"Mm-mm. I lived separately from my family...it wasn't so unusual in our society, but I took it to a bit of an extreme." Shen Yuan smiles sadly, looking down at the water. "I just didn't want to be a bother to anyone. I convinced myself it was my choice and I was happier that way, but looking back I think that was just a lie I told myself to make it easier...I practically exiled myself, so nobody would have to deal with me. I feel bad for my neighbors and the landlord, who knows how long it was before somebody found my body..."

He hopes nobody from his family had to actually see him like that, losing him so suddenly would have already hurt them enough.