A Heart-to-Heart: Am I Hypocritical?

After returning to their hotel room, Xu Xingyu Gu Yuena felt somewhat heavy -Xu Xingyu hearted.

His mind kept replaying the conversation he had with Xu Tianran. At first, he hadn't taken it seriously.

However, after gradually recalling that conversation, he realized his own contradictions and confusion on some issues.

Gu Yuena keenly noticed the change in Xu Xingyu's emotions and asked with concern, "Xingyu, what's wrong? You seem to be in a bad mood."

Xu Xingyu was silent for a moment before finally speaking, "Na'er, what do you think of me?"

Gu Yuena was taken aback; she hadn't expected Xu Xingyu to ask such a question, "Why are you suddenly asking this?"

Xu Xingyu shook her head with a wry smile, "I was just thinking about my conversation with Xu Tianran earlier."

"Just like he said, I always unconsciously consider the interests of the Spirit Contract Pagoda and the Star Luo Empire together."

"Although I may say some noble things, I do have my own selfish motives."

"Wouldn't that make me seem hypocritical, or even a bit hypocritical?"

Gu Yuena looked at Xu Xingyu intently. "Why do you think that way? Everyone has their own selfish motives, and that doesn't mean you're hypocritical."

"I don't think there's anything wrong with you considering Jiujiu and your hometown."

Xu Xingyu shook her head and said, "I wasn't just referring to my issues with the Spirit Contract Pagoda and the Star Luo Empire."

"And it was the same when we helped Jiang Nannan get medical treatment and when we helped Dong'er separate Tang San's Divine Sense."

"Even if part of my reason for helping was out of kindness, wasn't the bigger reason I chose to help them because they could offer me more benefits?"

"Nannan did it because she gained the Yue Shen Godhood's approval, while Dong'er did it because it gave her another way to defeat Tang San."

"From this perspective, wasn't my approach to them purely for their own benefit?"

Xu Xingyu sighed, "Because of the prejudice against Tang San from my past Blue Star, I've always disliked that hypocrite Tang San and didn't want to become like him."

"But now, I find myself becoming like him without even realizing it, or even worse than him."

Gu Yuena gently held Xu Xingyu's hand and said tenderly, "Xingyu, actually everyone has double standards to some extent."

"For example, I should prioritize the interests of the Soul Beast Clan, but after meeting you, I unconsciously put you first and my responsibilities second."

Xu Xingyu raised her head and looked at Gu Yuena, a hint of doubt and confusion flashing in her eyes.

Gu Yuena continued, "Double standards themselves are not terrible; everyone has their own instances of double standards."

"It's just that one person might appear hypocritical because of this; you have to look at their underlying mindset and actions."

"You just said you helped them out of self-interest, but do you really think they weren't aware of that? No one in this world helps someone for no reason."

"So even knowing you have your own motives, why would anyone choose to follow you, or even fall in love with you?"

"That's because I think they, like me, saw your heart in your actions."

Everything you've done all this time has been for everyone you've been supporting.

"You say that the Spirit Contract Pagoda is clearly neutral, yet your support for the Star Luo Empire is problematic?"

"But why do you favor the Star Luo Empire? Is it because of your sense of belonging to the Star Luo Empire?"

"No, that's because you're worried about Jiu Jiujiu and your grandfather who lives in the Star Luo Empire. In the not-too-distant future, one day they might be torn between these two things."

"The same applies to Jiang Nannan's situation. Even if Jiang Nannan is qualified to inherit the Yue Shen Godhood's position, you, with the Blue Star Book, should know that there are better candidates."

"Take Zhang Lexuan from Shrek, for example. Not only is she more talented and has a more suitable Martial Soul, but she's also much prettier. They could completely ignore Jiang Nannan and let fate take its course, then give the Yue Shen position to Zhang Lexuan."

"But you didn't do that. You chose to help her, so why did you help her?"

"Well... besides being a bit fickle and forgetting his principles for the sake of beauty, maybe he's also a little dissatisfied with her original fate?" Xu Xingyu replied somewhat uncertainly.

"Then that's it. Since you approached Nannan with such intentions, what do you have to feel guilty about?"

"Men, whether human or Soul Beast, all have some lustful desires; there's nothing shameful about that."

"More importantly, you took action to help her."

"The same thing happened with Wang Dong'er. Don't forget I also read the books about the Douluo Continent that you remember."

"Therefore, I also know what a tragic end Dong'er ultimately met."

"I believe that anyone would feel angry at such a fate, and if they had the ability, not everyone, but most people would choose to lend a hand and try to change this cruel fate."

Even if you have your own selfish motives, ultimately your reason for helping them stems from a desire to help them and change their fate.

"Therefore, I believe you are definitely not a hypocrite. You may not be an absolutely righteous person, but you are at least someone who moves forward to meet the expectations placed upon you by the people you care about."

Xu Xingyu sensed the sincerity in Gu Yuena's words, and her previously restless heart gradually calmed down. "Thank you, Na'er. Your words have put my mind at ease a lot."

Gu Yuena smiled and said, "You must believe in your choices and stick to the path you've chosen. Even if you regret it in the future, accept it, because it's the path you chose."

Upon hearing Xu Xingyu nodded, and the restlessness in her heart gradually dissipated.

He was well aware of the responsibilities he bore and understood that the road ahead was full of challenges, but with Gu Yuena's support, he became even more determined in his beliefs.

Seeing that Xu Xingyu was in a better mood, Gu Yuena was also very happy.

She loved watching Xu Xingyu was full of confidence; only when he was like that did Xu Xingyu look the coolest.

Thinking of this, Gu Yuena's cheeks flushed slightly, and looking at Xu Xingyu like this, she felt a little hungry.

Just moments before, when she wanted to take a bite, Xu Xingyu stopped her with the excuse that she had important business to attend to.

Hmph, aren't my affairs with Xingyu all serious matters?

Therefore, that night Xu Xingyu was forced to have a fruit platter for supper with Gu Yuena.

This includes, but is not limited to, cherries, peaches, honeydew melons, watermelons, bananas, fruit smoothies, etc.

It was a long night.