Yun Buran said coldly, “I won’t fall for such simple rhetoric again.”
“No, I’m being very serious. My soul is in these words.”
Su Nian put away his smile and spoke extremely earnestly.
“I’m really not a genius. I’ve failed many times, and I’ve had many setbacks. But I firmly believe in these words: no matter when, it’s never the ‘end.'”
“So I never give up.”
“And I constantly reflect on myself, practicing self-discipline day after day, because I’ve never defined what ‘best’ means. I will always be dissatisfied, always yearning for a better version of myself tomorrow.”
Yun Buran had never seen Su Nian so serious before. Her voice choked as she said, “Then what’s the point? Aren’t you just fooling yourself?”
“Because I love myself. This love includes absolute trust and endless expectations. Many people spend their entire lives never finding the meaning of life, and even more never even think to look for it.”
“So this is the meaning I’ve found for myself. Even if others find these ‘ends’ and ‘bests’ ridiculous, I never feel like I’m deceiving myself.”
“This is my own discovery—a guide to this world. I genuinely believe in these words from the bottom of my heart, and as a result, I’ve started to succeed continuously.”
Yun Buran was speechless. Her common sense kept telling her that he was just coaxing her, that this was toxic positivity, useless idealism…
It had to be a lie!
But even if this person wasn’t a perfect Su Nian, the courage to say such things was dazzling. In fact, coming from someone like him, it was even more ironic and unbelievable. Yet he was so unwavering.
Yun Buran felt her heart racing. In reality, if someone actually said something so childish to your face—even a kid would laugh—you’d want to mock them. But he didn’t care at all.
She found herself lost for words, because she noticed there wasn’t a trace of hesitation in his eyes. He truly believed it.
“So that’s how it is. No wonder you’re so outstanding. Anyone would be willing to believe you’ll become the best.”
“That’s not quite right. I told you, this is a guide to the whole world.”
“It’s not just myself that I trust, but this very spirit. If you also believe it—that you’ll become the best in the end—then you, too, will be great.”
Su Nian said these words with absolute sincerity.
Yun Buran knew he wasn’t coaxing her. It wasn’t a lie. The boy genuinely believed that she could do it too.
“I can’t do it…”
Objectively speaking, from any rational angle, Yun Buran told herself that this only applied to Su Nian. But she felt a lack of conviction.
“I wasn’t born destined for success. No one is born great. Before every miracle and great feat happens, those people probably looked like ordinary folks.”
“But the real difference between people is that ordinary people quickly accept mediocrity and lose their passion after failure. But if someone remains steadfast…”
“At any time, in any place, under any circumstances?”
Yun Buran couldn’t help but say these words.
“Yes. Always tell yourself: no matter how great the failure, it’s not the end; no matter how great the success, it’s not the best. Face the defeated with reflection, face the successful with unwillingness.”
“Why can he do it and I can’t?”
“I used to say these words to myself many times. Now, I’m giving them to you.”
Su Nian looked at Yun Buran sincerely.
At this moment, Yun Buran felt an indescribable emotion inside, but she knew today was enough.
“I’ll slowly come to understand these words.”
“But if I don’t choose to save myself, you’d leave in disgust. And if I do save myself, you’d still leave. You never gave me a choice. You’re so cruel, Su Nian.”
Yun Buran said this with deep resentment, but she no longer looked as fragile as before.
“Silly girl, you need to understand something. I’m human too. These days have been an irreplaceable memory for me as well. I have emotions. You’re my most outstanding student, a good friend. It’s not like we’ll never see each other again after the demon disappears.”
“But you know that’s not what I want.”
She had never formally confessed, but the boy was too clever and didn’t spare her feelings at all, leaving the first thread of affection in her life with nowhere to settle.
“I’m sorry. You should know in your heart that I truly have no feelings of romantic affection for you. If you find that cruel, I’d rather we never associate with each other again.”
Su Nian knew very well that a hesitant rejection followed by kindness was the true cruelty.
Yun Buran didn’t lose emotional control again. Even she was surprised that she accepted these words so calmly. She even liked this side of Su Nian.
“Then I firmly believe that in the end, I’ll make you fall in love with me. Will I succeed?”
Yun Buran couldn’t help but laugh after saying this.
“Asking me that kind of question, I’ll still give you a cruel answer.”
Su Nian said helplessly.
“But when you stop asking that question… maybe I’ll start to be a little moved by you.”
Su Nian wasn’t making empty promises. He loved himself, so he hoped his standard for a partner would be someone like himself—a person who loved themselves.
Yun Buran understood that, so she didn’t ask about the specific time.
Because it would be when she truly believed in those words from the bottom of her heart.
“However, realistically speaking, Senior Yun Buran should first consider getting into the same university as me.”
Su Nian grinned mischievously.
“I’m the senior here! Even if I go to the best place, what if you don’t come?”
Yun Buran pouted in protest.
“I’ll be the one to choose first, in this competition.”
Su Nian said this casually, and Yun Buran felt choked for a moment. But she couldn’t help believing that if he wanted it, he would definitely succeed.
“Then before I graduate, would Su Nian still be willing to be my teacher and friend?”
Yun Buran asked softly.
“Teacher? Not necessarily. But you’ll always be an important friend to me.”
“Pinky swear.”
The boy extended his perfect hand. Every inch of his skin was something Yun Buran yearned for. But as she hooked her pinky with his, only one thought crossed her mind.
He was telling the truth.
Once upon a time, one of the main reasons she hated herself and loathed life was this damned ability.
It had destroyed her family, destroyed her social life, destroyed her life. Yun Buran could only blame her bad luck and her own weakness.
When she first learned that the demon was behind it all, she should have exploded. But she found she didn’t have much resentment.
Because this ability had also brought her through hardship to sweetness, leading her to meet the best person.
Yun Buran wasn’t surprised that Su Nian was the savior. A boy like him was destined to be the savior.