Worthington II finally couldn't hold back and was about to speak up.
"Why you? That's a good question." As if he'd anticipated this, Xiang Qian abruptly raised a hand without turning around, stopping Worthington II.
"I'm from China. Do you know that country, Jimmy?" Xiang Qian saw Jimmy nod hesitantly.
"Some people attribute what happens to them to fate, or to God—it depends on which deity they're more familiar with." Xiang Qian's voice gradually deepened, taking on an irresistible persuasiveness. "But more than a thousand years ago, a philosopher from my country offered an interesting and apt metaphor for what people call fate."
"He compared people to leaves. Fate is like the wind blowing leaves down. Some leaves land on fine mats or carpets; others land in the mud or in rivers. That's the difference in the fates of different people."
Jimmy asked, confused, "So you want me to accept it?"
"No!" Xiang Qian rejected Jimmy's idea again, but this time all the earlier coldness was gone.
"People aren't leaves, after all. The wind decides where a leaf lands, but people can strive to decide where they end up." At that moment, Xiang Qian looked just like a life coach dishing out feel-good advice.
"When I was your age—no, I was much younger than you—I came down with a serious illness. I mean, a real illness!" Xiang Qian looked at Jimmy sincerely. "My immune system was completely destroyed by a type of radiation wave. You know what an immune system is, right?"
Jimmy nodded again. Although his freedom was restricted, Worthington Industries had ensured his right to receive compulsory education, out of legal considerations. After all, his parents had only entrusted him to Worthington Industries for treatment; he wasn't a slave who'd been sold.
"After my immune system was destroyed, I kept getting sick, over and over again. Some doctors even said I'd have to spend my whole life living inside a sterile plastic bubble. The doctors ran countless tests, but even as my immune system slowly repaired itself, they still couldn't figure out what had caused it."
"What happened after that?" Jimmy asked curiously.
Xiang Qian smiled. "I grew up. When I was a little older than you are now, I made a decision: if nobody else could cure me, I'd do it myself!"
"Alongside my regular work, I studied biology and pathology, and looked for other treatments beyond established medical theory, trying all sorts of things." Xiang Qian spread his hands. "See? I'm perfectly healthy now."
"Did you cure yourself?"
"Not completely, but I did find a way to keep myself healthy. I think it won't be long before I'm cured for good." Xiang Qian smiled smugly.
A glimmer of hope appeared in Jimmy's eyes again. "Do you think I could do that too? Cure myself?"
Xiang Qian smiled. "I've never thought your talent was an illness, let alone a curse. But if you want to, you can try to solve the problems you face yourself. Maybe that's just life: one problem after another, and then you solve them one at a time."
"But do I still have a chance?" Jimmy grew more talkative after getting to know Xiang Qian. "I heard the lab's in danger now. Am I in danger too?"
Xiang Qian asked curiously, "How did you find out?" It wasn't surprising that the boy understood Worthington Industries was using drugs it had developed itself, but how did he know about the storm brewing outside?
"The doctors sometimes talk while they're doing experiments. I mean, when they're experimenting on me."
Xiang Qian understood. It was a failing shared by nearly all adults: they habitually underestimated children, always assuming they didn't understand anything.
Worthington II muttered "Damn it" under his breath behind them.
"It's nothing serious!" Xiang Qian said breezily. "The wind's just started blowing again, trying to push the leaves where it wants them to go."
Xiang Qian earnestly promised the boy, "Don't worry, Jimmy. This time, we'll hold back the wind. I can't promise where you'll end up, but I promise that when the time is right, I'll give you the chance to choose for yourself."
As they left Jimmy's room, Worthington II looked genuinely impressed. "James, what you just said was wonderful. I've never seen Jimmy trust a stranger he'd only just met so quickly."
Xiang Qian barely reacted to Worthington II's praise, responding perfunctorily as he headed for General Ross's command post. Winning Jimmy's trust had been part of his plan from the very beginning, and he certainly couldn't tell Worthington II about those plans.
"Of course, that story you told was really moving." With the conversation about to die out, Worthington II kept searching for something to say. "When you were young, did you really—"
"Of course!" Xiang Qian replied without looking back. "The story about me being sick when I was a child? That was true."
"Really?" Worthington II was clearly incredulous. It was just a feel-good story. He could understand exaggerating a little or adding some artistic embellishment, but making himself sound that miserable didn't fit his current image at all!
For one thing, ask anyone around Pacific Rim and they'd tell you Xiang Qian went through women faster than tabloids could expose them. With his endless energy and womanizing ways, how could he claim he'd been a sickly child who was always ill?
Xiang Qian stopped and looked at Worthington II with a faint smile. "As a businessman, I won't deny that I've deceived plenty of people. But I never lie to children."
Worthington II smiled awkwardly, looking uneasy. "I'm sorry..."
"It's nothing!" Xiang Qian cut him off so abruptly it seemed deliberate. "Life doesn't always go smoothly. Of course, Mr. Worthington, you may not understand that. After all, as far as I know, Worthington Industries was already an industry giant when your father was alive. You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth."
Hearing Xiang Qian's words, which sounded complimentary but were meant as an insult, Worthington II was displeased.
In the United States, there were many kinds of wealthy people. Those who started with nothing and made their fortunes through their own efforts might still attract criticism, but their public image was generally positive, and people loved hearing their rags-to-riches stories. But trust-fund heirs and spoiled rich kids didn't get nearly as much respect.
"Mr. James, speaking from my more than half a century of life experience, I've always been proud that I've lived up to the honor of the Worthington family." Worthington II spoke like a proud knight delivering a declaration of his principles.
"Worthington Industries and I have weathered countless trials. No storm can bring us down."
As Worthington II confidently made that bold prediction, Xiang Qian couldn't help wearing an inscrutable smile.
"I hope so, Mr. Worthington. I'm happy to believe in you and your company."