44. Flicking Jon

Jason Liu made a strong impression on Jon Snow when they first met at the store. But why? There's nothing more powerful than meeting someone for the first time and immediately bringing up their deepest pain, like rubbing salt into a wound.

When Jason mentioned the word "illegitimate child " so bluntly, Jon's expression shifted. His face darkened, and his gray eyes burned with anger. Despite being well-trained, Jon looked as though he might pull out his sword and strike Jason down.

But Jason wasn't trying to provoke Jon. He knew exactly what he was doing. His goal was to befriend Jon, not push him away. The key to making friends, though, is having a strategy.

Since this was their first meeting, forming a deep friendship wouldn't be easy. Jason had to be smart. Sometimes, to connect with someone, especially someone as young and sensitive as Jon, you have to stir up their emotions and then calm them down. This creates a bond, making the person feel like you share their pain.

Jason knew what he was doing wasn't about manipulation in a romantic way. It was about building trust and respect.

"I'm sorry," Jason said sincerely, acting as if he had brought up Jon's background by mistake. "I didn't mean to offend you. I apologize." To his surprise, Jason realized he was actually good at this kind of performance.

Jon's face, which had been stormy moments before, softened after hearing the apology. Though Jon had dealt with insults his whole life, especially regarding his status as a bastard, Jason's quick and sincere apology was something Jon wasn't used to.

While Jon still felt uncomfortable, he wasn't truly angry. In fact, he started to feel a rare sense of respect for Jason. As an illegitimate child in Winterfell, Jon was used to being looked down upon by the servants and Lady Catelyn. Respect was something he rarely experienced.

Jason noticed the change in Jon's expression. His face relaxed, and his eyes grew softer. Jason realized his apology had been accepted.

He waved his men back and approached Jon. "Jon, you know," Jason said earnestly, "you don't need to feel ashamed of your background."

Jon's face tensed, but he continued to listen.

"In my homeland, the Tsena Empire, nobody cares about your birth. It's something decided by the gods. What matters is what you achieve through your own efforts, courage, and determination. If you work hard and succeed, the very people who once mocked your background will respect and admire you."

Jason's words captured Jon's attention. His eyes widened, and he stared at Jason closely. Jason smiled, seeing that Jon was hooked.

"Do you know why?" Jason asked.

Jon, caught off guard, shook his head.

"Because you'll have accomplished something that even those born into noble families, with all their resources, couldn't. People respect strength and success. When you show them you're stronger than they are, they'll worship you for it."

Jon's face flushed with excitement. His eyes lit up with hope. Jason had clearly struck a chord.

Inside, Jason felt amused. "Emotional speeches always work on young, innocent boys," he thought.

But outwardly, Jason smiled kindly and said, "So, Jon, do you believe you're better than those noble children who do nothing but waste their time on silly things, always trying to look perfect?"

"No, I'm better than them!" Jon blurted out. His voice was filled with pride. "Even Robb can't beat me in swordsmanship, and he's older than me!"

Jon immediately regretted what he said. His face paled, knowing that if Robb or Lady Catelyn heard him say such things, he'd be in trouble.

Seeing Jon's worry, Jason reassured him. "See? That's proof. You are stronger than Robb, and that's a fact. It doesn't matter who your parents are. If you keep working hard, you'll achieve great things."

Jason looked at Jon, encouraging him. "Do you believe you can keep pushing yourself and accomplish something that will earn you the respect of everyone?"

Jon nodded enthusiastically, his doubt gone. "Yes, I can work hard and achieve something great!"

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