Beyond the Mountains Are More Mountains, an Invitation from Teacher Fang (Bonus Update)

【When I was little, my parents told me that home was a mountain village, where beyond one mountain lay another, with nothing in between.】

【Yet I still wanted to see it for myself.】

【I told myself, it’ll be better when I grow up.】

【When I grow up, I’ll leave these mountains behind.】

【In college, my advisor told me that learning is like climbing mountains—beyond one peak lies another, with no end in sight.】

【Yet I still wanted to see it for myself.】

【I told myself, it’ll be better after graduation.】

【After graduation, I’ll leave these mountains behind.】

【After starting work, my friends told me that life itself is a towering mountain—beyond one hurdle lies another, an endless chain.】

【Yet I still wanted to see it for myself.】

【I asked myself, is it time to leave?】

Before reading, Lin Yu had braced himself for something like a "cold joke compilation."

However.

After finishing, he stood frozen in thought for a long while.

Strictly speaking,

the draft in Lin Yu’s hands wasn’t quite prose.

It leaned more toward modern poetry.

Presumably,

the article meant for Lin Yu tonight wasn’t just this one.

Perhaps due to the late hour, Fang Xinran had shared a freshly written modern poem instead.

How was Lin Yu supposed to critique this?

To call the language exceptionally beautiful or profoundly moving?

It wasn’t quite at that level.

Yet these unadorned words, when read slowly and attentively, did carry weight.

Especially since the author was someone Lin Yu knew in real life.

It inevitably stirred deeper associations.

Lin Yu turned to look at Fang Xinran.

By now,

the familiar information box had appeared beside her.

【Fang Xinran】

【Age: 23】

【%￥&%-@@￥！#……】

【……】

【(Prerequisite task incomplete. Details unavailable.)】

Like the other girls not staying overnight, she was recognized by the system as a fellow sect member.

Perhaps Fang Xinran’s so-called 【prerequisite task】 was simply to seek guidance on her writing.

Lin Yu began by asking:

"Senior Fang, do you often feel…"

"that your current life isn’t what you wanted? Or that it’s not the ‘escape’ you imagined?"

"That the world is vast, and you still want to explore it?"

【Ding!】

【Brilliant move! Accurately deciphering the inner thoughts of the Teleportation Array Attendant has left her deeply moved!】

【Reward: 20 Spirit Stones】

Hearing Lin Yu’s words, Fang Xinran’s eyes lit up.

【Teleportation Array Attendant】!

So this was Fang Xinran’s official sect role.

In other words—free to go wherever she pleased.

It suited her personality perfectly.

With the system already announcing the reward, Lin Yu expected Fang Xinran to eagerly respond.

Yet,

she remained unusually calm, asking:

"Junior Lin, can you… can you really sense that from this poem?"

Perhaps due to the alcohol or her overwhelming emotions,

her voice carried a hint of tremor.

Lin Yu nodded firmly.

"The words have power. The feeling is unmistakable."

"How to describe it… Let me think…"

"Ah!"

"It’s the confusion of our generation—about the world, about life itself."

"You’re probably not the only one wrestling with these questions."

"I haven’t entered society yet, but I’ve also wondered… what’s the meaning of living."

Lin Yu was being honest.

Though such thoughts usually surfaced during… less dignified moments.

Still, having lived two lives, Lin Yu had some perspective.

The idea of "the world is vast, go explore" was somewhat illusory.

Only a select few could truly live that way.

Most people should focus on finding their own light in the world.

Of course,

sharing this with Fang Xinran now would be… less than helpful.

Like trying to convince your younger self to quit skipping class for the arcade—

pointless as a stranger’s advice.

Young people at this stage rarely heed "wise elder" clichés.

If they could, their parents and teachers would’ve gotten through already.

Fang Xinran nodded vigorously—a dozen times at least—murmuring:

"Thank you… really, thank you for understanding…"

"Junior Lin, do you think I should go see the world?"

Lin Yu replied evenly:

"Senior Fang, you’ve experienced more than I have."

"This isn’t something you need my input on."

"When you ask others, haven’t you already decided in your heart?"

Lin Yu wasn’t about to shoulder responsibility for someone else’s life choices.

Fang Xinran clearly wanted validation—

"Yes, go explore!"

From anyone.

But Lin Yu wouldn’t be that person.

Tang Yimian, sensing the tension, interjected gently:

"Xinran… weren’t we discussing feedback on the poem?"

"How did we end up on life directions…"

Fang Xinran snapped back to reality.

"Right, yes! Junior Lin, what flaws do you see in this piece?"

"Please be direct. No need to soften it."

Lin Yu: "……"

It wasn’t that he refused.

He just didn’t know!

Beyond grasping the "endless mountains" metaphor, he had no expertise.

He read more web novels than modern poetry—

he could ramble about those.

But who studied contemporary verse unless they were into literature or grad school?

After deliberation, Lin Yu opted for diplomacy:

"Senior Fang, there’s honestly little to critique."

"Even the word ‘critique’ feels misplaced."

"Modern poetry is about conveying emotion and thought."

"It has no rigid structure or fixed rules."

"If your words resonate with readers, isn’t that good poetry?"

"You’ve already achieved that."

Tang Yimian nodded in agreement.

Her reaction to Fang Xinran’s work mirrored Lin Yu’s—

any attempt at critique would’ve rung hollow.

Fang Xinran suddenly stood, declaring with fervor:

"Junior Lin, thank you. Your words today helped me immensely."

"Are you free this Saturday afternoon? I’d like to invite you and Sister Yimian to the tavern!"

Lin Yu stared at her abrupt energy: "……"

This girl—so unpredictable!

...

(Bonus chapter delivered! Will try to write more tomorrow. Your support through free "power stones" is deeply appreciated!)