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Everyone has their own protective mechanisms.
And sometimes, these mechanisms share commonalities.
Most people don't like to admit they're less intelligent than others, so even if they've studied hard, they'll act as if they don't really care and might even mock those who diligently study but still achieve only mediocre results.
Such an attitude spreads more intensely in poorer environments.
Over time, a perverse consensus emerges—studying is shameful.
Working hard at studies yet seeing no improvement is an unspeakable disgrace.
Chen Yuan wasn't a saint either; his heart wasn't encased in steel, so he too had his own protective mechanisms.
Sometimes he wondered if his aloofness and abstract dichotomy were born from this.
