Chapter 55: The Ball Game

After finishing the title, a shock went through Vilerak’s heart, and his fountain pen dropped onto the floor with a soft clack.

He stared in disbelief at the words he had just written on that page: "Chapter 10: How Do We Change?" A sense of dread welled up inside him. How could he possibly dare to write such a title for those people in *On Equality*? Even Chris had no idea how to bring about change—what was he trying to do?

Vilerak had no idea what had just been crossing his mind; he hurriedly snapped the book shut and hid it away.

"Young Master Chris," Fletcher’s voice came from outside the door.

Taking a deep breath to calm his long-turbulent heart, Vilerak said, "Come in."

Fletcher pushed the door open and entered. "Mr. Carmine wants you to get ready and accompany him to a football match."

Sitting at the desk with his back to Fletcher, Vilerak asked, "Why suddenly take me to a football match?"

Fletcher replied, "Mr. Carmine’s favorite sport is football. Since work isn't too busy today, he decided to catch a game. Bringing you along is, by the way, to showcase a deep father-son bond."

"Yet in my memory, Chris wasn't interested in football," Vilerak noted.

"Even so, the late Young Master Chris would still accompany Mr. Carmine to matches," Fletcher said, walking closer to Vilerak. Now that the pretense between them was broken, he didn't mind voicing his long-hidden opinions. "Though it was no different in nature from what you're doing now—it was also just to display a profound father-son relationship."

"Since they are already father and son, what need is there to prove their affection through actions?" Vilerak had been unaware of this and asked Fletcher for clarification.

Hearing this, Fletcher let out a cynical laugh. "When you threatened me yesterday, I thought you had seen through everything. Just take Miss Kellerman's arranged marriage as an example; Mr. Carmine doesn't care about his children at all. They are merely tools for him to expand his commercial empire. I was already working here as the butler before Mr. Carmine’s children were even born. I watched them grow up step by step, and I watched Mr. Carmine’s business grow from a small factory to what it is today. I must say, the Mr. Carmine of thirty years ago is no longer here. Nowadays, his eyes hold only money and profit."

"I didn't expect you to view him this way as well," Vilerak said, quite surprised that Fletcher would say such things to him. "I thought—"

"Because it is the truth," Fletcher stated. "If Mr. Carmine weren't so cold, he wouldn't have reached where he is today. To the man he has become, losing the ability to get along with his own children is a completely acceptable loss. Now then, hurry up and get ready to leave."

"Alright." Vilerak stood up to change his clothes, and then, guided by Fletcher, went to meet Carmine.

***

Carmine was in the hall, briefly adjusting his attire. "Do you enjoy watching football?"

"I haven't paid much attention to it before," Vilerak replied.

"You will fall in love with the greatest sport in the world," Carmine said with a benevolent smile. "Let's go."

Fletcher escorted the two of them to the car and watched as it drove away.

Vilerak and Carmine sat in the back seat. This was Vilerak's first time maintaining such close proximity to Carmine for so extended a period, but having been through enough, he managed not to appear unnatural.

"You've been here for quite a while now. Is there anything you particularly like?" During the tedious journey, Carmine brought up some casual topics to test Vilerak.

Vilerak had already anticipated that Carmine would use this time to deepen his understanding of him and probe his thoughts. Knowing the driver was present and that Carmine wouldn't hold back, Vilerak feigned absolute frankness and answered, "Yes. Here, everyone I meet is full of goodwill, without all that scheming and backstabbing. It makes me feel very relaxed."

"The world isn't truly as pure and harmless as you see it. You must have experienced a great deal in the slums," Carmine said, his hostility and cunning subdued for the moment, sounding more like a father instructing his child. "Only after you grow strong enough will those weaker than you hide their hostility, leaving you to see only the beauty of the world."

"Indeed, Mr. Carmine," Vilerak replied, avoiding a naive demeanor. "Even when one knows full well that those people harbor ill intentions, remaining forever strong so that they are forced to keep up their pretense forever is still a rather pleasing state of mind."

"Quite right," Carmine smiled broadly. "That is precisely the most intoxicating and enjoyable part of it."

After much consideration, Vilerak boldly asked Carmine, "Mr. Carmine, I'd like to ask you a question. In your opinion, what is the most important thing in this world?"

"What do you think it is?" Carmine looked at Vilerak with that same gentle expression.

Vilerak had not yet thoroughly thought through the question.

Two seconds later, Carmine spoke, "You wouldn't just blurt it out, would you? Or rather, until one truly faces a certain choice, no one knows what matters most to them."

"True..." Vilerak echoed.

***

"Why did you suddenly think of asking me that?"

"I..." Vilerak weighed his words. "I've never quite figured out what matters most in my own heart."

"That is actually the best state to be in," Carmine said, a hint of envy rising within him. "Because when you finally learn the true answer, it must mean you've just made a difficult choice."

"Thank you for your insight," Vilerak said.

He had never imagined he could have such a profound conversation with Carmine one day, let alone that Carmine would offer him such a sound perspective.

"Young man, the future holds infinite possibilities for you," Carmine reached out with his left hand to pat Vilerak's left shoulder, soothing his confusion. "Keep it up."

Vilerak didn't buy into such nonsense. The moment he lost his utility and became a liability, Carmine would decisively discard him. Carmine saying this was nothing more than wanting to fill him with illusions about the future so he would continue to work himself to the bone for him. "I will, Mr. Carmine."

Each harboring their own hidden agendas, the two engaged in a silent, subtle clash inside the car.

Twenty minutes later, the car arrived at the outskirts of the Waldem Stadium, the largest football ground in Bresia, located in the downtown area of Leise. After entering, Carmine and Chris went straight to a private box.

This was Vilerak's first time watching a football match, and also his first time in a private box. The box resembled a small café—quiet and comfortable enough to sit and sip coffee leisurely, with a panoramic view of the pitch through the wide, bright glass partition right in front.

"This is my regular box. Have a seat." The space inside the box was spacious enough that even twenty people wouldn't have felt cramped. Carmine walked straight over to the seat closest to the glass partition and sat down.

Seeing this, Vilerak sat down beside Carmine and looked out at the scene beyond the glass.

Outside, the spectator stands surrounding the enormous football field were already over sixty percent full. The players from both teams had just taken the field, and the match was about to begin.