Chapter 78: Chapter 78: I Only Believe in Myself
After the two finished their meal, they were led by a waiter to the hotel’s private terrace to sunbathe.
After all, the average temperature in Rome in October is just over ten degrees, making it the perfect season for sunbathing.
As Gu Bai was quietly enjoying his sunbath, he received a message from Principal Wang.
Principal Wang: "Where are you?"
Gu Bai turned around to look at the terrace number behind him and replied, "Terrace No. 4."
"OK, I’ll be there soon."
The chat was interrupted, and a few minutes later, Principal Wang arrived alone at Terrace No. 4.
Gu Bai glanced behind him: "Where’s Brother Qin?"
"He went wild last night; I bet he won’t be up until the afternoon."
"How do you know? Could it be... group exercise?"
Gu Bai asked with a teasing smile.
"Get lost, that guy’s got issues. He texted me at 4 in the morning, but I was asleep and didn’t reply."
Listening to the two chat, Dasha Talan, reclining on a lounge chair, also opened her eyes and sat up.
"Let me introduce you, Principal Wang, my friend."
Gu Bai introduced Principal Wang to Dasha Talan in English.
"I know you; I’ve seen reports about you on Instagram. You’re the son of Hua Country’s richest man. Hi, I’m Dasha Talan, from Russia."
Seeing Principal Wang, a stunning smile appeared on Dasha Talan’s beautiful face, leaving Principal Wang momentarily stunned.
"How does your luck with women happen? In Hua Country, there’s Qi Man, and as soon as you go abroad, you run into such a masterpiece. Tell me, which temple do you usually pray in? When I get back, I’ll cover all this year’s offerings!"
"Shaolin Temple, covering a year’s incense money might just be a billion. But for you, that’s just a small goal."
"Get lost."
Principal Wang was speaking in Mandarin with Gu Bai, so Dasha Talan didn’t understand what they were saying and looked at Gu Bai in confusion.
Seeing her gaze, Gu Bai smiled and said, "No worries, he’s just praising your beauty."
Although Dasha Talan knew it wasn’t exactly what Gu Bai said, she still smiled and thanked Principal Wang.
Even though she knew Principal Wang was the son of Hua Country’s richest man, she didn’t have more thoughts about him. From past interactions, it was clear she, like Gu Bai, was a sucker for looks.
Moreover, in her eyes, Gu Bai managed to be friends with the son of Hua Country’s richest man and was consistently lavish in his actions—a whopping $300,000 to buy her time for seven days was already outrageous. Even more so when a single meal cost $35,000. His status probably wasn’t low either. Having such a handsome and wealthy partner was enough for Dasha Talan to lose interest in any other man.
Principal Wang, with his rich dating history, was just a little bitter but soon went back to his usual self.
"Off to San Agata Bolognese Town tomorrow, visited Rome once, not venturing out a bit? You know plenty of people long to travel here."
"Right, you were born in Rome, after all."
"As if you weren’t."
Prompted by Principal Wang, Gu Bai genuinely felt like going out and about. Since he had only ever learned about St. Peter’s Cathedral and the Ancient Roman Colosseum online or through others, now that he had the chance, he naturally wanted to explore.
The plan was set in motion, with Gu Bai not only getting up himself but also pulling along Dasha Talan, who was squintingly enjoying the sunlight.
Well, this sun is quite proper.
"Stop dawdling then, have the hotel concierge arrange a car, let’s first head to St. Peter’s Cathedral."
Principal Wang showed a knowing look, as if he knew Gu Bai would choose this.
"Let’s go. I’ve already informed the concierge beforehand; the car should be ready."
With that, the three left the terrace.
Though unsure about Gu Bai’s plans, Dasha Talan knew she belonged to Gu Bai for the next seven days. With no resistance, she followed him closely.
This time, the concierge car wasn’t a Cullinan but an extended Rolls-Royce Phantom.
After instructing the driver on their destination, the three leisurely enjoyed some red wine inside the spacious cabin.
Gu Bai and Principal Wang chatted intermittently about the itinerary planned for the next few days.
There is a saying in Rome: "One day for the Vatican, one day for Rome City."
Despite Rome city having nearly 3 million residents, it isn’t that large. On foot, it only takes a day to walk around. To give it a simple comparison, one Kyoto in Hua Country equals eighty Romes.
Although the car drove slowly, it took less than ten minutes to reach the legendary country within a city: the Vatican.
The driver parked the car, and Gu Bai and his two companions stepped out.
In front of the magnificent statue of Saint Peter that stands at the entrance to St. Peter’s Cathedral, he’s composed with a smile, holding the gold keys given to him by Jesus to access heaven in his right hand, and a scroll of Jesus’ decree in his left.
In the center of the square, an Egyptian obelisk, carved from a single stone, towers over. On both sides of the obelisk are beautiful fountains, and many tourists, including faces from the East, are already snapping photos in the square.
Since coming to St. Peter’s Cathedral, Dasha Talan’s previously lively demeanor transformed into tranquility.
Seeing her serious demeanor, Gu Bai chuckled and asked, "Do you happen to adhere to Catholicism?"
Dasha Talan gently shook her head.
"More or less, but I am an Orthodox Christian."
"Then why do you put on such a pious face?"
"No matter what I believe in, I respect others’ beliefs."
"Hah..."
Upon hearing this, Gu Bai couldn’t help but snicker.
Seeing Gu Bai’s disdainful expression, Dasha Talan also became a bit irritated.
"That’s disrespectful to other people’s beliefs. Don’t you have any faith?"
Principal Wang, on the other hand, watched their conversation with a playful expression.
"Of course I have faith."
Originally thinking Gu Bai was faithless, upon hearing this, Dasha Talan couldn’t help but become curious.
"What do you believe in?"
Gu Bai smiled lightly, his originally gentle "non-action" demeanor instantly transforming into something sharp and fierce.
He reached out his hand and pointed at himself.
"?"
"My belief is in myself. Whether or not God or deities truly exist in this world, I will always only believe in myself."
Even something like rebirth and a system happened to him, originally Gu Bai should have had respect for all things in the world.
But that’s only for ordinary people. For someone inflated like Gu Bai, faith is nothing but bullshit.
With so many beliefs in the world, why are there still so many poor people out there? If faith really worked, why are some people only able to struggle on the poverty line despite all their efforts, while others are born into wealth and comfort?
In this era, believe in money rather than gods.
"Well said!"
Listening to Gu Bai’s somewhat adolescent words, Principal Wang showed a look of appreciation.
"Old Gu, in this aspect, you’re just like me. Nothing is more reliable than having it in your own hands."
Gu Bai’s gaze met with Principal Wang’s.
The two exchanged a smile.
Being able to live in the present is already satisfying enough, why bother with all those irrelevant beliefs? Isn’t it tiring?
The group didn’t continue on this topic and started walking down the steps towards the inside of the church.
The main hall was filled with many large statues and reliefs, with a series of small chapels running along the left and right sides, each decorated with murals, reliefs, and statues, most famously Michelangelo’s Mourning of the Holy Mother and a bronze statue of Saint Peter.
What should have been a solemn and sacred scene was ruined by the tourists wandering around.
"Principal! Are you the principal?"
Suddenly, a voice speaking Mandarin came from nearby.
Having turned his head towards the source of the sound.
It was a group of young tourists from Hua Country, both men and women, who got excited upon seeing Principal Wang and greeted him.
"You’ve run into your fans."
Gu Bai teased Principal Wang with a smile.
"As if I have any fans!"
"I know, you only have a wife. Who doesn’t know you’re the nation’s husband? Sometimes I look at Weibo, and I get envious seeing the comments below your posts. Half of the tens of thousands of comments are about hubby X me. Even a royal harem doesn’t have as much work choosing consorts as you do."
The young tourists came over, looking somewhat excited. "I didn’t expect the principal to be visiting Rome too. Can we take a photo with you?"
One girl, who was quite pretty, asked a bit shyly. After all, Principal Wang was not known for having a good temper, and although this girl had delicate features, her round face didn’t fit Principal Wang’s love for influencer aesthetics, which attracted no interest from him. Fortunately, after his escapades with the model last night, he was in a good mood and nodded in agreement.
"Gu Bai, why don’t you join us?"
Having already got into the pose for the photo, Principal Wang suddenly thought of something and mischievously invited Gu Bai.
Gu Bai shrugged, indicating he didn’t mind, and walked over directly.
The tourists taking the photo didn’t refuse either; with Gu Bai’s looks, being in the same frame as him was certainly an honor.
Principal Wang casually draped his arm over Gu Bai’s shoulder, acting quite familiar.
After the photo, Principal Wang said to the girl, "Remember to post it on Weibo, and I’ll share it later."
Upon hearing this, the girl became even more excited.
Being shared by Principal Wang meant she’d be halfway to trending on Weibo.
After the girl posted it on Weibo, Principal Wang took out his phone and shared her post, even adding the words "Male God" with a hint of deeper meaning.
Back in Hua Country, it was already late at night, but within a few minutes of Principal Wang’s repost, the post quietly climbed to the trending list.
##Who’s the Male God Next to Principal Wang?##