“I remember that everyone in the village used to be an independent individual, but living in this society, you can’t escape the invisible network of relationships around you. Anything you do will inevitably lead to people talking behind your back. Some people envy you, some look down on you, some admire you, and some resent you… I really don’t like that place or the people there, even though I come from the countryside.”

"I still vaguely remember that at that time, the villagers, who seemed kind and simple to outsiders, would become extremely envious when they heard that someone in the village had made money raising fish. Before long, someone would poison their fishpond, kill all the fish, and cause them to lose a lot of money. If someone's crops were growing well, someone would harvest them all overnight. If someone's watermelons had a high yield, the next day when you went to check the watermelon field, you would find it had been hacked to pieces with a sickle."

At that time, besides lamenting the state of the world and people's hearts, I couldn't help but ask: Why would someone do something so crazy? I think it was probably jealousy at play, which is often referred to as being envious of others' success and laughing at others' lack.

Actually, this mentality isn't limited to rural areas; many people in society, especially now, hold this mindset. However, not many actually commit outrageous acts. Particularly in cities, everyone is busy with their own lives, and some people don't even know their neighbors' names. Relatively speaking, serious consequences stemming from jealousy are not common.

On the contrary, I know more about these kinds of things happening in rural areas, because we all live in the same village. Do you think I don't know your own worth? Why do you have to live better than me? As long as you live better than me, I can't stand it..."

Jealous people are usually very competitive. I believe that if you come home from the countryside without a car, many people will ask you why you didn't drive back. They will gossip behind your back, saying that you're not doing well and don't even have a car anymore.

If you don't bring your girlfriend home, people will talk behind your back, saying you broke up. And some pretty girls in the village work outside, so people say they're mistresses or sugar daddies. Even the smallest rumors are blown out of proportion, making the whole village gossip. Ultimately, it's all about jealousy.

Some people just can't stand seeing others do well. When they see someone better than themselves, they become consumed by envy, jealousy, and hatred, always hoping that the other person will suffer a major setback. If they see someone else achieving something good that they can't have, they'll do everything they can to sabotage and prevent it. They can't let others have what they can't have, especially acquaintances. While harming others for personal gain might be somewhat forgivable, harming others without benefiting oneself is unforgivable; it's the ugly side of human nature.

In fact, everyone experiences jealousy. Jealousy is a terrible thing; it can make people repulsive and sometimes cause them to lose their rationality, leading them to impulsively do things that cannot be undone.

Therefore, we should view everything rationally and restrain our jealousy. As the saying goes, "Comparison is the thief of joy." What does it matter to me if he's doing well? What does it matter to me if he's not doing well? We don't need to be so serious. We can learn from his strengths, and we have no right to criticize his weaknesses. Slandering others doesn't truly elevate ourselves; justice resides in the hearts of the people.

We must recognize this: sometimes, you can't win someone's heart in return. Only by being the best version of yourself can you let those with ulterior motives be envious and resentful!

As a child born and raised in the countryside, I've witnessed the transformation from mud houses in my childhood to modern multi-story buildings in every household. The countryside seems to improve year by year. However, the competitive spirit and jealousy within rural areas are quite pronounced.

First, there are houses. Have you noticed that as soon as the first family in the village builds a multi-story house, the surrounding neighbors will start building their own?

And some people, if others build two stories, I'll build three. I have to be one story taller than everyone else. That's how I save face, how I show off my wealth.

Some people built their houses a long time ago, and when they go back home a couple of years later, they see that everyone else's houses are taller than theirs. So they add another floor on top. Have you seen this phenomenon around you? Just because someone else's house looks nice, I have to build one that's even more unique and beautiful? I'll borrow money to build one even if I don't have any.

Secondly, almost every household in rural areas now owns a car, and each one is better than the last.

Take the people around me as an example. Young people see that their peers have bought cars, so they want to buy one too. And if others buy a car for 100,000 yuan, they want to buy one that costs 150,000 yuan.

Another family member will buy a car worth 200,000 yuan. Driving them together makes them feel incredibly important and prestigious. "My car is more expensive than yours!" Do you know anyone like that? Especially those working away from home who pay extra to buy a car to drive home for the New Year.

Another issue is the bride price. Why are bride prices so high now? His daughter's wedding cost 100,000 yuan. My daughter's wedding will definitely cost at least 100,000 yuan. Otherwise, wouldn't it make my daughter seem less desirable than others? After marriage and having children, if you see others having boys, and they have girls, and you take your child to their house, they'll think you're showing off.

In the countryside, do you still remember your childhood when everyone loved to visit each other, neighborly relations were harmonious, and you felt that everyone looked out for each other? That kind of rural life was carefree and without much pressure! But can we ever go back to that kind of life?

Nowadays, rural people feel the pressure of real life and most choose to work outside the village. Earning money there gradually improves their family's standard of living, which is a good thing—who wouldn't want a better life? However, this has led to a prevalent culture of comparison. In rural areas today, mutual jealousy and criticism have become popular topics of conversation and amusement among villagers. Is it because they were afraid of poverty in the past, or is there another reason? The money they earn now is hard-earned, but rural people just can't seem to save it. It's not because they don't know how to manage money, but because they have too many expenses. If something is a problem, they spend money; if something is a problem, they spend money. Only when their family's conditions improve do they feel powerful; otherwise, they'd lose face in the eyes of their fellow villagers!

"Yes, that's right. Nowadays, most villagers compare themselves to each other in terms of houses, cars, dowries, income, or wages. It's true, the atmosphere has changed, and the countryside has changed along with it. There's no way around it. If a fellow villager isn't doing well, he might be looked down upon or even ostracized. People are always envious and laugh at others' misfortunes. Being praised to someone's face is a hundred times better than being laughed at behind their back. That's what many rural people are thinking these days! There's this situation in the city too. People who are clearly living a very ordinary life still take out loans to drive nice cars and live in upscale neighborhoods. Isn't that just self-deception and ignorance in other people's eyes?!" Xu Que said to a group of people.