The game's heroine has come true? The aloof school beauty is in tears.

You tried your best to persuade Ms. Shang not to commit suicide, but there are no security cameras on the rooftop, and you're afraid you'll get into trouble.

[You also suddenly realize at this moment that the "thank you for your trouble" that Ms. Shang kept saying on the phone was actually referring to this trouble.]

However, Ms. Shang reiterated that she had no other intentions and begged you to give her some quiet space.

[Feeling lost, you pointed to the bag containing erotic clothing and half-jokingly said, "Are you hoping to look pretty before you die?"]

These words seemed to hit a nerve with Ms. Shang. Her ashen face showed a range of emotions as she tried to explain several times, but ultimately lowered her head.

Your face lit up with joy, because such emotional fluctuations indicate that you're about to speak.

After much pleading and cajoling, you finally managed to get Ms. Shang to talk.

Her name is Shang Qingya, and she came to the rooftop to contemplate one of the most important decisions of her life.

[She not only fits the classic template of a gambling father and a sick mother in terms of family background...]

Her father kept urging her to stop her studies, and was preparing to introduce her to a place where she could drink and make some quick money.

Her father's cronies even joked that Shang Qingya's status and beauty were perfect for the title of "school beauty," and that having status could justify a higher price.

In this era, the term "school beauty" appears most frequently on pornographic websites and has long been used as a keyword to attract video views.

Her complicated family situation meant she had to carefully consider even the cost of intravenous fluids for a high fever, as it represented her food budget for the next week.

Shang Qingya knew in her heart that studying hard was the best way out, so her grades had always been good.

But the hardships of life, the torment of illness, the intense pressure of studying, and the inability to reach her parents by phone all tormented her heart on this afternoon filled with the smell of disinfectant.

She was on the verge of a breakdown.

So she used her remaining money to order two items at the same time: a cheap, poorly made but tastefully cheap sequined bodycon dress and a fruit knife.

Losing her dignity and death seemed to be the only two choices she had.

Maintaining rationality is the standard of a saint; losing control often happens in those moments of inner collapse.

Lu Yuan glanced at the empty IV bottle, reached out and pulled the needle out of Shang Qingya's hand, then plopped down next to her.

He said, "So, have you made your choice?"

"Not yet." Shang Qingya shook her head, her eyes filled with confusion. She listlessly looked up at the sky and muttered, "Although it's just accompanying drinks, I'm worried that this is the first step in losing my principles. I'll be corrupted in this terrible environment."

"I understand that, so this option is a no-go." Lu Yuan made a chop gesture in front of his chest and said decisively.

Do you also think that death is the right choice?

Shang Qingya did not break down in tears or scream as expected.

Young people of this age often bring up suicide with angry accusations against their families of origin or frantic lamentations about life.

The sentence should end with the question, "Why is the world so mean to me?"

But Shang Qingya was speaking calmly, in an eerie silence.

Lu Yuan saw her expression and seemed to realize something.

He scratched his head and said, "When a person is overwhelmed, the most dangerous thing is not crying and making a fuss, but starting to review their own actions, wrong choices, hurtful words... watching them like a movie, judging themselves when they are most powerless, and once they start judging themselves, they can't get out of it."

"I..."

Upon hearing Lu Yuan's words, Shang Qingya's calm face suddenly showed an expression.

She turned her head sharply, and the dried tear tracks became wet again, like water flowing again in a river during the dry season.

She didn't complain or cry.

It was because she recounted her crimes in her memories.

Did I cause the family breakdown? Could I have worked harder during summer and winter vacations to earn enough for living expenses? Could I have changed my parents' minds if I had better grades...?

But how could he know all this...?

"I don't know what you've done, but who hasn't made mistakes?" Lu Yuan leaned calmly against the water tank, shielding his eyes from the setting sun with one hand. "When I first became lewd, I even made a mistake while watching a TV show selling lingerie."

"What mistakes can a guy make while watching TV?"

"Children shouldn't ask too many questions."

"Oh." Shang Qingya nodded blankly.

"People have to move into a new phase and fill themselves with new things in order to cover up the sadness of the past." Lu Yuan chuckled and spread his hands: "Just desperately fantasize about how wonderful it will be after you go to university."

Is university really that wonderful?

"The best time of university is before and after graduation."

Shang Qingya nodded blankly, her expression extremely serious, waiting for Lu Yuan to continue speaking some thought-provoking truths.

But Lu Yuan suddenly turned his head and smiled: "So let's go eat."

"what?"

"To live, one must eat."

"But I have no money for food..."

Shang Qingya was bewildered by the sudden invitation to eat.

She tried her best to switch to the same channel as Lu Yuan.

They discovered they had no money left for food.

Because I just said I didn't need the money, I gave it all to Lu Yuan.

Twenty-eight was a huge sum of money for him.

I'm a little embarrassed to ask for it back...

Lu Yuan observed her expression meaningfully, pointed to her face, and said:

"I also have a takeout order that was delayed by you, so consider the extra 28 yuan you gave me as compensation to the customer. Now this takeout is yours."