Perhaps they did share similarities, as when Zhou Zishu heard the other’s singing and sighing, he seemed to have understood something. He couldn’t help but give a gentle reply, trying to be a little comforting, “Your parents were some of the rare good people in this world. They were a true match made in heaven, traveling across jianghu together then retreating to seclusion together. Were I to have such a life, I wouldn’t have any regrets even if I have to die tomorrow.”

Wen Kexing’s smile was terribly faint. “Good people?”

He looked almost dazed in the dead silence of the night. “Can’t believe after that many years there’s still someone who remembers them and calls them good. Say, what makes a good person? Why do human have to be good?”

Zhou Zishu was about to answer when he detected signs of movement from Zhang Chengling. The boy seemed to be having trouble breathing before the pattern changed. Zhou Zishu didn’t have to look at him to know that he was startled awake by yet another nightmare.

Zhang Chengling said nothing and merely curled in place, clutching at Zhou Zishu’s robes and the tree branch while listening to them.

At that, Zhou Zishu swallowed the words he was about to say. He thought over it carefully for a while, then replied in a neutral tone. “Not everyone in the world is a good person, but a majority of them tries to be so, to the point that they’re willing to fake it.”

He paused for a bit before continuing. “As for why they do… I think it’s because only when you are good to others will they treat you well in return. When you’re good you will have friends, acquaintances, family, people who want to be near you, to be nice to you. Think about it, isn’t it too miserable of a life if all you have is yourself and you treat everyone else with wariness? It’s too painful, being a bad person.”

Wen Kexing was stunned listening to that. After a good while, he smiled and shook his head.

Zhou Zishu said no more about it and added more wood to the fire. Wen Kexing’s head lowered, eyes gazing at the sparkling flame. He shook his head again but more slowly.

Finally, his arms crossed behind his head as he lay down facing the bright starry night. A long sigh was followed by words that were almost impossible to hear. “Fair enough… Ah-Xu, you’re quite a reasonable man.”

Zhou Zishu only smiled at that.

Wen Kexing’s next question sounded like he was talking to himself. “Can a despicable man… also be piteous?”

“Of course.” Zhou Zishu answered.

Wen Kexing nodded to himself, uncaring about Zhou Zishu’s possible scrutiny. He then gave a solemn comment. “Ah-Xu, I just realize even though you may not be beautiful, you still suit my taste just fine.”