Chapter 60 Pessimistic Thoughts Is There Still Perfect Love…

Chapter 60: Pessimistic Thoughts and... Perfect Love?

For the next two years, Yu Kui was a member of her university's debate team. Beyond attending classes and sleeping, she dedicated most of her free time to researching and honing her public speaking skills. She participated in both on-campus and inter-university debate competitions, earning numerous accolades with her team.

Her critical thinking was exceptional, and her talent for debate was undeniable. In her junior year, a video of her debating went viral online, propelling her to renewed popularity.

"These days, many people in the neighborhood have been asking your mother about you," Yu Kui's mother said during a phone call. "They all say they envy your dad and me—we're absolutely delighted."

"Heh heh," Yu Kui lay on her bed, a wide smile plastered across her face. "Well, of course! I'm the pride of the family, after all."

Seeing her daughter's self-satisfaction, Yu Kui's mother didn't urge humility. Instead, she indulged her: "That's because my girl *is* so outstanding. It's only natural for others to be envious."

Every conversation with her mother filled Yu Kui with joy. "Mom, summer break is coming up soon, and I'm planning to find an internship."

"In B City?"

"Yeah," Yu Kui had only recently decided to pursue an internship. "I'll be going with some classmates."

Her mother paused for a few seconds. "But where will you stay there, all by yourself?"

"We're planning to rent an apartment together," Yu Kui explained. "There's safety in numbers with four of us."

"Alright, I'll come down to help you get settled," her mother said, still a little worried at the thought of her daughter working. "I'll help you look for a place."

"But what about your job?" Yu Kui didn't want to inconvenience her mother.

"I can use my annual leave," her mother replied cheerfully. "I haven't taken a vacation in ages anyway. It'll be nice to spend some time with you."

Yu Kui's eyes lit up. "That sounds great!"

After hanging up, Yu Kui's other close friends learned about her internship plans and realized she wouldn't be returning home to hang out with them.

"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Sun Shuya wailed. "I was planning to take you to Xinjiang this summer—the sky there is so blue!"

"Haven't you been there before?"

"I want to go again," Sun Shuya grumbled. "I want to go every year."

Yu Kui: "..."

"If I can't see you this summer, who's going to eat hot pot with me?" Sun Shuya complained. "Maybe I should come visit you instead?"

"Would that be okay?" Yu Kui mentioned that her mother would also be coming.

"Of course! I'll come with Auntie. It's not like I haven't been there before."

Yu Kui: "..."

After securing an internship, Yu Kui and her roommates moved into the rental apartment her mother had found. It was conveniently located near their workplace, making their commute easier.

In their spare time, Yu Kui showed her mother and Sun Shuya around B City. Sun Shuya, seeing how busy Yu Kui was with work, only stayed a short while before returning home. Once Yu Kui's internship settled into a routine, her mother also used up her leave and departed.

As an intern, Yu Kui's daily tasks were varied, mostly involving assisting full-time employees—printing documents, organizing files, and so on. Still, she gradually gained exposure to more cases and was no longer just a book-smart novice.

One day after work, her roommate Shu Jia suggested going to a park over the weekend and asked if the others wanted to join.

"Are you going with your boyfriend?" Zhang Jing sneered. "Why drag us along as chaperones? I have a date anyway."

"What boyfriend? Don't be silly!" Shu Jia's face flushed. "We're just colleagues."

Although the four roommates interned at different companies, their workplaces were relatively close. Shu Jia had met a senior colleague who was very supportive, and she often talked about him after work. "He may not be super handsome, but the way he analyzes cases with such ease and communicates with clients is just so captivating."

Yu Kui was accustomed to this behavior—since freshman year, Shu Jia had been on the hunt for attractive guys on campus but had never managed to get into a relationship. Now, it seemed she had found a new crush.

"Oh, please," Xu Siyue cautioned. "You're just starting out—everyone seems impressive now. Wait until you've worked a few years; he might not seem so special then. Don't mix work and emotions."

"What if he asks me to hang out?" Shu Jia looked to her three "dating coaches" for help. "Does that mean he's interested in me?"

Yu Kui: "..." She wasn't sure she qualified as a dating coach.

Zhang Jing: "Do you want to go?"

"Of course I do!" Shu Jia said excitedly. "He's the one who asked me!"

Yu Kui: "..."

"Then just go," Xu Siyue said indifferently. "Did you tell him you'd bring us?"

"Not yet."

"Tell him first." Although the others weren't particularly keen on hiking in the park, they were a bit concerned about Shu Jia going alone with a man they didn't know well.

After Shu Jia mentioned bringing friends, her colleague quickly agreed.

"Alright, you all *have* to come with me tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll let Zhou Chu know," Zhang Jing said. She was still dating Zhou Xiao's older brother; they were well-matched in background and interests and planned to marry after graduation.

Yu Kui's phone buzzed.

Xie Xingzhi: "I'm off tomorrow. Want to go to a farm to escape the heat?"

Over the past two years, Yu Kui and Xie Xingzhi had maintained their close relationship. They met almost every week, and when she was especially busy, he would bring her food or keep her company in the library while she researched.

At one point, Yu Kui had wondered if he liked her and even pondered how she might respond if he confessed. But as time passed without any action or visible signs of affection from him, she relaxed, deciding she'd just been overthinking it.

Yu Kui typed a reply: "Can't tomorrow—going out with friends."

"Roommates?"

"Yeah, we're planning to hike at a park."

"Which park?"

After checking with Shu Jia for the address, Yu Kui replied: "It's not too far from where we live. We can take the subway."

"I'll go with you," Xie Xingzhi called immediately. "I'll pick you up tomorrow morning."

"Huh?" Yu Kui was taken aback. "It's better if you don't come." She stepped onto the balcony and briefly explained the situation. "Shu Jia is trying to spend time with that colleague. Your presence might make them uncomfortable."

"I won't bother them."

"No," Yu Kui insisted. "We can go hiking together another time."

Xie Xingzhi sighed softly. "Alright then. After you finish hiking, I'll come pick you up."

Yu Kui thought for a moment. "I'll send you the location then."

"Okay."

After hanging up the phone, Yu Kui walked into the living room and listened to the three of them chattering about what clothes to wear and what makeup to apply tomorrow.

"I don't think we should wear athletic wear," Zhang Jing immediately said. "It's too plain and lacks impact."

"What should I wear then?" Among the four, Zhang Jing had the best sense of style. She thought for a moment, "You have a great figure. You can wear a ponytail, a denim outfit with a red top, and some light, natural makeup. You'll totally win him over."

"Will that work?" Shu Jia asked doubtfully. "I've never worn a red top before."

"I have one," Zhang Jing took out several outfits for Shu Jia to try on one by one. "You'll see in a moment."

Shu Jia put on the outfit she suggested, and it indeed looked stunning. Everyone agreed. After that, they did Shu Jia's makeup, making sure she would look beautiful tomorrow before finally feeling reassured and going back to rest.

The next day, everyone got up early to help Shu Jia get ready. When they arrived at the park, the colleague was already there waiting. Seeing the four girls approaching, the colleague, dressed in just athletic wear, was immediately captivated by Shu Jia.

"Have you been waiting long?" Shu Jia walked over with poise and asked softly.

"N-no, not really." The colleague looked a bit flustered and handed out water to Yu Kui and the others. After introductions, they learned his name was Sun Lin, a senior at Shu Jia's company who had already handled many cases and had a promising future there.

Seeing Shu Jia chatting happily with him, the other three hung back quietly, exchanging glances and unable to hold back their smiles.

"She's got good taste," Zhang Jing whispered.

Today, they had accompanied Shu Jia not only out of concern for her safety but also to ensure the colleague was sincere. Zhang Jing carried an expensive backpack and bracelet, while Yu Kui and Xu Siyue had also applied light makeup.

Listening to Shu Jia talking happily with him, chirping like a little bird along the way, Yu Kui wondered if she should also find someone.

She was about to graduate from university, and she felt it would be hard to find genuine love once she entered society.

But she was set in her ways. Even though she had faced bad experiences in the past, she still believed in love and felt she would eventually meet someone she truly liked.

Over the years, quite a few guys had pursued her, and many of them were outstanding, but whenever Yu Kui interacted with them, her heart never raced, and she sometimes even felt uneasy about their advances.

Yu Kui was sometimes afraid that she had lost the ability to "feel a spark," worried that her heart had already "gone numb."

This wasn't a good thing for her.

"Feeling envious?" Xu Siyue glanced at her. "Want me to introduce someone to you?"

"You've already introduced several to me," Yu Kui said with a sigh. "Let's just forget it."

After Zhang Jing started dating, Xu Siyue also found a boyfriend. Only Yu Kui and Shu Jia were left as the single ones in the dorm. To keep the four of them together, the other two took turns trying to set them up, but things just fizzled, and eventually, the efforts died down.

"So when are you planning to start dating?" Zhang Jing glanced at her. "Isn't campus romance appealing?"

"I don't know," Yu Kui felt there was something off with her mindset. "Maybe when I can fully trust someone."

"How can you trust someone without getting to know them?" Xu Siyue rolled her eyes. "I think you're just sapiosexual."

Yu Kui: "..."

Yu Kui had very high standards for a partner—whether it was character, financial situation, or academic achievements, she refused to compromise. Sometimes, when she heard about female students working part-time to buy gifts for their boyfriends, her first thought was that they might as well spend that money on themselves.

As she grew older, she felt herself drifting further away from her childhood self, becoming more practical and even a little detached.

Occasionally, she wondered what she truly wanted now. Did flawless love really exist in the world?

If it did, would such love ever happen to her?

These doubts weren't due to a lack of self-confidence but rather questions about whether love would ever come her way—a fundamentally somewhat pessimistic perspective.