Chapter Sixteen: Liking someone is like having sunshine on your skin

  Just as Xiaofei said to Jintaiyan before, even if they only spent two days together, she could see how strong Chu Jingyan's self-esteem was, whether he was down or up, that self-esteem had always been well preserved.

  When you're down on your luck, others can't give you self-respect, so you have to keep respecting yourself.

  Chu Jingyan always treated herself with respect and love, but when it came to others, she usually just smiled politely.

  This is also why Chu Jingyan never considered himself a hero for saving Gao Yalan in the Demon Snake Palace. If Gao Yalan hadn't called out to him directly, and Jin Xinyu hadn't provoked him with those coarse words, according to Chu Jingyan's past personality, he would have either stood by and watched out of interest or more likely, left directly.

  Gao Xingyang's words don't count as provocation, because Chu Jingyan knows he doesn't have the qualifications to provoke Gao Xingyang. To Gao Xingyang, he just expressed his most genuine thoughts. In short, Chu Jingyan should actually thank Gao Xingyang for his sincerity. After all, unpleasant truths are a hundred times more powerful than pleasant hypocrisy.

  Because he is still alive, this is confidence.

  He Xingyang slowly exhaled smoke and said, "Chairman Chen has always emphasized that you are very different. I'm curious, since we all grew up eating rice, what makes you so special? Originally, I thought your confidence came from Chairman Chen, from Dongfang International."

  "Now I understand." Gao Xing happily threw away his cigarette butt and smiled: "It turns out that your confidence has always come from yourself."

  Gao Xiangyang said, "However, Chu Jingyan, this is not Qingtang Cave, it's not everything you used to do. There are no street fights, no knife-wielding thugs, and identity changes can be very difficult because they require you to abandon your original way of doing things and learn new ones."

  "Some people can't adapt and end up in a sorry state, while others learn to adapt and thrive."

  "I think you should be the latter," said Gao Xiangyang, "so whether it's Director Chen or people like me who have put their bets on Oriental International, we all hope you won't disappoint us."

  "You've lost, your best outcome is to go back to that nightclub or continue being a street thug in Cheongdam-dong. You should know that these two identities are really shameful, even if you're young and someone calls you 'hyung', you can only be a small-time player on the streets."

  "If you want to win, you must fight."

  Chu Jingyu said calmly: "I'm under a lot of pressure."

  Gao Xing Yang asked: "Afraid?"

  "No." Chu Jingyan said, "The driving force that is not taken away happens to come from pressure. The greater the pressure, the greater the potential."

  Gao Xing smiled and said, "Then I'll watch you take the first step."

  Chu Jing spoke in a counter-questioning tone: "Which direction do you think I should head in first?"

  "Nature is the most difficult step, go where."

  Gao Xiangyang said: "But many times, disappointment is inevitable. However, most of the disappointments are because we overestimated ourselves."

  Chu Jing smiled and said: "The most difficult step to take is a challenge, but it's not overestimating oneself."

  "Why?"

  Chu Jingyan restrained his smile and said, "This kind of challenge is not even worth overestimating oneself."

  The rumble of the machine drowned out Chu Jingyan's voice, but Gao Xingyang still heard it very clearly. He stopped talking and led his secretary down the slope.

  For the elegant and refined Galah who is about to face the entrance exams, whether as an artist or a student, with the guidance of her teacher mother and osmosis, she has always had good grades, but also requires extremely serious review and preparation.

  Every day, she had to go to the company for acting practice and classes, and more time was spent in the classroom and self-study room. It's boring to review alone, so whenever there's free time, Gaya would drag Yoon-hee along with her. Yoon-hee, who had gone through entrance exams herself, couldn't offer much help to her younger sister whose grades were better than hers. All she could do was sit idly by, sipping coffee and watching Gaya gnaw on her pen as she worked out problem after problem.

  Lee Yun-hee actually wanted to tell Gao Ya-la that as an artist, there are many bonus points during the exam, but looking at Gao Ya-la's serious expression, she also gave up on this idea. As a responsible older sister, Lee Yun-hee felt that it would be better not to discourage Gao Ya-la's enthusiasm.

  Cheongdam-dong stands out in both environment and air purification, sunlight shines through the clouds on this bustling area, in a quiet café, through the glass window, two pretty girls can be seen quietly reading and doing their homework.

  Li Yunxi is reading a comic book, while Gao Yala is diligently doing her homework.

  Li Yunxi looked at the comic book with an unusually serious expression, because she was afraid that Gao Yala would suddenly raise her head and seriously point to a question, then sincerely ask: "Sister, how do you do this problem?"

  As a senior, whether in terms of the number of works or acting skills, Lee Yoon-ki has always been an idol for Gaya to learn from. However, if only learning is considered, Lee Yoon-ki can only lament that he was too focused on his work as an artist during high school and neglected his studies.

  Fortunately, Gaya's ability didn't need Lee Yoon-hee's help, or rather, Gaya was very clear about the weight of her sister sitting across from her. When a mock exam was completed and the score was calculated, Gaya stretched comfortably and let out a lazy yawn.

  Li Yunxi let out a breath and put down the comic book, asking: "What's the score?"

  Gao Yala picked up the milk and took a sip, saying: "I think it should be enough for the Central University drama department's score."

  For this somewhat overconfident answer, Li Yunxi has already shown a nonchalant attitude. Looking at Gaya sipping milk in small mouthfuls, Li Yunxi asked: "Aren't you the one who loves freshly squeezed juice the most? Why are you suddenly drinking milk?"

  "Because it's good for your body."

  Li Yunxi asked in doubt: "Is it good for the body?"

  Ka Yat La put down the milk and whispered to her sister, "Sister, remember that time I went to a yacht party with Dad? Guess who I saw?"

  Li Yunxi naturally knew about the gathering and couldn't bear to disappoint Gao Ya, who was full of expectation and eagerness, so he asked: "Who did you see?"

  Gao Yala smiled and said: "I saw Chu Jingyan."

  "Who?"

  "Sister, have you forgotten?" Gao Ya didn't expect Li Yunxi's reaction and hastily said, "It was that person who brought you back last time and even followed us to lunch."

  "Who?" Li Yunxi's memories began to gradually recover.

  Gao Yala smiled and said: "I didn't expect to see him there either, I was actually a bit unhappy because my dad dragged me along, but fortunately I ran into Mr. Chu."

  Li Yunxi felt that her younger sister was a bit different today, so she asked casually: "Then what?"

  Gaoyala said: "He took me downstairs to eat something, and we even danced together, although we both danced very badly. Then of course we chatted, I told him that I was about to take the university exam, he told me that milk can be eaten as a meal, it's good for the body and brain too. Sister, I always thought he wasn't interested in anything, finally I found out that he likes drinking milk."

  "In just half an hour, he drank two cups of banana milk, haha."

  Li Yunxi looked at Gao Yala and said: "Don't tell me, you started drinking milk just because he said it's good for the body?"

  Gao Yala nodded and said, "It seems to be for this reason."

  "It's all over." Li Yunxi slapped his forehead and said with a gloomy expression, "Gao Yala, you're done for."

  "What's wrong with me?"

  Li Yunxi looked at Gaya and said: "I'm saying Yara, you wouldn't have fallen for that Chu Jingyan, would you?"

  Gao Yala was shocked and then bewildered.

  Looking at Yara's appearance, Lee Yun-hee shrugged and smiled: "It seems that you haven't even realized it yourself, Yara. Do you always have to be so slow on the uptake in things like this?"

  It's been a long time since she spoke, Gao Ya pointed at herself and asked: "Sister, are you saying that I like Mr. Chu?"

  Li Yunxi waved his hand and said, "Don't always call people Mr. this and Mr. that, Chu Jingyan is probably only 22 years old, in school he's just your senior."

  Gao Yala thought seriously and then said: "But how could I know that I like him?"

  Li Yunxi looked at the pair of brown eyes filled with puzzlement, shook his head helplessly, and asked: "Then I'll ask you, why is it that even though we've only met a few times, you always bring up Chu Jingyan?"

  "Because he helped me."

  Li Yunxi said: "You usually flatter me, and there are many boys who help you, but I haven't seen you mention them. Don't say their names, I guess you can't even remember what they look like?"

  "That doesn't mean I like him just because of this."

  "Then do you like it or not?"

  "What is it like to have a liking?"

  Li Yunxi was stumped, what exactly is liking someone? This question was a bit profound, seeing Gao Yaluo's expectant gaze, Li Yunxi somewhat disappointedly said: "To be honest, I'm not too clear either."

  Kaori lowered her head, thought for a moment, and said to herself: "If it's during problem-solving, I'll suddenly think of him. If it's moving, I'll want to discuss with my sister about him. If I say that I'm thinking of understanding him from the bottom of my heart."

  "If liking someone is like having sunshine on your skin."

  Gao Yala lifted her head and smiled brightly: "Sister, I think...I like him."

  Li Yunxi didn't expect Gao Yara to be so calm and direct about this matter, putting aside her usual reserved personality. Li Yunxi also didn't think that after only meeting a few times, he would have the kind of feeling that could be called "liking" someone.

  Gao Yala is not an impulsive person.

  Li Yunxi blinked, somewhat frightened: "Yala, don't scare me."

  Gao Yala looked puzzled and said, "What did I scare you with?"

  Li Yunxi was about to say something when the glass door of the coffee shop was pushed open, and two girls walked up to her with their hands held together.

  "Hello, senior."

  "Hello." Li Yoon-hee waved at them.

  Two girls walked to the counter and started ordering, Li Yunxi turned around just wanting to say something, her gaze glanced out of the window, suddenly smiled and said: "Yara, I ask you, if Chu Jingyan suddenly appeared in front of you now, what would you do?"

  Ga Yara said: "I'll say hello to him."

  "What's next?"

  "That's it."

  Li Yunxi: “I don’t know.”

  Gao Yara followed Li Yunxi's gaze to look out the window, and that familiar black Mercedes-Benz was parked by the side of the road at some point. Still wearing the imagined black suit, slightly trimmed black short hair, and slightly lowered eyelids as if he had just woken up. Gao Yara's face turned a bit red.

  "I've always thought that if Chu Jingyan was willing, his smile would be very handsome."

  Ka Yat La said so.