They are still close to me today despite their negative feelings

"Don't worry, I'm completely unserious in other ways~" Her gaze drifted to a certain spot below, and she coquettishly stuck out her tongue to lick her lips, making me awkwardly take a step back.

This guy is still as exhausting as ever as a teammate. The girl's alluring and seductive smile sent chills down my spine.

The environment I live in is truly dire...

[Next chapter preview: "Mom, I guess I still am..."]

"You're paying attention to this too?"

Honestly, Wu Suian really wanted to introduce this girl to his family.

Why worry about myself? I am not alone.

Interlude: The Reason for Becoming a Hero

"You're already an undergraduate at Lucheng University! Why are you still so insistent on going there to study this kind of thing?! Do you really have to follow in your father's footsteps?!"

"Mom, I guess I still am..."

In the next bedroom, my brother and mother are arguing again.

Ever since her brother was about to graduate from university, he and her mother had been arguing non-stop. Wu Yuehua, who was quietly studying in her room, sighed, closed her book, frowned, and opened the door, only to see her brother walking out.

"Ah..." A hint of embarrassment flashed across the boy's handsome face. "Did I disturb you?"

"It is a bit noisy." Wu Yuehua has always been a good student who speaks her mind.

"Uh, I'm sorry, my mom and I will discuss this elsewhere next time," the boy apologized softly.

"It's okay. What are you arguing about? Is it still about your graduate program?"

"Um……"

“Your current major is difficult to get into, but if you’re switching majors, there’s no need to choose that one, right?” Wu Yuehua said seriously.

The boy was slightly taken aback, then laughed and patted Wu Yuehua's head.

"You're paying attention to this too?"

“You and Mom are always arguing, of course I need to find out. Aren’t I a child in this family too?”

Wu Yuehua slapped away her brother's clutches and frowned. The boy scratched his head awkwardly. In his younger sister's eyes, Wu Sui'an, who was very popular outside, was just a somewhat troublesome older brother.

"How could that be? I'm just a little surprised, considering you've been under a lot of pressure with your exams lately."

"If you knew that, you shouldn't have insisted on changing your major at a time like this," Wu Yuehua sighed helplessly. "You've made Mom unhappy, haven't you?"

In Wu Yuehua's memory, after their father passed away, her older brother seemed to mature into a mature adult overnight. While her peers were still complaining about arguing and fighting with their older brothers, Wu Suian, who was only in sixth grade, was already able to pick her up from school when her mother was busy.

That's why she couldn't understand why her brother was still so stubborn.

“We’re all grown up now, and we know how dangerous Dad’s job is, right?” Wu Yuehua sighed. “If you choose this major, not only Mom, but Uncle Zhang, who has always taken care of our family, will also be very disappointed, won’t he?”

Uncle Zhang was my father's comrade-in-arms back then. Over the years, he would always visit our home and help out during holidays. After he started his own family, he often brought his wife and children over. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, they would give out lucky money to him and the two Wu siblings.

The two phrases Wu Yuehua heard most often from that uncle were, "Sister-in-law, my life was saved by my brother. As long as I live, I will protect these two children just like he did." and "Sister-in-law, just let Xiao Sui grow up safely and peacefully, that's all that matters..."

Uncle Zhang is a very strange person. He looks like a resolute adult, and my mother has said that he seems to be some kind of hero. But when he is facing the Wu siblings, he becomes particularly cautious and even a little... overprotective.

Perhaps for him, the brother and sister before him embodied something more important than his own honor and life: a sense of remembrance and responsibility towards his former idols and heroes.

"Although I don't know why Uncle Zhang doesn't want us to be fathers, I don't think he would harm us, right? Uncle Zhang already dotes on you the most; the amount of money he gives you in your red envelopes every year is more than his own son's..."

"Yuehua." Wu Suian called softly, interrupting Wu Yuehua's words.

"what?"

Uncle Zhang has passed away.

……

For Wu Suian, his father is a very vague memory.

When he was little, one day he suddenly missed his father, who was never home, so he pestered his mother to call him.

Unlike usual, when her mother would say things like, "Dad's busy with work, don't bother him easily, wait for him to call us," she hugged Wu Sui'an and patted his back. As she patted him, Wu Sui'an felt his shoulder was cool and wet.

Ah, I see. So this is what they meant in the anime—that they can't come back, right?

At that moment, Wu Sui'an himself didn't expect to be so strong. Perhaps it was the vulnerability and insecurity his mother had never shown him before that made him instantly shoulder his responsibility. Or perhaps it was his younger sister's timid appearance afterward that made him realize he had to be brave.

Or perhaps it's very simple: he's the only boy in the family who can take care of his mother and sister.

Wu Sui'an, who used to occasionally argue with his younger sister, sometimes steal her snacks, sometimes slack off, and even blame his misdeeds on her, has stopped doing those things. "Because she's family," he answers with a smile when friends occasionally ask him why he's so good to his sister.

His friend also had a younger sister, but didn't understand this situation. Wu Sui'an didn't explain either. Some things you only understand their importance after you've lost them. Wu Sui'an didn't want to experience the feeling of losing family again, nor did he want to see his family members cry.

So even though he was somewhat unwilling, he still followed the advice of Uncle Zhang and his mother and chose an ordinary university.

He had a pretty good time in college. He had many friends in clubs and student unions and was trusted by teachers. Uncle Zhang often came with his wife to help with things at home and also tutored Yuehua in her studies. After his father passed away, the strange remittances every month never stopped, so the family's finances were always okay. After choosing this major, he even had the time and energy to date a lovely girlfriend.

Li Wanying was a wonderful girl; in fact, he felt it was a shame she was even good enough for him. Even though he was somewhat stubborn in certain ways, she was willing to silently watch over him with a smile. She and Wu Sui'an might not have been the same in some ways, but they respected each other's differences and shared similar interests.

Honestly, Wu Sui'an really wanted to introduce this girl to his family. Although his family situation was somewhat unusual, he figured it wouldn't be a problem if it was Li Wanying.

That day, just as he had made up his mind to take Li Wanying to meet Wu Yuehua first, a phone call came in. It was Uncle Zhang's wife.

When he heard the news, he felt as if a white fog had exploded in his mind. How to describe it? Compared to sadness and pain, shock and disbelief came first.

How could Uncle Zhang...? He's clearly more cautious and vigilant than anyone else. He often says his life was saved by his father, so he can't die easily; he could retire in a few years...

The internal mourning session was quickly opened after they learned his surname was Wu. He went to Uncle Zhang's wife's side. Uncle's eldest daughter, who was about the same age as Wu Yuehua, sat solemnly next to her mother. Uncle's youngest son, who was still young, began to sob after repeatedly asking where his father was without success, probably influenced by his surroundings.

Wu Sui'an squatted down and gently stroked his youngest son's head without saying a word.

It is said that, in order to protect his teammates, Uncle Zhang shielded a grenade that was suddenly thrown at him by the enemy by shielding it with his own arms.

"Happy New Year."

The haggard-looking wife suddenly spoke to Wu Suian, and the young man quickly replied.

"Auntie, is there anything I can help you with?"

"No... there are some things your Uncle Zhang has been wanting to tell you, but he hasn't had the chance yet."

Uncle Zhang's wife tried hard to keep her voice calm, but she couldn't. "For so many years, Old Zhang has been worried that he might be interfering too much with you."

"How could that be? I know Uncle Zhang treats me like his own son."

"But Lao Zhang still feels guilty." The woman forced a smile. "He's stubborn and inflexible. He always insists on seeing things in black and white, sticking to his principles and not knowing how to be flexible."

"My mom told me that my dad was like that too."

“No wonder they’re comrades-in-arms. That makes sense, otherwise they wouldn’t have chosen this profession, would they?” the woman said softly. “We all know what you want to become. But your Uncle Zhang is really afraid. He’s afraid he can’t protect the last bloodline of his comrades, afraid that he promised your father he would take good care of you, but then he’ll watch you fall into danger.”

“He’s never even given you a toy gun since you were little… He knows exactly what you like, but he doesn’t want you to be associated with it at all.” The woman sighed.

"It might sound like an excuse now, but if I don't say it, I feel like Lao Zhang won't sleep soundly." The woman's voice choked with emotion. Wu Sui'an silently held the woman's hand, receiving a grateful look in return.

"...I plan to take my two children back to my hometown. Old Zhang's colleagues all say that the children are still young, so this is better." The woman looked at Wu Sui'an with the same gentle and shy expression as when Old Zhang introduced her to his mother.

"...Yes, that's definitely better." For family members like Uncle Zhang, relocation is often a safer option.

“Auntie will never let them come back here in this lifetime. Sui’an, just like Old Zhang said, you and Yuehua are also our children. I took two children away, but I have to leave you here. I actually feel guilty towards Old Zhang.”

"So all I can do here is wish you and Yuehua peace year after year, and for Yuehua to shine upon you."

……

After returning home that day, Wu Suian still managed to find Li Wanying.

"Why did you call me out so late?" Li Wanying, dressed and ready to go out, asked the boy in front of her with a mix of nervousness and secret delight. Wu Sui'an's roommate had "leaked" the fact that Wu Sui'an seemed to want to introduce her to his family to her.

For so many days, the girl had been silently waiting for the boy to confess.

Wu Suian raised his head, his face showing a sadness and determination that Li Wanying had never seen before.

"Wanying, should we... break up?"

"...!"

I'm sorry, Mom, Wanying, and Uncle Zhang. I just can't accept being the only coward.

I am the child of a hero, raised by another hero. Therefore, I absolutely cannot bring shame upon you. I may not be able to ensure my own peaceful life, but at the very least, I must protect the safety and well-being of others.

Even if this life is frozen in the future, I still want to save more people, just like my father and Uncle Zhang. Like them, I want to uphold my own sense of justice.

Why worry about myself? I am not alone.

[Next chapter preview: "I think, um... our definition is..."]

Especially Xu Xingxin, who tried to throw rotten eggs last—did we invite you to watch the game so you could do something like this?!

In other words—a contrarian.

Upon seeing "Wu Sui'an" stand up, we involuntarily held our breath.

Chapter 121: Ling Qingxue, whom I pity.

After listening to the opposing team's first speech, Wu Yuehua and I exchanged glances.

It's a very conventional stance, similar to the idea that upholding justice requires protecting oneself, and that society needs security even more than justice.

After all, it is a formal debate competition. While some strange or outrageous viewpoints may attract attention, they can easily leave a bad impression on the judges.

Although it was an exhibition match, in order to avoid disputes and rumors, the school invited judges from the regional competition to be the referees.

However, I don't have much faith in the school, wondering if they're hoping for some "friendly points" in a friendly match because they lost in the official competition. After all, Linwai High School has a history of incompetent personnel management.

When I have some free time, I'll see if I can get those high-ranking officials and the former dean of students back into the workforce. Compared to Xiao Lai, who's been so busy lately that he's practically seeing double, all he does above him is give nonsensical orders and create trouble. It's better to let him use his excess energy to shine at the grassroots level.

The first speaker on the other side was a rather dull-looking male college student who wore glasses. Well, I had watched the last failed competition to some extent, and having just heard his speech and tone, I felt I had a better understanding of his personality.

"Please let the fourth speaker from the opposition ask their questions."

The host on stage, who is referred to as the chairman during the competition, is smiling and speaking towards us right now.

I nodded my thanks and stood up.

"Thank you, Chairman. I have a few questions for the opposing debater regarding their first speech."

A commotion arose from the audience.

"Huh? Is that Ning Ruoyu?!" "Really?... I didn't even notice because of his costume during the stage play... He's so handsome?!" "Damn, could those rumors about An Yu and Qiu Luxi be true?" "If I threw a rotten egg, no one would notice, right?"

These guys are unreliable. Especially Xu Xingxin, who tried to throw rotten eggs at us last time—did we invite you to the game so you could do something like this?!

"...My fellow debater, do you think the definition of 'justice' means 'fair and beneficial to the people'?"

The college student wearing glasses paused slightly, glanced at the first speaker's speech subconsciously, and frowned.

"I think, um... our definition is..."

"No need to emphasize your definition. I just want to ask, does your definition of justice only mean 'fair and beneficial to the people'? Can it be understood so simply?"

“That won’t do.” Upon hearing my final addition, the first speaker from the opposing side, wearing glasses, shook his head as if by reflex.

"We believe that the definition of 'justice' cannot be so casual and simplistic. In fact, 'justice' is multifaceted and multifaceted..."

"Okay, thank you for your answer, fellow debater." I smiled, and the other person was clearly taken aback when they saw me like this.

“We have reached a consensus. The definition of ‘justice’ should be multifaceted and multifaceted. Therefore, the opposing debater’s thinking on ‘justice’, which mainly focuses on ‘benefiting the people’, appears to be somewhat one-sided.”

"My opponent's entire speech seems to emphasize 'protecting oneself by acting bravely for a just cause,' but as my opponent has said, 'justice' is not simply about acting bravely for a just cause. Upholding the truth, refusing to cooperate with tyranny, and encouraging good deeds are also forms of 'upholding justice.' I think our first speaker will discuss this in detail later."

I didn't look at the opponent, but at the judges and the audience. "It is clear that the opponent's first argument and position are not comprehensive. If it is only this view, then our debate topic today should be 'Should we act bravely and recklessly or act within our capabilities?' This is obviously too far off topic."

"Now, I would like to ask my fellow debaters the next question."

I looked at the first speaker. Unlike his previous wariness and caution, this time his eyes were filled with deep despair and regret.

My question just now deliberately kept getting stuck on the issues of "whether it can be simply summarized" and "whether it can be equated".

This is actually a trap set for debaters. When a normal person is asked this question, they will nod if the meaning is not too different, but debaters are people who live in an environment of questioning and opposition from birth.

In other words—a contrarian.

We are all the kind of people who will absolutely refuse to admit something the other person wants you to admit.

At first, the first speaker tried to use the same old lines from the first speaker's speech to brush off the questions, but when he heard me ask if he could "understand it simply," he almost reflexively denied it.

Because in the minds of ordinary debaters, they should subconsciously deny what the other side says first.

Of course, debaters who make it to the regional competition will think more deeply, but this bespectacled guy seems a bit withdrawn and anxious. He's the type who's afraid of being bullied, so he's actually more likely to be bullied.