But back then, just after graduation, there was significant social pressure from all around. After weighing and analyzing repeatedly, he compromised and transformed, which led to a work like "Advanced." "Advanced" belongs to the category of feel-good novels with an upgrade flow, and once serialized, it garnered countless fans for him.
He wrote quickly but never had the painstaking drive he had while creating "Sword Demon."
For some reason, Rowanda Peterson suddenly found his mind flooded with thoughts.
He wanted to communicate.
He instinctively glanced up at Mia Ginger.
The waiter had brought the dishes at some unknown time, and she was already lowering her head to eat.
She sat quite properly. Her eating speed was slightly fast, very focused, enjoying the food as if indifferent to everything around her.
That was not quite the usual way of eating for girls.
At least, it was different from what he often noticed with Zuri Ginger. She wasn’t as elegant as Zuri Ginger.
Zuri Ginger’s words and actions had always been very graceful. Eating, of course, was the type of slow and careful chewing, like a model textbook example of a qualified elegant lady.
He originally thought it was quite good and appreciated her demeanor, but now seeing the notably livelier Mia Ginger, he unexpectedly found that his deep-seated prejudice from before had gradually disappeared in the short time he met her.
Rowanda Peterson’s thoughts were churning, and he spoke no more, becoming increasingly silent.
This anomaly, Zuri Ginger of course noticed.
The four parted ways at the school’s entrance.
Mia Ginger took a ride to send Bob Ginger to the nearby subway station, and Rowanda Peterson accompanied Zuri Ginger back to the dormitory.
Zuri Ginger had already risen to senior year, with little time remaining at school. Many students of the same grade found opportunities to intern.
But she had always aimed high, wasn’t lacking money, and was preparing to apply for graduate studies at the same school for further education, hence it actually became a leisurely period for her.
Under the dormitory building, it was very quiet.
The two of them returned all the way, hardly speaking a few words.
The cool night breeze brushed past, and Rowanda Peterson turned his head sideways, saying: "Here we are."
Before the farewell words were spoken, he froze.
He lowered his gaze to look at Zuri Ginger, whose tears suddenly rolled down her cheeks from her red eyes.
"..." Zuri Ginger felt incredibly conflicted and softly said, "I’m sorry, I lied to you."
"I haven’t read all your works; I lied the first time we met, I... I..." She stammered for a long time, seemingly struggling to say something while biting her lip and looking at him, choking out, "I liked you. Rowanda Peterson, actually, I liked you since the first time we met."
"..." Rowanda Peterson looked at her in disbelief.
Zuri Ginger continued, "But I’m insecure, you are such a great person. There’s such a big gap between us, we became friends, and I didn’t dare to confess to you casually, who knew... who knew..."
She let out a painful sound of collapse and suddenly squatted down.
"Mia Ginger came back too unexpectedly. I was completely caught off guard and hadn’t yet reacted to what was happening, and I had already lost my clarity. I don’t deserve you."
"What nonsense are you saying." Rowanda Peterson, heartbroken and guilty, watched the little coldness towards her dissipate in an instant, leaned down, and pulled her wrist up, tightly embracing her in his arms.
"You’re no less deserving of me, stop saying such things."
"I’m not as pretty as Mia Ginger, and not really a true young lady, she is so amazing. Just a few words from her earlier, and you became indifferent to me."
Rowanda Peterson hugged her tightly, saying nothing.
"I am really scared. Scared she’ll take you away too." Zuri Ginger said incoherently, "Even mom and dad, and my brother, are all siding with her. If even you side with her, Rowanda Peterson, I’d really have nothing left."
"Never." Rowanda Peterson’s voice carried a rare decisiveness, lifting her chin to promise, "Never. How could you have nothing? You have me. No matter what, I’m always on your side, understand? You can tell me anything."
"Really?" Zuri Ginger stopped her tears, looking at him expectantly.
"Really." Rowanda Peterson nodded.