Chapter 33: Love... a Life's Negotiation

“That wasn’t a very pleasant experience.” Richter was startled for a moment. His right hand, which was holding the umbrella, unconsciously stroked the handle. “As long as you’re happy. Tell me something to cheer me up.” Selene clapped her hands. “Your clothes are wet, and mine are too. That’s not fair.”

Richter frowned and picked up the lantern again. The flame flickered slightly. He didn’t seem to do anything, and the flame didn’t change. But the light and heat emitted from the lantern suddenly increased significantly.

He casually tossed the lantern. He threw it onto the chest that wasn’t where Selene was sitting. As if suddenly placed next to a hot fire, the rainwater on the crate and Selene’s clothes quickly evaporated into invisible steam, dissipating into the air.

“A small spell, a variation of Fireball.” He casually explained.

Selene was a little surprised, but moved closer to the lantern, feeling her clothes drying.

“…Want to come over here?”

“What?”

“It’s dry under this tree. And there’s no lightning. You’ve been standing in the rain for a long time.” Selene said calmly. “Consider this a thank you for drying my clothes. You can use this chest as a seat.”

Though she didn’t particularly like this handsome man, she felt that she should repay kindness, even if it was small. The repayment wouldn’t be generous either.

Richter didn’t refuse. He easily folded his rather complex umbrella. Then he walked under the tree and sat on the chest, keeping a little distance from Selene. He placed the small lantern between them.

“Now, let’s talk about your relationship problems,” Selene was genuinely curious about his difficulties. “Let me guess. You were juggling several high-class ladies, they were fighting over you, and their fathers didn’t like you…”

So he came from Mittal to Lanstier to escape the drama?

Richter tilted his head slightly, looking at her curious and amused expression. He sighed helplessly and leaned back against the tree, shaking his head.

“No. At least, no one has confessed to me.”

“So, you’re a master of the game, playing the field, but never settling down.” Selene expressed her respect.

“…. I’m serious.” Richter smoothed down the scarf around his neck. “I don’t have a girlfriend, or any close female friends. I’ve never even gone out on a date…”

“Really?” Selene was incredulous. Her thoughts shifted, and she looked horrified. “Don’t tell me you’re…”

“I’m not!” Richter gritted his teeth.

“Okay,” Selene asked. “Then why haven’t you considered finding… you know… a girlfriend?”

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“….I have someone I admire. So I don’t want to create any misunderstandings.” Richter carefully chose his words. “We’ve been corresponding for eight years…”

Selene cut him off, her voice surprised.

“Corresponding? You’ve been writing letters?”

“You could say that…”

“No, you liked someone you’ve never even met?” Selene found this amazing. It turned out this guy was really naive, one of those who would get mercilessly mocked by internet personalities. “Really?”

“I’ve at least seen her face.” Richter retorted.

“How many times?”

“Once.”

“What’s the difference between that and never having seen her? Did she ever express any doubt about you?”

“Uh, no.” Richter thought for a moment and answered confidently. “She just usually complains to me about her daily worries. Occasionally, she sends me small gifts…”

Selene continued to ask,

“Do you return the gifts?”

He confirmed that he did.

Selene offered some heartfelt advice.

“Let me tell you something. She’s clearly using you. She dumps her garbage on you when she needs to. She uses small gifts and favors to keep you hooked, and you return the favors. She considers you expendable. She’s a real piece of work… I suggest you cut ties with her immediately. Don’t be a simp. I don’t usually say this to people, but since we’ve met…”

Perhaps because her words contained too much colorful language, Richter took a moment before replying. His face contorted, trying to keep his expression neutral.

“That’s… a possibility…”

Selene’s heart sank. She knew this kid was hopeless.

“But I still don’t think she’s that manipulative.” Richter smoothed his face. “She’s… very independent. And she must have plenty of ways to vent her emotions… and money…”

Selene didn’t listen to his excuses. In her mind, Richter was already a simp, and everyone knew that a simp’s words were like the last words of someone with terminal cancer. You only needed to listen.

“Love is a two-way street,” she advised. “Family, life, aspirations, the books you read, the roads you travel, the things you think about… Two different people want to come together and overcome many things.

Two people are like two stones. External pressures, differences between each other, are like landslides, floods. It’s constant friction and pressure. The stones are rubbed, struck, their edges are smoothed, their rough surfaces are polished. Until both stones are smooth, so that even when they strike each other, they won’t be hurt…

This isn’t something one person can do. It requires both people to work at it, to change… At least, you need to shorten the distance between you. You can’t rely on letters to communicate.”

Richter thought for a moment, then sighed, nodding.

“You’re right.”

“Good. I’m glad you see it.”

Selene sighed with relief, then heard him ask,

“So, what do you think I should do to pursue her? If I’m close enough to see her often.”

Idiot!

Selene silently rubbed her forehead. She was exasperated by this devoted simp, but still answered seriously.

“Communicate. Considering that you haven’t even met her face-to-face a few times, start with getting to know her.

Understand her personality, who helped her understand the world, what her aspirations are, her views on love, relationships, and marriage, what her true dreams are… Her glory and her disappointments are important parts of who she is.

I think you need to understand her completely before you can say that you like who she really is, and not just an illusion you’ve created in your mind.

Only after you understand all of that, and you still love her, should you make your move. The saddest thing in the world is to give everything you have, only to move yourself.”

She summarized,

“In short, spend time with her, get close, and become friends.”

Richter listened silently, then clapped, sincerely expressing his gratitude.

“Thank you for your guidance.”