Zhang Ming really only wanted to figure out what was going on with this fellow. He put on a serious expression. "I think you should stop playing other roles. Sure, it was that fellow Stone Mama's wish, but you could refuse, couldn't you?"
"This makes it seem like you don't have any self at all, like you're just a wish-granting robot."
"We humans don't casually pretend to be someone else. We only do it if we're actors or hope to do so."
[All right, I understand,] the gourd said, sounding a little aggrieved. [I won't readily accept role-playing wishes anymore.]
But soon, it grew playful again. [May I ask what sort of personality you would like me to use when speaking with you from now on?]
Zhang Ming held his forehead and sighed. It hadn't understood at all. Without someone making a wish, it had no personality. Was that it?
He had never encountered such a strange existence.
"If you enjoy it, just forget I said anything. Do whatever you like."
"But if an actor wears a mask for a lifetime and acts for a lifetime, they'll eventually lose themselves and no longer know who they really are."
The gourd fell silent for a long time before saying, [I understand. From now on, I will speak with you using one fixed personality.]
[I won't change that personality when speaking with other creatures, either.]
[Only if I sincerely want to become a certain personality can I play it. Is that right?]
Zhang Ming felt the topic was getting a little too serious. He couldn't be bothered to interfere with the gourd's way of life.
Its origins, thinking, and abilities were all unknown. It had even attached itself to him uninvited and refused to leave, waiting for him to drop gold coins.