“Such a beautiful pair of eyes should be used for smiling, not crying. You aren’t filthy. If the others find you disgusting, their hearts are disgusting! I wouldn’t even bother giving that kind of man a second glance. It’s unnecessary for us girls to live dependent on men’s expectations. Elena, you love Xing Chuan too much! That’s why you’re worried about what he would think. Fortunately, Xing Chuan isn’t that kind of man. That’s why he’s worried about you. Elena, don’t lock him out and make him keep worrying. Let him come in to keep you company. That’s what you need right now.”

Elena looked at me for a very long time before she began to blush. She lowered her head, a complicated expression etched across her face.

She seemed neither to agree nor disagree. I knew that this was a girl fighting against herself. In reality,...