Chapter 472: The Difficulty of the Race Is Beyond Imagination

When a couple spends every day together, life often doesn’t feel particularly special or romantic. But when the inevitable moment of parting arrives, the reluctance to separate that wells up from the depths of one’s heart is painfully real.

But Chen Junyi’s pursuit of a master’s degree was a long-established plan, and Huang Chong, of course, had no reason to object or try to change it.

It was just that now, at the airport in the United Kingdom, as Chen Junyi saw him off to board his flight back to the team, Huang Chong couldn’t help but feel the pang of reluctance.

After this parting, it would likely be a long time before they saw each other again.

Although they lived in an age of advanced communication where they could video call every day, the reality was that they were both ambitious, career-driven people with very busy lives.

Finding a time that worked for both of them each day would be no easy feat.

But as Huang Chong thought back, he realized he had smoothly navigated his most difficult and unsettling times thanks to Chen Junyi’s meticulous care and companionship.

Whether it was his initial lack of confidence with the language or his insufficient competitive ability when he first joined the World Tour Team, he had become comfortable and adept at handling it all in less than a year.

‘Well, with the system’s backing, surviving in Europe really wasn’t as hard as I’d imagined—’

The only thing he’d have to readjust to was that without Chen Junyi’s daily care, he would now have to fend for himself when it came to food.

The team, of course, had its own chef, but it was nearly impossible for someone with a “Chinese stomach” to get used to a Western diet.

“I’m leaving, Junyi. You should head back. I’ll message you as soon as I get to Germany—”

“Also, I’ve taken note of everything you told me—”

“When I go back to China, I’ll visit my parents first. Then, once I’ve taken care of things back home, I’ll come to the United Kingdom to see you—”

“You just focus on your studies and don’t worry. I’ve picked up a smattering of various European languages now, so basic communication is no problem. I can definitely take care of myself—”

Before heading through security, Huang Chong said his final goodbyes to Chen Junyi.

Chen Junyi was usually a very mature and rational person—the type whose heart might be a raging tempest, but whose expression always remained as calm as a placid lake.

However, after Huang Chong confessed his feelings for her during the Tour de France, the two had grown as intimate as possible, both emotionally and physically. As a result, when she was alone with him, she naturally revealed a side of herself reserved only for her partner.

She loved his unwavering resilience, that spirit that always drove him forward. She also loved the emotional stability she had witnessed on his journey—he was gracious in victory and undaunted in defeat.

The commentary of the *I Ching* states: “Like attracts like; beings are divided by their groups.”

The same principle, in fact, applies to people’s temperaments and values.

Academically, Huang Chong was certainly far behind her at the moment.

But their personalities, their breadth of heart, and their values were all such a perfect match.

This was undoubtedly a tremendous stroke of fate, a gift that destiny had given to them both.

Besides, she knew that with Huang Chong’s current achievements and record, it would be no difficult task for him to enter a top university in China after retirement. If he wanted to pursue a master’s or even a doctorate to continue cultivating road cycling talent for the nation, the path would be open to him.

In short, from the moment she first met Huang Chong on the provincial team, she had never once looked down on him.

Now that he was an Olympic champion, a Grand Tour champion, a national hero, and the pride of countless fans across the country, she still didn’t feel that he had become unattainable.

The foundation of their relationship—one of equals, of mutual reliance—was built on the unwavering sincerity he always showed her.

She took a step forward, wrapped her arms around Huang Chong, and rested her head on his shoulder.

In truth, she was tall and slender, not much shorter than Huang Chong, so she couldn’t exactly look like a delicate, clinging maiden in his arms.

But he could feel the strength in her embrace.

The tighter her hug, the deeper the reluctance to part.

At that moment, they were both filled with the sorrow of parting and the profound affection of their embrace, wishing their bodies could simply merge into one.

This was an extremely rare and direct display of emotion from Chen Junyi in public.

Normally, even when Huang Chong won a Grand Tour, she would never show such emotion as long as the event cameras were filming.

She didn’t want her appearance on camera to subject Huang Chong to unnecessary gossip and public speculation.

She was content to be his silent support system, working from behind the scenes.

“Mm, I know you can take care of yourself. But you have to be careful, whether it’s during training or out on the race course. And when you’re not training, make sure you relax. When you’re not competing, try to find a little time each day to learn to cook for yourself. I made a recipe book for you. It has every nutritious meal I’ve cooked for you over the last two years—all simple and delicious ones. I left it on the coffee table in our living room. Also, the next time we go back to China together… I’d like to meet your parents. Would that be okay?!”

Only after saying this did Chen Junyi pull away from his embrace, her face full of anticipation as she looked at him.

Huang Chong wasn’t dense; of course, he knew what she meant. His heart swelled with joy.

For her to take the initiative to visit his parents at his home… if he didn’t understand the meaning behind that gesture, he’d be a complete Muggle.