You can’t escape an obligation by saying “I never agreed to that.” In Chinese agreement practice, unstated expectations arising from relationship and context carry full moral weight. If the relationship or situation implies an obligation, that obligation exists whether or not it was explicitly stated.
This means you must develop sensitivity to what relationships and contexts require — failure to perceive implicit obligations is itself a form of moral failure, not acceptable ignorance. A business relationship implies certain loyalties and considerations beyond contract terms. A guest has duties to reciprocate hospitality. An employee owes contributions beyond job descriptions. Understanding what your relationships imply — not merely what has been stated — is essential to being a reliable agreement partner.
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