The principal stood anxiously behind the tree.
He watched Yue Qingqing and the old man Qian talking about something, and the latter’s expression turned serious, devoid of any joking demeanor.
Unfortunately, the principal was too far away to hear anything clearly; even straining his ears, he couldn’t catch a single word.
Little did he know that Yue Qingqing had discreetly cast a barrier spell to ensure that their conversation wouldn’t be overheard.
"I don’t believe in feudal superstition. I was born under the red flag and naturally value science, but does that mean physiognomy isn’t scientific?"
Qian, with a teasing look, asked, "How so?"
"If we go to buy watermelons, we often discern whether they’re ripe and sweet from their texture, shape, and color. Otherwise, why would everyone meticulously choose and tap them to hear the sound?"
"When selecting a foal, we examine its hooves, teeth, and fur to determine whether it’s a good horse or a poor one, and whether it will be able to run fast when it grows up. Aren’t these pieces of wisdom passed down by people?"
The old man nodded, "Continue."
"The same applies to people’s facial features. Those grown in different environments have diverse appearances and postures. For example, people living in misery tend to frown and their mouths droop, showing a bitter face. Over time, people summarized these patterns into what is called physiognomy, which strictly speaking, is a science of statistics."
Qian Zhengxin, puzzled, was an older generation who somewhat believed it’s better to trust than to be in doubt.
But having heard the young lady’s scientific explanation, he thought it didn’t seem quite so mystical.
Suddenly, Qian Zhengxin remembered his purpose, "But isn’t it a bit presumptuous to judge through physiognomy whether I’ve met with an accident or not? What if someone really does need help?"
Yue Qingqing quirked her lip, "Of course, I have my methods. But conversely, don’t you think it’s a bit presumptuous to judge a student’s character by whether or not they help an elderly person?"
Qian Zhengxin was startled, "How did you guess..."
"You’ve been insistently asking us to help you up, your words laced with a pedagogical intent. If it’s not for conning money, then it’s naturally a test. Personally, I don’t agree with such tests."
"Why?" Qian Zhengxin asked, perplexed.
"It’s not objective. Every student’s situation is different. Those helping you despite knowing the risks might be good people, but does it mean that those who don’t help are definitively of bad character? They might just be scared or cautious."
"Perhaps she would find a teacher or another way to help you. Yet, when she leaves, you might have already labeled her as having poor character in your heart."
Listening to Yue Qingqing’s earnest speech, Qian Zhengxin fell into a deep reflection.
Yue Qingqing added, "I think human nature should not be used for testing. If someone helps you today only to find out it was a test and a deception, it’s also a betrayal for them."
Ever since Qian Zhengxin’s business began to flourish, he had mostly heard flattery, or at the very least, had been treated obsequiously.
This was the first time that such a beautiful girl had criticized him to his face.
Yet, Qian Zhengxin didn’t become angry. Instead, he asked, "What do you think should be done in such situations?"
Yue Qingqing thought for a while, "I think helping an elderly person has nothing to do with kindness. People need to be assured that if they act kindly, good people won’t be wronged and bad people can’t profit from it. Then, naturally, more and more people will dare to do good deeds."
Qian Zhengxin pondered and felt that what Yue Qingqing said made a lot of sense.
There’s a saying, once bitten by a snake, one fears the well rope for ten years.
Sometimes, people are reluctant to do good deeds not because they lack kindness, but because the cost of doing good is too high.
Qian Zhengxin suddenly found Yue Qingqing’s kind of measured kindness more admirable.
Kindness needs to be guarded by claws and fangs, or else it’s just another form of weakness.
He asked with a smile, "Since you knew I was deceiving, why did you come over?"
Yue Qingqing replied earnestly, "Because I think you are a good person, and I wanted to help you."
Qian Zhengxin’s face suddenly changed, "What did you say?"