Arrived Too Late

"My life has been mediocre and meaningless."

Before becoming a Fishman, Li Yuan thought this.

But one time, Chen Ye said something to him.

"Everyone possesses talent, but if you judge a fish's ability by its skill at climbing trees, the fish will consider itself foolish its entire life."

"Unfortunately, in this world, people only recognize two talents: academic talent and business talent."

"The world today is sick."

"Everyone mistakes desire for ideals, worldliness for maturity, cowardice for steadiness, and slickness for wisdom."

"Do you think this is right?"

I think that would be wrong.

Li Yuan looked at his familiar yet strange home and turned his head.

For a long time, he didn't know why he was alive, as if his existence had no impact on the world.

A meaningless life.

Meaningless time.

Perhaps the meaning of life is to find the value of one's own existence.

Li Yuan once lived just to live, but now, he lived for only one thing.

That was to fulfill that adult's wish.

But his thoughts seemed to be mere foolish loyalty.

That adult was not satisfied with his performance.

If the meaning of a life is simply to serve someone, what's the difference between it and a tool?

Although that adult did not convey these words to them directly, he had instructed the Wall Breaker to pass them on.

Li Yuan was not intelligent; he could only vaguely guess that the adult must have said this because of previous failures.

And their misunderstanding of the adult's words.

Perhaps they really should reflect.

To that adult, He clearly didn't need tools that only knew how to obey orders; He needed people who could understand the orders.

Obeying orders and understanding orders are two different concepts.

Did you not think of it yourself without that adult telling you?

Are you so fixated on the adult's words that you won't use your own brain?

Why must the adult tell you personally before you know what to do?

You are human, not a tool. Humans are beings who can understand each other.

Understanding that adult's intentions, taking action in advance, and presenting a beautiful answer sheet—is that so difficult?

Of course, it is difficult.

That's why that adult arranged this journey of self-improvement.

I suspect that adult's true intention was to have them grow into people who could understand His will during this journey.

Therefore, Li Yuan decided to return to where everything began, bid farewell to his past completely, and try to look towards the future.

And through this, find the meaning of his existence and become someone who could stand by that adult's side.

That's what Li Yuan thought.

But what he didn't know was that what Chen Ye had actually instructed before leaving was...

"While I'm gone, if Sequence 001 returns, remember to have it put the recording in my room."

Hmm...

But the Wall Breaker got it mixed up.

Li Yuan pushed open the door and walked into the house.

Everything was the same as before: his younger brother's awards filled the living room, and his stepmother's perfume was placed in the most conspicuous spot.

And on the wall, the family's group photo had a corner torn off.

That corner contained Li Yuan's photo.

That happened after he returned for the summer vacation. His father said his younger brother was mischievous and accidentally tore it.

And his brother even burned it, saying it couldn't be reattached, so that was that.

Li Yuan let out a scoff after recalling this.

Just then, a middle-aged woman in pajamas came into the living room.

She frowned upon seeing Li Yuan in the living room, "What are you doing back here?"

"I've returned to take what belongs to me," Li Yuan said.

His tone was calm, neither subservient nor overbearing, but this displeased his stepmother. "Heh, what do you have that belongs to you in this house?"

"What have you ever contributed to this family? Whether it's the things in your room or the clothes on your back, have you ever bought anything with your own money?"

"Even if you did, who gave you that money?"

"Don't tell me you earned it yourself. We raised you and spent money on you all these years, and you've never paid us back a single cent."

"Understand? Once you've paid back what you owe us, you'll just be even, but nothing here will belong to you."

"However, given your character, I don't expect you to repay us anything. Just don't bother us in the future. I won't hold grudges about the past. Get out now."

Li Yuan suddenly smiled at his stepmother's disgusted expression.

This face, the more he looked at it, the uglier it became.

"More than once, I've felt fortunate, fortunate to be able to see the world from a completely new perspective."

In the past, Li Yuan found his stepmother detestable.

Now, Li Yuan found his stepmother laughable.

From a monster's perspective, he could just as easily slit his stepmother's throat as he could those scumbags'.

The life and death of the woman before him were already in Li Yuan's hands.

But he didn't want to do that now.

Upon hearing her words, Li Yuan sat down on the living room sofa. "You're quite eloquent. Have you ever considered doing stand-up comedy?"

His stepmother froze for a moment. "You... what did you say?"

"Is your hearing failing? Well, I suppose as people get older, they tend to develop various ailments." Li Yuan said.

"You!"

"Me?"

"Alright, I'm in a hurry, so I won't linger for small talk."

As Li Yuan spoke, he returned to his room, took out the suitcase from under the bed, and began packing it.

His stepmother rushed over at that moment. "Who said you could take that!"

"I'm warning you, Li Yuan, if you dare take these things today, I'll...!"

"Oh?"

Li Yuan turned his head to look at his stepmother. "You'll do what? If you can't think of anything, take your time."

!!!

His stepmother flew into a rage. "If you dare take these things, you can try it! See if I don't call the police!"

"Fine, I'll try then."

Li Yuan said, completely ignoring his stepmother and continuing to pack his belongings.

His stepmother gritted her teeth. Why did this brat seem like a completely different person? Did he no longer fear even her?

Just then, Li Yuan's father walked out.

"Let him take it."

"You..."

"Let him take it. Once he's done, tell him to leave quickly."

Seeing Li Yuan's father speak, his stepmother reluctantly backed down.

Li Yuan, however, paid no attention to either of them, continuing to pack his luggage.

During the process, he accidentally knocked over a photo frame on the desk.

Thump.

The photo frame hit the floor and shattered. The picture inside also fell out, and along with it, a small note.

Li Yuan bent down to pick up the photo and the note. The photo was a group picture of his entire class from high school graduation.

As for the note, Li Yuan had no recollection of it.

He looked at the note and saw it was written:

Based on my understanding of you, you probably won't discover this note in your entire life. Li Yuan, you big dummy, teehee.

Hmm...

There were so many things I wanted to say to you, but when the words reached my mouth, I didn't know where to start.

So, I'll just write a couple of sentences. We were desk mates for three years. I don't know what you thought of me, but even if I asked, you wouldn't answer. So, I'll tell you what I think of you. You're actually quite good-looking and tall, but you're just so timid. I really don't like that.

Your grades are a bit lacking, but they're still better than mine.

You're very gentle, patient, and considerate with everyone.

Every time I see you get into an argument with someone and you can't even get two words out after holding it in for so long, left speechless after being retorted, I just want to laugh.

And it's not just that. Remember when Liu Mingyang said he was going to wait for you after school, and you stayed in the classroom for a whole day and night, too scared to go out? I can't believe you actually slept in the classroom all night.

From that moment on, I started thinking that even though you're a grown man, tall and imposing, you're just like a little bunny.

If it weren't for me, your sister, feeling sorry for you and looking out for you for two semesters, I don't know how you would have gotten through high school.

Speaking of which, when did I start liking you?

I can't remember either.

Maybe it was that day it rained and you brought me an umbrella?

Or maybe it was that time we fed stray cats together at school?

I really can't remember.

But I don't plan on telling you either. You're so dense, you definitely wouldn't notice.

I know we'll be going our separate ways after tomorrow. I just wish you all the best for the future. Don't let anyone bully you again, and be a bit tougher when facing problems!

(Bunny Head)

Winning the lottery of love, but it expired.

Li Yuan casually tossed the note into the trash can, then picked up his luggage and left.