Chapter One: A Love That Soared Like a Rocket
This summer, Natsuki experienced the most unforgettable event of his life.
Having just received the news of his university admission, he happily set off alone for a holiday on the coast of Cloud City. By a stroke of luck, he met Su Rouxue.
Through their conversations, Natsuki discovered that Su Rouxue was not only an alumna of his soon-to-be university, but also... a part-time female professor there. She mainly interacted with students from the School of Arts, sharing her knowledge of painting.
Su Rouxue was a woman who seemed preserved in time; though already thirty, she still possessed the pure charm of a young girl. Her stunning figure—envied by countless women—always drew the gazes of introverted men wherever she went. But her personality was the real key; being around her always made Natsuki feel at ease. It didn’t take long for him to fall for her.
His very first infatuation!
“Um… Sister Rouxue, I think I might have fallen for you.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Huh? Is it really that obvious?”
“Do you truly like me?”
“I do, and I don’t want to miss my chance. Since you already know, would you accept my confession? Be with me!”
“All right!”
…
Even now, whenever he recalled the words spoken on the beach after too many beers, he couldn’t help but feel his first romance had happened far too quickly.
But Su Rouxue was truly different from ordinary girls. Despite her age, the feeling she gave Natsuki was unique. If life could restart and they met again, he would still boldly confess without hesitation!
Their first meeting, his first heart-stirring moment, the confession after only two days, becoming a couple on the third, and intimate contact by the fourth… This was what people called rocket-speed love.
About two weeks after returning home from the trip, Su Rouxue called unexpectedly.
“Hello, sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
“Natsuki, there’s something very serious I need to tell you.”
“Huh?”
Hearing the solemn tone over the phone, Natsuki sensed he might be receiving bad news. His mind raced wildly, imagining she wanted to break up because she didn’t want to date someone younger.
But instead—
“I’m pregnant!”
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“?!?!”
The word “pregnant” struck Natsuki dumb, leaving him anxious and confused. He never anticipated his very first time would result in this!
A moment of recklessness, and Su Rouxue was to become a mother.
For Natsuki, only a few months past adulthood, it felt like a bolt from the blue.
“So, how do you plan to deal with this?”
Her voice was calm yet serious, the distance between provinces unable to lessen the weight of her question. Natsuki felt unprecedented pressure.
He had taken precautions that night. It couldn’t possibly be just because he hadn’t protected himself at the start…
“Natsuki, why are you silent? Are you scared?”
“It’s sudden, but… I’ll take responsibility!”
“You’re reporting to school next week.”
“Yeah, please give me some time to think.”
“I’ve already prepared for some extreme outcomes.”
“No! Rouxue, just give me a little time to consider, please?”
“All right.”
That night, Natsuki lay quietly in bed, frowning up at the ceiling, pondering his life.
During his time dating Su Rouxue, she’d placed her trust in him, speaking openly about almost everything. She wasn’t new to relationships, though she hadn’t actively sought a partner in recent years. Pressured by her family, she’d gone through a loveless matchmaking arrangement, but when it came time to get married, she realized what she truly wanted and refused the man.
The rare and precious part was, that night with Natsuki, it really was her first time.
It was unexpected, but for Natsuki… At least as her current boyfriend, he felt he hadn’t lost out; from certain perspectives, it was even a big win. After all, it was rare to find a thirty-year-old loyal and talented woman who was also beautiful.
Perhaps most young men his age would prefer youthful girls or older sisters next door, but for Natsuki, feeling was most important.
A beauty refined by time like Su Rouxue was truly special.
Now, however, there was an accident.
But it was understandable. At his age, his genes were highly active; though he took precautions, his lack of experience meant he shouldn’t have assumed he was in control before taking proper action.
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In the end, he still left his mark…
“If only I were four or five years older,” Natsuki sighed deeply. He wasn’t yet old enough to legally marry; if he wanted to take responsibility, he could only be a father without the status of a husband.
And there were many problems ahead.
How should he confess to his parents? How to care for Su Rouxue during her pregnancy? How to meet her parents in the future? How to handle things once the child was born? Where would he earn the money needed for all this?
So young, just starting university, and already facing so much?
Thinking of these issues, Natsuki felt his scalp tingle, but he truly didn’t want to shirk responsibility.
“I want this child!”
He clenched his fists; if Su Rouxue went through with an abortion, the psychological burden would only grow, and he’d have no face left in front of her.
Though their love was still new, the passion hadn’t faded with time—in fact, it had grown stronger.
He was a Taurus!
And Su Rouxue was a Virgo; according to online searches, the two signs were a perfect match!
Do people really believe in astrology? Natsuki did, only because Su Rouxue happened to align with him in this way.
So, everything seemed perfectly suited for them, and Natsuki’s resolve not to miss his chance told him he must face the consequences of his actions.
With his mind racing, he gripped his phone and finally resolved to call Su Rouxue.
Soon, the call connected.
“Hello.”
Her voice was still gentle as ever.
“Rouxue, I’ve made up my mind. I want the child!”
“Huh?”
“Really, trust me on this. Though I’m young, I’ll do everything I can to be a qualified husband and father,” Natsuki said firmly.
“How do you plan to handle it?”
“I’ll try my best to earn money, tell my parents about it, and if necessary, meet your parents as soon as possible—maybe during the National Day holiday. Do you think that’s okay?”
A laugh burst out on the other end of the line.
Huh?
Natsuki was instantly stunned…