051 A Rational Analysis of Choosing a Partner
Wang Heng had originally thought that after hearing Tang Hexing’s exposé, the girls would keep their distance from him. But for some reason, Sun Ruimin seemed to have become even more interested.
“Since you’re so popular, have you ever been in a relationship before? No way, you haven’t?”
In response to Sun Ruimin’s questioning, Wang Heng just gave a simple “uh-huh” a couple of times, trying to continue looking at his phone. But Sun Ruimin was still talking, and it would be a bit too rude for him to lower his head at this point.
Wang Heng deeply felt that being too thin-skinned was definitely one of his fatal weaknesses.
Sun Ruimin: “Why do you refuse to be in a relationship? Are you only interested in programming?”
Wang Heng: “That’s right.”
Sun Ruimin asked again, “Then if there was a girl who liked programming, would you like her?”
Wang Heng: “I don’t know. I’ve never met one.”
Sun Ruimin: “Why haven’t you met one? There should be female students in your class, right?”
Wang Heng couldn’t help but retort, “Are you Chen Luyu?” (T/N: A famous Chinese talk show host known for her distinctive and sometimes repetitive or simplistic questioning style.)
Sun Ruimin blinked, and just as she was about to say something else, she was interrupted by her cousin’s voice.
Sun Xingsi clapped his hands and said loudly, “How’s the chat going, everyone? Spiritual communication can’t replace material food. I’ve already booked a table at the restaurant next door. The food and reputation are quite good. Shall we head over now?”
Wang Heng stood up impatiently and responded, “Let’s go!”
**
At the restaurant next door, the tables couldn’t be moved around as freely as in the coffee shop, so they naturally had to sit at separate tables. Wang Heng unhesitatingly chose a table full of boys and even pulled Wang Ke along with him, leaving no room for certain girls.
And at the table where Sun Ruimin was, there were both boys and girls. Her cousin, Sun Xingsi, was right next to her.
While waiting for the food, Sun Xingsi saw that his sister’s gaze was still drifting in a certain direction and couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, “Sister, don’t tell me you’ve taken a liking to that Wang Heng?”
Sun Ruimin answered in a small voice, “Among all the boys in your class, he’s the one most worth paying attention to.”
“Why?” Sun Xingsi was a little confused. “In terms of looks and height, he’s not the best, is he!”
Sun Ruimin glared at her cousin and said in a tone of disappointment, “When you’re looking for a partner, is the face the most important thing? And height, can you eat that?”
Sun Xingsi: “Can you eat Wang Heng?”
Sun Ruimin: “Programming can earn you food.”
Sun Xingsi had a sudden realization. “I get it. You’re after the money!”
Sun Ruimin pinched her cousin’s arm. “Keep your voice down. Don’t let him hear you.”
Sun Xingsi rubbed his arm and nodded, then covered his mouth and said, “But sis, you only know that Wang Heng can make money. What about his family background? If his family background isn’t good, even if he’s very capable, the future will be very hard, won’t it?”
Sun Ruimin rolled her eyes at him. “It’s just dating. I’m not asking my boyfriend to buy a car or a house. Is family background important? You have to know, if he can make money while he’s still in school, our dating life will be very comfortable.”
“Using his money?” Sun Xingsi sucked in a breath of cold air. “Sis, you’re so pragmatic.”
At this moment, the first dish was served, and everyone started to eat with laughter.
Sun Ruimin picked up a piece of beef brisket from the plate and said in a low voice to her cousin beside her, “Pragmatic? Thank you for the compliment.”
Sun Xingsi glanced at the other table not far away. Wang Heng was also holding his chopsticks and picking up food, but his other hand was still holding his phone, eating while looking at it. Wang Ke was saying something to him. He smiled, but it was unclear what they were talking about…
“Sis, you’re bullying an honest person!” Sun Xingsi lamented.
Sun Ruimin swallowed the piece of beef brisket and pouted. “A die-hard otaku like him probably won’t even be able to get out of singlehood by the time he’s thirty. Me being willing to give it a try with him is already considered charity, okay? In the end, I’m just tired of glib-tongued scumbags and want to see what an honest boy is really like. Don’t worry, I’m not a scammer. He won’t suffer much of a loss.”
Sun Xingsi nodded. “Just a slightly thinner wallet, right?”
**
The moment Wang Heng took his first bite of food, he heard Wang Ke, who was beside him, say in a low voice, “Teacher Wang, did that girl from just now like you?”
“No.”
Seeing him answer so decisively, Wang Ke was taken aback. But after a little analysis, he had to raise an objection.
Wang Ke: “I saw her take the initiative to talk to you, and she almost took the seat I’m in now. Isn’t that called liking you?”
Wang Heng swallowed the beef brisket in his mouth and asked with a smile, “What do you think ‘like’ means?”
Wang Ke scratched his head. “Uh… does this need a definition?”
Wang Heng nodded. “Of course. It can be divided into subjective and objective perspectives. Subjectively, ‘like’ is an emotion. For example, you like lolis, so every time you meet a cute loli, it’s as if you’re basking in the spring sunshine, and your mood becomes joyful.”
Wang Ke was even more at a loss. “Teacher Wang, can you use a different example…”
Wang Heng: “As long as you understand what I mean. In short, if we define ‘like’ as a subjective emotion, then Sun Ruimin’s attitude towards me is definitely not ‘like’.”
Wang Ke asked curiously, “Then what is it?”
Wang Heng: “Let’s use you as an example again. If there’s a stack of hundred-yuan bills in front of you, and there are no legal or moral risks, you’ll definitely reach out and take it. Defined by objective behavior, this can also be considered ‘like’, but it’s definitely a different emotion from when you meet a loli, right?”
“Why do you keep using me as an example…” Wang Ke suddenly reacted. “Wait, you mean she doesn’t like you, she’s just after your money?”
Wang Heng shrugged. “As long as you understand, you don’t have to say it out loud.”
Wang Ke turned to look at the table where Sun Ruimin was and lowered his voice even more. “No way? This is the first time you’ve met!”
Wang Heng: “Suppose you meet a girl who has a lot more disposable cash each month than others, her looks are decent, and most importantly, she looks very honest and easy to control. Then, would you want to try dating this girl?”
“Why do you always use me as an example?” Wang Ke protested righteously. “And I’ve already said, I’m not interested in old women!”
Wang Heng: “Alright, suppose the conditions are as above, and that girl happens to be 14 years old?”
Wang Ke nodded vigorously with an air of righteousness. “Of course, that’s fine!”
Wang Heng put down his chopsticks and spread his hands. “Forget it. Your situation is a bit special. It’s meaningless to use you as an example. In short, I’m definitely not that charming to make a shrewd girl like Sun Ruimin chase after me right from the start. She only became truly interested in me after we talked about Bitcoin and Fu Hanwen said I had money to speculate.”
Wang Ke nodded thoughtfully.
Wang Heng concluded, “In most cases, when a girl really falls for a boy, her first reaction is not to immediately launch an offensive. They are often more tactful and roundabout than boys. The more they like someone, the more timid they are. This is the norm.”
Wang Ke couldn’t help but ask, “Why do you know so much? Have you really never been in a relationship with a girl?”
“Because…” This time, it was Wang Heng’s turn to scratch his head. “Well, I’ve studied psychology on my own.”
