Su Ke understood. If they used their administrative access to delete the thread, it would amount to an obvious attempt at concealment.
Another reason Path to Stardom was so well known was its comprehensive companion forum and trading platform.
No one except the administrators could delete forum posts.
And every administrator was a member of Joker Studio.
Unless a post contained seriously problematic or harmful content, it would generally remain untouched.
Besides, this particular thread was in the gossip section.
Gossip was gossip. People could speculate as wildly as they liked.
Frustrated, Su Ke found himself annoyed with their own well-run gaming community for the first time.
“But letting everyone keep reading it isn’t a solution either”
During the few minutes they had spent talking, the thread’s popularity had multiplied again.
“It’s not a big deal. It won’t have any real impact anyway”
Ji Shileng glanced indifferently through a few of the newest comments.
The technical consultant leaned over and read most of the thread on Su Ke’s phone.
He clicked his tongue.
“People online really have imaginations these days”
Ji Shileng offered no opinion.
“Too much free time”
“Honestly, I’m curious. Boss, you used to accommodate Shang Jianli far too much. Does being in love really make people that irrational and numb?”
When Ji Shileng went to Imperial No. 1 High School, the consultant had hurriedly packed his belongings and followed.
Wherever their boss went, that was where they worked.
He therefore knew at least sixty or seventy percent of the truth about Ji Shileng and Shang Jianli’s relationship troubles, if not every detail.
He could not imagine how the young master affectionately called a little brat throughout the Federation—the boy who remained fearlessly secure even if the sky fell—had become gentle and submissive for the sake of a relationship.
It did not seem like Ji Shileng.
Yet it had undeniably been him.
Ji Shileng did not nod. His finger slid along the edge of his silver-white phone case, his gaze lowered as though considering his words.
Ji Shifeng turned his attention to his brother.
Since Ji Shileng came home, he had asked about those years in the Empire. But the youngest had brushed aside many experiences with one or two brief sentences.
“Irrational and numb?”
Ji Shileng considered the words. He smiled, though little warmth reached his eyes.
“People know in their hearts what’s right and fair”
He stopped fiddling with his phone case and beckoned the little robot over to refill his water.
“Perhaps love really does make people irrational and numb”
The Shang family had prospered for so long that it had become a thorn in many people’s sides.
When Shang Jianli proposed, Ji Shileng had known perfectly well that he was making use of his “commoner” identity.
That identity would demonstrate the Shang family’s commitment to human rights and earn the trust of ordinary people.
But he had loved Shang Jianli too much. He had persuaded himself that Shang Jianli genuinely cared for him.
That their love was mutual.
As the general’s spouse, for the Shang family—and even more for Shang Jianli—he had to appear docile and timid.
If Ji Shileng had been too outstanding, the royal family might have grown wary of the Shangs.
The little robot’s electronic screen warned him that the water was very hot and urged caution.
But Ji Shileng remained lost in thought and did not notice.
His fingertips had barely touched the glass when, before he could take a firm hold, it tipped onto the floor and spilled boiling water.
The little robot trundled over and busily wiped up the water with a cloth.
The consultant nodded with solemn conviction.
“Love is a terrifying nihilistic illusion. It really does make people irrational and numb”
He would stick to studying his code and equations. His wooden head had no need to awaken to romance.
“But even if that’s true, what does it matter?”
Ji Shileng pulled out a few tissues and helped the little robot clean up the spilled water.
It really was all right.
Everyone made wrong choices. Everyone sometimes cried without understanding why.
There was no need to resent someone for not returning your love. Love should be free.
Allow things to happen. Accept even the disasters that came.
Whether no one understood him or others misunderstood him, it did not matter.
He was still himself.
Besides, his feelings for Shang Jianli had been genuine, even knowing the outcome might disappoint him.
There was no need to abandon someone he loved simply because the future was uncertain.
Su Ke’s mind worked furiously. Ji Shifeng understood first. He set the glass upright and refilled it for his brother.
“It’s all right. Life is about experience. Often, the outcome isn’t what matters most”
He pushed the glass toward Ji Shileng.
Because the Ji family would always stand behind him, Ji Shileng could accept whatever outcome came.
They respected him too. When he said he did not want to settle scores with Shang Jianli, they had genuinely refrained from deliberately making trouble for the Shang family.
“Thank you, Shifeng”
Ji Shileng’s thick, dark lashes grew slightly damp.
Honestly, he should thank Shang Jianli for curing him of never missing home.
Life was about experience. Often, the outcome was not what mattered most.
But who did not want a good outcome?
Everyone longed for a happy ending.
Memories rushed past. He seemed to return to the thirtieth-anniversary celebration of diplomatic relations between the Empire and Shaye.
Wall lamps and crystal chandeliers reflected brilliant light. Clear piano music flowed through the room’s splendor and luxury.
Ji Shileng stood hidden in the shadows, his eyes lowered, saying nothing.
“Hey, did you hear? General Shang brought his spouse to tonight’s banquet”
“Huh? Which spouse? That Ji Jieleng or whatever?”
“His name’s Ji Shileng. Fuck, you can’t even remember his name?”
The conversation was as unoriginal as ever. Ji Shileng did not need to hear more to know what would come next.
“What’s he doing here, anyway?”
The speaker pinched his nose in disgust.
“This is a banquet to welcome Shaye. Do they let any stray dog or cat in now?”
The other person sneered along with him.
“Who knows? Maybe he’s looking for someone higher up. With that face, plenty of people would still be interested”
“General Shang isn’t high enough for him?”
Before they could finish, Ji Shileng sighed softly and turned to take another route back to the main hall.
He should never have listened.
During those years of “marriage” to Shang Jianli, he had grown used to the rumors and malicious gossip.
But hearing them unexpectedly still soured his mood, did it not?
In the narrow passage, several younger guests were laughing and chatting. Ji Shileng turned sideways, intending to slip past them toward the hall.
Despite his care, someone inevitably bumped his shoulder.
The younger guests looked up, grinning. Once they recognized him, they deliberately rammed into Ji Shileng even harder.
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