Gender Equality

Bayberry juice is usually made with fresh bayberries and honey, and can also be called sour plum juice, but most cheap sour plum juice is made by mixing powder with water.

Since it can be called plum juice, it must be sour. It's sweet and sour, and appetizing. How could it be called plum juice if it wasn't sour?

"I'm going to the restroom," Bai Hui said, putting down the bayberry juice.

I'll go with you.

Bai Hui and Miao Yingying went together, and then stood by the sink talking. Bai Hui looked at herself in the mirror and felt that her face was particularly white.

"Liu Chang'an and An Nuan are officially dating," Miao Yingying said with absolute certainty.

"Nonsense."

"Before, they just seemed to be in a very ambiguous relationship, something was missing. An Nuan always tried to hide it and wouldn't openly admit it. Today, she directly declared her ownership." Miao Yingying clicked her tongue in admiration. "I thought they might drift apart after graduating from high school. After all, although Liu Chang'an's grades often fluctuate by a hundred or two points, he'll definitely take the college entrance exam seriously. He might even apply to the same school as Gao Dewei. But An Nuan has always said that she won't leave South Hunan."

"During the volunteer survey, Liu Chang'an said that wherever An Nuan went, he would go too," Bai Hui said irritably.

"So, you're just talking about it?"

Do they seem like they're just talking?

"I'm so envious... I wonder how many points that idiot Lin Xinhuai would get."

"Aren't you and Lin Xinhuai still arguing?"

"Hmm... let's not talk about me anymore, but I think you're not entirely without hope."

Bai Hui blushed with surprise and stammered, "What nonsense are you talking about? What hope do I have?"

"Just now you and An Nuan were secretly competing. Apart from those two fools, Gao Dewei and Liu Chang'an, do you think I couldn't see it? An Nuan did this because she cares. If she felt that you posed no threat to her at all, why would she do this?" Miao Yingying analyzed confidently.

"Who's being competitive!" Bai Hui felt there was none at all, stomping her foot and saying, "If that's what you think, then Liu Chang'an must think the same way. Do you really think he's a fool? Your Gao Dewei is genuinely stupid, but Liu Chang'an is just pretending!"

"What? My Gao Dewei? Come on, I'm not talking about it anymore, I'm going to eat."

The two returned to the table, where some of the food they had ordered had already been served. Seeing them, Liu Chang'an said tactfully, "You've all eaten some, haven't you?"

"Ugh, you're disgusting!" An Nuan punched Liu Chang'an in disgust. She was always the first to realize that Liu Chang'an had ulterior motives.

"Haha... they've been gone so long, they must be full by now." Gao Dewei understood and burst into laughter. Liu Chang'an was truly humorous.

"Pah, Liu Chang'an, everyone's eating. You're disgusting us, but aren't you disgusting yourself too?" Miao Yingying said angrily.

"When I said 'everyone,' I meant the three of us who started eating. You're all twisting my meaning," Liu Chang'an denied, urging, "Eat."

Bai Hui rolled her eyes at Liu Chang'an, thinking with some certainty that Liu Chang'an was so annoying that only An Nuan, with her unique taste, could tolerate him. She herself would never like him, Miao Yingying was overthinking things.

After dinner, the five of them went to the supermarket.

"After observing for this period of time, I found that girls retain more animalistic characteristics, while men clearly possess more characteristics of human social civilization evolution." Gao Dewei and Liu Chang'an lagged behind.

How do you know?

"Look," Gao Dewei said, pointing to his stomach, "in the Animal World, males and females have a clear division of labor, each fulfilling their specific roles. But in modern society, the point where men are generally capable, or rather, possess the characteristics of human societal evolution, lies in their greater diversity of professions. 'What can't we do besides give birth?'"

"What you said makes a lot of sense. You should discuss it with Miao Yingying sometime."

"When I told her, she just stared at me blankly, completely unable to understand."

"I believe that living in the natural world, the natural order and laws are irresistible. Men are born with stronger physiques, which makes true equality between men and women impossible under the current circumstances. Human nature is inherently evil, and it is impossible to expect the progress of civilization to eliminate such inequality. Just like so-called free and democratic systems were regarded as the end of civilization in earlier years, but they have not eliminated war and the law of the jungle in this world."

"That makes sense." Gao Dewei nodded.

"Humanity's inherent nature prevents world peace, just as the inability to eliminate gender inequality is a consequence of human nature. The awareness and efforts of a few cannot change the natural order. Only when humanity becomes a spiritual entity, living in a state of consciousness and freed from the shackles of the physical body, will men and women truly be equal... Of course, at that time, there will be no distinction between men and women." Liu Chang'an was both hopeful and confused. This was the future he envisioned, but under such a future, whether he would be willing to detach himself from his body and become a consciousness was a difficult decision for him.

For others, this problem is too distant to consider, but for Liu Chang'an, it seems like a choice he will face not too far in the future.

"What you said has really enlightened me. I plan to study this in the future, once I become a consciousness..." Gao Dewei was very much looking forward to it. Once he became a consciousness, he wouldn't have to face his parents urging him to find a girlfriend anymore.

Liu Chang'an smiled. In his life, there were many times like this: he didn't do anything himself, but he intentionally or unintentionally prompted others to do things that promoted certain achievements in civilization.

Of course, he didn't think that his words would suddenly make Gao Dewei a leading figure in the field of research on human beings breaking free from the constraints of the physical body.

However, just like how he would randomly throw beans to see if they would sprout or grow into bean shoots, it was ultimately a fun experience.

"Look how expensive the fruit is here." An Nuan ran over and pulled Liu Chang'an, naturally interlacing their fingers.

"What kind of lousy dates are these? 200 yuan a kilogram?" Gao Dewei exclaimed in surprise. "Wait a little over a month, when my date trees are laden with fruit, you can climb up and eat your fill."

Bai Hui took a box containing one pound of the product.

"Isn't that too extravagant?" Miao Yingying said.

"I just want to try if the dates that cost 100 yuan per pound taste better." Bai Hui shook her head. "I think eating these dates every day would be a luxury. If you're just going to experience it, then a higher price is fine. It's like saving up to buy a designer bag isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. Buying it casually is a luxury."

"Boring." Gao Dewei thought for a moment, unable to understand, and walked away.

"From a girl's perspective, I think Bai Hui is right." An Nuan smiled and pulled Liu Chang'an away. "I'll come to your house for dinner tonight, and you can take me home afterward."

"Certainly."

Bai Hui looked at the dates in her hand. She didn't know what she was sulking about. She probably said those words to tell herself that she was a realistic and materialistic girl and would never care about Liu Chang'an, whom An Nuan An Nuan like a precious gem!

I'm going to sleep now. I'll try my best again when I get home tomorrow. Goodnight everyone, sweet dreams.