"I merely appear strong, yet I feel as if I am on the verge of emotional exhaustion," Zhang Xinran, under Lin Yu's consolation, managed to temporarily halt her tears. She wiped her eyes, forced a smile, and self-mockingly said.
"Are you really feeling emotionally exhausted? You come from a martial arts background. Back then, you led a team of female warriors and chased that guy from the neighboring class into the men's restroom... I see, nothing can exhaust you," Lin Yu playfully teased, deliberately trying to cheer her up.
"You're annoying! Why bring up these trivial matters? They were all from childhood. Is there any significance in continuously bringing them up?" Zhang Xinran laughed, giving him a shove. Her emotions seemed much better, no longer as tearful as moments before.
Her cheerful disposition, akin to the distinct seasons of the northern sky, was something Lin Yu admired most. Crying when necessary, laughing when appropriate, facing everything with composure, and showing no fear towards life—these were qualities Lin Yu admired most in this headstrong leader. Strong as the poplar trees of the north, standing proud against the wind and frost.
"Alright, you've shed your tears and shared your laughter. Let's go, I'll treat you to a meal," Lin Yu chuckled, shouldering his bag.
"No, it's my treat. I went too far with my joking earlier, causing you undue trouble. It's awkward, let me treat you. Though I can't afford a lavish meal, I'd rather not go for spicy hot pot. How about Chinese food? What do you feel like eating?" Zhang Xinran waved repeatedly, recalling the angry aunt she encountered earlier. She burst into laughter, her fit physique carrying an indescribable allure. Especially her bosom, not excessively swollen, but due to years of martial arts training and youthful vigor, stood tall like two crisp Red Delicious apples—healthy, robust, and inviting.
This girl seemed proud of her physique, wearing a seemingly unpadded bra, probably not much thicker than two pieces of silk. And with the hot weather and her skimpy attire, when she chuckled, the two buds on her chest protruded visibly, distracting Lin Yu.
No kidding, the several beautiful women he'd encountered lately seemed quite well-endowed. Was he recently blessed with good luck in love? Lin Yu scratched his chin wickedly, his eyes mischievously straying where they shouldn't.
"Hey hey hey, where are you looking?" A smiling Zhang Xinran noticed Lin Yu's thieving eyes weren't looking in the right direction. She glanced down, immediately understanding, bit her lip, then gave Lin Yu a light smack while laughing and scolding.
"Look where it's good to look, huh, Big Class Leader? It's hot, eating ice cream with your eyes isn't bad," Lin Yu smirked, avoiding the smack.
"Silver-tongued, eh? You surely haven't been behaving properly these past years," blushed Zhang Xinran, glaring at him.
"Me? Never. Oh, by the way, you seem to be quite well-off now. I offer you a meal to save you money, and you're unwilling," Lin Yu swiftly changed the subject; otherwise, things would become more ambiguous.
"Well-off, my foot! With the situation at home, how could I be considered well-off? You're deliberately teasing me, aren't you?" Zhang Xinran glared again, but shook her head, sighing continuously, "I'm currently tutoring. After all, I graduated from the prestigious Hua Jing Normal University, received quality education in the capital, right? Doing a few tutoring jobs isn't that hard. For now, I'm affiliated with an after-school tutoring center, helping students with supplementary lessons, earning commissions, and doing private tutoring to make ends meet. Otherwise, what else can I do?"
"Tutor? I've heard that if tutors gain fame, they can earn quite a lot," Lin Yu appeared excited on the surface but felt indescribable sorrow within.
A prestigious graduate from Hua Jing Normal University ended up as a tutor. It was indeed a waste of talent.
"In terms of earnings, it's decent. A little over ten thousand a month on average. After all, I'm a high-achieving graduate of the Normal University. But it's tiring. Busy from dawn till dusk, like rushing around a marketplace. Finish one class, then rush off to another place to teach. But there's no choice. My dad used to run a small business, but he suffered a stroke, spending all our savings on treatment and even borrowing over two hundred thousand in debt. Mom was laid off and doesn't have an income. We rely solely on me for money to support the family. Sigh, now I just wish to find a rich husband and stop worrying," Zhang Xinran sighed, but from the optimistic girl's face, there wasn't much visible sorrow now.
Life's hardships compel one to adapt; whether you like it or not, you have to endure. It's just inevitable.
"No one dares to marry someone like you, always practicing martial arts and wielding big swords. Unless you return from the Shaolin Temple after leaving monastic life, who would dare to marry you? It'd be strange if you didn't get beaten up every day," Lin Yu teased her.
"If I truly wanted a wealthy husband, I'd definitely stop practicing. I must polish myself like a gem," Zhang Xinran dreamily rested her chin in her hand, her eyes continuously glancing at Lin Yu, seemingly demonstrating her extremely high standards for the handsome Lin Yu. She chuckled, "As for you, it's better to forget about it. No chance. I might auction myself off to someone super wealthy, even if it means becoming an old man's mistress. As long as it cures my parents' illnesses, no matter what, I'll accept it. Though you're quite tall and somewhat handsome, without money, you'd better step aside, mister." Zhang Xinran pushed him away playfully, laughing.
"Really? You're making yourself sound so pitiful, even more pitiful than a little cabbage," Lin Yu rolled his eyes, looking unconvinced. In reality, he felt increasingly sympathetic towards this internally strong, highly optimistic girl.
He knew Zhang Xinran was merely joking. With her tough exterior and interior, how could she possibly marry an old man or become someone's mistress just for money?
"If you don't believe it, come to my house and see for yourself. Then you'll know how miserable my life is. Look at me now, not even daring to buy a decent piece of clothing. Sigh, what I really want now is to pay off the debt and then indulge myself, have a good meal, buy lots of pretty clothes, and spend my entire monthly salary within an hour. Blissful!" Zhang Xinran was full of stars in her eyes, fantasizing, which made Lin Yu feel a sense of poignant bitterness deep within.
Actually, girls like her should be in the prime of their youth—loving to play, laugh, and enjoy life. Their faces should be adorned with constant joyous smiles, full of dreams and expectations for everything. However, this girl, due to shouldering the responsibility of supporting her family prematurely, couldn't dare to live her youth like that. She couldn't even buy herself a decent piece of clothing.
And for a woman, how many years of her life are the most beautiful?
Thinking about this, Lin Yu couldn't help but let out a long sigh deep within.