CHAPTER 61: CHAPTER 61: CAMPUS STROLL

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting a scattering of light spots on the ground.

On the campus tree-lined path, lush trees stood, with the breeze gently brushing by, rustling the leaves.

Li Jing and Zhou Li walked along the path beside the teaching building, both dressed casually, lacking the formal and mature look of professionals.

Even though they had left campus five years ago, walking these campus paths still made them feel like university students, leisurely chatting and strolling after class.

Though this university was not their alma mater, the solemn and tranquil teaching buildings, the spacious and clean sports field, and the scattered groups of students on the road instantly pulled out the deep-seated memories of school for both of them, filling their hearts with intense nostalgia and sentiment.

Watching a few students hurrying to the classroom with books in hand, Zhou Li reminisced, "Back then, during our high school years, we studied from morning till late, barely having any personal time, and I’m not sure how we managed to get through it."

"Indeed, though high school was only three years, in my memory, it feels like it lasted a long time. Closing my eyes and recalling, my adolescent years almost entirely comprise scenes from that period."

Struggling, laughing, playing, exams...

Li Jing casually gathered some fragments from memory, all of which were those three years of high school.

"Perhaps because we were all striving for the same goal, the immense pressure forged deep friendships, just like comrades on a battlefield, each exam being a battle for us."

Perhaps touched by the scenery, Zhou Li began to talk more.

She looked at the distant students chasing and playing, and softly said, "It’s precisely because the friendships back then were profound and simple, that now it’s hard to make sincere friends in a work environment where interests come first everywhere."

Glancing at the few traces of loss and loneliness showing on the other’s face, Li Jing guessed that she must feel very lonely as a girl working in a foreign land.

Lishui City is not like Celestial Sea City, it does not have an influx of many young outsiders, instead, it is predominantly locals.

And because Zhou Li joined the system, young people are even rarer.

For her as an outsider, regardless of work hours or returning home after work, she is always alone.

This is also why, despite having a normal relationship with Huang Jun, after learning he came to Lishui City, she still willingly invited him to meet.

Because for her, encountering a passing friend from outside is extremely rare.

"That’s how life is, many people find it hard to make sincere friends after starting work; even for me, my situation isn’t much better than yours."

Li Jing responded in agreement, then noticed in the vacant area behind the teaching building ahead, there were a dozen university students using tables and chairs to set up simple stalls selling items, with posters and banners beside them reading "Club Charity Sale."

"That ponytailed girl’s a bit like you used to be." Li Jing’s gaze landed on a red-faced young female student closest to his direction.

Following Li Jing’s gaze, Zhou Li was slightly surprised, then nodded, "Yes, I can tell she’s like me, not very good at interacting with people, turning red after barely saying a few words."

Neither of them went over, instead, they just stood from afar and looked for a bit before turning to other places to continue wandering.

The campus is indeed a place that easily makes people feel comfortable and youthful.

Even without chatting, Li Jing and Zhou Li felt relaxed and at ease.

Especially Zhou Li, while absorbing the youthful vibe of the campus, she felt exceptionally content to be next to Li Jing.

If... they could hold hands, it would be even better.

For some reason, this thought suddenly sprang into Zhou Li’s mind, making her face turn crimson as she hurriedly shook her head to dispel it.

I can’t keep having wild thoughts, or I really don’t know what might happen.

Just wandering the campus with him is enough.

This should be the best conclusion for our relationship.

Thinking this, she couldn’t help but sneak another glance at Li Jing’s side profile ahead, her eyes soft yet complex.

Maybe I envisioned him too perfectly from the start.

Only after closer interaction did I realize he is still an ordinary person and couldn’t completely match the image that’s been refined over the years with my own will.

After today, just forget about him...

With this thought, Zhou Li took a deep breath, as if, having figured things out, she became bolder and slightly quickened her pace to get closer to Li Jing.

Noticing the other’s closeness, Li Jing turned back in surprise, seeing her naturally smiling at him, he hesitated a bit, then nodded and said, "That’s how you should be, your natural, comfortable smile is really beautiful."

Being complimented face-to-face by him again, Zhou Li’s face flushed slightly, but she tried to keep her head up, looked directly into Li Jing’s eyes and said, "Thank you, I’ll try to smile more in the future."

Noticing the subtle changes in her, Li Jing nodded, feeling gratified for her willingness to change.

Not just because they were friends, knowing she kept him in her heart for so many years, no matter what, Li Jing also sincerely hoped she would have a better life.

As the two wandered aimlessly, close to noon, they had walked around almost all the main places of this university.

When returning near the square by the campus entrance, Li Jing and Zhou Li unexpectedly found that the girl similar to Zhou Li was still there.

The students who had initially been with her were already tidying up and preparing to leave, with few remaining stalls only having a few items left. Only that girl’s stall still had many things displayed.

"It seems like she hasn’t sold much?"

Zhou Li seemed to have a natural affection for that girl, showing a hint of concern as she spoke.

Li Jing also observed the girl for a while and noticed that she was extremely shy every time she spoke with someone, not good at communication and sales.

Occasionally, when someone showed interest and approached her, they were drawn away by the enthusiastic waving of other stall owners before they could reach her stall.

"If this continues, she might not sell everything even after a whole day."

Upon hearing Li Jing’s assessment, Zhou Li frowned slightly and couldn’t help saying, "Let’s go over and have a look too."

Feeling that Zhou Li seemed to have empathized with the girl, Li Jing did not refuse and walked over together with her.

"Senior, would you like to take a look at our bracelet?"

"Senior, I have handmade fabric roses here, you can buy one as a gift!"

As soon as they approached, the few remaining student stall owners enthusiastically called out with their last few items.

The ponytail girl was about to speak, but her voice was drowned out by the others, her face turning red with embarrassment. She had to wait until they finished shouting, then muster the courage to say, "Se-Senior, would you like to have a look?"

Li Jing approached her stall and found cute handmade animal dolls on her table. They weren’t exceptionally delicate, but it was evident a lot of effort had been put into them.

"Did you make these yourself?" Zhou Li seemed to really like the little things, picking one up to look at it.

"Yes, I made them during my spare time," the ponytail girl explained nervously, not daring to look them in the eye, her face blushing.

Li Jing then curiously asked, "I see your charity sale is different from others. Why did the others leave after selling their goods? Weren’t you all together?"

"Well... it’s a task from the student council."

The ponytail girl hesitated for a moment before explaining, "The president contacted an organization helping people with disabilities, hoping to assist them, so we were asked to sell our things for charity, then donate the proceeds under the student council’s name."

"Is this a task you must complete? So everyone tried to sell their things and return early, while those who didn’t sell stayed?"

"Kind of."

Continuing, the ponytail girl added, "But there are still many people willing to participate in the charity sale. It’s just that I’m... not good at selling things, and my items aren’t that great."

"These are pretty good."

Before she finished, Li Jing picked one up to look at it, saying, "Although a bit rough, you can see the effort put in, making it more meaningful than mass-produced items."

Receiving Li Jing’s affirmation, the ponytail girl showed a hint of surprise, raising her head to look at him for the first time, then blushing as she said, "Th-Thank you."

Li Jing turned to Zhou Li and asked, "Do you like these?"

Zhou Li nodded, "Yes, they’re quite interesting, precisely twelve zodiac animals."

"Zodiac?"

Li Jing was taken aback, noticing they were indeed the twelve zodiac signs. Luckily, no one had bought them yet, or they wouldn’t be complete, so he asked, "How much are they?"

"They were originally thirty each, but they haven’t been selling," the ponytail girl confessed awkwardly, "If you want, I can sell them to you for twenty each."

"Thirty isn’t expensive. Considering your craftsmanship and materials, they’re worth this price."

Li Jing didn’t think much and simply said, "You don’t need to give me a discount; thirty each, I’ll take them all."

"You’re taking them all?" The ponytail girl looked up in surprise, a hint of joy appearing on her face.

Li Jing smiled and said, "Why, is there a purchase limit then?"

"No, no, let me pack them for you. I have specially designed little bags..."

The ponytail girl quickly started to pack the items for him, her previously downcast and sad expression turning to happiness, naturally displaying a joyful smile.

On the side, Zhou Li saw the ponytail girl’s change in expression and couldn’t help but show a slight comforting smile, feeling a warmth in her heart.

She was about to step forward to say something but paused slightly.

Watching Li Jing and the ponytail girl’s smiling conversation, her eyes trembled a bit, a moment of daze washing over her, memories flashing in her mind of Li Jing’s repeated help in the past...

It was as if she was the ponytail girl, regaining confidence and courage little by little with Li Jing’s constant help.

She stood there, staring at Li Jing’s back, whispering to herself with a sense of complexity:

Turns out, he hadn’t changed at all...