She paused, then said, "We're in different places, so it doesn't make much difference. This concerns your career plans and your future. You don't need to consider me."
Upon hearing Feng Feng's words, Li Yue's heart sank. He knew she had always been a rational person and hadn't considered marriage yet.
When they first got together, she had said they were just trying things out and she wasn't thinking about the future, so it was normal for her to say this.
However, hearing her say it directly still made him feel uncomfortable.
After all, no one likes to hear their partner say things like, "You don't need to consider me for your future." It felt like a reminder that they were just dating, and she had never envisioned a future with him.
Li Yue suddenly lowered his head and kissed Feng Feng, pressing one hand on her shoulder. It was a forceful kiss, almost stealing her breath.
Feng Feng sensed his suppressed emotions from his actions and realized that her words might have hurt him.
She raised her hand and touched Li Yue's cheek, responding to his kiss.
The temperature between them rose, and after the kiss, Feng Feng's breathing was still not entirely steady.
She stroked Li Yue's face and asked him, "Are you angry?"
Li Yue bit her neck, admitting his feelings frankly, "A little."
"Ms. Feng, am I being too greedy?" Li Yue half-jokingly tested her attitude.
He had known from the beginning that she didn't like him that much, and he was aware of her past. He thought that being with her was enough, but after more than half a year, he seemed to want more and more.
Feng Feng's fingers stopped on Li Yue's ear, her fingertips gently touching him. "Greed is human nature."
Her voice gradually returned to normal, and she didn't sound angry anymore, which eased Li Yue's mind a little.
Then, Feng Feng continued, "Make your own decision about work. I don't want you to change your mind because of me. Even if we get married in the future, I don't want you to sacrifice your opportunities. People exist for themselves first. There's no need to hand over your future choices to someone else, not a lover, parents, or friends."
She rarely spoke at such length, nor did she like to impose her views on others. Li Yue was a special case.
After listening to Feng Feng, Li Yue's emotions were somewhat soothed.
He began to realize that some of his actions just now had been rather "childish."
Li Yue kissed Feng Feng on the face and apologized, "I'm sorry, I was being childish."
Feng Feng: "I'm not angry."
Li Yue: "Then... shall we shower together?"
Feng Feng lowered her eyes to look at his arm, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Carry me over."
As soon as she finished speaking, her body was lifted.
Li Yue quickly scooped her up, his lips touching her ear. "As you command, Ms. Feng."
After they finished, Li Yue saw a message from Zhang Shuang. She was asking about his work. They were similar in age and both facing graduation, so they definitely had common ground on this matter.
Zhang Shuang was currently struggling with two job offers. One was at her current company, which offered higher pay but had limited prospects and a low ceiling. The other was at a larger fund company. For fresh graduates like them, they usually offered lower salaries, but if one persisted and had sufficient ability, they could achieve development commensurate with their skills.
Zhang Shuang probably couldn't find anyone else to confide in, so she was seeking his opinion.
Actually, for Li Yue, this kind of choice wasn't difficult.
If he were in her shoes, he would have unhesitatingly chosen the larger company because he didn't lack money, and his parents didn't rely on him for support. But Zhang Shuang was different; her family faced financial pressure, otherwise, she wouldn't be agonizing over this.
When he took her to the hospital last time, he had gained some understanding of her financial situation.
Li Yue considered the situation from Zhang Shuang's perspective and replied, "You can work at your current company for a year or two, and then slowly look for a new job once you have some experience."
Zhang Shuang: "That's what I was thinking too, but my current company might not let me go. I heard from my supervisor that the contract is for three years, and there's a penalty for leaving early."
Li Yue frowned upon seeing this message but wasn't surprised. Many companies had such unfair clauses now; it was common across all industries.
Li Yue: "Find a professional to look at the contract. Don't get cheated."
Zhang Shuang: "Do you know anyone? I'm not from here and don't have any connections."
Li Yue guessed that Zhang Shuang had come to him precisely for this reason. And indeed, he did have a high school classmate who was now working at a law firm.
Li Yue: "I'll ask for you."
Zhang Shuang: "Thank you."
Li Yue replied "You're welcome" and went to contact his friend.
After helping Zhang Shuang make the connection, Li Yue went to the restaurant and drank a bottle of water. He sat alone, contemplating his own career choices.
Staying in Nanjiang and seeing Feng Feng every day would naturally be the best, but the job opportunity in New York was something he had always longed for, and the position match was very high.
If not for this relationship, he would have unhesitatingly turned down the firm's invitation and gone to New York. But the situation was different now.
When Li Yue submitted his resume, he had harbored a small hope that Feng Feng would accompany him to New York.
During their more than a week in the United States, he had asked her similar questions. Feng Feng had said that she had job opportunities there, and with her abilities, she could find a well-paying job anywhere. The key issue was whether she wanted to move.
She had already given her answer to this question just now.
If Feng Feng didn't want to, no one could force her. Li Yue had to abandon that thought. He also realized that he was becoming increasingly greedy, wanting her to compromise for him.
But she was simply not that kind of person.
Problems piled up, one after another, making Li Yue feel overwhelmed. Graduation season was already stressful enough.
When Li Yue returned to the bedroom after drinking his water, Feng Feng was almost asleep. He got into bed, lay down beside her, and turned off the light, but his eyes wouldn't close.
Li Yue hadn't yet decided whether to sign a formal work contract with the firm, and he wouldn't start working before then. After Feng Feng went to work, Li Yue went out to clear his head.
He went to a nearby park and walked aimlessly. In the park's matchmaking corner, he encountered many elderly people who were arranging introductions.
Seeing that Li Yue was well-presented, these elders stopped him and started asking him questions, their enthusiasm hard to resist.
Li Yue's head was spinning from their questions, so he finally said, "I have a girlfriend."
He thought the conversation would end there, but his statement only made them more eager. They even started asking about his girlfriend, as if they were conducting an interrogation.
Li Yue was reluctant to answer, but they were too enthusiastic, seeming determined not to stop until they got their answers.