Ning Yu finally noticed Shen Yiyue's expression; she didn't seem to be joking or drunk.
"You mean that kind of... emotional connection between suitable-age male and female humans due to hormones and pheromones?"
She phrased it in a very peculiar way.
"Pfft!"
Shen Yiyue had just been about to take a sip of tea when she heard Ning Yu's description, causing her to spray it all over the coffee table:
"Xiaoyu, what kind of description is that?!"
She quickly grabbed some tissues to wipe the table, looking up at Ning Yu.
"I just feel like that's how it is. Look at Wu Di and Ji Mengyao, aren't they like that?"
Ning Yu shrugged.
"You can turn such a beautiful thing into something so... clinical. You're really something..."
Shen Yiyue held his forehead, appearing somewhat speechless, feeling as though he was about to be driven insane by this straightforward girl.
Ning Yu seemed to feel that she had successfully diverted the topic, and her panic subsided, becoming more composed.
She propped her chin on her hand and began to ponder:
"After all, I wonder if what we call 'liking' is just a simple form of admiration for strength."
This statement left Shen Yiyue momentarily stunned.
"Admiration... for strength?"
"Yes~"
Ning Yu nodded, entering a philosopher-like mode:
"I've thought about this before. I believe everyone likes beauty and dislikes ugliness, likes gentleness and dislikes temperamental and emotionally unstable people, likes the wealthy and dislikes the poor, likes health and dislikes illness."
Ning Yu listed a series of scenarios, and while Shen Yiyue thought about it, she realized there was no issue with what was being said; reality seemed to be exactly that.
"Although many people claim to value inner beauty, I think that inner beauty, physical attractiveness, and wealth are not inherently superior or inferior to each other. They are just different forms of 'beauty' and 'strength'."
"Someone who likes wealthy people, someone who is a 'looks enthusiast,' and someone who values inner beauty are all the same; they are all in pursuit of something beautiful and strong."
Ning Yu felt a bit thirsty from talking and decided to grab a cup of tea for herself.
"So... if that's the case... isn't reality actually quite harsh?"
Shen Yiyue felt that Ning Yu must have experienced something to come up with such... unique, or rather, somewhat cold and rational perspectives.
"Yes, although many people disguise their true thoughts, but let me give you an example. Would you really like someone who is fat, ugly, poor, has a bad temper, and a terrible personality?"
Ning Yu continued, posing a question that struck at the heart of the matter.
Shen Yiyue had been drawn into Ning Yu's rhythm and completely forgotten her original purpose:
"Uh..."
After hesitating for a moment, she honestly replied:
"Probably not, the chances are very low."
"Right, so although many people don't want to admit it, that's just how reality is."
Ning Yu retracted her gesturing fingers and poured some more tea for Shen Yiyue, feeling that her alcohol might have worn off a bit.
"Then, those who are less capable will blame everything around them. They'll say it's a terrible society, a terrible world, that all women are gold-diggers, and all men only like beautiful women with long legs and big chests. The world is at fault, not me..."
"Those who are a bit better will clearly recognize this reality and do what they can within their means. Even if their conditions are not ideal, as long as they're not too bad, there's always a way to improve themselves, to become more beautiful, to be worthy of being 'liked'."
Shen Yiyue listened to Ning Yu's lengthy monologue and then asked another question:
"So... what do you think, Xiaoyu?"
Ning Yu was momentarily taken aback before answering:
"Actually, I'm a bit confused."
In her previous life, Ning Yu didn't need to 'like' or be 'liked,' so she didn't have to mend herself like ordinary people.
But she had indeed seriously thought about this issue.
"I know that becoming beautiful, becoming charming and humorous, becoming attractive or handsome, is the best solution to enjoy being liked by others in this world."
Her amber eyes began to deepen as she shared with Shen Yiyue a question that had long lingered in her heart.
"But seeing all kinds of people, including myself, truly pursuing these beautiful, strong, valuable, and optimal practices, I can't help but feel that something is off. It feels like a curse..."
Ning Yu looked up, her eyes filled with confusion as she gazed at Shen Yiyue. This was indeed a long-standing doubt for her, but the question was too profound, and she had no answer.
She pointed at the ceiling and said:
"Maybe only the heavens know."
Shen Yiyue, holding her cup of tea, seemed to freeze, and Ning Yu realized she might have said too much.
"Ah, I think I've gone off-topic."
Ning Yu tried to bring the conversation back on track.
"So, when you asked me if I knew what 'liking' is, I think 'liking' is this thing—an unending human pursuit of beauty and strength."
After going in circles, the topic finally returned to a more normal track.
Shen Yiyue listened to Ning Yu's conclusion, but she had no answer to the ultimate question posed, though that didn't seem to be the most important thing right now.
She picked up her phone to check the time, actually using the black screen as a mirror to glance at herself:
Am I... 'beautiful'? Am I 'strong'? Am I worthy of being liked?
Shen Yiyue hadn't expected Ning Yu to talk about these things with her. She had originally had a bit too much to drink, wanting to take the opportunity to confess her feelings.
But now, she suddenly hesitated. If Ning Yu's idea of 'liking' was like this...
Did she have the right to touch this kind of emotion?
Ning Yu felt she might have confused her, so she quickly tried to salvage the situation:
"Don't think too much about it. Those were just my random thoughts. I often like to think about these strange things..."
"In fact, I'm just one of the masses. Everyone is the same, but when I heard your question, I couldn't help but want to share some of my thoughts with you."
Shen Yiyue looked up at her, and Ning Yu continued:
"Actually, there's no one I can talk to about this. You're the first person I've felt like sharing with. It's strange... the last time we talked about the absurd, it was also with you."
Hearing this, Shen Yiyue felt a bit happy in her heart:
"So, can I take that to mean I'm special?"
She looked at Ning Yu expectantly, who didn't disappoint her:
"Of course."
"Hehe..."
Shen Yiyue suddenly giggled playfully and then steered the conversation elsewhere:
"I just heard Xiaoyu talking about 'liking,' mentioning... uh... human males and human females..."
Her voice paused, then she added nervously:
"What about between girls and girls? Oh... and also between boys and boys..."