Chapter 7 Humans are more complex than fish
"I'm definitely going out today, to attend a class reunion." After breakfast, Luo Qingyan took her tablet into the bathroom. "I'll teach you how to use the iPad now, so you can learn more about human nature that interests you online—it'll be super exciting!"
"Okay." The little male merman nodded obediently, his tail twitching as he looked quite interested.
"It's fully charged right now. Just press this button to turn it on." Luo Qingyan held the tablet in both hands and bent down to show it to the little merman. But thinking that teaching how to use it wouldn't take a minute or two, she simply sat on the floor with her legs bent and propped the tablet up on the edge of the bathtub.
The little merman leaned over the edge of the bathtub, his head very close to Luo Qingyan's. He could clearly feel the other's breathing, calm, comfortable, and warm—like walking through a coral reef on a sunny day.
Due to time constraints, Luo Qingyan only briefly explained to the little boy how to use a browser and how to watch videos using an app; the rest could be covered later when there was more time.
"The internet is a gathering place for all sorts of people, some good and some bad. Don't believe everything you hear, don't be swayed or incited. Have your own thoughts, and just calmly learn about the knowledge, understand?" Luo Qingyan originally wanted to enable the youth mode for Xiao Nanyu, but she was afraid that if she came back too late, Xiao Nanyu's online time would be restricted, so she gave him careful instructions.
“I understand. Humans are not very stable, and their emotions and desires are very obvious. The internet is like a disguise; even the most insignificant human can pretend to be very powerful, which makes them prone to recklessness.” The little male merman said calmly, “Some humans themselves think so too, for example, the seven deadly sins.”
"I was being narrow-minded. Mermaids truly are a species that can live for thousands of years. My apologies." Luo Qingyan handed the tablet to the little male merman. "Then I won't worry anymore. Just remember not to get electronic devices wet."
"Okay." The little merman took the tablet with both hands, his eyes filled with joy.
"I'm getting ready and heading out. You can make do with bread today, but I'll definitely get you some delicious food tomorrow!" Luo Qingyan had the urge to pat the little male fish's head, but she resisted.
"The bread isn't just any bread; it's delicious." The little merman gave a warm smile. "Go to your class reunion without worry!"
"Okay." Luo Qingyan felt a warm glow in her heart from the smile.
-
Twenty minutes later, Liu Yimiao arrived at Luo Qingyan's house by car.
Luo Qingyan originally planned to take a taxi to the dinner party herself, but Liu Yimiao insisted on driving to pick her up.
"Luo Qingyan, you are so beautiful! The moment you came out of the door, you were like a butterfly flying out of a flower garden, your hair was shining, I was smitten!" Liu Yimiao couldn't help but admire Luo Qingyan through the open car window even as she was opening the car door.
"You're such a good complimenter! I'm so happy, I'll accept it!" Luo Qingyan got into the car, first cupping her face with one hand to show her happiness, and then fastening her seatbelt.
“I’m just saying this because I feel it. You’re even prettier than you were in high school.” Liu Yimiao stepped on the gas and drove off. “Many people have been ravaged by time, like me. My skin is so bad that nothing I apply works, and I have so much fat on my stomach and thighs that I can’t lose it.”
"As you get older, it does become harder to lose weight. I was busy with work for a while, under a lot of pressure, and I gained weight from overwork, which was very difficult to lose."
"Exactly! We have to work like oxen and horses to make a living, what else can we do!"
"I'm happiest when I get something in return. Your new car is nice!"
"I've wanted this car for a long time! Actually, it was beyond my budget, but a colleague once said that life is already tough enough, so you have to work hard to get what you like. So I gritted my teeth and bought it! I'm so happy after buying it! It was worth it!"
"Yes, the most important thing in life is to be happy."
...
The two chatted about everyday things all the way, and before they knew it, they arrived at the dinner location.
-
Liu Yimiao was all smiles the whole way, but her expression turned serious when she parked the car in the parking lot.
"Luo Qingyan, there's something I need to tell you first." Liu Yimiao's hands were still on the steering wheel as she slowly turned her head. "Fang Tang was also at today's gathering. She returned to G City at the beginning of this year. She wasn't in a good mood when she first came back, supposedly because she was cheated on by a scumbag, a super womanizing rich and handsome guy. Later, everyone stayed with her and comforted her, and she felt much better."
Upon hearing the name "Fang Tang," Luo Qingyan felt a pang of unease, as the two hadn't gotten along well in high school. However, she maintained a composed demeanor and replied, "Oh."
“Fang Tang has changed a lot. She must have matured after years of experience.” Liu Yimiao released the steering wheel and leaned back in her seat. “Actually, she specifically asked me to invite you. She said that she was young and naive in high school, and there were misunderstandings and conflicts. Now that she’s grown up, she feels that she was too immature before and wants to resolve those bad things.”
Luo Qingyan smiled faintly: "How come I don't remember anything bad happening?"
"Pshaw! It's really nothing. I was too young and impulsive in high school, and I liked to childishly compare things. Looking back now, it was really silly. I know you're a magnanimous person, and she was worried you'd be angry. She was overthinking it!"
"Let's go! You said we were the last to arrive, so don't keep everyone waiting."
"Okay!"
Liu Yimiao has always been a carefree person, even now, and easily trusts others. She definitely believed everything Fang Tang told her. Being a kind-hearted person, she probably felt sorry for Fang Tang and tried every means to help her.
Luo Qingyan didn't really think there was anything between her and Fang Tang. It was just a matter of incompatible personalities and dislike for each other. They could simply stay away from each other; there was no need for a grand, harmonious reunion. She didn't want to guess what the other person was thinking, but she also felt vaguely uncomfortable and secretly became wary.
-
"Yimiao, Qingyan, you're here!" A female classmate was the first to notice Liu Yimiao and Luo Qingyan as they entered the private room.
"We're here! Everyone, thank you for waiting!" Liu Yimiao waved to the people inside with an elegant gesture. "I know you all missed us. I drove as fast as I could, but safety comes first."
"Qingyan, it's been a long time!"
"Ah! I have to say, a great beauty is a great beauty, she's still so beautiful!"
"I heard from our Cultural Committee that you're going to stay in G City for a while. How long will you stay? We can get together more often in the future."
"Qingyan, your lipstick is so pretty, can I get the link?"
Everyone greeted Luo Qingyan with smiles.
"Don't rush, don't rush, fans, step back, one by one!" Liu Yimiao stood in front of Luo Qingyan, his left hand facing forward, palm towards everyone, his right hand outstretched, shaking his palm up and down, pretending to be a bodyguard.
"Liu Yimiao, you won't be acting during mealtime, right?" The first female classmate to greet him grasped Liu Yimiao's outstretched hand.
"Alright, alright, let's eat." Liu Yimiao readily took the other person's hand and shook it. "I'm hungry too, let's ask the waiter to start serving the food!"
“Uh… not everyone has arrived yet.” The female classmate paused for a moment, then let go of Liu Yimiao’s hand. “Fang Tang hasn’t arrived yet; she’s not feeling well.”
"Are you feeling unwell? Are you sick? Do you need to go to the hospital?" Liu Yimiao asked with concern.
"She said it's an old ailment and she'll be fine after a rest. Huo Bowen went to keep her company and is probably on his way now."
"Oh, it's alright then. Let's wait a little longer!"
-
Luo Qingyan didn't want to care about Fang Tang, but after sitting down, she still heard about Fang Tang's situation from others.
According to Fang Tang, she met her scumbag ex-boyfriend when she was working as a luxury jewelry salesperson in City A.
The scumbag was originally a client of Fang Tang's colleague. In order to pursue Fang Tang, he introduced other clients to his colleague, and then switched to Fang Tang's side. He then spent a lot of money and pursued Fang Tang in a very high-profile manner.
In reality, Fang Tang dislikes being high-profile and finds it too sudden, so she is unwilling to accept a scumbag.
Unexpectedly, the scumbag said he could change, and then he really stopped pursuing her so openly. Instead, he quietly cared for her, accompanied her, and secretly sent her all sorts of thoughtful gifts. After months of persistent pleading, he finally won Fang Tang over.
Fang Tang was certain that the scumbag really liked her back then and decided to settle down and be with her properly. So Fang Tang also gave her heart and treated the scumbag very well, with marriage in mind.
However, old habits die hard, and the scumbag gradually revealed his true nature.
The scumbag's feelings for Fang Tang hadn't disappeared, but he couldn't resist having affairs. After Fang Tang discovered this, he actually said he wanted to marry her, giving her a legitimate position and endless wealth and luxury to reassure her.
Fang Tang understood what the scumbag meant; it was indeed a huge temptation, with too many people eyeing that position and dreaming of it. However, she had a kind of moral purity complex and couldn't accept it, even finding it disgusting, as if money could trample on true feelings.
Fang Tang broke up with him. The scumbag felt guilty and could only respect Fang Tang's decision, but he was also reluctant to let her go. In order to cut ties with the scumbag cleanly, Fang Tang left City A and returned to City G, which was thousands of miles away.
Because Fang Tang took this relationship very seriously, she was deeply hurt and remained depressed even after returning to G City. Her classmates tried to comfort her, and although she said she was fine and told everyone not to worry, they could all sense her sadness.
Later, everyone noticed that Huo Bowen and Fang Tang were spending more and more time together, and Fang Tang seemed to be in better condition, gradually emerging from the shadows.
Everyone knows that Huo Bowen likes Fang Tang. Although Fang Tang clearly rejected him because she couldn't enter another relationship too quickly after being hurt in love, Huo Bowen didn't care and was willing to accept it. He only hoped that Fang Tang could get over her past sadness as soon as possible.
Today, when Huo Bowen went to pick up Fang Tang, he found that Fang Tang was not feeling well, so he stayed with her.
-
"Actually, Fang Tang probably has feelings for Huo Bowen, but she's still stuck in a bad relationship and can't open her heart. It's been so many years, and things have come full circle. If they could get together, it would be great." The speaker was Fan Zhenzhen, who had just happened to see Luo Qingyan at the mall yesterday. She spoke cautiously.
"Exactly! It would be so joyous if a couple from our class got together!" Liu Yimiao chimed in with a laugh. "If they did, they'd definitely invite the homeroom teacher to the wedding! Hahahaha!"
Amidst Liu Yimiao's laughter, the door to the private room opened, and two people walked in.
Amidst lively greetings, the two people who entered both turned their gazes to Luo Qingyan.
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