Professor Xie, isn't this a case of forcing customers to buy products that don't match the

"...Is it too late for me to get off now?"

The words were spoken very softly, almost in a whisper, but Xie Jing heard them.

He turned his head sharply, his gaze instantly locking onto Shang Song.

Those eyes, which were always calm and serene, suddenly shattered like water ripped by a boulder, clearly showing astonishment, followed by confusion, and finally, shrinking into a somber, dark color.

get off?

Will Shang Song leave him again because of these things?

Because of the person behind him, do you want to leave him again?

He doesn't like it this way.

dislike it very much.

The air inside the carriage seemed to freeze, so heavy that it was hard to breathe.

Xie Jing stared at Shang Song with a frighteningly deep gaze, as if questioning him or confirming something.

Shang Song felt uneasy under his gaze.

He quickly waved his hand, forcing a stiff smile:

"Just kidding! Haha... I was just startled, I just said it offhand! Xie Jing, don't take it seriously!"

He tried to sound relaxed, attempting to salvage the situation, "I won't get off! I definitely won't get off! This bus is so comfortable!"

Xie Jing continued to look at him with that somber gaze for several seconds, until Shang Song's fake smile was almost crumbling, before he finally spoke:

"The Xie family's legacy is the result of generations of ancestors' hard work, accumulating and passing it down bit by bit. Some things are responsibilities, old things that need to be cared for, maintained, and passed on."

"I was born and raised in the Xie family. As the head of the family in this generation, it is my inherent and inescapable responsibility to take over, take care of, and pass on these responsibilities."

"They are a part of me, inseparable."

Those vast empires and responsibilities were indeed inextricably linked to him, inseparable from his very being.

In fact, it was something he had to pay a terrible price to preserve.

What a terrible price to pay.

The trauma was so profound that even as he approached thirty, he still lived in its shadow.

A more complex undercurrent surged in his eyes, and his voice became somewhat hoarse.

"But, Shang Song..."

"I am Xie Jing."

"Leaving aside my identity as the 'Head of the Xie Family,' I am more of a..."

What kind of person is he?

A person who is tormented by old resentments, and who needs to exhaust his energy to adapt even to touching his lover?

He couldn't continue, so he turned his face away.

The corners of her eyes involuntarily reddened.

Looking at him like this, Shang Song had only one thought flashing through her mind: I deserve to die!

This always cold, unyielding piece of wood, with the face of a top-tier human male, became so agitated that his eyes turned red at the corners of his eyes because of a thoughtless remark.

Anyone would be confused by this!

Shang Song took a deep breath, loosened his grip on the crushed popcorn bucket, and let it roll to his feet.

Then, he reached out and carefully, once again, used his little finger to gently hook Xie Jing's little finger, which was now clenched into a fist.

The cool sensation on his skin from her fingertips made Shang Song's heart soften, yet also feel a pang of bitterness.

He hooked his little finger around his finger and shook it gently, as if in a silent gesture of reassurance and apology.

Then, he leaned closer, looked into Xie Jing's uneasy eyes, and tried to force a reassuring smile.

"Okay, okay..."

His voice softened, as if he were coaxing someone, or even pleading. His eyes crinkled into a smile. "Don't make it sound like I'm bullying you again. Thank you, Master."

He deliberately used the title "Master Xie" and then gently hooked his fingertip.

"I didn't think straight just now, I was scared and talked nonsense." He looked at Xie Jing's slightly calmer expression, and his tone became more serious: "I'm not getting off the bus. We agreed to give it a try, and we agreed to go home for the New Year, and I won't go back on my word."

Xie Jing's long eyelashes trembled slightly for a moment, then lowered halfway and nodded almost imperceptibly, as if accepting Shang Song's apology.

Seeing Xie Jing's expression, Shang Song thought he should try to coax him a little more, so he unconsciously moved closer to Xie Jing and asked:

"But Xie Jing, doesn't your Xie family have a lot of rules?"

"What I mean is, did you have to learn how to manage those things from a young age... uh, mines and investments and stuff? Are all the other members of the Xie family like that?"

Xie Jing seemed taken aback by his sudden change in attitude and question. The unease in his eyes was replaced by a sense of bewilderment. He seemed unaccustomed to Shang Song's sudden shift in attitude, from panic and retreat to curious inquiry.

But he could feel the warmth of Shang Song's fingertips and the comforting meaning in his words.

He paused for a few seconds before responding:

"...It depends on each person's talent and the responsibilities they will bear in the future," he said slowly. "Not everyone has to manage specific matters; it also depends on each person's interests and pursuits."

He paused, seemingly feeling that the answer wasn't specific enough, or perhaps hoping Shang Song could understand him better. He looked at Shang Song and continued:

"For a large number of people, in addition to the classics, history, philosophy and literature, they also need to be proficient in several languages, laws, and even geopolitical situations and games."

"The more extensive one's business, the more one needs to have a strategic vision in mind, so that one is not easily deceived by others and can effectively manage those below."

He spoke calmly, but to Shang Song, it automatically conjured up this image:

A young Xie Jing might sit in a spacious and quiet place like Xishan, facing not cartoons and toys, but thick classics, foreign language books, and brick-thick legal articles... learning how to become a qualified heir.

Shang Song couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "My God... how much did you have to learn since you were little... all just to manage the family business?"

The shifting light and shadow outside the window illuminated Xie Jing's profile, revealing a subtle, elusive glint in his eyes.

Instead of answering Shang Song's question directly, he cast his gaze into the distant void, as if he could see the past, present, and future of endless time.

His gaze was distant, carrying a desolation beyond his years.

"The Xie family has accumulated this fortune through generations; money is not the goal."

"There are some things that need to be relied upon in order to be passed down and not lose their roots."

Some things... shouldn't be severed from their roots?

Shang Song's heart skipped a beat. He recalled Xie Jing's complete concentration when restoring ancient books, and the vast sea of ​​books in Xie Jing's study...

Could it be that... the real purpose of those enormous industries and wealth is to protect those things?

He wanted to ask again, but Xie Jing had already withdrawn his gaze and looked at him again, his eyes darkening, as if recalling some past events:

"Not everyone thinks that way."

"I have a cousin who used to be... lively and not very interested in these old books and objects. His father, my second uncle, and his branch of the family wanted to turn the Xie family into a top conglomerate."

Shang Song naturally followed up with, "And then what happened? Did you have different ideas and fall out?"

Xie Jing gave Shang Song a deep look, then, without any emotion, as if stating a given fact:

"He is no longer a member of the Xie family."

Shang Song: "...???"

He was stunned, and stammered, "No, no longer a member of the Xie family? Because of differing opinions?... They kicked me out?!"