Chapter 93: From the Mind

Speaking of this, Liu Tianxian grew a little more melancholy; she still cared deeply.

Because of Fang Hong's butterfly effect this time, the backlash was much bigger than in her past life; in her past life, she never had movie roles like "Shen Jiayi" or "Huang Xiaoxian" that people remembered.

In her past life, all the movies she starred in flopped, facing relentless criticism from audiences.

This time, though there was still criticism, at least people could remember them.

"Don't worry, I'll make it up to you someday," Fang Hong promised.

Liu Tianxian looked at him seriously, lowered her head in silence for a moment, then raised it again: "Fang Hong, I don't know if it's appropriate for me to say this given my current status, but I still want to urge you to act more honorably, not so ruthlessly."

She feared this man would stray down the wrong path for her—that would be a grave sin. First came plagiarism, then drugging others, and recently, to ensure the film's success, he stirred up feminist rage and boxing.

These tactics all crossed the line; she wanted this man to be upright, and even in conflict, to fight fairly and openly.

Fang Hong lowered his head in thought, saying nothing, but inside he was quite pleased—it proved this girl still had feelings for him.

Without feelings, no one would guide another toward the image they desired.

"Maybe what I'm saying isn't what you want to hear, and it's hard for you, especially since you've just started—but I still have to say it: you can use tactics, but don't become cruel and heartless; only by standing straight and upright can you go further."

Liu Tianxian pleaded earnestly.

Fang Hong moved closer and changed his seat: "I admit I've gone too far on some things—you know I had no choice!"

"I understand your difficulties, and I empathize with them, because I've been through them too, and I'm still going through them—but if you keep going like this, I fear you'll make a fatal mistake, and then it'll be truly irreversible."

Liu Tianxian spoke sincerely.

Feminist rage was terrifying—it had even attacked mainstream media. What if later, using this, he angered the wrong people or got involved in ideological issues and picked the wrong side?

She couldn't bear to imagine how Fang Hong might be dealt with.

There's nothing wrong with guiding public opinion, but guiding it to attack official media—what are you trying to do?

The law doesn't punish the many, but the leader will definitely be taken down.

This incident won't be escalated, of course—she feared this man would become arrogant.

"Alright, I promise you—I'll try my best to act honorably from now on," Fang Hong smiled and nodded, feeling deeply comforted inside.

To say Liu Tianxian was naive wasn't true—she accepted using tactics, but not overly dark ones.

To say she wasn't naive, yet she seemed unusually wise.

Perhaps this was why, despite enduring countless storms over the years, she still stood firm—because people always felt she was utterly out of place with the filth of the entertainment industry.

They always thought she was clean, pure, which was why they were willing to be her fans.

Was it really because of her works? Thick bloodline? Impossible!

In the entertainment industry, there are far too many people with better works and thicker bloodlines than her—Guoji Zhang, Li Bailian, Shu Chang, Dong Jie.

The Four Dan and Two Bing, the Teddy Jie Mei Tuan, the Three Beauties of Immortal Sword III, every big and small star—didn't each have a pile of outstanding works and a solid fanbase?

So why did Liu Tianxian stand out, alone in her own tier? Because people saw how utterly different she was from the entertainment industry.

Maintaining purity, refusing to sink to the same level—she was a clear stream, creating a sharp contrast with the entertainment industry!

That's why Liu Tianxian could rise again after repeated setbacks—she held fast to her own boundaries.

If Fang Hong suffered a major setback, it'd be hard to say he could rise again—he has no boundaries at all!

At that moment, Liu Xiaoli brought over a fruit platter and placed it on the coffee table, smiling warmly: "You're surnamed Fang, right?"

"Yes, you can call me Xiao Fang," Fang Hong replied politely.

They'd met once before, but hadn't had deep conversation.

"Oh, why do I see everyone else calling you Principal?" Liu Xiaoli sat down in a chair.

She'd seen online netizens calling him that, and wanted to understand this young man.

"That's just what the crew members shouted randomly—it caught on," Liu Tianxian said from beside her.

Liu Xiaoli glanced at her daughter: "Where did you get this tofu skin?"

She meant to say eating couldn't shut her mouth, but with a guest present, she didn't say it that way.

The meaning was roughly the same.

"I brought it for her to try," Fang Hong said.

It wasn't the right time to mention his mother—might trigger an extreme reaction from Liu Xiaoli; they were already meeting the family.

Liu Xiaoli nodded slightly—thoughtful, at least.

Seeing there was nothing more to talk about, Fang Hong picked up his down jacket and stood: "Yifei, Auntie, I'll be going now."

He wouldn't stay long on the first visit—he could call tonight, and come again next time; the point was just companionship.

"Let me see you off," Liu Tianxian put down her chopsticks.

Liu Xiaoli said nothing.

The two walked side by side out of the large villa; the snow outside hadn't stopped. Fang Hong comforted her: "Don't take those online opinions too seriously—mouths are on other people."

"I know. I'll adjust my mindset. Drive slowly," Liu Tianxian saw him into the car.

"I'll call you tonight."

Fang Hong made a phone-gesturing motion.

Liu Tianxian forced a faint smile, looking drained, and waved goodbye.

Her mood was like this now—Fang Hong said nothing more and started the car.

Watching the car disappear into the distance, Liu Tianxian stood at the door for a while before returning inside.

Liu Xiaoli, seeing her daughter return, probed cautiously: "Do you like that boy?" "It's not that. He treats me well, I treat him well—that's all," Liu Tianxian said.

If liking someone meant just this much, she would have fallen long ago for all the suitors before.

There was affection, there was gratitude—but not love.

"You have to be careful—this man rose from nothing, dared to clash with Huayi—he's no ordinary person," Liu Xiaoli still warned.

"Oh my god, I'm already stressed out—I don't have time to care whether he's ordinary or not," Liu Tianxian sighed helplessly.

It's really overthinking—she hasn't been harmed at all; why be so guarded?

Besides, the two of them haven't even held hands yet; even if they had, it was only in a drama—Fang Hong has always been proper with her.

Even if you talk, stop at a reasonable point!

"Alright, alright, I won't bother you—just keep your eyes open." Liu Xiaoli waved her hand.

She also knew her daughter was worn out from public opinion.

At night, Fang Hong called Liu Tianxian as usual.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"Reading." Liu Tianxian's tone was flat.

She sat at her desk, a bright desk lamp illuminating her beautiful face, one hand turning pages, the other holding her phone.

She looked rather listless, answering the call only out of politeness.

"What book are you reading?" Fang Hong asked.

"A Course in Miracles. If you're bored or feeling pain, you can read it—it's quite good." Liu Tianxian said.

"I remember the author apparently went mad in the end."

"You've read it?" Liu Tianxian was surprised.

"I've read a bit. Some say it's a divine book that awakens the soul; others say it's a heretical book that cuts straight into the heart like a blade." Fang Hong said.

"Oh, so what do you think it really is?"

Liu Tianxian was taken aback—this man had actually read such a book? She'd always thought he couldn't even name it.

In truth, Fang Hong had crammed—he'd realized thought resonance worked, so he'd recalled Liu Tianxian's past-life book list and read through it.

He never believed a little emotion or some routine tricks could win Liu Tianxian over—he had to start with her mind, confuse her intellectually before he could confuse her into bed.

He was using every trick he could!

"Whether I call it this or that doesn't matter—what matters is what it gives me."

Fang Hong shared his insight: "Truth means different things to different people—I'm just telling you what I understand."

Liu Tianxian sat up straight, listening to his reflections.

"In my view, everything I am is a transformation of mind; my world contains nothing beyond mind. What we call gods, the Lord—these are merely products of my thoughts."

"Mind's function is thought—all the myriad phenomena I subjectively perceive are nothing but the mind's application, a single thought in action."

Liu Tianxian listened intently; her earlier weariness faded slightly, as if infused with energy.

She could grasp the general idea of these theories.

That is, everything is illusory—all creators, gods, and deities are merely human thoughts.

If you say a Lord exists, then a Lord exists; if you say a god exists, then a god exists.

It seemed this man had truly read it—he wasn't fooling her!

"If one truly comprehends the meaning of existence—if speech never leaves the mind, and mind never leaves thought—if one speaks of others without speaking of their mind, how can one see their true intent and reality? Without seeing their true intent and reality, how can I achieve inner peace, untouched by worldly disturbances?" Liu Tianxian's interest in the conversation stirred.

"True peace comes not from submission, nor acceptance, nor forgiveness—but from understanding the truth, understanding the original nature of thought."

"Originally, there is no action—why forgive? Why tolerate? Why understand? If submission is needed, who submits? If acceptance is needed, who accepts?"

"."

For several days straight, Fang Hong discussed life philosophy with Liu Tianxian.

In truth, Fang Hong himself didn't know what he was even talking about.

He had merely flipped through the book, then interpreted it to Liu Tianxian through his decades of life experience across past and present lives.

But Liu Tianxian loved listening—she was thoroughly absorbed.

That was good—it proved confusing her mind intellectually was viable.

Over these days, Liu Tianxian had regained some vitality; her face once again bore her former essence and spirit, her smiles genuine, no longer as if drained of strength.

She felt as if she'd found a kindred soul—she took the initiative and called Fang Hong at night to continue their philosophical discussions:

"You say I'm reading Conditioned Dharma, Worldly Dharma—not Dao Dharma, not Ultimate Dharma. What exactly are Worldly Dharma and Conditioned Dharma?"

"All methods seen in the world are tools. Tools themselves have no good or bad—whether the path to liberation is smooth or painful has nothing to do with the tool itself, only with the one using it."

"Tools have no good or bad, only differences in simplicity, complexity, and ease of use. Methods are techniques; tools are manifestations of techniques—I call this: Great Dao Manifestation."

(End of Chapter)