Let's End It Here, I Choose Dignity

"Your question is a bit foolish, as I just told you, boredom is boredom, and killing time is killing time. The two cannot be mixed together."

"Do I only kill time because I'm bored?"

"Not necessarily. Maybe I just enjoy this natural and peaceful environment."

"Or maybe I simply like lying here, listening to the sound of flowing water and feeling the natural breeze."

"Besides, don't you think this environment is truly relaxing?"

Li Qingxue seemed to understand, but also seemed a bit confused: "So, dependency and companionship don't necessarily mean liking someone?"

"They can't be lumped together. There are many kinds of 'liking,' and it's not a singular concept. That's why they can't be mixed up."

Li Qingxue watched Long Aotian lying comfortably on the grass and followed suit, relaxing her arms. From this angle, the blue sky above seemed truly different.

"Can you explain it to me in more detail?"

Afraid he might refuse, Li Qingxue took out her breakfast and placed it beside Long Aotian: "Please, please, I really want to know."

Long Aotian glanced at it: "Open that, let me try it."

Li Qingxue opened the yogurt and held it to Long Aotian's lips.

This series of actions felt completely natural.

After coming to her senses, Li Qingxue's face turned bright red—this was the first time she had ever fed a boy...

Long Aotian took a sip, moistened his throat, and said, "Just this once. Next time, I'll charge you more!"

"Okay, okay, thank you, thank you." Li Qingxue cupped her cheeks with her hands, trying to hide her blushing face, but a smile unconsciously crept onto her lips.

She liked listening to him speak because his words could subtly guide her to see things from a different perspective.

It was like talking to her parents—it had the same effect, but she was older now, with her own private secrets, and not everything could be shared with them.

"'Liking' can be divided into several types."

"The first is physiological liking: This is an innate genetic instinct. Humans naturally feel an inexplicable fondness for men or women with good looks. In simple terms, it's what people call 'love at first sight.'"

"The second is psychological liking: This builds on physiological liking and takes it a step further."

"For example, appreciating someone's temperament, personality, qualities, interests, or having common topics that attract each other. This stage is what people often call the 'ambiguous stage.'"

"The third is spiritual liking: Commonly known as a soulmate. It refers to a relationship where both parties achieve spiritual resonance, support, and mutual encouragement. This level transcends 'liking' and is more aptly described as 'love.'"

"And you fall into the fourth category: companionate liking."

Li Qingxue was taken aback: "Companionate liking?"

"It's a unique habit formed from long-term interaction. You enjoy having someone accompany you, but you don't feel physiological, psychological, or spiritual liking for them."

"In other words, all you need is a companion."

"Let me give you the simplest example. Your parents have been by your side for eighteen years. Do you like them?"

"Yes," Li Qingxue answered without hesitation.

"Another example: You like listening to me talk, but just because you like listening to me, does that mean you like me?"

Li Qingxue's face flushed red. What kind of example was that?

So embarrassing!

She shook her head shyly, but she had already understood the main point he was trying to make.

Companionship and dependency are also a form of liking.

But this kind of liking is fundamentally different from romantic liking.

Now Li Qingxue finally understood.

"So, 'liking' is complex and multifaceted. It can't be lumped together."

As Long Aotian finished speaking, he ate the last bite of his bread: "Take the trash with you."

"I know." Li Qingxue gathered the trash and placed it by her feet, glancing at Long Aotian, who still looked completely at ease.

"Thank you. After hearing what you said, I feel much more at ease."

Long Aotian nodded: "Good, as long as you understand. It wasn't a waste of my breath then."

"Everyone has their own choices. Learning to understand and respect them is the key to maintaining friendships."

Li Qingxue looked at Long Aotian: "How do you know so much? You're only a senior in high school, but the way you speak sounds so mature."

Long Aotian's words didn't sound like advice, yet they subtly resolved the confusion in her heart.

"It's a secret."

"Oh." Li Qingxue didn't press further. Understanding and respect.

Ding~

Li Qingxue's phone chimed—a notification from her special contacts list.

She took out her smartphone and glanced at it.

She saw that Ye Liangchen, one of her special contacts, had posted a status update.

["Finally made up my mind to let go of someone who was once very important to me on an ordinary day. (A picture of a lonely shadow.)"]

Looking at the status, Li Qingxue felt a momentary daze, then took a deep breath and exited the screen.

This classmate was right. Her feelings for Ye Liangchen were just about companionship.

It wasn't romantic liking, so she should understand and respect his choices.

Instead of making unreasonable demands for him to stay by her side, which would be irresponsible.

Now that she understood her own heart, Li Qingxue suddenly felt less anxious.

If she hadn't heard Long Aotian's guidance, she probably would have done something impulsive after seeing that status, wouldn't she?

After all, they had known each other for nine years. How many nine-year spans does one have in a lifetime...

......

Ye Liangchen looked at the browsing history on his phone and smiled faintly.

That's right, the status was set to be visible only to Li Qingxue.

In other words, the browsing history showed that only Li Qingxue had seen it!

"I wonder how you're feeling right now?"

"Probably anxious, right?"

"After all, nine years isn't just nine days. Suddenly losing someone who's been by your side for nine years must be hard, right?"

At this point, Ye Liangchen sighed slightly, his tone tinged with helplessness as he continued, "Even if it were a dog you'd raised for nine years, you'd cry if it went missing, let alone a living person like me."

"Regret it, cry over it. This is a necessary part of everyone's growth."

"Only after losing something do you realize its value. Only after losing it do you learn to cherish it. Qingxue, you're too slow when it comes to emotions. This is the best chance for you to understand your own heart."

Ye Liangchen waited quietly for Li Qingxue's message.

Based on his understanding of Li Qingxue from their past interactions, it wouldn't be long before she sent him a message, demanding to know what he meant by that status!

What did he mean by ["Finally made up my mind to let go of someone who was once very important to me."]

Then she would ask if he really didn't want her anymore, if he was truly giving up on her.

"I'm sorry, but we're better off as just friends." That's how he would respond to Li Qingxue.

"So classy!" Ye Liangchen mentally gave himself a thumbs-up.

But after waiting for a long, long time, Li Qingxue still hadn't sent him any message demanding an explanation.

Ye Liangchen started to feel impatient.

"Is she still crying?"

After some thought, he edited another status, again set to be visible only to Li Qingxue.

["Let's end it here. I choose dignity! (A picture of a lonely shadow.)"]

......