Joy of Life: I am Li Chengze, and I have mastered the Eight Wonders

Chapter 24: Fellow People
This topic is really jaw-dropping. I haven't thought about it carefully, but once it is mentioned, it is so shocking!

Such a thought had never crossed Fan Xian's mind - his family was actually involved with pornography, gambling and drugs?

However, faced with Li Chengze's clear and logical analysis, he was speechless and could not find any room for rebuttal.

"Leaving aside the issues of pornography, gambling and drugs, if it were put in modern times, it would just be a violation of the law."

Li Chengze changed the subject.
"But your Barrett is in Fan Ruoruo's hands now?

This is no small matter. Possessing arms privately is a serious crime in modern society! Your use of the word "punishment" is really appropriate!"

Li Chengze shook his head and sighed, his words full of teasing and helplessness, as if to say that this family is truly "multi-talented".

Upon hearing this, Fan Xian felt mixed emotions and could only smile bitterly:

"Second Prince, your sharp words do not match your gentle and elegant image. Let's change the subject."

Li Chengze raised his lips slightly, and he didn't seem to be going to give up:

"I can say nice things, but it depends on whether you can listen to them or not."

After saying that, he changed the subject and began to praise:
"Fan Xian, your family is truly full of hidden talents. Your whole family is full of top talents, and ninth-grade talents are everywhere."

When Fan Xian heard this, he immediately became interested: "Oh? I'd like to hear more about it." Li Chengze continued:
"For example, Lin Wan'er, the contemporary female gambling god, is self-taught and is said to have a ninth-grade gambling talent. Isn't that well deserved?"

Upon hearing this, Fan Xian smiled bitterly with a hint of helplessness. Was this a compliment or an insult?

"And your sister Fan Ruoruo, her hands are as steady as a rock. It's said that she has a ninth-grade surgical talent plus a ninth-grade sniper talent. This must be a real compliment, right?"

Li Chengze continued. Fan Xian recalled Fan Ruoruo's amazing stability, which even he felt inferior to, and could not help but nod in agreement.

"Any more?"

Fan Xian asked expectantly. Although he had some reservations about Lin Wan'er's talent in gambling, he was very proud of Fan Ruoruo's talent.

“What about you?
Ninth-grade martial arts talent, this is recognized." Li Chengze did not forget to mention Fan Xian himself.

Fan Xian smiled bitterly and nodded. Although he had not yet reached the ninth rank, his strength at the peak of the eighth rank was enough for him to confidently acknowledge this talent.

"And there is Fan Sizhe, whose ninth-grade business talent cannot be ignored."

Li Chengze added. Fan Xian pondered for a moment, and finally nodded in agreement.

Although Fan Sizhe seems cynical in normal times, his acumen and talent in business make him a force that cannot be ignored in the family.

This conversation gave Fan Xian a deeper understanding of his family and made him realize that every family member has his or her own unique shining points. Even talents that seem "out of the ordinary" to outsiders are a reflection of their own charm.

Unexpectedly, the Second Prince had such a high opinion of his brother Fan Sizhe, and gave him the title of ninth-grade business talent. This is indeed quite surprising and amazing!
Fan Xian thought to himself that even though he had long realized Fan Sizhe's extraordinaryness, it now seemed that he had underestimated his potential.

"Haha, your words make sense, compared to those jokes about pornography, gambling and drugs, your praise really makes me feel better.

Fan Xian responded with a smile, feeling relieved by Li Chengze's comments.

Li Chengze smiled when he heard this, but he also did not forget to tease:

"You are easily satisfied with such 'superficial' pleasures." Fan Xian didn't care at all, and instead said with a smug look:
"As a human being, you have to have some hobbies. I like to listen to something pleasing to the ear. It doesn't matter if it's superficial. As long as I'm happy, that's all!"

Seeing Fan Xian's shameless look, Li Chengze shook his head helplessly, then picked up a piece of cake and tasted it, as if to express with his actions that he "I don't bother to argue with you."

"By the way, what are you going to do about the incident in Shijia Town after the Spring Examination?" Li Chengze turned the focus of the conversation to the core issue.

"Are you asking for my personal opinion? But that was done by the prince!"

Fan Xian seemed a little surprised, then he pretended to stay out of it. "You don't think I would confront the Crown Prince head-on, do you?"

There was a hint of teasing in Fan Xian's tone, and it was obvious that he had seen through Li Chengze's intentions.

"How could I be that stupid?"

Fan Xian shook his head in an exaggerated manner, showing obvious resistance.

“Well, the prince is indeed trying to use this matter to alienate us.

Now that we have had a frank discussion, his plan has failed.

So, how about we just pretend that this never happened?"

Seeing that Fan Xian was unwilling to get involved, Li Chengze took the opportunity to propose a compromise plan, and he himself seemed quite free and easy.

However, Fan Xian was a little surprised by Li Chengze's indifferent attitude. He couldn't help but ask:
"The prince is stabbing people in the back, specifically targeting you. Can you really just let it go? Don't you feel aggrieved?"

“I didn’t suffer any real harm, so why should I bear a grudge against it?

Li Chengze asked back with a faint smile on his face.
"Besides, although he intended to harm me, he failed. From a certain perspective, this is actually a victory for me, isn't it?"

Fan Xian stared at Li Chengze's eyes, trying to read his true emotions - whether he was truly relieved or pretending to be strong. Li Chengze looked back calmly, without any sign of retreat in his eyes.

Finally, it was Fan Xian who broke the silence:
"Well, we don't need to keep trying. To be honest, I can investigate this matter, but even if I find out the truth, I will not be able to overthrow the prince.

You should be clear about my abilities." Fan Xian's words revealed a hint of helplessness, but also showed his position and bottom line.

"I don't expect that this matter alone can bring down the Crown Prince. As the crown prince, he is the symbol of the country, and Your Majesty will naturally do his utmost to protect him."

Seeing that Fan Xian had opened his heart, Li Chengze also expressed his views sincerely.

"However, Fan Xian, how could those innocent souls just disappear silently like this?
Seeking justice for them is our unavoidable responsibility.”

"I have no intention of making grand statements like 'with great power comes great responsibility.'"

Li Chengze continued,
"But faced with the loss of thousands of lives, if we know about it and do nothing, how can we have a clear conscience? When the night is quiet, can we sleep peacefully?"

Fan Xian stared at Li Chengze, his eyes gleaming with determination:
"Your Highness, do you intend to conduct an in-depth investigation and uncover the truth?"

"check!"

Li Chengze answered briefly and firmly. This one word, like a heavy hammer, struck the common voice in their hearts.

This word made Fan Xian's heart surge with warmth. He felt unprecedented comfort, as if he had finally found a soul that could resonate with him in this strange ancient world.

He knew very well that in this feudal society, the lives and deaths of the lower-class people were often ignored, just like what happened to him when he was protecting Teng Zijing. No one in Kyoto really cared.

This is not only because of Teng Zijing's humble status, but also because in the eyes of the powerful, the lives of the lower class people seem to be not worth mentioning.

But Fan Xian is different. He has the memory of modern society and knows the true meaning of equality for all.

Faced with thousands of innocent lives, he could not sit idly by, nor could he collude with those powerful people who disregarded life.

Li Chengze, the second prince who also came from another world, holds the same stance as Fan Xian.

In their view, everyone's life is precious and deserves to be respected and protected.

Therefore, Fan Xian firmly believes that in this ancient feudal society,
Only a time traveler like Li Chengze, who also possesses a modern soul, can truly understand his feelings, fight alongside him, and seek justice for those innocent lives.

(End of this chapter)