I Don't Like This World, I Only Like You (我不喜歡這世界，我只喜歡你) by Qiao Yi (喬一)

There was a time when Nike board shoes, particularly the Air Force Ones, were all the rage in our class. They cost over 400 yuan. During that time, I deeply resented not being an only child. My mom's budget was limited, and I knew how hard she worked to earn money. Guanchao, with his sweet talk and spoiled attitude, managed to get his mom to buy him a pair first. I couldn't bring myself to ask for a pair too.

To say I didn't care would be a lie. At 16 or 17, vanity was at its peak. When I saw other people wearing brand-name shoes while I wore cheap knockoffs, I felt my self-confidence falter.

One day, during PE class, the girls were chatting together. The topic shifted to the new Nike shoes, and we realized that almost everyone was wearing either Nike or Adidas. Then one girl pointed out, "Not everyone. Qiao Yi's aren't Nike."

Another girl asked, pointing at my shoes, "What brand are those?"

In that moment, I felt like I had done something wrong and been caught. My face turned bright red, and I didn't know how to answer.

At that moment, Hao Wu Yi, who had just bought a popsicle, casually broke it in half and gave me the other half, sitting down and saying loudly, "My mom says Nike shoes are stiff and way too expensive, just a rip-off for people like me who are wasteful."

Her words made everyone uncomfortable.

After that, she rarely wore Nike again and would happily wear cheap shoes with me.

One year on her birthday, I gave her a pair of shoes. That night, after drinking a little, I told her I had never forgotten how she had helped me out back then. She stared at me, completely forgetful, and said, "Really? I don't remember any of that. Oh, right! My mom did call me a wasteful person, but I definitely remember that!"

Some people are full of bitterness and malice because they have never been treated gently. I believe I can remain kind because, in my youth, I encountered good people.