.]

Just as I was about to take a screenshot to vent to my best friend, Nathan sent another message.

[We meet at the school gate tomorrow. It’s just you and me in this group. I drive a Mercedes G-Wagon, license plate ending in 8888.]

Looking at the message, I couldn't help but think of the G-Wagon that helped me earlier that evening. I felt a flicker of curiosity about tomorrow—surely it couldn't be that much of a coincidence...

The next morning.

I showed up at the school gate right on time, but some teachers had arrived even earlier. They gathered around me, gossiping and exchanging pleasantries.

"Ms. Clara, you’ve really caught a lucky break this time. I heard Mr. Zhou transferred here from a top-tier high school, and he’s incredibly handsome."

"That's right. He just joined our school and already helped organize this event with the administration. Truly young and promising."

"Since you're no longer considering that surgeon ex-husband of yours, you should keep an eye on Mr. Zhou. He’s definitely high-quality material!"

"..."

Listening to them, I slowly pieced together more information about Nathan Zhou. Roughly my age, good-looking, single, and comes from a background of status... For some reason, the image of the man who helped fix my car yesterday flashed through my mind again.

Soon, the other teachers began boarding their respective vehicles. Within moments, I was the only one left at the school gate, standing alone with my suitcase. I glanced at my watch; the scheduled departure time was almost here. If this Mr. Zhou was late, I wouldn't have a great first impression—I’ve never been fond of people who aren't punctual.

Just as the thought crossed my mind, a G-Wagon pulled up steadily in front of me. It was indeed the same car from yesterday!

Before I could even react, Nathan stepped out of the vehicle. The moment our eyes met, I caught a faint, teasing smile in his gaze.

"Ms. Clara, right? It looks like you'll be treating me to that dinner after all."

I nodded, then shook my head.

Nathan teased, "What? Unwilling?"

I watched as he effortlessly lifted my suitcase and stowed it in the trunk. Then, with perfect gentlemanly manners, he opened the passenger door for me. Seeing that I still hadn't moved, he joked:

"Ms. Clara, you aren't planning to sit in the back, are you? It’s only a 100-kilometer drive to the next city, but I’ll still need you to keep an eye on the GPS and chat with me to make sure I don't fall asleep at the wheel."

I finally snapped out of it and blurted out the question in my mind.

"Mr. Zhou, did you already know I was that 'unlucky person' whose car broke down when you added me yesterday?"

Nathan didn't deny it. "Of course. You even posted a Moment on WeChat thanking the 'nameless good Samaritan.' How could I not know? I even gave it a like."

I hurriedly checked my phone and sure enough, there was a recent notification:

[Mr. Nathan Zhou liked your post.]

Nathan spoke again, his tone layered with meaning.

"Ms. Clara, it seems we really do have a lot of 'fate' between us."

I remained noncommittal toward Nathan’s remark. Fate between people is the most elusive thing in the world.

Ignoring the messages from Julian, I climbed straight into the passenger seat of Nathan’s G-Wagon. Only after the car had traveled a considerable distance did I begin replying to my WeChat messages.

First, I sent a quick note to my colleagues to let them know I had safely met up with Mr. Nathan Zhou. Then, I replied to my best friend, even sneaking a

 candid photo of Nathan’s profile

to show her, which naturally triggered a flurry of fangirl screams in the chat.

Finally, I opened the chat box with Julian.

Julian:

"Clara, Seraphina and I are completely over. Mom and Dad are still living in the same place."

Julian:

"They said if you’re free, you can come over for dinner. Don’t worry, I won't go home on the same day as you. I won't make you uncomfortable."

To be honest, I was a bit curious about what "completely over" meant in Julian's terms. Did it mean deleting all contact information? Making harsh vows never to speak again? Or did it just look finished on the surface while lingering threads remained—waiting for Julian to soften his heart the moment Seraphina ran into trouble again?

Curiosity aside, I didn't ask. I simply gave a brief reply.

Me:

"Okay."

This time, Julian’s status showed "typing..." for a long while. Yet, by the time Nathan and I reached our hotel in the neighboring city, he hadn't sent another word.

The hotel was a five-star establishment, and the school had booked almost an entire floor with the best views. Some teachers shared rooms, while others stayed solo. I was lucky enough to get a single room, right across the hall from Nathan. We agreed that I would treat him to dinner later, and he could pick any restaurant nearby.

After retreating to my room, I began organizing the clothes and toiletries I had brought. This study trip was scheduled for two weeks, so I had packed quite a bit. Just as I finished unpacking, my former mother-in-law called.

She was always one to speak her mind without hesitation.

"Clara, Julian told you, didn't he? If you have time, come home. Your uncle and I will cook your favorite dishes. Otherwise, if you want a taste of home, you'd have to fly all the way back to your parents."

Hearing this, I felt a twinge of emotion. My parents had moved to a small coastal city after retiring and lived a very leisurely life. As long as I was alive and safe, they almost never reached out to me. In my mother’s words:

"Your father and I have raised you long enough; it’s time for us to enjoy our own world of two."

At that moment, my former mother-in-law spoke again.

"Normally, your uncle and I shouldn't interfere with what happened between you and Julian, but Clara... can the two of you really not try again? Julian was also deceived by Seraphina."

"We only just found out that her situation with her ex-husband wasn't what it seemed. While domestic violence is never right, he was also driven to desperation. Seraphina started a medical project abroad that failed to return any funds, and her ex-husband was the one stuck paying back all the debt."

I held my phone, my feelings complicated. But I was clear-headed enough to know that even if there were disputes between Seraphina and her ex, the pity Julian felt for her back then was real. Julian had chosen Seraphina over me many times.

That was something I could never forgive.

"Auntie," I replied honestly, "there really is no turning back for Julian and me. I can’t get past the hurdle in my heart. Maybe in five or ten years, I’ll be over it, but by then, we’ll both certainly have moved on with new people."

She immediately denied this for Julian.

"No, I know Julian. He’s stubborn to a fault. Now that he knows his heart belongs to you, if you don't forgive him, he’ll never let you go for the rest of his life."

"Clara, I’m not trying to pressure you. It’s just that you loved him so much once. Can you give him one chance to love you back?"

I was just about to answer when a sudden, urgent knocking sounded at my door.