Volume 1 Chapter 89 "Tragic Hero" The Truth First Update

  Due to frequent visits, the boss who can be considered as an old friend, brought out two cups of red bean sago dessert which is one of the most expensive dishes in the store, and also a signature dish. For Ximen Qinglai who was used to eating mountain delicacies and seafood, this kind of food naturally didn't count for much, but occasionally eating these small meals can also be considered as a way of life.

  "This cup was given by you, I won't pay for it."

  Yè Yī Zhé reminded him as his boss turned and left.

  Wang Peng had no choice but to say straightforwardly, "Consider it my treat, but you're always so stingy in front of your friends, aren't you, friend?"

  "Right, he called me over to have a couple of drinks, I thought we were going out for a drink, but who would have thought that he tricked me into coming here just to have milk tea, and on top of that, the boss has to foot the bill, it's really not right."

  The boss smiled and shook his head, continuing to work. Although there were not many customers in the store at this time, it was not a small number either. When there were more people, they would naturally hire temporary workers. He didn't lack the money to buy milk tea, it was just a hobby for him. As he had said to Ye Yizhe before, he had already passed the age of pursuing material things and now only wanted to own this moment in front of him.

  Ye Yizhe deeply identifies with his boss's mindset, just like him, who has experienced the ups and downs of life, ultimately settling into a calm and peaceful state. Although he lightly mentioned his ten-year relationship with Li Yuqing, Ye Yizhe believes that those ten years were not easy, and the twists and turns they went through are countless, in order to finally achieve such serenity.

  The boss also agrees with Ye Yizhe. In his view, young people like Ye Yizhe are rarely seen. Most people are blinded by materialism and vanity, and they don't know what they're doing or thinking. This is not the case with Ye Yizhe, who has a calmness similar to his own, and in some cases, even more insightful than him.

  So the two people became friends regardless of age, and Ye Yizhe also came here frequently. If there were things that couldn't be figured out, they would be discussed directly, and if it wasn't convenient to talk about them, they would seek advice in another way.

  "This place is a large-scale specialty store, and I wouldn't even bring ordinary people here. You're blessed without knowing it." Ye Yizhe couldn't help but look down on the two of them for belittling themselves, "How about this? The milk tea here isn't made with those low-quality creamers, the tea water is all made from the boss and his wife's own high-grade tea leaves that they personally grind and brew. The milk is also fresh cow's milk. Although the taste may not be much different, the value is completely different. Ordinary people can't tell the difference just by looking at the price, which is the same as outside. But I know, even if it looks like there's no difference, in reality, it's a world of difference. Even if it's two or three times more expensive than outside, I'd still buy it here. I'm too familiar with this store's process."

  Ximen took a couple of sips, carefully savored the flavor in his mouth before nodding: "Indeed, if you drink it carefully, there is still a difference. The rich milk aroma can't be faked, and the tea leaves are also high-quality red tea. This boss really has heart, it's just a pity."

  "Huh? What a pity?" Ye Yizhe put down his cup and asked in puzzlement.

  "It's a pity that if he didn't open it here, somewhere else, relying on this craftsmanship, not to mention getting rich, but becoming a brand is also possible. The school has a fixed population after all, and the vision is still a bit narrow." Ximen Ganglie couldn't help but sigh, for him, everything had a way to be linked to benefits, he firmly believed that if he were to operate this store, it would definitely not be on this scale now, it could open branches and chain stores, and wouldn't be like now, just the boss and his wife busy in this small space.

  "You're wrong," Ye Yizhe corrected. "For some people, money is not as good as spiritual joy."

  Ximen suddenly looked stunned and said with a hint of self-mockery: "It's me who thought everyone was too realistic, forgetting that there are still ideals and dreams."

  "It is reality that has made us this way."

  Ye Yizhe also echoed the way, in today's society, how many people still remember the beautiful things they used to pursue, and how many people still remember their original dreams. Ye Yizhe liked a song very much, the lyrics of which sang, "Have our original wishes come true? Now it's only good for sacrifice? As the years go by, ideals wither away, and I can no longer find the real me."

  Are we not all in constant pursuit, yet forgetting where we are headed?

  "I'm different from you." Ximen Ganglie saw the thoughts in Ye Yizhe's mind, his thoughts floated to a very long time ago, and he said calmly, "This thing called dreams, I've never had one. If at the age of four or five, I accidentally saw a police officer on TV who was somewhat handsome when no one was paying attention, and I had a sudden urge to be a police officer, that doesn't count."

  Ye Yizhe was taken aback, recalling how he used to secretly watch TV as a child. He thought about what his childhood was like, and then looked at Xi Men's calm face, which seemed to show no signs of sadness. His mind wandered to Xiao Yu Ling and others, including Mu Zi Xian, and he looked at Xi Men with understanding: "You're actually very tired of living too."

  Ximen suddenly shook his head and smiled, saying: "When I was born, I ran a bit faster than others and entered an unusual family. Naturally, I have to pay more for myself to be worthy of this society. To be honest, you may not believe me, but I've never thought I'm superior to others. Even when I see a beggar on the street, sometimes I'll squat down and chat with him, asking about his well-being. What they lack most is not money, but respect. If we strip away that layer of luxurious clothing, our nature is no different from theirs. We don't have anything more than them, nor do they have anything less than us. If someone gains more from this society without thinking of giving back, then that person doesn't deserve to be called human. These contributions aren't charity, but the most basic form of gratitude. Who knows, everything you have now might have been lost by that beggar in front of you."

  He paused for a moment, then added: "Of course, those are the beggars who don't have any ulterior motives. The ones who come out to swindle money can be spotted at a glance. Those who deceive others will eventually get their retribution. This is different from the cunning and deception in business circles. This is outright fraud."

  Ye Yizhe nodded in understanding. If all the wealthy people had thoughts like Simen Lie's, then there wouldn't be so many contradictions in this society and it would have been peaceful long ago.

  "Let's not talk about those sentimental things, after all, everyone has a different mission in this society and can't be generalized. Tell me about yourself, I think your story must be much more interesting. A high school student who scored full marks on the college entrance exam, and is also a disciple of Yang Zhen, the living Buddha from Qinghai Province?" Ximen Ganglie took two bites of the red bean dessert given by his boss, chewed for a moment, and said, "This stuff really tastes good. If I put it on the table of a five-star hotel, I guarantee that even if we sell just one small bowl for hundreds of dollars, people will still buy it."

  Seeing Ximen Ganglie's sudden gluttonous appearance, Ye Yizhe burst out laughing. He naturally knew that the food here was very good, otherwise it wouldn't have attracted so many people. Especially for those who were sent to school, not many people could afford to eat like this. Putting it in a five-star hotel? He had never thought of it before, but after hearing him say it, he thought it was indeed the case. His feelings towards Wang Peng and Li Yuqing deepened, this is what true humility is, only oneself looks calm on the surface, but still struggling in society, self-mockingly said to Ximen Ganglie: "What's different from you? Maybe just a bit more playful than you." Unaware of his parents, one loving teacher mother, one strict but infinitely kind teacher father, and a playmate who grew up together, most of the time being called by the teacher to read Buddhist scriptures, also following a cruel teacher to learn poetry and songs. Compared to your childhood, there wasn't much difference, only one advantage was that such things happened in childhood.

  "Nature is different." Ximen Ganglie softly retorted, but didn't continue speaking, apparently not wanting to mention too much about the past. He changed the subject and said, "This time you've really become a thorn in the eyes of Hu Qing and Yan Da."

  "Huh?"

  "There's usually an academic exchange every year, but it wasn't supposed to be this time, it was supposed to be in March when spring begins. This year's sudden change is all because of you," Ximen Ganglie explained, seeing that Ye Yizhe didn't seem to understand the situation. "The school leaders wanted to see what kind of person you are, who refused their invitation, so they exaggerated your abilities in front of these people, making everyone feel like they're under attack. That's why there was that scene earlier. You refuted them and hurt their pride, do you think you'll be attacked by them when you go to Yanjing University next time? I also wanted to see what kind of person you are, so I followed them here."

  "Academic exchange? The annual academic exchange?" Ye Yizhe repeated the sentence, then suddenly thought of something and quickly asked, "Shouldn't this have been notified a long time ago?"

  "What's wrong?" Ximen Lie asked puzzledly, seeing Ye Yizhe's solemn face.

  Ye Yizhe shook his head and said "nothing", but in his heart, he scolded the old principal severely. The news that had been available for a long time was suddenly notified to him, and it seemed that he had planned to sell himself out for a long time.

  The Ximen in front of him was fierce, obviously following these people to join the excitement. Although he didn't want to say much about his family background, how could Ye Yizhe not guess his origin? Surname Ximen? How many Ximen families in Huaxia can cultivate such a descendant?

  Huaxia Business Alliance eight major families, Ye Yizhe had only seen the Mu and Gong Sun families in Jiangzhou, but now, this Ximen family from Yanjing finally revealed a corner of the iceberg in front of Ye Yizhe.