Ji Li: "I didn’t get it before, but now, maybe it’s because I’ve gotten prettier that I finally understand what you mean. When it comes down to it, I’m still just a shallow person."

"I’ve never thought you were shallow," Tan You retorted. "There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be prettier. If it makes you more confident, then you should go for it. No one can fault you for that."

"As long as you know how to take care of yourself, that’s all that matters."

"Of course. I absolutely have to love myself. Especially when there’s no one else to love me, I need to love myself even more, live well, work hard, and take good care of myself."

Ji Li’s eyes curved into a smile. "You know, when I saw Wang Jue in her wedding gown, I was a bit envious. Not that she was getting married, but that she got to wear one."

"No one ever said you have to be getting married to wear a wedding gown. Otherwise, where would that leave bridal models?" Tan You clearly understood Ji Li. "If you like them, you can absolutely get some custom-made. It doesn’t matter if you order several."

Ji Li knew Tan You would understand. "Maybe in a little while. If I film a video in a wedding gown right now, I’m sure it’ll start rumors online. By the way, my relationship with Teacher Xu is completely innocent, so why does everyone always speculate about us?"

"That’s just how most people are. Perhaps they don’t believe men and women can have a purely platonic friendship," Tan You said lightly. "High-quality wedding gowns aren’t something you can just buy whenever you want. If you really want some, I’ll have them custom-made for you."

"It’ll take several months before those gowns are delivered."

Ji Li was direct. "Then I’ll leave it in your hands. Just like you said, no one decreed that only people getting married can wear wedding gowns. I want to order several... Youyou..."

"I’ll pay for them. It won’t cost you a thing." Tan You knew what Ji Li was about to say before she even finished. ’Come to think of it,’ she mused, ’most of my clients have been like this, always expecting me to foot the bill.’

’Perhaps in their eyes, my willingness to spend money on them is a sign of how much I value them.’

Ji Li immediately beamed, her eyes curving into crescents. "Okay! And I want my phoenix coronet to be extra grand."

"Done," Tan You agreed instantly. ’Is anything that can be solved with money really a problem? It’s not like I have to make it myself, anyway.’

With Tan You agreeing to her every request, Ji Li’s mood soared, and her steps grew exceptionally light. But life is unpredictable. People tend to get carried away in their happiness, and pride often comes before a fall—as was about to happen right now.

"Li Li?" A hesitant voice called out. Ji Li turned, a smile still lingering on her face. But once she got a clear look at the person, her smile slowly vanished.

"Wen Zhe? What are you doing here?" Ji Li’s smile was polite and distant, gone was the lively cheerfulness from just moments before.

Wen Zhe hurried over to her. "It really is you? I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me."

He seemed to recall something. "I’m here for my old roommate’s wedding. Yifeng, remember him?"

How could she not remember? She smiled. "I remember him. We weren’t close. He was in a different department from you, wasn’t he?"

"Yeah. The reception is tonight. Want to come? It’s been years since everyone’s gotten together." Wen Zhe looked at Ji Li, suddenly inviting her.

Ji Li refused immediately. "I don’t know him well, so it wouldn’t be appropriate. I’ll pass."

"You’re still the same as ever, not a fan of group activities," Wen Zhe said wistfully, his voice tinged with a faint, nostalgic sadness for the past.

"Maybe so," Ji Li said calmly. Seeing Wen Zhe didn’t cause the slightest emotional ripple. ’I’ve really moved on from him,’ she realized.

Wen Zhe checked the time. "It’s been a while. How about we grab a coffee? Or go for a walk? There are a few famous spots nearby."

"We can grab a coffee, but I’ll pass on the sightseeing. I’ve already visited all the spots around here." Ji Li had wanted to refuse, but she felt that turning him down repeatedly would seem too cold.

"Alright, there’s a café downstairs. Let’s go." Since Ji Li didn’t refuse this time, Wen Zhe was clearly in high spirits. The smile didn’t leave his face even after they sat down.

Ji Li, in contrast, seemed much more reserved. When she wasn’t smiling, she had a cool, distant aura that made her difficult to approach.

"It’s been over two years since we last saw each other. You haven’t changed much from what I remember; it’s as if time has stood still for you," Wen Zhe said, breaking the silence after they ordered. "I’ve seen your idyllic life online. I’m almost envious."

"You seem to have changed quite a bit yourself." Ji Li met his gaze without flinching. "You’re much more composed, not as reckless as you used to be."

"Yeah. Maybe starting a career is what it takes to turn a boy into a man," Wen Zhe didn’t deny it. He glanced out the window. "I saw Wang Jue’s posts. You went to her wedding?"

"Yes, it was a beautiful ceremony." Ji Li smiled. "I never expected Teacher Xu, who was such a firm believer in being single, to end up with Wang Jue. But they really are a perfect match."

"Have you... have you not thought about dating?" After a moment of hesitation, Wen Zhe finally asked the question.

Ji Li smiled. "I’m leaving that sort of thing to fate. I’m not actively looking, but I’m not avoiding it either. What about you? I remember you were never single. Where’s your girlfriend today?"

Wen Zhe looked flustered. "I’ve... been single for the past two years."

"Oh?" Ji Li was genuinely surprised. "Well, that’s good too. It’s not a bad idea to establish your career before settling down."

’She truly hadn’t expected that a player like Wen Zhe could actually stay single for two years. Then again, after getting rid of everything that reminded her of him, she had stopped paying any attention to his life. She genuinely had no idea what he was up to now.’

Just then, their coffee arrived. Ji Li stirred her latte, and since she didn’t volunteer to speak, the air filled with an awkward silence.

Wen Zhe scrambled for a topic. "I’m just working a regular job; I wouldn’t call it ’establishing a career’ yet. But you’re doing so well for yourself. You must have a lot of guys pursuing you, right?"

Thinking of all the private messages she received, the smile in Ji Li’s eyes widened. "Mm-hmm."

Seeing her terse reply, Wen Zhe felt a pang of disappointment. He put down his spoon. "What do you look for in a future partner?"

Ji Li was taken aback. But when she saw the nervous anticipation on Wen Zhe’s face, she suddenly started to laugh, her smile growing brighter and more dazzling by the second. Wen Zhe froze, stunned. He had never seen her smile so brightly.

"There aren’t many men in my life. We were classmates for six years. I was a bystander for every single one of your relationships." Ji Li’s smile slowly faded. "I might not know exactly what I’m looking for in a partner, but there’s at least one thing I do know: I’m not looking for someone like you."

"I tend to be rather direct. I apologize if I’ve offended you."