“The email address and password, please.” Huo Youqiao stared directly into his eyes. “I’ll take care of everything from now on. You don’t need to worry about anything.”
He paused for a moment before adding, “You’re not a bad person. Some dignity, you must reclaim.”
Ye Zhi’s eyes felt a bit sore.
No one had ever told him these words. All the malice and grievances he had suffered seemed almost justified, perhaps stemming from his mother’s teachings. She always told Ye Zhi, “You’re not worthy, so you deserve to suffer more.”
Dignity gradually weakened in such bias, and the more one endured, the more likely they were to be bullied. The more bullying one endured, the more they thought it was something they should just accept.
A vicious cycle.
“After this matter is resolved, do you still want to return to your original company?” There was no option in Huo Youqiao’s tone that this matter couldn’t be resolved.
Ye Zhi hesitated. He really needed a job, and compared to adjusting to a new company environment, the old environment could indeed make him feel more relaxed. As for the gossip, he could just pretend he hadn’t heard it.
But now, he wanted to do another job.
While he hesitated, Huo Youqiao suddenly stood up and walked over to him. He was tall, and looking down at people like this gave a sense of superiority. “When faced with something you don’t want to do, everyone has the right to refuse. If you don’t want to make this choice, you can simply say ‘no.’”
Being suddenly so close, Ye Zhi smelled the familiar scent of wood leaves again, and his heart became chaotic. He couldn’t concentrate on the matter of choosing a job.
But Huo Youqiao didn’t notice. “You’re not good at refusing.”
“Refuse unreasonable requests, refuse requests you don’t like, these are your rights.”
He hinted at something, and Ye Zhi quickly understood he was referring to his mother’s request for help. Ye Zhi said in a panic, “I refused when my mother asked me last time. I know you’re not the kind of person who bends the rules…”
Huo Youqiao suddenly reached out and lightly lifted his forehead, his gaze falling on the new scar there. “Is this how you got injured last time? Who hit you? Your mother?”
Ye Zhi’s voice was very soft, “My younger brother…”
Huo Youqiao frowned, “Your family’s way of treating you is all wrong. Are you aware of it?”
His finger hadn’t moved yet, just brushing against his hair, hovering over the scar. Ye Zhi’s breathing became erratic. “I know…”
“Knowing but still trying to satisfy any of their demands, your behavior…”
Ye Zhi could imagine that Huo Youqiao would call him “stupid” because he knew he was indeed stupid. Facing his family, he had no bottom line. Although he had never experienced any warmth from them, he was still willing to give his all.
But Huo Youqiao said, “Your behavior will be exhausting.”
Ye Zhi was stunned for a moment, his eyes widening suddenly.
He hadn’t expected Huo Youqiao to say such words.
He once had a friend, a very good person, cute and energetic, full of justice. They met for the first time when he was being bullied. The person stood up for him and approached him actively, not letting him feel lonely on campus. But over time, seeing him sacrifice for his family made Ye Zhi feel indignant. Initially, it was education, but later, unable to bear it, after scolding him and breaking off their friendship.
She called him “stupid” at the time, saying, “Why are you so stupid? Do you know if you don’t resist, your family will smash your bones and swallow them whole, do you believe that?”
Ye Zhi believed it. But habits formed since childhood are difficult to change. He feared his mother and all the pressure his family imposed on him. It was a form of mental control that had been going on since birth. How could he easily break free from it?
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