Chapter 143: Good Morning
Chapter 143: Good Morning
After taking a shower, Xu Qing emerged feeling no trace of sleepiness. Dressed in loose pajamas, he sat on the couch and picked up the book Jiang He had been halfway through reading, How to Win Friends and Influence People.
This book by Dale Carnegie was a classic. Back in university, one of his roommates had also bought a copy, though it was barely read and mostly served as a makeshift lid for instant noodle bowls. Xu Qing himself had never read it. The title alone had led him to dismiss it as another one of those flashy self-help books with titles like Three Phrases Every Man Should Know or Don’t Lose as a Woman Because of Low Emotional Intelligence. If Jiang He hadn’t purchased it, Xu Qing probably would never have reconsidered his judgment.
Relationships between people are subtle and complex. A glance, a word—these could all ripple out and impact those around you. The book offered insights into self-awareness and self-improvement, showing readers how to understand themselves and how to better coexist with others. Skimming through its pages, Xu Qing was surprised to find it quite insightful. While it didn’t seem particularly useful to him, he thought it could be highly beneficial for Jiang He if she could delve into it.
Self-awareness, as the book suggested, involved recognizing that one is not particularly special, merely one of the multitudes. Nothing revolves solely around an individual; everything has its cause and effect. Pursuing one’s goals in a proper way was essential.
Understanding others, on the other hand, meant realizing that nobody else is particularly special either. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and individual differences abound. There was no need to insist on everyone sharing one’s perspective, even when others were obviously wrong.
Good or bad, selfish or wise, foolish or intelligent—if it didn’t significantly concern oneself, there was no need to correct others. Good people had their reasons; so did bad ones. Understanding these reasons allowed for a broader perspective. Maybe Jiang He could become a sharp and insightful heroine by adopting this mindset.
Xu Qing put the book back in its place, thought for a moment, then retrieved an old bookmark from his room and placed it inside. He didn’t want Jiang He to keep folding page corners or leaving it messily on the table.
The light under Jiang He’s door was still on; she hadn’t gone to bed yet. Xu Qing tidied up the cups on the table to prevent Winter Melon, the cat, from knocking them over during the night. After checking everything again, he switched off the living room light and returned to his bed.