If cattle and horses knew they would never rise above their station in life, would they still plow the fields diligently and without complaint?
The tis have changed, and today’s world is indeed different from Shi Zhenhua’s era. The days when one could rise to the top with courage and hard work, as long as they survived, are gone forever.
In so ways, Song Chaoge is indeed speaking the truth of reality.
Are people today not working hard enough?
No.
They are no less industrious than the previous generations.
Yet while the predecessors could achieve social mobility and create wealth myths, now all efforts seem to beco a catalyst for internal friction and overcompetition.
The harder you work, it seems, does not bring the desired beautiful life, but rather, more hardship.
The harder you work, the more it seems to push the nine-to-five model towards 996 or even 007 schedules.
But the world cannot be reversed, one still has to live.
So don’t make things difficult for yourself.
If the surroundings are pitch dark, you have to light a candle for yourself.
People always need a little hope, even if it is self-deceptive.
If I hadn’t been chosen by the flattering dog system, where would I be at this mont?
Looking at the fully occupied Apang Palace, Jiang Chen couldn’t help but think once more.
No surprises there.
I would likely be one of the cattle or horses.
Just like Song Chaoge said before leaving, there shouldn’t be any unrealistic fantasies.
Graduating from East Sea University, in terms of academic credentials, it is enough to surpass 90% of people, but that doesn’t an one can rise to prominence.
At least.
It would not be easy to settle down in a city like Kyoto.
So Boss Jiang never considered himself extraordinarily talented, nor did he think he was destined for greatness. He knows the reality of this world, thus he understands his own ordinariness.
— It is precisely this clarity that allows him to remain true to himself, consistently.
Why do people easily lose direction?
Because they always forget where they started from.
Logically speaking, with Comrade Jiang Chen’s current assets, a bottle of 72-year-old Macallan is just a drop in the ocean, yet he still went Dutch with Song Chaoge.
Why?
The nouveau riche ntality must be avoided.
And Song Chaoge, who started off very differently, clearly didn’t manage money this frugally. When leaving, nearly half of the almost two-million-yuan worth of wine was left undrunk.
Jiang Chen drank alone, savoring the performance on stage. Returning from a war-torn land of gunfire to his holand, though there was no need to adjust to ti differences, he needed to adapt.
Just as Boss Jiang was relaxing alone, soone suddenly sat down uninvited.
It was not just without a word.
She even proactively picked up that bottle of 72-year-old Macallan and poured herself a drink.
Yes.
The uninvited guest was a woman, and a rather beautiful one by the standard of public opinion.
Long hair flowing.
A black and gold houndstooth Chanel-style jacket.
A white long-sleeved turtleneck base shirt.
Straight wide-leg pants.
Simplicity with a touch of sophistication.
A delicate and small nose, an oval face the size of a palm, making her eyes appear particularly large, and with the effect of makeup... A woman like this approaching a man actively in a nightlife venue would likely not be rejected.
Of course.
"Likely" does not an 100%.
Everyone knows Boss Jiang is sowhat eccentric, never following the crowd, whether in school or now. Moreover, although this woman is pretty, she does not fit Boss Jiang’s aesthetic.
No other reason.
— Too much technological enhancent.
Everyone has the right to pursue beauty, and Boss Jiang respects this, but respect is just respect.
In contrast, he more appreciates the natural and untouched beauty.
The highly technological beauty truly treated Boss Jiang like air, not fearing whether there was anything wrong with the wine, she drank right after pouring half a glass, seemingly in not so good a mood.
Being a gentleman naturally, especially since it was in his own venue, even if the other person did not et his aesthetics, he did not speak ill words, just acted as if nothing happened, glanced at her, then redirected his attention to the stage.
"What wine is this?"
The beauty, who seemingly invested quite a bit in herself, asked.
The visions of people vary greatly.
The 72-year-old Macallan, seldom seen in the market, is unrecognizable to most, even seasoned nightlife veterans.
"Whiskey."
Jiang Chen replied simply, at the sa ti lifting his glass, fully composed, not seeming to mind that a great beauty sat before him, remaining young yet calm, quite attractive.
Nightlife venues are undoubtedly one of the most likely places for amorous encounters, which is why so many n and won favor them, but Apang Palace is an exception.
As a top venue in Kyoto, the won who co to spend here are generally not ordinary folks, with here offering slim chances for unexpected romantic blessings.
Boss Jiang doesn’t think his charm is at the level where he can effortlessly attract affluent and attractive won into his embrace by just sitting there.
Being calm at heart, one finds peace.
Moreover, he wasn’t interested in seeking thrill, and even if he was, it wouldn’t be in his own venue.
A boss engaging in such activities in his venue would tarnish his image and break the rules.
"Why is it different from the whiskey I’ve had before?"
The long-haired beauty seed puzzled, holding her glass comfortably familiar with her surroundings, clearly a nightlife regular, as she spoke, she took another sip.
"Whiskey should be rich and full in taste, producing a heated smokiness from the mouth to the nasal cavity."
"Different whiskeys have different flavors."
Jiang Chen remained concise, responding yet seemingly not, with an attitude neither warm nor cold.
"Alone?"
The beauty flicked her hair.
"I had friends, they left."
"Mind if I stay?"
Jiang Chen smiled slightly.
What is use of minding or not?
Miss, you are already seated.
And you are already drinking.
Jiang Chen stayed silent, not even looking directly at her.
Beauties are scarce resources in society, and artificial beauties are no exception.
After all, becoming an artificial beauty requires significant self-investnt.
This lady, with each gesture and word, appeared steeped in didacticism, unlikely to have been neglected like this before. Surely, at the level to spend in Apang Palace, she’s not comparable to lower-tiered, insipid and vulgar.
She didn’t show displeasure or leave imdiately but continued to chat with Jiang Chen.
"Judging by your accent, you’re not from Kyoto, right?"
"No."
Under normal circumstances, after answering, one might naturally ask the other person a question in return, thus opening the conversation, but Boss Jiang did not follow this, only answering without questioning, once again falling into the risk of an awkward silence.
"Have you had enough fun yet?"
A man approached, standing at the table, scolding the artificial beauty in a low voice.
Upon seeing this, Boss Jiang had an epiphany, feeling a bit amused yet helpless.
Indeed.
Where do so many serendipitous romances co from?
He’s not like the young Prince, who, even when cast out from the family, could effortlessly survive on looks alone.
So.
Was I just being used as a tool?
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