Chapter 33: Let’s Call It Quits — I Choose Dignity
“Your question is a bit stupid, just like I told you earlier—the difference between boredom and passing the time is not something to be confused.”
“Are you sure I pass the time just because I’m bored?”
“No, maybe I just like this natural, relaxed environment.”
“Or maybe I simply enjoy lying here, listening to the water, feeling the breeze.”
“Besides, don’t you think this place really makes people feel relaxed?”
Li Qing Xue seemed to grasp it, yet also looked a little puzzled: “So dependence and companionship aren’t the same as liking someone?”
“You can’t mix them up! Because liking has many varieties, many facets; it’s not a single, clear-cut thing.”
Watching Dragon Brother sprawled on the grass with that relaxed look, Qing Xue mimicked him, lying down on the grass too, arms slack, gazing up at the blue sky above. From this angle, the sky looked… different.
“Can you tell me more about it in detail?”
Fearing she might refuse, Qing Xue pulled out her breakfast and placed it next to Dragon Brother. “Please, please! I really want to know.”
Dragon Brother glanced at her. “Open it up and let me try some.”
Qing Xue opened the yogurt and held it to his lips.
All these actions seemed so natural.
When Qing Xue snapped out of her daze, her face instantly flushed red—the first time she’s ever fed a guy milk…
Dragon Brother took a sip, cleared his throat, and said, “Just this once. Next time, I might charge a premium!”
“Eh, thank you, thank you.” Qing Xue cupped her face with her hands, trying to hide her embarrassment from him, even though a smile slowly crept onto her lips.
She liked listening to what he said. His words could subtly guide her to see things from a different perspective.
It was like talking with her parents—a similar effect. But she was grown now, had her little secrets, and couldn’t say everything to her parents, after all.
“Like, there are many kinds of liking.”
“First is physiological attraction: this is an innate gene instinct. It’s the kind of feeling humans are born with, a mysterious fondness for attractive people—basically, love at first sight.”
“The second is psychological liking: built on top of that initial attraction, it develops further.”
“For example, admiring someone’s temperament, character, values, hobbies, or sharing common interests—that’s what people call flirting or infatuation.”
“The third type is spiritual love, or what’s known as soulmates: meaning both parties resonate mentally, support each other, hold each other up. This level goes beyond just liking — it’s more like ‘love.'”
“And you, you’re the fourth: companionship liking.”
Qing Xue paused. “Companionship liking?”
“After spending a long time together, a unique habit forms. You like having the other person nearby, but it’s not about physiological, psychological, or spiritual love—just the comfort of presence.”
“In other words, you just need a buddy.”
“Let me give you a simple example—your parents are with you for eighteen years. Do you like them?”
“Yes,” Qing Xue said without hesitation.
“And say, you enjoy listening to me talk—just that you like listening. Now, do you like me?”
Qing Xue’s face turned a bit red—what kind of question was that?
So shy!
She quickly shook her head, embarrassed, but she already understood what her classmate was trying to say.
Affection and dependence—those are also forms of liking.
But this kind of liking is fundamentally different from romantic feelings.
Anyway, Qing Xue finally understood it all.
“So, ‘liking’ is complicated, with many layers. You can’t confuse them.”
Dragon Brother finished his last piece of bread and casually said, “Trash goes in the bin.”
“I know,” Qing Xue nodded, collecting her trash and placing it beside her feet. She looked at Dragon Brother, still looking comfortable and relaxed.
“Thanks. After hearing you out, I feel much better.”
Dragon Brother nodded. “Good. Just understanding is enough. No need to waste my saliva.”
“Everyone has their own choice. Learning to understand and respect that is how friendship lasts.”
Qing Xue looked at him. “How come you understand so much? You’re only in third year, yet your words sound so wise.”
Dragon Brother’s words didn’t contain a single sermon, but they somehow unraveled her doubts effortlessly.
“Secret,” he said.
“Oh.” Qing Xue didn’t press further—she chose understanding and respect.
Ding!
Her phone sounded off with a special notification tone.
She pulled out her smart device and looked at the screen.
It was a post from Ye Liang Chen, listed under ‘Especially Concerned.’
【Finally made up my mind. On an ordinary day, I gave up someone who once meant a lot to me. (picture of a lonely shadow)】
Seeing that, Qing Xue felt a bit dazed. She took a deep breath and closed the app.
Her classmate was right—she liked Ye Liang Chen. Not romantically, just as a companion.
She should understand and respect his choices.
No more unreasonable demands for him to stay with her; that would be irresponsible.
Knowing her heart, Qing Xue suddenly felt less anxious.
If she hadn’t listened to this classmate’s advice, she might have seen that post and done something silly again.
After all, she’d known him for nine years. How many nine-year stretches does a person get in life…
……
Ye Liang Chen looked at his phone’s browsing record, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Yes, that post was visible only to Qing Xue.
In other words, only she had checked the record!
“How do you think you’re feeling right now?”
“Probably anxious, huh?”
“After all, nine years isn’t just nine days. Suddenly, you’re losing someone who’s been with you for nearly a decade. That must be pretty tough, huh?”
He sighed lightly, voice tinged with helplessness. “Even a dog you’ve raised for nine years would cry if it got lost. And I’m a living, breathing person.”
“Feel regret, cry if you need to. That’s part of growing up.”
“Only after losing something can you truly understand your feelings. Only after losing can you cherish it more. Qing Xue, you’re way too slow when it comes to love—you’re missing the best chance to figure out your own heart.”
Ye Liang Chen patiently waited for her reply.
Based on his dream-known understanding of Qing Xue, it wouldn’t be long before she’d message back, asking what that post meant!
Questioning whether he truly doesn’t want her anymore, whether he’s giving up on her.
“When that time comes, I’ll reply with—‘Sorry, we’re better off just friends.’”
“A bit fancy, huh?” he silently praised himself.
But he waited and waited—so long that Qing Xue still hadn’t sent any message questioning him.
He started to get impatient.
“Has she been crying this long?”
He thought, then typed out another post, still just for Qing Xue to see.
【Let’s call it quits—I choose dignity! (lonely shadow picture)】
