"Right, you still have so many things youâre unclear about. Is it worth wasting time on people who donât matter? You know theyâre just spreading baseless rumors without evidence. They have no goals and plenty of time to waste on such trivial matters. Do you have no goals either? If not, set one for yourself now. Second sister is supporting you through school, not so you can waste time discussing irrelevant issues with classmates."
Lin Jiadong thought his second sisterâs words were not quite right, "But theyâre talking about me."
Lin Chuxia asked him seriously, "Why are they talking about you and not someone else? You and Li Youmin both participated in the national math competition. Why is all the talk centered around you and not Li Youmin? Did your teachers praise Li Youmin? What is the principalâs attitude toward him?"
"Li Youmin didnât place, so of course the principal didnât say anything."
"So, being targeted by classmates isnât coincidental, itâs inevitable. Youâve become Ancheng First High Schoolâs top student, placed third in the national math competition, a good student and a role model in the principalâs eyes. Jiadong, never underestimate human nature, and donât overestimate it either. Xunzi said, âHuman nature is originally evil.â From being inexplicably drawn into a case of a lost watch in the capital, to being targeted by classmates back at school, havenât you wondered why? Who would go out of their way to target you? Because your excellence poses a threat to others, or itâs just pure jealousy. If you let those rumors affect your studies, youâve fallen into their trap again."
Seeing her naive brother finally understanding, Lin Chuxia continued, "Your primary purpose in school is to study. We act righteously, with a clear conscience, so why care what others think? Focus on your studiesâstrength is the hard truth, the sword that conquers all evils. Dignity resides only on the bladeâs edge."
Dignity resides only on the bladeâs edge!
As these words were spoken, Lin Jiadong lifted his head. His eyes shifted from complex to resolute, and he nodded heavily, "Second sister, I get it now."
"What do you get?" Lin Chuxia asked with a smile.
"I shouldnât let those rumors affect my mindset, and I shouldnât have taken time off to clear my head over such trivial matters. I suspect the rumors came from Li Youmin. I didnât even have the courage to ask him why he did it. Iâve always considered him a friend, but now I realize thereâs no need to question him. What could it be other than jealousy? Let him be consumed by it. Iâll study harder so he canât even reach me, and others who follow rumors havenât even seen things themselves, such character isnât worth my concern."
Lin Chuxia nodded. Her naive brother, although simple-minded, was obedient and salvageable.
"Though youâve done many things you shouldnât have, you did the right thing by coming to me. Speak more to your second sister in the future, donât keep things bottled up."
Lin Jiadong nodded once again, heavily.
He truly opened up this time, the clouded thoughts he held before coming had cleared.
Looking at his second sister, his heart filled with admiration.
How does Second Sister manage to see things so clearly? No wonder she can do business and make money. Compared to Second Sister, his brain is like a pigâs, easily led astray, boarding a thiefâs ship without realizing.
It seems that in the future, he should talk to Second Sister more when problems arise.
However...
"Second Sister, did you misspeak earlier? Isnât it âHuman nature is originally goodâ?"
Lin Chuxia looked at him and asked a question instead of answering, "Do you think human nature is good or evil?"
Here it comes, again.
Lin Jiadong found that every time his second sister asked him soul-searching questions, it turned his pre-existing notions upside down.
But this time, he didnât know from what angle his second sister would persuade him, maybe even overturn the words of the ancients.
He was somewhat looking forward to it.
"Isnât it, good for the most part?" he ventured.
Lin Chuxia didnât insist on this point, as it was inherently a paradox.
She went on directly, "The instinct of animals is self-benefit, and self-benefit inevitably harms others. In dire situations, oneâs inherent evil is more likely to show. Humans, as higher beings, only manage to suppress evil thoughts through rigorous social training. If personal interests are threatened or harmed, inherent evil will suppress acquired goodness. Human nature is originally evil; education guides it toward goodness, and the law is merely the bottom line."
Qin Yang entered from outside and happened to hear the little womanâs words, "Human nature is evil, the goodness is imitated. Nowadays, human nature desires benefits at birth. By following this, contention arises, and courtesy vanishes."
Lin Chuxia smiled slightly, "You know this too?"
"Yes, Xunziâs âChapter on Evil Nature,â" he turned his head to look at Lin Jiadong as well, "Your sisterâs point isnât to make you view people as evil, but to have a cautious heart and not to take to heart the evils brought by those around you."
"Got it, brother-in-law, I will."
Qin Yang had been spending more time with Lin Jiadong recently and understood why his wife avoided the Lin Family but was wholeheartedly good to this brother.
This boy was straightforward and grateful, truly different from the Lin Family.
"Since youâre in the city, spend some time with your sister. Iâm heading to work."
"I will, brother-in-law, take care on the road."
After Qin Yang left, Lin Jiadong regained his spirits, different from his previously despondent self, chatting and laughing with Lin Chuxia.
Especially regarding his experiences in the capital.
At that time, the watch incident hadnât spiraled yet. He believed he hadnât taken it and didnât think much about it, so he was quite happy during the two days in the capital.
"Second sister, I want to go to Capital University in the future. They say itâs the university all students dream of attending. I want to go too, though Iâm not sure if I can get in."
"As long as you try hard, even if you donât get in, thereâll be no regrets."
"Yes, second sister, youâre right," Lin Jiadong glanced at the time, "I should head back. I took leave to come here, and Iâve missed a lot of classes today and the last couple of days. I need to review them."
After chatting with his second sister, Lin Jiadong felt he had been foolish the past few days. Why should he care about what others said? He didnât take the teacherâs watch; truth speaks for itself, yet he wavered first.
If only he had sought out Second Sister sooner, even a phone call would have been good.
Lin Chuxia stopped him, "Wait a minute, Iâll find someone to drive you back."
Lin Chuxia thought for a moment and called Jia Liang over.
Once he arrived, she handed him the receipt for the watch she had bought for Lin Jiadong.
The watch was bought at the Peopleâs Mall, and the receipts were official ones.