CHAPTER 59: SIMPLE WORDS

Many reviews passed through Leon’s mind, but he mostly focused on the positive ones. They reminded him of his hard work, the years he had spent on the game, and how much it had satisfied the audience.

Then, the scenes in his head shifted to his new life in the game world turned into reality, and he remembered all the happy times. He remembered how happy he was with his mother and Silver.

He remembered how the villagers celebrated his birthday, their faces full of smiles. He remembered how happy they were with their simple life. Sure, there were hardships, and they couldn’t endure everything, but they were still happy.

He remembered the faces of all the children in the orphanage his family often helped. Their warm smiles were etched on his heart. Even if they were orphans, they were happy.

There were so many happy moments, even in this terrible world. Even if the next day wasn’t guaranteed, people tried their best in life and remained happy.

He could spot tons of sad moments where people were suffering, but he could also spot so many moments where people were genuinely happy.

His actions had negative effects, but also positive ones. If him making the world brought suffering to others, it also brought happiness to so many.

He just needed to hold on to that positivity. Just that...yet it was quite hard to do so.

"Mom!" he asked. "Do you like your life?"

Evelyn didn’t understand where the question came from but still answered truthfully, ’I had my ups and downs in my life. I even once reached a point where I didn’t even want to exist. It was a terrible point.’

Leon’s eyes stayed fixed on her face as he grabbed her hand and patted it lightly, just like she had always done with him.

’But then you entered my life, and it got a meaning. You became the reason for my life, and I pushed myself to get stronger just for you. You became my life. So why don’t you ask yourself? Do you think I like my life?’

Leon didn’t really need any answer after that. He just closed his eyes to hold back the tears threatening to ruin his handsome face. He wouldn’t cry. Never!

But when had his body ever listened to him?

Warm tears began to trickle down his cheeks as he struggled to keep his emotions in check.

Evelyn gently wiped the tears and tapped on his cheeks. As he opened his bright green eyes, she smiled at him and said, ’Just like you hate tears in my eyes, I also hate when you cry. Your ugly face becomes even uglier.’

"I inherited my handsome face from you, so you’re just calling yourself ugly," Leon snorted but still managed to keep his tears under control.

How could he refuse a request from her?

Still, he learned something from her words. Even if people were suffering and going through a lot, they also valued their life. They were thankful for being born in this world.

Sure, there were people who wished they were never born, but he was only focusing on the positive part.

’So, did you get the answers you were looking for?’ Evelyn asked, seeing that he had regained his calm.

"Mostly yes, but I still want to tell you something," Leon said. "Due to his guilt, that man actually tried to help others and saved many. But there were still people who died. Those deaths made him feel even more guilty, and it began affecting him."

’Then, he should look at the positive side. He saved so many people. To be honest, I admire his character. It wasn’t his fault, but he is still willing to endure the consequences and help people. He should always remember that the people who died weren’t his responsibility.’

She paused before adding, ’If your kindness begins to harm you, then it isn’t kindness anymore. He is being too kind to everyone except himself, which isn’t good. He should think about himself and the people who depend on him.’

Leon smiled hearing all of that. It felt great to know that his mother admired his character, even though he knew it all along.

’In the end, I can only say one thing to him.’

"What is it?"

’He should be kind to himself first before being kind to others. It may sound selfish, but it actually isn’t. If you continue to give and give, eventually you will have nothing left. So he should just help as many as he can, but never feel burdened by the deaths of others. If he’s feeling guilty, then just help even more people. Simple as that.’

"You really are amazing, Mum," Leon said with a sigh. How could this woman solve his biggest problem with nothing but her words?

It was so simple, yet he couldn’t understand it until she explained everything so calmly and patiently. Perhaps, he was just looking for someone to tell him the words he wanted to hear the most.

’I have to be amazing to match my amazing son,’ Evelyn was more than happy to receive compliments from her son.

"Hehe, that’s for sure. Thanks for the pep talk. It helped a lot. That man can now live better," Leon smiled and said. "But I still want to ask you something."

’What?’

"That man felt responsible for the people’s pain. He felt guilty because he was too much of an empath. Don’t you think it’s a bad thing?"

’Huh?’

"I mean, if he wasn’t feeling so bad about others, then he wouldn’t be feeling so much guilt. Technically, it wasn’t even his fault someone else stole his drug and did so many things, but he still felt guilty because he had too much empathy and kindness. So, aren’t they bad? If he didn’t feel so much empathy for others, he wouldn’t be suffering so much."

Evelyn stared at him for a while before pinching his cheeks, ’Are you saying struggle and hardships shouldn’t exist? Are you saying life is bad?’

"Huh? What?" Leon got confused.

’Life means hardships and struggles. Then, does that mean life is bad? Does that mean life shouldn’t exist because it has its bad points?’ Evelyn asked.

"Uhhh!"

’Will you call your life bad?’

"Absolutely not!" Leon replied immediately. If he didn’t have this life, it meant he wouldn’t have met Evelyn and Silver. Just thinking about it made him depressed. How could he call this life bad?

’Then, have you faced hardships in your life?’ Evelyn was like a patient mother teaching her kid elementary math, but Leon didn’t mind it. He actually liked this side of hers.

"I have faced a lot of them." Leon nodded.

’So life didn’t treat you nicely. It has its bad points. Don’t you agree?’ Evelyn asked.

Leon nodded in agreement.

’And you still like it and wouldn’t throw it away.’ Evelyn smiled. ’Empathy also has its bad points, and one of them is the example you gave earlier. But it’s also the thing that makes that man the person who I can admire.’

"You really are amazing. As expected of my mother," Leon chuckled before he made his head comfortable in her lap and asked, "Can I take a quick nap in this position? It’s been a while."

Evelyn nodded with a sweet smile hanging on her lips. ’It’s a place exclusive to you and Silver.’

"Hmm. Wake me up if you feel uncomfortable."