Shen Lei calmed his excitement, smiling warmly at Li Xiao Yue's pretty and sweet face: "Isn't this to be expected?
After all, you're the girlfriend of my brother-in-law's brother, our family ties are close enough for us to be considered distant relatives."
Li Xiao Yue was temporarily separated from her boyfriend Na Jun, and tonight was a celebration of her singlehood.
Hearing Shen Lei's words, she couldn't help but pout: "Shen Lei ge, would you not help me if we weren't related?
Aren't we friends?"
Seeing Li Xiao Yue pouting was endearing, Shen Lei couldn't help but laugh.
"Of course, we are friends.
By the way, are you truly broken up with Na Jun?"
Li Xiao Yue pouted, her voice laced with anger: "I really broke up with him.
He's too obsessed with work, and he keeps trying to drag me into his grind.
Qin Zong at our company wanted me to become a department manager, but I refused.
If I became a manager, I would have to take on more responsibilities and work longer hours.
I'd have to sacrifice my free time, my hair would fall out, and eventually, I'd need a hair transplant.
But when I told Na Jun, instead of being happy for me, he got angry.
He said I was not ambitious and would regret it later, and that just infuriated me.
I don't want to be like Na Jun, constantly working. I just want to enjoy life and live in the moment. Is that so bad?"
Shen Lei sensed a crucial moment. He needed to make Li Xiao Yue feel that they were on the same wavelength.
Only then could he truly enter her heart.
So, Shen Lei gently patted Li Xiao Yue's back, smiling softly: "Xiao Yue, I think you did the right thing.
I think all of us should be like you, learn to enjoy life,
not become slaves to capitalism, and definitely not become workaholics.
If life is a game, then 'hustling' is constantly grinding and leveling up,
while enjoying life is exploring the game world, discovering hidden quests and easter eggs.
Would you rather be a grinding machine or a true gamer?"
Li Xiao Yue's eyes lit up, and she said in a sweet voice: "I would definitely rather be a true gamer, exploring the game of life.
It's just that Na Jun is a real hustler. He's obsessed with work, and he keeps trying to drag me into his grind..."
Shen Lei chuckled: "Actually, I used to be a 'hustler' too, but I realized that overworking didn't make me happier.
It was only when I slowed down and started enjoying life that I found true happiness.
I think we should all stop hustling. We might end up like 'cabbage rolls', always working,
and in the end, realize that there's nothing to life but work.
Come on, let's relax and enjoy this 'non-hustle' time..."
Li Xiao Yue looked at Shen Lei, her beautiful eyes shining brighter.
She had never met anyone in her circle of friends who was as carefree and relaxed as him, who enjoyed life so much.
Finally, she had found someone who was on the same wavelength as her.
She couldn't help but ask: "Shen Lei ge, how do you like to enjoy life?"
Shen Lei knew his answer had to be unique and resonate with Li Xiao Yue.
…
Prior to this, Shen Lei had learned a lot about Li Xiao Yue, and he grew increasingly fond of this strong, optimistic, cheerful, and adorable girl.
Li Xiao Yue lost her parents in high school, becoming an orphan, and she worked her way through college.
Despite her misfortune, she never gave up. Instead, she embraced life with even more passion.
Even more admirable, she never indulged in material possessions. She didn't care about so-called quality of life.
She rented a small 10-square-meter apartment, sharing with other tenants.
Li Xiao Yue's hobbies were varied and colorful: singing, dancing, watching movies, and wearing Hanfu.
She even quit her job to fully immerse herself in the June Festival customs of the Tibetan people in Qinghai.
To outsiders, these hobbies might seem expensive, but not to Li Xiao Yue.
She skillfully planned her trips, prepared beforehand, and chose the most economical ways to achieve her dreams.
She was willing to spend a long thirty-five hours on a train just to participate in the grand Water Festival in Yunnan, experiencing the joy and enthusiasm there.
While traveling, she opted for inexpensive hostels, only a few dozen yuan per night, yet satisfying her curiosity and exploration of the unknown world.
While she loved traveling, she wasn't the type of artsy woman who sold her soul for it.
Whenever she went to a new place, she always bought a fruit knife and kept it close for protection.
Her love for Hanfu went deep. She could always find affordable yet beautiful styles, and when she wore them, they made her look exceptionally captivating.
…
Shen Lei decided to cater to her interests and mention hobbies they both enjoyed.
"Right now, I love traveling and collecting antiques.
I also really like classical culture and Hanfu. I enjoy photography and singing too..."
Li Xiao Yue's eyes lit up, her sparkling gaze fixed on Shen Lei as she smiled sweetly.
"Shen Lei ge, I never knew we had so many interests in common.
Where do you like to travel?"
Shen Lei laughed: "I don't like places that are too modern. I prefer locations with a rich historical atmosphere,
like the ancient capitals of Xi'an, Luoyang, Nanjing, and Shanxi, where many ancient buildings are preserved. I've been to those places quite a bit.
Especially when I wear traditional clothing and walk around those places, it feels like I've been transported back to the Tang Dynasty..."
Li Xiao Yue found this even more appealing. Her beautiful eyes twinkled with a sense of shared understanding with Shen Lei.
"I also don't like overly modern things. I love traveling to those places too.
I especially like wearing Hanfu. Sometimes, I feel like an ancient person who has time-traveled,"
The two of them conversed with great enthusiasm, like soulmates who had found each other too late.
Their heads leaned together as they chatted, their cheeks brushing. To outsiders, they looked like a couple who had fallen head over heels at first sight…