Never compare. Work for it. Hard option is the best option.
门当户对 - it's the relationship / survival skills. You did have love with YQ but it doesn't work in the end
But if you're not - you gotta work hard to get there
Because never compare. There's so much things that you can do when you're single. Focus on something that you won't regret
You think you will regret this, regret that. But the most important time is NOW
Not in the future or in the past. You're 26! Now's the time.
It's also the time when YQ dad started his story - you could do the same thing as well! I mean - even if he's not working as hard as before it's totally okay because he already had a system. But dude is been working hard and worked hard even after he had all these. That just means you're actually doing something wrong if you're not busy.
Stay up early. Find something that works for you. A system that works. Mine now is been sleeping early and getting up early. Then I have that "me time" in the morning to work on my projects.