1614: Treat Women As Nothing But Playthings

Treat Women As Nothing But Playthings

"It's a good thing Yin'er will be here soon. Yaoyao can discuss this matter with him," said Yuan Xin. "But if you ask me, I hope you won't have to marry someone who lives far away, too." 0

Startled, Hexin clung to her arm and muttered, "You're thinking too far ahead, Mother. I'm only thirteen—there are two more years until I come of age. Isn't it too early to be talking about this?"

"Two years will pass very soon." Yuan Xin stroked her hair, smiling. "It'll be too late if we wait until then to talk about this."

"I'm not marrying anyone. I'm going to stay with you forever and take care of you and Father," Hexin vowed solemnly.

Yuan Xin could not help laughing at the girl's naive words. "All girls need to marry, silly goose. If you don't, you'll become an old maid."

"I'll be an old maid, then." Hexin wrinkled her nose indifferently. "As long as you and Father don't get tired of me."

"Of course we won't, but someday you'll reach an age when you want to get married, and when that day comes, you won't stay even if we ask you to."

"That won't happen."

"I wouldn't be too sure about that. One day, when you fall in love with someone, you'll change your mind." Yuan Xin shook her head in amusement.

"Mother, what does falling in love feel like?" Hexin wondered.

"When you're in love with someone, you'll feel joy when you see him and disappointment when you don't. He'll affect all your emotions and fill your mind with thoughts of him," Yuan Xin replied. Since her daughter had asked, she would not dodge the question. She did not think it was too early to have this talk—it was better for the girl to learn earlier than to be ignorant in the future. 

"Just like how you love Father?" Hexin gazed up at her.

"Yes." Yuan Xin nodded.

"Mother, you love Father very much, don't you?" asked Hexin.

"Why do you have so many questions?" Yuan Xin was dumbfounded.

"If I don't know something, I should ask. Isn't that what you taught me?" Hexin grinned. "Just tell me, Mother."

Embarrassed by her daughter's direct question, Yuan Xin said, "Why aren't you asking if your father loves me or not?"

"Actually, I can tell that Father loves you, and you love him very much too." Hexin beamed.

"Then why did you even ask?" Yuan Xin grumbled.

"I just wanted to hear you say it." Hexin winked mischievously.

"You're just a little girl. Why are you asking so many questions?" Yuan Xin poked her in the head in annoyance.

Hexin rubbed her forehead and protested, "Why are you blaming me? You were the one who started the conversation."

Yuan Xin sat down beside her, took a sip of water, then said, "But remember this, my girl—guard your heart and don't give it to others carelessly."

Hexin nodded and leaned against her mother's shoulder as she quietly listened to her advice.

"A lot of men out there are much worse than you think. They may be good-looking, but they're actually rotten to the core. Never judge a person by their appearance, especially when it comes to rude men who belittle women. Men of that type look down on women and treat them as nothing but playthings. Then there's another type of man who says sweet words all the time, but underneath those words lie their evil intentions. If you encounter these types of men, you must stay away from them," Yuan Xin warned seriously. 

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