Li Zhenjun peeled off the facial mask, washed his face, and prepared for bed. The next day, after breakfast, his mother dragged him out.
He shared everything he did and saw interesting things along the way with Jun Jiuli.
Looking at his nervous and conflicted appearance, Zhao Jinxiu felt that she was being valued.
"Mom, let's go back, I'm so tired."
"We've only been shopping for two hours, what's so tiring about that? Stay with Mom for a while longer. There's a men's shoe store ahead, let's go in and take a look."
Mother Li strode ahead, while Li Zhenjun, carrying shopping bags, followed behind, panting.
"Look at you, all sluggish and listless. I'm doing all this for your own good. I'm spending my own money, and I'm not even feeling the pinch yet."
"I feel the pinch, alright? I'll feel it for you. Aren't you hot? Aren't your legs sore?"
"Oh, I'm perfectly fine. You walk a little faster."
Li Zhenjun had no choice but to follow. Once inside the store, he quickly put down the bags and found a place to sit and wait for his mother to choose.
He took out his phone. "It's the holidays, aren't you coming out to play?"
"Not interested."
"Hey, did you get your admission notice? I'm at the police academy, which is very close to your school."
"Yes, I've already received it."
"When do you start school? Have you prepared your things?"
"September. I'm ready."
...
Just as Zhao Jinxiu was about to lean closer to see what they were talking about, her vision blurred, and she found herself in an unfamiliar place.
Looking up at the gilded characters, her eyes involuntarily welled up, and her heart felt a pang of sadness. It was A University, the university she had strived for countless days and nights, the one she yearned for most.
She walked around the campus, trying to imprint every scene into her mind.
She imagined herself studying in which classroom, which dormitory she would live in, and which cafeteria would serve delicious food...
Thinking about these things that she had ultimately missed, her emotions collapsed again. Why was she so unfortunate?
After a long while, she calmed herself down. There were too many unfortunate and dissatisfied people in this world; she was already doing quite well.
At least she had the opportunity for revenge and to fulfill her wish, and there was someone who cared about her.
Jun Jiuli: "You have to try everything to know the result. I will definitely refuse him. Perhaps you might get a different outcome."
"It's meaningless. How long can we love each other once we're together? How can I guarantee he won't change his mind? How can I ensure there's no pain in the days to come?"
"You're lying. You don't find it meaningless; you're just afraid. As long as you're alive, you have to face many unknown things, both bitter and sweet.
Pain is also proof that you are still alive. Life is difficult, and you only have this one chance. If you don't want to, I won't persuade you anymore."
"Can you let me think about it again?"
"Of course."
Shui Wa: "The host clearly doesn't want to live anymore, so why are we doing all this pointless work? The mission is already complete."
"I don't know. I just suddenly felt sentimental and wanted to give her a push. Think of it as accumulating good karma for myself."
"What if she encounters misfortune again? Isn't it better to die than to live?"
"Her ordeal has passed. Both fortune and misfortune are part of life; it all depends on her own choices."
"You'll stay and help her, won't you?"
"I suppose so."
"Host, you've really changed. You've become more humane. She truly had a miserable life before, so it would be good for her to experience some sweetness."
"Mhm."
...
Chen Fangze, in the space, stopped even whimpering. Jun Jiuli had thrown him into a large garbage pit.
Smelling the stench around him and seeing the sunlight, he still showed no reaction. He didn't even want to escape; he lay down and waited for death with resignation.
Stray dogs came in to scavenge for food. When they found him, they bit him fiercely. He instantly became a delicacy, and within a short time, his life was over.
Several days later, a homeless person came in to pick through the trash and discovered him. After calling the police, people quickly arrived to handle the situation.
"His identity can be confirmed. He is Chen Fangze."
"It's unclear how he managed to hide. His end is a fitting retribution."
Zhao Jinxiu returned to her body, choosing to retain the memories of her previous life.
Pain was also a part of her. Remembering it would help her protect herself better. Upon learning of Chen Fangze's death, she smiled with great happiness.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"I'm back, are you leaving now?"
"Yes."
"I hope everything goes smoothly for you."
"You too. Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
Zhao Jinxiu took out her textbooks. High school textbooks felt like a distant memory.
Tears streamed down her face as she looked at the notes. She silently began to study, not wanting to fall too far behind, wanting to catch up during this time.
Li Zhenjun contacted her from time to time. She would ask him for help with anything she didn't understand, and they found many more topics to discuss.
At this moment, Li Zhenjun was lying on his bed, grinning foolishly. His inner monologue: With her grades, she must know how to do this problem. Asking me about it, perhaps she's like I was back then.
After finishing her studies, Zhao Jinxiu put away her books and prepared to sleep. Li Zhenjun sent her a message: "Are we friends now?"
Zhao Jinxiu chuckled, "I thought we were already friends."
"I like you. Can I pursue you?"
Zhao Jinxiu's face turned bright red, unsure how to answer.
"Are you angry? I didn't mean anything else. If you feel awkward, just pretend I didn't say anything."
"Yes."
Li Zhenjun jumped up excitedly and sent a "Thank you."
Besides "thank you," he didn't know what else to say. He was so excited that he was speechless.
"Yes! Yes! She said yes! Hahaha~"
Mother Li, who was watching a drama, walked to his door and asked, "What are you shouting about, you little rascal? Did she agree?"
"Yes, yes."
"Oh, you're amazing! Isn't her birthday coming up soon? What are you planning to give her?"
"I... no, I didn't mean that. She didn't agree to let me be her boyfriend.
I just asked if I could pursue her, and she said yes. This is already much better than before."
"Mm, yes, that's great. You keep trying!"
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm."
Li Zhenjun kept smiling foolishly, letting his excitement subside for a moment before taking out his phone again.
"School is starting soon. Have you prepared the things you need for registration?"
"It's still early. I don't have many things to bring."
"Right, right, right. It's still too early. I can pack the day before registration."
"Mm."
Li Zhenjun patted his forehead, feeling that the topic he just brought up was rather foolish.
"Your birthday is coming up soon. Can I come see you that day?"
After saying this, he stared intently at the screen, his heart pounding like a drum.
"Yes, you can. I'll treat you to a meal then. Thank you for your help these past few days."
"No need, I'll treat."
Before he could send it, he quickly deleted it. It wasn't appropriate for him to offer to treat on her birthday.
After thinking carefully, he said, "Okay, then you treat me to dinner, and I'll treat you to a movie."
"Mm."
...