"I was just giving the most convenient example for illustration."
Ning Yu reacted and began to follow Shen Yiyue's question:
"I think I just explained what I understand by 'liking' someone, right? Following that conclusion, I believe liking can be divided into psychological liking and physiological liking."
"Physiological? Psychological?"
Shen Yiyue held up two fingers, dividing the concept into two parts as Ning Yu explained.
"Yes, first, physiological liking. This is easy to understand, isn't it?"
Ning Yu pointed to her own body as an example.
"Physiological liking is what people mean when they say 'I'm attracted to your body,' or, to put it more bluntly, 'I want to mate with you.'"
Hearing such straightforward terms as 'attracted to your body' or even 'mating,' Shen Yiyue couldn't help but blush. However, seeing that Ning Yu was speaking seriously, she felt she shouldn't be blushing.
This is a serious discussion!
But why does it feel like the topic is getting more and more off track... We weren't supposed to be talking about this...
"This is just our animal instinct, you see. Statistically, most animals are generally attracted to the opposite sex on a physiological level."
Ning Yu, however, didn't seem to notice Shen Yiyue's reaction and continued speaking on her own.
"Of course, there are exceptions, like those who are attracted to the same sex physiologically. This is just part of nature's diversity."
"This reproductive instinct is written into our biological genes. That's what we call physiological liking."
"Generally speaking, people who are good-looking or have a good figure are more likely to be popular on a physiological level."
Ning Yu finally seemed to have explained the first concept clearly and then moved on to the second.
"Physiological liking is usually gender-specific, but psychological liking is different. Psychological liking is not gender-specific and has nothing to do with your own gender."
Ning Yu transitioned to the second concept with this example.
"For instance, if you speak very politely and I feel a sense of affinity, or if you are very gentle and meticulous in dealing with people, such qualities make me really like you."
"This has nothing to do with gender. If you are the gender I am attracted to, that's great. If you are not, we can still be good friends, siblings."
Although Ning Yu spoke a lot at once, her explanation was quite straightforward and easy to understand. Shen Yiyue quickly grasped it and began to apply it:
"So, if my physiological attraction is to the opposite sex, but I can't feel physiological attraction to someone of the same sex, I can't truly like them, but it doesn't prevent me from psychologically liking them and being close to them."
"Similarly, if my physiological attraction is to the same sex, then as long as I can psychologically like someone, it means I might potentially like them."
Ning Yu nodded upon hearing this, giving her a thumbs-up gesture, and continued:
"So, these attractions are nothing special. Liking someone is the most ordinary thing in the world, and gender is just one of the factors."
Shen Yiyue was a bit stunned. She had only felt some vague emotions before, but now she began to clearly understand her own feelings.
"So... liking someone is like this?"
At this thought, a surge of inexplicable courage welled up in her heart. A question she had pondered for a long time seemed to finally become clear today.
Suddenly, she stood up and sat next to Ning Yu. Ning Yu also turned her head, swept the silver hair falling in front of her ear, and looked seriously at Shen Yiyue.
She reached out and held Ning Yu's hand.
"Xiaoyu, I want to ask you, if I hold your hand, would you feel physiologically repulsed?"
Shen Yiyue's heart was pounding, but she was determined to get an answer, right here and now.
When she saw her sit down, Ning Yu suddenly calmed down.
There was nothing to avoid. All she had to do was face her own feelings.
"No."
Ning Yu held Shen Yiyue's hand in return, their fingers intertwined. Ning Yu felt her hand was a bit cold.
"Really?!"
Her eyes sparkled with joy as she looked at Ning Yu, as if seeking confirmation.
"Then... do you psychologically dislike me, Xiaoyu?"
She continued to ask Ning Yu in a roundabout way, but Ning Yu wasn't stupid. She could clearly tell what Shen Yiyue was asking.
However, Ning Yu seemed to be one step ahead, holding her other hand and moving closer.
The two were now inches apart, able to smell the faint fragrance from each other. Ning Yu observed more closely and even noticed Shen Yiyue's trembling eyelashes.
Her beautiful eyes were already misted with a thin layer of tears, waiting for Ning Yu's answer.
"You're such a fool, always talking in circles."
Ning Yu suddenly winked at her, a playful gesture Shen Yiyue had never seen before.
"All I want to say is just one thing: I like you."
Ning Yu had asked herself this question countless times in her mind. Being someone who viewed things calmly and rationally, she was now facing this question.
But if she were to be honest with herself, she could think of countless scenes:
Shen Yiyue watching her make steak, unhesitatingly letting her go first, taking care of her when she was unconscious, being teased but stubbornly refusing to admit it, licking her fingers while eating, quietly coming to talk to her when sad, her cute smile, her puffed-up face when teased...
There were too many such scenes, Ning Yu could hardly count them all, but she was certain of one thing: Shen Yiyue was the most important person in her life right now.
Ning Yu wanted to see her smile, wanted her to be happy, wanted to be with her, and hoped that their 'contract' would never end.
Ning Yu asked herself honestly, and the conclusion came without a second thought.
She liked Shen Yiyue, both physiologically and psychologically, regardless of any theory or analysis.
So she said it honestly.
Originally, the two were still talking in circles, and Shen Yiyue didn't expect Ning Yu to suddenly drop such a direct statement.
She finally got the ultimate answer she dared not even think about. Her eyes widened in surprise, joy, and excitement...
But she had to say something now!
Shen Yiyue suddenly snapped out of the overwhelming sense of happiness and replied:
"I like Xiaoyu too, the most!"
Then she couldn't help but start wiping the tears falling from her eyes. She hurriedly explained:
"Sorry... I... I'm just too happy... so..."
She used the back of both hands to wipe her cheeks, left and right, but the tears wouldn't stop. Then Ning Yu joined in to help her wipe them.
But Ning Yu quickly added a twist:
"But... there's one more secret I haven't told you. It's a secret I must tell you."