Chapter Twelve: The Life of Men

  Xia Meng felt that Zhao Yi Nu's words were not unreasonable, and Zhang Li's learning and demeanor made Xia Meng, who was once full of confidence, feel inferior. Women in love, if they lack a sense of security, may all have this feeling.

  "Meng Meng, in our eyes, you are the most beautiful and excellent, because, compared to appearance, spiritual beauty is the most important." Looking at the disheartened Xia Meng, Chen Yu Meng's heart was also very sad, constantly comforting and encouraging her. In fact, in front of Li Han, wasn't Chen Yu Meng also self-abased?

  "What's the point of saying such self-deceptive words? I agree that inner beauty is the foundation of all beauty, but if we have inner beauty, why not make everything external beautiful too? Beauty is our responsibility, it's how we love ourselves, no matter what we've been through. We must never give up on beauty in order to win the attention of those we love."

  "Not everyone is born beautiful like you, don't say such flighty words!" Chen Yu Meng said in a sharp voice.

  "Why is beauty so elusive? Actually, beauty is very simple and concrete. Beauty is the face that you wash clean after a day of studying and return to your dormitory, it's the hands that you apply moisturizer to when you walk out of your dormitory door, it's the lips that you apply light lipstick to when you leave school, it's the waist that stands tall and proud as you walk, it's the eternal smile in a crowd, it's the calm and composure in the face of honor or shame..."

  "We need to come up with a plan to help Xia Meng, winning Huang Yi Qi is the most important thing." Chen Yu Meng impatiently interrupted Zhao Yi Nuo's words, you're so naturally beautiful, how can you possibly understand the humble heart of an ordinary girl?

  "Everyone can live beautifully, with a beautiful posture. Xia Meng indeed has a very beautiful side, which is why she can attract Zhang Li's attention." Zhao Yi Nuo said slowly and calmly, "Learning is the foundation of beautiful growth. In our school, the girl with the best academic performance is Xia Meng. This makes all the girls envy her. Actually, I want to give up everything I have to possess Xia Meng's excellent learning ability more than any of you. I think this kind of learning can make life more perfect and let life end in a particularly perfect form." Zhao Yi Nuo had secretly observed Xia Meng and felt that Zhang Li and Li Han were both attracted to her, the most important point being her intelligent and icy demeanor.

  "So, does Mengmeng have a chance of winning against Huang Yiqi?" Wang Qi asked Zhao Yino.

  "Last week, our school's art team had a meeting. The school asked us to prepare an act for the city's performance to celebrate Macau's return. Huang Yiqi, as the head of the school's art department, decided to direct a stage play and chose Zhang Li as her male partner. They will play a couple in the play with many intimate scenes." Actually, Zhao Yino didn't mention that she is also one of the female leads, and her partner is Li Han. "Tonight's rehearsal for the art team is actually preparation for that stage play."

  "Why didn't Zhang Li and Huang Yi Qi show up tonight?" Wang Qi asked curiously. Chen Yu Meng, Wang Qi, and Zhao Yi Nuo were all members of the school art troupe. They received a notice from the school league committee tonight to attend practice in the rehearsal room, but it wasn't mentioned that they would be going to the city for a performance.

  "The girls practice first, and when they're almost done, the boys join in, then they have a full rehearsal."

  "Zhang Li's study schedule is already so packed, and in November he still has to participate in the math competition finals, where does he have time to rehearse for the show?" Chen Yu Meng was full of doubt about this news.

  "Don't forget, he's Huang Yiqi's partner, and Huang Yiqi can find time to practice with him privately. The two of them being together all day is the best way to increase their feelings for each other! And this time, the selection was decided by the school team committee secretary. That means it's also the intention of the school leaders, which is a done deal."

  "Zhang Li can't possibly agree to participate in the performance!" Chen Yu Meng grasped Xia Meng's icy hand tightly and said firmly.

  "Xia Meng, if you don't want to lose your chance so quickly, you should also participate in this performance. There's a role of a tour guide that requires good English speaking skills, and you're the best candidate for it. Go find the student union secretary tomorrow to recommend yourself." Zhao Yi Nu continued, "Zhang Li will definitely be participating in this cultural performance."

  Xia Meng's mind was a complete blank, how could so many things happen in just one short afternoon? And Zhang Li, until now, hadn't sent even a single text message or made a phone call. Could it be true, just like Huang Yi Qi said, that Zhang Li had agreed to date Huang Yi Qi? Then what about Xia Meng? What did she count as in Zhang Li's eyes? Where would he place her?

  "Mengmeng, don't think too much about it. Zhang Li is definitely not the kind of person who is indecisive in emotional matters. Let's wait and see for now. The dormitory is also about to turn off the lights, let's go back to sleep first, and leave tomorrow's things to tomorrow." Wang Qi patted Xia Meng's shoulder and said, "No matter what, we three will always stand on your side and support you!"

  "Right, Mengmeng, we'll always support you." Chen Yumeng hugged Xia Meng tightly. "If you were a boy, it would be great if we could pair up, then there wouldn't be so many romantic troubles!"

  "Alright, don't let people misunderstand that we're a lesbian couple!" Xia Meng heard Chen Yu Meng say this and couldn't help but laugh, pulling her hand away.

  "Haha, let's not talk about boys, no harm done. Let's toast to our friendship." Zhao Yino stood up and poured mango juice into the cup, "Yumeng, I'll toast you first. If I've offended you in any way, don't take it to heart."

  "No boys, no fight. One promise, come on, let's do it." Chen Yumeng wasn't a petty person either, and she downed a large glass of juice in one gulp.

  "We four dormitory people, after gathering, the first half can talk about boys, and the second half only allows talking about life." Xia Meng said, "For our friendship to last forever, let's have a drink!"

  No boys, no harm. Without tension, could Huang Yiqi also become friends with Xia Meng?

  Huang Yi Qi is lying in bed, her whole body aching, especially her lower body, the pain unrelenting. She thinks back to her crazy behavior today and her face burns with shame. Today she made a huge gamble, betting so much, but doesn't know if it was right or wrong? Will Zhang Li hate her?

  However, she would rather have Zhang Li hate her for the rest of his life than let him fall into Xia Meng's hands. The thought of Xia Meng made Huang Yiqi feel complicated.

  Every time she attends class, Xia Meng is always fully focused and serious about listening to the lecture. Whether it's in class or after class, she can always devote herself wholeheartedly to learning. She is also enthusiastic and proactive about class work. Although there are assigned students on duty, Xia Meng is almost always the one erasing the blackboard every day. If any student on duty doesn't have time, as long as they mention it to Xia Meng, she will stay behind to clean up the classroom. And the trash in the classroom is almost always taken out by Xia Meng during class breaks. If these trivial matters were only done occasionally, it wouldn't be a big deal, but Xia Meng does them every day, which makes Huang Yiqi feel deeply respectful.

  Xia Meng is the most enthusiastic person in the class, on the contrary, Huang Yi Qi will not care about anything except her own affairs. For an excellent girl like Xia Meng who has no flaws at all, Huang Yi Qi is also full of curiosity, if there was no tension between them, would they become friends?