"But not all relationships in the world are so prim and proper. People have different personalities, so relationships come in all shapes and sizes. At least, I quite like how things are now... I don't know why you think it's not good."

Jiangg Ning's voice grew quieter and quieter, until the end of her sentence was almost inaudible.

"I don't mean 'not good' in that sense. What I mean is, when you're in a relationship, I don't think everything is always happy. There are a lot of frustrating moments, but I've just forced myself to put up with them. If I bring these things up, it'll definitely affect us, so should I say something or not?" Chen Yuan spread his hands.

"Since we're already arguing, just say it. What's been bothering you?"

"Fine, I'll talk."

"Have some water and take your time. I'm listening."

Jiangg Ning pushed a small armchair over to the coffee table and sat down across from Chen Yuan. She slid the glass of water she had poured for herself over to him, then rested her chin in her hands, ready to listen intently.

Chen Yuan GULP, GULP, GULPed down a few mouthfuls. Arguing really did make your mouth dry, trading barbs back and forth. At the very least, he felt that Jiangg Ning still didn't understand the core reason for his anger.

"Don't you feel like there are a lot of times when I can't enter your world, and you can't enter mine? We're really happy when we're together, all wrapped up in each other, but outside of that happiness, when we leave our little world for two, the distance between us suddenly feels huge."

"Distant?" Jiangg Ning faltered.

"Yeah. I don't understand a lot of the things you do. Even when you tell me about them, I don't know how to respond. And it seems like you're not interested in the things I do with my friends. You not wanting to tell me you quit your job—that was because of this, wasn't it? You didn't think it was necessary to involve me, right?"

"That... *That's* what you're angry about? Why would you care about that? I don't get it." Jiangg Ning's brow suddenly furrowed. "We've always had an age gap. This situation is just a result of that."

Chen Yuan found that even more ridiculous. He looked Jiangg Ning straight in the eye and said, "So you know about it, you can feel it, but why aren't we trying to find a way to fix it?"

"Wait." Jiangg Ning held up a hand to stop him from continuing. She took a deep breath and said, "First of all, it's not a problem. And second, we don't need to fix it."

"?"

"It's just because we're different ages and at different stages in life. There's a gap in our perspectives. Later, after you graduate and start working, the problem will naturally disappear."

"There it is again. I don't know how many times I've heard that. 'When you grow up, things will be different.' Doesn't that just mean I have to keep feeling awful until then?"

"So you want to stop feeling awful right now by knowing everything about my world."

"Yeah. Is that so unreasonable?"

"It's not unreasonable, but I think you're wrong." Jiangg Ning's expression suddenly became calm.

"Where am I wrong???"

"Different stages of life come with different problems. You should never worry too much about things that time will naturally resolve. You really want to understand my world right now, but that world is as boring as it gets. If anything, I should be the one envying your life."

"But I *do* feel awful. It's annoying when we're out shopping and people say I look young. It's annoying that I can't be a part of your life and just feel like an outsider. Before we met in person, we could talk about anything. But now, there are so many things I can only keep bottled up inside."

"You don't have to. You can say whatever you want."

"But I don't want to anymore." Chen Yuan's voice suddenly fell, and he lowered his head.

Seeing him like this, for some reason, Jiangg Ning felt an oppressive weight on her chest, as if she couldn't breathe.

In the end, Jiangg Ning still didn't really understand younger guys.

So much of the time, a young man's pride is an unfathomable, incomprehensible thing—so much so that even he himself might find it ridiculous.

But it's something they can't control, especially when they're younger.

In that sense, Chen Yuan was actually handling it quite well. There were countless others his age with even more fragile egos.

Only people whose youth is long behind them enjoy being called green. Sometimes, being called unworldly is meant as a compliment, but whether one likes or is willing to accept such a compliment is another matter entirely.

A relationship with a significant age gap certainly comes with pressure, and it manifests in all sorts of ways.

Something that was originally insignificant, if brought up too many times, can turn into a lingering obsession.

The truth was, Chen Yuan wanted to take the lead in this relationship, or at least not be so passive in every situation. Just blankly finishing four years of college and then slowly growing up in the real world—it sounded simple, but only God knew how long that would take.

That's why people always say you shouldn't wait for a boy to grow up.

All young men go from being strange and awkward to being mature, and a big part of that journey is dealing with their sensitive pride. This stage can be long or short, and sticking by them through it is no easy task.

Many couples drift apart during that process.

The core of their argument, really, was just a matter of pride.

Jiangg Ning's feelings were a complicated mess. She was silent for a long, long time.

The house was as warm as a spring day, but the atmosphere was as frosty as the dead of winter.

"Chen Yuan, I'm being serious. You're going to become someone amazing one day. You have your own principles and you stick to them. Compared to other people, you have so, so many shining qualities..."

She took Chen Yuan's hand and said earnestly, "But that's all in the future. Don't be in such a hurry. The most precious thing is to do what's appropriate for your age. You don't need to rush."

"Is that right?"

"It is. If you want me to share more with you, how about I tell you my thoughts about the future every day from now on? I'll be with you as you grow up, don't worry."

"But now you've quit your job. The one thing we could really talk about is gone. We've even lost the school, our only point of connection."

"...I have my own life. It might sound a little harsh to say this," Jiangg Ning couldn't hold back anymore, "but you have your own life, too. We all have our own lives, and meddling in them is the thing I hate most. Even for a couple... I don't think it's okay."

"Are you saying I'm getting in the way of your life?"

"That's not what I mean, it's just... Forget it. Maybe it really is the age gap."

"Yeah, it is. So you don't have to tell me anything. From now on, we can just be a couple of strangers. We don't even need to walk together on the street anymore. It's not like anyone thinks we're a good match anyway."

"...Calm down."

"I am calm." Chen Yuan stood up and shrugged. "Alright, communication complete. I'm going back to my room to study."

He turned and stormed off, looking absolutely furious.

The sound of the door SLAMMING shut made Jiangg Ning squeeze her eyes closed.