Seriously, sir? You can even pursue a professor?

The next day, as dawn broke and the city was not yet fully awake, there were only sporadic bird calls and the faint sound of traffic in the distance.

Tang Zheng was woken up by the alarm clock on time.

After changing into athletic shorts and a loose T-shirt, Tang Zheng left the bedroom. The living room was quiet, and the morning light shone through the gaps in the curtains, casting several light golden streaks on the floor.

My older sister and Aunt Ruan probably haven't gotten up yet.

Last year, Aunt Ruan's parents bought a small courtyard house in the suburbs of Hancheng and started living a leisurely rural life. So Aunt Ruan usually lives in the faculty apartment of Hancheng University. Since their home is very close to Hancheng University, Aunt Ruan is often invited to their home by her older sister, and it is common for her to stay overnight.

After a quick wash, Tang Zheng changed into a pair of sneakers and quietly left the house.

Rebirth begins with maintaining good health.

The morning air carried the lingering coolness of the night, and it felt exceptionally refreshing when inhaled. Tang Zheng found a relatively quiet path in the park near his home, warmed up briefly, and began to jog.

After running for about seven or eight minutes, Tang Zheng heard a series of regular and light footsteps behind him, and he subconsciously moved aside.

The footsteps slowed beside him, then maintained a pace that was almost parallel.

Tang Zheng turned his head, and a tall and energetic figure came into his view.

Aunt Ruan?

Tang Zheng was somewhat surprised, and his steps unconsciously slowed down. He remembered that Aunt Ruan had a habit of jogging in the morning, but he didn't expect to run into her so early.

"Getting up so early to go for a run, Aunt Ruan?"

"Hmm." Because of the exercise, her breathing was a little faster, and her chest rose and fell slightly, but her breathing was steady. "I've never seen you run before, why are you so active today?"

"If you wake up early, get up and exercise. Life is about movement, right?" Tang Zheng said casually. "Let's go for a run, Aunt Ruan."

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at him. "You run too slowly."

As she spoke, she quickened her pace, her neat ponytail swaying lightly behind her head with the rhythm of her running, leaving Tang Zheng with a graceful and charming silhouette.

Tang Zheng glanced at it, and without any hesitation, he chased after it.

"Didn't expect that, did you? I'm back!" Tang Zheng said smugly as he approached Ruan Hongzhuang.

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at him, ignored him, and continued running forward at her original pace.

"Aunt Ruan, do you go for a morning run every day?"

"Talk less while running."

"Oh." Tang Zheng nodded. "Then I'll sing it: Aunt Ruan, do you get up every day for a morning run?"

Ruan Hongzhuang pursed her lips, but couldn't help but smile.

Her smile was as beautiful as a flower.

Like ice melting and snow thawing, warmth spreads, bright and vibrant, with a beauty that catches you off guard.

Tang Zheng was stunned for a moment, and his heart seemed to skip a beat.

In his memory, he had almost never seen Aunt Ruan smile like that before; she was usually calm, composed, and somewhat aloof.

But looking at it now...

It seems like I got an epic limited edition item from this blind box.

The smile quickly vanished from Ruan Hongzhuang's face, as if the fleeting glimpse she had just witnessed was merely an illusion.

The two ran along the park path, through tree-lined trails, and around the artificial lake shrouded in a light morning mist. As dawn broke, the faint morning light pierced through the thin mist, casting a soft golden veil over the entire world.

Fine beads of sweat began to appear on Ruan Hongzhuang's forehead and the tip of her nose, glistening in the sunlight. They slid down her fair and delicate cheeks, some disappearing into her slightly damp collar, and some following the graceful lines of her neck.

A few playful strands of hair occasionally brushed against the graceful curve of her nape and her slightly sweaty, delicately shaped collarbone.

A gentle breeze carries a faint, sweet fragrance from beside me.

Tang Zheng subconsciously sniffed.

Just then, at the bend in the road ahead, an Alaskan Malamute on a leash suddenly darted out, followed by an old man's shout.

"Come back! Don't run away!"

The Alaskan Malamute was large, with its tongue lolling out and its tail wagging, it ran straight toward them.

Ruan Hongzhuang subconsciously stopped in her tracks, and then a figure appeared in front of her.

"Hey, Xiu Gou." Tang Zheng raised his hand and greeted the Alaskan Malamute.

This type of dog looks strong, but it is very docile and generally will not hurt people.

Of course, if the Alaskan Malamute really charges in, then all we can do is give it a size 43 kick.

The Alaskan Malamute stopped, tilting its big head to look at him, its big tail still wagging wildly, rustling the grass on the ground, looking rather silly.

Tang Zheng took two steps forward to the Alaskan Malamute, reached out and patted its round head, praising, "Good dog, great job."

"Oh! I'm so sorry, so sorry!" The old man, panting, caught up with the Alaskan Malamute, clutching the broken leash, and quickly grabbed its collar. "Sorry, young man, I didn't scare you, did I?"

"It's alright, it's quite well-behaved." Tang Zheng turned to look at Ruan Hongzhuang behind him and asked with concern, "Were you scared, Aunt Ruan?"

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at him, then shook her head. "It's nothing."

"I'm so sorry to have caused you trouble." The old man apologized repeatedly, pulling the Alaskan Malamute, which was still trying to come closer, back away. The dog kept looking back at them, wagging its tail.

Tang Zheng turned to look at Ruan Hongzhuang, "Still running? Aunt Ruan."

"Mm," Ruan Hongzhuang replied, and continued running forward.

Tang Zheng followed.

Half an hour later...

"Phew... Aunt Ruan, how long do you usually run?" Tang Zheng wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked Ruan Hongzhuang beside him.

Ruan Hongzhuang turned her head and glanced at him. "What's wrong? Can't run anymore?"

"How could that be? I've only just warmed up," Tang Zheng said, stretching his arms and pretending to be relaxed.

To be honest, he really couldn't run anymore. It was fine in his first and second years of high school, when he loved playing basketball and was even selected for the school team. You could say he was incredibly active. But in his senior year, because of the heavy academic workload, he hardly ever played basketball or even attended physical education classes. His PE teacher was either celebrating his son's one-month birthday or his friend's one-month birthday.

Ruan Hongzhuang didn't say anything more and continued running forward.

One minute later.

Ruan Hongzhuang stopped in her tracks.

"What's wrong, Aunt Ruan?" Tang Zheng stopped and asked, his breathing heavy.

"You're tired, you can run by yourself," Ruan Hongzhuang said, glancing at him.

"Of course I want to run a little longer, but considering that there are vicious dogs in this park, I think it's most important to protect Aunt Ruan's safety."

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at Tang Zheng, who was covered in sweat, and said nothing more. She turned and walked towards the open space not far away.