Even as a "normie," I'm completely oblivious to it.

Qin Ruoke had a vague, or rather, very clear, sense of this.

Yu Zhe respects her dreams, which is why he won't tarnish her efforts with shallow money and positions.

You have to strive for your own success; that's the kind of Xiao Ruoke I admire.

That's why the whole situation made her extremely conflicted.

At first... she thought that as long as she didn't go abroad, could stay in China, and could occasionally come home to see Yuzhe, that would be enough.

But human desires are always expanding; this is a natural law of the world.

The same was true for Qin Ruoke. The moment Yu Zhe hugged her and said he was willing to accept her, a very "greedy" thought arose in Qin Ruoke's mind.

I don't want to leave...

But if I don't leave, how can I repay Yu Zhe's expectations?

How can I live up to all my previous efforts...!

"Ugh, I'm so angry!"

"Senior?!"

"!?...Sorry." Qin Ruoke suddenly came to her senses. "I'm sorry, Zixiao...I was just thinking about something from the past, did I scare you?"

"Haha, no, no."

How could there not be!

Zi Xiaozhen was startled. Senior Qin had been fine just now, but after she lowered her head and pondered something, she suddenly punched the sand hard, as if she was very annoyed.

Looking at the fist-sized sandpit on the ground, the sand was soft, so her hand probably didn't hurt, but she certainly didn't feel so relaxed.

Zixiao didn't know the reason for her distress, but based on the question she had just asked, she could guess a few things.

This is not her place to advise on. When it comes to choosing between dreams and relationships, even if choosing dreams doesn't necessarily mean neglecting relationships, it's certain that in the process of pursuing dreams, many bonds and opportunities to create memories will be lost.

That's all Zixiao could say.

"Senior... if you're having any troubles, I think you could try talking to your brother alone. Even the most difficult things can be discussed. Besides, I think... some of his thoughts might not be entirely the same as your guesses. After all, you know... both your brother and Yu Che have rather unique thought processes. Maybe he has his own plans? Or, if you don't want to ask, I can ask him for you."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ruoke immediately turned around and waved her hands: "No need! Zixiao, thank you... But this is my own business, and I will definitely find an opportunity to talk to Yuzhe properly. Hmm... You're right, instead of guessing here, it's better to lay everything out on the table. I also want to know what Yuzhe thinks."

"That's right."

Zixiao came over to talk to Qin Ruoke because she wanted Qin Ruoke to understand this point.

According to her brother's description of Qin's personality, she was overly cautious, or rather, overly anxious about gains and losses.

Zi Xiao guessed correctly. Qin Ruoke had previously worried that if she told Yu Zhe that she didn't want to leave, would Yu Zhe look down on her or something...

But with Zixiao's words, Qin Ruoke felt reassured and confident.

Even being looked down upon is much better than leaving without saying a word for several years.

Besides, if I don't make this clear, I'll just suffocate myself!

Okay... I'll talk to Yuzhe as soon as the results are officially released. For now, I should definitely enjoy the trip with everyone. I can't let my worries spoil Zixiao and the others' fun.

Before this topic ends, there's one more thing Qin Ruoke wants to know.

She stood up and faced Zixiao.

Xiao Ruoke tried her best to force a natural smile on her face so that Zixiao would find it more pleasing.

"Zi...Zixiao, you also have a year left before graduation. What are your plans?"

"Me?" Zixiao was a little surprised that Qin Ruoke was concerned about her situation, but she quickly replied, "My plan is the same as Yun'er's. I'll be wherever my brother is, whether it's helping out at the company or taking care of him at home. Well... of course, if my brother insists on making me go to university... haha, then I won't go!"

You've completely turned into Yu Zhe's clingy little girlfriend...

Hearing her answer, Qin Ruoke nodded with a wry smile, saying it was exactly what she expected.

“Okay... I understand. I’m really envious... No, let’s not talk about that anymore. Zixiao, let’s go see how the castle is going. Actually, I have a design that I’d like to try building.”

"Okay!"

Zixiao turned around and called out to Luo Xiaomeng, "Xiaomeng-jie! Is the castle finished?! Senior Qin said she also has an idea to build one!"

"Qin Ruoke?!" Xiaomeng was surprised for a moment, then immediately picked up the small shovel from the ground, even more eager to try than when she was building her own idea, this sand castle.

Little Lychee also splashed up from the beach: "Yay! If Sister Ruoke wants to build a sand sculpture, I'll definitely give it my all this time!"

Xiao Meng exclaimed in shock: "Wow! You weren't even using your full strength just now, were you? You weren't even taking it seriously when you were helping me build it?!"

"Pfft, no way! I'm just welcoming Sister Ruoke to join our silly team!"

"That's called a sand sculpture team! Not a sand sculpture team!"

"

"Waaah, I got scolded by that petite, cute girl!"

"Little Lychee, you idiot!!!"

Zixiao half-covered the corner of her mouth and smiled demurely.

At the same time, turn around and extend your right hand backward.

"Senior, let's go! Playing with everyone is much more fun than sitting here throwing seashells by yourself, right?"

Qin Ruoke stared blankly at Zixiao's outstretched hand.

She slowly reached out her hand, but before she could react, Zixiao grabbed it.

Then she led me, and we jogged together toward the castle.

The summer sun on the beach was dazzling and warm.

Zixiao, Xiaomeng, and Xiaolizhi—their pure, unadulterated smiles warmed the glacier in Qin Ruoke's heart more than the sunshine.

Oh dear...

Just now, I felt...uninterested in building sand sculptures with everyone, and even felt it was a kind of pressure.

But now...

Qin Ruoke gently covered her chest with her free hand.

Does she seem to be getting happier?

79. Am I the prey?!

"Phew...it's over, I'm exhausted..."

With trembling, sticky hands, blushing and a pounding heart, Yu Zhe ended the battle that had lasted for more than an hour.

Don't get the wrong idea!

He was constantly applying sunscreen to the girls!!

It's still under this parasol.

Yu Zhe watched as Xiao Lizhi, whom he had just helped apply sunscreen to, happily skipped back to the beach.

Ah, Little Lychee's skin is sparkling clean after applying sunscreen, so... everyone has finished applying sunscreen?

Yu Zhe sat wearily on the bench, wiped his hands briefly with a wet wipe, and let out a long sigh of exhaustion.

It's really outrageous when you think about it.

Starting with Yu Che, and continuing with Sister Ye, after finally finishing applying sunscreen for Sister Ye, Zi Xiao also joined in the fun. After that, as if they had planned it together, they took turns asking Yu Zhe to apply sunscreen for them.

Even Xiao Ruoke is no exception... Are you in a good mood today?

Although Yu Zhe had only been applying the ointment to Xiao Ruo Ke for less than a minute, she couldn't hold back her shyness and ran away, which was a bit of a pity.

No, helping with the application is fine, but the problem is...

The sun's about to set, what the hell do you need sunscreen for?!

Yu Zhe really wanted to point at the sun, which was almost completely submerged below the coastline, and loudly complain about this!

He slapped his forehead and thought about it, deciding against it.

If this were said aloud, it would sound like someone who got a good deal but is now acting innocent.

Through applying sunscreen to them, Yu Zhe gained a lot of interesting and useful information.

For example, information such as where their respective ticklish spots are, or where they would react most strongly if touched.

Don't ask what use this intelligence is; the answer is that it's extremely useful!

Just think about it. Judging from how proactive they've been lately, there's bound to be a lot of "battles" to come. Yu Zhe once thought he was about to die.

But things are different now!

Well, of course, even when death is imminent, nothing changes. The grain tax that must be paid will still be paid, and Yu Zhe doesn't want to run away from it.

But... I know their weaknesses now!

Yu Zhe's memory is so powerful; after just one exploration, he accurately remembered each of their "weaknesses".

Attack one point and reach the pinnacle.

Yu Zhe wondered if he could turn the tables and make them surrender in the shortest amount of time if he intensified his attacks on their weaknesses.

I'm a genius!

I'm just...

"Brother, what are you thinking about? You're smiling so happily."

"Ahem! It's nothing! I just thought of some happy things."

Suddenly, Zixiao's voice came from beside him. Yu Zhe tilted his head and saw her slowly sitting down on the empty seat on the bench next to him.

"Ok?"

Zixiao didn't know what he was thinking, but she knew that she was indeed very happy today.

After building sand sculptures with Qin and the others, I enjoyed having my brother help me apply sunscreen. Afterwards, I went to the beach and found some really beautiful seashells. It was a very rewarding experience.

A sea breeze blew by, and Zixiao couldn't help but shiver and shrink back.

"Are you cold?" Yu Zhe asked.

"Ah...it's not cold. It seems like everyone hasn't had enough fun yet. It's okay to wait a little longer."