Why do most "spirit sisters" look pretty good?

In school campuses or lower-tier social circles, having good looks can attract the protection of older figures or peers, avoid bullying, and even gain a certain status.

They realize early on that they can monetize their appearance to gain attention and resources, which forms a kind of practical logic around looks-based value exchange.

In this environment, people with ordinary appearance often find it harder to stand out. Of course, this isn't absolute.

But it's undeniable that within specific circles, there's a clear correlation between appearance and how well one gets ahead.

Like my middle school classmate Xiaoya—back then she was the prettiest girl in our grade. Even the pancake vendor at the school gate would give her an extra egg.

She always had a few younger girls around her carrying her backpack, passing notes, and covering for her.

A guy named Qiang from the neighboring vocational school pursued her and gave her an expensive MP4 player at the time. Xiaoya turned around and gave it to me to help her download songs.

Later Xiaoya got pregnant, Qiang ran off, and she didn't cry—she went to the hospital herself, and I went with her.

After that she didn't go to high school and went to work at a factory in Guangdong.

Last year someone in a classmate group chat posted a screenshot of her WeChat Moments. She got married and went back to our hometown. Her husband drives trucks. Her Moments show her haggling at the wet market and tutoring her kids from behind.

That silhouette had gotten heavier, her hair tied up carelessly, wearing ten-yuan slippers.

Someone in the group lamented how pretty she used to be, such a waste.

Only I know what songs were on that MP4.