Chapter 282: Live with Style_1

Bernice had grown taller, and her braids were longer too.

She arrived at Jiang Yu's office and greeted him with politeness, "Wallfacer, hello!"

"Hello!" Jiang Yu smiled, "Please sit, what drink would you like?"

Perhaps because there were no armed robots around Jiang Yu this time, Bernice did not feel intimidated at all, as if she were visiting a neighbor's house, she thought for a moment, "Milk tea then."

She then said, "My father usually doesn't allow me to drink it, but he's not here today."

Jiang Yu chuckled and called for Number Three, "I didn't know, after two centuries, that milk tea was still a thing! Get the young lady a cup!"

Number Three responded and then explained, "This is all thanks to the legacy of Guanghan City back in the day."

Bernice looked around Jiang Yu's office, "It's similar to my father's office.

"Before I came here, I heard many people saying that your office is very, very big, that there's even a swimming pool and a ballroom inside!"

Jiang Yu smiled, "Offices built by the Jupiter Civilization Circle all have a similar layout, and it's just an office after all. I'm not a three-headed six-armed being, what do I need such a big office for?"

The two sat down in the modest reception area, and Bernice asked, "What's 'three-headed six-armed'?"

Jiang Yu paused for a moment before explaining, "It's a concept from a mythology in my time, signifying something very powerful, heh, of course, six arms would indeed take up a lot of space."

Number Three handed the young lady a cup of milk tea and gave Jiang Yu a cup of black tea.

With the drinks in hand, Bernice took a couple of sips of her milk tea, and then asked Jiang Yu, "Do you still remember our conversation in Mars Park?"

Jiang Yu nodded, "I have a deep impression of it. At that time, I had just awoken from hibernation, and you asked me, 'Will something really bad happen in the future?'

"Then you also asked me why those who support the Wallfacers don't save those who don't support the Wallfacer Plan?"

Bernice nodded like an adult, "During this time, I've basically understood your answer to the second question.

"You said then, 'Who can stop young warriors from going to their deaths? They can't hear!'

"It was only after I came to Jupiter City that I understood your helplessness back then. You were always warning everyone about the coming disaster, but no one could hear!

"In the end, you had to clean up everyone's mess. It's been tough for you, and I thank you for your unwavering support for everyone."

Jiang Yu sighed deeply, "I didn't expect the first one to acknowledge my hard work would be a young girl like you.

"Now, almost everyone takes it for granted that my efforts for the Solar System State, for all of humanity, are natural, and saving humanity is my duty. If I can't save humanity, I'm committing a crime!

"Very few people, like you, think, 'I'm neither their father nor their mother, how is it taken for granted?'"

Jiang Yu sighed again, "I have to thank you for remembering my contributions to everyone and for realizing that not everything in this world is to be taken for granted!"

Many who were watching the live broadcast felt ashamed, and more began to ponder a question: Why are they doubting the Wallfacer now?

Just over a year ago, everyone was questioning the Wallfacer's actions.

But what was the outcome? The Wallfacer was right. The human world paid such a heavy price because they did not heed the Wallfacer's warnings.

So why are they questioning the Wallfacer again now?

Many of those who doubted Jiang Yu suddenly realized that they didn't know where their doubts originated from.

In the Wallfacer Office, Bernice consoled him, "Don't be too disheartened. There are many people around me who are very grateful to you."

Those watching the live broadcast felt even more ashamed, as if the recent doubt was a replay of what occurred before the battle of Uranus.

Jiang Yu smiled and nodded, "That's right, because of you and them, everything that I've done has meaning!"

Seeing that Jiang Yu had regained his smile, the young girl continued to ask, "Everyone says you refuse to answer any public questions or let the public question your decisions, is that true?"

Jiang Yu shook his head, "The person who said that must have their own ulterior motives!"

"I am happy to answer your questions, but I am not willing to answer the doubts of the person or people who ask this question because even if I answer their questions sincerely, they won't believe me.

"In their hearts, they already have some self-righteous answers, and no matter what my response is, they won't listen.

"But you are different; you will reflect on the answer I give you instead of having a preconceived answer in mind when you mechanically come to ask me."

Bernice frowned, seeming not to have fully understood.

Jiang Yu smiled and said, "Just like I said before, if you think about it a bit more, you'll understand."

Bernice nodded, "I have a few new questions recently, can I ask for your guidance again?"

Jiang Yu smiled and said, "Please speak, I'll do my best to clear your doubts."

Bernice fired off several questions rapidly, "Why is there military control? Everyone seems quite unaccustomed to it.

"Also, people say that you are going to send all the wealthy people to Uranus to build a colony and confiscate all their properties, is that true?

"Why must everyone work? Half of the people on Earth don't have jobs, yet they seem to live quite happily, right?

"And some say that you are going to enslave the people you've just deceived into coming? Is something so terrible really going to happen?"

Bernice's parents were also watching the live broadcast, and upon hearing their daughter ask these questions, the couple felt their legs go weak.

Especially Bernice's father, who had admonished his daughter several times not to ask random questions!

How come she still asked some questions that should not be asked?

Other viewers of the live broadcast also sweated for the young lady while holding their breath, curious about Wallfacer Jiang Yu's answers.

At this moment, Jiang Yu felt very content inside; Bernice had indeed not disappointed him, as the things he wanted to explain to the public were all within the answers to these questions.

He organized his thoughts before he spoke, "I will answer your third question first. I remember when I was in school, we discussed whether or not to advocate for a high-welfare society.

"Yes, a child receives government support as soon as they are born, going to school without tuition fees, riding the school bus without a ticket, and even if one doesn't work after graduation, one can still live by receiving government aid.

"Such a realm seems quite nice at a glance, but what about the meaning of life?

"Is it really the sole purpose of a person's journey through life to eat, drink, and wait for death?

"Aren't we more advanced than other animals precisely because we understand the pursuit, the desire to impart meaning to life and the world?

"Even if we disregard the meaning of life, there are two very practical problems that present themselves: Not working can sustain life, but it also relegates one to the bottom of society, living without much dignity.

"Once survival is secured, people begin to have pursuits.

"We work for a better life; with some economic foundation, we have the opportunity and the basis to satisfy our pursuits.

"Whereas not working equates merely to survival, and that is the greatest difference between the two."

Jiang Yu let out a long sigh, "Indeed, as you've mentioned, currently half of the people on Earth don't work.

"That means, half of the people on Earth live just as a backdrop for others, merely as tools for others to feel superior!

"Such a listless society is worrying, and with so many idle people in society, civil disputes and social problems are certainly prevalent!

"This is not the fault of the people; among a hundred people, there are a hundred dreams, a hundred ideals. Once basic needs are met, naturally, everyone wishes to prove themselves.

"But the channels for self-validation no longer belong to those who do not work!

"Many people think that not working equates to high welfare, not realizing that if a person does not work, they have already lost most of their rights that should belong to them.

"This high welfare is somewhat deceitful, and the gains from high welfare may not compensate for what is lost!

"The people should live with their own flair and dignity!"