[cinFLA]

It's still the case. The dark skin tends to expose the defects on the body (of Asians). Also dark skin is usually rough and light skin feels tender and soft.

Dark skin represented the workers that had to work in the sun; light skin meant you were well off and did not have to work. It's a class thing.

[Lake]

>>It's a class thing.

Not neccessarily. Many imperial maids or concubines of wealthy people were from the working class in ancient China. They were chosen solely according to the Chinese aesthetic stardard, not their class backgrounds, so outdoor working doesn't neccessarily make your skin dark.