Chapter 41: Each with Their Own Thoughts

As Zhou Quanyi approached, he sensed a certain tension between the two. Smiling, he asked, "What's going on with you two? Why so serious?"

Jiang Zheng forced a smile. "It's nothing, maybe we're just a bit tired."

Zhou Quanyi didn't press any further, instead turning with concern to Taolu Na. "Nana, where did you go just now? You suddenly disappeared and wouldn't answer your phone."

Taolu Na replied indifferently, "My phone ran out of battery."

"Next time you go out, make sure it's fully charged. What if it dies again?" Zhou Quanyi said.

"Got it," Taolu Na answered, a touch impatient.

Zhou Quanyi wanted to say more, but Taolu Na interrupted, "Enough, I'm tired today. I'm going to rest." With that, she paid no mind to either of them, turned, and entered the hotel.

Jiang Zheng remained silent throughout, but his gaze toward Zhou Quanyi carried a hint of pity.

Once Taolu Na had disappeared from sight, Jiang Zheng finally spoke. "Boss, I don't think Taolu Na is right for you."

Zhou Quanyi smiled at that. "I know. You two were hiding something from me just now, weren't you?"

Jiang Zheng fell silent.

"Her lie was too perfunctory. You found her, so you must know she was lying. You didn't say anything, so you must've promised her something. Since that's the case, I won't pursue it," Zhou Quanyi said.

"Boss, there are plenty of girls out there. You can find someone who suits you. Taolu Na... really might not be the one." Jiang Zheng said.

He didn't say this because Taolu Na had almost been deceived earlier, but because of her unwavering persistence—her commitment to her dream. For that dream, Taolu Na was willing to give up everything.

Clearly, such a girl was not a good match for Zhou Quanyi.

"Whether someone is suitable... isn't as important as liking them." Zhou Quanyi laughed at himself.

"Boss, why do you like Taolu Na so much?" Jiang Zheng asked.

"Maybe it's her aura, that spirit that refuses to give in," Zhou Quanyi replied, a look of envy crossing his face as he spoke.

Jiang Zheng sighed deeply, saying nothing more.

As outsiders, perhaps they would never truly understand those involved.

The two returned to their room, showered, and Jiang Zheng did some sit-ups and push-ups before lying in bed to sleep.

He tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep, replaying Taolu Na's words from earlier in his mind.

Jiang Zheng had to admit, her words had struck him hard.

They made him think of himself.

Before he had the system, he was just an ordinary person.

Just like Taolu Na, he had no money, no connections, no remarkable talent.

Taolu Na insisted Jiang Zheng couldn't understand, but in truth, he could.

As an ordinary person, it's hard to measure up to others.

Ordinary people do succeed, some even pull off miraculous turnarounds. But behind every success story are countless others still struggling just to get by.

Sometimes, we must admit our own ordinariness.

Back when Jiang Zheng was just another face in the crowd, he never considered shortcuts to success; he still advocated hard work and perseverance.

What truly moved him about Taolu Na's words was how they made him reflect.

Was the system a shortcut?

Although he had to complete tasks, the system granted him temporary skills.

Were these skills shortcuts?

Jiang Zheng thought so.

Whether temporary or permanent, they were both shortcuts.

For instance, now he had superior physical fitness, a naturally gifted singing voice, and could focus with ease. When writing novels, his creativity flowed, his pen danced, and he could write at astonishing speed...

Aren't these all shortcuts to success?

He didn't agree with chasing shortcuts, yet here he was, treading one himself. Did he even have the right to criticize others?

Could he still hold onto his beliefs?

Jiang Zheng was at a loss.

Giving up the system was out of the question. He'd be foolish not to use it; it promised him a more brilliant life.

But using the system meant taking shortcuts, which clashed with his convictions.

For a while, his heart was in turmoil.

He didn't know what to do.

...

Taolu Na picked up her phone, which had been ringing non-stop, and spoke quietly, "Hello, Mom."

"Why haven't you sent this month's money yet?" came a sharp voice from the other end.

"Mom, things are a bit tight for me this month. I'll send it next month," Taolu Na replied.

"Next month!" The voice grew shrill, like a needle piercing deep into Taolu Na's heart.

"I told you before, don't bother with university. What's the point of a girl studying so much? You'd be better off working early, making money for a couple more years. You study all that, and in the end, you're just working to earn money anyway..."

Her mother's endless rant stung deeply, and Taolu Na clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white.

After her tirade, her mother continued, "You're on summer break now, aren't you? I've found you a job at a factory. You'll go work there for two months."

"Mom, I've got things to do, I can't go," Taolu Na said.

"What could you possibly have to do? I'm telling you, you must go to that factory!" her mother shouted angrily.

Taolu Na's chest heaved, words stuck in her throat, unable to come out.

"You stupid girl, did you hear me? Say something!"

Suddenly, Taolu Na hung up, switched off her phone, and tossed it aside. She threw herself onto the bed, covered her head with a blanket, and in the darkness, the tears kept flowing.

...

The next morning, Zhou Quanyi got up early and bought three breakfasts.

"Fourth, hurry up and eat," Zhou Quanyi called.

Jiang Zheng replied absent-mindedly, "Mm, thanks, Boss."

Zhou Quanyi glanced at him, frowning slightly. He thought Jiang Zheng was distracted today, as if burdened by something heavy.

"Take your time eating, I need to bring breakfast to Nana," Zhou Quanyi said.

"Mm," Jiang Zheng replied.

Zhou Quanyi left the room, went to Taolu Na's next door, and knocked.

Soon, the door opened, and Taolu Na's eyes were red and swollen.

"Nana, did you not sleep well?" Zhou Quanyi asked with concern.

"Maybe not. Did you need something?" Taolu Na asked.

"Oh, I brought you breakfast," Zhou Quanyi said, lifting the food in his hand.

Taolu Na looked at him deeply, then said, "Thank you for the breakfast, but please don't bring it again."

Zhou Quanyi was stunned. "Why?"

"Because I don't like it," Taolu Na replied.

The light in Zhou Quanyi's eyes faded instantly. He managed a forced smile. "I understand."