The White Dragon Descendant woman was unexpectedly assertive.

Initially, she seemed a bit restrained, appearing unaccustomed to sharing a table with others, perhaps hoping to alleviate the awkwardness with conversation.

But somehow, as the conversation progressed, Li Aozi found that some of her views were reminiscent of his own younger self, and even a bit like Leoz.

To prevent a promising young woman from going astray and realizing in old age that she doesn't even know how to enjoy life, Li Aozi promptly started dissuading her, to avoid another Leoz situation.

One person obsessed with efficiency is enough.

"Man will conquer nature—it's as if man has ever truly conquered it?"

Li Aozi sipped his lemon soda and remarked:

"I'm not trying to discourage you, but it seems you've just entered society, right? In the beginning, I was also full of passion, always feeling the world was vast and open for me to roam. I achieved a bit through my efforts, but it was far from enough; I still needed help from others. Even so, only now can I barely compete on the same starting line as the offspring of the greats."

"This world is brutal. Your personal efforts may not be recognized, and your patriotic intentions might be met with suspicion and denial. When you truly achieve something, there are always people looking to take credit for your work."

"If you think you can compete with others through efficiency alone, it's not worthwhile. In the end, looking back suddenly, you'll find your life devoid of any warm moments worth cherishing apart from competition and strife."

"Being from the Deep Shadow Blood Dragon origin, getting this far must have been tough. I understand."

The White Dragon Descendant woman said:

"In a way, you're right. Although I excel in my field, I am still a novice in social experience. I understand your advice, but."

She paused, lips quivering, her eyes instinctively wandering. Li Aozi noticed a hint of wavering in her gaze as she tried hard to cover up her exhaustion.

"If, if you have some unique ability and there are things only you can do, like you're a father, the only one who can support the family and protect your wife and children. If you don't act and let disasters happen, witnessing others suffer or even die because of your inaction... you will certainly regret it."

"But you could be more cold-hearted. As long as you don't care about morals, nothing can threaten you."

"Then, if everyone were cold-hearted, how would society progress?"

"There's no need to worry about those things. Under the Grand Narrative, you should save some room for your own life."

Li Aozi said:

"Besides, if all you get is by constantly exhausting yourself, people will think 'I could do that too, it's just that I wasn't trying.' Effort isn't valuable; anyone can work hard."

"But your value is unique, you are the only unique one in this world. If you don't even cherish your own body and rely on excessively exploiting it to prove to others 'Look, I am so diligent, I am always improving.'

"Initially, people will admire you because you are always improving. Then, they will become numb, taking your progress for granted. Later, when you are tired and rest, they will mock, 'Why can't you keep up anymore?' You should be an independent existence, not living everywhere for others."

As he finished speaking, he found her ice-blue vertical pupils gazing deeply at him.

"Uh, I might have been a bit harsh..."

"It's okay."

The woman raised her glass, drinking the ice water as she bowed her head:

"I can still distinguish those who are kind to me, who dislikes me, and who cares about me."

"Actually, others don't care about you. Their occasional remarks, seemingly sharp, sarcastic, and targeted, will be forgotten within a week, even forgetting who they were talking about."

Li Aozi shrugged:

"Let's change the topic—do you like drinking tea?"

She shook her head:

"No, I don't have a favorite beverage. Just drinking water is enough; everything is based on practicality."

"Practicality is certainly good, but sometimes I think adding a bit of seasoning might bring some surprises to life."

The White Dragon Lady spoke up:

"Such things are meaningless..."

"No, you've misunderstood."

Li Aozi seriously analyzed for her:

"It's always because there's need in this world that there is motivation for progress. Imagine if you and I were of affluent upbringing, pure-blood High Dragon Race, enjoying endless riches from birth, and every aspect of life arranged by elders and parents—do you think you would still be working as hard?"

"Why can't everyone stop trying so hard? Isn't it because such fortunate circumstances are rare in the world?"

The White Dragon Lady looked at him:

"If there weren't crises everywhere, who would think of working hard? It's precisely because each generation has its own challenges that we continue to struggle... Moreover, even without crises, people have various conflicts. Those who are well-fed want to study, and after studying, it feels insufficient and they want tangible artwork. Then they want moving images, eventually wanting to immerse themselves personally in the scenes..."

Saying this, she fell silent.

If she kept going, it seemed she would end up agreeing with what was said.

The more effort you put in now, the less you will have to later.

But, but!

She grasped her clothes, unsure of what to say.

"Look, isn't this just as I said?"

Li Aozi smiled.

"I..."

The White Dragon Lady was tongue-tied, always feeling there was an issue, but after a whole half-day, she still didn't know how to organize her words to refute, so she said:

"I think, it's not just about these demands, among those wealthy big figures, there are also those who want to expand their territories, achieve great accomplishments, go further, and many times, it's precisely because everyone in society is working together that we can push civilization forward."

"Don't worry, I'm not trying to dampen your confidence," Li Aozi laughed and said, "I just think, as a young Dragon Race member, you're a bit too tense."

"Then I think," the White Dragon Lady looked at him, "you don't look very old, but why does your thinking resemble that of an old man like Sodore?"

"Me? I'm definitely older than you."

"That's hard to say, in my view, maybe you're just pretending to be profound."

"How old are you then?" Li Aozi asked, somewhat annoyed.

"Are you sure you want to ask a girl's age?"

"Come on, you started the topic. Why not follow through yourself?"

"...Is that so?"

Realizing she was at a disadvantage, the White Dragon Lady picked up her water glass, her gaze drifting to one side.

"Hmm?" Li Aozi raised his eyebrows, closing the menu in his hand: "Why aren't you answering anymore? You're not really younger than me but trying to give me, an old man whose business hasn't taken off yet, some life advice, are you?"

"I..."

After thinking for a long time, she finally found a reason:

"Why should I tell a Dragonborn I'm sharing a table with my age?"

"Alright then."

Li Aozi sighed:

"I should have known the day I left Frost Plated, you can't reason with women."

The White Dragon Lady turned her head, thought for a moment, and said:

"No, it's just that I feel we're not at that level of relationship; age... plus, a girl's age is a secret."

When mentioning 'secret,' the White Dragon Lady shivered all over.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, just got a lot of goosebumps."

"You, a White Dragon from the polar circle, feel cold on such a sunny day?"

"No, just felt disgusted with myself."

The White Dragon Lady took a sip of water, was silent for a while, and said:

"I've always thought that I can't be like those ordinary female Dragon Race members, whose minds are full of mating, laying eggs, and hoarding treasures. They just sit there waiting for males to fight to the death for them, then slightly flaunt their charm, spark the other's desire, and enjoy a lifetime of luxury."

"That's a bit hurtful, courtship is also a part of natural phenomena, mutual contests prove one's genes are excellent, eliminating weaker genes is responsible for the whole species."

"Then why are there marriage laws now?"

"Because the poor are also to be eliminated."

Li Aozi said:

"In the past, it was strength, now it's wealth and intelligence, along with your pathway... people are always progressing."

"So," the White Dragon held the cup and said, "I don't want to be eliminated."

"You're a female, what are you afraid of?"

"I'm a female, what if my children are male? Social competition is a spiral, once you enter it, you can't stop unless you completely end such a spiral—but like you said, such a spiral is an objective rule."

The White Dragon turned the cup, speaking as if confiding:

"Our Dragon Race as a species: ancient, powerful, wealthy, but also faces such crises. Maybe even now we're already in a crisis, if every Dragon Race citizen is like you said, destined to face decline or even extinction, and just gives up, letting others slaughter us, then what's the difference between us and livestock."

"...(Chinese) Heaven and earth lack benevolence and treat everything as straw dogs."

Li Aozi suddenly said.

The White Dragon looked at him:

"What did you just say? That language was sonorous and powerful, and the tone was strange."

"It means natural rules are without compassion, Starry Abyss treats everything like dogs made of straw, equally treating all beings."

Li Aozi said.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.