Qin Siyang asked, "Those two words, the human heart, what do they mean?"
But Hu Chan didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked Qin Siyang, "President Qin, how long has it been since you last interacted with ordinary people?"
"Ordinary people? What, you're not ordinary?"
"I'm an orphan, yet now I'm the Holy Son of the largest church in the Safe Zone recognized by the United Government. Do you think I'm an ordinary person?"
"Even though that sounds a bit braggy, it makes sense."
"President Qin, there are no ordinary people around you anymore. Not to mention the older big figures like Principal Zhao and Professor Li, even the people your own age are the same. Chu Baxing is the commander's son. Zhao Sifang is the crown prince of the black market. Gu Yunpeng is the young master of the Gu family. And even someone like Wen Shu, a supposed ordinary person, is one of the smartest students selected from the elite inside the Safe Zone."
Qin Siyang frowned, "What do you mean even Wen Shu? You look down on her?"
"No, I'm just stating facts. President Qin, you believe that interest is the foundation of everything, which is certainly true for people like us who aren't ordinary. But for ordinary people, it might not be like that."
"What, ordinary people like to do thankless, self-sacrificing things?"
Hu Chan nodded, "Pretty much."
"Hu Chan, are you joking with me?"
"President Qin, don't think this is unbelievable," Hu Chan spoke calmly, "The human heart is very complicated. Putting interest above all is only one type. It's the most practical, the safest, the easiest to move forward step by step. And of course, the easiest to succeed with."
"Because the people around you are all smart, all extraordinary, all successful, everyone treats profit as the universal standard."
"But there are many more people who don't believe interest represents everything."
"Some put justice first, can't stand crooked things, and are stubborn in their beliefs."
"Some put bloodline first, putting family or clan benefit above everything else."
"Some put reputation first, willing to imitate cutting off flesh to feed eagles for the sake of fame."
"Some put love first, becoming what people call simps, without self-respect."
"And some people, because their environment made them jealous and insecure, as long as they can gain others' approval, are willing to go through fire and water."
"And some people are warriors of justice today, yet tomorrow become fans who care only about fame."
"A bustling world full of gains and losses doesn't represent everything."
"Plenty of people do thankless things that hurt others and don't help themselves."
"Complex and ever-changing. That is the human heart."
While Hu Chan was talking endlessly, Qin Siyang grew increasingly silent.
It reminded him of his previous life, when he didn't know any big figures and the people around him were all small characters.
It really did seem like Hu Chan said. People's hearts came in all forms, not measured only by interest.
Qin Siyang asked again, "So, at the blessing ceremony, you plan to attract more people to join Zephyr Church by playing with human hearts?"
"President Qin, your prejudice against the church is still too deep," Hu Chan shook his head and sighed, "The essence of the church is to give people who desire something but aren't confident they can get it a place to rely on, and offer proper help."
"I make them believe they can obtain what they want, and I do my best to help them. That's not using believers. How can that be called playing with people's hearts?"
"Even if I might ask them for help with something, that should be called taking what each needs."
After hearing this, Qin Siyang gave a disdainful snort, "What a nice taking what each needs. Your theories about the human heart are so complete you sound like the God Zephyr walking on earth. Then let me ask you, Holy Son, since you believe in taking what each needs, why don't you start with the people around you? Why don't you think about what I want and instead keep trying to get something from me for nothing every day?"
"I…", The eloquent Hu Chan was suddenly left speechless by one sentence from Qin Siyang. His face flushed, unable to think of a retort.
Everything Qin Siyang said sounded irrefutable. It felt even more persuasive than the church's own preachers.
'Something feels wrong.'
'Every time I am around Qin Siyang something feels wrong.'
'But I can't pinpoint what.' [T/N: Plot armour.]
Anyway, this Holy Son who swept across the lands like a conquering force always ended up either eating dirt or falling short in front of Qin Siyang, as naturally as an older brother lecturing a younger one.
'Gold overcomes wood, water overcomes fire, and he overcomes me.:
Hu Chan couldn't help thinking, 'What a strong opponent!'
Qin Siyang stopped dwelling on this so-called human heart matter. He just hoped the blessing ceremony would go smoothly so he could drag Hu Chan outside the Safe Zone and go wild for a few days.
"All right, I approve of your method of luring believers…"
"It's not called luring! It's called attracting!"
"Potato, potahto. Anyway, I think this thing is workable. Principal Zhao, what do you think?"
Zhao Longfei nodded, "I agree."
Qin Siyang continued, "Since everyone thinks this can work, we should discuss how to carry it out. Hu Chan, tell us your plan for the blessing ceremony. You've been writing that plan in your room all day. Explain your arrangements to Principal Zhao and see if there's anything he can help you with. And of course, if you need my help, as long as the conditions are right, I'll agree."
Hu Chan gave Qin Siyang a helpless glance, "Fine."
He opened his notebook and began explaining the entire plan for organizing the blessing ceremony in detail, checking the written plan from time to time to confirm details.
He talked for a full two hours, covering everything from how the news would spread to how the site would be set up, from personnel coordination to security measures. Big issues and small matters were all accounted for.
During this, he answered every question from Zhao Longfei and Qin Siyang in an organized way, and he had more than one solution prepared for various emergencies.
Listening beside him, Qin Siyang gained a new understanding of the Holy Son's abilities.
He had watched with his own eyes as this morning, right after Qin Siyang agreed to contact Zhao Longfei for him, Hu Chan typed only a few major headings titled [Blessing Ceremony Plan] into a document.
'And now, after only half a day, he has thought things through this thoroughly? One person doing the work of an entire team?'
Usually Hu Chan was completely at his mercy, going quiet whenever pinched. He never realized this kid's brain worked so well.
Qin Siyang rubbed his chin, thinking that maybe in the future he could make use of Hu Chan's organizational ability for something.
Sitting to the side smoking and listening, Zhao Longfei also silently praised him. Holy Son Hu Chan really had skill when it came to doing real work.
Only eighteen and already able to handle something like this inside and out. It even made Zhao Longfei want to bring him to South Glory to work as an administrative leader in charge of coordination.
And the Qin Siyang beside him, though not as experienced in organizational matters, was undeniably a genius as well.
Seeing Qin Siyang and Hu Chan sitting together, Zhao Longfei couldn't help sighing, "Since ancient times, heroes have risen from orphans."
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