Can following the rules be called rebirth?

Chapter 327, Section 325: Seeing Mountains as Mountains

"Are you opening a Taobao store?"

Late at night.

The car drove into Jiangnan Jiayuan, but the conversation never ended.

"Yes, the talks in Hangzhou this time are almost complete."

"Do you have any items suitable for a single woman in her late twenties or early thirties like me? Can I get a discount if I mention you, Mr. Zhou?"

The tires rolled over the sparse fallen leaves on the roads inside the residential area, filling the air with a dull, soft sound.

"What did you say?"

Zhou Mingyuan parked his car in an empty spot, turned his head, and gave Shen Yunrong a half-smile.

"After you left, I couldn't hear any gossip anymore. Many female anchors envied you, saying that you had a good temperament, were mature, and had charm."

"Do you know how fragrant my sister is?"

"I must have these amazing items that are perfect for my sister, even if I don't already have them."

The windows of the residential buildings shone with twinkling lights, like scattered diamonds on velvet.

"My younger brother is good at sweet talk."

The motion-activated lights in the hallway turned on one by one in response to footsteps.

Shen Yunrong walked ahead, her ponytail swaying gently with her steps. Her youthful and energetic vest and sweatshirt paired with tight jeans created a unique and charming look even at close range.

Insert the key into the lock and turn it.

Go home.

This wasn't the first time Zhou Mingyuan had visited Shen Yunrong's little apartment.

But I don't know if it's because Teacher Shen likes cleanliness or for some other reason, but I always feel that there are inexplicable new changes every time.

The entryway was narrow, but exceptionally tidy.

A pair of light gray soft-soled slippers were neatly placed to the side; they were specially prepared for him, and the surface of the slippers was spotless.

A small sketch appeared above the shoe cabinet, depicting an orchid growing in a crack in the rock.

Shen Yunrong left in a hurry, and the beige blackout curtain blocked most of the window, leaving only a crack.

It's obvious that the house hasn't been tidied up much.

A wooden desk by the window is piled high with documents and books.

"Did calling you out for a walk or to play ball late at night disturb your studies?"

The man's gaze was firmly drawn to the desk.

"It's not that bad."

Shen Yunrong unbuttoned her vest, revealing a wrinkled hoodie underneath. She then stretched, her shapely figure faintly visible beneath the fabric.

After returning home, she felt completely relaxed.

"The content of the interview is actually not much different from what is tested in the essay section of the civil service exam, and I have read most of it."

"Come out and relax, find a balance between work and rest."

"I feel very good."

Seeing Zhou Mingyuan approaching her desk like a curious child, she explained while changing her clothes.

"Rongrong, you're going too far!"

The desktop is essentially a miniature strategic sandbox.

The data was not disorganized, but rather categorized by its owner with an almost obsessive sense of order.

Several thick folders of different colors were placed together.

The navy blue color represents the theoretical foundation and policy frontier. Inside are printed and bound government work reports, interpretations of planning outlines, and study materials on the spirit of the latest important meetings. The margins are covered with index stickers of different colors, and the blank spaces are filled with dense annotations in tiny handwriting.

Dark green represents practice with real exam questions; each set of questions is followed by a solution analysis and self-reflection.

There are even current affairs hot topics and in-depth commentary, collecting important articles from recent People's Daily, Qiushi, and Nanfengchuang, with key sentences highlighted with a highlighter, accompanied by her own thoughts and associations.

Zhou Mingyuan watched with great interest and couldn't help but sigh.

Shen Yunrong is Shen Yunrong.

Don't let her sometimes naive demeanor fool you; making her a prime target for pig butchering scams, it also reveals another side of her personality.

Stubborn, focused, and serious about everything he does.

Just a week or two ago, Teacher Shen was on the scene at Jieyou Media Company, and all the materials on the table were e-commerce learning materials!

In such a short time, one can switch their mind to another field and delve into it with such meticulous care.
It must be said that this is also a kind of talent.

On the corner of the desk away from the window, there was a large mug with dark brown coffee stains on the inside.

The interview date was circled in red on a desk calendar, with the countdown time marked in smaller print next to it.

"Okay!"

What's so interesting about it?

Zhou Mingyuan remained standing in front of his desk, examining the thick stack of documents.

The densely packed handwriting seemed to carry warmth, allowing one to feel, from a distance, the immense effort invested and the almost burning focus.

Before he could even feel half of it, he was hugged from behind by a pair of soft arms.

Unbeknownst to her, Shen Yunrong had changed into a rose-red silk satin nightgown, which made her figure appear even more slender and graceful. Although she was barefoot, the hem of her dress swayed, making her look like a lively little succubus.

Mr. Shen, who had defeated him badly in billiards tonight, was now either doing it on purpose or genuinely liked his little gift.

She hadn't buttoned her clothes up, and she had actually used the Mastercard scarf as a substitute for a halter top, hanging it around her neck.

The scarf is an autumn/winter style, naturally draped, and wearing it indoors in a windless environment always feels a little strange.

But none of this matters.

This is the kind of scene that any man would notice immediately.
Chest.

The enchanting spring scenery on my chest.

Shen Yunrong had already changed into her nightgown, and now, her two full and voluptuous breasts looked even more unreasonable.

This scene goes beyond just being described as sexy.

Any man who sees this scene will surely be moved.

Moreover, Zhou Mingyuan.

For him, this beautiful silhouette, perfect curves, and overflowing charm...
It was already his for the taking.

He glanced at Shen Yunrong.

Shen Yunrong actually glanced at him with affection.

His eyes were full of provocation.

"You really enjoy reading?"

"How come I didn't notice it when we were in school?"

Sometimes, especially when there's a lot of buildup.

The older sister truly has captivating eyes and a charming, coquettish manner.

".?"

Zhou Mingyuan pointed to the inner room, bent over, stretched his back, and used his legs to lift the cotton-like Shen Yunrong into the room.

With her cloud-like hair, flower-like face, and golden hairpin, her figure, now a single entity, swayed and staggered towards the large bed.

The lights were all off, hidden in the dappled moonlight of the night.

"Here, have some hot water to refresh yourself."

A great way to de-stress.

The best way to de-stress after studying.

Many, many minutes later, Shen Yunrong was not defeated. Her voice and figure softened, she put on her nightgown, and regained her radiance.

The hum of a kettle boiling water came from the kitchen.

A short while later, Shen Yunrong returned carrying an ebony tea tray. On the tray were a small purple clay teapot, two thin white porcelain teacups, a bamboo tea scoop, a tea needle, and a small tea towel.

She sat down near the bedside, crossed her legs, and began to make tea.

"What's going on, Xiao Shen? Are you rehearsing for the government office's operations in advance?"

Zhou Mingyuan leaned against the headboard the whole time, watching with a smile as the new tea was born after the rain.

"No way!"

This kind of teasing didn't bother Shen Yunrong at all.

"I learned this from my former leader when I was training at the Party School."

It must be said that Shen Yunrong's movements were unhurried and graceful, with an almost ritualistic beauty.

She knows how to make tea.

First, she rinsed the teapot and teacups with boiling water. The rising steam blurred her features for a moment.

Then, using a tea scoop, take a small pinch of tightly rolled oolong tea leaves from the tea caddy and put them into the still-warm teapot.

The kettle is poured high, the water flow impacts the tea leaves, and a soft, rustling sound fills the air.

The aroma of the tea, carrying the scent of roasting, is also brought out.

Next, quickly cover the pot with the lid, pour boiling water over the pot to keep it warm, and then use the first brew of tea to rinse the cups.

This is called a warm, moistened soak.

Raise your fair wrist, pour water from a high position, let it soak briefly, and then pour the soup out from a low position.

Not too much, not too little, just seven-tenths full. A woman who has been fed, even if she is naked, can still see tenderness in her eyes that radiate happiness.

This can also be considered a kind of harmony between man and nature.

Shen Yunrong put down her teacup, then got up and brought out a small wicker basket from the kitchen. Inside were washed cherry tomatoes and a small dish of snacks.

"Just grab something to eat and replenish your energy."

"Isn't it you who needs the repairs?"

"It's you!"

Only in this relaxed home can Shen Yunrong forget her identity, forget the barriers, forget her age, and forget her own refinement and dignity.

Instead, she's like a naive young girl in the throes of first love, playfully bickering with her healthy and strong lover.

After two rounds of tea, my mouth was filled with a sweet and mellow taste, and my body gradually warmed up.

"Rongrong."

During his moment of reflection, Zhou Mingyuan couldn't help but ask a question.

"Ok?"

"Won't you regret it this time?"

The man's voice was very soft.

"What do you regret?"

Shen Yunrong turned her head and her gaze met Zhou Mingyuan's.

After a few seconds of silence, she realized what the other person meant.

Exams, preparation, success, jumping from one cage to the sky, then returning to another, larger cage.

"Oh, you mean this?"

"correct."

Zhou Mingyuan nodded.

In his eyes, with her review progressed to this level, her lead in the written test, and her outstanding appearance and communication skills, passing the interview was practically a sure thing for her.

"When you left Nanhu University, you flew towards the sky that truly belonged to you."

"That feeling of freedom, of being unrestrained and having one's destiny in one's own hands, must be real and intense."

"We still need to think it over."

Shen Yunrong did not answer immediately.

She gently picked up a cherry tomato with her fingers, her gaze fixed on the deep night outside the window.

"Freedom!"

She repeated the word almost as if sighing, a slight smile playing on her lips.

Actually, I should thank you.

"If you weren't by my side, I wouldn't have understood so quickly what true freedom is."

“During my travels, I felt that everything within the system was outdated and inefficient, full of formalism and the drain of interpersonal relationships.”

"I want to escape, to embrace a world that I believe is more real, more creative and vibrant."

"I think that's what life should be like, that's what it truly means to be alive."

"But after spending more time with you, I also realized..."

Shen Yunrong changed the subject.

"No one is an island."

“My family is quite traditional, and I was immersed in a social network of acquaintances from a young age.”

Even someone as outstanding as you worries about social relationships, interpersonal skills, and all sorts of other aspects of life.

Who can remain unaffected?

"My family members have always been law-abiding and law-abiding."

Shen Yunrong crossed her arms, pursed her lips, and spoke softly about her family of origin.

"The word 'decency' is the most important, even the only, yardstick by which they measure the value of their lives."

"Sometimes it's not just about a stable job with a government-approved position, or a job that sounds good to others; it's also about social recognition, being able to hold your head high in front of relatives, friends, colleagues, and neighbors without being criticized, and following the expected normal life trajectory."

She put down her teacup, leaned forward slightly, clasped her hands on her knees, and looked closer.

"So...you know."

"After that incident, I had a complete falling out with my family."

"You can probably guess that being scammed out of some money is secondary to them, but leaving the company is a catastrophe for them."

Shen Yunrong tried to imitate the scene at that time, her voice deliberately suppressing a calm.

"During that period, the phone at home was like a judgment bell."

“Every time the bell rings, my heart tightens reflexively.”

"Hey~"

Shen Yunrong took a deep breath, her eyes filled with helplessness.

"The feeling of not being understood and recognized by your closest people will gradually erode the confidence and sense of accomplishment you have worked so hard to build."

"Sometimes I doubt myself, wondering if my choices are really so selfish, childish, and irresponsible."

"So, you decided to take the civil service exam as a compromise? To put your parents at ease and get back on the path they approve of?"

Zhou Mingyuan rubbed her head and asked.

Shen Yunrong slowly shook her head, her eyes refocusing.

"Not this time."

"Or rather, this is not a regressive compromise."

"I spent a long time thinking and digesting, re-examining what the words 'freedom' and 'decency' really mean to me."

She stood up and leaned back into Zhou Mingyuan's arms.

"That's why I said thank you."

"no need thank me?"

"Thank you for letting me experience these new things."

Shen Yunrong counted on her fingers, one wasn't enough, so she pulled the man's large hand into her arms and started counting them one by one.

"Market-driven emerging industries, above-average income, and a world rarely seen within the system."

"You showed me freedom, gave me more courage, and allowed me to see the world more clearly, little by little."

"Any more?"

Zhou Mingyuan grinned and said, "Say more, I love to hear it."

"There's more."

Shen Yunrong narrowed her eyes, raised her chin slightly, and leaned close to the man's ear.

"An absolutely amazing cooking experience!"

"I was living such a dull life before, I really can't live without this."

The two looked at each other and burst into laughter.

"But to be honest."

Shen Yunrong's cheeks flushed, she cleared her throat, and continued speaking.

"The longer I stay by your side, the more I realize that what I was pursuing before was a kind of freedom with a romantic flavor."

"In reality, humans cannot exist completely detached from social relationships like atoms."

"True maturity and strength may not be about simply resisting, denying, or escaping, but about having the ability to deeply understand these things."

"Find a position where you can achieve a dynamic balance between personal value and external expectations."

"Eh"

Zhou Mingyuan sat up and gave the woman a thumbs up.

"This is getting interesting, Teacher Shen. You're reaching a level that the ancients described as... what was it called again?"

"Mountains are still mountains, and water is still water."

The erudite older sister naturally took over the conversation.

"Yeah!"

The man reached out and nodded vigorously.

"In the first stage, I was in the mountains and felt that the mountains were the whole world."

"Stability, respectability, and following the rules are taken for granted. That's the world that the outside world and my parents built for me. I'm in it, so I'm used to it, and I've never even thought about leaving this mountain to see the world."

Shen Yunrong gently hooked her arm around the man's neck, her breath sweet as orchids.

"I met you in the second phase."

"I desperately fled the mountain, and with a leap, I jumped into the water."

"I think water is the symbol of life's freedom and authenticity, while mountains are fortresses of oppression, rigidity, and hypocrisy."

"I've enjoyed the fluidity and vitality of water, but I've also choked on water and encountered undercurrents."

"Now, I feel like I've entered the third stage."

"Mountains and water are no longer contradictory entities that are either one or the other."

(End of this chapter)