I'd describe you as gruff, not rude, though perhaps I haven't had the opportunity to see it.

[she hasn't really done anything to warrant him being rude to her, either.]

...but, you aren't wrong. There are many people in Daxing who are... [her voice trails off.] Thoroughly unpleasant.

I'll play their games with them when I have to, to defend myself, but truthfully... I don't want to be anything like them at all.