If it weren’t for the responsibility and duty towards the family, Lin ngran wouldn’t be so troubled. But given the current situation, worrying is the least useful. It’s better to think carefully about what you really want before deciding what to do.
Thinking of this, Chuxia advised, "There’s still more than a year left. Why not think hard about whether you want to be the heir of the Lin Family?
If you do, you must start working on improving your relationship with your family now. If not, just follow your own path, right?"
"That’s true. I need to mull over what to do..." Lin ngran smiled gratefully at Chuxia. "Talking to you makes feel much better."
"Co over to my house for lunch," Chuxia offered proactively.
"Sure, I won’t be polite then." Lin ngran exhaled deeply, glancing at the ti. "Shall we go now? I guess Yang Xiaoli and Wu Jingbo won’t make it in the morning."
"Alright." Chuxia responded and stood up. She was a bit hungry herself and needed to replenish so energy.
Two more people had arrived at dormitory 205, one nad Wu Qing and the other Zhao Xiaohong. They were very friendly, and upon seeing Chuxia and Lin ngran enter, they introduced themselves. After chatting a bit with them, Chuxia turned to Li Xinli and said, "Xinli, I’m heading ho now. Are you coming with , or will you go later by yourself?"
"Of course, I’ll co with you." Li Xinli bid farewell to her now-familiar roommates and left with Chuxia and Lin ngran. Once downstairs, she proactively explained to Chuxia, "It’s not that I must occupy the lower bunk; I just thought that if I didn’t accept it, Sister Fengying might feel uncomfortable."
"Do you think I’m leaving because of that?" Chuxia looked at her amusedly, "Do you see as that petty?"
"No..." Li Xinli quickly clarified, "I know you left because of their talks about marriage plans and felt it was inappropriate. I just didn’t want you to think I was petty, so I shared my real thoughts."
"Oh, I see." Chuxia acknowledged, her expression sowhat distant. Naturally, she felt displeased with Li Xinli’s character; she had been chatting warmly with Zhang Guiqin and Zhang Fengying, and now she said this. What was that supposed to an?
Li Xinli also sensed the change in Chuxia’s attitude towards her. Her lips moved, but no words ca out. Upon closer inspection, her eyes were tinged red.
Lin ngran was straightforward and didn’t much like Li Xinli’s approach. If you accept sothing, do so straightforwardly, without badmouthing others. It makes you seem noble and others petty.
Besides, she didn’t think there was anything wrong with those who arrived first taking the lower bunks. She reserved beds for herself, Wu Jingbo, and Yang Xiaoli in room 206 when she went there.
Putting others before oneself is fine, but doing it in every single matter, isn’t it exhausting?
Though she thought this, Lin ngran didn’t voice her opinion. Firstly, she had just t Li Xinli, and secondly, she had her worries and couldn’t be bothered to ponder others’ rights or wrongs.
The three of them walked forward in silence, feeling awkward. Lin ngran then linked arms with Chuxia, "I took a stroll around the campus yesterday and found the scenery quite nice. If we have ti this afternoon, I’ll show you the artificial lake back there."
"There’s an artificial lake?" Chuxia looked at her skeptically, "Isn’t it just a small pond?"
Lin ngran smirked, "Look at you, underestimating it. Even if I’m not worldly, I wouldn’t call a little pond an artificial lake. You’ll see when you get there; the lakeside is planted entirely with willow trees. It’ll surely be beautiful in spring."
After thinking for a mont, Chuxia said, "I’ll reserve judgnt for now and wait to see it before comnting." You can’t bla her for being skeptical; she’s seen too many artificial lakes in real estate ads in later years. Although teasing Lin ngran this way wasn’t entirely fair, she thought the campus area was limited, likely just a big pond at best.
Lin ngran snorted, raising an eyebrow, "You’ll see for yourself and be amazed."
The level of amazent wasn’t sothing Chuxia could picture, so she rely smiled and didn’t comnt further on this topic.
"Actually, it’s a large springhead. Locals call it White Crane Spring..." With emotions mostly settled, Li Xinli chid in. "Underneath the spring, there’s a large springhead and three small ones.
On the surface, you wouldn’t notice, but there’s large piping underground that channels water out. It’s purified through the third water treatnt plant and then supplied to residents’ hos. Tens of thousands of residents around here drink from White Crane Spring."
"No wonder..." Chuxia had a look of realization. "I noticed the water tasted particularly sweet yesterday. Now I know why. That’s great, really great..." She didn’t voice her next thoughts; if this spring existed in later years, it would surely be sold directly to a mineral water company. And if the public wanted a sip... well!
A place with vibrant human activity and abundant spirit, Chuxia hoped to benefit from it too.
"Does this an if I stay here for a few years, I’ll turn especially beautiful?" Lin ngran said as she touched her cheek, "I thought so, my skin feels improved."
Chuxia: "..."
Li Xinli: "..."
Could the effects of this water really be so miraculous and imdiate?
As the topic stretched to this point, the faint barrier between them faded significantly, making it much more natural to interact. After hesitating a mont, Li Xinli decided to explain, "Chuxia, can I say a few words?"
"Go ahead." Chuxia smiled at her, "If you think I’m angry, you don’t need to worry. I’m not mad at you. It’s just that everyone has different ways of dealing with things, and I won’t hold it against you."
"I know you’re not angry..." Li Xinli looked at her seriously, "But, I don’t want to lose you as a friend. I understand how you feel about now, being too cautious, trying to please everyone without offending anyone. You surely don’t like soone like .
Actually, I’m not really like that..." She paused before continuing, "My family’s circumstances are just average, and I wasn’t particularly favored by my mom since childhood, so I’m quite self-conscious.
Throughout the community, there are only about two or three people I get along with, and they’re all particularly introverted. Later, in school, I mostly befriended girls from families with less favorable conditions.
Seeing Sister Fengying and Sister Guiqin gave confidence not because I looked down on them, but because my past friends were like them; I didn’t want to beco isolated in the dorm later, so I ended up thinking more about it.
After Sister Jingzi’s marriage was decided, rumors spread wildly in our area, saying she was particularly fortunate to beco a wealthy family’s daughter-in-law. My sister also intentionally got closer to Fang Jingwen because of this.
I disapprove of the way my mom and sister do things, and I know Sister Jingzi’s attitude towards this matter, so I never expected Sister Jingzi to help .
You know what happened that day. Initially, I mistakenly thought Sister Jingzi wanted to use to please the Lin Family, so I was very clear about my stance then.
Later, when I realized I misunderstood Sister Jingzi, I felt guilty and very grateful to her. Being with you is so comfortable, so I’m especially thankful.
However, I’ve never befriended soone with your family background since I was young, so inevitably, I’m a bit unsure of how to behave well.
Honestly, being with Sister Fengying and Sister Guiqin is when I’m my most genuine self. In my heart, there’s a sense that we’re the sa kind of people, and I don’t feel like I’m gaining anything from them, so I can be straightforward.
I..." Li Xinli scratched her head in frustration, "Am I just making things more confusing with my explanation? My point is that I really value you as a friend, but..."
"I understand." Chuxia interrupted her, sighing softly, "You’re worried that you might owe too much, so you can’t be completely at ease when interacting with , right?"
"Yes." Li Xinli drooped her head, "But I’m also really afraid of losing you as a friend, not because of losing any help, but truly wanting to be friends with you."
Chuxia chuckled, "If you truly want to be friends with , why use such formal language?"
"I... I..." Li Xinli’s face turned bright red, "I know my behavior disappointed you. I’m unsure if you still want to be friends with ."
"If being with ans you won’t gain anything, and you’ll constantly have to help , would you be willing?" Chuxia looked at her, "Think carefully before you answer, I don’t like being lied to."
"No need to think, I’m definitely willing..." Li Xinli looked at Chuxia seriously, "I never intended to take advantage, but knowing your background makes feel uneasy. If I can not take advantage and still help you, I’d be more than happy."
"You..." Chuxia sighed, turning to Lin ngran, "Do you think she’s conflicted?"
At this mont, Lin ngran also understood, and she laughed, "It’s understandable. It shows she’s a girl with principles and a conscience..." Saying this, she reached out to the other, "From now on, I acknowledge you, co on, let’s shake hands."
Dominant, straightforward, with a hint of cuteness; this is the real Lin ngran. Watching the genuine Miss Lin return, Chuxia’s lips unconsciously curved into a smile. She still preferred such a chivalrous girl.
Having spoken her heart, Li Xinli felt relieved a lot. After shaking hands with Lin ngran, she proactively held Chuxia’s hand too, "I promise, I’ll try my best not to be self-conscious."
"What’s there to be self-conscious about?" Chuxia laughed, "My family background wasn’t great either, and I’ve never been self-conscious. Besides, you’re so pretty and kind; in the future, you’ll only have reasons to be proud, not self-conscious."
"Exactly, if you feel self-conscious, then I’ll feel even more self-conscious." Lin ngran stretched out her hand to compare their height difference, "Heaven is so unfair. I’ve been exercising since childhood, how can I be shorter than you two!" (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian) to vote for recomndations and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian to read.)
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