Chapter 234 - 185: The Feeling of Social Death, the Auction, and Spending Money More Meaningfully

She didn’t need fancy jewelry to adorn herself; she was already dazzling enough.

He, her father, was nearly seventy, yet all he ever thought about were his own private affairs. His daughter, on the other hand, so young, was already striving for the public good.

Realizing this, Ni Guangli’s expression softened. He gently patted her head. "It’s getting late. You should get some sleep."

"Dad, this kind of thing isn’t hard for me. Just a little bit of what slips through my fingers can bring a brighter future to so many people. I think it’s worth it."

"You’re doing the right thing. I was wrong before."

"No, Dad, that’s not what I meant..."

Ni Bingyan scratched her head in frustration. "Our worldviews are just different, that’s all. Dad, you’ve already done more than enough. No one in this world is born with the duty to care about whether others live or die. You’ve run an honest business for decades, never cheating anyone, young or old, and you’ve even trained so many talented people for society. That’s truly amazing! You’re spending your own hard-earned money, fair and square. You don’t have to feel sorry to anyone..."

’She wasn’t doing charity to make others look morally inferior, nor did she want people to put her on a pedestal and call her a saint.’

’She wasn’t doing good deeds for the sake of fame.’

’She just wanted to give back to the society that had shown her love.’

’People who grew up cherished by their parents would find it hard to understand how she felt.’

’Her own birth parents had abandoned her, yet strangers with no blood relation had worked tirelessly for her growth and future. She grew up supported by the public, sustained by the compassion of society as a whole.’

’She had been lucky enough to grow up, her spirit not too broken. Now that she had the means, even though this wasn’t the same world, this world still had unfortunate people just like her.’

’She hoped she could radiate a little light, to warm others just as others had once warmed her.’

’But these were things she could never explain clearly. She could only accept whatever judgments others made of her.’

’A saint, or whatever else they wanted to call her. Who cared!’

Ni Guangli’s emotions were incredibly complex.

’In his mind, he had always been the one holding the umbrella, with his daughter sheltered beneath it. Only today did he realize that she had grown up. She had left his protection long ago and was now holding an umbrella of her own.’

’The difference was, under his daughter’s umbrella were thousands upon thousands of strangers. Under his, there had only ever been a few, close people.’

’This realization made him feel old.’

’At sixty-seven this year, he really wasn’t young anymore.’

’It seemed his daughter didn’t need him.’

’Just as she’d said, their worldviews were different, as were their definitions of a happy life. Perhaps, more than enjoying life’s pleasures, she enjoyed the feeling of striving and moving forward.’

’I’d take her out to have fun, and she’d feel exhausted. I’d take her on shopping sprees, and she’d feel no joy. She has to be constantly striving, constantly improving herself—only then will a smile grace her face.’

’It was a bit odd, but... was there really anything wrong with that?’

’Everyone has the right to choose their own way of life. He shouldn’t interfere with hers, even if she was his own daughter.’

"I’m heading back to my hometown tomorrow. When you go to the film set, remember to take Wangcai with you."

Ni Guangli hugged his daughter, gently stroking her head, feeling both gratified and heartbroken.

Hearing this, tears immediately welled up in Ni Bingyan’s eyes.

’She knew that in her impulsiveness, she had probably hurt her father’s pride.’

’He had always lived proudly, proud of his abilities, proud of having friends all over the world. Only now did he realize that perhaps he wasn’t as great as he’d thought.’

But Ni Bingyan didn’t regret it.

’She was an adult with her own way of life; she didn’t want to just listen to her father about everything.’

’Even though she had transmigrated into the body of a rich family’s young miss, she could never forget who she truly was. She was just a grassroots girl used to pinching every penny. She simply couldn’t live a life of luxury.’

’Luxury cars, jewelry—these things weren’t necessities. She didn’t want them.’