A nationality is just that—a nationality. When Grace Bennett talks about it, it sounds so simple and easy, because to her, it really is just a matter of a passport.

But for Brian Carter, nationality is not just a passport; it’s a sense of belonging and something even more important.

Brian Carter hasn’t even left the country yet, but he already feels like he has no roots.

So Brian Carter felt even more sentimental, and just then, he saw a restaurant.

It was a noodle shop, quite small, but Brian Carter used to eat there often. Accidentally seeing this familiar place made his feelings even more complicated.

Why does everything seem so hard to part with?

Even a restaurant he used to think didn’t taste that great, but ate at often just because it was close and quick, now felt dear and hard to leave.

Brian Carter felt a bit angry and disgusted with himself for these feelings, because for the life he would inevitably have to live, such strong reluctance and attachment were emotions he absolutely shouldn’t have.

He secretly hated that he wasn’t as strong and decisive as he’d imagined, but Brian Carter still stepped on the brakes and said in a tone that brooked no argument, “Let’s just eat noodles here!”

“Okay, is there a parking spot?”

What Grace Bennett cared about was clearly not on the same wavelength as Brian Carter.

Brian Carter ordered two bowls of noodles. Even though he couldn’t finish them, he wanted to try both flavors. Although there was still a month left, he was already feeling an intense sense of urgency.

As if after today, he’d never get to eat them again.

Because his emotions were a bit unstable, Brian Carter had lost almost all interest in the beautiful woman sitting across from him. While Grace Bennett was absentmindedly eating her noodles, she suddenly said, “I’m leaving too. I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“Mm.”

“I originally planned not to leave after coming back this time, or at least to stay for a long while, but…”

Grace Bennett suddenly couldn’t go on. She choked up a bit and said in a low voice, “My first love… My first love was an online relationship, which is whatever, and it was long-distance, which is also whatever, but the person I loved turned out to be having an affair.”

Brian Carter replied absentmindedly, “Count your blessings. At least you didn’t end up in his bed. Uh, did you just say first love?”

Grace Bennett glared at Brian Carter angrily. “Were you even listening to me? What about my first love?”

Brian Carter shook his head. “Nothing, I was just curious. You’re so pretty, I wouldn’t expect something like that to happen to you.”

“There are plenty of people who like me, I just don’t care for them. Hmph, the ones I hate most are those men who think they’re handsome but are actually effeminate.”

“Well, I have to say, you ended up falling for that guy? That means your taste is really questionable. Next time, you’d better look more carefully.”

“Can you even hold a conversation? Can’t you see I’m upset?”

Grace Bennett seemed quite annoyed. Brian Carter sighed and said, “Don’t be upset. Think about it this way: you had a good time chatting with him for a year, right? Even though you didn’t meet, you felt happy, right? You didn’t really lose anything, and you even broke his nose, and made him… Anyway, he had it pretty rough. So, I really think you don’t need to be angry. You should be happy and grateful instead.”

Grace Bennett tilted her head, stirring her noodles with her chopsticks. After thinking for a while, she suddenly smiled and said, “You know, you have a point.”

Even though Brian Carter was full of melancholy about leaving, seeing Grace Bennett smile still felt like a breath of spring air.

Grace Bennett let out a breath, wiped her eyes, and said softly, “Let’s change the subject. Why are you going to the UK? Studying abroad?”

“Work. I’m going to look for a job.”

“You’re not in school anymore?”

“Graduated.”

“So early? How old are you?”

“22.”

“Graduated at 22? Which university? Sorry, I’m not interrogating you, I’m just curious. You don’t have to answer.”

“Qingbei University, majoring in International Relations. I did graduate a bit early.”

Brian Carter thought to himself, I actually have a double bachelor’s in International Relations and International Relations History, though there’s not much difference between the two departments.

Grace Bennett looked at him admiringly and said, “I’m 21, a sophomore. I told you before, right? I’m at Trinity College, Cambridge. When you get to the UK, you can come hang out with me. Trust me, I’m actually a really good driver. I’ve hit 280 on the track.”

“Track and road are two different things.”

Grace Bennett pouted. “That was just an accident. I’m just used to driving in the UK, so I’m not used to it here.”

Brian Carter thought he wouldn’t be able to finish two bowls of noodles, but he actually ate them all. He took a napkin and wiped his mouth, then, not picking up on Grace Bennett’s last comment, smiled and said, “Today was exhausting. Let’s head back early. I can give you a ride.”

Grace Bennett looked at Brian Carter and, in a tone unique to girls acting coy, said, “I thought you’d invite me to do something fun.”

“Better not. Aren’t you flying to the US tomorrow? Flying is tiring.”

“Yeah, but I was thinking, I actually don’t have to leave. After all, I only came back for the holidays this time… I could just go back as planned, since I already booked my ticket.”

Brian Carter smiled, then looked apologetic and said, “But I’m leaving tomorrow. I need to go back and get a good night’s rest, so I’m really sorry.”