This turbulent city welcomed one of the few warm days it saw each year.
Though the city was filled with bleakness and cold, every face wore a smile.
A smile from the heart.
After all, no one knew whether they would live to see the next New Year.
What puzzled Wang Ye was that after Long Ear returned, he seemed somewhat dejected and far more taciturn. Especially when he looked at the thriving city, he often drifted into thought. He also liked sitting atop the city walls, staring blankly toward the horizon.
"Did it bring back some memories?"
Wang Ye appeared beside Long Ear and asked.
Long Ear smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Not really. Thinking carefully, there's nothing in my life truly worth remembering. Just trivial little things, nothing that ever stirred any waves."
"If there was something, perhaps..."
"Maybe I'm simply envious. Envious that everyone can trust one another, envious of the sincere smiles on everyone's faces."
"I've never experienced any of that."
Long Ear spoke softly, almost muttering to himself as he gazed into the distance.
Wang Ye watched Long Ear's still-illusory figure. Only after a long while did he say, "You can try taking the initiative to accept others, instead of passively waiting."
"After all, not everyone is like him, coming to amuse you and tricking you into joining a pyramid scheme."
"Only then will you truly become part of this city. I'm looking forward to that day, too."
With that, Wang Ye turned and left, saying nothing more to Long Ear.
Long Ear slowly turned his head and looked in the direction Wang Ye had gone. "Take the initiative to accept others?"
"Broad-minded and full of human warmth... is this the contemporary leader of humanity?"
"Perhaps he really isn't bad."
After murmuring a few