Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 2549 What Should People Live For? (Third Update, Please Subscribe)

"Why isn't it possible?"

Faced with Gong Xue's surprise, Shen Jiaming seemed to be used to it; he was used to other people's doubts, or rather, their surprise.

He took a sip of coffee, then shrugged and said:

"Although my father was an ordinary worker and my mother was a housewife, they still raised six children. Of my six siblings, three of them, besides me, went to university, and my eldest brother is even a doctor."

When talking about all this, Shen Jiaming's tone was very natural, as if he were describing something very ordinary, just the ordinary life of an ordinary person.

But to Gong Xue, it sounded so unbelievable; after all, one can never imagine things one has never seen.

What she heard was something she never even dared to imagine.

"After graduating from university, I joined the Navy. Although the service period is long, it offers the opportunity to travel all over the world. That's why I chose the Navy, because I've had a dream since I was a child: to travel around the world."

As for expenses, besides my usual savings, I receive a monthly allowance of 500 yuan for each month of service, a navigation allowance for going to sea, and an overseas allowance for going abroad. Moreover, after three years of service, the military gives me several thousand yuan in retirement pay, which is enough for me to travel around the world..."

When these allowances were mentioned, Shen Jiaming smiled; the military had always been very generous in this regard. It was precisely because of this that he had the means to see the world.

"Well, actually I can also participate in the military's education assistance program to continue my studies, of course, it depends on my personal needs..."

Hearing his introduction, Gong Xue became even more surprised. Looking at the man in front of her, who was a few months younger than her, she said:

"You mean you can still go to university? Didn't you already graduate?"

Gong Xue wasn't curious about his monthly allowance of 500 yuan during his military service, or the many other allowances he received; rather, she was curious that he could still pursue further education. He was already in university, did he really need to continue his studies?

"I'm considering graduate studies. I have a senior colleague who got his doctorate with military funding. However, I prefer something else to research. In fact, I've been thinking about what I should do for the past few years."

After a brief pause, Shen Jiaming continued:
"In fact, this is a question that everyone should and must think about: Just as you said, on the vast border, under the cold starry sky, soldiers spend more time talking to their own hearts, examining themselves again and again: What kind of life do I want to have?"
These are questions that every generation of young people ponders, but in many countries, young people don't have the opportunity to stop and reflect. They are either forced by the pressures of life or their studies, and end up choosing a path without fully understanding what's going on.

In SEA, people often quote Li Yi'an's words unintentionally; after all, with so many speeches, there are bound to be some classic quotes.

"Either they were forced by circumstances, or they were forced by their studies..."

As she murmured these words, Gong Xue deeply felt their weight—choice. She realized that the reason why the man in front of her had a different aura was fundamentally because they always seemed to have choices.

When they are in high school, they can choose to become workers or continue on the path of further education. After they become adults, they think about life again and then make another choice.

As for basic necessities like firewood, rice, oil, and salt, they were completely outside their consideration.

Looking up at Gong Xue in front of him, Shen Jiaming asked in return:

"By the way, Gong Xue, have you ever thought about what kind of life you should have? I mean, outside of being a stage actress..."

Faced with this question, Gong Xue remained silent for a long time before finally speaking:

“We…you…we are truly different. You never need to worry about making a living, but we…”

She looked out the window, her brow furrowed slightly, and said:

"We always need to live."

As she said those words, she also had a question in her mind—what kind of life do I really want to have?

Faced with this problem, Gong Xue realized that what bothered her now was not the oppressive attic, but that she... didn't know!

Or rather, she didn't know what kind of life she wanted to have.

And so, without anyone noticing, the atmosphere gradually changed, and this change was none other than a question.

Questions about the future.

"Life... if it's just about living, then what's the difference between that and being a walking corpse?"

Looking at the woman in front of him, although she was beautiful and seemed to be in a good position, for some reason, every time he came here, whether he was interacting with officials in the sleeper car or with ordinary people, Shen Jiaming would feel secretly fortunate.

What was he grateful for?
It was their father who took their mother and older brother to SEA, and their choice fundamentally changed the fate of the siblings.

Although he had been in this country for a month, he was still attracted by its mountains and rivers and captivated by its ancient scenery.

However, Shen Jiaming felt mostly relieved!
Because of his father's choices, he had more options. This also made his fate completely different from those of others, including Gong Xue in front of him.

Although her looks are no worse than many female celebrities, and she may even be a few points prettier, so what?

"The Walking Dead..."

Gong Xue pursed her lips, shook her head, and said:
"How could that be? People are always alive."

"They are merely existing."

Shen Jiaming was unaware of the turmoil his words stirred in Gong Xue's heart. She pursed her lips, her brows still furrowed. Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the two of them in its glow, and the air was filled with the faint aroma of coffee, but more than anything, a strange feeling lingered.

They didn't know how long they talked, and when they realized that time had passed, they found out that it was already noon.

Since it's noon, let's have lunch!
Gong Xue felt a mix of emotions during lunch, not because the food was bad, but because she had something on her mind.

By the time she left the restaurant, it was already afternoon. There were many pedestrians on the street, but she was absent-minded.

She never knew that a few words from others could stir up such waves in her heart.

At this moment, what she envied was no longer Shen Jiaming's living conditions, but something else, something she had never had, or even thought about.

But that kind of thing was even more unattainable than a better life, and just thinking about it made her feel extremely depressed.

She looked up at the sky. In the past, when she was upset, she would always do this. Looking at the blue sky and white clouds would make her feel better. But today was different.

The sky is incredibly blue today, unbelievably blue.

But the sky was so blue it was unsettling, as if you could see the end of your life just by looking up.

Over the next few days, Gong Xue, as a friend, became a guide, showing Shen Jiaming around Shanghai. They went to many places and talked a lot.

Most of the time, Gong Xue was a listener, listening to Shen Jiaming talk about the outside world. Of course, they also took many photos, but Gong Xue in the photos always seemed to be thinking.

However, easy and carefree days are always short-lived.

Although the family visit leave was not yet over, a sudden telegram shattered the peaceful days.

It was a telegram from the regiment, ordering her to immediately end her leave and return to the regiment to report. The sudden telegram interrupted everything. When Gong Xue and Zhang Li arrived at the train station to buy tickets, they found that the station was full of soldiers in uniform.

There were officers and soldiers, all lined up anxiously, having received a telegram from the army ordering them to end their leave immediately, go to the train station, buy tickets, and return to their unit.

Although no one knew what had happened, everyone knew that something big had definitely occurred!
"Something must have happened!"

Zhang Li looked around nervously.

Then they lined up to buy tickets. In order to speed up the ticket sales, all the ticket windows were temporarily closed, and only military personnel were allowed to queue, since military personnel have priority.

Even so, the queue was still very long.

While waiting in line, Gong Xue seemed to have thought of something.

"Xiaoli, can you guys help me rule this out while I make a phone call?"

Gong Xue hurriedly went to a public phone booth, then dialed the number for the Peace Hotel. After the call was connected, she heard Shen Jiaming's voice and told him that her vacation was over.

"Your train is today? That's so soon! Can I see you off?"

Hearing Shen Jiaming's voice, Gong Xue shook her head repeatedly and said:

"No, I need to leave anytime. I don't know when the car will arrive, Jiaming, I, I..."

Hesitant and breathless with nervousness, Gong Xue thought for a moment and then said:

"I will think about that problem."

Upon hearing the voice on the other end of the phone, Shen Jiaming was first taken aback, and then he heard Gong Xue say:

"I don't know what kind of life I should have, but I know this is not the life I want."

As she said these words, Gong Xue finally breathed a sigh of relief, as if she had made a major decision.

"Xiaoxue, I hope that when we meet again, you will have found your own path in life!"

Hearing the blessings, Gong Xue felt a sense of relief.

There was no excitement, no nervousness; in an instant, only relief filled her heart, as if she had finally breathed a sigh of relief. She nodded repeatedly and said:
"Yes, yes, I also hope... if you have time, you can write to me..."

After hanging up the phone, Gong Xue still had tears in her eyes, but a smile on her face. At that moment, she felt that everything had changed.

Looking at her comrades with solemn expressions at the train station, although she didn't know what had happened, her heart was still filled with a certain hope.

Finally, after buying the tickets, while her comrades were anxiously discussing what might happen, she looked up at the sky once again.

The sky is very blue today, a clear and transparent blue.

But unlike that day, today's blue sky brings a sense of peace, as if looking up reveals countless future possibilities.

Gong Xue just sat there grinning foolishly, while Zhang Li and the others looked at her with some confusion; she seemed different from before.

(End of this chapter)