Great Power Reclamation

London at the end of April finally showed signs of spring.

As Yang Chenglong walked through the campus, everything seemed new and exciting. The trees were green, the flowers were in bloom, and even the drab buildings looked pleasing to the eye.

He walked along, grinning foolishly. Passing classmates looked at him strangely, but he didn't care.

It's normal to smile like an idiot when you're in love.

Lin Wanwan spent a week in London, and this week was the fastest week Yang Chenglong had ever experienced in his life.

I pick her up every morning and take her back to the hotel in the evening. In between, we go to the park, visit exhibitions, and eat and drink.

He took her to every place he knew—the British Museum, the London Eye, the Thames River, Hyde Park, and that little restaurant that changed her life.

When the proprietress saw the two of them come together, she couldn't stop smiling and insisted on giving them a piece of cake, saying it was "a testament to their love."

Yang Chenglong cut the cake in half, giving the larger half to Lin Wanwan. Lin Wanwan looked at the cake and suddenly said:

"Yang Chenglong, do you know, I used to think that dating was just two people eating together, watching movies, and saying sweet things to each other."

Yang Chenglong scratched his head: "Isn't that right?"

“Yes, but not entirely.” Lin Wanwan looked at him. “You’re different. You’ve given me more than just this.”

Yang Chenglong didn't understand, but he thought it was a compliment, so he smiled.

He still has that silly smile.

A week passed quickly.

Lin Wanwan is going back to China. She still has studies in Hangzhou and family matters to attend to, so she can't stay in London indefinitely.

On the way to the airport, Yang Chenglong remained silent. Lin Wanwan looked at him and asked, "What's wrong?"

Yang Chenglong scratched his head: "It's nothing, it's just... I'm a little reluctant to part with it."

Lin Wanwan smiled and reached out to touch his curly hair.

"It's not like I'm not coming back."

"When will you be back?"

Lin Wanwan thought for a moment and said, "Let's do it during summer vacation. I'll come find you after I graduate."

Yang Chenglong's eyes lit up: "Really?"

"Really," Lin Wanwan said earnestly. "I said I'd wait for me, and I'd come back. I keep my word."

Yang Chenglong smiled, his eyes crinkling into crescents.

When they said goodbye at the airport, Lin Wanwan kissed him and then turned and left.

Yang Chenglong stood there, touching the spot where he had been kissed, and grinned foolishly for a long time.

On his way back, he called Ye Guigen: "Brother, she's gone."

Ye Guigen asked, "Are you sad?"

Yang Chenglong thought for a moment: "A little, but not too sad. Because she said she'd come back during summer vacation."

Ye Guigen laughed on the other end of the phone: "Okay, then you just wait."

Yang Chenglong nodded, then remembered something: "Brother, what do you think? Should I take her back to see Grandpa during the summer vacation?"

Ye Guigen was silent for two seconds: "Are you serious?"

“I’m serious,” Yang Chenglong said. “I want Grandpa to see her. He’ll definitely like her.”

Ye Guigen thought for a moment: "Then you should tell your parents first, right?"

Yang Chenglong scratched his head: "My parents? They can't control me. My grandfather said that I can make my own decisions."

Ye Guigen smiled and said, "Okay, then take it back. My grandpa and the others will definitely be happy."

After hanging up the phone, Yang Chenglong stood outside the airport, looking at the gray sky over London.

But in my heart, everything is bright and clear.

In May in London, Yang Chenglong's life returned to normal.

Attending classes, doing homework, managing the online store, and learning French. I video chat with Lin Wanwan twice a week, each time for one or two hours.

He told her everything that had happened that week—how much money the online store had made, how many more French words he had learned, and how much worse the food in the cafeteria had become.

Lin Wanwan listened attentively each time, occasionally interjecting with a few questions or comments.

On one occasion, Lin Wanwan asked, "Do you plan to keep running your online store indefinitely?"

Yang Chenglong thought for a moment: "Yes. But I want to do it bigger."

How big?

Yang Chenglong scratched his head: "I haven't thought about it yet. But I think we can sell more things in the future. Not just scarves, but also dairy products and handicrafts. There are many good things in Junken City that people outside don't know about."

Lin Wanwan's eyes lit up: "That's a great idea. I have a friend who does e-commerce operations, do you want me to ask him for you?"

Yang Chenglong was so happy he almost jumped up: "Yes! Yes! I really want it!"

Lin Wanwan smiled: "Okay, I'll ask for you."

After that, Yang Chenglong's online store gradually got on track.

Lin Wanwan's friend helped him optimize the page, adjust the pricing strategy, and even taught him how to place ads.

After a month, sales doubled. Yang Chenglong calculated that, at this rate, he could save up enough money to take Lin Wanwan back to China for a good trip during the summer vacation.

He told Lin Wanwan about the plan, and Lin Wanwan laughed happily on the other end of the video call.

"Yang Chenglong, do you know, you are the most honest person I have ever met."

Yang Chenglong scratched his head: "Is it really that bad?"

"Okay," Lin Wanwan said earnestly, "It's really good."

In early June, Yang Chenglong received a message.

Lin Wanwan said she has graduated and is currently applying for a visa to come to London for the summer.

Yang Chenglong was so excited that he paced around his dormitory three times before calling Ye Guigen.

"Brother! She's coming!"

Ye Guigen laughed on the other end of the line: "I know, you've said it eight times."

Yang Chenglong scratched his head: "Have I said it this many times?"

“Yes,” Ye Guigen said. “You’ve been saying it every day since last week.”

Yang Chenglong smiled sheepishly, but couldn't help saying it again: "Brother, she's really coming."

Ye Guigen sighed, but there was a hint of laughter in his voice.

"Okay, whatever makes you happy."

On the day Lin Wanwan arrived, Yang Chenglong arrived at the airport two hours early.

He stood at the arrival exit, holding a sign that read "Welcome Lin Wanwan," with a heart drawn next to it. He made the sign himself; it was crooked and uneven, but he thought it was perfect.

After waiting for two hours, Lin Wanwan finally came out.

She was wearing a light-colored dress, her hair was down, and she was pushing a suitcase. She smiled when she saw him.

Yang Chenglong ran over, almost tripped and fell, then stood in front of her, scratching his head and laughing.

"You're here?"

"coming."

"Tired?"

"A little."

"are you hungry?"

"Hungry."

Yang Chenglong took her suitcase: "Come on, let's go eat."

Lin Wanwan looked at him and smiled even more happily.

This time, Lin Wanwan stayed for a long time, a full month.

Yang Chenglong took her to many places—not tourist attractions, but places he frequented: the library, the cafeteria, the sports field, and the small garden downstairs in his dormitory. He wanted her to see his life there.

Lin Wanwan didn't mind and followed him everywhere. Sometimes she helped him pack goods for his online store, sometimes she accompanied him to the library to read, and sometimes she did nothing but sit in the small garden and daydream.

One day, Yang Chenglong took her to Ye Guigen's place.

Ye Guigen was writing a thesis when he saw Lin Wanwan arrive. He paused for a moment, then stood up.

"Hello, I am Ye Guigen."

Lin Wanwan smiled and said, "I've heard so much about you. Yang Chenglong mentions you every day."

Ye Guigen glanced at Yang Chenglong: "What did he say about me?"

"He says you're his brother, that you've got his back in London, and that you're the person he respects the most."

Ye Guigen laughed: "He still has people he respects?"

Yang Chenglong got anxious: "Brother, what do you mean by that? I've always respected you, okay?"

Ye Guigen ignored him and said to Lin Wanwan, "He's actually a pretty good guy, just a little silly sometimes."

Lin Wanwan nodded: "I know. That's what I like about him."

Yang Chenglong, listening nearby, blushed and scratched his head, grinning foolishly.

That evening, the three of them ate together.

Ye Guigen treated them to a meal at a nice restaurant. Yang Chenglong took care of Lin Wanwan the whole time, serving her food and water, as attentive as a devoted wife. Ye Guigen looked at him and couldn't help but smile.

“Lin Wanwan,” he said, “you know, this kid once jumped from the second floor and twisted his ankle.”

Lin Wanwan was stunned for a moment, then looked at Yang Chenglong.

Yang Chenglong blushed: "Brother, why did you bring this up?"

"Let your girlfriend know about your glorious history," Ye Guigen said with a smile.

Lin Wanwan looked at Yang Chenglong with her eyes crinkling.

"Jump from the second floor? Why?"

Yang Chenglong scratched his head: "I made a bet with someone."

"Did you win or lose?"

"We won. But I twisted my ankle."

Lin Wanwan smiled, a very happy smile.

"You really are..." She didn't finish her sentence, but just shook her head.

But his eyes were full of affection.

In early July, Lin Wanwan was going back to China.

This time, Yang Chenglong wasn't upset because Lin Wanwan said she was going back to take care of some things and then would come to London to study.

"Really?" Yang Chenglong couldn't believe it.

“Really,” Lin Wanwan said. “I applied for a master’s program at the University of London and got accepted. I’ll be coming in the fall.”

Yang Chenglong was stunned for several seconds, then hugged her tightly.

Lin Wanwan almost couldn't breathe because of the tight hug.

"Yang Chenglong, let go, I'm suffocating!"

Yang Chenglong quickly let go, scratching his head and laughing. Lin Wanwan looked at him and smiled too.

"Now you don't need to wait for me, I'll wait for you."

Yang Chenglong shook his head: "No need to wait, do whatever you want, I'll follow you."

Lin Wanwan felt a warmth in her heart and reached out to touch his curly hair.

"Yang Chenglong, do you know, you are the best person I have ever met."

Yang Chenglong scratched his head: "Really? My grandfather said I'm an idiot."

“Being silly is good,” Lin Wanwan said earnestly. “Being silly is good.”

In mid-July, Yang Chenglong returned to China.

It's not going back to Junken City, it's going to Hangzhou.

Lin Wanwan is waiting for him in Hangzhou.

The two spent a week in Hangzhou, strolling around West Lake, eating snacks, and enjoying the night view. Yang Chenglong met Lin Wanwan's parents for the first time, and he was so nervous that his palms were sweating and he even stuttered when he spoke.

But Lin Wanwan's parents had a very good impression of him, saying that he was honest, reliable, and better than those who used sweet talk.

Lin Wanwan's mother specially cooked a lot of delicious food for him, saying, "This child is too thin and needs to eat more."

Yang Chenglong scratched his head, wondering where he had lost weight. The Yang family had always been strong and robust, but he couldn't refuse his aunt's kindness, so he ate three bowls of rice.

Lin Wanwan laughed beside her, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

On the day he left, Lin Wanwan took him to the airport.

“Yang Chenglong,” she said, “you go back to London first, I’ll come in the fall.”

Yang Chenglong nodded: "Okay."

"When I'm not around, eat well, sleep well, and manage the online store well."

"it is good."

"I will continue to learn French."

"it is good."

“Also,” Lin Wanwan looked at him, “don’t miss me too much.”

Yang Chenglong scratched his head: "This, I still can't do."

Lin Wanwan smiled and kissed him.

"Then think about it. I miss you too."

In August, Yang Chenglong was alone in London.

As his online store business grew, he began to consider renting a small warehouse, otherwise his dormitory room would be too full to hold all the goods.

He's also learning French and can already understand simple articles. He's also enrolled in an e-commerce operations course, attending twice a week, learning how to select products, how to price them, and how to promote them.

When Ye Guigen came to visit him, he found that he had lost weight again.

"Are you trying to be a workaholic?"

Yang Chenglong scratched his head: "There's no way around it, I have to support my wife."

Ye Guigen laughed: "Who's your wife?"

Yang Chenglong said matter-of-factly, "Lin Wanwan? It's only a matter of time."

Ye Guigen looked at him with satisfaction in his eyes.

"Okay, then do a good job."

Lin Wanwan arrived in early September.

This time it was a real trip, not just a short stay. She rented accommodation at the University of London, enrolled, and officially became a student in London.

Yang Chenglong went to the airport to pick her up. When he saw her come out, he ran over and hugged her tightly.

This time I didn't use much force, but I hugged her for a long time.

"You're here?"

"coming."

"Tired?"

"Not tired."

"are you hungry?"

"Hungry."

Yang Chenglong let go of her, scratched his head, and laughed.

"Come on, let me take you to eat."

Lin Wanwan looked at him and smiled.

"Yang Chenglong, from now on we can see each other every day."

Yang Chenglong nodded, his eyes crinkling with laughter.

"Yeah, see you every day."

The weather in London in September was just right.

It was neither too hot nor too cold, the sun was gentle, and there was an occasional light drizzle, but it cleared up quickly again.

Yang Chenglong and Lin Wanwan rented a small apartment near the school. It was a one-bedroom apartment, not big, but enough for them.

Yang Chenglong moved his things over, and Lin Wanwan moved hers over too. Their things were piled together, messy and chaotic, but it made them happy.

Lin Wanwan was in charge of packing, while Yang Chenglong was in charge of moving things. After moving the last box, Yang Chenglong sat on the sofa, panting.

Lin Wanwan walked over and handed him a glass of water.

"Tired?"

Yang Chenglong took the water, took a sip, and said, "I'm not tired."

Lin Wanwan smiled and sat down next to him.

"Yang Chenglong, do you know, I've thought about it many times before: what kind of place I'll live in and what kind of people I'll be with in the future."

Yang Chenglong looked at her.

“I’ve thought about many possibilities, but I never imagined that I would be in a small London apartment with a curly-haired idiot.”

Yang Chenglong scratched his head: "Isn't curly-haired idiot good enough?"

Lin Wanwan looked at him earnestly: "Good. Very good."

She leaned on his shoulder, looking out the window at the London sky.

"Yang Chenglong, thank you."

Yang Chenglong scratched his head: "What are you thanking me for?"

“Thank you for finding me,” she said. “Thank you for not giving up.”

Yang Chenglong felt a warmth in his heart and reached out to embrace her.

"You're welcome," he said. "It's my pleasure."

Outside the window, the clouds of London drifted slowly by.

In the distance, music was being played from someone's house, faintly audible.

The two people sat close together in the room, neither of them speaking.

But that silence was even better than talking.

That evening, Yang Chenglong called Yang Geyong.

"Grandpa, she's here."

Yang Geyong laughed on the other end of the phone: "You're here? Staying at your place?"

"Yes, we rented a small house."

"Okay, okay." Yang Geyong smiled happily. "When will you bring it back for me to see?"

Yang Chenglong scratched his head: "Let's wait until she's on vacation. She can go back during winter break."

“Okay, I’ll wait for you,” Yang Geyong said. “I’ll have someone tidy up the horse farm and take her horseback riding.”

Yang Chenglong quickly said, "Grandpa, she can't ride."

“If you can’t ride, you can learn,” Yang Geyong said. “All the wives in our Yang family must know how to ride horses.”

Yang Chenglong was both amused and exasperated: "Grandpa, she's not a daughter-in-law of the Yang family yet."

"It's only a matter of time," Yang Geyong laughed. "You're a good kid, I think you can do it."

After hanging up the phone, Yang Chenglong stared at his phone and grinned foolishly.

Lin Wanwan poked her head out from the kitchen: "What are you laughing at?"

Yang Chenglong scratched his head: "My grandpa said that when you go back, he'll take you horseback riding."

Lin Wanwan was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

"Okay, then I need to learn it."

Yang Chenglong looked at her, feeling incredibly warm inside.

He walked over and hugged her from behind.

"Lin Wanwan".

"Ok?"

"Thank you."

Lin Wanwan smiled, turned around, and looked at him.

"What are you thanking me for?"

Yang Chenglong thought for a moment and said, "Thank you for letting me find you."

Lin Wanwan looked at him, her eyes a little red.

“Fool,” she whispered.

Then I kissed him.

The London night outside the window is gentle.

Inside the room, two people, just beginning.

Just like this city, there are always new stories happening in every corner.

Their story has only just begun.

Yang Chenglong held Lin Wanwan in his arms, thinking: This life has been worth it.

Although he didn't know what the future held, what difficulties they would encounter, or how long they could stay together.

But he knew that this moment was real.

She would lean on his shoulder, and he would hold her.

It's that simple, that good.

It's very late in London.

But in their hearts, everything was clear. (End of Chapter)