Chapter 61 She Wants Love Xu Xi Already Confessed…

Chapter 61 She Wants to Fall in Love; Xu Xi Has Already Confessed to Her...

When the group reached the mountaintop, they were all breathing heavily.

"I can't go on, I need to sit for a while," Shu Jia said, settling onto a large rock at the summit, her face flushed as she took a few sips of water. "I bet I'll lose three pounds from this."

Aside from one colleague, Yu Kui and the others were also utterly exhausted. "You, lose weight? You should eat more later!"

"Exactly," the colleague smiled gently. "You're already too thin; no need to diet."

Shu Jia chuckled, "Heh heh," then, seeing how he wasn't even winded, said enviously, "Do you exercise every day?"

"Yeah," the colleague replied, very disciplined. "I go to the gym after work."

"No wonder," Shu Jia said, eyeing the muscles bulging as he lifted his arm, really wanting to touch them. "You look so healthy." This made the colleague laugh again.

"Honestly..." Zhang Jing and the others couldn't even look. "If this turns into something, it'll be an office romance. How exciting!"

Yu Kui stood to the side, taking in the view. From above, she could see the bay and buildings below. The gentle breeze made her eyes curve into a smile, though she maintained a cool and composed demeanor.

Xu Siyue walked over to her and looped her arm through Yu Kui's. "Actually, falling in love isn't that hard. Having someone who'll talk with you, listen to your troubles, and be there when you need help—don't you think that sounds nice?"

"Sounds like you want a caretaker to me."

Xu Siyue snorted with laughter. "I'm being serious with you."

Yu Kui: "..."

"You can't just wait around for love," Xu Siyue said slowly. "You discover real feelings by spending time together and figuring out if you're compatible. If you just stand still, how long will it take to truly know someone?"

"You only learn what kind of person you like by dating. Even if you break up, it's okay. The more relationships a girl has, the more she understands herself and men."

Yu Kui chuckled softly but didn't respond.

"Don't you think you've actually shown signs of being in love before?" Xu Siyue said. "Back in our freshman year."

"Did I?" Yu Kui looked puzzled.

"Of course you did," Xu Siyue snorted lightly. "At the time, Shu Jia and I thought you were seeing someone, but you said it was just a friend."

Yu Kui immediately thought of Xie Xingzhi and said, both amused and exasperated, "He and I really are just friends."

"We know that now," Xu Siyue sighed. "It's been years, and nothing's happened. You two are definitely just friends."

"Nothing could happen between us," Yu Kui said. She cared for Xie Xingzhi as a friend but couldn't see them becoming lovers. "We're not compatible."

The old Yu Kui was afraid of the novel's plot; the current Yu Kui worried about Xie Xingzhi's safety.

Some things had changed, but others remained the same.

After resting for a while, the group took some photos at the summit. Shu Jia then started clamoring to go down the mountain for lunch. "I'm starving!"

"Let's have some home-style dishes," the colleague said with a smile. "I'll make a reservation first."

"Sounds good," Shu Jia walked close to him, glancing at him from time to time. "I could eat a horse right now."

After the meal, the colleague suggested visiting a nearby museum. Just then, Yu Kui received a WeChat message from her supervisor—she needed to organize some documents and had to leave early to put in overtime.

"I'm taking the subway back now," she texted Xie Xingzhi. "No need to pick me up today. Get some proper rest."

"Why are you back so soon?" Xie Xingzhi replied immediately. "Working overtime?"

"Yeah," Yu Kui said. Her company always had plenty of cases, and she was used to the work pressure. "Tomorrow will probably be busy too. We can do the farm trip another time."

Xie Xingzhi didn't respond further, but by the time she finished work, he had brought her dinner.

He knocked on the door, and Yu Kui was a bit surprised. "I told you not to come."

"Thought you might be too tired to go out, so I brought some food."

Since it was a shared apartment with three other girls, Xie Xingzhi stood at the doorway without entering, looking at the tiredness in Yu Kui's eyes. "Get some proper rest tonight."

Yu Kui took the food to the living room, then turned back to him and suddenly said, "Xie Xingzhi, there's something I want to tell you."

"What is it?"

Yu Kui: "I'm planning to start dating."

She didn't look him in the eye, instead focusing on the doormat. "Do you remember Xu Xi?"

"He came to City B this year to open a cake shop. He's visited me at school a few times, and last week he told me he likes me."

Whenever Yu Kui visited her grandfather's place, she would see Xu Xi. His cake business was doing well, with several chain stores now. Last year, when Yu Kui went back, he said he wanted to open a branch in City B and asked if she had any location suggestions. Now, he was here.

His cake shop was close to Yu Kui's school, and he often brought her food or asked her out for meals. Last week, he told Yu Kui quite seriously that he had always liked her and hoped she would consider his feelings.

Yu Kui had never expected Xu Xi to like her. She only saw him as a friend and never thought he'd come to City B or be near her.

"I think I should start dating."

Yu Kui's voice was calm as she spoke. "You're my good friend, so I'm telling you in advance. I might not be able to hang out with you as much in the future. Sorry."

Xie Xingzhi fell silent the moment she started speaking. He stood at the door, listening carefully to her thoughts about wanting to date, his expression not changing. Only after she finished did he slowly say, "Do you... like him?"

"I don't know," Yu Kui said softly. "But I don't dislike him. Maybe after spending more time together, I will."

Just as Xu Siyue said, without spending time together, you never know what kind of person you truly like. Now that there was a suitable opportunity, she should try opening her heart instead of pushing people away.

"I'm about to graduate," Yu Kui said. "I'll be even busier in the future, with less time to date. I want to give it a try."

"Mm," Xie Xingzhi looked into her eyes, his lips quirking into a slight smile. "You're right."

"Thanks for bringing dinner. You should head back now." Yu Kui waved slowly. "Let's hang out another time."

Xie Xingzhi stood there for a moment without speaking before saying, "Yu Kui, do you actually know Xu Xi well? What if he treats you poorly..."

"I'm an adult with a job," Yu Kui smiled. "I can make my own judgments. If he's no good, I'll definitely leave."

"But what if you get hurt?"

"Don't say such discouraging things," Yu Kui rolled her eyes. "I haven't even started dating yet—don't put that out there. So what if I get hurt? I won't fall for it twice, so don't worry."

"Yu Kui, I really think you should think this through..."

"Xie Xingzhi, who's dating here, you or me?" Yu Kui glared at him. "Don't blow this out of proportion. It's not like I'm marrying him."

"But if you do like him, would you marry him?"

Yu Kui fell silent.

The marriage she yearned for was one where two people in love walked hand in hand, growing together.

Whether she would eventually develop feelings for Xu Xi or not, she would take responsibility for this relationship—whether it ended outright or led to marriage, both were possibilities.

"If I get along well with him, of course I'd marry him," Yu Kui said immediately. "I have to hold myself accountable."

Xie Xingzhi looked at her. "Yu Kui, actually, I—"

"Xie Xingzhi, it's getting late. You should get going," Yu Kui said, glancing at the time. "My roommates will be back soon."

Xie Xingzhi took a step back and smiled again. "Alright, get some rest early."

"Mm, be safe on your way back."

"Okay."

After Xie Xingzhi left, Yu Kui stepped forward and closed the door. The entire living room fell quiet, with only the sound of the wind outside the window audible.

Yu Kui stood in place for a long time. She lowered her head and opened the takeout container on the table—it was filled with all her favorite dishes. She couldn’t help but smile, though she wasn't hungry at all.

The day Xu Xi came to find her at the school gate, she was surprised, but when she heard he was opening a store nearby, she felt delighted.

"I'll be able to have your desserts often from now on."

"You can come by after class," Xu Xi said with a smile. "I'm always at the shop. If you're busy with schoolwork, I can bring them to your dorm."

"There's no need to go to such trouble," Yu Kui said, not wanting him to give her special treatment. "I'll stop by when I'm craving something."

Even though she declined, Xu Xi still stopped by to see her every now and then.

Last week, while they were reading together at the store, Xu Xi asked if she would consider being with him.

"I'm twenty-six this year, and my financial situation is fairly stable. I can afford to buy a place in City B, and I own two cars. Although I didn't graduate from Yanning University, I attended a well-ranked school. I don't smoke or drink and have no bad habits. Besides making desserts, I enjoy gardening at home and traveling..."

"I've never been in a relationship before, nor have I ever liked a girl, but I take relationships seriously. I hope to build a healthy, fulfilling relationship. I'll be a responsible partner, and I hope you'll consider being with me."

Xu Xi's voice was gentle, his lips curved into a gentle smile, as though he had spent a long time thinking about what to say.

Yu Kui didn't know when he had started liking her, but in every aspect, he truly fit what she wanted for a boyfriend.

Even his hobbies—gardening and traveling—aligned perfectly with hers. Coupled with the time they had spent together back in their hometown, Yu Kui didn't dislike him. After a brief moment of thought, she said she needed a little time.

"Of course," Xu Xi said gently. "There's no need to rush your answer or feel pressured. I respect whatever decision you make."

The more polite and considerate he was, the more she respected him.

She spent a full week thinking about it, and the moment Xie Xingzhi knocked on her door, she suddenly decided.

Perhaps she should move forward.

Before, she had stayed put, waiting to move on. Now, she was done waiting for anyone.