I’m only now starting to understand the harshness “Xiao Xia” showed toward me back then. At that time, he also spoke to me in a way that was harsh and unpleasant, leaving me feeling insecure. Every day, I kept thinking he was PUA-ing me. Only after I truly went through it and experienced things for myself did I realize that, looking at the path he’d taken all along, it really wasn’t easy—and that he was genuinely hardworking. That’s why, even though it frustrated me, I couldn’t help feeling like he was hoping I’d achieve quick success and reach freedom quickly.