ANNOUNCEMENT: I'm sorry for updating only 1 long chapter yesterday—I was not feeling well. Now, we go back to 2 chapters a day. Also, I'd like to announce that since we have reached 300 stones before reset, we will be having an additional 2 chapters Monday midnight GMT 8, and another extra chapter midnight on Tuesday, also GMT 8. I hope you guys read the announcement in the previous chapter. Thanks so much. ^^

***

The three of them finished eating lunch. With them having 30 minutes to themselves before their duty in the library would start, the three of them decided to hang out in the university's rooftop.

The three of them were enjoying the breeze. With what Shi Lian had said still bothering Shu Xian, she turned her body to look at them, asking them a question.

"So… you think I liked it?

" she asked, Zhang Ren, grinning as if Shu Xian had said something stupid.

"Shu Xian, you're the only person who could answer that question. If you reciprocated the kiss, then that's already something, right?

"

"Yeah!

"

Shi Lian agreed, further elbowing Shu Xian to tease her.

"Anyway, what's it like? Did you like it?

"

Shu Xian blushed. With her describing how it felt to both of them, Zhang Ren and Shi Lian couldn't help but laugh.

"It was… wet and hot at the same time… but… uh… it does make me feel blank for a moment, but not that I don't like it. With us closer it actually felt… intimate.

"

"Oooh~! Do you think that if this goes on, what his mother wants you to do is going to be effective and would actually happen?

"

With this said, Shu Xian coughed, already excusing herself as she felt warmer by the second.

"I… I'd have to go to the comfort room to calm myself down.

"

With her dashing off as she walked down the stairs after she closed the rooftop's door, Zhang Ren shook his head, now looking at the sky as he leaned on the railings.

"Shu Xian is really innocent, huh?

"

"Well,

" Shi Lian started, letting out a small laugh as well.

"I can't blame her. She grew up with a bad past—the ones who took care of her abused her and didn't teach her anything. She only has me as a friend, and now, you, too.

"

With this said, Zhang Ren smiled at her, tucking some tendrils of her hair behind her ear as the wind blew.

"You're really a nice friend to Shu Xian, you know that, right? Others would take advantage of her kindness and innocence.

"

"I know,

" Shi Lian agreed, looking at Zhang Ren with a smile on her face.

"This is also what I thought when I met her when we were in high school. I also feel protective of her, you know? But to be honest, Shu Xian's pretty strong.

"

With that said, both of them were quiet, looking at the sky as well. As Zhang Ren looked at Shi Lian, he also found her beautiful, commenting about it aloud.

"You're beautiful, Shi Lian,

" he started, Shi Lian, turning her body to look at him.

"And you're pretty strong, too. I know it.

"

Shi Lian blushed, giggling at what he said.

"Zhang Ren, if you're talking about strength, I admire you even more. Don't ask why,

" Shi Lian commented, making Zhang Ren arch a brow at her as a smirk appeared on his face.

"You know, Yeye already told me what you guys talked about last night,

" he said, Shi Lian's smile slowly disappearing.

"Oh… I see.

"

Zhang Ren smiled at her, not understanding why she suddenly frowned.

"If you're thinking that me knowing what you guys talked about would make me feel bad, do know that I kinda feel embarrassed… but at the same time, I'm glad you don't see me as a person who's weak. Because you know… being pitied is what I hate.

"

Hearing this, Shi Lian nodded slowly, understanding what he meant. With a small smile appearing on her face, she talked, continuing to look at their front as the wind blew.

"I see beyond that, Zhang Ren,

" Shi Lian started, Zhang Ren, listening to her.

"Because you know… you picked yourself up and started to open up until you met us—your friends.

"

Zhang Ren let out a scoff, shaking his head.

"But it took me long.

"

"That doesn't matter.

"

Shi Lian immediately replied, looking at him with a determined look.

"You know, growth is not a race. It doesn't matter if you're fast or slow. As long as you feel better than you are before, that's all that matters. You're still you and you're still here. Period!

"

Zhang Ren felt his heart racing. With what Shi Lian said, it had hit him like Cupid aimed an arrow at him, getting the point of her statement.

As Shi Lian further smiled at him, it's as if her beauty radiated a hundredfold, Zhang Ren unable to take his eyes off of her.

"I may have only met you recently, Zhang Ren, but you're a great guy. Shu Xian and I are especially here for you as your friend. Do know that.

"

Hearing this, Zhang Ren didn't know why… but he reached out to her hand and held it, surprising Shi Lian with what he did.

With her eyes widening in slight surprise as she looked at him with curiosity in her eyes, she asked him a question, making Zhang Ren smile.

"What's wrong?

"

"Nothing,

" he replied, Shi Lian, cocking her head to the side.

"Maybe Yeye is right.

"

Shi Lian arched a brow at him, not knowing what he meant.

"Right about what?

"

Zhang Ren let go of her hand. With him now reaching out to Shi Lian's face, her body almost stiffened, feeling his right hand caress her left cheek with his thumb.

With him planting a soft kiss on her forehead, Shi Lian's eyes widened as her heart raced in her chest, not expecting what he said next.

"That you're a great girl. I'm glad I met you and once I'm ready and better, do know this…

"

Zhang Ren cupped her face with both of his hands, Shi Lian seeing a reflection of herself in the man's eyes.

"I'm going to pursue you and make you mine—so I can give you what you deserve: the best in the world.

"

Shi Lian didn't know what to say and she didn't know why... but in the way she looked in Zhang Ren's eyes...

She looked more beautiful than how she saw herself in front of the mirror.

Is this another meaning to the saying:

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder?

"