The world of film and television starts from a young age.

Chapter 2228 Graduation, Separation, Study Abroad
Zhuang Xu's question surprised Zhou Chen slightly, but not too much.

Because their current identities can be described as rivals in love, he understands Zhuang Xu, but Zhuang Xu doesn't understand him. Judging from Zhuang Xu's appearance, he is obviously unwilling to give up Nie Xiguang, so it is normal for him to inquire about his situation. Knowing your enemy and yourself will give you a greater chance of winning.

When Nie Xiguang heard Zhuang Xu's question, he hesitated to speak. Zhuang Xu was definitely considered an outstanding person among the college students at their school.

However, excellence varies from situation to situation. Compared to Zhou Chen, Zhuang Xu's advantages disappear. Even among peers, Zhuang Xu cannot match Zhou Chen.

Zhuang Xu's family was not well-off, but at least he had a home, a mother and a younger brother. Zhou Chen, on the other hand, truly made his way in the world on his own. In terms of difficult circumstances, Zhou Chen's situation at the time was obviously much more difficult.

“I opened a small company in Shanghai, which is now managed by a partner. I don’t get involved much, which is why I’m so free and can do what I want.”

As he said this, he looked at Nie Xiguang with tenderness, the meaning of which was self-evident.

Nie Xiguang had experienced his burning gaze countless times, but tonight was different. Zhuang Xu was still in the car, so she really couldn't withstand Zhou Chen's gaze and dared not meet his eyes.

But her timid and hesitant reaction, which Zhuang Xu interpreted as shyness, caused him a sharp pain in his heart.

"After graduation, Zhuang will work for Huaya Bank, which is a very big bank in Shanghai. People like us who run companies will inevitably have to deal with bank people, and we may need Zhuang's help in the future."

Although Zhuang Xu has not yet ventured into society, he is perceptive and self-aware. Even if he were to get a job, he would only be a lowly employee. Given the situation Zhou Chen is in, he would not need the help of a lowly employee like him. This is just Zhou Chen being polite.

"Mr. Zhou, you're joking. I can't help you with that."

His tone even changed, and he stopped talking after saying that.

That's just his personality; he's rather reserved and introverted, and he likes to keep his thoughts to himself. Zhou Chen's appearance and Nie Xiguang's attitude towards Zhou Chen really hit him hard. He simply couldn't understand why such a big change had occurred in just a few months.

Zhuang Xu remained silent, and Nie Xiguang, mindful of Zhuang Xu's presence, refrained from engaging in open conversation with Zhou Chen. Zhou Chen, aware of Nie Xiguang's predicament, also refrained from saying anything.

As a result, the car was very quiet throughout the journey.

Fortunately, it wasn't far from the school, and we arrived at the gate of Jiangning University in just over ten minutes.

Upon arriving at their destination, Zhuang Xu quickly got out of the car, thanked Zhou Chen, and prepared to return to school, but noticed that Nie Xiguang had not yet gotten out of the car.

"Nie Xiguang, aren't you going back to your dorm?"

Nie Xiguang said, "I have something to say to Zhou Chen. You can go back first."

Zhuang Xu insisted, "It's okay, I'll wait for you. I'll take you back to your dorm later. After all, your roommates know you're with me, and I need to make sure you get back safely."

Nie Xiguang never expected Zhuang Xu to say such a thing, which made her even more convinced that Zhuang Xu simply wanted to complete the mission and actually had no feelings for her at all.

She then looked at Zhou Chen, who simply smiled slightly at her.

"It's getting late, let's go back to the dorm. You're about to graduate, and you don't have much time left to spend with your classmates. Make the most of this time. No matter what happens in the future, the friendships you've built over the years will become even more precious when you look back on them. Go back now."

Nie Xiguang looked at Zhou Chen, and a smile unconsciously appeared on his face.

Zhou Chen already knew about her relationship with Zhuang Xu, yet he still felt comfortable letting her travel with him, which showed his magnanimity. Moreover, he said those words, and this feeling of being trusted and cherished truly made her very happy.

"Okay, then I'll head back to my dorm first. Drive carefully on your way back."

"Okay, you can go back now."

Zhou Chen watched Nie Xiguang walk into the school, then drove away.

As for Nie Xiguang leaving with Zhuang Xu, he was not worried at all. He had never regarded Zhuang Xu as a threat.

There's a saying that holds true: late-blooming affection is worth less than grass. At this point, even if Zhuang Xu were to set aside his pride and actively pursue Nie Xiguang, Zhou Chen believed that Nie Xiguang would not be with him.

He hadn't wasted these past two or three months; he had been sincere with her. If he still couldn't win Nie Xiguang's heart, wouldn't he seem utterly useless?

Zhuang Xu escorted Nie Xiguang back to her dormitory. Along the way, he wanted to ask Nie Xiguang several times, but when they arrived at the girls' dormitory building, he didn't say anything.

On the contrary, Nie Xiguang was much more carefree, and finally waved goodbye to Zhuang Xu.

Once tonight is over, she knows she will have to say goodbye to the past. Zhuang Xu was her goal for the past year or so, but now it doesn't matter anymore. Forced relationships are never sweet. She, Nie Xiguang, is a person with self-respect and self-love. She can take things on and let them go.

The past will eventually pass; she needs to think about her future.

As this thought arose, she felt at ease, as if a heavy stone had been lifted from her shoulders, and she felt much lighter.

The day of graduation and parting finally arrived. Nie Xiguang said goodbye to her roommates with reluctance. Even with Ye Rong, with whom she did not get along well, they hugged each other, which was a rare occurrence.

Four years of university life brought her so much joy and memories. Standing at the school gate, looking at the place where she had spent four years, she was filled with reluctance.

Even if it's hard to let go, it's time to come to an end.

Most college graduates go to work immediately after graduation. Those who haven't found jobs yet start working hard to find good jobs, and a small number of college graduates choose to go back home to take the civil service exam.

Nie Xiguang was different from everyone else. Although she received job offers from several companies, she did not make a decision immediately because she had promised her cousin Jiang Rui that she would travel to Europe with him for two months, so she would not start working right away.

Jiang Rui had been waiting for a long time, so as soon as Nie Xiguang graduated, he immediately urged her to set off.

However, before setting off, Nie Xiguang still met with Zhou Chen and apologized to him for the matter.

Zhou Chen was, of course, already aware of this situation.

"It's alright. I've been very happy for the past month or so. You've been a very competent tour guide, so there's no need to feel sorry. If anyone should apologize, it should be me. I've been bothering you the whole time I've been in Nanjing."

"No, don't say that. You didn't bother me at all. On the contrary, you helped me a lot. If it weren't for your help, my graduation thesis and defense would not have been passed so easily. So I should thank you."

Nie Xiguang quickly refuted Zhou Chen's statement. She was the one who truly felt sorry. Zhou Chen had stayed in Jinling for so long for her sake and had helped her so much. Although Zhou Chen kept saying that it hadn't caused any delays, how could it not have caused any delays in such a long time? She felt that Zhou Chen was just comforting her and didn't want her to feel burdened.

"You have helped me far more than I have helped you."

Zhou Chen smiled and said, "Don't say that. In the pursuit, the one who takes the initiative always puts in more effort. I'm doing it willingly, and I've already gotten the response I wanted, so you don't need to say anything more."

Nie Xiguang blushed. She had never been pursued by anyone before, or rather, she had never been pursued like Zhou Chen. From childhood to adulthood, it wasn't that no one had ever had feelings for her, but only Zhou Chen could move her heart.

Sometimes when she was alone, she would think about what was so good about her and why Zhou Chen was so good to her. In the end, she could not find the answer. All she felt was gratitude and emotion towards Zhou Chen.

Seeing Nie Xiguang's reaction, Zhou Chen eased the atmosphere by saying, "To be honest, if I didn't have something to deal with in Shanghai recently, I would definitely follow you and travel to Europe with you and your brother. I think it would be a good opportunity for me to curry favor with you. Not only could I curry favor with you, but I could also win over my future brother-in-law. It would be killing two birds with one stone. What a pity, what a pity."

"Oh dear, what brother-in-law? What are you talking about?"

Nie Xiguang, whose face was already slightly flushed, blushed even more after Zhou Chen called her "brother-in-law." On the contrary, she didn't reject Zhou Chen's attempt to curry favor at all; in fact, she even felt a little bit of anticipation.

Although she was the kind of person who was lazy and easygoing, she was still a young woman in her early twenties. No girl her age didn't like being pampered, especially since Zhou Chen was the kind of person who could charm her with his attentiveness.

"Okay, I won't say anymore, I won't say anymore."

Zhou Chen's smile faded, and he said seriously, "Xi Guang, have a good time in Europe. If you can, send me some photos while you're traveling so I can ease my longing for you. I'll send you a travel guide when I get back. I know a lot of fun places in Europe. You used to be my guide, and this time I'll be your guide. I just can't go there in person to be your guide, so I can only send you some travel tips."

Upon hearing this, Nie Xiguang replied earnestly, "Thank you, Zhou Chen. Thank you for your continued tolerance. I don't know what I've done to deserve such kindness from you. I'm truly grateful. I'll seriously consider our relationship... I..."

"Stop talking."

Zhou Chen interrupted Nie Xiguang and said with a smile, "Hearing you say that is enough for me, Nie Xiguang. Don't put so much pressure on yourself. What I want is a two-way street, a mutual willingness, so please don't feel grateful to me, understand?"

"I……"

Nie Xiguang looked directly into Zhou Chen's eyes, and in the end, said nothing but nodded.

A day later, Nie Xiguang boarded a plane with Jiang Rui and flew to Europe, while Zhou Chen also left Jinling and returned to Shanghai.

On the plane, after overcoming the initial discomfort, Nie Xiguang looked at the travel guide in his hand, his eyes filled with amazement and gratitude.

She initially thought that the travel guide Zhou Chen gave her was just a simple introduction to the routes, but looking at the notes in her hand, she fell into deep thought.

Because Zhou Chen's travel guide was really detailed, it introduced many tourist attractions, and even the travel routes, where to exchange money, how to communicate with locals, and the customs of many places were all clearly marked.

This wasn't a guide; it was overflowing with emotional value. She had never been treated so sincerely by a boy before, so she was incredibly moved at this moment.

"Is this the travel guide that Brother Zhou made for us? It's so detailed! Compared to Brother Zhou's, the guide I made is like a pile of crap."

Jiang Rui leaned over and looked at the travel guide in Nie Xiguang's hand with a look of amazement.

Nie Xiguang scolded him impatiently, "Speak more politely."

"Okay, I won't swear, but sis, Zhou really cares about you. Plus, he's so handsome and rich, he's like the male lead in an idol drama. You're not quite as good as the female lead in an idol drama, but Zhou likes you, so I think you and Zhou are a perfect match."

Although Jiang Rui had only met Zhou Chen once, he had a very good impression of him. Of course, appearance was only the foundation; the most important thing was that he saw Zhou Chen's care and love for his sister.

"How old are you? What do you know? And how am I worse than the female lead in an idol drama? Isn't your sister pretty?" Nie Xiguang questioned with a stern face.

Jiang Rui chuckled and said, "Of course not. You're just as good as the female lead in an idol drama. But in most idol dramas, if the male lead is a handsome and rich guy like Brother Zhou, then the female lead is definitely Cinderella. But you're different. You're not Cinderella. You're a rich, beautiful, and fair-skinned girl."

Nie Xiguang rolled her eyes at him: "You know how to talk. I think Zhou Chen's travel guide is excellent. After we go to Europe, let's start our study tour according to his route."

Jiang Rui pursed his lips. Actually, he had his own plans, but Nie Xiguang was his sister. If it weren't for Nie Xiguang accompanying him, he wouldn't have been able to come out on this trip.

"No problem, since you're my sister. But, sis, will Brother Zhou become my brother-in-law in the future?"

"Shut up."

Nie Xiguang gave a soft shout, looking helpless. This kind of thing happens when you're about the same age as your younger brother. Jiang Rui isn't afraid of him at all.

"hey-hey."

Although Nie Xiguang did not answer, Jiang Rui already knew what was going on. He once again compared Zhou Chen and Zhuang Xu in his mind.

He had contact with Zhuang Xu far more often than Zhou Chen. He used to support Zhuang Xu because Zhuang Xu was indeed outstanding, but the most important thing was that Nie Xiguang liked him.

But things are different now. Nie Xiguang always gets frustrated with Zhuang Xu, but she is always pampered by Zhou Chen, who is even more outstanding than Zhuang Xu.

He didn't know anything else, he only knew one thing: whoever was good to his sister, he would support that person to become his brother-in-law.

Nie Xiguang was terrified of flying, but this time, for Jiang Rui's sake, she endured it. After a long journey, she finally breathed a sigh of relief once she reached her destination and her feet touched the ground.

Their uncle's family provided them with sufficient funds for this study tour, and Jiang Yun also gave Nie Xiguang a lot of money, so they had enough funds to book a hotel and find a reliable local guide before they arrived. As soon as they landed, someone picked them up and took them to the hotel.