Chapter 00176: Value (Thanks to HY420 for being the alliance leader)
# Value (Thanks to HY420 for being the alliance leader)
Chapter 176
Novel: Above Destiny
Chapter 176: Value (Thanks to HY420 for being the alliance leader)
Two days later, in the afternoon, in Yacheng.
In the Lihua District, at the popular dessert shop "Sea and Sky House."
Under the blazing sun, customers on the outdoor beach were continuously taking photos and checking in.
Under the sun umbrellas, many customers were enjoying the signature desserts and afternoon tea sets, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
However, inside the meticulously prepared private room of the shop, the atmosphere gradually stagnated amidst endless small talk.
Or rather, it became awkward.
"The weather is really nice."
"Yes, yes."
"Was there any traffic on the way here?"
"No, no."
"You've lost some weight recently."
"Just a little."
"Your skin looks great too!"
"... Tonghua."
Across the table, the woman in a pencil skirt and blouse sighed.
Her hair was neatly tied up at the back, her makeup light, and her expression always gentle and warm, making people feel close to her and naturally want to share their troubles.
Ye Zhi pushed the coffee aside and said seriously, "I skipped a big client's appointment today just to meet you. You said you had something important to consult me about in person, so why don't you just say it?"
"Alright..."
Tonghua hesitated for a long time.
Ye Zhi's gaze subtly fell on her hands, which were twisting and intertwining her fingers, showing anxiety and confusion.
She was still hesitating, considering whether to tell her about this matter.
She said, "I have a friend..."
"Alright, you have a friend."
Ye Zhi immediately understood.
She adjusted her glasses, straightened her posture, and her fingers holding the spoon slightly changed position, as if holding a pen.
Her eyes behind the glasses took on a meaningful look.
Tonghua was shocked and glared at her, "What's with that look? Why are you profiling me now!"
Tsk...
The perception of the Ether faction is really annoying.
Ye Zhi smiled warmly, "Sorry, occupational habit. Go on, go on, this friend of yours..."
"I really have a friend!"
Tonghua's fists clenched, "A guy! Someone I have absolutely no connection with!"
Ye Zhi's expression changed slightly.
She leaned forward slightly, and a familiar glint of gossip appeared in her eyes, "Is he..."
Tonghua angrily retorted, "No!!!"
"Alright, look at you, getting all worked up. I haven't even said anything yet."
Ye Zhi waved her hand.
Under Tonghua's gaze, she finally put down her psychological consultation posture and sighed helplessly, "Then give me a brief overview of the situation."
This is the downside of being a Heart Core Chosen.
You always have to keep a low profile in daily life.
If discovered, you'll inevitably be feared and resisted.
It's hard to have a few good friends, and you always end up helping them solve annoying problems like 'Does he/she love me?' And after a breakup, you're the first one they come to...
Ye Zhi sighed.
She was used to it.
After all, she only had a few friends.
Her right hand's nails idly scratched the notepad as she absentmindedly listened to Tonghua's description: "In his twenties... Tianmen University... Promising academic future... Craftsman... Weird... Always tsking at me like you..."
After ignoring the specific details and occasionally answering a few of Ye Zhi's detailed questions, Tonghua finally picked up her teacup and let out a long breath:
"Anyway, that's pretty much it."
"I have one more question."
Ye Zhi looked up curiously, "Are the requirements for the Tong family to take in a son-in-law so high now?"
"I said no!"
"Alright, alright, I think I understand."
Ye Zhi sighed, "So what exactly do you want to ask?"
"I want to know, this friend of mine... ahem..."
Tonghua instinctively lowered her voice and asked with some concern, "If this continues, won't there be any psychological issues?"
Ye Zhi was stunned for a moment, not quite understanding, "I'm more curious, why you would think that."
Tonghua was immediately embarrassed and quickly waved her hands to explain, "I know this speculation isn't good, but it's purely out of... concern, right? After all, we're friends."
"No, what I mean is, why did you only think of finding a doctor now?"
Ye Zhi asked in confusion, "What's the problem? You should be asking where your friend doesn't have problems!"
As she spoke, she picked up the notepad in her hand, showing the scratches made by her nails: "Severe OCD, paranoia, hypochondria, mysophobia, PTSD. Although some details require an in-person diagnosis, if I were to guess, there's probably also moderate to severe anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity... and self-destructive tendencies."
After listing all that, Ye Zhi couldn't help but take a deep breath and sighed, "Although everyone has their quirks in this world, it's rare to find someone with such a rich array of symptoms who hasn't been sent to the hospital."
How to put it...
It's like the red-dressed young girl in a haunted house, the friendly stranger inviting you to eat in a no-man's land, or the kind young man wearing a hood helping an old lady cross the street after coming out of a bank.
They all seem fine on the surface, but something feels off everywhere!
There's a certain beauty in it, like choosing the wrong dialogue option and immediately getting a game over.
But so what?
There are many problems, but as long as the person is alive and well, it means there's no issue.
Besides, programmers know that as long as the code runs, don't mess with it.
Ye Zhi didn't feel there was any need for her involvement.
The first lesson any Heart Core Chosen must learn is not to meddle in others' affairs, not to seek trouble, because trouble will definitely find you, and it will only get bigger.
Isn't he doing fine?
If he's not crazy, then there's no problem.
Even if he is crazy, it's still no problem.
Many people seem to be living well, but in reality, they've been crazy for years.
For the sake of their friendship, she sincerely advised, "Give up, he won't like you... No, if it weren't for his connection with you, he would definitely choose to stay as far away from you as possible."
"When did I say I liked him?!"
Tonghua was furious, so furious that she got even more furious and slammed the table, "Besides, I'm the eldest daughter of the Tong family, what's wrong with me?"
Ye Zhi shook her head, "For him, probably everything is wrong."
Personality, ability, family background...
Indecisive, sentimental, and loves to gossip, can't help but peek and always sees something with her Ether Eyes, and a messy family relationship that makes people dizzy.
"If he only sees you as a work... uh, friend, you two would get along very well. He might be a good friend, and no matter how unwilling he is deep down, he wouldn't stand by if something happened to you."
Ye Zhi said decisively, "But if he senses even the slightest possibility of a change in your relationship, he will definitely keep his distance from you."
Tonghua was shocked, "Is it that bad?"
Ye Zhi sighed helplessly.
"... Not to mention your relationship with Ether."
She pointed at the silly eldest daughter in front of her, "The Tong family itself is a huge storm. Sometimes just a little exhale can blow everything related away. Do you think he would jump into the pit for no reason? He wouldn't risk disrupting his plans for something meaningless. Your wealth, power, and status hold no value to him."
"..."
Tonghua's expression changed slightly.
It wasn't the concealment and anger she had expected.
Instead, as if remembering something, her eyes lit up, and she leaned in, lowering her voice to ask:
"What if... it's someone from the An family?"
"That's even worse!"
Ye Zhi rolled her eyes, "Unless he's taken the wrong medicine, he definitely wouldn't respond. He might even avoid you!"
Hypochondria, OCD, interpersonal sensitivity...
All these problems are just symptoms.
The root of everything lies in his innate desire for control.
Not over others, but over himself!
"You think he might have some OCD or perfectionism in the details, but in reality, it all stems from an instinctive desire to control his own life. Only by living the life he has chosen will he feel comfortable and at ease."
She picked up her coffee spoon and said bluntly, "In other words, such a person wouldn't allow anything or anyone to arbitrarily arrange and influence his life, disrupting his plans. Whether the change is good or bad."
If there is, then eliminate it, isolate it.
If it's a malicious intrusion, it will trigger the most direct stress response...
Understand, evaluate, probe, and finally, ruthlessly, eradicate!
"You'd better pray he's not interested in you. If someone like him wanted to pursue power, he would have started laying the groundwork and preparing seven or eight years ago. Knowing you is just one part of the plan. He would meticulously and carefully control the entire plan, ultimately using everything at his disposal to achieve his goals."
Ye Zhi narrowed her eyes, her smile fading, "Have you ever thought that your excessive concern for him might also be part of this inducement?"
"..."
Tonghua's face twitched.
Although she had lived a privileged life without much hardship, and her family, under the management of her eldest uncle, was relatively peaceful without any life-and-death conflicts.
But that didn't mean she was a fool to be easily used.
Heart Core Chosen always seem to be like this, having seen too many disgusting things, so they never hesitate to speculate about others from the darkest angles.
Just like how the Ether faction always stubbornly believes in what they see and is convinced that what they see is everything and the truth.
The pot calling the kettle black, who isn't the same?
But as a friend, even if only a self-proclaimed one, she still had to argue, "Is it possible that he doesn't have any ulterior motives?"
"Then you're even worse off?"
Ye Zhi's expression turned pitying—being taken advantage of without getting anything in return, or even being used for free.
Tonghua was almost shrinking into the sofa, but upon hearing this, she still tried to argue, "Although that guy has a lot of problems, fundamentally, he's still a good person, with principles and a bottom line. He's not as bad as you say... right?"
Ye Zhi was silent for a long time.
"Perhaps, that's the worst part."
If he were just a selfish villain, it would be better.
At most, he would use an evil plan to control others, satisfy himself, and in the end, amidst indulgence and gluttony, the situation might actually improve.
If it's really as Tonghua said, then that's truly, utterly terrible.
For both himself and others.
When things get bad, ordinary people accept reality and endure their helplessness.
Villains find ways to blend in, seize benefits, and indulge their greed.
Good people restrain themselves, resist temptation and evil.
But someone like him wouldn't.
If his own principles and bottom line don't allow him to submit and become as humble as an ant, then he will overturn everything and become enemies with everyone.
Unless either reality or himself completely disappears.
This is an engine with infinite power, fueled by pain and hatred, running endlessly.
Once he chooses a direction and decides to move forward, he will charge straight ahead, smashing all obstacles in his path into dust, crushing them into mud, and burning them to ashes.
"Of course, all of the above is purely speculation."
Ye Zhi waved her hand indifferently, "No matter how skilled a Heart Core Chosen is, to make a diagnosis, they must see the person in question. With a layer in between, it's like looking at flowers through fog, impossible to tell what's real and what's not. But I imagine he wouldn't want to see me. So, please don't introduce us. If you cherish this friendship, don't meddle or interfere like you used to, unless he asks for it himself."
She paused, then added as a final reminder, "If you're really grateful to me, if you find out he's been taking advantage of you in the future, please don't call me to cry about it. Hmm, if you find out he doesn't even bother to take advantage of you, please don't either."
Tonghua was furious, so furious that she got even more furious:
"Why am I destined to be taken advantage of?!"
"..."
Ye Zhi smiled, picked up her coffee cup, and said nothing.
She simply took out her makeup mirror, opened it, and placed it in front of Tonghua—inviting her to admire her own silly face, made even sillier by her anxiety.
Tonghua fell silent.
As if her bones had been removed, she slumped on the table, unable to get up.
"... I really can't understand."
She sighed helplessly, "Keeping your nerves so tense every day, feeling like something is chasing you from behind, won't that cause problems over time? Why is that..."
"Who knows?"
Ye Zhi lowered her gaze, and after a long while, she stared at the sea waves and fleeting lights outside the window, "If I were to say... perhaps, it's guilt?"
Not from theory, nor objective, more like a presumptuous assumption, or perhaps, the intuition of a Heart Core.
Her finger extended.
Towards the notepad covered in scratches.
Effortlessly, she poked a large hole through the scratches, as if it had always been there.
Just unnoticed.
This is the root of everything.
Perhaps he encountered something, lost something, something more important than life and himself.
Taken away, destroyed, hollowed out.
Leaving only an irreparable void.
Like an inescapable curse, bringing pain and torment, yet also like a unique miracle, supporting him to move forward.
From that day on, every day he lives must have value.
Every day the sun rises, he opens his eyes, hears the voice echoing deep in his soul, telling him—you must not betray your life.
"It's really tough."
Ye Zhi sighed softly.
Thud!
A dull sound suddenly came from outside the window.
On a high platform not far away, a mischievous child suddenly leaped into the sea, like a small bomb, splashing water.
Happily splashing, shouting, waving, urging the little girl still hesitating on the high platform to join.
"Third sister, hurry! Hurry!"
Then, an older girl, furious, disregarding grace and demeanor, pointed at the child, "Little one, get up here!"
"Nah, nah, I won't, I won't!"
The mischievous child waved his hands, splashing water, giggling loudly.
Immediately, the furious sister rolled up her skirt and waded over, punching him into submission, making him cry out, "Mom, Lu Ling is bullying me!"
"Still yelling! Asking for a beating!"
"Ah, it's fine, you're already in swim trunks, a little swim won't hurt."
The mother under the nearby sun umbrella smiled and advised, "Little Ling, go play for a bit too."
Thud!
The little girl on the high platform also jumped down, giggling with the little one, splashing water at the sister.
"Big brother, come on!"
"Coming, coming!"
A dark-skinned man quickly stripped off his floral shirt and, under his sister's numb gaze, climbed onto the high platform, "I'll show you all a deep-water bomb!"
Thud!!!
With that, he plunged into the waist-deep water, his legs still sticking out, twitching a couple of times, and surprisingly, he was fine!
Then he laughed and got up, grabbing a bucket to join the water fight.
Mainly teaming up with the other siblings to bully the second sister...
The drenched Lu Ling, furious, finally saw her savior when she turned around, "Second brother! You deal with them!"
"Coming, coming!"
Excited shouts rang out.
A young man with severe scars on his body waved, holding a Gatling gun modified from a car-mounted high-pressure water gun, cackling as he ran over:
"Everyone not in swimwear will die!!"
But as he passed the dessert shop, he seemed to notice someone behind the window, paused, then leaned in and waved.
Then, eagerly, he jumped into the sea.
Hunting time!!!
In the private room, Ye Zhi looked blankly at the retreating figure, then turned to look at the completely numb Tonghua.
"... Know him?"
"Know him."
Tonghua sighed with mixed feelings, "He's the one you just said has it tough."
"..."
Ye Zhi was also stunned.
After a long silence, she suddenly heard Tonghua's soft laugh.
Tonghua rested her chin on her hand, gazing at the beach outside the window:
"Isn't it nice though."
Water fights, mainly bullying the second sister, then everyone ganging up on Lu Feng, and when the water gun ran out of battery, Lu Feng teamed up with everyone to attack.
Diving, seeing who could make the biggest splash, Lu Feng won hands down, mainly because his head was the hardest.
Playing in the sand, building a little castle for the youngest, a little swan for the third sister, a bust for Lu Ling, and a grave for Lu Feng—meaning everyone buried him, leaving only his dog head exposed.
Bought milk tea, everyone shared, ate fruit, peaches, apples, and watermelon brought from home, stole the youngest's grapes, exceptionally sweet.
When the kids got tired, Ji Jue carried them one by one on his shoulders, charging through the shallow sea and sand under the direction of the third sister and the youngest.
"Second brother, I want ice cream!"
"Alright, alright, ice cream!" Ji Jue readily agreed, looking at the animal-shaped ice creams in the freezer, "How about the kitty one?"
"Alright!"
"Me too, me too!" The third sister raised her hand, "I want the little shark!"
Then, kitty ice cream versus little shark.
Kitty lost its head, little shark lost its head too.
The sea breeze echoed from afar.
After who knows how long, the dazzling sun gradually set in the west, a spreading orange-red hue appeared on the green sky, countless golden dots danced on the waves, like countless fish.
The sunset was beautiful.
This was the best value.
(End of Chapter)