Back at school, Shen Ci crazily messaged me, but I didn't even bother to look and directly sent him a message saying "[Let's break up]," and added him to the blacklist.

After washing up, I lay in bed and looked at the ceiling. It was the first night without Shen Ci talking to me, but strangely, I didn't feel bored.

I used to always want to hold onto him tightly, fearing that without his company, my loneliness would be exposed. But today, I realized that he isn't that important after all.

The noise and chatter in the dormitory, the lively atmosphere composed of conversations, was enough to soothe the desolation in my heart.

"Nian Nian, did you block Shen Ci?"

Suddenly, the eldest sister opened my curtain and climbed onto the bed with a face mask on.

I nodded, and she patted my shoulder forcefully, giving me a thumbs-up. "Well done!"

The second sister's head popped up next to the eldest sister. She nudged the eldest sister cautiously, worriedly looking at my expression. "Nian Nian, did you two have a fight?"

Instantly, the fourth sister's head appeared beside them, and her eyes stared at me intensely. "Nian Nian, are you going to break up with that scumbag Shen Ci?"

I felt both angry and amused. God knows how the three of them ended up on this topic.

I sat up and patted the spot next to me, inviting them to sit beside me in a row.

After giving it some thought, I decided to tell them everything that happened today, and by the way, I firmly decided to break up with Shen Ci.

The three of them exchanged glances and then started nudging each other.

Fortunately, the eldest sister was straightforward. Seeing that I couldn't dodge her question, she asked directly, "Did you really break up? No turning back?"

"No turning back." I attempted to make them believe in my resolute determination with my eyes.

"I've given him too many chances."

"Good!" The eldest sister clapped her big hand on my leg like a fan. "If you say so, we're going to start cursing him!"

I grimaced, covering my thigh and watching the eldest sister indignantly ranting, speaking nonstop and spitting...

She cursed Shen Ci for half an hour.

Finally, she summarized, "Nian Nian, why do you like him anyway?"

Why?

That's a good question.

I pondered and recalled those moments when Shen Ci touched me deeply from my memory.

"He always walks on my right side to protect me when going out, helps me with my bags, buys food for me, comes to my house to accompany me during thunderstorms, walks home with me every day after school, brings me some of the delicious food his family makes, and sends me messages to wish me well on holidays."

"When I'm sick, he tries to stay with me and stands up for me against people who bother me."

The three of them stared at me wide-eyed. "Is that all?"

I nodded, and the fourth sister couldn't help but ask, "Nian Nian, has nobody ever been good to you since you were little?"

The second sister frowned. "Nian Nian, I don't know if you've heard this saying before."

"He was just showing you kindness, but you mistook it for love."

I remained silent, suddenly unsure how to respond.

The fourth sister cautiously asked me, "Nian Nian, it seems like your family's conditions are not bad. Why do you lack love so much?"

Where should I start?

It was probably when I was two years old. My mother suddenly stood in the garden holding me, crying uncontrollably.

She said that taking care of a child was too tiring.

She said that she lost her freedom.

She said that she should be herself first, but now she only had one name, Nian Nian's mom.

She said that she didn't even have her own name anymore. She was either Mrs. Gu or Mom Gu.

She said that she wanted to reclaim her previous life.

So she left me and pursued her ideals, and my dad couldn't bear to be without her, so he followedher.

It was probably when I was six years old. I remember standing outside the school gate, watching other kids run into their parents' arms after school, laughing and playing.

I stood there alone, feeling a strange sense of emptiness.

It was probably when I was ten years old. I saw my classmates' parents attend the parent-teacher meetings, watching them discuss their children's progress with the teachers.

But my chair was always empty.

It was probably when I was fourteen years old. I saw my friends' parents cheering for them at school events, clapping and smiling proudly.

But my parents were never there.

It was probably when I was sixteen years old. I watched my friends receive flowers and gifts on Valentine's Day, their faces glowing with happiness.

But I never received anything.

It was probably when I was eighteen years old. I listened to my friends talk about their plans for college, how their parents supported them and were proud of their achievements.

But my parents never showed any interest.

It was probably when I was twenty years old. I watched my friends get married, surrounded by their families, their parents shedding tears of joy.

But my parents were absent.

It was probably when I was twenty-two years old. I saw my friends become parents, holding their babies in their arms, a look of pure love and happiness on their faces.

But I didn't have anyone to hold.

It was probably when I was twenty-four years old. I met Shen Ci, and he showed me kindness, attention, and affection.

And I mistook it for love.

As I finished recounting my story, tears welled up in my eyes.

The three sisters looked at each other, their eyes filled with compassion and understanding.

The eldest sister sighed and hugged me tightly. "Nian Nian, you've been through so much. It's no wonder you clung to Shen Ci."

The second sister wiped away my tears. "But now you've realized that what you need is not someone who shows you kindness out of pity, but someone who truly loves and cherishes you."

The fourth sister nodded. "You deserve better, Nian Nian. Don't settle for anything less."

I sniffled and hugged them back, feeling grateful for their support and love.

That night, I fell asleep with a sense of relief. I knew that breaking up with Shen Ci was the right decision, and I was ready to find someone who would love me for who I am.