Siheyuan: I am a trader in both worlds!

Chapter 331 The predecessor thought of everything, but never of giving up.
"Rejected? So readily? Aren't you going to reconsider? Think about it, that involves an aircraft carrier battle group, sixth-generation fighter jets, and fourth-generation tanks!"

"You can't buy this even if you have money. It's a super-value item, even in our area it's considered a game-changer! Plus, there's this massive economic aid that's practically like being taken care of!"

"She walks on two legs, and she can walk very steadily and well on both legs! She just refused without hesitation, don't you feel sorry for her?"

Bai Ling and Lao Luo were naturally heartbroken.

It's no exaggeration to say that after saying the word "no," Bai Ling's heart was bleeding with pain!

It seemed as if the word "rejection" had drained away some of his energy and spirit, leaving him looking rather dejected.

But there's nothing we can do. After a century of humiliation, the consensus that the nation has finally reached is there, and the bottom line that must not be crossed is there.

"We can discuss anything, except sovereignty! We can concede anything, except this right to independence and autonomy, which we absolutely cannot relinquish!"

"So, the conditions are very good. But no matter how good they are, it's just not right, it's absolutely not allowed! You should be able to understand that, right?"

Ximen Lang could understand far more than just that.
I can totally empathize with them!
Even now, when he sees news about how the West, led by the United States, has imposed various blockades and strangleholds on future generations, he still can't help but curse them, calling them bastards inhuman.

Therefore, seeing that Bai Ling and Lao Luo were adamant in their attitude, Ximen Lang did not make any more futile attempts.

He simply sighed with deep regret.

"That's a real pity. I was originally thinking of taking this opportunity to wipe out that beast Xiao Rizi and avenge the blood feud from back then. Now that I see it, what a waste."

Then, Ximen Lang put away these feelings.

He then changed the subject and comforted Bai Ling.

"But it's alright, after all, this request is indeed a bit too much to ask, especially for a nation like ours that is hardworking, brave, and has pride flowing in its veins."

This statement truly surprised Bai Ling.

Because she simply couldn't associate the adjective "proud" with them.

So, Bai Ling was extremely surprised and shocked.

"Who? Us? Pride? We're born with pride flowing in our veins? We've only just experienced a century of humiliation, and we almost knelt down just now! You...you must be joking!"

Feeling helpless, heartbroken, and a little inferior, Ximen Lang subconsciously tried to escape and retreat, which made him feel extremely sorry for her.

He pressed Bai Ling's shoulder and straightened her body, which had instinctively turned away, and looked directly into her eyes.

All he could see was sincerity, and only sincerity, Ximen Lang said with unprecedented seriousness.

"But in the end, you still didn't choose to obediently kneel down and let others manipulate you, did you? You yourself admitted it. Even so, many people want to kneel but don't have the chance."

"But what was the result? Others were fighting tooth and nail for your help, yet you refused it without the slightest hesitation. Isn't that arrogance?"

"That's different. This is a matter of sovereignty, a matter of national dignity. Issues of sovereignty cannot be..."

"What about those small countries that fight tooth and nail over these things? Don't they have sovereignty issues too? Are they born with bent knees and no dignity?"

Regarding this point, just look at the South Korean team that Simon Lang finds extremely distasteful in recent years.

Why are they so arrogant? Why are they so shameless?

Isn't it because of their pride, which has clearly surpassed that of their country and their nation? They care about their reputation, they care about it extremely much, and they don't just want to stand up straight and refuse to kneel.

The cruel reality is that he has to kneel down obediently, just like he groveled before us, he has to grovel before the Americans now, and he will have to grovel before us again in the future.

In the past, present, and future, we will always have to live by groveling before others, with not a glimmer of hope of standing up for ourselves.

Anyone would be driven mad by this desperate reality.

Furthermore, should a conflict arise between the University of Tokyo and the Americans, and some unpleasant incident occur, they and Japan would be the perfect, and inevitably the main battleground for the two sides.
Good heavens, besides the endless and hopeless groveling life, there is also the constant threat of death that could lead to their annihilation!

It's like that sword of some kind, always hanging over their heads!

Taking a leap, or even going to extremes, is only natural.

Anyway, they only dare to shout online, but in reality they kneel down very honestly and smoothly.

So let it be noisy.

After all, what adult would argue with a child? Don't you think so?

"Of course, that's a bit of a tangent. Let's get back to the question we were just discussing. You said we just experienced a century of humiliation. Yes, that is indeed infuriating, and even makes us feel utterly powerless."

"But if you look closely at modern history, you will find that our ancestors thought of everything and tried almost every possible way, but they never thought of giving up!"

"Why? Ultimately, it's because our legs aren't strong enough to kneel down! Such great courage and perseverance are unique to us, found nowhere else in the world, or even throughout history!"

"If this isn't pride, tell me what is? This is incredibly proud, girl! You still call yourself a Russian and an American devil!"

"You don't even respect the two superpowers, how much more arrogant do you want to be? Why don't you just fly to the sky?"

He was so dazzling that it was hard to open one's eyes, and his confident demeanor was so infectious that Bai Ling truly loved Ximen Lang to the core.

The humor unique to later generations quickly dispelled Bai Ling's initial emotion, turning her tears into laughter, and she relaxed along with Ximen Lang.

I really feel so ashamed to be moved to tears by that greenhorn Ximen Lang.

Seizing on the loopholes in Ximen Lang's words, Bai Ling spoke bluntly.

"You call the recent generations your ancestors? Well, I'm from the recent era too, so I'm your ancestor as well. Come on, call me Grandma first."

A hilarious joke left Ximen Lang speechless, pointing at the laughing Bai Ling with annoyance, unsure of what to say.

In particular, if we were to calculate according to the generations of later generations, Bai Ling would indeed be her grandmother, or even her great-grandmother!

This put Ximen Lang in an extremely awkward position.

Therefore, it's simply impossible to dwell on this issue any further.

Ximen Lang immediately changed the subject.

"Even if a deal falls through, we can still be friends! Actually, even if you refuse, it's no big deal. We'll still be family, still friends. Most importantly, it will absolutely not hinder our friendship!"

(End of this chapter)