"You mean they sold their bodies?" Zhu Yanyi summarized Yan Aohan’s long speech in one sentence.
Yan Aohan glanced at her. "A girl shouldn't use words like 'sell.' It’s bad for your reputation if people hear you say that."
Zhu Yanyi shrugged. "Isn't it normal?"
"Normal?" Yan Aohan was startled by her words.
Zhu Yanyi looked at her. "Women’s status is rising. We say men and women are equal, that women hold up half the sky. But that’s just encouragement. Five thousand years of culture bind women’s nature. They lack the courage to explore. So even if the chains are cut, there is a transition period. During this time, women doubt men. They stay in places they think are safe, watching the world carefully. Or they take one step to test it. In this testing, they use what they have, like their bodies, to survive. As time passes and knowledge spreads, new women will appear. But some will still test the world to protect themselves. Then, people might laugh at poverty but not at prostitution."
In the future, many people would rather use their bodies for gain than work hard for their dreams.
Zhu Yanyi spoke of this future phenomenon vaguely. She could not change the world, but she could express her feelings.
She remembered someone telling her: if women are self-respecting, self-loving, confident, and strong, they will earn respect. To be respected, one must know oneself. Many women fail at these eight words, leading to the five words: laughing at poverty, not at prostitution. It was sad. Zhu Yanyi felt pity for them and for this era’s trait.
Yan Aohan pondered her words, then said slowly, "For women to truly live, the foundation is self-respect, self-love, confidence, and strength."
Zhu Yanyi tilted her head, surprised she knew these words. She smiled slightly. "Yes. Those who respect themselves respect others, and their character improves. Those who love themselves keep outside dirt away, seeing the era clearly. Confident people believe they can solve any problem. Strong people use their abilities to become useful and achieve their dreams. These eight words seem simple, but they contain what is most important for women."
Yan Aohan smiled faintly, a strange look on her face. "Then you know that many things need guidance. These eight words look simple, but guiding people is hard. Ani, why don’t you try to guide people?" Her tone was serious, making Zhu Yanyi pause.