On the way back, Ye Qiu remained silent.
He first dropped off Lao Xiang and Su Xiaoxiao, then drove Bai Bing home.
“Are you still upset about that boy?” Bai Bing asked.
Ye Qiu said, “That少年was in the prime of his youth, with a bright and dazzling future ahead, but to save someone, he lost his life so young, it’s just too tragic.”
“If he’d saved someone else, it might be different, but he saved two pieces of trash.”
“Ice姐, I just don’t get it, that少年gave his life for those two women, why wouldn’t they feel grateful?”
Bai Bing replied, “That’s where morality comes in.”
“These years, society has developed too fast, everyone’s chasing material wealth, neglecting the cultivation of spiritual civilization.”
“To make money, many no longer care about what’s moral or immoral.”
“For example, some influencers on short video platforms, to gain traffic and tips, have no底线, eating live bugs, even feces, utterly disgusting.”
“At its core, it’s a failure of education!”
Ye Qiu nodded, agreeing with Bai Bing, and said, “Our country’s education prioritizes knowledge first, then ability, and morality last.”
“The so-called moral education is what people often call the ‘virtue’ in ‘nurture virtue before talent,’ but it’s just empty words, because some teachers don’t even know what modern morality is, what contemporary civilization is, or what social progress means.”
“On one hand, they use rigid texts like the *Three Character Classic*, *Tao Te Ching*, *Loyalty and Filial Piety*, and *Disciples’ Rules*, centered on Confucian morality, as modern civilization to teach students, on the other, they guide students toward earning big money, becoming high officials, standing out, and honoring their ancestors as life’s ultimate goals.”
“So, the moral education up front clashes with the education that follows, making it pale and powerless, unable to hold together, leaving students at a loss, even seeing it as hypocritical, deceitful, pretentious, and useless in some eyes.”
“With the rapid rise of the modern market economy, schools’ moral education has become detached from reality, ignoring students’ own needs, many schools still obsess over grades and admission rates, dismissing moral education entirely.”
“Add to that the mixed bag of info online, and many people’s principles have shifted, money before morality, profit before courtesy.”
“Because of this moral gap, even the definition of success has changed.”
“In ancient times, the greatest success was becoming emperor, then a noble or general, next an official, or passing the imperial exams, in short, all tied to officialdom.”
“But modern society added another pillar of success: money.”
“Whoever makes money is successful, the more money, the greater the success.”
“This view of success is both a无奈response to societal factors and a result of inadequate moral education.”
At this, Ye Qiu sighed, “I don’t know when this can be fixed, or if it ever can.”
Bai Bing comforted him, “Don’t be too pessimistic, I believe when a society gradually perfects its social security systems, and people gain enough security, the chase for money will cool down, they’ll pursue spiritual richness and uphold morality.”
“Then, everyone will restrain themselves with virtue, and the pursuit of happiness and success will shift.”
“No title, no power, no big money, yet still feeling happy, with care in old age, medicine for sickness, support for the young, and a place to live.”
Ye Qiu’s mood lightened a bit, “Your words are worth more than ten years of study, Ice姐, if you taught, you’d be an amazing educator.”
Bai Bing laughed, “I can’t handle teaching, I prefer being a doctor, walking this path with you is my lifelong pursuit.”
As they spoke, the car reached Bai Bing’s place.
“Not coming in to sit?” she asked.
“Sit, or do something else?” Ye Qiu teased with a smirk.
Bai Bing shot him a look, “Go find Lin Jingzhi instead.”
With that, she got out.
“Rest early.”
Ye Qiu watched her enter her room before driving toward Lin Jingzhi’s place.
Half an hour later, he arrived, just parking when his phone rang, he checked it—three words on the caller ID: *Jiuqian Sui*!
Glancing at the time, it was 11 p.m.
What was Cao Yuan calling so late for?
Ye Qiu answered with a grin, “Jiuqian Sui, what’s your command?”
“You’re practically the top leader’s grandson-in-law now, I wouldn’t dare command you,” Cao Yuan chuckled.
Ye Qiu quickly clarified, “That’s just rumors, I’m not becoming anyone’s grandson-in-law.”
“You should seriously consider it, I’ve seen the top leader’s granddaughter, she’s beautiful, refined, a perfect match for you,” Cao Yuan said, “Plus, if it works out, you’d have a huge backer.”
Ye Qiu changed the subject, “Jiuqian Sui, calling this late, it’s not about that, right?”
Cao Yuan said, “I’ve got big good news for you.”
“What good news?” Ye Qiu asked.
Cao Yuan replied, “The Witch God Cult issued a kill order on you.”
“What the hell kind of good news is that?” Ye Qiu grumbled.
Cao Yuan laughed, “From what I know, in the last decade, the Witch God Cult has only issued kill orders on two people: me and you.”
“So I should feel honored?” Ye Qiu rolled his eyes.
“It means they’ve not only noticed you but fear you, of course you should be honored,” Cao Yuan continued, “Just now, I got two more updates.”
“First, the Witch God Cult’s Saintess hasn’t appeared in a while, her whereabouts unknown.”
“Second, one of their two envoys, the Right Envoy Poison Scorpion, arrived in Jiangzhou today, no need to guess why.”
“He’s young, skilled, be careful,” Cao Yuan warned.
“Any info on Poison Scorpion?” Ye Qiu asked.
“None, but he’s got a trait, he likes wearing black robes,” Cao Yuan replied.
“Got it.”
Ye Qiu hung up and immediately called Han Long, ordering, “Poison Scorpion from the Witch God Cult is in Jiangzhou, send all our people out, dig three feet under if you have to, find him.”
