Chapter 286 Late-Night Conversation
A reunion after parting ways.
It took a few minutes to dispel that vague sense of unfamiliarity. After a few minutes of awkward conversation, they finally found the common ground they had always kept hidden in their hearts.
Chen Zhe talked about everything he had experienced in the North District, and about Xiao Dingdong, the girl who had been tormented by suffering.
"Do you think some people are born to suffer? Every time something good is about to happen, reality always hits her hard. I can see that she wants to live a good life, but fate always says no to her."
In Chen Zhe's view, Xiao Dingdong's life was undoubtedly tragic. Born into a poor family, her father died early, her mother was mentally ill, and she had a younger brother who was also seriously ill. She herself was mute. After finally growing up, she found a job, but then she met Gu Jingyan, who treated her terribly. Now her brother is about to die. Any one of these things would be fatal for an ordinary person, but she seems to have accumulated all the hardships on her frail shoulders.
Xie Yuhan nodded.
"Indeed, some people are like that. There's a saying that goes, 'A rope always breaks at its thinnest point, and misfortune only finds those who are destined for hardship.' Perhaps their life is meant to be a trial."
Is there any way to change this?
Xie Yuhan thought for a moment.
"I think it's about mindset. It's really hard to predict what will happen in the future. My grandfather was very good at fortune telling, but he often said that fate is unpredictable and there is nothing absolute in the world, even fate. We can't react to what might happen in the future, but we can adjust our mindset and change our perspective on life when hardship comes."
"Mindset?"
"yes."
Xie Yuhan pointed to the moon in the sky.
"The moon on the seventh day of the lunar month is called the first quarter moon, and the moon on the fifteenth day is called the full moon. In fact, the moon itself does not change. It is not missing any part, it is not incomplete, and it is not lacking. The reason why people call it differently at different times is because they think they are seeing a different moon."
“That girl has experienced a lot of bad things, and these bad things will constantly deepen her self-image. She will always imagine herself as a person suffering. Over time, when she gets used to thinking this way, the next time hardship comes, she will deal with it in the way that a person suffering will do. This cycle repeats itself, and it will be very difficult for her to have a good life.”
Xie Yuhan spoke these words very calmly, like a light rain in early spring, falling gently and seemingly without much noise, but containing boundless power.
If you savor it carefully, you'll find that every word she says seems to contain some small philosophies about life.
Chen Zhe suddenly thought of Hu Ling.
Hu Ling's words are convincing, but she gives the impression of forcibly shoving your head open without any regard for your pain.
All you have to do is obey her.
Xie Yuhan is different.
She will calmly express her opinions, without expecting you to force your agreement.
As for whether you think she's right or wrong, she doesn't care at all.
But you always feel that she is right.
“I understand, Xiaoyu. I always learn a lot from talking to you. To be honest, I am now a complete believer in you.”
Xie Yuhan laughed heartily. The "believers" that Chen Zhe mentioned were the topic they discussed when they first met.
Hearing Chen Zhe say that word again, she felt that the old Chen Zhe had returned.
...
"They don't seem to be talking about love... I can't understand a word they say?"
Hiding in the bushes, Zhang Kai felt his brain wasn't working properly. He had originally wanted to secretly learn a couple of tips for picking up girls, but now he realized that if he talked to a girl about topics like religious life, she might think he was crazy.
Old Master Xie patted his head again.
"You're stupid, it's normal that you don't understand."
Zhang Kai dared not be angry at Xie Laodao's repeated reprimands. The subtle display of skill Xie Laodao had just shown him had already made him realize that this old man was no ordinary person.
Let's go!
Old Master Xie pulled Zhang Kai away.
Since they had both talked about life, nothing inappropriate for children should happen next. As long as that doesn't happen, I shouldn't worry about it too much for now.
...
The next morning.
After breakfast, Chen Zhe and Zhang Kai prepared to go down the mountain. Zhang Kai, contrary to his unfriendly attitude towards Master Xie yesterday, became very attentive, praising Master Xie's greatness and wisdom, which confused Chen Zhe and Xie Yuhan.
"Master, our guild has many beautiful female live streamers. Here are their video accounts. I'll recommend them to you."
Master Xie's eyes lit up.
However, considering that his granddaughter and Chen Zhe were still there, he maintained his demeanor as an elder.
He coughed once.
"What kind of person do you take me for? Do you think I'm the kind of lecherous man?"
"Oh, I thought you liked it, Daoist Master. I saw you were posting it all night. Since you don't like it, then I won't recommend it."
Zhang Kai thought he really didn't like it, so he could only put his phone down.
Old Master Xie glared at him.
[Is this kid a blockhead? Couldn't he have given it to me privately?]
"Ahem! But you know, I'm a pretty trendy person, so it's okay for me to check out the current trends..."
As soon as he finished speaking...
He snatched the open phone and started examining it happily.
Chen Zhe and Xie Yuhan were speechless.
...
On the way back, Chen Zhe couldn't help but ask, "Brother Zhang, didn't you almost get into a fight with the Taoist priest last night? Why did your attitude change so quickly today?"
Zhang Kai laughed heartily; "Manager, I've discovered that this old man is no ordinary person; he's really quite capable."
"What? Did he conquer you last night?"
"Yes!"
After answering, Zhang Kai heard Chen Zhe laugh heartily and realized something was wrong. He quickly explained, "Manager, that's not what I meant. I meant this Taoist priest is very strong!"
"I understand, old age doesn't diminish one's vigor, right?"
"Uh... no, you've confused me. What I meant was that this Taoist priest could beat me with one hand, and I want to learn kung fu from him, which is why I was being nicer."
Chen Zhe was quite surprised. Xie Laodao looked so thin and frail, how could he possibly defeat the tall and strong Zhang Kai with just one hand?
"Brother Zhang, he's not here right now, you don't need to flatter him."
"No, it's true!"
Zhang Kai recounted what happened last night, but he didn't mention that he had overheard Chen Zhe and Xie Yuhan's conversation.
Chen Zhe stroked his chin.
[He can hold Zhang down with one hand; he really seems to have some skill. If Brother Zhang really learns from him, wouldn't my safety be greatly guaranteed?]
“Brother Zhang, I support you. If I need any help, just let me know.”
"good."
...
We returned to the Linglong Club in the North District.
Chen Zhe called Xiao Dingdong over, and seeing that she still looked distressed, he knew that Xie Yuhan was right. Xiao Dingdong had been tormented by hardship too deeply, and now she completely saw herself as a person with a tragic fate.
"Ding-dong, are you interested in becoming a live streamer?"
Chen Zhe asked.
Xiao Dingdong paused for a moment, then shook her head.
"What's wrong? Not interested?"
Xiao Dingdong picked up the writing board; [I can't speak, I can't do it.]
"Heh, who says you can't be a streamer if you can't speak well? Who made that rule?"
Xiao Dingdong still lacked confidence.
[Manager, I'm already very grateful that you let me stay here to do odd jobs; I wouldn't dare ask for the chance to become a streamer.]
Since Xiao Dingdong returned to work, she has been doing odd jobs. She seems to have resigned herself to her fate and no longer has the confidence and unwillingness that Chen Zhe had when he first met her.
"Ding-dong, there will naturally be someone to do the odd jobs. With such a good image, it would be a waste for you to only do odd jobs. Give it a try, maybe your life will get better."
My life... is hard to improve; I feel like I can't succeed at anything.
The successive blows caused Xiao Dingdong to completely lose her passion for work. She now has no desire for love and no hope for the future.
Chen Zhe realized that he couldn't continue chatting with Xiao Dingdong like this.
The girl had completely enveloped herself in sadness; her sadness was like a layer of armor, making it difficult for soft words to penetrate.
He seemed to have become stern again.
"That's not up to you! You eat my food, live in my house, and I even helped your brother find connections and spent a lot of money. I can say I'm your creditor now. With just odd jobs, when do you think you'll ever be able to pay back this debt?"
Chen Zhe's sudden sternness startled Xiao Dingdong.
She felt very strange.
Just yesterday, Manager Chen was so gentle and caring towards her like a friendly older brother. She had just developed a good impression of him. How did he suddenly turn into a bad person?
Moreover... the bank card that was given to that doctor seems to have been given by Gu Jingyan, didn't the manager say that?
[Manager, I don't need to take a salary anymore...]
"Even if you don't take a salary, you still can't pay off this debt. I'm asking you to do this job as a streamer, so you have to do it. If you don't, don't blame me for being impolite..."
Chen Zhe stroked his chin, looking at Xiao Dingdong with a lecherous gaze.
"Ding-dong, I'm not a good person. If you can't pay this debt, you'll have to pay with your body!"
Seeing Chen Zhe suddenly turn into this state, Xiao Dingdong was so frightened that she took a step back, her face turned pale, and she was very nervous and at a loss.
His eyes also hinted at a plea.
"Don't look at me with those pitiful eyes. I have a heart of stone. Do you know what my last job was? I was a fish butcher in a supermarket. My heart is as cold as iron!"
Chen Zhe's insistence left Xiao Dingdong with no choice, and so, Linglong Club's first mute live streamer went online.
...
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