Read Novel Full Chapter 1501: Chapter 228: As Serene as Water and Visiting the Workplace
Chapter 1501: Chapter 228: As Serene as Water and Visiting the Workplace
“Why did you think of becoming a teacher?”
Luo Qiu and Teacher Prin seemed to have forgotten about the gift topic, quietly listening to the resident singer finish a blues-like song. Then Luo Qiu raised the question again.
“I feel like you’re a journalist, and I’m being interviewed.” Teacher Prin couldn’t help but chuckle.
Luo Qiu also smiled, using the nice smile Teacher Prin had mentioned before… He replied, “There’s someone in the family who is indeed a journalist.”
“This is the first time you’ve revealed any family information to me.” Teacher Prin smiled and said, “Does this mean, as a student, you’ve started to trust me as your teacher?”
Luo Qiu shook his head and asked, “Do you like… the feeling of being trusted?”
Teacher Prin said honestly, no one would dislike being trusted by others… Trust implies need, and being needed easily brings satisfaction—what comes after satisfaction?
He didn’t say.
Luo Qiu didn’t ask further.
…
Teacher Prin answered the previous question: “Actually, for a long time, I didn’t know what I should do… It wasn’t necessarily this teaching job. In fact, I learn things very quickly, really quickly, and becoming a teacher was merely because I happened to come across this job opening.”
“Because of Professor Xie Jiatu’s sudden disappearance?” Luo Qiu asked curiously.
Teacher Prin pondered for a moment before slowly saying, “I noticed Claudia seems very concerned about you all… and also the female classmate who took a leave today. Perhaps she told you about Professor Xie Jiatu’s situation.”
Boss Luo nodded.
Teacher Prin continued, “Claudia transferred from the Mathematics Department just after I took office, even though it was just her second degree course. But the level of her dedication is rarely seen… She always thought I might have some special connection to Professor Xie Jiatu’s disappearance.”
“Did she approach you directly about this matter?”
Teacher Prin shook his head, “No, but I can feel her suspicion towards me… After all, I do seem somewhat mysterious in her view. You see, I actually don’t have friends here, not much communication even with colleagues. Even in this setting, without your invitation, I’d find it hard to come in… As I’ve said, I bring death—like the phantom you saw.”
The soul phantom Teacher Prin had pulled from the man remained floating beside him—Teacher Prin then returned the phantom to the man’s body.
He shook his head, “Sometimes it’s difficult for me to control this ability. When my emotions fluctuate greatly, it’s the most dangerous time, hence I seldom communicate with others.”
“I’m honored that you would share so much with me… So regarding Professor Xie Jiatu’s case, you’re not aware, correct?”
Teacher Prin thought for a moment and said, “That’s right. I haven’t even met Professor Xie Jiatu and certainly don’t know why he disappeared… My understanding of him is merely a few lesson plans he’s left behind. Hmm… His perspectives on theology are actually intriguing. For instance, his understanding of The Trinity as the past, present, and future. Claudia mentioned this in class, but I reckon such views weren’t her own invention, rather derived from Professor Xie Jiatu’s recorded material.”
Luo Qiu nodded, by now confirmed Teacher Prin indeed had no relation to Professor Xie Jiatu—it didn’t require a particular investigation, he could sense Teacher Prin had no secrets regarding this matter.
“You seem quite interested in The Trinity?” Teacher Prin seemed to astutely perceive something, glancing with complexity.
Luo Qiu simply shook his head, vaguely saying, “No clear ideas yet… but perhaps a thought has unconsciously arisen within me.”
Teacher Prin became puzzled but patiently asked, “You seem to have encountered some trouble.”
Luo Qiu replied calmly, “So far, it doesn’t look like anything particularly serious… given the known conditions, at least.”
Teacher Prin thought for a moment, nodded, “You give the impression you can resolve any matter… So, I trust you won’t be troubled for long; moreover… you seem to enjoy this confusion?”
Luo Qiu looked up at him, curiously asking, “Why do you say that?”
Teacher Prin smiled, “Your expression isn’t troubled but more like someone who enjoys solving puzzles when encountering a new mystery.”
Boss Luo shook his head, “You make me sound too terrifying.”
Teacher Prin offhandedly remarked, “Actually, deep down, you know.”
Boss Luo countered, “Just like you know yourself?”
Teacher Prin softly said, “Yes.”
…
Later, another group arrived at the bar, consisting of the elderly Uncle Pick in his Scottish kilt, along with the police station’s off-duty chief and another officer.
Uncle Pick seemed not to notice the young man sitting in the corner who occasionally appeared outside Mr. Smith’s restaurant in the evening. He familiarly led his group to find a table and sat down.
The bartender came up to greet them, and Uncle Pick said to go with the usual routine.
This elderly gentleman exuded energy. Youngsters in the bar mostly appeared worried or indulgent, but the elderly man seemed to enjoy life.
Though aging, his life was in countdown… Whether he knew or didn’t care.
Uncle Pick had a great tolerance, downing a large beer in one gulp… the one-liter kind, drawing cheers from nearby tables. Then, feeling spirited, he had the bar owner fetch a harmonica, heading to the stage to play with the resident band.
Boss Luo and Teacher Prin simultaneously withdrew their gaze from Uncle Pick.
Teacher Prin suddenly spoke quietly; “If possible, I wouldn’t want to take Mr. Pick away… But somehow, his time seems extended, though unknown what caused this, it’s ultimately good.”
Luo Qiu thought and asked, “Would you refrain from taking someone away out of reluctance?”
“Those destined to leave must leave.” Teacher Prin shook his head, “It’s like a kind of destiny… like the sirens’ issue we discussed this morning.”
“Why did you spare Mr. Smith’s family?” Boss Luo abruptly asked.
Teacher Prin frowned, pondering silently, then suspiciously looked towards Luo Qiu—at which moment Luo Qiu calmly said, “Teacher, we ate together at Mr. Smith’s restaurant.”
Teacher Prin slowly exhaled, shaking his head, “I don’t wish to discuss this. I never claimed to be a fair person.”
“It’s okay,” Boss Luo softly said, “I myself clearly can’t achieve absolute fairness.”
Teacher Prin smiled slightly and suddenly said, “No… you may not realize, you might be more fair than you imagine… It’s your nature, I can feel it; my perception is a bit keener than ordinary people. So, you can be more confident.”
Luo Qiu couldn’t help but frown… lack of confidence was something no one had ever mentioned to him.
The maid obeyed him in everything, and the Black soul envoys in the store never defied him… Even if there were, they can’t defy him. Looking back, Luo Qiu found that there seemed to be nothing he truly couldn’t achieve… lack of confidence?
“Actually, I’ve had times like this,” Teacher Prin slowly said. “When I felt my power growing stronger and more widespread, until finally, I had to seal this power away…”
He raised gloved hands and continued, “This power has surpassed human understanding. It brought me fear—I dreaded that I wouldn’t be able to control it eventually, and it would lead to uncontrolled consequences. You’re actually the same.”
Boss Luo simply smiled calmly, saying nothing.
Teacher Prin sighed, “Before I settled here to teach, I traveled through many countries and encountered many like you—young people who have just gained power. Most of them are in such a situation… because they don’t know what to do with themselves—after obtaining power strong enough to meet all their past needs, after quickly fulfilling these needs, they become confused and uneasy, then tread down the path of crime.”
Boss Luo opened his mouth… Perhaps it’s due to occupational habits, this Theology Institute teacher seemed to view him as those young ones who get lost after gaining tremendous power.
He curiously looked at Teacher Prin, “Then, do you guide them?”
Teacher Prin shrugged, “Some are easier to communicate with, and after communication, they gradually return to their original life paths. They gradually realize that this sudden power is merely a tool for life, not a dominator of their biology—once they accept it and fully grasp the power, they end up using it less. Isn’t humanity like this—things obtained too easily bring less happiness… Lack of happiness leads to being lost.”
Luo Qiu thought for a while, “Have you encountered lost people?”
Teacher Prin affirmed, “Of course, and many… In fact, most of these people have a hard time returning to their original life tracks. Their thoughts are dominated by power, believing more in the law of the jungle… Actually, it’s quite ridiculous; the law of the jungle isn’t wrong, but the wrong lies in the belief that power is everything. Frankly, I don’t like the power-only theory… but young people tend to favor it.”
Luo Qiu suddenly smiled.
Teacher Prin asked curiously, “Is there something on my face?”
Boss Luo suddenly said, “Teacher, you truly suit continuing as a teacher… Perhaps you don’t know that it was the chance meeting of this job that led you to become a teacher, but behind it, you yourself favor the teaching profession.”
Teacher Prin thought for a bit, shook his head, saying noncommittally, “Perhaps… but I can’t say why I yearn for this profession.”
Boss Luo checked the time.
“It’s getting late,” Teacher Prin saw the intent to leave, so he said frankly, “Glad you invited me here, consider this meal on me instead… As a teacher, it’s best not to let the student incur expenses. Even if you do, it won’t become part of your science credits.”
Boss Luo couldn’t help but smile.
Teacher Prin placed wine money on the table, then discreetly left the bar without attracting attention from those drawn by Uncle Pick… Boss Luo gently shook his glass, his gaze suddenly shifting towards a certain spot at the long table.
A black cat was squatting quietly at the edge of the counter, watching him.
It was the black cat he saw in the alley behind Mr. Smith’s restaurant… Boss Luo recognized it immediately.
“Does he still not see you?” Luo Qiu softly asked the little black cat.
The black cat’s eyes suddenly turned, then swiftly leapt off the counter, darted among the crowd, and disappeared… Boss Luo shook his head, intending to leave.
Just before leaving, Boss Luo glanced at a pack of chips on the table—these were complimentary snacks given with the drink.
Thinking about it, he packed them.
…
…
Faraway in time and space…
“Adam, bring up the errors report hidden by the Supreme Wisdom over the past ten years… Also, please pour me a cup of coffee, thank you.”
The maid, dressed in a work suit, was sitting in front of the screen, her fingers fluttering like a butterfly on piano keys… Line after line of code written in special script flowed like water.
A cup filled with richly aromatic coffee was placed beside the maid… within easy reach—she casually reached to grab it.
But as her palm touched the cup’s handle, it was gently held.
“Master?” The maid looked up, seeing her own master standing behind her.
“Just visiting.” Boss Luo pointed to the Border Gate behind him, smiled, “Brought some comfort snacks.”
He placed a small box on the table.
The maid curiously opened it, then blinked in slight surprise, “Chips?”
“Yes.” Boss Luo chuckled lightly, picking up a chip and feeding it to the maid, saying, “Heard overtime pairs better with snacks… actually, I also brought instant noodles.”
The maid looked more surprised at her master.
Boss Luo then rolled up his sleeves, waved his hand, revealing a ready-made kitchen behind him… He walked in, saying, “It’ll be ready soon, hang on.”
The maid’s eyes were filled with confusion.