Yun Mengxi looked at the other person's serious and somewhat apprehensive appearance, and the sense of alienation in her heart inexplicably dissipated a lot.
Actually, she could feel that Master Fu Hua approached her with some purpose, as her words occasionally contained awkwardness and deliberate guidance.
Well, actually Fu Hua didn't even try to act. She almost wrote "I have a purpose" in her eyes.
But strangely, she didn't feel repulsed.
Because behind that clumsiness and effort, she could clearly perceive a pure kindness and concern.
The other party was really trying to understand her work, her pressure, and even wanted to help her in ways she was good at.
This was completely different from those interviewers who only wanted to dig for gossip or perfunctorily deal with things, or even some overly enthusiastic "fans."
Actually, she didn't hate this kind of "concealment." Just like many people, what they hated was actually the unfavorable ultimate goal, not the means the other party used.
And...
This was Master Fu Hua from the Taixu Martial Arts School!
A figure her brother highly praised, now sitting opposite her like a good student trying hard to complete a social task. Although she often "chose the wrong option," making the atmosphere a bit awkward, that sincerity couldn't be faked.
Those inexplicable gloom and heaviness in her heart, perhaps... really needed such a slightly special person to listen?
"Mmh, it's convenient. Sorry to trouble you, Master Fu Hua." Yun Mengxi nodded with a smile.
Fu Hua seemed relieved and immediately began to explain. Her teaching was very professional and detailed, but her language still carried a bit of "martial arts terminology" and bookish awkwardness.
During the process, she would always subconsciously use professional terms, such as "Danzhong acupoint" and "Qi pulse." After seeing Yun Mengxi's confused eyes, she would slightly panicked change them to more colloquial expressions. Sometimes she would subconsciously push her glasses, and light spots would flash randomly on the lenses.
Yun Mengxi followed along. Not sure if it was psychological, but she felt that set of breathing techniques was indeed somewhat useful, making her chest feel lighter.
And Fu Hua seemed to use this as an entry point, talking a bit more gradually, although still revolving around work, health, and occasionally asking about daily routines, asking like a rigorous health physician.
Er... it seemed the other party's current identity was indeed a health-oriented psychological doctor?
But Yun Mengxi could feel that the other party was trying hard to find common topics, even if she often stepped on landmines.
For example, Yun Mengxi tried to discuss popular lipstick colors recently, while Fu Hua's expression was like analyzing poison ingredients.
Then, Yun Mengxi tried to talk about a popular romance variety show. After listening to her brief description, Fu Hua was silent for a long time and gave a sharp comment that absolutely couldn't be released in the circle.
"Is there something wrong with them?"
And whenever this kind of time happened, Yun Mengxi would see a fleeting subtle annoyance on Fu Hua's face, similar to "Oops, chose the wrong dialogue branch."
Then she would stiffly change the subject, or more commonly, fall directly into a serious contemplation, as if frantically searching for a suitable response plan in her heart.
Very clumsy, very awkward, sometimes even a bit funny.
But for some reason, Yun Mengxi just couldn't hate her.
On the contrary, she gradually felt that Master Fu Hua, who had a cold temperament and strong power but was unexpectedly out of place in ordinary social situations, exuded a special charm.
That attitude so serious it was almost stubborn, that clumsiness of wanting to care for people but not knowing how to express it correctly, and those eyes behind the lenses that occasionally revealed some confusion but were quickly replaced by firmness...
Every item made Yun Mengxi feel a strange sense of security.
It was a "straight ball" hidden under a "curve ball."
Those accumulated fatigue and inexplicable sadness seemed to have found a harbor for a brief stop.
She began to be willing to talk more about interesting things and troubles at work. Seeing Fu Hua listening seriously, she also felt her mood improve a bit.
Er, although Fu Hua still had some deviations in understanding the words she narrated.
However, regarding those deepest fears that even she couldn't explain clearly, regarding the broken images in dreams and the dull pain in her heart when waking up, regarding that inexplicable "rejection" feeling towards the world as if it was about to collapse...
She wasn't ready to tell anyone yet. Even to this Master Fu Hua who radiated kindness and tried hard to help her.
Maybe, need a little more time?
Yun Mengxi thought silently in her heart, looking at the corners of Fu Hua's mouth curving up slightly because she told a small backstage joke.
...
Let's rewind the timeline to when the two first met.
Fu Hua stood outside the reception room, her fingers unconsciously twisting her cuffs.
More nervous than facing a Herrscher—this was her truest feeling at this moment.
The sizzling sound of electric current came from the invisible communicator in her ear. On the lenses of the special glasses in front of her eyes, a pale blue UI interface had unfolded.
On the left was Yun Mengxi's simple profile and a slightly tired but sweet-smiling photo. On the right were a blank "dialogue option bar" and a continuously scrolling "background suggestion area."
Through these glasses, the world in front of her seemed to have really turned into a game world.
Communication connected.
Himeko's voice came with static: "Fu Hua, can you hear me? We are in position.
"Over here at the martial arts school... it's a bit noisy, but don't worry, the support team has assembled!"
Don't worry? Fu Hua couldn't worry less.
She took a deep breath, trying to summon the composure from years of cultivation, and then knocked on the door.
The door opened, and Yun Mengxi sitting somewhat reservedly on the sofa came into view.
More vivid than the profile photo, and she could better feel that faint, depressing aura shrouding her.
Fu Hua's heart shivered slightly. This is... the individual who might trigger the loop.
But the next moment, this heaviness in her heart was broken.
[Background Suggestion Area (Lin Chaoyu)]: Master, target appeared! Temperament is weak, eyes are tired, defense index initially judged as lower-middle. Suggest starting with gentle care!
[Background Suggestion Area (Su Mei)]: Hmph, looks like she needs protection~ Master, crush her with your best steady and reliable temperament! Make her feel dependent at first sight!
[Background Suggestion Area (Ma Feima)]: Cut directly into the source of stress! Ask about difficulties in concert preparation! Efficiency priority!
[Background Suggestion Area (Cheng Lingshuang)]: Observe quietly, strike later.
[Background Suggestion Area (Jiang Wanxi)]: She's wearing a light-colored sweatshirt today, looks very soft!
[Background Suggestion Area (Jiang Wanru)]: Her hair doesn't seem styled, her condition is indeed not good.
[Background Suggestion Area (Himeko)]: Quiet down everyone! Follow the plan! Fu Hua, greet her, be natural!
Several message prompts from her rebellious disciples scrolled across the glasses almost instantly. Each one could make Fu Hua's blood pressure, stable for years, soar rapidly.
She felt her life was probably over.