The Changing Phases - Chapter 35 - You're Outdated

“Liu Yuxin, come over quickly and look at my new work.” Jin stretched her wrist and lounged on the bed, eating an apple.

Liu Yuxin came closer, reading intently, not missing a single word. Jin grew a bit anxious and kept asking, “Is it good?”

Suddenly, Liu Yuxin jumped up from the chair, staring at the computer screen, and exclaimed loudly, “Jin, you’re amazing! I absolutely love this part.”

Jin, feeling exasperated, kicked the chair, “Is it necessary to be so dramatic?”

Liu Yuxin chuckled, “I’ve got it, your original work is a patchwork of different pieces.”

“Go away! I don’t want to hear any naysayers!”

Liu Yuxin laughed, “Why are you in such a hurry? I haven’t finished my point yet. Although the plot seems familiar, no one has managed to organize the story so perfectly before!” She raised her hand towards the light, “Wow-! Your skill in integrating the novel is impressive!”

Jin, both annoyed and amused, said, “Liu Yuxin, why don’t you give it a try?”

Liu Yuxin replied, “If I were to write, it would definitely be based on real life. Don’t you want to write about urban emotions? The proposal from a while ago was pretty good.”

Jin, suddenly realizing, said, “Yes, Liu Yuxin, you really should consider switching careers to write novels!”

Ha ha ha!

Liu Yuxin then burst out laughing at the text on the screen: “What did you write here? Grabbing her chest? Ha ha ha!”

Jin, poking Liu Yuxin repeatedly, said, “Liu Yuxin, you’re outdated! You can’t write such explicit passion scenes.”

Liu Yuxin laughed even louder, “Oh my, I’ve really learned something new today. Big chest, ha ha ha ha.”

Jin joined in the laughter, “Stop laughing at me. What’s wrong with big chests? If you were the writer, you could only write about small chests.”

Liu Yuxin lowered her head to look at her own chest, then looked at Jin’s, and said with a grin, “Well, I do feel a bit ashamed about this.”

Jin looked at the computer and couldn’t help but sigh, “Liu Yuxin, appreciating your own work is like looking in a mirror; you think it’s good from every angle. What do you think?”

Liu Yuxin chuckled, “I can only say that you are truly, deeply narcissistic.”

Jin shouted and lunged at Liu Yuxin to tickle her. Liu Yuxin laughed and begged for mercy. When Jin finally stopped, Liu Yuxin got up and bowed to Jin, saying, “Jin, I really didn’t mean to offend you. Now I understand that the kind of confidence you have is necessary for a dedicated writer!”

Jin also bowed to Liu Yuxin, “Oh, now I get it, you’re a fence-sitter playing both sides.”

Liu Yuxin bowed again, “Thank you for your appreciation, Jin.”

Jin bowed back, “No need to be so polite.”

The two burst into laughter and flopped onto the bed. All their worries were forgotten, and happiness swept over them. Listening to cheerful music, the two vibrant young women laughed heartily, filling the room with a youthful atmosphere.

Liu Yuxin giggled as she opened a snack, munching as she asked, “Jin, are you really going to marry Wenhui?”

“Of course, he has been sincere enough. I accepted the ring, and even those older folks helped sweep the floor. Besides, when I went to Wenhui’s house the other day, I almost called his mom ‘Mom’,” Jin raised her hands and declared loudly, “Uncle, Aunt, I hope to become your good daughter-in-law!”

Liu Yuxin shivered uncontrollably, goosebumps all over, “I think your relationship with Wenhui is developing a bit too fast. You’ve only known each other for a few days and are already rushing to get married.”

“Too fast? I don’t think so.” Jin took a sip of yogurt, “Liu Yuxin, you’re really outdated! Seriously, I feel like I’m falling behind. Some people can get married to a stranger in just two hours. Now that’s what I call romantic speed.”

Liu Yuxin replied, “Some people are some people, but you’re not them. You and Wenhui barely know each other.”

Jin scoffed and tossed Liu Yuxin’s snack bag into the trash. Unexpectedly, something fell to the ground with a “clatter.” Just as Liu Yuxin was about to pick it up, Jin held her back, “Leave it there. Finish eating first; we can clean up later. Or Wenhui can do it when he comes over tomorrow.”

Jin lay on the bed in a comfortable position, “Wenhui and I have thought about this for a long time. Since I’m from out of town, I want some stability. Wenhui’s house may not be big, but it’s enough for both of us. He’s so handsome and treats me well. What do I have to hesitate about? I assure you, I’ve seriously considered it. Even though Wenhui can be a bit effeminate, needing me to oversee everything, it just feeds my desire to boss people around. Plus, I’m not that tidy, while he is. He takes care of the cleaning. We know each other’s flaws well. Haven’t you seen people getting married at lightning speed? Falling in love takes seconds, a relationship minutes, and getting a marriage certificate only hours. Speedy as can be!”

Liu Yuxin shook her head, “I don’t think that’s romantic. To me, it’s the opposite. Many people have flash marriages, but even more have flash divorces. Jin, I think you should be more cautious. Marriage is not a game.”

Jin giggled, “I didn’t expect you to be so conservative. Let’s talk about you then. When can I see your mysterious boyfriend?”

“Right now, we’re practicing the semi-sweet philosophy.”

Jin laughed heartily, “Ha, that’s impressive. We’re busy with weddings while you two are busy maintaining distance. What’s he done to you? Is he like a reporter, following you around and forbidding you from getting close to strangers? Or is he just eager to grab your chest?”

Liu Yuxin punched Jin, “You’re so shameless! It’s not what you think. The issue is with me.”

Jin brought the conversation back on track, “I think it’s fine, Liu Yuxin. You’re not the carefree type. There’s nothing wrong with the semi-sweet philosophy. Many people in this world work so hard that they don’t even have time for relationships. No one’s treating you like an oddball or trying to take advantage of you. If they like you, they like you. Who has the time to accompany you in this semi-sweet philosophy? You’re just too conservative. I think all your hesitations will only give others, like mistresses, a chance to exploit.”

Liu Yuxin chuckled to herself, thinking that perhaps, in Xia Wanlu’s eyes, she was the “mistress.”

As for flash marriages, Liu Yuxin felt that Jin was gambling with her youth. But to Jin, the gamble was worth it; if she won, she gained happiness, and if she lost, it wasn’t the end of the world. Jin believed that whether relationships last long or short doesn’t matter, those who have been in love for a long time break up just the same, and those who have known each other for a short time can still be happy. The key to a lasting marriage is how two people view marriage and their efforts to positively adjust after tying the knot.

Regarding the semi-sweet philosophy, Jin thought Liu Yuxin was making a big deal out of nothing and being overly coy. But Liu Yuxin believed that if she wasn’t confident in the relationship, it was better to maintain some distance.

In the end, Jin concluded that Liu Yuxin might have a sort of love phobia, while Liu Yuxin feared that Jin’s overly trendy ideas might set a bad example for her readers.