CHAPTER 62: CHAPTER 62: ZHOU LI’S NEW GOAL

When leaving the school, Zhou Li held a delicate handmade cloth bag in her hand, containing twelve zodiac dolls.

She deliberately walked a bit slower, following behind Li Jing, secretly observing his back, her heart deeply conflicted.

Originally, today she planned to say goodbye to Li Jing after they toured the campus, finally letting go of this impossible affection.

But unexpectedly, after this interaction, her fondness for Li Jing only grew stronger.

He seems to have never changed...

He’s just the Li Jing I used to like...

Zhou Li’s eyes softened, her heart was complicated, and as she looked at Li Jing’s back in front of her, her thoughts became more chaotic.

At this moment, her phone received a message, and upon opening it, it was a photo from her colleague Sister Liu of her nephew, accompanied by a message.

"Xiaozhou, this is my nephew, take a look at the photo, a handsome young man, 28 years old, working at the Lishui Water Plant.

Even though his education might not be as impressive as yours, he’s still a great guy. He’s a child of dual-working parents, has a good family background, has already bought a new house locally, and plans to buy a car next year.

If you’re interested, take the initiative to add him on WeChat and chat, I’ll give you his number..."

Looking at the message on her phone and the photo of the unfamiliar man, Zhou Li tightened her grip on her phone ever so slightly.

Am I really going to marry someone I might not like that much in the future...

Can I really let go of my feelings for Li Jing...

Looking at Li Jing’s back, Zhou Li thought of her rule-abiding, obedient, and well-behaved life, and an inexplicable resistance arose in her heart, wanting to give her own thoughts a chance.

Her inner clarity gradually emerged, no matter what Li Jing was like, she still liked him, and compared to spending a lifetime with someone she didn’t like, it was better to try to pursue the person she liked.

Thinking of this, she was just about to step forward and hold Li Jing, but her long-standing sense of inferiority flared up, stopping her actions.

Wait a minute, would Li Jing like me...

Even if not for dating, he doesn’t seem to have that much fondness for me...

Thinking of this, Zhou Li instinctively began to doubt herself again, biting her lower lip, unable to resist picking up her phone to ask her smart software:

"How can I increase the favorability of someone I like towards me?"

"You can try to showcase your advantages and strengths, letting the other person appreciate your qualities, thereby increasing their favorability."

"But I don’t know... what are my advantages and strengths, what should I do?"

"You can analyze it from multiple aspects. Firstly, appearance, you can dress more exquisitely to enhance your looks and charm. Secondly, ability, exhibit your specialties or a certain skill, which can make the other person admire."

"Appearance and ability..."

Seeing the reply from the smart software, Zhou Li was silent and conflicted: Li Jing has already seen my appearance, and ability...

Even though I’m recognized by the leadership at my unit, that’s definitely not enough to attract Li Jing unless...

Thinking, Zhou Li’s brow slightly relaxed, her eyes gradually brightening, as if she found direction.

She pondered for a moment again, her gaze slowly becoming resolute:

If I work hard to make myself better, maybe I can make him interested in me...

"Are you heading back now?"

At this moment, Li Jing stopped and looked back at her: "Didn’t you say you only had time in the morning and needed to rush back to work in the afternoon?"

"Ah right, yes."

Snapped back to reality by Li Jing’s voice, Zhou Li’s expression changed slightly, then glanced at the time, quickly nodded and said: "I really have to get to work now."

Seeing him just like before, Li Jing smiled and said: "If that’s the case, then see you later."

Hearing this, a trace of reluctance flashed in Zhou Li’s eyes, and she asked: "Are you heading back to Celestial Sea City?"

"Probably, I’ll go back once there’s nothing more here."

Li Jing smiled and invited: "You have my contact information now, feel free to reach out whenever you’re in Celestial Sea City."

"Celestial Sea City..."

A flicker of emotion crossed Zhou Li’s eyes, followed by a firm resolve, as she seriously looked at Li Jing’s face, and nodded: "Yes! I think we’ll definitely have the chance to meet again in the future."

Noticing the difference in her gaze, Li Jing was slightly puzzled, but didn’t think much, as his peripheral vision noticed the special ride approaching from afar, he said: "Get in, I’ve ordered a special ride for you."

"Ah, you already ordered a ride for me?"

Zhou Li was surprised, looking back to see the special ride getting closer, her expression changed slightly, unexpected at how quickly she was parting from him.

Seeing the special ride had already pulled to the side, Zhou Li was worried about making the driver wait too long, yet seemed to have a thousand words she’d still want to say to him.

In the end, she looked at Li Jing, biting her lower lip, her heart steeled, she suddenly dashed forward to embrace him tightly.

Afterwards, without waiting for Li Jing to respond, she swiftly turned and ran onto the car, not even having the chance to say goodbye.

Watching Zhou Li leave in the car, Li Jing recalled the feeling of her touch a moment ago, and the lingering fragrance in the air left by her, feeling inexplicably stirred.

Then he shook his head walking back: "Too bad I didn’t realize it sooner, guess I’m not at a high enough ’scumbag’ level yet, otherwise I should have turned the tables and savored the moment more."

At the same time.

Zhou Li, on the special ride, her face red, heart pounding, took a while to recover.

I just hugged Li Jing...

Finally embraced him...

He seemed not to have reacted, but no matter, I already know what to do.

Now what I can and should do is make myself excellent enough.

Thinking of this, her face became serious, firmly picking up her phone to dial her colleague’s number:

"Hello, Section Chief Li, about the selection for Celestial Sea City you mentioned last time, is it still open for applications?"

"Xiaozhou, you’ve decided to apply? Wow, you were hesitant before, but such opportunities are rare, if you get into Celestial Sea City, your prospects will completely change."

Hearing this, Zhou Li still modestly said: "I’m just applying, it’s not certain if I will pass."

"You’re just too modest, with your abilities and qualifications, it’s very possible! Moreover, the hiring company this time is the same place we visited last time for training. Remember, their female leader really liked you!

Rest assured, I’ll take care of the needed proofs and materials, I haven’t yet thanked you for helping our department so much with overtime before, this time I’ll definitely assist you!"

"Thank you, Section Chief Li."

Hanging up the phone, Zhou Li let out a long breath, for now, exams and work tasks are what she’s best at and her only direction for striving.

Thinking, she looked up towards the distant outside the window, her gaze becoming particularly firm:

To pursue someone better, one must make themselves more exceptional.

No matter what, this path must be right.

Li Jing, I will surely meet you again in Celestial Sea City with a different appearance.