"Don't tell me that every woman needs to go through all this. I don't believe that. I think there's nothing in this world that's absolutely necessary, except for me to live safely and happily. This applies to both men and women."
"We can all choose not to get married or have children, and always put ourselves first."
Lu Mufei opened his mouth, wanting to say something but unable to refute.
Just as Gu Sang said, she saw through everything.
So clearly that before even taking the first step, she had already thought of all the consequences and unexpected events, already understanding that love cannot stay fresh forever.
She said she wanted her own self more.
She was afraid of compromising herself.
"But Sang Sang, don't you think that seeing through everything so clearly makes it hard to find happiness? The more you know, the more afraid you become of seeking true love and marriage."
"Sometimes it's better to live life in a bit of a muddle, turning a blind eye to some things. After all, life is only so long."
"If every woman saw through things like you do, I'm afraid no one would need to get married or have children. And your current thinking, when you get older, it will definitely change." Lu Mufei tried to persuade her one last time.
But this time.
Gu Sang's answer was more decisive.
To be precise, it was colder and more ruthless: "Senior, you're wrong."
"That's not called living in a muddle, that's self-deception."
"What I hope for is that after a girl clearly knows all these consequences she has to face, after knowing all these unexpected events that marriage might bring, she can still meet a man for whom she's willing to do all this, still have the courage to step into marriage. That kind of happiness is true happiness."
"One should see through the essence of marriage and be willing, rather than compromising step by step while being kept in the dark."
"Moreover, you haven't experienced what I have. Why are you so one hundred percent sure that I'll change when I'm old? I will never choose to compromise, unless I'm clear that taking that step will make me happier and freer than I am now, and for a lifetime."
As these words fell.
The entire ancient world fell silent!
All the women in the plague city stood stunned!
All the ancient citizens stared blankly with wide eyes.
To be willing.
To know that marriage might be full of trivial annoyances, that having children might cause so much damage to the body, that marriage might not stay fresh for so long, and still meet a very, very good person, and then willingly choose this path.
Rather than everyone telling you, this is how everyone gets through it.
You step in stupidly, holding the most beautiful fantasies, holding endless expectations, understanding nothing, preparing for nothing, and then in the days to come, for the sake of children, you compromise step by step, living with less and less sense of self.
Lu Mufei suddenly understood.
He looked up at Gu Sang, that brilliant person radiating light.
He stood up and still gave the flowers to Gu Sang: "I'm sorry, I was abrupt today. You're right, there's nothing in life that one must choose, only my happiness and self."
"If being with me gives you so many worries, then I support your decision."
"Sang Sang, let's just be friends from now on, okay?"
Gu Sang nodded: "Mm."
Lu Mufei: "Then I wish you to be as brilliant and dazzling as a red rose in the future. These glass slippers are custom-made to your size. Please accept these flowers and glass slippers."
"Glass slippers can be a token of love between Cinderella and the prince, or they can be the wind beneath a princess's feet as she walks freely."
"Thank you!"
Gu Sang reached out to take the flowers.
Lu Mufei pulled Gu Sang into his arms, his hands trembling slightly. He really didn't want to let go, but after three seconds, he could only release Gu Sang.
"From now on, we're just friends!"
Lu Mufei didn't leave until he saw Gu Sang nod, her expression unchanged.
At least they could still be friends...
At least Sang Sang didn't have someone she liked in her heart, she was just temporarily resistant to having children and dealing with interpersonal relationships. But it's okay, he believed his sincerity could move Sang Sang!
After all, who can say for sure about the future?
Perhaps one day, Gu Sang might change her mind.
How many couples who agreed not to have children end up with the woman being forced to give birth after a few years of marriage due to pressure? He believed Gu Sang was just too young, she would change when she got older.
And now, he could only retreat to the position of a friend and wait.
Similarly.
The citizens of the new city who had just started live streaming not long ago were in an uproar.
Both men and women hurled abuse at Gu Sang, criticizing her: "What a good man, such a handsome man, if it were me, I'd be so happy I'd faint."
"Goddess, you've missed out on an exceptionally good man. We've watched your live stream so many times, his kindness to you, his respect for you, is absolutely rare in this world. You're just too picky. You haven't seen how many men beat and kick women. You don't know how much we envy you."
"Can a woman really not get married for her whole life? If you get married, you must go through the hardship of childbirth. Everyone goes through this, just endure it and it will be fine. The ten months of pregnancy will pass quickly, and when the child grows up, you'll have endless blessings."
"Goddess, as someone who's been through it, let me tell you, pregnancy and childbirth will definitely be the most pampered time of your life. At that time, you can order your man around as you please, and your mother-in-law won't dare to scold you. You'll be like an empress dowager at home."
"Here, we risk our lives to bear children for men, why are you people from the future so selfish, not even willing to have children? And your medical care there is so advanced, giving birth isn't dangerous at all. If none of you give birth, that's too selfish!"
The ancient people in the new city's live streaming room all couldn't understand.
Their tones were envious, admonishing, angry, confused, all kinds of voices intertwined in Gu Sang's ears.
They all converged into one sentence, that Gu Sang would regret missing out on this man.
Only a few ancient people from the Old City stood stunned, their eyes also showing confusion and bewilderment, as well as disapproval and disagreement, but they didn't hurl abuse.
Gu Sang's eyes were clear.
Word by word, sentence by sentence, she firmly told the ancient people:
"I said, there's nothing in this world that's absolutely necessary, that must be done. Only one's own happiness and joy."
"Marriage and childbirth are indeed rules in your place, but in the future, this is not a path that must be taken."
"Indeed, medical care in later generations is advanced, and childbirth is unlikely to be dangerous. However, it still causes irreversible damage to a woman's body."
"Many women experience uterine prolapse due to pregnancy. Whether it's a natural birth or a cesarean section, women often suffer from urinary incontinence after giving birth. This is something every woman feels ashamed of and finds difficult to talk about. They may even be mocked and despised by men. But have men ever considered that all of this is a result of women's sacrifice for their families?"
Every word Gu Sang spoke was clear and distinct.
But the women from ancient times were bewildered.
Were there really so many after-effects? Was this just an excuse?
Why had they never heard anyone mention this before?
Surely this couldn't be true?
