What had enlightened Suuankou was the story he heard from Nigel when his party had yet to depart as they met Painter Nigel at the Noah Station.
There was a painter named Nigel Elliott, who was also a clumsy youth.
People expected too much from him beyond what he was capable of. They would look disappointed when he did not live up to that false expectation.
But compared with Suuankou, the suffering and pressure the painter had endured were much heavier.
Painter Nigel spent eight years of his spare time building a solid foundation while he worked on his artless, mundane job.
Afterward, he spent another 12 years exploring the deepest and highest levels of the industry. He crashed into the wall called “the Elegant Elder” again and again relentlessly without giving up.
Then, at 44, he emerged proudly with his chest up and held his head upright, fulfilling the expectations that people had for him 20 years ago.
Even after Nigel had gone through half his life, his life was actually just at the beginning.
This unwavering and persistent outlook on life deeply shocked Suuankou.
That was especially true, when the person was also troubled by exaggerated expectations from others, similar to Suuankou.
Nigel did not escape that expectation nor plead for his innocence. Instead, he worked silently to improve himself so that one day, he could be worthy of the “genius” people branded on him 20 years ago.
He wanted to extract himself from the character of being an inferior and hypocritical young successful person.
The first half of his life was so similar to Suuankou.
Even if Suuankou tried his best, he could not catch up with the expectations of others to climb up quickly. So then, he silently endured others’ doubts about his efforts, swallowing tears in his stomach and desperately climbing up the ladder.
What those people wanted was for him not to become “the next Lin Yiyi” but to become better than Lin Yiyi.
It was just that he had not reached that height yet. So he looked up, unable to see through the shadow cast by the giant.
But all this was because he was too young, just like Nigel.
If he could also unswervingly devote 20 years of his life, he could succeed too!
It might take even less than that because his talents were superior to Nigel’s!
He was not merely following Lin Yiyi’s footsteps.
Instead, they happened to be on the same path.
At this moment, when he realized that his horizon was so shallow.
Jealousy, resentment, grievance, and injustice were instantly resolved from the heart.
Instead, a clear and brilliant light hatched from the bottom of his heart.
This brilliance abolished the laziness caused by not being rewarded for the effort and the inferiority complex caused by doubting whether one could meet the expectations of others.
There is still a long way to go in life.
—And I will never admit defeat, let alone stop my progress.
—One day, I will live up to others’ expectations.
Suuankou was not a painter, nor was he Nigel’s student. Moreover, Nigel did not know his past, let alone be concerned about his future.
However, Suuankou had truthfully felt a light of hope along Nigel’s words. The brilliance spread from another heart to his own heart.
“Are you all right, Erer?” Lin Yiyi asked with concern, “How are your hallucinations? Are there any other abnormalities in your body?”
The elder sister looked at Suuankou worriedly.
You are working too hard.
Suuankou just grinned, showing a cheerful and generous smile. “I’m fine!”
That’s because I’m a man.
I’m already a grown-up man.
It’s time for me to protect you, sister.
He smacked his lips regretfully and said with a smile, “It’s just that I won’t be able to help much later. So I have to leave the rest to you all.”
Lin Yiyi shook her head, “We will save some dungeon entry opportunities for you. After Annan arrives and purifies your erosion rate, you can rechallenge the dungeon. We definitely will let your level stay caught up.
“If your affection rating is not enough to purify your erosion rate, then deduct it from me.” Lin Yiyi replied without hesitation, “Rest now, don’t enter the nightmare again.”
That was unquestionable, true, and incomparable love and concern.
Suuankou was taken aback.
Of course, he knew that Lin Yiyi attached great importance to Annan’s affection rating. Even after Jiu Er exchanged her affection rating for an extended military axe, Lin Yiyi still held her affection rating and never actively used it.
As a matter of fact, the players could respawn after death.
Suuankou’s debuff only affected “his level upgrade efficiency”. On the other hand, Annan would clear the erosion rate directly to zero. To use it reasonably, Suuankou should hold on a little more and only remove the erosion rate after it reaches about 90%. With that, its efficiency would be relatively high.
This was undoubtedly Lin Yiyi’s concern.
Speaking of which, Lin Yiyi gave her “promotional code” to Suuankou instead of other people in the end.
That showed her unwavering care and concern at all times.
However, Suuankou did not notice it previously.
No, it was not so much that Suuankou did not notice it. It was fairer to say that he did not care about other people’s love for him in the face of the burdensome “expectation” that had almost crushed him.
Those cares were insignificant in the face of the pressure he faced. They were not enough to resolve his pressure, nor could they solve his problems.
I’m such a heartless little biscuit.
[TN: A slang to describe someone as naive and innocent.]
Suuankou sighed softly.
He suddenly felt that his mind had become so peaceful.
“Thank you, sister,” said Suuankou softly.
Being suddenly thanked by Suuankou, Lin Yiyi was also taken aback.
She smacked her lips and suddenly felt some goosebumps.
It was the first time she heard Suuankou seriously thank her in such a formal and less ingratiating tone.
“To be honest, I don’t quite get used to it.” Lin Yiyi held her arm shyly.
She smiled, “But it doesn’t feel bad.”
Right above them, in a city more than ten kilometers away…
Annan chuckled and turned off the backend-interface camera that peeped at the players.
They are all good kids.
Annan sighed silently.
The players were a little youthful and edgy but not inherently ill-natured.
They were all young people with light in their hearts.
“They have answered my call and came to this world, as my power, to help me save this world. I have to prepare some rewards for them.” Annan slowly closed his eyes.
His authority could not affect the other world, but he was not out of options to give rewards.
Even [Games] could move people and help them gain insights. It was not impossible to even change a person’s life. Then, this more realistic “game” could not just be “fun” for the players.
At this moment, it appeared that the gifts had displayed themselves.
—Fix their shortcomings.
—Discover their strengths.
—Acknowledge their efforts.
—Develop the characters and abilities they need.
—Release the resentment and jealousy of the past, heal their pains, and affirm their efforts and wishes.
“I will give you [Hope]. How about that?” Annan whispered.
He opened his eyes slightly.
At that moment, pure and flawless light overflowed from his eyes.
Just then, Dmitri pushed the door open, “Hey!”
Seeing “Ghirlandaio” carrying divinity at this moment, he stopped and was stunned for a moment.
“What’s up?” Ghirlandaio turned around as if nothing had happened and asked with a smile.
Dmitri pursed his lips but did not respond.
Is that just an illusion?
When he entered the door, he seemed to see a pure and holy deity.