Chapter Thirty-Two

Yuxing Yue was not actually unattractive; his looks were just average, handsome in an ordinary way. Lin Ling knew that Yuxing Yue simply lacked confidence in his appearance. She understood his character well—someone with a timid disposition always felt that he was lacking in some way. Although Yuxing Yue had changed a lot in the Tianyuan team, he still remained particularly insecure about his looks.

He had never taken responsibility for his own future and had never given much thought to what his life would become. He casually picked up Lin Zimo’s coffee and took a sip.

“Hugo, what’s wrong with you? Why do you get so uncomfortable whenever we talk about finding a partner?” Lin Zimo asked with some dissatisfaction, having noticed Yuxing Yue’s strong resistance to the idea. Lin Zimo felt a little disappointed; clearly, Yuxing Yue had never considered this aspect of life.

Lin Ling found Yuxing Yue’s timid expression amusing and then said, “You’ll have to look for one sooner or later. You just haven’t met your destined partner yet, that’s all. I believe you’ll find the companion you hold dear in your heart.”

“Senior sister, please stop. I won’t go looking. If I ever do, I’ll go to the bathroom on one leg, alright?” Yuxing Yue protested.

“That’s pretty harsh. Just don’t end up slapping your own face because of it,” Lin Ling retorted.

“Well, let’s end it here for today. If fate allows, we’ll meet again.” Yuxing Yue rose and left the café. Shortly after he left, Lin Ling said to Lin Zimo, “You see, he has no thoughts about romance at all. I suspect he just wants a peaceful life and doesn’t want anyone disturbing him. I think you should give up.”

Lin Zimo shook his head, unwilling to accept such an outcome. A hint of bitterness appeared on his face. “I don’t believe it. I won’t give up pursuing him; one day, I’ll win his heart.”

“Then keep at it,” Lin Ling encouraged him, and Wu Guanzhong also gave his support. Lin Zimo had made up his mind to start courting Yuxing Yue—whether Yuxing Yue would be receptive was yet to be seen.

…

That night at Zhang Yi’s house, Zhang Yi waited by the window for someone. He had only met this person twice before, but today he risked being scolded by his mother to leave some food outside the window—a special gesture for Li Li. He couldn’t bear to see a girl suffer and felt a surge of compassion in his heart.

Hearing sounds from the neighboring room, Zhang Yi confirmed his parents had gone to bed, and the weight in his heart was lifted—no one would come into his room now, so he could relax.

Half an hour later, Zhang Yi heard movement at the window. He remained calm, knowing it must be Li Li. She had said she would drop by his house every day, though he never knew exactly when.

Li Li saw the food at the window, glanced at Zhang Yi, but he ignored her, busy surfing the internet at his computer. Using the screen’s reflection, he watched as Li Li crouched by the window, eating the food he left for her. She was curious about the computer; she thought it was a television and wondered why Zhang Yi sat so close when everyone knew one shouldn’t sit near the TV.

She wanted to ask immediately. Zhang Yi turned his chair to face her. “Little lady, do you have a lot of questions?”

“I do, actually. Why do you sit so close to the TV?” Li Li asked.

Zhang Yi was amazed—had she never seen a computer before? He explained to the girl crouched by his window, “This is a computer, not a television. Of course, when you watch dramas on a computer, it’s like a TV.”

“I think I get it now,” she said.

“You shouldn’t stay crouched at the window like that. Come inside.” The weather outside was cold, and Zhang Yi worried her injuries hadn’t healed; if she caught a fever outside, it would be troublesome. He couldn’t bear to see her standing in the cold and wanted her to come in.

Li Li took him at his word and entered his room without hesitation, landing noisily on the floor. Zhang Yi was startled, listening for any movement from his parents’ room. Three minutes later, when he confirmed there was none, he relaxed.

Li Li looked around and remarked, “Nice room arrangement.”

“It’s nothing special, just decorated to my personal taste,” Zhang Yi replied.

“From today on, this is my secret base,” Li Li declared, announcing that Zhang Yi’s room would be her new hangout spot. Zhang Yi spat out his drink in surprise, spraying Li Li’s face.

…

“Ah, I didn’t do it on purpose! Did you just say my room is going to be your regular spot?” Zhang Yi still hadn’t grasped the situation.

Wiping the liquid from her face, she said with a hint of annoyance, “Of course. You’re my buddy—if you don’t invite me, that’s just not loyal.”

Zhang Yi scratched his head. After listening to Li Li’s explanation, he finally understood, but he wondered to himself, When did we become buddies? We’ve met less than three times.

“So from today, we’re buddies. Don’t abandon me, okay?”

“Alright, alright, you win. But could you talk a bit quieter? I’m afraid you’ll wake my mom.” Zhang Yi was nervous about her loud voice, worried his parents would wake up, and kept listening for any sounds from the next room.

Li Li fell silent immediately. She had been too excited and hadn’t restrained herself. She was full of curiosity about all the stuff in Zhang Yi’s room.

After confirming there was no movement, Zhang Yi whispered to Li Li, “As long as you don’t make trouble, I’ll consider letting you come every day.”

“I don’t have the patience to wait for your answer. I’ll be coming every day anyway. For now, goodbye.” Li Li leapt out the window and disappeared. Zhang Yi watched her leaving figure and just shook his head. Though she seemed easygoing, her temper could erupt at any time.

…

Meanwhile, Yuxing Yue went to bed earlier than anyone else. It was only seven in the evening, but he was already asleep. Yang Shuting asked if he was feeling unwell, but Yuxing Yue simply replied that he was tired and wanted to rest. Yang Shuting didn’t ask further, unwilling to disturb him.

He soon fell into a deep, peaceful sleep, undisturbed by any sounds from outside, sensing only his own heartbeat before quickly slipping into dreamland.

It was pitch-black. Yuxing Yue arrived at an unknown place—a strange setting with nothing but darkness and a peculiar chair standing alone. An unseen force pushed Yuxing Yue toward the chair and made him sit.

“Where is this? Let me go!” Some force was controlling him, impossible to resist.

A voice sounded, “Hugo, or should I call you Yuxing Yue?”

“Who are you?”

“It’s complicated. All I can tell you is that I come from within you—I am your inner thoughts.” As the words faded, a figure identical to Yuxing Yue appeared.

“Why do you look just like me?” Yuxing Yue asked.

“I told you, I’m from your inner self—your thoughts. I’m merely the embodiment of your ideas,” the other Yuxing Yue explained.

“My inner self? So you’re another me.”

Dream Yuxing Yue nodded. “You’re quick to understand. I know everything you think; nothing escapes my ears.”

Yuxing Yue scoffed, “I don’t believe it. You’re just a figment of my imagination—how could you know my thoughts? You’ve watched too many movies.”

The dream Yuxing Yue already knew how he would answer and laughed, “Really? Then why did you search online for pretty girls when you got home earlier?”

“How do you know?”

Before Yuxing Yue went to sleep, he had chatted online with female friends for a few minutes, but his directness caused them to lose interest.

“You want to find a companion, don’t you?” Dream Yuxing Yue teased.

“That’s impossible. I’ve said I’ll never look for a girlfriend.”

“I think you crave love. Whenever you see others showing affection, you’re jealous they have such wonderful partners, and since you lack one, you just say ‘sour grapes’,” Dream Yuxing Yue said confidently.

“You don’t understand. Early romance is inappropriate; I’m a good student and could never date early,” Yuxing Yue argued.

“Nonsense! You’re just too lazy to look. I think Lin Zimo is great.”

“What about her? She’s a guy, not feminine at all, and she always likes to show off her leg hair.” Yuxing Yue was making things up, just trying to fool his dream self.

Meanwhile, Lin Zimo…

“Why does my left eyelid keep twitching? Is someone talking about me?”

“Sis, Mom and Dad want us to go see a movie together,” Lin Xinxin called.

“Alright, I’ll be there soon.”

Back in Yuxing Yue’s dream, the force no longer restrained him, and he was free to act. The two Yuxing Yues faced each other. Dream Yuxing Yue said, “Unless it’s a family trait, she wouldn’t have leg hair. You’re just making excuses.”

“Hey, you’re my inner self—why meddle in my affairs? I’m warning you, don’t get involved, or you’ll regret it.”

“Hit me, then! This is my turf, and you think you can beat another version of yourself?”

“The greatest enemy is oneself; only by overcoming yourself can you conquer adversity,” Yuxing Yue declared.

“I think you’d better hurry and defeat yourself, or she might elope with someone else,” Dream Yuxing Yue teased.

“Get out, get out! Leave!” Yuxing Yue shooed his dream self away, who disappeared into the darkness, but not before leaving a parting remark: “Win her over, and you won’t have to worry about someone else snatching her away.”

Yuxing Yue took off a shoe and threw it into the air. Since this was his dream, he didn’t use much force, but outside, his mother, Yang Shuting, overheard his sleep talk. There was something interesting about it—was Yuxing Yue hiding something from his mother? Yang Shuting wondered.

Early the next morning, Yuxing Yue’s messy hair was conspicuous. He sighed in annoyance, “Oh, Mom, that dream was so real. How could I like Lin Zimo? Stop joking.”

Even so, the voice lingered in his mind, urging him to find a girlfriend and bring her home to meet the parents. Yuxing Yue raked his hair in frustration. “Ugh, this is so bothersome.”

He went to the bathroom to wash his face and clear his head. Once he calmed down, he began to tidy his hair.