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Chapter 152: The Fusion of Two Lies
🕑 Added 2024-09-30 08:21:12 +0000 UTCQin Chuan observed Lin Yi's expression and knew that the boy had already accepted his fabricated identity. His earlier performance, though perhaps cringe-inducing to an outsider—enough to make someone want to hide in embarrassment—seemed entirely convincing to Lin Yi. In fact, it felt all too real.
People caught up in their own emotions often miss the bigger picture.
Qin Chuan’s actions were based on a simple theory:
To truly get close to someone, you shouldn't start by trying to please them. Instead, you should first anger them!
By insulting someone important to them or devaluing something they care about, you make them uncomfortable. However, this also gives them the impression that you have no hidden agenda. When you flatter someone for no reason, they'll be suspicious of your intentions. But when you're rude or abrasive, their guard lowers.
Strangers often have an invisible barrier between them, and unless you break through it, it's difficult to form a meaningful connection. A person might smile politely at you, but they'll still keep their distance emotionally.
Thus, Qin Chuan began by insulting Lin Yi’s father, portraying himself as a rival in love who looked down on Lin Yi’s father. Then, with a sudden change in tone, he softened his approach with a “gentle head pat” as if showing care.
This created a series of thoughts in Lin Yi’s mind:
"This man insulted my father in front of me, which means he doesn't care how I perceive him. He truly despises my father, and perhaps even dislikes me. Yet... he saved me! He must have done it for my mother's sake."
"He must really love my mother."
"And because he loves my mother, he's willing to go to great lengths to help me. But because he hates my father, he feels conflicted toward me. His feelings for me are a mixture of love and hate."
"His heart must be torn."
"But ultimately, his love for my mother outweighs the hate. Therefore, I can regard him as an elder."
This was Qin Chuan’s reasoning, and it was unfolding just as he had predicted.
Of course, this method wouldn’t work on everyone—it also depended on Lin Yi’s character.
As a "true son of destiny," Lin Yi had certain defining traits: He was fair in judgment, understood the bigger picture, and had a deep sense of filial piety.
Because he was fair, when Qin Chuan insulted his father, Lin Yi didn’t immediately retaliate. After all, Qin Chuan had just saved his life.
Because he understood the bigger picture, Lin Yi could rationalize Qin Chuan’s harsh words: “Ah, it’s because he’s jealous! He must truly love my mother.”
And because of his filial piety, he could empathize with his mother’s situation. Qin Chuan’s love for his mother made Lin Yi feel a natural affinity toward him.
Love is one of the most beautiful emotions in the world. Even if I don’t know who you are, I’m grateful that you loved me...
Humans are emotional creatures. Once someone’s feelings are stirred, logic and reason often fall to the wayside.
Lin Yi had become emotionally invested, and in doing so, began following Qin Chuan's lead without questioning too much. After all, he also wanted to believe Qin Chuan’s story—he desperately wanted to learn more about his mother.
People tend to believe things that benefit them.
Lin Yi wanted Qin Chuan’s words to be true, so he unconsciously stopped looking for flaws in the story. Instead, he found reasons to convince himself it all made sense.
"Uncle Qin, can you tell me about my mother? Who is she really, and where is she now?" Lin Yi asked earnestly.
Qin Chuan didn’t immediately answer. He turned his back, clasped his hands behind him, and looked out the window at the sky beyond.
"Uncle Qin, you know, don’t you?" Lin Yi’s heart pounded, his breathing heavy with anticipation.
Still, Qin Chuan remained silent.
"Please, Uncle Qin, tell me!" Lin Yi pleaded, his voice filled with determination and desperation.
Sighing deeply, Qin Chuan finally spoke, "What can you do with that knowledge at your current strength?"
"I know I’m weak now, but I can grow stronger—stronger every day!" Lin Yi gritted his teeth.
Qin Chuan chuckled coldly. "How strong do you think you can become? A peak realm emperor? The mightiest of emperors?"
"I..." Lin Yi hesitated, knowing that for someone of his current cultivation level, claiming to become an emperor sounded absurd. It was a boastful dream.
There are things one can aim for, but to declare such ambitions before they’ve even taken the first steps feels naive.
"Even if you became an emperor, do you think you would matter in your mother's family?" Qin Chuan’s tone was filled with disdain. "To them, you're nothing more than an ant."
"That’s impossible!" Lin Yi exclaimed, his voice breaking. "I don’t believe it! An emperor stands at the pinnacle of cultivation, unmatched by anyone in this world. How could such power be insignificant?"
He wasn’t refusing to believe it—he was too scared to believe it. If his enemies were that powerful, what hope did he have? Could he ever rescue his mother?
He didn’t want to accept such a harsh reality.
"I know you don’t want to believe it, but that’s the truth." Qin Chuan’s voice was soft but firm. "If it weren’t true, do you think I wouldn’t have rescued your mother by now?"
Lin Yi froze, his mind spinning. His body trembled as he looked at Qin Chuan in disbelief. "You... does that mean you’re already an emperor...?"
It was unthinkable. Impossible.
"As I was... but not anymore." Qin Chuan smiled faintly, a self-deprecating expression on his face. "Now, I’m nothing."
"Was it because of my mother?" Lin Yi whispered, the pieces falling into place.
Qin Chuan’s face softened into a sad smile. "No, it was for another woman."
Lin Yi was startled but felt a strange sense of relief.
Qin Chuan continued, "Years ago, I ventured to that other world and stormed into her family, trying to take your mother away. But they were far too powerful, so powerful it crushed any hope I had. It was terrifying, the sheer strength of their legacy."
"But they didn’t kill me. Instead, they convinced me to leave. From their perspective, imprisoning your mother wasn’t wrong—it was a matter of family honor."
"In the end, both sides were justified. But in a world where might makes right, their strength won out. I had no choice but to leave."
"Your mother, even from behind her prison, urged me to go. She told me I would meet someone else... But how could I forget her? Once someone enters your heart, no matter how much you try to forget, they remain a part of you."
"But life goes on. There are always regrets. And then, I met Qin Zi’s mother and brought her back to this world."
A bitter smile crept onto Qin Chuan’s face. "Fate can be cruel. Qin Zi’s mother... her situation is almost identical to your mother’s. Maybe this is just my lot in life."
"You mean Qin Zi’s mother also..." Lin Yi’s eyes widened in shock.
Qin Chuan didn’t answer. He stood silently, his back to Lin Yi, staring out the window. His figure looked desolate, filled with sorrow and resignation.
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