This shackle had bound the first half of his life.
Looking back on it, his entire life's trajectory had been based on the expectations of others; he had never once gone off track.
As a child, he studied hard to meet his parents' expectations.
After graduation, he worked hard to meet his wife's expectations.
Nearing thirty-five, being "optimized" was the company's expectation.
Everyone was satisfied with him, yet no one cared to understand what his own expectations were.
For so many years, he hadn't lived a single day for himself.
As a child, did he really enjoy studying? He didn't join his friends to raid birds' nests in the mountains or catch fish in the river. Was it because he didn't want to?
After graduation, did he really enjoy his 996 job? He didn't join his travel buddies to see the great landscapes of the motherland, nor his angling friends to witness the sunrise over the Huangpu River. Was it because he didn't want to?
It was like a stand-up comedian once said, "Why didn't you go to Tsinghua? Was it because you didn't want to?"
So, was it because he didn't want to? The truth was, he couldn't.
The various responsibilities drilled into Sun Dasheng since childhood had become shackles, making every step a struggle.
He loved all those things, but he just couldn't do them.
Now that he had quit his job and acquired Earth OL, he felt a profound sense of relief.
He decided he would live the second half of his life for himself.
To hell with work! To hell with family! To hell with responsibility! I'm done serving!
He wandered around the comic convention for a while longer, getting the hang of Earth OL. All he had to do was think, "Believe in the Light," and the panel would appear. A thought would retract it, and it would disappear.
Sun Dasheng attached the Weapon of Light to his hat and unlocked a yellow shared bike to ride home.
Normally, the short trip from the company to his home would leave him gasping for air.
Today, he zoomed along, spirited and radiant, his body feeling as if it had reverted to how it was twenty years ago.
His legs, pumping the pedals, seemed to have endless strength. If I switched careers to food delivery, would the 20,000-a-month mortgage in this city of Dahu even be a problem?
After all, hadn't he seen the trending story about the top delivery driver in the yellow uniform who earned 1.02 million in three years?
We working folk are really something else. Seems like getting rich through hard work is possible after all.
HEH! PAH!
An hour later, he arrived back at the Bi Gui Yuan residential complex in Pudong.
He got home and opened the front door with his fingerprint.
His wife was in the living room, doing yoga.
Having never had children, her dedication to exercise kept her stomach flat and smooth. The tight yoga clothes accentuated her alluring figure. Large beads of sweat trickled down her pale, firm, swan-like neck, adding another layer of charm.
The sight gave Sun Dasheng an instant rush!
He quickly bent over to compose himself. His body was younger, and his libido had grown stronger as well.
His wife's name was Lee Li.
Ever since Sun Dasheng was promoted to the K8 level with an annual salary of 500,000, she had quit her job to become a part-time housewife. It was "part-time" because she spent half of her time traveling. She loved beautiful scenery, was passionate about travel, and ran a travel blog. She had some followers, but not many—just enough to cover her travel expenses.
Seeing Sun Dasheng return, she glanced at him before continuing her yoga. Even if a stranger walked into the house, one would at least ask, "Who are you?" He was now less than a stranger, completely ignored. Fortunately, he had long grown accustomed to this cold treatment.
The air conditioning was on. He hung his thick coat on the rack by the door, took the Weapon of Light from his hat, and headed toward his bedroom.
They had been sleeping in separate beds for a long time.
"Why are you back so early? It's not quitting time yet, is it?" his wife finally asked from the living room, her realization delayed until he had already reached the bedroom door.
"I quit," Sun Dasheng said, not intending to hide anything.
"I knew this day would come, Sun Dasheng. It's my own fault for being blind and choosing a loser like you."
"I originally thought you were the Great Saint, arriving on a seven-colored cloud to marry me."
"Turns out you were just the Da Sheng, arriving on a black Yadea scooter."
His wife Lee Li's voice was flat, yet a hint of indifference seeped through the calm.
Sun Dasheng was at a loss for words, a lump forming in his throat.
Toward his wife, he had been endlessly accommodating and attentive.
When others had cosmetic sets costing thousands, he bought them without a second thought.
When others had down jackets worth over ten thousand, he bought them without a moment's hesitation.
When others had handbags worth tens of thousands, he didn't fret about the cost. His answer was always the same: buy it.
When others traveled abroad several times a year, he didn't have time to accompany her, so he would plan her itinerary, prepare the money, and personally drive her to the airport.
He considered himself a good husband.
Back then, Lee Li had indeed been a gentle and considerate wife.
But as the old saying goes, "It's easy for brothers to face adversity together but hard to share wealth; for women, it's easy to share wealth but hard to face adversity."
The thickness of his wallet hadn't kept pace with Lee Li's ever-growing desire for a lavish lifestyle. Naturally, the way she looked at him grew colder by the day.
He was like a stock that had been trading sideways for years, completely exhausting the patience of his wife, who had been watching and waiting.
She put away her yoga mat, went to her room to change into a mink coat, and picked up a seasonal LV bag she had recently bought.
"Let's go to the Civil Affairs Bureau and finalize the divorce today," she said to Sun Dasheng. "There's no point in dragging this out."
They had signed the divorce papers long ago. Sun Dasheng's resignation today was simply the last straw.
Sun Dasheng didn't say much. He went downstairs and wheeled out the small scooter that had been gathering dust for a long time.
"Get on," he said. "The Civil Affairs Bureau isn't far. I'm sorry you'll have to endure a few more minutes of cold wind."
Lee Li ignored him, her gaze fixed on the distance.
Before long, a flashy red Porsche Cayenne pulled up, its horn honking loudly. "Honey, have you been waiting long? Hurry, get in."
The man behind the wheel wore a slicked-back hairstyle and sunglasses in the dead of winter, every bit as flamboyant as his car.
Lee Li expertly opened the door and sat in the passenger seat. Looking out the window at Sun Dasheng, she said, "Hurry up. Don't make me wait too long at the Civil Affairs Bureau."
The car drove off, only to reverse back a few moments later.
The driver's side window rolled down. The man stuck his head out, took off his sunglasses, and gave Sun Dasheng a provocative smile.
"Old classmate, still remember me?"
Sun Dasheng recognized him. It was Wang Jiadong, Lee Li's most devoted follower back in college. He had a sinister and calculating nature, and everyone called him "Croc Tortoise."
"Croc Tortoise, so it's you. You seem to be doing pretty well for yourself."
Wang Jiadong's expression darkened for a second before he put on an arrogant smirk.
"My dear classmate, don't you worry. I'll be sure to take good care of your wife for you!"
Heh! Did he really think an attack like that could get to me?
Sun Dasheng flipped him the bird.
He got on his scooter, ignored them, and sped away.
"Damn it, he's lost his job and he still acts so cocky?" Wang Jiadong was thoroughly pissed that his attempt to show off had fallen flat.
Back after graduation, the goddess of his dreams had fallen into Sun Dasheng's arms. He had harbored a grudge ever since, always dreaming of the day he would win her back and put Sun Dasheng in his place. When the goddess told him she was getting a divorce, one phone call had been enough to reel him in, despite not having seen her for years.
Unfortunately, his long-held wish was only half-fulfilled.
Lee Li glared at him.
"You're a big boss. Why are you lowering yourself to his level?"
"Let's just go. If the Civil Affairs Bureau closes, we'll have to deal with him for another day."
"Okay, whatever you say."
Wang Jiadong instantly switched back into an obedient lackey, fastening Lee Li's seatbelt before driving off toward the Civil Affairs Bureau.