Chapter 105: The Power of Striving

"My logic is quite simple: I firmly believe that no effort is ever in vain."

Shi Tiexin looked at his own palms. "I was born at the bottom of the ladder, with no one to help me. Perhaps many opportunities have been blocked from me, but I will not give up. I will continue to strive. In my lifetime, my cultivation might not reach any astonishing heights, but I will always push to my own limits. Among people in the same circumstances, I will always manage to get further ahead."

"The reason I am here today, having a high-level discussion with Mr. Liu, is precisely because, as Mr. Liu said, I am a ruthless character. I am a victor of the competition at the orphanage, and I have reached the absolute limit of what the orphanage offers."

"Yet, the limit of the orphanage is not my own personal limit. As long as I do not give up, I will continue to climb. From temporary worker to permanent staff—the steps may be small, but it is always progress."

Si Chongtian’s glasses grew increasingly bright, and Shi Tiexin became somewhat agitated as well.

He suddenly clenched his open hand into a fist. "My generation must stand at the forefront of our peers. My next generation will have a higher starting point; they will have a father, a mother, a family, guidance, protection, and a foundation."

"When that time comes, they will continue to work hard and struggle. They will start from a position far ahead of my own, and then stand at the forefront of their own generation!"

"Generation after generation, each doing their utmost! If we keep this up for three or five generations, I do not believe the Shi family will never rise!"

"I do not believe that I, or my descendants, will remain suffocated forever!!"

By the end, Shi Tiexin managed to keep his emotions in check, but Si Chongtian suddenly jumped up and roared, "Well said! Big Brother, that was brilliantly put! That is exactly how it should be!"

Although neither man had spoken quietly, Shi Tiexin keenly noticed that the assistant who had accompanied Liu Qigang seemed to be using some unknown mental technique. As a result, not a single one of the many workers dining in the restaurant turned their heads to look. It was as if they hadn't heard a thing.

*Clap, clap, clap.* A burst of applause suddenly echoed in his ears. Shi Tiexin turned his head to see Liu Qigang slowly clapping.

However, Liu Qigang was not looking at Shi Tiexin; he was looking at Si Chongtian. Shi Tiexin, it seemed, was still not worth a second glance. "Nephew Chongtian, what he said is well-spoken, but it is too idealistic. Because his next generation may not necessarily struggle as hard as he does."

"Children are diverse, and they can be infuriating. Just when you are pinning all your hopes on them to grow, they start comparing themselves to others, or even blaming you, asking why their father didn't provide more. Even if you give them plenty, they might just indulge in pleasure, refuse to respect anyone, bicker, and fall into bad habits. One moment of carelessness and they will ruin everything you have built."

Si Chongtian fell silent, as he knew many such spoiled second-generation heirs.

Liu Qigang looked at Si Chongtian with a touch of sentiment and anticipation. "Do you understand now? You bear a heavy mission. You are not just striving for yourself; you are striving for the sacrifices of your ancestors, and for the well-being of your descendants."

"The hard work of the previous generation cannot be destroyed. Therefore, the Si family needs a driven heir. To be precise, every family needs a driven heir."

"If you do not strive, you will fall from the clouds to the very bottom, and your life will become wretched. By then, even if you try to be fierce or determined, it will be too late. In this world, no one gets a second chance; there is no turning back."

"But if you strive, if you persist, if you work hard, you will possess the sharpness to push forward. You will always be the heir, the propagator, and the pioneer of the Si family. One day in the future, you too will be the pillar of the Si family, you will think just as your father does today, and you will send your child to the bottom to witness the lives of the commoners, hoping that they, like you, will have the drive to advance."

"Nephew, I actually envy your father, because you are someone who can be molded. Unlike those wastrels in my own family, who only know how to seek pleasure and practice all sorts of nonsense."

Liu Qigang’s expression softened, and he began to chat casually.

But he did not look at Shi Tiexin once.

That dismissive attitude remained exactly the same.

"Oh, oh, so Uncle Liu was guiding me and helping me build my mental fortitude. Thank you, Uncle Liu—wait? Eh? No, that's not right!" Si Chongtian slapped his forehead, suddenly recalling something, and stared at Liu Qigang with wide eyes. "Come to think of it, Uncle Liu has only been tearing me down. The one who truly inspired me was Brother Shi!"

Si Chongtian grabbed Shi Tiexin's hand and shook it, looking utterly moved. "Big Brother, thank you. If it weren't for you, my mental state would have crumbled!"

Before Shi Tiexin could respond, Si Chongtian turned back to Liu Qigang. "Uncle Liu, speaking of which, Brother Shi put in a lot of effort. We are both under your command now, so I’ll be bold and speak up for him—what kind of reward do you think you should give Brother Shi?"

Shi Tiexin’s eyes flashed.

*So that’s it. I was wondering why this young master was making faces at me; he was trying to get me a benefit! This young master is quite righteous, though. Even if he is a pampered son, he’s a good lad.*

*I just spoke up out of a sense of injustice—would there really be a reward for that?*

Shi Tiexin figured there wouldn't be.

After all, Liu Qigang’s expression remained as cold as ever.

As expected, Liu Qigang did not relent at all. "A reward? I’ve already given it."

"How can you say that!" Si Chongtian protested on his behalf. "Uncle Liu, you can't be that stingy!"

"Nephew, it seems you still don't understand. To a commoner like him, many things we take for granted are completely inaccessible. Being able to sit here and listen to our conversation is already a massive gain for him. So, not only did I give him a reward, but I paid a premium for it. I’m the one who’s losing out." Liu Qigang waved his hand at his assistant, who immediately understood and gestured for Shi Tiexin to leave.

It seemed he could no longer continue to listen in.

Shi Tiexin stood up, looked deeply at Liu Qigang—who kept calling him a commoner—and spoke slowly: "Mr. Liu, I take my leave."

Si Chongtian looked at Shi Tiexin in disbelief. "Brother Shi, he treated you like that, and you’re still going to bid him farewell?"

"The company’s code of conduct states how one should speak and how one should bow when meeting managers. It’s written very clearly; this is how one must say goodbye. If I don't, I’m violating the regulations, and the company can deduct my pay." Shi Tiexin looked at Si Chongtian and smiled slightly. "I bear a heavy burden; I have no choice."

"Hah!" Liu Qigang let out a cold, emotionless laugh. "Quite sensible. You don’t give anyone a handle to use against you. I wanted to take this opportunity to fire you, but now I have no legitimate reason."

Si Chongtian glared at Liu Qigang. "Why would you want to fire him?"

"Because I just said, I lost out. I don't like losing money, not ever."

Si Chongtian felt as if his worldview was being reshaped once more. The upper class could manipulate the lower class to such an extent—deciding someone’s future and cutting off their livelihood based on nothing but personal whim.

He stood there, stunned and speechless, but Shi Tiexin suddenly interjected: "Mr. Liu, I have completed the required etiquette, so what I say next should not violate any regulations, correct?"

"You may speak." Liu Qigang grew slightly interested. "But I am the one who decides what is a violation. If you dare to offend me, I will smash your head just the same."