Chapter 2772 - 2834: A Dispute Without a Concrete Conclusion

Below, someone quickly commented. A woman who named herself Feminist Struggler wrote beneath Li Yifei’s article: "Veteran, I am a rational woman, and I think what you said makes sense. Moreover, I’d like to say that this woman you’ve highlighted, she isn’t the epitome of feminism; she is an egoist. Her words and actions diverge from the spirit of feminism. We criticize people like her, as you’ve mentioned, the country’s fast development has led to material and spiritual imbalance. Therefore, we should promote progress in thought, respect women, this is essential. Regarding the issues you pointed out about dowries, houses, and cars, I want to say that I haven’t done such things. When I married my husband, we had nothing, worked for two years and saved for a down payment. Over ten years, we now have an apartment in the capital. I believe if two people genuinely love each other and work hard, striving for the future, life won’t be too bad!"

This feminist comment was liked by many, quickly became popular, and received numerous responses.

Another man commented: "I don’t know where these people get such prejudices. Around here, yes, I’m a Northeasterner, the girls here are phenomenal, let alone after marriage; even before marriage, they call the shots. After marriage, all the earnings go to the girlfriend, she decides everything, we call this pampering the wife. We don’t even dare to argue with her, let alone do anything, even verbal arguments are lost. Our child is now three years old, my mom and her mom have come to help take care, it’s the elders helping us, they have no obligation to take care of the child, my wife and I are very thankful to both of our parents. If this isn’t respect for women, then what is? Due to gender, there are natural physiological differences. Men have their strengths, women have theirs. Why advocate for equality when inequality exists naturally? Not just between men and women, there’s no absolute equality in society. I think we should just be normal people, find a normal person as a partner, that’s good enough. My buddies around me are like this too, none of them mistreat their wives. This isn’t decades ago, everyone graduates from university, has culture and thought, how could we possibly act like our ancestors and parents?"

This comment was also liked, quickly reaching ten thousand likes. Li Yifei glanced at it, he agreed with much of it. The Li family was too unique to be an example, but in life, there are many examples that can be cited. Overall, if you fall in love with a normal person, marry or get married to a normal person, life won’t be chaotic. Therefore, it’s best to act like a normal person, no need to be sensational. True rights advocates won’t hang these things on their lips daily; most morals are for self-restraint, not to bind others. He gave these two individuals a like each.

Likewise, he saw much cursing. Li Yifei didn’t assign Chu Xiaoyao to investigate these curses. They’re two different things; regarding such sensitive issues, different people have various understandings, differing opinions are entirely normal, so there’s no need for curses. Holding different views is fine.

One person commented: "For a veteran with such a background and upbringing to have achieved this, and to say what he did is truly not easy. Think about it, more admirable is his ability to bring this matter out, to speak, for everyone to discuss, that’s even harder. Know that he’s an internet celebrity with more than ten million followers, essentially a public figure, so consider how difficult this must be for him. I’m a woman, not beautiful, just ordinary. In life, there are inconveniences and conveniences; I can’t just blame others for the inconveniences. I’m not justified in being righteous because I’m weak. I need to first think about why I’m weak, whether there’s a way to change or strengthen myself, not just put my hands on my waist and shout at those around me because I’m a woman or a weak person; expecting everyone to indulge me is terrifying. Such people blur the lines of right and wrong; if they’re not egoists, then what are they?"

Other people provided examples from their lives, many of whom expressed sentiments that, overall, most people are normal, adhering to the principle that if you want rights, you must first undertake obligations. Many men shared Li Yifei’s concerns, as that’s the greatest reality.

A man said: "Many women claim they want gender equality with men, to fight for their rights, but when it comes to marriage, they become the weak party, or even the persecuted side. So they want houses, cars, signing rights, dowries, many things. Are such people truly rights advocates? Aren’t they the most direct kind of egoists? I’m a man, from my perspective, like the veteran, because I’m a man, I’m willing to earn more, work harder, so that my wife and children live comfortably. That’s my contribution to the family. I also hope my future wife sees these efforts and at least cares for me a bit, right? Is this demand excessive? Is this disrespecting women?"

Another man said: "Human nature is inherently evil, whether male or female. It’s postnatal education and various constraints that make us act like normal people, so I think improving oneself is more important. The saying ’build a phoenix tree to lure the phoenix’ applies to both men and women. If you think your partner is substandard, inspect yourself first. If a family isn’t harmonious, don’t enter if yours is inadequate while demanding much from the other side, that’s also unfair. Isn’t there a line in ’Dream of the Red Chamber’? ’A heart higher than the sky, a fate thinner than paper.’ If men and women end up here, it’s quite tragic. Finally, effort doesn’t guarantee success, but without effort, ordinary people wanting success is like a frog at the bottom of a well yearning for a swan to fall from the sky. Even if it falls, aren’t you afraid it might crush you?"

Li Yifei didn’t anticipate that his one article on Twitter would garner more attention than the previous photo incident, sparking widespread debate. Even during dinner, several women brought up the matter. They also go online, browse entertainment news, watch cute animals, funny videos, etc., naturally seeing this discussion and heating it more.

In Su Mengxin’s words: "After matriarchal society ended, Huaxia entered thousands of years of a patriarchal society, or husbandly authority, which was inevitable. Because when childbirth wasn’t the biggest survival test, survival and territory expansion, food became the test. Males, due to natural physical advantages, became dominant in these areas. Over the years, Huaxia has changed tremendously. We should see clearly; these changes are towards good, driven fundamentally by culture, early education, reading more books, wider careers, bringing different perspectives on the same matter. On high-culture forums, you’ll find men and women have closer views on rights and obligations. Ordinary people rarely think deeply about this aspect, but it doesn’t mean they disrespect women or behave stereotypically, which is ignorant!"

"Exactly, at our school, the girls are fiercely pursued by boys who work hard, so talking about male or female rights is truly unnecessary. Our family never brings this up; isn’t my husband good to us?" Chu Xiaoyao said, gnawing on a piece of meat.

"Actually, provoking discussion is beneficial; just regarding houses, many families have been overwhelmed. Can they save a million in a lifetime? Especially ordinary families in Huaxia, they only have a saving habit, not investing habits, with minimal bank interest. Even with a million, the interest barely keeps up with inflation. A child’s marriage suddenly depletes the savings. Those with pension and retirement pay manage, but without, they’re left without support. If the son and daughter-in-law share the same fate, there’s hope, but if not, it’s tantamount to extinguishing hope in advance!" Su Yiyi commented. Her family has some relatives in similar situations, even turning to her recently. The relatives’ son married, draining their savings; the old couple lack survival skills. At sixty-something, who would hire them? Especially when the house was sold for the wedding; the daughter-in-law promised to live with them, but after marriage changed her mind, kicking them out. They can only rent temporarily; the son can’t provide financial support, leaving the elderly couple helplessly begging Su Yiyi’s father for help. He can’t just give money, as the couple lacks survival skills. Giving them money would likely end up with the son, so eventually, the matter fell to Su Yiyi.

This prompted her reflections, as such things never happen in the Li family, which is her luck, but many aren’t so fortunate.

"Right, this is just our small city; in the provincial capital, where house prices range between ten thousand to twenty thousand per square meter, one hundred square meters is one to two million. And salaries aren’t high, meaning ordinary families spend their lives buying a house; only a few years go by, and a child is born. The education issue then becomes the most direct challenge." He Fangqing sighed.