While Gian is slowly turning the pages of the book he is holding. But it is obvious that he is not reading the words written in the book. Instead, Gian has a deep frown on his face. It seems like he is thinking of something important.
"Bro... What are you thinking?" Russel asked Gian to break the eerie silence in his room.
"Gian?"
"..."
"Young Master?"
"Stupid ancient guy?"
"..."
Russel is getting frustrated that he can't get any reactions from Gian. If only he can spank his head to get his attention right now.
"Boorish guy?"
"..."
"Aah! Senpai, notice me!"
"That would work." Gian suddenly said as he closes the book he's holding with a thud.
"Ah?"
"I should try doing it. But how should I deliver it?" Gian mutters to himself.
"Deliver what?"
"But before I think about it, I should also think of some ways to hide my identity."
"Hide your identity? Huh?"
"But is it possible?"
"Dude, talk to me! What is it?!"
For the first time, Gian looks at the chattering pen inside his pocket.
"I am thinking of a plan." Gian said.
"What plan?"
"A plan to make a connection with the powerful people around me."
"Huh? Can you do it?" Russel asked in disbelief.
Gian looks at the pen in his pocket. Russel quickly recognizes this look as dissatisfaction with him. Immediately, Russel tries to fix this problem.
"I mean, what's your plan? Since the honey and tea business failed, do you have any other idea?" Russel asked in a careful voice.
Gian looks at the pen a little more before he answers Russel's question.
"Simple. I will predict the future for them."
"Bruh... You are planning to be a fortune-teller?" questioned Russel. "You are already a young master in this huge mansion, dude. There is no need for you to lower yourself on doing a shady business like fortune-telling."
"Remember when I told you that I traveled back in time?" Gian asked as he deliberately ignores Russel's blabbering.
"Well, yes."
"And because of that, I have extensive knowledge of what will happen in the future."
"Yeah. So your point is?"
"Then how about I also change the fate of the people around me?"
"Dude, don't talk in circles anymore. Just go straight to the point!"
Gian let out a sigh before removing the pen in his pocket. This pen... is half smart and half stupid. But most of the time, he is always stupid. Really stupid. Not to mention, he is also not quite... normal. Nevermind. Russel is always like this.
"I am planning to use the knowledge I have to influence the people around me. If I can prove to them that I can change the disasters that will befall in their life, there is a chance that will become my ally."
Gian realized this after he decided to help Lady Shannen with her marriage problems. Since he decided to interfere with her fate, Lady Shannen will not be married to Earl Bartilon and there is a high chance that she will not die. As for the information that he got, Gian already knows what events or things that will happen for the next thirty years. If he can use this information well, Gian can use it for his benefits.
"Oh, now I get it. As expected of you, bro! You are quite a smart bean." Russel praised him. "So how will you do it?"
"I am still thinking about it." Gian said. "If I will provide the information I have with the people who get involved in it, I should gain a good bargain from it. Also, I am thinking of not revealing my identity to them."
"But why?" Russel inquired. "You are planning to make your own reputation, right?"
"I don't want to repeat the same mistake twice, Russel."
"...Oh."
As expected, Gian is still nursing the grievance he received from that party.
"Dude, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"Do you now hate your family to the point where you do nor want to help them in the future?"
"Huh?"
"Do you still remember the reason why you returned back in time?" Russel asked in a serious manner this time.
"That's..."
"You told me before that your family's existence was wiped out by the Royal family. Your older brother died while guarding your mansion while your father used all of his remaining resources to let you stay alive. The Royal family spared no one as long as they have a connection with the Cres Val family. After experiencing all of it, what do you think is more painful? The death of your family or the disappointment you are currently feeling up until now?"
"It's..."
"Gian, trust me when I say that I really know what are you feeling right now. And dude, I know how it freaking hurts. You can't stop asking yourself what you did wrong or compare yourself with the person who is more excellent than you in every way."
When Gian is about to say something, Russel continued.
"But Gian, you should also understand that humans cannot survive by using their emotions alone. Do you know that a single person was given a brain and a heart at the same time? You should both use it in a balancing manner."
"Gian, I hope you do not get offended by my words. But you are the type of person who was controlled by your own emotions. When you first said your experiences to me, I saw the deep hatred in your eyes. You planned to have your revenge with the Royal family. But when I asked you about your plans on how to do it, you quickly became lost. You have a goal, but you do not have a plan to do it. So what is the difference between you and those fools who always keeps on dreaming but did not take any action?"
Russel pause for a while to observe Gian's expression. Just like what he expected, Gian is frowning. When it seems like Gian has no plans to interfere, Russel continued again.
"It is good that you have a heart that can let you feel a lot of emotions. It only means that you are still alive. There are times where it is inevitable that you will feel hurt, betrayed, mad, and disappointed. There are also times where you will feel happy, giddy, scared, anxious, nervous, and excited. There is nothing wrong with these feelings. It is all natural for a human to have these emotions. But you should also not let these emotions control you."
Russel let out a sigh before continuing again.
"Gian, you are currently not satisfied with your family. You are disappointed with them and maybe deep inside, you are also secretly blaming them for making you feel this way. But did you even try to learn the reason why they did that? You just simply assumed that they took the recognition that should originally belong to you because your brother is more outstanding unlike you."
"..."
"I hit the bullseye, right?" Russel asked. "Gian, I am not in the position to tell if you are doing the right thing or not. All I know is that you have the right to feel those emotions. It only means that you have a heart and you are still alive. But you should also think in a different perspective. Why did your family do that? Is it really to bring more prestige to your older brother? Are they doing it because you are not worthy to be recognized as a member of this family? You should avoid jumping in conclusion without knowing the whole truth."
"So let me repeat my first question to you. Do you now hate your father and brother to the point where you do not want to help them in the future?"
Gian cannot utter a single word after that. Even if he wanted to refute his words, Gian cannot find the right word to say. Every word that came from Russel just now hits him so hard in his heart.
Gian remembered how he belittled Russel's intelligence earlier. Maybe because he got used to his antics and endless chattering, Gian had already forgotten that Russel is not an ordinary existence in his life. He has knowledge that is entirely different from his. Gian thinks that if he and Russel will compare their worldly knowledge with each other, Gian will surely be defeated.
Naturally, Russel is not aware of Gian's thoughts. He is currently thinking if he got overboard with his lecture with this guy just now. He already knew this certain matter, but Gian's previous actions prove Russel's suspicions about him. Even if Gian already lived for thirty years during his past life, his knowledge when it comes to reality is still limited.
Aside from his past hardships, Gian's experiences are still restricted for a certain scenario. Maybe because he tried to live as lowkey as possible that he even avoid too much contact with other people. He reached the age of forty only on his physical appearance, but his mindset can be considered similar to a sheltered teenage kid with a little knowledge of how to survive while hiding in society.
"Gian..."
"I'm sorry."
"...Ah?"
Russel was stupified. Why is Gian apologizing to him?
"You are right. I am giving too much investment in my emotions that make me muddleheaded on the things that are more important." Gian solemnly admitted. "I am acting too irrational these past few months just because I am being overly selfish. I sincerely apologize for all the things I did in the past."
It is now Russel's turn to be speechless. He did not really expect Gian to easily admit his faults and wrongdoings. Russel thought that it will take him at least a week before he realized what he has been doing these past few months. This development is really unexpected for Russel.
"And to answer your question..."
Gian takes a deep breathe first before continuing. This time, his voice was full of conviction.
"I do not hate them. They are my only family. My father and my older brother waste their life to save me in the past. This time, it is now my turn to protect them."
Russel thinks that he is currently witnessing a miracle tonight. The gloomy and irritated aura that surrounds Gian for a few weeks is just like a fire that quickly distinguished out of nowhere. Russel did not know if he will laugh in happiness or cry in frustration right now. If he knew that having a serious conversation with Gian will solve his problem, he should have done it the day after the party.