Chapter 434: Chapter 292: Letting Go Is Gaining—2
Translator: 549690339
What I did, even just helping each other among friends, was not crossing the line.
It’s just that I didn’t have any real friends before.
Harrison Clark’s attitude was actually just right.
He valued friendship more than I did, so he tried harder to maintain a distance, reminding himself time and time again.
He’s a good person.
I was not content with what I had.
I disguised myself well, but my momentary weakness earlier betrayed my greed.
I’m still not loyal enough to my true intentions.
I’m lost.
The real reason behind my quiet concessions is that he doesn’t like me, and he chose Carrie Thomas first.
I knew this from the beginning, but I needed him to emphasize it repeatedly.
He is the man with responsibility.
This might be the friendship between men; I can learn from it.
“Ah, I really like ‘Continue in the Next Life’, but it seems I can’t write love songs at that level. I used to think I was good at writing sentimental songs, but after seeing the depth of this song, I realized that what I wrote before was just idle complaining.”
Avril Green lamented again.
Harrison Clark didn’t deny it either, “Everyone has a different personality and is good at different styles. You have your strengths, so there’s no need to force it.”
His judgment of Avril Green was not surprising.
After all, ‘Continue in the Next Life’ was a work created by Carrie Thomas after solidifying her position in the top ten for a thousand years. Avril Green worked hard and was talented, but after her last epiphany, she exhausted all her strength and could only climb into the top hundred.
“But I will try to create a work that is not inferior to yours on my own path. I will try to see if I can do it in this lifetime.”
With some things let go, a relieved Avril Green quickly regained her stubbornness and pursuit from before.
Harrison Clark was slightly surprised.
She got into the state even faster this time.
The real person she wanted to win against was not Harrison Clark, but another Carrie Thomas.
The two had a bit of a fateful rivalry going on, and Avril Green refused to admit defeat after numerous losses and battles.
In short, it was great that she could let go, and it wasn’t a waste of her efforts.
From a personal and civilizational standpoint, Harrison Clark naturally hoped that Avril Green would break away from the small-minded emotional entanglements and shine brighter in the field of art, making the new Renaissance more diverse, rather than just letting Carrie Thomas dominate.
He didn’t expect things to work out so well.
“That’s great, I’m happy for you. I believe you can.”
Harrison Clark smiled, looking at his watch again, “It’s almost noon, want to go out for lunch together?”
Avril Green shook her head, “Wait, I have a question for you too.”
“Go ahead.”
Avril Green carefully phrased her words, slowly saying: “It’s just… if someone really wants to have a share in your industry now, what do you think?”
She spoke very tactfully, but Harrison Clark understood her meaning in an instant.
She had helped him avert a disaster last time, but now that she had to ask him directly, it meant that the “someone” was too big to be ignored.
Harrison Clark sighed in secret, but he was not surprised.
Whether it’s a blessing or a curse, you can’t avoid it.
This was still within his expectations, but he couldn’t help feeling disappointed when faced with it.
In the previous timeline, such a situation never really happened.
After Avril Green blocked the first calamity, “someone” quieted down, and then after a few more years, when the Summit Research Institute showed its true power, Harrison Clark had already built his stronghold in Oxfordshire, impenetrable.
His personal influence at home and abroad also reached new heights, with unparalleled prestige and invisible power.
Even if someone had designs on him, they weighed the consequences and backed down.
But this time, he had once again made massive changes to the timeline, causing a qualitative change and facing a new backlash from time.
If it was still the old Harrison Clark, he might be angry about it.
But after having been a leader of civilization himself, his thoughts had changed a lot.
There’s a cause for everything, and understanding others’ motives and the evolution of the era, Harrison Clark looked at the world from above, feeling as if the whole world had become childish.
Raulsen and Ethan Evans’s disrespect couldn’t anger him, the Los Angeles Agent’s detention couldn’t anger him, and this matter likewise couldn’t make him angry.Harrison Clark shrugged. “Before we talk about that, I have to criticize you first, Lucia.”
Avril Green: “Huh?”
Harrison Clark chuckled, “Who are we to each other? You can just tell me directly, no need to be secretive. Just be straightforward with me.”
Avril Green quickly defended herself, “No, no, it’s not…”
Harrison Clark shook his head, “I know it’s not you. I also believe that you’re not in the same camp as them. You’re just relaying their message, and you’re worried about me. I understand and thank you.”
Avril Green let out a sigh of relief, that was a scary moment.
It’s not easy being his friend!
She pouted unusually, complaining a little, “Really.”
Harrison Clark shrugged, “You got tricked by me again.”
“Huh?”
“Well, I’d rather have it be you. That way, I’d have no worries.”
Even though Avril Green was well-informed and experienced in dealing with big scenes, she was still a bit overwhelmed by the interests concealed in Harrison’s seemingly relaxed words.
Harrison Clark immediately addressed her confusion, “You’re different from others, we’re real friends. You’ve helped me a lot when I was down on my luck.” “No, it’s your own ability.”
Harrison Clark: “Let’s not praise each other in business matters. The situation is like this. If you want 10% of Summit Research Institute’s shares, I will offer them to you willingly. I want to and would like to give them to you. With your support, I can save a lot of trouble. But I know that with your character, you won’t accept.”
“Even if you lie to me, it won’t work. This definitely isn’t your true intention. So, if others want it, please help me tell them: it’s impossible! My every cent has a destination, and no one can take advantage of me.”
She wasn’t surprised by his strong response, “I knew it.”
“I’m not being stingy or petty. Money, after all, can’t be brought into or taken out of this world. I don’t have many material desires. But each of my pennies has an important use. My current $100,000 could someday help support… well, in short, no one can take advantage of me! And once I give in, those people won’t be easily satisfied.”
Avril Green: “Yes, you see it very clearly. But the world of adults is full of compromises. I’ll try to help you, but I’m still worried that you’ll be at a disadvantage.”
Harrison Clark asked back, “Doi look like someone who would compromise? Would I be afraid?”
Avril Green smiled bitterly, “Alright, alright, I know you’re capable. You weren’t afraid of Eric Mitchell when you were penniless, and now you’re more capable. I heard you’re getting quite cocky over there.”
“Yeah, so the things I did over there the other day weren’t because I went crazy. They would love for me to be wronged here. Because they know very well that although I say I treat all of human civilization equally, I still have my preferences. But if someone wrongs me first, I can’t be blamed for wronging them.”
His words were heavy now.
Avril Green completely understood his meaning.
“Alright, I get it. I’ll figure something out and let you know in a few days.”
“Okay, but don’t overdo it. Believe in my abilities. I’m much stronger than you think.”
Avril Green was startled, “Why did you suddenly start bragging in the middle of a casual conversation?”
Harrison Clark: “Pff!”
Sister! The way you put it, he suddenly feels less tense.
Avril Green’s unexpected change of pace almost made the currently bluffing Harrison Clark spit blood.
He quickly changed the subject, “Let’s eat! We’ll go eat! I’ve booked a private room at a Michelin restaurant outside the cultural and creative park. Let’s go.”
Seeing his hasty retreat, Avril Green’s face turned slightly red.
It felt pretty good to be just friends, huh?
Less stressful than before!
While eating, Avril Green quietly took a file folder out of her bag.
“This was supposed to be a gift for when you agree. Even though you’ve refused now, I still think I should tell you about it.”
Seeing her serious demeanor, Harrison Clark became nervous, “The deal didn’t go through, so we don’t need the gift.”
“If it were anything else you could refuse, but for this, I must inform you first. It has special meaning for you.”
“How so?”
“Let me tell you, and then you can decide if you want to see it.”
“Alright.”
Avril Green: “About your biological parents.”
While grabbing some food, Harrison’s hand trembled suddenly.
“I don’t want to see it!”
Avril Green: “Really?”