Mercenary’s War

Chapter 2238 - 2214: Give Life a Chance

Jesse Lee suddenly opened his eyes, and after a long, disoriented focus, finally turned his head slightly to the side.

Gao Yang stood by Jesse Lee’s bed, watching as Jesse Lee noticed him, and then he said softly, "No doubt about it, you’re not dead."

Jesse Lee let out a long sigh, closed his eyes again, and said in a low voice, "You’re messing with me."

Gao Yang said softly, "Everyone has moments when they’re overwhelmed. I understand your desire to end it all, but I have to give you a chance, brother. So, how does it feel to be dead?"

Jesse Lee whispered, "Darkness. I thought it would be eternal, but it was just like taking a nap."

Gao Yang said very sternly, "Then, how about the experience before death?"

Jesse Lee exhaled and said softly, "It was awful."

Gao Yang nodded and said, "Yes, it must be awful. Buddy, you’ve experienced what death feels like, so now that you’re awake, you should have a different perspective. The future might be tough, but it won’t be boring. Think about it, is it better to be in eternal darkness, or to bravely face a painful and challenging but also infinitely possible future?"

Jesse Lee smiled slightly and said, "That’s just like you."

Gao Yang said loudly, "Dead is dead. There’s no afterlife, nothing at all. You might think death will free you from pain, but don’t you think being dead would be boring too? Give yourself a chance to choose again, buddy. Think carefully. You’re not afraid of death; you can face it calmly. So, why wouldn’t you dare to face the challenges waiting in the rest of your life?"

Someone who’s died once will have a different mindset.

Gao Yang’s approach was to give Jesse Lee a chance to regret.

Many people who commit suicide do so impulsively and with determination to end their own lives. As they are about to finish their lives, do they really not have any regrets?

The answer is, of course, no. Many who attempt suicide regret it, but they no longer have a chance to choose again.

Life is precious and only happens once, and it cannot withstand wrong choices.

However, Gao Yang gave Jesse Lee a chance to choose again.

If Jesse Lee still wanted to die, then Gao Yang wouldn’t stop him this time, but if Jesse Lee changed his mind, Gao Yang would be very, very welcoming.

Jesse Lee looked at Gao Yang, and after making eye contact for a moment, finally sighed and said, "Being dead really feels awful. I guess, even though the future might be tough, it’s still better than being dead. You’re right, at least it wouldn’t be that boring."

Gao Yang finally smiled, and he spoke loudly to Jesse Lee, "Welcome back, brother."

Gao Yang was genuinely happy, and Jesse Lee seemed a bit embarrassed, muttering to himself, "But I only wanted to die, or to think about how to die. If I’m not going to die, then what can I do in the future? I’m already broken."

Gao Yang said seriously, "I’m really glad you changed your mind, buddy. But there’s one thing you need to understand: disability doesn’t mean you’re useless. There are many people in this world with physical challenges. Can you dare say they’re useless? I’ve done a lot of studying while you were asleep. Do you want me to list many names of people with disabilities, to show you how great they are?"

Jesse Lee smiled and said, "No need, thank you. Well, who are they? I only know one, Roosevelt."

Gao Yang smiled and said, "Beethoven created the Ninth Symphony after he went completely deaf. Can you imagine what deafness means to a musician? Of course, let’s talk about someone with a greater degree of disability. You know Hawking, right? Buddy, you still have one leg, one hand; Hawking is completely paralyzed, and he only has his eyes and three fingers that can move."

Jesse Lee laughed and said, "Oh, please, Hawking is a scientist. As long as his genius brain keeps working, he’s fine. I don’t have the mind of a physicist."

Gao Yang shrugged and said, "We’re not a university or a research institute, buddy. As a mercenary, what you have in your head is just as precious. Think about it, our company needs someone knowledgeable to handle a lot of things. Should I hire someone from outside with a resume, or find a brother I can absolutely trust?"

Jesse Lee chuckled and said, "You want me to run your company? Come on, the thought of a guy in a wheelchair wearing a suit in an office is unappealing to me. Spare me."

Gao Yang nodded and said, "If you don’t like sitting in an office, then that’s even better. I just feel it’s inappropriate to have you take on even more difficult work."

Jesse Lee asked with interest, "What do you mean by more difficult work?"

Gao Yang said exaggeratedly, "Bro, you didn’t see how short-handed we are in Somalia, did you? I need someone smart to manage those brainless troublemakers, and also, we might need to train some capable people in Yemen. Where do you think I should find instructors? Even if you don’t want to train those rookies, it’s fine; you have plenty of things to do. Like I said, the stuff in your head is very valuable. Besides you, where else can I find a Green Beret Marine to work for me?"

Jesse Lee let out a breath and said, "Sounds good. Indeed, I still have a lot I can do. So shall we give it a try? But I still don’t know how long I’ll have to lie down."

Gao Yang said laughingly, "This is a major injury, and although amputation is a hassle, in at most three months you’ll be able to move. So it won’t be too many months before you’re off to eat sand in Somalia. Are you mentally prepared?"

Jesse Lee laughed, "That miserable place, Somalia, I actually feel nostalgic for it now. Alright, working with you is quite troublesome. Even crippled, I have to keep slaving away for you. You’re something else."

Gao Yang laughed aloud, "You just realized I’m something else?"

Jesse Lee suddenly said, "Scratch my forehead for me, it’s been itchy for a long time."

Gao Yang reached out and scratched it for him, then with a disdainful look, wiped his hand on Jesse Lee’s sheet and said, "Don’t make me do something like that again, it’s disgusting. I’ll get you a couple of beautiful little nurses instead."

Jesse Lee frowned and said, "No, being able to look but not touch is the worst, so for now, the uglier the better, really, the uglier the better. To prevent my sense of aesthetics from dropping, you’ll have to keep changing personnel for me. When I can both look and touch again, you can switch back to the pretty ones."

Gao Yang jokingly scolded, "So much nonsense, but no problem. Just remember to pay from your own pocket, after all, you’ve got more money than you can spend."

Jesse Lee gave Gao Yang a sly look and said, "Boss."

"Hmm?"

"You’re really not like a mercenary, truly, not at all."

"I thought you were going to say thank you."

"Thank you."

"Hmm, you’re welcome."