Chapter 38: Unchanged 未变

Their thinking revolves around money when people do business for a long time.

当一个人做生意做久了，思维方式里都难免带着铜臭气。

As soon as she entered society, all social interactions, even with former classmates and alumni, became centered around reciprocity and personal gain.

当她踏进社会的那一刻，所有的人情往来，甚至曾经的同学校友的交际都要讲究回报和利益。

In this world, investments are assessed based on their returns. Whether it''s financial investments, investments of time, or investments of emotions, individuals in society always have specific expectations or needs. You either possess something they lack or have something they desire.

投资是看收益率的，所以一个社会人士无论是金钱的投资，还是时间的投资，或者是感情的投资，他都必定是有所求或者有所需，你有他没有的东西或者你有他想要获得的东西。

At this very moment, Gu Xiang is valueless and unworthy of his investment.

而此时此刻的顾湘是毫无价值的，不值得他的投资。

Throughout her professional career, she has gained invaluable insights. Someone once advised her that even a simple gesture like receiving a bottle of mineral water in society comes with an underlying expectation for something in return.

职场生涯中教会了她很多知识，正如曾经有个人和她讲过：在社会中，哪怕人家送你一瓶矿泉水，人家都是想要回报的。

He didn''t speak, just quietly listened.

他没有说话，而是静静地听着。

"This trip of mine is not just for sightseeing. It''s also an attempt to clear my mind, hoping to regain my fighting spirit and find my direction again. I don''t want to continue feeling lost, helpless, and decadent. I often tell myself that life is full of ups and downs, and maybe the current difficulties are just life''s tests for me. As long as I persevere and don''t give up, there might be unexpected gains. You can see that I''m no longer the person you remember. I''m not outstanding, and I''m quite ordinary." At the dining table, Gu Xiang spoke every word to him without hesitation.

“我这次出来游山玩水，其实不单纯是出来游山玩水的。只是出来散心，希望能够收回自己的颓废之姿，能够稍微点燃自己的斗志。能够再找到自己的方向。不至于就这么迷茫，这么无助，这么颓废。我常对自己说，人生不如意之事十之八九，也许现在的艰难只是生活对我的考验，只要坚持住，不放弃说不定会有意外的收获。你看现在的我早已经不是你记忆中的我了，现在的我不优秀，我很普通。”餐桌上，顾湘面对着他一