Li's mother smacked her forehead, realizing the problem.
"So you haven't even spoken a few words to her? You're not even friends yet, right?"
"Mm, right, just classmates..."
"Oh dear, my foolish son. She doesn't even know who you are. If you rush to confess, no normal girl would agree."
"Ah, then what should I do?"
"Add her as a friend first, become friends. Appear around her from time to time to make your presence known, and make sure you look neat and handsome.
Then, offer help when she needs it. Once you're closer, express your feelings. Don't be too hasty, you'll scare her."
"She hasn't even agreed to add me yet, what should I do?"
"Bring me your phone."
Li's mother frowned after looking at the phone. "If you don't say anything, of course, the girl wouldn't dare to randomly accept a stranger."
"Oh, then what should I say?"
"Who are you, which class are you in, why do you want to add her? Come up with a decent excuse."
Li Zhenjun took the phone, frowned, and asked a math question. Sure enough, after a while, she accepted his friend request.
"Great, she accepted!"
Li's mother patted his shoulder. "Go for it. This road is still long, your dad and I support you."
"Thank you, Mom and Dad."
"You're at an age where dating is normal. If you need any help, just tell us. Your allowance can only increase by 500, no more than that."
Li Zhenjun flashed a bright smile. Li's father and mother smiled and left his room.
Shui Wa: "This Li Zhenjun is quite interesting. Graduating high school and still doing math problems, hahaha~"
Jun Jiuli, perfectly embodying the original character, sent him a detailed, analytical explanation without any extra words.
"Okay, thank you."
"You're welcome."
After that, they didn't message each other again. Shui Wa laughed so hard his stomach hurt. "Hahaha, what kind of common ground can this create?"
Zhao Jinxiu watched Li Zhenjun stare blankly at his phone. She felt his emotional intelligence might be even lower than hers.
Two hours passed, and there was still no movement in the chat. Li Zhenjun hesitated for a moment, then took his phone and went out to call his mother.
Li's mother looked at him with disappointment. "Bow your head."
Li Zhenjun obediently lowered his head, and Li's mother lightly tapped his head.
"Are you pursuing her or is she pursuing you? You're still dreaming that the little girl will initiate conversation with you?
Oh my, how did your brain grow? Didn't you say she's a relatively quiet person?
A well-behaved girl like that won't actively engage with you. You need to talk more, communicate with her more.
Find common interests to create topics, increase interaction, and slowly integrate into her life. When the time is right, you'll win her over."
As she spoke, Li's mother made a funny gesture with her hands and feet, as if everything was within her grasp.
Then, she awkwardly retracted her limbs and cleared her throat. "However, you can't be too aggressive. If she shows signs of dislike, you need to know when to retreat.
Otherwise, it's not pursuit, it's harassment, which is very off-putting. If the topic isn't too private, you can show it to me, and I'll help you think of ideas."
Li Zhenjun carefully kept Li's mother's words in mind. He felt it wasn't appropriate to show his chat with her to outsiders.
He decided to search for topics online and ask Li's mother if problems arose. He only showed her the math problem solution earlier because he needed help.
"Don't just be silent. You're making me anxious. When will you ever get married with this personality?"
"I understand. I'll search for suitable topics online now and make a list. I'll work hard."
"Don't go yet. Come help me wash the vegetables. Let your brain cool down. You can do it after dinner."
"Oh, okay."
Li's mother watched her son busying himself nearby and took an apple from the refrigerator to wash it.
Happily, she sat on the sofa, eating the apple and watching TV. She was watching a senior matchmaking show and laughed so hard she couldn't straighten up.
"Hahahaha, even the turtle in the Wishing Pool wouldn't dare to grant this old man's wish. He's over sixty and still wants a 40-year-old.
Preferably without children, good health to take care of herself, and accepting of divorce. Does he really not know his own worth?"
Li's father chimed in, "Even the turtle in the Wishing Pool would find him unlucky. Look at his own condition, that turtle would have to run away overnight upon hearing it."
"Hahaha, son, just stir-fry the vegetables together, hahaha..."
Li Zhenjun shook his head with a smile. He knew this would happen. The cutting board was already set up, ready for chopping.
During a commercial break, Li's mother walked to the kitchen door, leaning against the frame, her eyes smiling as she looked at her son.
"Jun Jun, do you have a photo of that girl? Let Mom see if you're reaching too high.
If her appearance is so stunning that you couldn't reach her even if you jumped, then it's wishful thinking, and Mom won't help with such a wrong deed.
Li Zhenjun's chopping hand paused. "I have her class's graduation photo. I'll show it to you later."
"Oh my, oh my, tsk tsk tsk. If you weren't my son, what would I say? Little pervert? Or a stalker?"
Li Zhenjun stammered awkwardly. "I don't mean any harm, I just want to see her."
"What a poor little thing. Hurry up, Mom is hungry."
"Oh, okay."
"Wife, come quickly, the show is about to start."
"Coming, coming."
The family finished dinner very harmoniously. Li's mother then stared at Li Zhenjun, who embarrassedly went back to his room to get the photo.
"Oh my, son, how did you get your class's graduation photo?"
"Each class orders one or two extra graduation photos. I have a friend in her class, and I bought it from him."
"Scheming little thing, is this it?"
Li Zhenjun nodded somewhat sheepishly.
"Tsk tsk tsk, you have a keen eye, boy. She's really beautiful. You can tell she has a good temper, and she's very well-behaved."
Li's mother looked at the photo, then at Li Zhenjun, and sighed, shaking her head. She handed the photo back to Li Zhenjun.
Seeing his mother's expression, Li Zhenjun became a little anxious. "Mom, don't scare me. Just say what you have to say."
"A gentle and sweet girl like this would obviously like a clean-cut, scholarly type. Someone tall and strong like you isn't as appealing."
Li Zhenjun touched his face. "I think I'm quite handsome, the type girls like."
Li's father rolled his eyes. "Narcissist. What your mother says is definitely right. Listen to your mother."
"Mom, do I need to change my style?"
"Your face isn't fair enough, and your hairstyle isn't good either. You always wear black. While it looks cool and stylish, it makes you look like you'd beat someone up."
Li Zhenjun's forehead was covered in black lines. He had a very stable temper, how could he look like someone who would fight? What's wrong with being a bit darker as a sports student?
However, he obediently listened, ready to be transformed.
"Go shopping with me tomorrow. We'll try out different styles that suit you better. I'll have my old friend give you a haircut.
Mom will make a sacrifice and share her face masks with you. From now on, remember to wear sunscreen and a hat when you go out. I'll pick out a suitable skincare set for you right now."
"Okay."
Li's father habitually reminded him, "Remember to listen to your mother when you go out, don't just run around."
"I know. I'm not a child anymore. I'll be a college student next month."
Li's father: "We'll talk about next month next month. In our eyes, you're still a child."
...