Chapter 079: Candlelit Dinner

After the lively discussion gradually subsided, the elderly professor finally spoke. “World history is primarily divided into ancient history, medieval history, early modern history, modern history, and contemporary history. To put it simply... the study of history is to remember the past, to remember where we have come from.”

The professor launched into a lengthy discourse, and the eight students seated before him listened in silence, giving him their full attention.

His lecture today was broad and simple in scope. All the students understood the underlying purpose: to remind them never to forget the original intention of studying history.

The class ended swiftly.

As the students filed out, the professor asked Huang Yu to stay behind.

He asked, “Huang, do you have any plans for after graduation?”

Huang Yu was one of the graduate students he was most satisfied with. Now, seeing him on the verge of graduating, he naturally wanted to know his future plans. If Huang had none, he intended to bring him into the history department as a teaching assistant.

With respectful composure, Huang Yu replied, “Professor Zhao, I submitted my resume a week ago to the African History Institute at the Provincial Academy of Social Sciences in YN. Next Sunday, someone from the institute will arrange an interview for me.”

He knew his advisor valued him and hoped he would remain at ZJ University to pursue academic research. But Huang Yu didn’t want to confine himself to academia; he longed to travel the world, to experience history firsthand.

“Is it Director Qian’s institute?” Professor Zhao asked, a trace of disappointment in his voice.

“The director’s surname is indeed Qian,” Huang Yu nodded.

“In that case, I won’t say more. Come to my office tomorrow, I’ll write you a letter of recommendation. Director Qian and I are on very good terms, and I know you have a deep understanding of African history. With this letter, your entry into the institute will be much smoother.” Professor Zhao looked at his student and sighed.

“Thank you, Professor,” Huang Yu said, deeply moved.

He understood that his teacher had a high reputation both at home and abroad in the field of history. With his recommendation, gaining entry into the Provincial Academy’s African History Institute was almost guaranteed.

Despite his strong academic background and his studies at a prestigious university, he lacked renown, and entering a provincial research institute was no easy feat.

“No need to thank me. It’s because of your own excellence. But stepping into society is far more complex than life in school. It’s not just about professional competence. I don’t want talents like you to be buried by social factors,” Professor Zhao said, looking at Huang Yu’s emotional expression.

After all, society has its ways, and though the campus is a microcosm of the real world, it is still much simpler—if you have academic merit, you won’t easily go unnoticed.

“Still, thank you, Professor,” Huang Yu said again.

“If you really want to thank me, then visit your old professor from time to time,” Professor Zhao smiled, satisfied as he looked at Huang Yu.

He truly liked this young man. Not only was he respectful and discerning, but above all, he possessed a genuine passion for history.

What’s more, he was strikingly handsome, with a refined bearing. His granddaughter had been speaking of him quite frequently these days.

Professor Zhao sighed inwardly, thinking, “If that girl learns I didn’t keep him here, who knows what fuss she’ll make? Her parents have really spoiled her.”

Huang Yu stepped out of the history department building into the bright sunlight. The temperature already carried the hint of summer’s heat.

In a pavilion at the far end of the courtyard, a girl in a pale blue dress was seated.

She had a slender, well-proportioned figure, her silky black hair cascading to her shoulders, gleaming in the sun. She was holding a copy of “A General History of China,” her head bowed as she read, so her face was not immediately visible.

Huang Yu’s eyes lit up when he saw her, and he hurried over.

Sensing someone approaching, the girl looked up.

Her eyes were almond-shaped, framed by long lashes, slanting gently upwards, giving her an alluring, unique charm.

“You’re here.” When she recognized him, she stood and smiled.

Her smile was enchanting, her eyes glancing sideways, her lips a sensual red—a captivating sight.

A black belt cinched her waist, accentuating her slender figure. Her hair fell over her full chest, her curves alluring.

Her ethereal beauty, fair skin, and those uniquely slanted eyes lent her a special aura.

“Jia, sorry to keep you waiting,” Huang Yu said, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of her hair behind her ear.

“It’s fine, I was reading,” Li Jia blushed at his affectionate gesture, glancing around to make sure no one was nearby before she relaxed.

She stole a glance at the man before her, finding him gazing at her with deep affection. Embarrassed, she quickly turned away, sat down, and pretended to read.

“I saw your classmates leave but didn’t see you. I thought you’d gone another way and forgotten me,” Li Jia said softly.

“How could I ever forget you? I might forget anyone, but never you,” Huang Yu replied, sitting beside her. He could smell her subtle fragrance. “My advisor kept me back to talk about life after graduation, so I was delayed.”

“Oh,” she replied quietly, nestling gently against him as she silently resumed her reading.

Huang Yu shifted a little to make her more comfortable, not disturbing her further, savoring the quiet intimacy.

They had known each other for more than two years, but had only defined their relationship last week.

Li Jia was also graduating this year, though as an undergraduate in Chinese history.

They first met at a history discussion in their sophomore year, when Huang Yu was preparing for his graduate exams.

From the moment he saw Li Jia, he found her charming. During their chat, he discovered they came from the same hometown, and both studied history. Their conversations grew more frequent.

Over time, Huang Yu fell for Li Jia, and as they spent more time together, she too became fond of the handsome, scholarly, well-spoken, and knowledgeable Huang Yu.

Yet, each was focused on their own academic pursuits, so they kept their feelings hidden, neither daring to speak first.

Time slipped by—two years in a flash.

They often walked together on campus, not lovers, but closer than friends.

With graduation approaching, Huang Yu confessed his feelings last week, asking her to be his girlfriend.

Li Jia smiled and agreed.

Their relationship felt as natural as the years they had spent together—inevitable, seamless.

Outside ZJ University, at the Junyue Court Western Restaurant.

Candlelight, red wine, steaming steak, and a violinist playing beautiful music in the distance.

“Yu, this place is expensive...” Li Jia whispered, leaning across the table toward Huang Yu as she looked at their candlelit dinner.

The elegant tables, silver cutlery, immaculately dressed waiters, and live violin performance—all spoke of the restaurant’s luxury.

And behind such luxury was a hefty price tag, enough to deter most people.

Li Jia had heard her friends talk about this renowned restaurant, but never imagined Huang Yu would bring her here. It was her first time in such a place, and she felt nervous and uneasy.

She knew, vaguely, that Huang Yu came from a well-off family—his generosity and the quality of his clothing spoke to that.

“Jia, don’t overthink it. This is our first official dinner as a couple, so it had to be romantic,” Huang Yu interrupted her gently.

“But...” Li Jia wanted to say something more, but stopped herself, not wishing to spoil Huang Yu’s mood.

She knew he had been looking forward to this dinner since they became a couple.

“If you really don’t like it, we won’t come to places like this again. But I’ve already paid for tonight, so let’s not waste it,” Huang Yu said, noticing her discomfort.

“Even if your family has money, you shouldn’t spend it so freely. Truly, any place is romantic as long as I’m with you,” Li Jia replied softly, gazing at him.

Though she found this place extravagant and felt uneasy being so attentively served, Huang Yu’s thoughtfulness moved her deeply.

Li Jia’s family was quite ordinary; she was just a girl from a regular city household.

She had never been to such a high-end restaurant, nor was she used to being waited on so closely. In this place, though it was standard, she truly felt out of place.

But, as Huang Yu said, the meal was ordered and paid for—so they might as well enjoy it.