Chapter 617: 414. Value
He and she...
Such a perfect match.
Zhong Ruixi couldn’t help but recall an old song she had once heard.
"Anything not obtained, anything that’s past, is always the most fitting."
Thinking about it, she couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.
Dammit.
Even this song that quietly resurfaced in her memory was one she had heard in Lu Jincheng’s car.
Ever since being with that guy, the once plain routine of school and home seemed to lose its color entirely, turning dull.
Clearly, I am his girlfriend.
How could I think my boyfriend matches well with someone else?
Why do I have such a strange thought?
Watching Senior Sister’s witty demeanor on stage, Zhong Ruixi rubbed her eyes, a never-before-experienced emotion growing in her heart.
She had never felt this unfamiliar feeling before.
Since childhood, she had also been known as a great beauty far and wide.
Elementary school, middle school, high school, Zhong Ruixi had gradually grown accustomed to the amazed looks of others, constant praise from classmates, friends, and family, moving forward calmly surrounded by whispers.
Endless beautiful greeting cards during festivals, the sudden appearance of little snacks in her desk drawer during breaks, love letters passed along by a gossiping neighbor after school...
Zhong Ruixi had long found it a usual, everyday occurrence.
This is the unique treatment of a beauty.
This is also the unique pride of a beauty.
Someone who is beautiful and aware of it carries a bit of pride and confidence in their bones.
Because of these, Zhong Ruixi’s mindset had always been quite peaceful.
After all, the more exceptional the boyfriend, the more perfect the two appear to others, and the happier she is for him.
Until today.
"Mou Keyan is really easygoing... I just went backstage and asked her for an autograph, and she signed three for me at once!"
"Wow, your face is so thick!"
"That’s called having a good investment eye, okay? I just checked at the seafood market; someone paid for her autographs there. But I’m going to save them to appreciate in value before selling them."
"I still can’t believe our school produced such a big star."
"Isn’t it because she has some unclear relationship with Mr. Lu from Golden Stone Media? The company has wide channels and provided strong backing."
"How do you know that? I feel that Mou Keyan is just excellent herself."
"You really can’t see the essence of things."
"Even if you say that, don’t you think Mou Keyan and Lu Jincheng make a golden couple, a perfect pair?"
"You have a point..."
Unbeknownst to her, the guest sharing at the spring recruitment career motivation conference was reaching its end.
Company owners like President Chen of Douyu and successful alumni Lu Jincheng and Mou Keyan shared lots of useful insights in their respective fields with the graduates.
The atmosphere was very enthusiastic, and host He Ying took the stage again to drive the agenda forward, ushering in the long, boring speeches from the leaders.
Zhong Ruixi stood like a statue, unintentionally overhearing the whispers of the seniors and juniors around her.
It turns out...
It’s not just me who has these thoughts.
Whether classmates, friends, or even complete strangers, they all think Lu Jincheng and Mou Keyan are a better match.
Realizing just how outstanding her boyfriend truly was, Zhong Ruixi’s pride and confidence were being chipped away bit by bit.
...
"Hey, Rui Rui, didn’t you go to the cafeteria for lunch?"
After the sharing session ended, Xu Ya returned to dormitory 203 after a while and saw only a solitary figure in the lofted bed and desk layout.
"Hmm... I’m not really hungry yet."
Zhong Ruixi pulled back the corner of the bed curtain, softly replying.
"True, there’s nothing good in the cafeteria at this time. Do you want me to bring you something? Our club is going out for dinner later."
Xu Ya opened the wardrobe, casually choosing her outfit and makeup for later while asking.
"No, no, you go enjoy yourselves."
Zhong Ruixi lowered her eyes, gesturing her hand dismissively, looking listless.
A few seconds later, she suddenly remembered something and curiously asked.
"Club dinner?"
"Yeah! Speaking of which, Senior Sister Mou is really responsible, even though she’s debuted, she hasn’t forgotten she’s the leader of the Jinlang Dance Troupe. She’s taking us out for hot pot and to pass on some duties."
"..."
Zhong Ruixi didn’t reply, quietly climbing down from her bed, watching Xu Ya pursing her lips and patting her face in the mirror.
"Aren’t you going to eat hot pot?"
Seeing Xu Ya unnecessarily busy, she couldn’t help but ask again.
"Yeah."
Xu Ya nodded, continuing to use the large brush in her hand to sweep inward from the outer side, trying to make her cheeks look a bit firmer.
"It’s a club dinner, and for hot pot no less, why put on blush..."
Zhong Ruixi widened her eyes, completely baffled by this action.
In her impression, eating hot pot is naturally steaming hot, cheeks naturally flushed, a relaxed public social setting where one’s image isn’t strictly minded.
Besides, it’s not a date.
Why put in so much effort for an ordinary club dinner?
"Rui Rui, did you really think it’s just club duty handover?"
"Just joking earlier, a chance to have dinner with a star senior might only come this once."
"If it weren’t for Sister Jiang Yu inviting her, she probably wouldn’t come at all."
"I have to look my absolute best tonight! Click the shutter non-stop and take hundreds of group photos, ready to flood my social media!"
With that, Xu Ya clenched her small fists, smiling as she continued to use concealer to cover the drooping part of her mouth, and then draw slightly upturned lip lines with lip pencil.
A must-have smile for group photos with idol seniors.
Zhong Ruixi fell silent again.
She ran her fingers through her hair where Xu Ya’s small mirror couldn’t reach, lowering her head and trying to calm her thoughts.
A flower grown in a greenhouse, experiencing the real and unforgiving side of the world for the first time.
Not long ago, when the show aired, her roommates were still united against Mou Keyan, condemning her crossing the line with her honest words.
But now?
The other party became famous overnight, draped in glory.
She won the popularity championship in the most mainstream talent show, stepping through bouquets and enjoying acclaim.
The school invited her to speak on stage, media reports continued, and classmates rushed just for one autograph.
Even roommates polished themselves up beautifully, coming back half an hour early just for the chance to have dinner with her and take photos.
As for who Mou Keyan had a crush on or whose relationship she might have interfered with, and whether her honest words were true or not...
Nobody cares or mentions it anymore.
Zhong Ruixi slouched in her chair, watching her roommate’s actions, while also looking at the school’s official account, which almost simultaneously updated with the spring recruitment employment conference report.
As she watched, she rubbed her eyes and sat up straight, feeling as though she had grown a lot in an instant.
The girl vaguely perceived the ultimate truth of adult social interaction.
— Value is king, strength above all.