It was the last day of the semester and the start of the Solstice holidays.
Yuliang watched his students filter out of the classroom with a tight feeling in his chest.
He hadn't lost sight of his goals or suddenly fallen in love with teaching, but with all the nights he had stayed up marking assessments, making lesson plans and replying to inquiries from his students, Yuliang had come to appreciate the structure and purpose his role as an instructor provided his life.
He was drawn away from his inner melancholy by a large neatly wrapped box being placed on his desk.
"It isn't much, but my family sent over a lot of Kulonian sweets for the holidays. I hope you enjoy them," Lilou said, offering him a shy smile.
Yuliang accepted it with a grateful tilt of his head, "Thank you."
She shook her head and bowed deeply, "I have learned a lot under your guidance, thank you for your time and dedication."
Yuliang stood to return the bow with a rare smile on his face. "Not at all. You were an excellent student and I learned just as much from you."