From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

I chuckled helplessly and shook my head frankly: "You're overthinking it. Why would I be jealous? We're getting off topic."

"I wasn't overthinking it!"

She persisted, drawing closer step by step, a sly smile playing on her lips:

"You're just jealous because I'm so popular and nobody's around you!"

"Think whatever you want."

I was too lazy to argue with her, so I turned around and walked straight towards the guesthouse.

Su Qing immediately caught up with me and stayed close by my side, chattering incessantly.

"Lin Ye, you're just too introverted. To put it bluntly, you lack confidence and can't open up."

I didn't refute her. Su Qing's words hit the nail on the head; I did indeed lack confidence and self-assurance deep down.

Upon closer examination, it becomes clear that most children from ordinary families struggle to develop sufficient self-confidence from a young age.

The elders have long instilled in me the principle of Kong Rong sharing pears, and they repeatedly remind me to be law-abiding, honest, and never cause trouble.

But the education methods for children from wealthy families are completely different.

Take Su Qing for example. Her calm confidence comes from being immersed in a privileged environment since childhood, a confidence ingrained in her very being.

I walked forward slowly with my head down in silence, the cool breeze blowing from the valley ruffling the stray hairs on my forehead.

Su Qing noticed my emotions and softened her tone, saying, "Actually, not many people are really staring at you. Be bold and do what you want to do, speak your mind, and don't worry about what others think. Just be yourself."

I understand all these principles, but when it comes to putting them into practice, it is always extremely difficult.

Ultimately, money is the foundation upon which ordinary people build their confidence.

I let out a soft sigh, my tone tinged with helplessness: "You can't understand my situation. I grew up with plenty of food and clothing and had a wide perspective. The upbringing and family education we received were completely different."

Su Qing, who usually loves to bicker and argue with me, surprisingly didn't refute my words this time.

She nodded slightly in agreement: "Perhaps you're right. I shouldn't have been so condescending in trying to advise you from my own perspective."

She paused briefly, then raised her hand and gently patted my shoulder:

"Then you should work hard and strive to make sure that your next generation doesn't suffer from the same inferiority complex and self-consciousness you have."

These words struck a chord with me, and I nodded solemnly.

Su Qing didn't pull her hand off my shoulder. She walked alongside me like a close brother, her hand on my shoulder.

My heart fluttered slightly at her affectionate gesture, and I couldn't help but laugh and say, "You've been keeping your hand on my shoulder the whole time; isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

"What's wrong with that? Isn't that how guys always act, putting their arms around each other?" Su Qing replied confidently.

"Are you a man?"

"Just stop treating me like a woman, we're just buddies."

I couldn't help but burst out laughing. This girl's thought process is always unexpected, and the longer I spend time with her, the more vivid and interesting I find her.

A moment later, Su Qing's expression suddenly turned serious: "To be honest, sometimes I really wish I were a boy. Being a man is much more comfortable; you don't have to worry about what others say when you do anything."

I followed up with, "Does being a girl mean constantly having to care about what others think?"

She stopped and said seriously, "Take smoking for example. Everyone thinks it's perfectly normal for men to smoke. But when a girl smokes, she always attracts a lot of strange looks and people gossip behind her back."

I was speechless for a moment.

Nowadays, social attitudes are very open, and it is no longer unusual for girls to smoke.

But the inherent prejudices of the world are still everywhere, and what she said is not wrong at all.

Seeing that I remained silent, Su Qing continued to pour out her troubles:

"Leaving aside these prejudices, the most agonizing thing for women is their monthly menstrual period, and then they have to endure the pain of childbirth."

She frowned instinctively, her face full of resistance: "Just thinking about having children in the future makes me feel physically and mentally uncomfortable."

I chuckled and comforted you, "Then you can just not have children in the future."

"That was my original plan. I don't even have any intention of dating right now. I'm so happy being single, why would I want to find someone else and have them take away my happiness?"

I nodded in agreement with her idea: "That makes perfect sense."

Then, with a touch of curiosity, I asked a somewhat presumptuous question: "If I may ask something inappropriate, since you don't plan to date, how will you handle your physical needs in the future?"

Su Qing showed no shyness or embarrassment, and waved her hand nonchalantly: "That's easy to solve. If there's a real need in the future, just find a handsome young man, spend some time with him, and that'll be it."

After hearing her straightforward answer, I was speechless for a moment.

However, everyone has their own philosophy of life, and I am naturally not qualified to judge her choice.

Not long after, Su Qing's expression suddenly calmed down, and she said solemnly:

"Of course, I was just saying that casually. If I meet someone I truly like in the future, I'm willing to settle down and have children."

I hope you can meet someone who is right for you.

We chatted about this and that along the way, and by the time we got back to our guesthouse, night had completely enveloped the small town of Kangding.

Wang Ge and A Qiu were chatting with the guesthouse owner in the front hall, with a pot of steaming butter tea on the table.

Luo Peng sat to the side, looking down at his phone and scrolling through short videos.

Su Qing and I walked over and sat down. Brother Wang reached out and pushed a bowl full of butter tea in front of me: "Have some to warm yourself up. It's very cold in the valley at night."

I picked up the teacup and took a sip. The tea had a slightly salty taste, a smooth texture, and a rich, milky aroma that spread across my tongue.

Su Qing also picked up the cup and took a small sip, but her brows immediately furrowed, and she pushed the cup away. It seemed that she was not used to this special tea drink.

The guesthouse owner, speaking in somewhat broken Mandarin, asked us about our destination for the next day.

Wang Ge carefully explained the entire route to him.

After listening, the boss reminded them, "Dense fog is very likely to form in the mountains of Zheduo Mountain in the early morning, so you all should set off early."

Wang Ge nodded in agreement, then turned to me to explain the itinerary: "Lin Ye, we'll leave at five o'clock tomorrow morning. Do you have any difficulties here?"

I shook my head: "I'm fine with this. I'll just follow everyone's instructions."

Luo Peng, who was standing to the side, immediately echoed his agreement.

Only Su Qing looked unwilling, pouting as she complained, "Can't you guys consider us girls a little? You can get up and get ready quickly, but it takes me at least half an hour to get ready."

I casually retorted, "We're traveling by car the whole time, not going on a sightseeing trip. Who are you dressing up for?"

Su Qing bluntly asked, "Can't I do my makeup for you?"