Chapter 439 - 423: Good Child, Bad Child
"She’s not worth your distress," Shitou said, relieved as he noticed Lu Yun’s expression had softened considerably.
"I’m not distressed, I just suddenly remembered a story."
Lu Yun looked up at Shitou and smiled, "Whether in a past life or this one, whether in everyday life or during our school days, we always see that good, obedient children are easily overlooked. But bad children, as soon as they behave slightly better, are noticed by teachers who then lavishly praise them for doing something good children regularly do."
"That’s easy to understand because those acts themselves aren’t really praiseworthy, as they are expected. But for bad children, who often fail to do what is expected of them, the only option is to praise them when they occasionally fulfill their duties, hoping they’ll stop causing trouble," Shitou said, raising his eyebrows.
"Adults can understand this reasoning, but especially the children can’t. Especially the good children often end up feeling confused as to why they are being forgotten. There are even some adults who advocate the idea that because bad children don’t follow the rules, they’re more likely to succeed, have a brighter future, and are more promising... Don’t you think that’s unfair to the good children, making them feel the impulse to become bad children too?"
"It does sound a bit unfair, but..."
Shitou opened his mouth and then, with a look of disapproval, said, "But as for what you’re saying about good children turning into bad children? And that bad children are more likely to have a future than good children? That’s just nonsense. What kind of theory is it that a crooked sapling from young will turn into a towering tree as it grows up?
On the contrary, there are some bad children who make something of themselves, but the ratio isn’t high; most become tumors on society. And there are many good children who might not become great talents or achieve great success, but most can contribute to society and live their own peaceful and happy little lives."