"Are you reading ’Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind’?" Ji Yunya asked, noticing a book turned over on the desk.
Zhuang Jingmo nodded, "I particularly like Professor You’s views in this book, they’re very novel. Especially his theory of ’collective imagination,’ where phenona beyond our genetic capabilities—like money, governnt, literature, art—are not innate abilities of ours but products of our shared imagination. It’s these imaginations that have set Homo sapiens apart from their close relatives, climbed to the top of the food chain, and greatly accelerated the developnt of the species, culminating in the modern society we see today. Analyzing history from this perspective is truly refreshing, and it’s an eye-opener for ."
Ji Yunya smiled, "Professor You is heavily influenced by the master Jared Diamond. For instance, while the agricultural revolution improved overall life, it made individual life conditions worse compared to hunting and gathering. This view was first proposed by Master Jared in 1987 in Discover Magazine. Many of Professor You’s views reflect Jared Diamond’s shadow, particularly in his work ’Guns, Germs, and Steel,’ which also discusses the grand history of humanity and has many unique perspectives on why human history has taken this form and why our current social structure is like this. There’s a Chapter specifically about ’how the Hua People beca the Hua People...’
Zhuang Jingmo hadn’t expected Ji Yunya to be so fluent with foreign works, eloquently discussing them, with newfound admiration for her. The two talked enthusiastically, and Ji Yunya’s conversation and viewpoints left Zhuang Jingmo amazed, giving a feeling of having t a kindred spirit too late.
The two soon beca close friends, sharing everything with each other. Zhuang Jingmo said, "I really regret not eting you a few years earlier."
Ji Yunya smiled, " too."
At that mont, there was a commotion outside, as if guests had arrived. Zhuang Jingmo glanced at Ji Yunya and led her out.
"Teacher, Madam, I’ve brought my daughter to wish you a happy New Year." A woman in her forties, accompanied by a demure and agile young girl, walked in. The woman was tall, had an oval face, and a gentle temperant, but her eyes occasionally flashed with a sharp glint, which made people feel sowhat uneasy.
The girl by her side appeared to be about seventeen or eighteen, following the woman closely and looking obedient and gentle.
"Cuiying, why are you here with the child alone? Where is Shao Bo?" the old lady asked.
Liu Cuiying discreetly glanced at Yan Song, who was sitting nearby, her lips curving with satisfaction as she replied, "He was supposed to co too, but the school called him for sothing at the last minute, so he went. He asked to bring the New Year’s blessings. These are specialties from Hainan, sent by one of his students, to let the teacher and madam have a taste."
"You didn’t have to bring gifts when coming over," the old lady said, though her eyes were full of delight.
Youthful students of Elder Zhuang, Liu Cuiying and her husband Shao Bo, were both professors at Jingdu University and had maintained contact with the Zhuang family over the years, visiting during holidays, which pleased the old lady.
"This is my daughter Rongrong. I specifically brought her today for a visit. Rongrong, aren’t you going to greet the elders?"
The young girl took two steps forward, speaking obediently and gently, "Rongrong greets Grandpa Zhuang and Grandma Zhuang."
The old lady smiled, "What a delicate young girl."
Shao Rongrong smiled softly, sneaking a glance at the man, though just a fleeting look, her heart was racing.
Zhuang Xiyue frowned slightly; even in her youth, she disliked her father’s student. With her parents being oblivious, she could see that this woman was calculated and power-hungry. Her ability to stay at the school and quickly earn promotions wasn’t due to her abilities but her father’s connections...
Today’s visit might have purposes beyond just seeing her parents.
"Lady Yan, you’re here too. Rongrong, this is Lady Yan, whom I told you about."
Shao Rongrong beca more poised and elegant, politely saying, "Hello, Lady Yan."
Zhuang Xiyue nodded indifferently, "Hmm."
Shao Rongrong’s face stiffened, and her hand discreetly tightened in her palm. Does Lady Yan dislike her?
"Oh, Aunt Liu is here," Zhuang Jingmo said, walking in with a smile.
Liu Cuiying and Shao Rongrong both looked up, their gaze first landing on the girl walking in with Zhuang Jingmo, rather than Zhuang Jingmo herself.
Zhuang Jingmo was already quite tall among won, but this girl was even taller, with a body proportion more perfect and balanced. She wore a slightly retro-style short jacket and long skirt, the apricot pink adding a youthful charm, further enhancing her picture-perfect features and vibrant beauty. The embroidered flowers on the collar and cuffs added a touch of bright liveliness to the plain colors, her graceful walk as if she floated like the wind, giving an ethereal beauty. No one noticed Zhuang Jingmo beside her anymore.
Getting closer, the girl’s face beca clear, and the braided hair fell down her back amidst her waterfall-like tresses, adding mature gentleness without losing the youthful charm. Her skin was porcelain white, eyebrow like distant mountains, her eyes starry, nose straight, lips full, her charming smile radiant, people could only sigh that such a girl seems only to exist in heaven!
Shao Rongrong’s initial admiration quickly dissolved into jealousy, deeply suppressed. She had never seen a woman so beautiful.
"And this is?" Liu Cuiying, managing her composure better than Shao Rongrong, reacted and asked with a smile.
Is she a guest of the Zhuang family? Why has she never seen her before?
Zhuang Jingmo entered with a smile, "This is Yun Ya’s first ti visiting, it’s normal for Aunt Liu not to recognize her. Let formally introduce you, this is Ji Yunya, Ah Song’s cousin’s fiancée. Yun Ya, this is Aunt Liu, my grandfather’s student, and her daughter, Shao Rongrong."
Ji Yunya nodded with a smile, "Hello, Teacher Liu."
Comparison truly is the thief of joy, as Yun Ya stood there, instantly eclipsing Shao Rongrong, her natural grace and elegance contrasting sharply with Shao Rongrong’s constrained deanor.
Shao Rongrong’s nails dug deeply into her palm. What did she say? Yan Song’s fiancée?
Liu Cuiying was montarily surprised but quickly caught on, "I was wondering where such an exceptionally graceful girl ca from, turns out to be Ah Song’s fiancée. Lady Yan, you truly are lucky to have such a wonderful daughter-in-law..." The sourness in her tone was detectable to anyone.
Zhuang Xiyue smiled, proudly saying, "Of course."
Liu Cuiying secretly gritted her teeth, where did Yan Song’s fiancée co from, it’s all because she didn’t gather enough information beforehand, catching her off guard.
"Miss Ji is truly beautiful, she looks just like a certain actress called Shen Xi’er," Shao Rongrong said, smiling innocuously.
Ji Yunya smiled, Shen Xi’er was a notorious actress in the entertainnt industry, known for scandals involving being kept, escorting, and costic surgeries. Being compared to her was an unwanted association. Why did this woman deliberately liken her to Shen Xi’er?
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