I started as a spirited young man, and the system made me a male god.

Meng Sixian met his gaze, her struggle and dejection clearly visible in her eyes.

She pursed her lips and said softly, "Knowing that you, Shaoting, and Jingyi are already together, I shouldn't keep thinking about you, I shouldn't feel depressed whenever I see you together, and I shouldn't... still have unrealistic ideas about getting closer to you."

Meng Sixian paused, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, and slowly uttered her deepest concern:

"Even if I could convince myself, my parents are very traditional. They've always wanted me to find a reliable guy who lives nearby, and settle down to get married and have children. If they knew the person I like already has someone else, they would be very disappointed, strongly opposed, and might even..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear.

In her view, that path was almost completely blocked by the expectations and moral values ​​of her family of origin, full of thorns and devoid of light.

She clearly remembers how her parents had done everything they could to treat her well over the past twenty years. She doesn't want to, and is unwilling to, see her parents saddened by her romantic relationships.

"Therefore, I feel this is something that shouldn't be thought about or continued."

Meng Sixian lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow beneath them.

"Thinking about things that are hopeless will only make you more upset and put others in a difficult position. I've tried to distract myself and reach out to other people."

Like at the last anime convention, I added those photographers on WeChat... but later I realized I couldn't develop any interest in them at all, and even chatting with them felt forced.

Her voice grew softer and softer, carrying a deep sense of powerlessness and self-loathing:

"I feel terrible about myself. I'm being led astray by thoughts I shouldn't be having, while I know perfectly well that this is a dead end. I'm stuck here, unable to move forward or backward."

She didn't cry; instead, she was enveloped in a silent sense of loss.

Chen Fei listened quietly to every word she said without interrupting.

He could feel the heavy pressure in her words, and the pain of watching himself sink into despair with a clear mind but being powerless to change it.

This is not just the agonizing struggle of a young girl in love, but also a fierce clash between two sets of values ​​deep within her heart.

He didn't immediately say something as bland and cliché as "It's not wrong to like someone." Instead, he pondered for a moment before slowly speaking, "Sixian, thank you for telling me all this. If you hadn't told me, I might never have known these things in my entire life."

"Regarding what you mentioned about 'not thinking about'," Chen Fei carefully chose his words, afraid that his words would cause Meng Sixian's tense emotions to break down, "Actually, people's feelings and emotions are not controlled by reason. They are your true inner reactions. Denying them will not make them disappear, but will only make you more internally conflicted and in pain."

Chen Fei looked at her trembling eyelashes and continued earnestly, "The reason you feel this is a dead end is because you've affirmed two irreconcilable things in your heart: one is your feelings for me, and the other is your responsibility to your parents."

Meng Sixian nodded thoughtfully. Chen Fei's analysis had simplified her endless pain into two choices before her.

"Let's see how to choose next," Chen Fei's tone suddenly relaxed, which made Meng Sixian relax a lot as well. "Regarding the first point, your inner feelings. I think that after so many days, if you're still so conflicted, it's highly likely that you can't completely deny it. So let's go straight to the second point."

He paused, looked into her eyes, and his tone became serious again: "Sixian, if you think the time is right and you're willing, I'd like to find some time to go back with you to see your aunt and uncle?"

Meng Sixian's eyes suddenly turned incredulous, clearly not expecting Chen Fei to bring this up.

Chen Fei's gaze was calm as he continued, "It's not in any special capacity; I'm just visiting as a friend who cares about you."

Some things are more practical to discuss face-to-face than to imagine all the opposition and difficulties in your mind.

Let them see the real me, and you'll have a chance to understand their thoughts. Similarly, I'd be happy to take you to visit my grandmother. She's my closest family member.

Go to see your elders.

In Meng Sixian's knowledge and social circle from childhood to adulthood, this was a very significant signal.

Those who are not serious about relationships and just want to have fun are the ones who avoid this the most.

Chen Fei, knowing full well that her family had traditional values ​​and that the road ahead would be fraught with difficulties, actually took the initiative to make this suggestion.

This is not just a suggestion, but an attitude, a sense of responsibility, as if saying:

I see your concerns, and I don't take them lightly. I'm willing to face them with you.

I'm not just after the current ambiguity; I've considered the future with you and am willing to take that difficult step for it.

A surge of warmth and bittersweetness rushed to Meng Sixian's nose, and this time, tears welled up uncontrollably, quickly blurring her vision.

But this time, the tears were no longer from helplessness and dejection, but from a shock and emotion at being treated with such respect.

"You...you really can do it?" Her voice choked with sobs, trembling with disbelief.

"Yes, if you think it's okay." Chen Fei nodded firmly, his gaze gentle yet resolute. "Of course, it depends on you. No rush, let's talk about it when you're ready."

Meng Sixian nodded vigorously, tears streaming down her cheeks. The heavy weight that had been pressing on her heart for so long was finally lifted by this powerful promise, allowing a sliver of light to shine through.

Even though she still couldn't see the future clearly and still had many worries and fears, at least she wasn't groping in the dark alone anymore.

Chen Fei was willing to light the lamp, and even willing to accompany her to knock on that thorny door.

"Thank you... thank you, Chen Fei." She choked up, trying to force a smile, but it was more heartbreaking than crying.

Chen Fei handed her a tissue, saying nothing more, just quietly keeping her company.

Inside the master bedroom, the door was ajar, leaving a narrow crack.

Behind the door, Shen Shaoting and Lin Jingyi didn't actually lie down to rest. Instead, they stood together by the door, quietly listening to the conversation between the two people outside.

When Shen Shaoting heard Meng Sixian say that she "shouldn't be thinking" and even add other male photographers to try to distract herself, she couldn't help but purse her lips and say to Lin Jingyi, "Meng Sixian is really something. If you like someone, just like them. It's so hard to keep it to yourself."

Lin Jingyi gently patted the back of her hand, signaling her to be quiet.

She listened more attentively, her eyes revealing a deep empathy and heartache.

She could understand Meng Sixian's pain of being bound by traditional ideas and self-reproach.

When she finally heard Meng Sixian relax a little, Shen Shaoting breathed a sigh of relief, went to the bed, slumped onto the soft mattress, and whispered a cheer: "Done!"

She turned her head to look at Lin Jingyi, who was still standing by the door, and said with a grin, "Brother Fei is quite good at coaxing people. How come I never noticed before? I'll make a scene another day and let him coax me."

Lin Jingyi shifted her attention and turned to Shen Shaoting: "This isn't just coaxing, it's making a promise, okay? And don't forget, we're going to visit Chen Fei's grandmother in the next few days, so you'll be meeting the parents soon."

"Tch, it's just meeting his grandma, who's afraid of who!" Shen Shaoting rolled over, lay face down on the bed, and rested her chin on her hand. "Can we go out now? I'm starting to get hungry again."

"Let's wait a little longer," Lin Jingyi said, glancing at the half-open door. "Let them talk a bit more. Sixian has just calmed down and needs some time."

Shen Shaoting nodded knowingly and quieted down.

The two fell silent, and only their soft breathing filled the bedroom.

After some time, I heard the faint sound of dishes being cleared away outside.

Shen Shaoting immediately jumped out of bed, gave Lin Jingyi a wink, and then the two tiptoed to the door, opened it, and pretended to have just finished resting before going out.