Su Mo started to give an example, talking about Dongdong: "Take Dongdong for example, sheās about the same age as the sort of girl you mentioned, also 14 years old, very pretty and cute. We usually have a close relationship and get along really well."
"But if one day Dongdong suddenly said she liked me, Iād definitely be dumbfounded."
"Because, you see, weāve always been comrades, gone through a lot together, weāre good friends, even like family without blood ties... but when did we ever interact as a couple?"
"Iāve always seen Dongdong as a younger sister, and surely Dongdong sees me as an older brother. So, how could this kind of relationship turn into love?"
"Itās obviously not love, yet you try to act like it is; even if thereās some sweetness in the process, it would ultimately end in unhappiness, leaving only regret."
Su Moās words made everyone fall into their own thoughts, silently watching him.
Chu Nanyi took a sip of wine, and said meaningfully: "So youāre the type who wants to think through the result from the start, and keep working towards it."
"Youāre not looking for a superficial couple relationship based on appearance, figure, or having fun, but a soulmate who connects with you spiritually."
Su Mo gave a thumbs up: "It has to be Young Master Chu, you summed it up so well."
Chu Nanyi sighed and said: "But most couples in the world are just love and breakup stories, even leaving beautiful memories is good enough... The kind of soulmate you mentioned is quite hard to find."
Su Mo laughed at himself: "So, I deserve to be single all my life... To put it plainly, Iām just a country bumpkin, dreaming about that kind of unrealistic love. I might be single for the rest of my life, ha."
Chu Nanyi continued to ask: "You want both soul connection and have age requirements... so hypothetically, if a girl who truly matches your soul appeared, how much of an age difference could you accept?"
Su Mo thought about it and said, "Within 6 years. Iām 24 this year, so she would have to be at least 18."
Chu Nanyi glanced at Dongdong with a look of pity.
Dongdong sat there with her head down, lightly pursing her lips, not saying a word, no one knew what she was thinking.
Chu Nanyi asked again: "Then..."
"Hey, wait a minute!" Su Mo finally reacted, "How many questions have you asked? Didnāt I just lose once? How come you asked all of them?!"
Chu Nanyi said innocently: "You kept talking by yourself, answering whatever I asked, I didnāt force you."
Su Mo laughed frustratedly: "Not fair, not fair, youāre just bullying an honest person, youāve got to drink up as punishment!"
"Alright, alright, Iāll drink~" Chu Nanyi also agreed very readily, downing three glasses in a row.
Some were happy, some were silent, and thatās how they played until late at night before dispersing.
...
The late-night seashore carried a sense of loneliness, the moonlight like a silver ribbon swayed on the sea surface, causing ripples, with the sound of waves gently lapping and the soft whispers of the breeze around.
Dongdong sat alone on the stone steps, gazing at the small gift box in her hand that she wasnāt able to give away, the sea breeze occasionally lifting her pink long hair, as if fondly caressing it.
As Dongdong was lost in thought, footsteps came from behind, and a figure sat down next to her.
KK rested his hands behind him, leisurely enjoying the sea breeze, "The guys have all gone back to rest, arenāt you sleeping?"
Dongdong said softly, "Not sleepy, canāt sleep..."
KK looked at the small gift box in her hand and smiled: "Confession chocolate, prepared for the big brother?"
Only then did Dongdong come back to reality, somewhat frantically hiding the gift box in her arms.
KK laughed and said, "Donāt hide it, I already guessed it when you asked Chu Nanyi about chocolate this afternoon. You like the big brother, right?"
Dongdong pursed her lips and hummed, "So what if I do..."
KK looked at the silver ripples on the sea and sighed lightly: "Donāt be too sad. Itās not that youāre not good enough, itās just that the big brother has his own thoughts."
Dongdong: "Iām not sad, though."
"Hmm?" KK looked at her.
Dongdongās expression was very calm, her gaze clear, she shrugged and said: "Iām not sad. I think what he said at the bar made a lot of sense."
"Yes, I really like him. I feel very happy and blessed when Iām with him, like that long-lost feeling of home, and I want to stay by his side forever."
"You know, I used to be just a street punk, normally I would have stayed like that for life. He was the one who pulled me out of the mire of life and gave me a new life."
"I admire him, look up to him... I always thought that was love, but on further thought, itās not.
"My fondness for him isnāt that kind of romantic love between a man and a woman. To me, heās more like an elder brother who takes care of me."
"Itās like the love a child has for their mom, a family-like affection... I just couldnāt distinguish between the two before."
Under the moonlight, the sea shimmered, and occasionally, you could see boat lights dotting the edge of the night, the sound of the waves bringing a peculiar sense of tranquility.
KK looked at Dongdongās profile and smiled lightly: "Itās great that you think this way. I was worried you might harbor a grudge, and I was planning to talk to you."
Dongdong scoffed, speaking proudly: "Come on! Even if I did confess and got rejected, Iām not the kind of girl who would cry her eyes out and act like itās the end of the world!"
"If we canāt be a couple, then so be it. Life isnāt just about love anyway. Besides, it was a misunderstanding, whatās there to be fussing over~"
"Thatās good!" KK fully relaxed, lazily saying, "Youāre still young, only 14, youāve got a long road ahead."
Dongdong punched him lightly on the back, saying teasingly: "Youāre only two years older than me, youāre not fooling anyone, trying to act all experienced and worldly."
"Ouch, ouch, ouch, donāt always be so fierce~" KK laughed as he stood up, "Come on, letās go back and rest, we have a plane to catch in the morning."