"Hey, hey!" Emily waved her hand in front of Stella's face. "What's going on, beautiful? What's got you so lost in thought?"
Stella snapped out of her reverie and poked the pearls at the bottom of her milk tea cup with a straw, murmuring softly, "Nothing much..."
"Yeah, right," Emily teased, lifting Stella's face to inspect it. "Look at you, all dreamy-eyed. You miss your man, don't you?" She put on a mock stern expression. "Stella, you've been away from home for just a morning, and already your longing has turned into an ocean? Have some self-respect!"
Stella couldn't argue. She had indeed been thinking about Leo.
It was nothing major, really. She was just staring at the beef in her bowl, and it reminded her of how Leo had helped her cook it that day. She thought of his rolled-up sleeves, his strong, deft hands, his focused expression, and those moments...
"Baby, call me."
"...Honey."
"And?"
"Husband~"
"Good girl."
Stella's face turned crimson.
Emily burst out laughing.
Stella was embarrassed. "W-What is it?"
"Nothing," Emily winked. "I'm just happy for you."
Over the past three years, Stella's life had revolved around the dormitory, the dining hall, the classroom, and the library. Besides studying, she spent all her time writing tirelessly to make money, living like a monk despite being a blooming young woman. But ever since she got married, she seemed to glow more every day—her big eyes sparkled, and her cheeks were rosy. She looked like someone who was deeply cherished.
Emily's eyes sparkled with mischief. "So, how's it going with Leo in that department... is it wonderful?"
"Tsk," Stella scooped up a piece of rib and fed it to her. "Don't ask, just eat!"
"Don't be shy! It's normal for adults to talk about this stuff," Emily said. "But seriously, Stella, what do you think of Leo?"
"He's amazing!" Stella's eyes lit up, and she started talking animatedly. "He's so considerate. He remembers everything I say. He's gentle, never raises his voice, always discusses things with me, respects my opinions, takes great care of me... In short, he's just perfect!"
Emily nodded and cut straight to the point: "So, do you like him?"
Stella was stunned.
"Do I... like him?"
She had never really thought about it.
"I'm asking you, darling," Emily coaxed. "You've been married for over a month now. Don't you have any feelings for him?"
"Feelings... are good."
"Be specific."
"Well..." Stella scratched her head, frustrated. "I can't explain it..."
"Let's put it in context," Emily suggested. "Say he has to go abroad for work and won't be back for six months. How do you feel?"
"...I'd miss him."
"He calls you every day despite the time difference, saying good morning and good night..."
"I'd still miss him, and I'd want to see him."
"He tells you he misses you too, but you only have two days off, and the round-trip flight takes fourteen hours..."
"I'd still go."
"Then, the company faces an unexpected financial crisis, and Leo is on the brink of bankruptcy..."
"I'd give him all my money, support him, and stay by his side."
"A wealthy woman offers to help, but only if Leo marries her daughter..."
"...Leo wouldn't agree to that."
"Let's say he does, and he asks you for a divorce..."
"He wouldn't!"
"But he does! He falls in love at first sight with the wealthy woman's daughter!"
"..."
Emily pressed on, "How do you feel?"
Stella's lips quivered. "...I'd want to cry."
Such a melodramatic plot, and yet she still wanted to cry.
"Because Leo wants to divorce you?"
Stella nodded, then shook her head. "Because he fell for someone else."
Emily was thrilled. She jumped up from her seat, startling the people at the next table. "So what does that mean?"
Stella fell into deep thought.
What did it mean?
It meant she didn't want Leo to fall for someone else. She didn't want to be apart from him.
Leo had once told her, "Love is not necessary," and she had always remembered that. She had never thought Leo would one day fall for someone, including herself.
What if Leo really did fall for someone else?
Just the thought of it made Stella feel incredibly sad.
Suddenly, she recalled many things.
She thought of Leo's eyes when he smiled at her.
She remembered how her heart always raced because of Leo.
She recalled how much she loved Leo's hugs and kisses and never resisted his closeness.
She realized she truly wished to spend her life with him.
...
"Emily," Stella looked steadily at her, "what does it feel like to like someone?"
Emily smiled. "I'd say, it's when you ask a question like that because of him."
Stella smiled too.
"Yeah, I like him."
To repay Emily for her enlightening advice, Stella agreed to go shopping with her in the afternoon. On the way to the mall, Emily kept grinning at Stella the entire time.
"Why are you smiling like that?"
"I'm excited!" Emily said. "Our love-blind Stella has someone she likes, and it's her own husband! Oh my gosh, what a divine match!"
Stella blushed. "I didn't expect it either…"
But she was genuinely happy.
Her phone suddenly lit up with a call from Leo.
Seeing "Leo" displayed on the screen, her lips curved up, and her heart began to race.
So this is what liking someone feels like.
This is the person she likes.
"Hello, Leo!" Stella answered.
"Hey," Leo chuckled. "Had lunch?"
"Yes, I'm heading to the mall with Emily now. Have you eaten?"
"Yes," Leo replied. "Did you bring the card I gave you?"
"I did."
"Good. Buy whatever you like. Remember the password?"
"Yep!"
"Good."
Stella couldn't stop smiling.
Leo laughed. "Why are you so happy?"
"...Just am. Don't ask," Stella said shyly. "Leo~"
"...Alright," Leo was completely disarmed. "Enjoy your shopping. I have a meeting. See you tonight, sweetheart."
"See you tonight. Bye, Leo."
Stella couldn't stop grinning at her call log. Emily looked at her with mock disgust. "Hey, hey, mind your public display."
Stella reluctantly put her phone away.
"So, are you going to tell Leo you like him?"
Stella thought for a moment, then nodded firmly. "Yes."
Liking Leo is a wonderful feeling. Being liked is also a wonderful feeling. She wanted to make him happy.
"But I can't tell him just yet."
Emily was puzzled. "Why not?"
"I'm afraid it might be too sudden for him, and he'll feel pressured."
Ever since she realized her feelings, Leo's statement, "Love is not necessary," echoed in her mind like a spell. He had only married her to keep his promise and was diligently trying to be a good husband. Injecting feelings into this marriage on her own might not be something Leo could accept.
Emily asked, "So when will you tell him?"
"I'll pursue him first and then confess," Stella declared confidently.
"You're going to pursue him? You're already married!"
"I want him to like me too," Stella said earnestly. "Being married doesn't mean you can't fall in love. I want to date him."
Dating Leo!
Just the thought made her heart flutter!
Emily laughed. "Alright, so how do you plan to pursue him?"
Stella was stumped. How indeed?
She recalled some of the ways she had been pursued: lighting candles and shouting downstairs… disruptive and not eco-friendly; gathering a group to publicly confess… emotional blackmail; shadowing her everywhere… just plain creepy.
None of these were good. She had no idea how to do it.
"Do you know how?" she asked Emily.
Emily shrugged. "Nope."
Stella thought for a moment, then pulled out her phone.
"What are you doing logging into the school forum?" Emily asked.
"I'm consulting my think tank."
Stella skillfully navigated to her posts. When the highlighted and pinned post refreshed, Emily exploded, "You posted this?"
Stella looked confused. "Yeah."
"OMG, I've been following this thread! So the couple I've been shipping is actually my roommate and her husband?!"
Stella excitedly grabbed her hand. "Then say 'Stella and Leo are real'!"
"Hahaha," Emily raised her hands, "Stella and Leo are real! 'Stello' is real!"
"'Stello' is real!"
#632 OP Mountain
Hey everyone, long time no see. I'm back for advice. I'm planning to confess to my husband. Any tips on how to pursue someone? Thanks, everyone! [Click to receive a red envelope]
#633 Sweetness Detector
Aww, the sister is finally back!
#636 Heartfelt Prince
Pursue your husband? You married folks play wild games!
#637 Fragrance of Kindness
Sister, have you fallen for your husband? [Needing oxygen.jpg]
#638 OP Mountain
Yes, I like him. [Blushing.jpg]
#639 Inevitable Truth
Lemon tree has lemon fruit, under the lemon tree, it's you and me. This dog food tastes familiar.
...
Stella saved all the suggestions and confidently walked into the mall.