Chapter 39

"Then, if it were me in the previous world, would I have been able to sing well if I had studied hard? I remember I was severely tone-deaf." Xia Xi narrowed her eyes and voiced her doubt.
"Very likely." The system's voice sounded calm and unruffled, but there was a hint of vagueness in its tone.
"Likely?" Xia Xi couldn't help but laugh in frustration at the system's response. "That answer is incredibly ambiguous, it could mean anything."
"Because this matter never became a reality, there are infinite possibilities." The system glanced at Xia Xi's gradually softening expression and cautiously continued to explain, "Perhaps in the previous world, Host, you worked hard and your singing improved. Or perhaps you worked hard but your singing remained average. It's truly hard to say, as even the slightest different choice could lead to a different outcome."
The system glanced at Xia Xi again and, noticing her furrowed brow, quickly added, "But based on data analysis, the former possibility is more likely."
Xia Xi had long harbored doubts about the system's words, and now, seeing it so eager to explain, her suspicions only grew stronger. She couldn't shake the feeling that it was trying to cover something up.
Moreover, Xia Xi realized that the system had no intention of giving her a reasonable explanation. If she didn't ask, it would pretend nothing had happened. Unconsciously, she frowned and fell silent.
She realized that in her dealings with the system, she was always the one at a disadvantage. Even though she knew much of what the system said couldn't be taken at face value, she had no way to refute it.
Because she had no idea what the truth behind her doubts was. If the system didn't speak up, Xia Xi could only make blind guesses, with no useful information to go on. In this world, in front of the system, she felt as transparent as a blank sheet of paper, like a fish on a chopping board, completely at the mercy of others.
Xia Xi's mood hit rock bottom. Though she wasn't an overly controlling person, she didn't want to become a puppet, forced to follow a path designed by someone else.
How miserable,
"Host." The system's calm voice suddenly rang out. Though it was still the familiar mechanical tone, there was a hint of resignation in it, as if it knew that if it continued to hide the truth, Xia Xi would choose to fight to the death. "Are you truly determined to know the answer to that question?"
"Of course." Hearing this, Xia Xi immediately nodded. "You and I are in a cooperative relationship. I believe I have the right to know the reasons and purposes behind these actions, rather than passively accepting them."
"Very well, if you insist." The system paused, its voice still calm. "Actually, there's nothing to hide about this. It's just that this is a primary task assigned to me by the Main God, and I have no choice but to carry it out."
Xia Xi raised an eyebrow but said nothing. It was clear she was waiting for the system's explanation, and nothing else mattered to her at that moment.
Seeing her reaction, the system sighed inwardly, knowing it had no choice but to come clean today. Resigned and no longer hesitant, it stated bluntly, "Host, you guessed correctly. Your improved singing ability is indeed related to Introduction to Singing Techniques. It has enhanced your perception of music and your vocal tone, but that book isn’t the main reason you sing so well, it’s just an aid."
"Then what is the main reason?"
"Hard work, of course." The system paused briefly. "It’s because of the original Xia Xi’s persistent practice that your singing has undergone a qualitative leap, leading to today’s outstanding performance."
Is that so?
Xia Xi furrowed her brow slightly. "So, I am Xia Xi, and Xia Xi is me?"
"Yes, I’ve already answered that when you first asked." After a long silence, the system’s calm mechanical voice replied, "Strictly speaking, the relationship between the Xia Xi of this world and you is that of the same person from different worlds."
"Is it a parallel universe?" Xia Xi suddenly recalled movies she had watched.
"Similar to a parallel world." The system nodded. "That’s why your soul could perfectly merge with this body and be reborn into it."
"Alright." Xia Xi finally accepted this fact but still had some doubts. "But in all the films I’ve seen, the same person in parallel universes looks identical. Why am I an exception?"
"Reality and imagination always differ. Not everyone in parallel universes has identical life experiences, after all. You and this world’s Xia Xi have followed different paths."
"Then this shouldn’t be called a parallel universe, right? Shouldn’t it be reincarnation?"
"But this world and your original one are indeed parallel."
Xia Xi nodded, pulled out the small notebook Zhang Lixin had given her from her pocket, studied it for a few minutes, then looked up and asked, "System, so is hard work more important than talent?"
"Host, that is beyond doubt." The system’s calm voice carried a hint of barely perceptible weariness, which Xia Xi, focused on her question, failed to notice. "Although human success requires a combination of innate talent and acquired effort, it is the continuous deepening between the two poles, innate and acquired, that reveals the truth about intelligence, effort, creativity, and human potential."
"According to database analysis, acquired effort is far more important than innate talent. Many people originally had great talent but wasted it due to a lack of effort, achieving little. On the other hand, some with modest talent have accomplished astonishing feats through persistent hard work." The system paused, its enthusiasm for the topic evident. "Besides, don’t you humans often say, 'Heaven rewards the diligent'?"
Listening to the system's perspective, Xia Xi pursed her lips and chuckled softly, "If what you say is true, then I've actually gained. I didn't put in any effort, yet I can sing so beautifully after crossing over, how wonderful."
"…"
The system was completely unable to refute Xia Xi's toxic positivity. Though it knew her reasoning was flawed, it couldn't deny the facts.

"Xia Xi, what are you thinking about so seriously?" Da He gently patted Xia Xi's arm and asked curiously once she snapped out of her thoughts.
Xia Xi narrowed her eyes, turned to look at Da He, and waved the small notebook in her hand. "I'm thinking about how to improve my singing skills so I can perform better in 'Cross-Border Singing Joy.'"
"That's great!" Da He was particularly pleased with Xia Xi's response. He patted her shoulder cheerfully and said, "I feel like you've become more driven ever since you broke up with that scumbag. It's truly a blessing in disguise."
Xia Xi nodded and smiled lightly. "I used to not know how to love myself and only focused on loving others. It's only now that I understand that in any relationship, I should always come first."