Lin Yuan's Whisper

Zhang Yan's first reaction upon learning that Musk was going to give Lin Yuan shares was to refuse.

Because once Lin Yuan accepted Musk's shares, it would be equivalent to labeling him as an open-minded individual to the outside world. In the eyes of the public, he would become someone with significant financial ties to overseas capital.

In the current environment of Dragon Country, this naturally wouldn't cause any major trouble. After all, globalization has been Dragon Country's national policy for the past few decades, and it will be a long-term national policy in the foreseeable future.

So, there would naturally be no problem with Lin Yuan being labeled as a globalized open-minded person.

However, Zhang Yan's background determined that she understood many things. She knew very clearly, "Brother, once you put this label on yourself, you will have no hope for an official career. Even if you could embark on an official career one day, your ceiling would only be in the ZhengXie."

"After being labeled this way, at most you'll be a 'friendly person,' and it's almost impossible to follow a normal official path."

How could Lin Yuan not understand?

The open-minded faction, due to their extensive financial ties with overseas entities, cannot be truly trusted.

"I know," Lin Yuan's tone was very relaxed, "So I don't want to be an official anymore. Not being an official can also achieve some of my ambitions; the goal of standardizing the takeout industry is almost realized, isn't it?

Actually, it's freer outside, don't you think?"

Zhang Yan was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, "With your talent, you should be able to make greater contributions to the country and the people. If you only stop at the economic field, wouldn't you be buried?"

"Little Zhang, I think I might not be suitable to be a big shot. I think I'm doing quite well as I am now. Doing what I think is right, living a life of my own free will. As for whether I'm buried, it doesn't matter.

I even have a kind of self-deprecating pleasure. Musk gave me a billion US dollars at once, which is pretty good.

If he gave less, others might investigate me. If he gave more, the label on my head would be clear, and I wouldn't need to be investigated. I just have extensive financial ties with foreign capital.

When they don't treat me as one of their own, I actually feel more relaxed.

Sometimes, being a guest is more carefree. Being outside of things, you won't be given too many expectations."

"But don't you think it's a pity? Brother, even I feel sorry for you. How many people dream of such an opportunity? My old man would definitely appreciate you; he'd certainly be willing to give you resources."

Lin Yuan asked a soul-searching question, "Then why did you run away from home in the first place? Wouldn't it have been better to listen to your old man and let him arrange everything?"

Zhang Yan then snapped out of her confusion; she finally remembered that she also disliked that feeling of being unable to control herself.

However, Zhang Yan quickly reacted, "I not only dislike that lack of freedom, but more importantly, I have self-knowledge. I know that even if I tried my hardest, I wouldn't reach the heights of my ancestors.

Since the ceiling is visible, then it's meaningless.

But you are different, Brother. You have infinite possibilities. Don't you want to try?"

Lin Yuan had to re-examine Zhang Yan, "People, it turns out, only when facing things and making choices can their true intentions be revealed. Little Zhang, it turns out you didn't dislike being inside, but rather felt you lacked ability."

Zhang Yan didn't shy away, "Hmm~~, I really hadn't considered this question before. I hadn't thought you were so formidable before, Brother, but now putting myself in your shoes, I've come to re-understand myself. Will this change your opinion of me?"

Zhang Yan sincerely asked Lin Yuan, and Lin Yuan met her gaze. After careful consideration, Lin Yuan spoke solemnly, "No."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because it's quite clear that even you yourself didn't realize you were like this before. More accurately, you've actually always been like this. You were too affluent from a young age, so your life's journey has been overly uneventful. Everything was readily available, you see.

So you instinctively sought excitement. But because you were constrained by your family's upbringing since childhood, you couldn't do anything too outrageous. So you could only secretly cross red lines, privately touching on things you considered exciting.

That's why you've been so unclear with me.

Little Zhang, for you, you really like this unusual kind of excitement. Right?"

Zhang Yan nodded seriously without much thought.

"Then similarly, when faced with the choices I face, it's normal for you to have this view. Because your previous escape was due to your self-perceived lack of ability, not because you thought it wasn't fun in there. I can even say that a fairy like you, who came down from the Heavenly Court, is the one who truly understands how much fun the Heavenly Court is.

But no matter how fun the Heavenly Court is, precisely because you understand its ins and outs so well, you had to stay away from it when your own abilities were insufficient. Because all fun comes with a price.

But when you disregard the lack of ability, when you can bear the cost, or when you are powerful enough not to bear the cost, you remember the mystery and excitement of the Heavenly Court again.

So, Little Zhang. You haven't changed at all.

What has changed is the world around you; you've merely responded to the changes in the world around you.

Therefore, it is I who have changed, not you.

So how could I blame you?"

Zhang Yan listened very attentively to Lin Yuan, "Brother, it's so interesting to be with you. You always speak so eloquently. In my heart, I clearly feel like you're talking nonsense, but I can't find a reason to refute you.

But then again, do you really not want to go up to the heavens and see? Mysterious, chaotic, pure, and insane, it holds all the good and bad of the world.

Even if it's just to enrich our short journey of life, I suggest you definitely go and see."

Lin Yuan was dismissive, "It's a good thing there are no true immortals in this world, and it's a good thing there's no eternal life. Even the most powerful people will die, so I want to live this life freely and unrestrainedly.

If cultivating immortality could grant a long life, then I would immediately kneel before the Heavenly Court, begging the heavens for initiation.

But there is no eternal life in this world.

This truly is the most perfect setting in this world.

'Entropy increase' is irreversible, so everything must wither.

Since that's the case, let's strive to experience the beauty of this world before we turn into a pile of dust."

"ShangZeng? Brother, you're being mystical again."

Zhang Yan clearly didn't understand "entropy increase" and similar concepts, but Lin Yuan didn't intend to explain further.

"In short, the universe's end is GG; everything will end. If there's anything that can still interest me, it's the exploration of the world.

From this point of view, I still very much agree with that scoundrel Musk.

Power and wealth, no matter how they are tossed around, are still just a bunch of carbon-based organisms trapped on a rock in the vast universe, pecking at each other like chickens."

"Brother, let's stop talking. If we keep talking, I'm afraid you'll want to become a monk."