Chapter 80: Once Had a Pen Pal
Far East University, College Dormitory.
Even in the case of dormitories, there are distinctions; international students and local residents cannot possibly reside in the same category.
Xue Hanlei indulged herself in a delightful skincare routine, adding a touch of moisture to her skin. She meticulously examined herself in the mirror, and proceeded to delicately apply eyeliner with a pen.
Though she had been single for over twenty years, the desire for beauty is inherent in all human beings. When it comes to the realm of cosmetics, she could choose not to apply, but she could not afford to be without the knowledge and skill.
Not everyone possesses natural beauty that can awe the world without makeup and maintain flawless skin without skincare.
If I don't wear makeup and walk alongside this lady, I will always feel inferior and embarrassed, constantly being overshadowed.
Xue Hanlei couldn't contain herself and forcefully slammed her hand on the table, glaring angrily at the white-haired woman beside her, declaring, "I have something to say!"
The woman halted her keystrokes and shifted her gaze, asking with a quizzical look, "?"
Xue Hanlei mustered her courage for a brief moment and spoke, "Why are you here so early, hammering away on the keyboard? You can't skip breakfast like this. Take better care of yourself."
Yun Wuxin continued to tap the keyboard and said, "I'm writing my thesis titled 'The Application and Proficiency of the Nine Palaces Array in Modern Architectural Landscapes'."
Xue Hanlei softly murmured, "You've been typing it all night."
"Am I disturbing you?" Yun Wuxin inquired.
Xue Hanlei shook her head and, with little movement, managed to fall asleep with great effort.
"That's good." Yun Wuxin said, "If I'm disturbing you, it's better for you to take your blanket and go sleep in the neighboring dormitory."
Xue Hanlei used her hand to support her forehead and said, "You're not at all polite. At least try to conceal your thoughts a little."
"Sure, but it's not necessary. I am an honest person and prefer to speak the truth," Yun Wuxin said calmly. "If I unintentionally offend you, you will just have to bear with it."
"This is completely unreasonable!"
"Someone with a strong fist finds it difficult to speak without being forceful," Yun Wuxin shrugged, her long white hair swaying with her subtle movement.
Even though she might be harsh with her words, Xue Hanlei couldn't help but admit that this girl was truly beautiful. Whenever she was present in class, all the males would acquire a passive skill - reading with one eye while keeping the other on her.
Xue Hanlei wanted to say that these people were actually deceived, thinking that she was always so ethereal and graceful.
Wrong! Utterly wrong!
This person is even more ethereal and graceful than usual!
For example, right now she stayed up all night without sleeping, yet she doesn't even have dark circles under her eyes. She appears refreshed and radiant, still emanating an aura of ethereal beauty.
It's unfair, so unfair!
If she were not a broad-minded woman, it would be impossible for her to withstand the dual onslaught of beauty and spirituality, twenty-four hours a day.
Xue Hanlei silently shed tears, but she still couldn't find a way to express her inner thoughts to this young lady, after all… she had become a devoted admirer of Miss Yun's beauty.
"Have you finished writing?" she noticed that Yun Wuxin had already ceased typing on the keyboard.
"I have finished writing," Yun Wuxin nodded affirmatively.
"Why aren't you sleeping then?"
"Wait a moment, there is an email," Yun Wuxin looked at a line of emails on the computer screen.
Xue Hanlei curiously approached and said, "Let me take a look… this doesn't look like your personal letter, hum?"
"It's a friend I met online, it has been over a year," Yun Wuxin replied, "The other party is a sensitive and melancholic girl, who occasionally keeps in touch through emails."
"Pen pal, right? I remember you used to have pen pals before, didn't you?"
"I used to have… but not anymore."
Yun Wuxin clicked on the email and rows of text appeared before her eyes.
The email wasn't long, probably less than a thousand words, and was quickly read.
"Um… what do you think?" Xue Hanlei sat down and poured herself a glass of water.
"Lame," Yun Wuxin provided her evaluation, and then felt it wasn't enough, so she added three more words, "to the extreme."
"Chuckling," Xue Hanlei asked with a smile, "Is this how you treat your pen pal?"
"Her previous emails were not like this, she used to ask more practical questions and discuss changes in the family environment, but now…" Yun Wuxin narrowed her eyes and disdainfully remarked, "She has degraded into the behavior of a monkey in its mating season."
"Not to that extent, not to that extent," Xue Hanlei spoke kindly, "It's just having a longing for love, having someone you care about and like. It's such a beautiful thing, but you've made it sound like an intellectual and emotional decline, as if it's about to plunge into the depths of hell."
Yun Wuxin disdainfully remarked, "Love, it is an illusion, and liking, likewise. The hazy affection between men and women, seemingly resilient, is actually fragile, not to mention her unmistakable unrequited love in this case."
"How do you know? It wasn't written in the letter, you know."
"Did you see her mention the man at all?"
"There… really isn't."
"She wanted to take the initiative, or perhaps she already has. Isn't this the transformation from unrequited love to something more? Foolish, ignorant, beyond foolishness… In the end, it will only leave her feeling desolate and wounded. Why must one have such lofty expectations towards love, a mere illusionary and elusive concept?"
Yun Wuxin lamented with a touch of helplessness, completely devoid of her previous ethereal appearance as a celestial being detached from worldly matters.
Xue Hanlei squinted her eyes.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
"I simply find it remarkable that you're reacting so strongly," Xue Hanlei rested her chin on her palm, "Usually, you are a modest little fairy, but today, after reading a single email, you suddenly explode like a lit fuse. Could it be that…"
Yun Wuxin furrowed her brow.
"You don't happen to have a favorable impression of the sender of this email, do you? It couldn't be, right? It couldn't be, it couldn't be, it couldn't be?" Xue Hanlei blinked curiously, "Because that person is a young lady, engaged in a forbidden love?"
Yun Wuxin's furrowed brow relaxed, without offering an explanation. Instead, she opened the email, pondering on how to respond.
"Don't act impulsively. Responding too aggressively at this moment can cost you the support of your friend," Xue Hanlei cautioned, restraining her reckless left hand.
"I simply provided her with some useful advice based on my own understanding," Yun Wuxin remained composed. "I know what can be said and what cannot be said. I wouldn't dampen the young girl's hazy yearning for love, but it is necessary to give her a gentle reminder of her current blindness."
"Blindness?"
"Stay steady and watch my moves!"
…
Hokusinn Manor.
"So quick to reply to the email? I thought I would have to wait for some time."
"Miss White Cloud is also interested in such topics."
Hokusinn Kichyō opened the email and began to read it carefully.
"Miss Butterfly, after receiving your email, I immediately crafted a reply. I have gained some understanding of your situation, although lacking many details. Nevertheless, I can sense your earnestness and concern regarding this matter. As someone who has gone through similar experiences, I feel it is my responsibility and duty to provide you with some guidance and clarification."
"Firstly, your mindset must be composed and steady at present. Even when pursuing ambiguous affection and uncertain love, there is no need to lower your standards excessively or stoop too low. The Ming Country uses the phrase 'raising the case to meet the eyebrows' to describe love, but it is actually a misinterpretation. True love is based on equality, and cannot be obtained through one-sided begging or coercion. It is far from love."
"Furthermore, after adjusting your mindset, you must honestly assess your strengths and weaknesses. Relationships require a solid foundation and continuous interaction in order to develop. Being overly proactive will only scare away the other person, especially in an era where there is a shortage of males and an abundance of females. Many parents advise their sons to protect themselves when they go out… You need to find a way to establish targeted communication between both parties. If it's a love in the school years, the school serves as the platform and foundation. However, society doesn't offer as many platforms, so you have to create them yourself."
"The method to tightly connect both parties cannot rely solely on emotions. It either requires facing and overcoming a common crisis, or aligning with mutual interests… Although it may sound cliché, it is the truth. Only an unbreakable alignment of interests can ensure a lasting relationship. One-sided desires and selfish demands will inevitably lead to destruction."
"Considering all the aforementioned factors, what I want to tell you is… don't rely solely on feelings, as feelings are the most unreliable. What you may perceive as acceptable, others may not feel the same way. You may be willing to make grand promises for love, but the other person may only desire freedom and suddenly hesitate at the crucial moment. They may leave you standing alone in an empty church, surrounded by mocking guests, wearing a wedding gown."
"If you don't want it to happen this way, then you have to employ tactics and strategies… Some may argue that this is mean-spirited or manipulative, but if it presents an opportunity to seize, would you choose to utilize it or not?"
"White Cloud, concerned about your situation."
Hokusinn Kichyō carefully read it several times and let out a long sigh of relief.
"Not surprising coming from Miss White Cloud, the advice given is truly insightful. I must abandon futile and unyielding fantasies, and also employ certain tactics to a certain extent."
"Hmm, this aligns perfectly with my intentions. Without employing certain tactics, I won't be able to get around Yagyū Simozi. The real challenge lies in how to establish a connection."
"The same enemy, the same interests, shared interests…"
Hokusinn Kichyō pondered along this path, when suddenly a flash of inspiration crossed her mind.
I admire Mr. White, while Yagyū Simozi harbors inappropriate thoughts toward her brother.
Are we not on the same side, united by shared interests?
