I'll also work hard to conquer the dungeon today.

Chapter 627 [Character Interview] Shui Qi

[New column: Character Interviews, dedicated to summarizing one character; other characters will be added gradually.]

[Interviewee: Shui Qi]

[PS: Because this is a serious interview, it's closely related to the main text, which means there will be less of the silly side stories. The interview requirements are: no lying and no refusing to answer questions.]

Start of text:
[This is a serious interview, so let's skip the jokes. Let's get started. First, please introduce yourself.]
Shui Qi: "We're old friends, so I'll keep it short. My name is Shui Qi, I'm from the Empire, and I'm 110 years old this year, which is 22 years old according to your time conversion. My zodiac sign is a bit complicated using the Imperial calendar, but simply put, I was born on December 31st, a Capricorn. Back in the Empire, I was an intelligence agent in the Crown Prince's secret police unit, and now in the Kingdom, I'm the vice president of the Players' faction's Strategist Association. That's basically all there is to me."

[That's very concise. May I ask if December 31st is your birthdate?]
Shui Qi (silent): "No, I don't have parents. I was created in a laboratory using a simulated uterus. I'm not entirely sure how my birthdate is calculated; it's probably based on the date of successful creation. My genetics are actually classified. I'm a rare semi-silicon-based organism (70% silicon, 30% carbon), which should be apparent from my hair color. Based on my guess, I'm probably also a product of human experimentation..."

(Shui Qi's hair appears black on the surface, but it shimmers with a faint blue light under the sunlight.)
What was your childhood like?
Shui Qi (slightly stunned): "Being isolated in a small room and forced to learn everything I could was quite boring, and there wasn't much to say. Oh well, after all, only the most outstanding people can have names. I do remember that there was a researcher uncle who was in charge of monitoring me who would always secretly bring me contraband chocolates to eat. That's when I started to like chocolates."

[Speaking of which, readers say you're a complex person. How would you describe yourself?]
Shui Qi: "I'm pretentious, insecure, and not someone worth befriending. Sometimes I want something, but when I actually encounter it, I find it troublesome and can't give a full response, so I simply cut off the possibility of taking that step from the beginning. Isn't that too cowardly? I've almost never felt any kindness, so when others are willing to reach out, I choose to back down, afraid of being burned by kindness, afraid of being betrayed again. So I can only hide myself, laughing and pretending not to care about anything. Do you think I would say that? I'm such a perfect, peace-loving person who can get along with anyone, I'm practically perfect in every way, okay? None of the above applies; it's my cousin speaking for me."

[I've heard you like sweets, and I often see you eating chocolate in the stories, giving the impression that you're the first thing that comes to mind when chocolate is mentioned. Is that true?]
Shui Qi: "Because eating sweets releases dopamine, which gives people a feeling of happiness, even if it's just a psychological effect, at least it allows me to experience this fleeting, false happiness. Chocolate, on the other hand, is sweet with a hint of bitterness, which constantly reminds me not to indulge in it. The reason is basically that simple. I'm sorry, it's not that I really like it, it's just a special kind of food that I try to use to numb myself and distract myself. In fact, it's really delicious."

[In the text, you seem to have a lot of bad luck. Do you really think you're unlucky?]
Shui Qi: "The positive side is affirmation, and the negative side is negation. I don't deny that I've had bad luck since I was a child. I had no choice but to change my fate back then. All I could do was make my life better on the basis of bad luck. But apart from that, I don't think I'm really unlucky. At least it allows me to see myself clearly, instead of being one of those pampered children who are deprived of the ability to survive. I think there has never been a luckier moment for me. Dao Lin, shut up and don't say anything."

[In your writing, I often see you come up with unconventional ideas and take actions contrary to those of others. What are your thoughts on this?]
Shui Qi: "It's not exactly a brilliant move. For me, it's the fastest way to resolve things, but for others, it might escalate to a moral level, leading to conflicting opinions. It's just that different perspectives lead to different actions. However, more often than not, I'm testing the other party's attitude and personality to see if they can stick to their ideas under my actions. It's a great opportunity to gather information about them. Watching them fight like dogs is so entertaining, hahaha!"

[The following is a series of questions from readers, one of which is from 'Miss Lianqiao': Wasn't the usurpation due to her strange relationship with Xiao Huo? (These are her exact words)]
Shui Qi (chuckles): "A strange relationship? As far as I know, my feud with Horus only stems from his sudden arrival and taking my position. Besides, I actually prefer manipulating everything from behind the scenes to being the leader. Didn't monarchs in history often face assassination attempts? So, hiding in the shadows is safer, isn't it? I like that cat-and-mouse feeling. My opposition to Horus isn't about usurping the throne, but rather revenge for him taking my place. I've never considered being a leader, because I'm not suited for it. If I lose a single hair because of this, I'll immediately usurp the throne." [Next question, still from 'Miss Lianqiao': If someone gave you flowers, what would you hope they were?]
Shui Qi: "Flowers... well... basically anything except heather will do. Don't give me this just because it's my symbolic flower, it would make me very sad, after all, it's not a plant with a beautiful meaning. I also want to receive some flowers that are more like praise and encouragement, like a bunch of baby's breath, it's simple but beautiful, isn't it? 'I am willing to be a supporting role, to give you a sky full of stars, yet I still feel that all the stars in the sky are not as dazzling as you,' it's probably... sometimes I also want to greedily possess a piece of starlight that belongs only to me. I'm telling the truth here!"

[It's still the same question from 'Miss Forsythia': She said she bought a bunch of purple baby's breath and wanted to give it to you, asking if you wanted it?]
Shui Qi: "I don't want it. Let her keep it herself. Flowers are meant for the right people, and I'm only meant to admire them from afar. Like Pandora's box, it's something that can't be opened. I don't really want to break my principles. There's a gap between what I want and what I can actually have in reality. I don't mind accepting ordinary flowers, but once they're associated with special meaning, it's too heavy for me. I don't deserve to have them. But I can buy them for myself. There are plenty of flower shops in the kingdom."

[Question from 'Echo': If someone likes you, and she is intelligent, obedient, and has no opinions of her own, would you accept her as the only love of your life?]
Shui Qi: "I won't. There are three reasons: First, I'm not worthy of anyone's affection; second, having no independent thought means I won't care, and being too humble doesn't deserve her treatment; third, it's dangerous around me, and even if I were in danger, I wouldn't save her. Wouldn't it be a waste for her to die for someone like me? I don't deserve her treatment. Every girl deserves to be cherished and loved, not wantonly hurt. Since I can't protect and love her, it's better to remain strangers. So, stop asking these kinds of questions. Isn't being alone better?"

[Question from 'Nine Dreams': Do you consider yourself the target of the group's bullying?]
Shui Qi: "The group's punching bag? I'm not. How could I be the group's punching bag? I'm the one who's bullying others."

[A question from 'Nine Dreams': Why are you and Shu Ming sworn enemies?]
Shui Qi: "Nemesis? Actually, not really. In terms of getting along, I think there's no problem with our communication. It's always been the other person who's hostile towards me. How could someone like me, who advocates peaceful coexistence, actively provoke someone else? But... come to think of it, I've always felt that Shu Ming and I are actually the same kind of people, and our views are surprisingly similar in some aspects. I just can't understand why this person is always so stubborn and refuses to admit it. Is it really that hard for him to accept that we're the same kind of people? Is there something wrong with his self-perception? There's a limit to self-deception."

[A question from 'Dispersed': She said that although she is dead, does she still remember her?]
Shui Qi (puzzled): "Who? I can't possibly remember some unimportant people. It doesn't help me at all. And since they're already dead, wouldn't it be a waste of my memory to remember them?"

[Ahem, please be kind to the readers. A question from 'Crazy Hidden': In the latest instance, what are your thoughts on being in the same instance as Ling Tong?]
Shui Qi (hesitantly): "Does it really have to be this way? Well... two people with bad luck can't be happy on the same map. Can we separate the two of us? I think I can still be saved."

[Crazy Hidden: Interview over, you can leave now. Oh right, almost forgot, happy birthday.]
Shui Qi: ... (You put this last???)

Happy birthday, little one!
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(End of this chapter)