When I Meet the Moon - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

After the luggage was delivered to the dormitory entrance, Yun Li and Fu Zhengchu prepared to accompany Fu Shize to the school gate.

The campus interior was exceptionally well-greened, with lush shade trees lining both sides of the roads. With midday approaching, the sunlight cast an almost vertical beam, scattering intersecting patterns of light and shadow across the ground. The three of them walked side-by-side down the paved path, a gentle breeze rustling through, creating a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere.

The paths were filled with newly enrolled students, among whom quite a few had also come to register alone, lugging heavy bags of all sizes and dripping with sweat.

Yun Li couldn't help but feel a twinge of gratitude in her heart.

Yun Li hesitated for a moment, wanting to ask if they should grab a meal together.

After pondering for a long time, she still didn't voice it.

All along the way, Fu Zhengchu chattered incessantly, introducing the campus environment to Yun Li, and before long, they reached the school gate.

Before leaving, Fu Shize briefly admonished Fu Zhengchu: "Take good care of yourself."

He raised his eyes to look at Yun Li.

"You too."

Yun Li began to regret not inviting him to eat together just now, even if she were to be rejected.

Just having the courage to speak up would have been good enough.

Graduate school life was unexpectedly less busy than she had imagined. Once the class schedule was finalized, she generally had several free days each week. Yun Li was not a particularly hardworking person, and on days without classes, she would idle away her time.

During her free time, Yun Li often found herself thinking of Fu Shize.

Ever since she was born, this was the first time she had cared about another person so frequently and for no apparent reason.

It was like being cursed.

Even though Fu Shize always put on an untouchable demeanor, and no matter what Yun Li said, he would bluntly express his rejection.

After all, with how handsome he was, there must have been countless people asking for his contact information over the years, and he was surely sick of it.

In the blink of an eye, the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived.

Deng Chuqi called her to say that both her and Xia Congsheng's companies had distributed mooncakes, and since the two of them couldn't possibly finish so many, she brought a box for Yun Li as well.

Yun Li wasn't particularly fond of mooncakes, but she didn't want to let their good intentions go to waste.

The two of them agreed to meet for a meal at a Hunan restaurant near the school.

Because of the Mid-Autumn holiday, college students who hadn't gone home basically all came out to eat together as well. This restaurant had a relatively good reputation nearby, and the students from the South Wuhu Institute of Technology loved coming here. The place was bustling with activity and alive with a clamor of voices.

Deng Chuqi quickly and deftly ordered a few dishes, then handed the menu to Yun Li and asked, "Are you planning to go home for the National Day holiday?"

"No, it's still too early." Remembering what she had said to Yun Yongchang last time, Yun Li shook her head. "I still want to keep my life."

"Then what are you planning to do with your life?" Deng Chuqi looked completely unsurprised. "If you've got nothing going on, why don't you come live with me? Xia Xia goes back to her parents' place the moment a holiday starts, leaving me all alone."

Thinking that she didn't have anything else to do, Yun Li agreed.

As they talked, Deng Chuqi let out a heavy sigh: "My deskmate from the second year of high school sent me a wedding invitation a few days ago.

"After I told my mom about it, she actually asked me if I had a partner.

"I hope she can learn from other people's mothers and set me up on more blind dates.

"Why doesn't she know how to put in a little effort?"

Yun Li almost spat out the mouthful of water she hadn't yet swallowed.

"Speaking of which, how are things progressing between you and Xia Xia's little uncle?" In all the time Deng Chuqi had known Yun Li, Yun Li had never been in a relationship, and she couldn't predict what Yun Li would do when she liked someone.

"Pretty good," Yun Li said indifferently.

Deng Chuqi was greatly startled and hurriedly pressed: "How did you guys develop?"

"The old master said 'existence is non-existence, non-existence is existence.' Once my 'non-existence' reaches a certain realm, isn't that pretty good?"

"......"

Because of their previous arrangement, on the morning of October 1st, Yun Li packed her change of clothes in the dormitory and went straight to Deng Chuqi's place.

When she arrived, Xia Congsheng had already gone back to her maternal grandfather's house. The two of them had no plans to go out and play; each occupied a sofa and spent most of the time lazing around.

Xia Congsheng came back the day before the National Day holiday ended, followed closely by Fu Zhengchu, who was carrying a full load of large and small bags in his hands.

After greeting them, Fu Zhengchu said, "Then I'll head down first; I'm afraid my little uncle is going to leave directly."

"Oh, right." Xia Congsheng looked at Yun Li. "Lili, my little uncle is taking my younger brother back to school now. Do you want to go with them so you won't have to hail a cab yourself later?"

According to her plan, Yun Li had intended to order delivery with Deng Chuqi here and eat before leaving. She had wanted to follow her routine step-by-step, but before she even had a chance to utter half a word of refusal, Deng Chuqi agreed on her behalf.

"Sure!"

Meeting Yun Li's puzzled gaze, Deng Chuqi blinked and offered a transparent cover-up: "I wouldn't feel at ease with you going back so late by yourself either. Now that there's a free ride, of course you have to take it!"

Yun Li simply couldn't ignore the match-making intent in her eyes.

A moment later, Yun Li tactfully said, "But I need to pack my things, which will take a while."

Fu Zhengchu didn't care at this point and sat down, pulling out his phone: "Then I'll tell my little uncle to wait."

"......"

Deng Chuqi called her out: "What do you even have to pack? Besides, some things can just be left here instead of taking them back; it's not like you aren't coming over again later."

With no other options, Yun Li could only go back to her room to pack her things.

Just before heading out, Xia Congsheng remembered something and said, "Oh right, Lili, I forgot the past couple of days, but I just sent you a few job listings. Take a look and see which one interests you."

Yun Li was momentarily stunned. She had assumed Xia Congsheng was just mentioning it offhandedly and hadn't meant to trouble her.

Xia Congsheng added: "There's also one that Xu Qingsong mentioned verbally—EAW is looking to hire an HR and administrative specialist, and there are probably a few other positions too. Later, I'll send you their HR's WeChat."

......

Several days later, she was back in this car.

Once the car started, to make Yun Li feel less awkward, Fu Zhengchu took the initiative to strike up a conversation: "Sister Lili, are you looking for an internship recently?"

"Yes."

"Are you planning to go to EAW?" At this, Fu Zhengchu's tone turned resentful. "I originally wanted to intern this summer too, but my mom kept dragging me off to watch the store every day."

"......"

Yun Li glanced at Fu Shize, unsure of how to respond.

"I think going to EAW is pretty good too; at least the benefits are great. My older cousin is very generous to his employees." Fu Zhengchu blundered right into the sensitive topic. "And my little uncle is there too, so the two of you can look out for each other."

After saying that, he even sought validation from the person involved: "Right, little uncle?"

Fu Shize glanced at him.

Perhaps intimidated by that look, Fu Zhengchu didn't dare trouble Fu Shize under the guise of being polite. He reined it in just in time and switched to a more plausible reason: "Sister Lili, your house is right near Hantian City anyway, so it's convenient to commute from there."

Even though Yun Li didn't say anything, she couldn't help feeling a sense of guilt.

"Mm, I'll go back and consider it."

Driving down this road, they passed the South Wuhu Institute of Technology first, and then reached Qilixiangdu.

Fu Zhengchu got out of the car first, leaving the two of them behind.

Silence descended once more.

Yun Li even had the feeling of returning to that night when they first met, except this time her seat had been changed to the back.

She didn't have the luxury of feeling uncomfortable; her mind was preoccupied with the current situation.

From his perspective, it looked like a stranger had recently made several bizarre moves toward him for no apparent reason, and was now suddenly planning to work in his exact building.

Any normal person would think she had ulterior motives.

Yun Li debated whether she should explain. Before she could speak out, Fu Shize in the front suddenly piped up: "Yun Lili?"

Yun Li froze. The softly articulated reduplication softened Fu Shize's vocal tone.

And even... felt quite cute?

Before she had time to process the origin of this nickname, Yun Li heard him ask: "Which shop did you buy that cake from the other day?"

"Cake?" Realizing quickly he meant the mango crepe roll, Yun Li replied, "I made it myself."

Fu Shize paused and said no more: "Oh."

Yun Li asked cautiously: "What's wrong?"

Fu Shize: "The elders at home like it."

"Oh, oh, I always make quite a lot whenever I bake, and I can't finish it by myself either. Leaving it in the fridge is a waste." Yun Li said, "If your family members like it, I can bring some for you next time I make it."

Just as they arrived at the neighborhood entrance, Fu Shize stopped the car: "Thank you, but don't trouble yourself."

Even if Yun Li was the one being rejected.

She couldn't help but sigh that this person truly was an impenetrable copper wall and iron fortress.

Having been rejected so many times, Yun Li's heart had grown somewhat numb. Her thoughts were still lingering on his form of address and what had just transpired, so she nodded absent-mindedly: "Then I'll head back first."

As she gripped the car door handle, she paused again.

Yun Li couldn't help saying: "I've been looking for an internship lately, so I had Sister Xia introduce a few to me, but I haven't decided which one to submit my resume to yet." Having said that, she paused and tactfully added: "Do you have any thoughts on this?"

She couldn't just blurt out: I might go to EAW for an interview, and if you don't like it, I won't go.

If he had objections, she could simply cross EAW off her list.

Fu Shize turned his head.

Silence.

Catching his expression—perhaps she was over-interpreting—Yun Li could very clearly read the five words "what does that have to do with me" written across his face at that exact moment.

On second thought, it really was too presumptuous of her; wherever she chose to work had zero relationship with him anyway. Her words made it sound as though he cared deeply about whether she would show up in front of him or not.

Before she could figure out how to salvage the situation.

Fu Shize suddenly asked: "What internships did Xia Congsheng recommend to you?"

"Huh?" Yun Li instinctively took out her phone and handed it to him: "These few."

Fu Shize took it to read.

The materials Xia Congsheng sent her included company profiles and job requirements. Fu Shize scanned through them rapidly, occasionally asking a few questions about her major and her expectations for the role.

The twilight fell upon his profile, making a layer of fine fuzz visible. His light-colored clothing was also tinged with starry patterns.

It was as if clusters of fireworks surged up into the sky following her heartbeat, exploding in layers and turning the world colorful. The person before her seemed to pull closer to her at this very moment.

After a few minutes, as if explaining a research topic, Fu Shize compared the pros and cons of several companies and ultimately gave her an objective answer.

"EAW suits you better.”