The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 521: Chapter 521: Proposal

Han Xiaorui smiled at her sister’s words and gave her a gentle hug.

”The approval for the special needs kindergarten came through. We’re still working on the paperwork. Since it involves both medical and educational aspects, it’s rather complex.”

”It’ll probably take two or three years to finish construction and renovations. By then, you’ll be close to finishing your master’s degree. I’ll hand the institute over to you. I’m sure that with your skills, you’ll be able to help so many more people.”

”Mm-hmm!” Han Xiaoqing smiled.

In July, Han Xiaoqing received her diploma.

Chen Wenxuan made a special trip from abroad to be there. He had already graduated with his master’s degree and was working for a large international machinery company.

His advisor had recommended him for the job, which was part of the advisor’s own project.

It allowed him not only to work and earn money, but also to continue pursuing his doctorate under his advisor.

Chen Wenxuan did this so he could be with Han Xiaoqing.

Of course, from a career planning perspective, it was a good move. Working there for a few years before returning with a Ph.D. was an even better path.

He would have not only the academic credentials but also professional experience.

Most importantly, he could be with Han Xiaoqing. He didn’t want to go back to a long-distance relationship.

In August, after completing all her paperwork, Han Xiaoqing was sent off by her sister and the children. She then embarked on her journey to study abroad with Chen Wenxuan.

As she sat on the plane, Han Xiaoqing’s heart felt a little heavy.

”Have some orange juice.” Seeing that Han Xiaoqing was in low spirits, Chen Wenxuan understood completely. He had felt the same way when he first went abroad.

Leaving family behind was incredibly difficult.

Han Xiaoqing sipped her juice, gazing out the window at the houses and streets below. As they grew smaller and smaller, her mood grew heavier and heavier.

Once the plane leveled off, Han Xiaoqing unbuckled her seatbelt.

”Xiao Jing, don’t worry. The food takes some getting used to, but everything else is great. I already got a place for us, right near both our universities.”

”It’s not far from my work, either. My family even bought me a car, and I got my license! It’ll be much more convenient for us to get around!”

Chen Wenxuan’s reassurances gradually eased Han Xiaoqing’s homesickness.

”I’ve finished my studies back home. Now I’ll be in Germany for three years to finish my degree!”

”When I graduate in three years, I’m definitely coming back! Even if you don’t, I will! It doesn’t matter if it’s great abroad or if your whole family is here. I’m sticking to my decision.”

Hearing this, Chen Wenxuan gently bumped his forehead against hers.

”If you weren’t coming here to study, I would’ve gone back home right after getting my master’s! This place is great and all, but it’s not my country!”

”Don’t worry. Whenever you want to go back, I’ll go with you without a second thought. As for my parents, they know I’m not interested in business, so they aren’t forcing me to take over the family company.”

”Besides, my younger siblings are growing up—they’re in college and high school now. If they’re willing to take over the family business, let them! I’m not interested, anyway!”

”Money is a nice thing to have, but compared to building up my country and continuing my scientific research, it’s insignificant. Don’t forget, I was practically an orphan. The state basically raised me, so of course I have to give back.”

Han Xiaoqing smiled. ”Okay!”

The flight was long, with a layover in between.

Though she was exhausted, with Chen Wenxuan helping with the luggage, the journey wasn’t too tiring.

After finally arriving in Chen Wenxuan’s city in Germany and dropping off their luggage, he took out a ring he had been saving and knelt to the floor.

”Xiao Jing, I love you! Will you marry me?”

Han Xiaoqing smiled. She had already considered this possibility when she decided to live in Chen Wenxuan’s apartment.

She held out her hand. ”I will!”

Overjoyed, Chen Wenxuan quickly slipped the ring onto Han Xiaoqing’s finger, then pulled her into a deep kiss.

After a moment, Han Xiaoqing looked at the ring on her finger. ”From now on, we’re living together. After a year, if we get along well and can accept each other’s good and bad sides, then we’ll have a wedding.”

Chen Wenxuan nodded. ”Okay! I’ll be on my best behavior!”

Han Xiaoqing shook her head. ”You don’t have to put on a performance. Just be yourself, the way you always are. I want you to be your most comfortable self when you’re with me, not changing your principles or lifestyle in a way that makes you uncomfortable.”

”Of course, I’ll do the same. I’ll be my most comfortable self in your life. I won’t deliberately hide my flaws or exaggerate my good qualities. You can only pretend for so long before the truth comes out.”

Chen Wenxuan laughed. ”Why does that little head of yours think so much! We’re in love, so we’re together. When two people live together, how can they not influence each other?”

”For example, I never used to eat spicy food, but after being with you, I can handle a little bit of it now. And you, you never used to care for sweet things, but now, doesn’t a dish feel like it’s missing something if there isn’t a touch of sweetness?”

”I know you have a lot of concerns, but our love is enough to handle anything life throws at us. Trust me. We’ll build our future and our life together.”

At 1.86 meters tall, Chen Wenxuan wasn’t considered short, even in Germany.

He was refined and handsome, with a gentle, scholarly air about him.

Coupled with the Chen family’s business presence and deep-rooted connections in Germany, Chen Wenxuan was quite popular.

During his first year of studies, he was pursued by many female students.

But whenever a female classmate expressed interest in getting to know him better, Chen Wenxuan would always pull out a photo and tell them he was already in a relationship.

He never once considered fooling around just because of the distance.

It wasn’t that he didn’t have physical urges, but he knew that the moment he was unfaithful, Han Xiaoqing would break up with him instantly.

’You don’t try to lie to a perceptive psychology prodigy.

Even if you manage to lie successfully once, you can’t get away with it forever.’

Han Xiaoqing smiled. ”Alright. Let’s love recklessly while we’re still young.”

From that day on, they began living together.

Since school hadn’t started yet, Chen Wenxuan didn’t have Han Xiaoqing start an internship at a special needs facility. Instead, he chose for them to travel.

They traveled across Europe by train.

For over a month, they toured many different European countries.

Han Xiaoqing took countless photos and bought postcards everywhere they went, mailing them back to her sister and the children from each new city.

The month-and-a-half-long trip allowed Han Xiaoqing to relax completely. Fluent in both German and English, she was more than ready to adapt to life in Europe.

Chen Wenxuan returned to Aachen University of Technology in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Chen Wenxuan was pursuing his doctorate there, working on a project with his advisor.

Han Xiaoqing, meanwhile, was at the University of Cologne, studying special education psychology.

Knowing German helped Han Xiaoqing quickly integrate into the university’s atmosphere.