Chapter 577: Chapter 53: Love is a Battle

After the debate over bathing and phone calls ended, Gongsun Ce spent a few minutes recounting his experiences upon awakening. (Details about the chest assault were selectively omitted.)

“…That’s how it is, big sister. Please give some advice to this young man.”

“Indeed, indeed. Hmm~~~”

On the other end of the phone, Zero paused for three seconds before saying:

“What a pain, you little brat.”

Gongsun Ce, clutching the phone, roared, “Can’t you at least have a bit of sympathy for Mr. Gongsun’s anguish?!”

“Sympathy for what? It’s nothing but a whiny brat’s ailment-free moaning,” Shiyu Ling dismissively said, “‘I’m so popular, I’m so troubled, what on earth should I do,’ sounds like insufferable behavior that makes others want to punch you.”

“I’m hanging up.”

“That’s too bad. I was bathing and about to send you a little treat.”

“Really?!”

Before he could think it through, the words had slipped out without consideration.

Mocking laughter came through the phone, and Gongsun Ce awkwardly covered his face: “Please, let’s pretend I didn’t hear that sentence…”

“Score one for me~”

He had to concede. There was no choice but to concede.

If Zero had actually sent a selfie, it would no doubt have led to mutual destruction. How he would react upon receiving the photo was one thing, but after hanging up, that woman would definitely, out of embarrassment, be rolling red-faced in the bathtub.

“Seriously though, I want to hear your opinion.”

Shiyu Ling’s response was so straightforward it stunned him.

“You didn’t do anything wrong. Although it’s an affected concern, it’s also the pathology of your masochistic heart.”

“You believe on one hand that there’s no reason for anybody to fall in love with you, and on the other, you also feel you don’t deserve to be in love with anyone. You accept confessions for the sake of others, and you reject confessions also for others. Whether you succeed or fail, you’re just masochistically satisfying others one-sidedly. How can you talk about love like this?”

He was completely hit the mark.

Gongsun Ce dejectedly said, “After hearing you say that, I feel like I’m beyond help…”

“Not necessarily, don’t you also have a desire to overcome this twisted psychology? For instance, by approaching me on your own. For instance, by helping that electronic pet. For instance, by wishing to close the distance with the Empire’s little girl. By acting these out, it shows that beneath the desire for self-destruction, deep within your subconscious, there’s also an urge for change.”

You very naturally put yourself in the first position.

Shiyu Ling said lazily, “So, Lianyi’s advice is the most effective and practical. Hurry up and practice Divine Communication Skill, succeed in Divine Communication and you can break through this mental block, which is more effective than any psychotherapy.”

Others practice Impermanence Skill to become stronger, I practice it as a cure.

Even for my own life, I’ve got to practice this thing after all…

“…Thank you for the advice,” Gongsun Ce sighed, “I didn’t expect you to make such a serious remark.”

“Big sister has always cared about your feelings.”

“Really? I’m so honored.”

“Really, you’re the most important person in the world to me.”

“Ha?!” Gongsun Ce lost his grip, and the phone smashed onto his nose, “You, you, you—”

“To be specific, I suppose I’m saying you’re a unique treasure in my life,” the witch said cheerfully.

“Stop it! How can you say such embarrassing things!”

“It’s really convenient to say anything when you can’t see the face, this is a precious technique I’ve just discovered.”

Don’t discover useless killer moves at a time like this!

Gongsun Ce gasped for breath like after strenuous exercise, struggling to say, “Anyway, I’ll keep working hard…”

“Good luck overcoming yourself~ I’ll bring you a souvenir after my trip,” Shiyu Ling said, “If you still can’t overcome the issue by then, I’ll rip out your pathetic heart.”

“Don’t threaten me with such scary true events as a joke!” Gongsun Ce said helplessly, “By the way, are you going to continue sending your travel logs?”

“Do you like reading them?”

“To be honest, I’m just happy for you when I see them.”

Looking at those pictures and text, imagining your carefree demeanor, it all feels like the battle on Zero Island was ultimately meaningful.

“Hmph~ Your rank has gone up. Goodbye!”

Zero unilaterally ended the communication.

Without a doubt, that person would be sinking into the bathtub and blowing bubbles after hanging up.

Shiyu Ling, when embarrassed, instinctively hides her expression, just as Qin Qianbai involuntarily turns her face when she’s shy. By the way, when Qiluo is shy, she’ll roll around on the floor or hide under the table. And Alandia… Alandia probably wouldn’t feel shy, right? Does she ever really have moments of embarrassment? That person always leaves others in awkward situations, while she herself remains forever composed.

“…”

Gongsun Ce placed his hands behind his head and, just like three years ago, stared at the ceiling.

His mind was a mess like a tangled ball of yarn, and the turmoil in his heart intensified. He had thought he’d be troubled by broader, more significant issues, but in reality, the main culprit of his confusion was neither Mr. Lan nor Yan Qi, nor the Impermanence Skill nor the Heavenly Return Skill, but his own worldview and interpersonal relationships.

“…I’m still just a minor character after all.”

He should’ve refused right away. Wanted to say something. These two opinions clashed within his heart, waging an endless battle. Zero and Mr. Shiyu made it sound so simple; just complete Divine Communication and all is well! But fundamentally, this is a contradiction—if he can’t solve his own issues, how can he move from “clear self-understanding” to “Spirit Light transformation”? There must be a clear direction to break through, but now he’s just spinning in place, repeating the contradictory spiral of self-affirmation and self-denial…