Xia Zhijin blushed and lowered her head, unsure how to begin explaining. When Li Yuan gave her the phone, he’d said it was lent to her by the company for work...
"Xiyu, can I... can I ask for his opinion?"
"Zhijin, are you kidding me? You need Li Yuan’s permission just to add a friend and join the class group chat?" Shen Xiyu stared in disbelief, utterly exasperated. Adopting the tone of a relationship guru, she took Zhijin’s hand and advised her with grave sincerity, "Zhijin, you’re just too innocent. Listen, when it comes to men, you can’t be so accommodating. You can’t be so easy to fool... You need to know how to play your cards right. Never let a man think you’re an easy chase, someone he can win over without trying.
"You have to constantly test them and make them prove their intentions. The more they invest, the more they’ll cherish you. It’s called the sunk cost principle.
"And when you’re getting to know each other, you have to maintain some distance. Don’t be at his beck and call; that will make you seem cheap. You have to learn to play hard to get. Don’t reply to his messages right away. Throw a little tantrum now and then so he has to coax you. And sometimes, you have to know how to act cute and coy. A coquettish woman is the luckiest woman alive!"
Shen Xiyu’s torrent of relationship advice left Xia Zhijin’s head spinning.
Once Shen Xiyu had finished, Xia Zhijin asked with genuine curiosity, "Xiyu, you’re so experienced with relationships. Have you ever dated anyone before?"
Shen Xiyu’s face flushed, and she explained sheepishly, "Well, Zhijin, even though I’ve never been in a relationship, I’ve read a ton of romance novels, and this is how it’s always written.
"We girls are treasures sent down from heaven, every one of us an angel. Those gross guys who want to chase us can’t be allowed to succeed easily.
"Men turn bad the moment they get rich, and they never cherish anything they get too easily. Zhijin, you must remember this. Don’t let Li Yuan get his way so easily."
Hearing the phrase "get his way," Xia Zhijin’s heart clenched. She lowered her head and asked softly, "Xiyu, what does ’get his way’ mean?"
Shen Xiyu froze, her face turning crimson as she stammered, unable to find the words. Although she had read countless romance novels, she was too embarrassed to talk about *that* sort of thing between men and women. The truth was, she only knew the theory, not the practice.
"It’s... you know... that special activity between a man and a woman. How am I supposed to explain it to you..."
"Zhijin, just... just protect yourself, okay? And don’t believe Li Yuan’s sweet talk so easily."
Xia Zhijin answered shyly, "Okay, Xiyu. Thank you."
Gazing at Xia Zhijin’s flawless face, Shen Xiyu felt no jealousy at all, only a deep appreciation for her beauty. She took Xia Zhijin’s slender, delicate hands in her own, her eyes filled with envy as she looked at that exquisite face.
"Zhijin, you’re so beautiful and exceptional. If other guys knew, the line of suitors would stretch from the Bamboo Garden all the way to the Lan Yuan—if not a thousand, then at least eight hundred of them! Remember, you can’t let Li Yuan get such a prize for nothing."
Xia Zhijin shyly lowered her head. "Xiyu, Li... Li Yuan, he’s actually a good person."
Li Yuan was very patient with her. He took her out for meals, went shopping with her, bought her milk tea, and was always mindful of her pride. Most importantly, he was her boss and had already given her a salary advance.
"Zhijin," Shen Xiyu sighed, "don’t tell me you’re a love-struck fool."
Xia Zhijin just gave her a puzzled look, clearly having no idea what that meant.
Shen Xiyu felt mentally exhausted. She was about to explain when a sudden thought stopped her. Wait, who am I to act as a relationship expert when I’ve never even dated anyone? If this were a battlefield, an experienced opponent like Li Yuan would completely outmaneuver me!
"Ugh, forget it. Let’s not talk about it. Just let things happen naturally," she backpedaled. "Li Yuan... well, he’s actually a pretty decent guy."
Xia Zhijin just responded with a soft, "Oh."
Shen Xiyu glanced at the latest messages in the group chat, her expression turning to one of utter shock as she muttered to herself, "He actually won."
Xia Zhijin asked timidly, "Xiyu, Li Yuan... did he, did he..."
Still looking shocked, Shen Xiyu showed Xia Zhijin the group message from Liu Jia. "Latest news! The results of the competition are out. Li Yuan did 455 push-ups in ten minutes, and the instructor did 442. Li Yuan won!
"This guy’s physical fitness is insane! He actually beat a military training instructor. That’s just crazy."
Hearing this, Xia Zhijin asked worriedly, "Li... Li Yuan, is he okay?"
"How could he be okay?" Shen Xiyu retorted. "He’s probably completely wiped out."
Xia Zhijin suddenly shot to her feet. She raised her head and gazed toward the distant formation of male students, her eyes full of worry as she searched for someone.
Watching her, Shen Xiyu felt a pang of envy. Who doesn’t want a sweet romance? And a guy like Li Yuan... putting their different perspectives aside, he really is an exceptional person. Heh, with Li Yuan being in such great shape, I wonder if Zhijin’s slender little body will be able to handle him in the future...
***
In the military training formation for the male students, Li Yuan was panting heavily. Though not on the verge of collapsing, he was completely drained.
Instructor Jiang Zheng was in no better shape. He sat there motionlessly, his arms hanging limp and his legs trembling. He looked as if he’d just stepped out of a shower, with large beads of sweat dripping constantly onto the asphalt.
When Jiang Zheng looked at Li Yuan, there was no shame or anger from having lost the competition. Instead, he simply gave him a thumbs-up in respect.