Chapter Fifty-Four: The Plan in Motion

Evening, the Bund.

Yang Jie was dressed simply as usual, but wore his signature cowboy hat, giving him a distinct American Western cowboy vibe.

Wang Nianwei, on the other hand, was quite different. Not only were her hair down, but she was also wearing earrings and a strap-style bodycon minidress. Her long, fair legs were exceptionally eye-catching, and she wore a crossbody bag.

The moment he saw the bag, Yang Jie’s eyes lit up. That bag wasn't cheap—it cost at least five figures, something a young woman who had just stepped out into society could hardly afford.

Yang Jie let out a whistle and said with a chuckle.

"You're quite good at deceiving people!"

Wang Nianwei frowned. "How am I deceiving people?"

"Your outfit from last time deceived me. I had no idea your figure was so perfect. Beauty, tonight you belong to me!"

Wang Nianwei was startled, instantly crossing her hands over her chest.

"W-What do you want to do?"

Yang Jie spread his hands, a helpless expression on his face.

"That's a perfectly normal way of giving a compliment in Texas!"

Wang Nianwei was momentarily stunned, then immediately said with excitement.

"I—I remember now! That's how they talk in American TV shows!"

Yang Jie laughed heartily. "My apologies, my apologies. I spent five years over there, and sometimes I just can't shake off the way they speak!"

Just then, Wang Nianwei’s stomach let out a rumble.

Yang Jie laughed and led her toward their destination.

Magic City Tribute Vegetables!

This was a newly opened high-end restaurant with a rather steep per-person cost. The crucial part was that dining inside allowed you to enjoy the treatment of an ancient imperial monarch throughout the meal.

Not only did personal waitresses provide one-on-one service, but right before your eyes, beautiful women dressed in ancient attire performed classical dances.

Inside the private room, the two of them ate with great satisfaction. Many of the ingredients were things Wang Nianwei had never tasted, even with her family background. They chatted as they ate, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

"Are you that curious about the Land of Beauty? Why do you keep asking me about things abroad? I can see your family is quite well-off; going abroad to study shouldn't be difficult for your family!"

Wang Nianwei let out a long sigh.

"I originally planned to study abroad, but a cousin of mine on my aunt's side went over there and got chopped, and came back as a woman! My aunt nearly cried her eyes blind, right after bearing children!"

"That incident scared my parents out of their wits. They wouldn't let me study abroad in any country. I remember back then, they wouldn't even allow us to travel abroad! Is that sort of thing really common in Europe and the Americas?"

Yang Jie chuckled.

"It happens, but it's not super common. Still, running into it is a huge headache. Now, it seems like that bill has been amended; they don't even need to notify family members to perform the surgery anymore!"

Wang Nianwei shook her head, her face full of incomprehension. Indeed, people from the Dragon Country find this kind of thing utterly incomprehensible.

"So are the people living in Europe and America happier? I always feel like we people in the Dragon Country are so anxious. I'm anxious right now too, afraid I won't do a good job at work and bring shame to my family. Is what I heard true?"

Yang Jie took a sip of his drink and nodded.

"That's right. Whether they're students or young adults over there, they are much happier and more carefree than people in the Dragon Country!"

Wang Nianwei asked in wonder, "Could it really be the gap in education?"

"You're overthinking it. The purpose of happy education is to raise pigs. They have two kinds of education over there: happy education and elite education."

"Happy education targets the children of ordinary people. From a young age, it drills into you that studying doesn't matter, and being happy is the most important thing."

"Then what happens if you can't find a job in the future?" Wang Nianwei truly couldn't wrap her head around it.

"The teachers will say, 'Why are you always obsessed with finding a good job, making big money, living in a villa, and driving a sports car? That's a sign of vanity. Life shouldn't just be about pursuing material things.' They start brainwashing people right from kindergarten!"

"Then what if you can't survive?"

"Not being able to survive is a problem with society, not a problem with you. What is the most important thing in life? It's seizing the day and enjoying the moment! Those teachers will also tell you that what life should pursue is truth, goodness, and beauty, along with family, friendship, and love!"

"They are right about one thing, though: people from the Dragon Country are indeed very anxious, because our channels for upward mobility haven't been sealed off. Among your classmates, some drive Land Rovers and others make big fortunes. Once there's a comparison, anxiety naturally follows."

"As for those product of happy education, among their classmates, not a single rich person will ever appear in this lifetime, because the class lines are already solidified. Once they step out into society later on, everyone's salary is roughly on the same level, so nobody laughs at anyone else."

"As for elite education? Well, the rat race is fierce. They not only compete in grades but also in family background. These elites are also brainwashed; from childhood, teachers at private schools instill in them: 'You are the best, this world is imperfect, and you are the chosen one to save the world.'"

"And then these elites immerse themselves in the fantasy of saving the world and changing the world, so naturally, they feel happy."

Yang Jie’s thorough explanation left Wang Nianwei too shocked to speak. It practically shattered her rose-tinted glasses regarding the Land of Beauty.

Yang Jie completely understood Wang Nianwei’s mindset, because people from the Dragon Country always love to self-righteously use their own logic to imagine the rest of the world.

What kind of world is it out there? It's a jungle world!

Yang Jie continued to share quite a few of the things he had seen and heard. Not only were they easy to understand, but they also cracked Wang Nianwei up with laughter.

This gave Wang Nianwei a completely different impression of this big guy.

Especially when Yang Jie talked about the time he was tricked into northern Myanmar, Wang Nianwei listened with a sigh, realizing how easily a life could be lost if one wasn't careful back then.

After finishing dinner and paying the bill of several thousand yuan, the two began to stroll through the streets.

Wang Nianwei’s earlobes turned slightly pink because the crowd here was packed shoulder-to-shoulder, yet Yang Jie kept her tightly shielded in front of him like a guardian knight.

Naturally, this led to plenty of physical contact between them. For some reason, Wang Nianwei didn't dislike this feeling at all.

Yang Jie was also stirred into a heated state by this youthful, healthy body.

After wandering the streets, the two of them grabbed bubble tea and went to the cinema to watch a movie.

When the movie ended, Yang Jie sent Wang Nianwei home, then called a ride back to Haishi. What needed to be done had been done; as for whether he could prompt the higher-ups to prepare early, Yang Jie figured he would do his best and leave the rest to fate.

Back at the hotel, Yang Jie took out his phone and started checking the messages in his chat group.

He had to admit, there weren't many people in the group, but every single one of them was a loyal hoarder who spoke pleasantly.

Yang Jie directly updated the group chat with a message.

[A magnitude 4.5 earthquake has occurred on the Jiuzhou Island of the Island Nation.]

Seeing no immediate reaction, he simply put away his phone and went to take a shower.

Magic City.

Inside a mid-range apartment.

Wang Nianwei panted as she entered the apartment, collapsing straight onto the sofa and sprawling out in every direction.

She had to mind her image outside, but who gives a damn about that at home? For some reason, she always felt there was a special scent about Yang Jie—very pleasant. Coupled with the way he had protected her amidst the crushing crowds, a powerful sense of boyfriend material completely filled Wang Nianwei’s heart.