"Alright, I knew you cared about me so much. Knowing that you're thinking of me at home gives me a lot of motivation," Fu Yinxiu said happily.
Ming Yutong: "..."
"It's nothing, I'm hanging up now," Ming Yutong said with a twitching mouth.
"Wait, wait." Fu Yinxiu hurriedly said, afraid she would hang up, and quickly asked, "I miss you. Do you miss me?"
"..." Ming Yutong wouldn't tell him that when it was just her and Little Jingshi when they got home, and there was no sign of him in the living room, she did indeed miss him.
After putting Little Jingshi to sleep and tidying up Fu Yinxiu's pillow and blanket, she felt an emptiness in her heart when she held the blanket.
It was indeed a strange thing how quickly she had become accustomed to his presence after only two nights.
But she said, "You've called me four times today, what's there left to miss?"
One call when he boarded, one when the plane landed, one after lunch, and now another.
She hadn't even had the chance to miss him before his calls came.
Fu Yinxiu was silent.
Maybe he should cut down on the calls?
But he couldn't help it!
Forget it, if she didn't miss him, so be it.
He'd just tell himself she was being stubborn and not admitting her feelings.
Besides, not calling would only make him feel worse, as he'd miss her even more.
Fu Yinxiu comforted himself that making more calls was like not being away at all, so he didn't need to miss her.
Also, when he talked to her on the phone, wouldn't she unconsciously think of him?
With this self-regulation, Fu Yinxiu's mood improved.
However, Ming Yutong, on the other end of the line, worried about whether he was really hurt by her words.
At this moment, Ming Yutong hadn't realized that she no longer worried about him being angry.
In the past, she would have been more concerned about whether he was upset or angry.
But now, she didn't even consider the possibility of him being angry.
Unconsciously, her attitude had changed. She was no longer as cautious around him as before.
Honestly, seven years ago, their relationship wasn't equal, and it couldn't be considered a normal romantic relationship.
Even if they hadn't parted because of misunderstandings, major issues would have emerged eventually.
A one-sided effort and accommodation, constantly changing oneself for the other, making oneself unrecognizable, couldn't last long.
Sooner or later, either the one giving would become accustomed to the effort and no longer cherish it, leading to boredom and disdain, or the giver would become exhausted, feeling that their feelings weren't reciprocated equally, and would be resentful and aggrieved.
The cracks in the relationship would widen, with no one to mend them, and ultimately end in a breakup.
After the breakup, their relationship would be no better, and they would become strangers.
Even if they met again, their feelings for each other might be colder than those of strangers.
In reality, it wasn't just the fault of the one giving.
The one receiving didn't know how to give or love equally.
And the one giving, by always lowering themselves, would lose their dignity and characteristics, making themselves insignificant.
The distance between them would only grow.
But now it's different.
Seven years ago, they were forced to part ways. Before their separation, their relationship was just right, without weariness or resentment.
Even if they separated due to misunderstandings, there was more than just bitterness—there was also a lot of unwillingness and affection.
When they met again, they wanted to clear everything up.
They both remembered the beautiful moments they had together.
Ming Yutong had become independent, strong, and confident—the ideal partner in any man's eyes.
Fu Yinxiu had learned self-reflection and how to love.
Both had changed and improved, gradually moving closer to each other without realizing it.
Fu Yinxiu had learned how to love, how to give, how to lower his ego, and how to smooth out his personality in a relationship.
Ming Yutong no longer simply accommodated others.
She was confident and proud, no longer willing to change herself for anyone.
Both were unknowingly moving toward each other, presenting their best and most suitable selves.
This relationship was, in fact, much better than it had been seven years ago.
Ming Yutong thought Fu Yinxiu was silent because he was upset, and she unconsciously bit her lower lip.
After a moment, she said, "But you calling me so many times and updating me about your situation… this feeling…"
Her cheeks flushed, and her whole face felt like it was being heated by an invisible flame.
She paused and then said quietly, "It's not bad."
Even though Fu Yinxiu had adjusted his emotions and comforted himself with an "everything is fine" mentality, hearing Ming Yutong say this made him light up with surprise and joy.
"Really? You don't find me annoying?" Fu Yinxiu asked excitedly.
He had heard Ming Yutong mention that he had called her four times in one day and was worried she might think he was too annoying.
Ming Yutong's heart softened unconsciously.
For the current Fu Yinxiu, Ming Yutong really couldn't bring herself to feel any resentment.
It was as if every move she made, every thought, every bit of joy or anger affected his emotions.
He had completely centered his life around her.
His changes were so significant.
"You never used to be like this. Back then, whenever you left, there was no news from you. You didn't like me to inquire too much, so I didn't dare contact you. I was left alone at home, endlessly thinking, but no matter how much I thought, there were no answers—"
Fu Yinxiu's expression changed immediately.
"It won't be like that in the future, never again. Back then, I was immature. You were so good, but I didn't know how to cherish you. Now I realize how fortunate it is to have someone who cares about me and gives me reminders when I'm away."
"Tong Tong, forget about the things I did wrong before. I really want to hear your concern for me. You don't know how envious I felt when I saw you at your company's entrance, giving Ming Yutong the hangover medicine and meticulously reminding him of everything."
"This morning before I left, I asked you so many times, but you didn't give me a single reminder," Fu Yinxiu said, sounding aggrieved.
Ming Yutong: "…"
So, all this time, he was just waiting for this?
"But didn't you already say everything? I didn't have anything else to add," Ming Yutong said helplessly.
Fu Yinxiu: "…"
"Then I won't say anything next time. You can remind me," Fu Yinxiu said.
"…" Ming Yutong's lips twitched, and only after being urged by Fu Yinxiu did she reluctantly say, "Alright."