Chapter Fourteen: Do You Think I'm Not as Beautiful as Su Yan?

“I admit it—I only wanted to get close to you because of how you are now.”

Xiao Yun looked him straight in the eye. “But what’s wrong with that? Isn’t love just like this? First, you’re drawn by certain qualities in the other person, then you gradually get to know each other, and finally, you fall in love.”

The cold wind swept through the pine forest, causing the branches to rustle softly.

“You’re right. I used to look down on people from the countryside.”

“But after these two years in the rural areas, I’ve changed, too. I understand how hard life is for rural folks.”

She took a deep breath. “You say I’m attracted to you now because you can hunt and live well. But let me ask you this: didn’t Su Yan fall for you at first because you treated her kindly and brought her food?”

Li Xiangyang fell silent.

“The difference is,” Xiao Yun’s voice grew firm, “I don’t intend to deceive you. I just want to find someone to live a good life with since I can’t go back to the city.”

Her eyes reddened slightly. “You say I don’t understand you, but then give me a chance to. That’s better than pretending to understand you like Su Yan did, only to use you.”

Li Xiangyang hadn’t expected her to say such things.

He spoke slowly, “Matters of the heart can’t be reasoned through with logic.”

“What then can be reasoned?” Xiao Yun pressed.

“Since you’re being so honest, let me share my thoughts.”

He found a clean tree stump and sat down. “You’re right, love does start with attraction. But have you thought about this? Beyond day-to-day survival, there’s something more important between people.”

Xiao Yun paused. “What?”

“Like ideals, or aspirations,” Li Xiangyang looked toward the distant mountain peaks. “Do you think not being able to return to the city means it’s over? Do you believe staying in the countryside means no future?”

Xiao Yun was stunned.

She hadn’t expected him to say this.

“There are many ways back to the city,” Li Xiangyang said slowly. “The college entrance exam will definitely be reinstated. You educated youth have more opportunities than the rural kids.”

“But…”

“No buts,” he cut her off. “I’ll ask you—what is your biggest dream?”

Xiao Yun was silent for a moment. “I want to be a teacher. I’ve wanted that since I was a child.”

“That’s exactly right,” Li Xiangyang smiled. “See? You have your own dreams. That’s far better than those who only think about connections and shortcuts.”

His tone softened. “So I don’t want you to give up your dream just because you think you can’t return to the city and settle for anyone who can provide a decent life.”

Xiao Yun’s heart trembled. “You’re worried about me…”

“I want to tell you that true love should be built on mutual understanding and mutual growth,” Li Xiangyang said seriously, “not just because you think the other person can give you a better life.”

He stood up. “You want to be a teacher, then prepare for the college entrance exam. Even if you stay in the countryside, you can still become a village teacher someday.”

Xiao Yun’s eyes grew moist.

She had never imagined a young man from the countryside could say such words.

“And you?” she couldn’t help but ask, “What’s your dream?”

Li Xiangyang smiled. “For me? I want my little sister to go to university and my mother to live well. Further down the road, maybe I’ll open a hunting supply shop and teach others how to hunt.”

Having said all this clearly, Li Xiangyang turned to leave, but then he heard a soft sob behind him.

He stopped, surprised, and looked back.

Xiao Yun was covering her face with her hands, her shoulders trembling slightly.

“Do you think I’m not as pretty as Su Yan?” her voice quivered with tears. “So you don’t even want to be friends with me?”

Li Xiangyang was taken aback.

He really didn’t understand what women wanted.

Who was prettier, her or Su Yan?

He studied the girl before him carefully.

Xiao Yun wore a slightly oversized blue cotton jacket, tied at the waist with a red hemp rope, accentuating her slender figure.

Though she had been in the countryside for two years, her skin remained fair and delicate, flushed faintly now from emotion.

Beneath finely arched eyebrows were bright, clear almond-shaped eyes, now brimming with tears.

If not for her sharp tongue and sometimes caustic remarks, and her figure not as full as Su Yan’s, she was actually quite a nice girl.

But compared to Su Yan, though Xiao Yun was sweet and delicate, she fell just a bit short.

Su Yan’s enchanting figure, tall stature, and pretty oval face effortlessly captivated every man around her.

“That’s nonsense,” Li Xiangyang shook his head in resignation. “Everyone has their own kind of beauty. Why compare? Your eyes are beautiful—clear and bright.”

“Thank you.” Xiao Yun forced a smile through her tears, still wiping them away with her hands.

“Enough, enough. Don’t cry anymore. It’s freezing, and you might ruin your face. Besides, if anyone sees you up here, there’ll be gossip for sure.”

“Mm.” Xiao Yun gently wiped the corners of her eyes. Her voice softened, and she glanced at Li Xiangyang with a hint of defiance.

“But Li Xiangyang, even if I admit I’m not as good looking as Su Yan, you can’t say I’m not as good as the village girls. I’ve been to high school, after all.”

At this, Li Xiangyang’s face darkened.

“Xiao Yun, I think you still can’t shake off that nasty habit of looking down on others,” he said coldly. “In your eyes, is it only city folks or those who’ve been educated who count as superior?”

“No, that’s not what I mean. I’m just used to talking like that…” Xiao Yun’s tears came again when she saw he was angry. “I’m sorry. If I change my bitter ways, can we be friends?”

Hearing her sincere apology, Li Xiangyang felt even more helpless.

“Friends we can be, but remember, friends are just friends,” he softened his tone. “I’m really not in the mood for a relationship right now.”

“Don’t worry, I know my limits,” Xiao Yun smiled through her tears. “So… is that settled?”

“Mm.” Li Xiangyang nodded. “But you’ve got to remember to speak less of that superior attitude. You’re an educated youth, always shouting ‘equality for all’…”

“Got it.” Xiao Yun lowered her head and whispered, “Can I ask why you don’t want to find someone now?”

“What do you think?” Li Xiangyang asked back. “I’m the only one working at home. My sister is still in school. I have to make sure our family lives well first, so she can study without worries. When things get better, I’ll think about my own matters.”

“I understand,” Xiao Yun lowered her head, voice barely audible. “But I still want to be your friend. Not because you can hunt or live well, but simply because I want to talk to you.”

Li Xiangyang was silent.

He could feel the sincerity in her words, but after his rebirth, he was no longer the naive boy easily swayed by sweet talk.

“It’s getting late. You should go back first,” he finally said, turning away. “It’s easy to get lost in the mountains after dark.”

From behind came Xiao Yun’s slightly stubborn voice: “Goodbye. Don’t worry, I’ll change. One day, you’ll see a whole new Xiao Yun.”