[Urban] My Flirtatious Wife (Complete) - 22-24

Volume 2, Chapter 1: Death's Negligence.

I don't remember what time it was, nor how long I'd been asleep. I only know that in my dream, I returned to that gloomy path in my hometown. The poplars along the path were still lush and green, rustling in the wind. A warm hand guided me slowly forward. I just felt strange; why was I still such a small child? In my memory, I had only ever walked this path alone with my mother. Was the person guiding me my mother? I tried to raise my head to see, but found that apart from my numb feet, I couldn't move any part of my body. After trying repeatedly, finally, I saw the person before me: short, black hair, a thin body, and a face that was none other than my mother. I saw

my mother slowly turn around, bend down, and sigh sadly, "Shizi, why can't you ever grow up?"

What? I looked at my mother's worried eyes in horror, wanting to cry out, but my mother sighed deeply, let go of my hand, and walked forward without looking back. I chased after her, calling out, "Mom!...Mom..."

But my mother didn't turn around, walking further and further away until she disappeared from sight.

Helplessly, I squatted down. Darkness enveloped me like a ghost, and a deep fear, like a ferocious monster, threatened to devour me at any moment. Tears silently dripped onto the blue stone slab, leaving damp circles... I wiped the tears and snot from my face, took weak steps, and dazedly explored the darkness ahead. I don't know how far I walked, but when my legs ached unbearably, I saw a white figure in the distance. She was also walking slowly. Like a person clinging to withered grass on a cliff, I quickened my pace and started running...

On the quiet path, only the sound of my hurried footsteps could be heard. I ran closer and closer, and just as I was about to take the white figure's hand, she suddenly turned around. It was a pretty face, somewhat familiar, yet also somewhat unfamiliar. She flickered her pretty face, looking at me with a sweet smile. I opened my arms, ready to embrace her, but her expression changed instantly, turning icy. She shouted, "Xiao Shi, are you alright? You didn't fall to your death!"

Her words were sharp and forceful, echoing through the roadside woods. "Xiao Shi, are you alright? You didn't fall to your death...?"

I was startled, instantly breaking out in a cold sweat, my whole body convulsing. I couldn't understand why this woman was so fierce. What

truly awakened me was the piercing pain in my right leg. I opened my eyes and found myself lying in a hospital bed, surrounded by white walls. Sunlight streamed in through the window; outside, the weather was sunny and the clouds were white. I looked around, examining all the belongings. In an instant, all the memories flooded my mind like a spring: Xiaoli, Lin Hao, Yang Liu, Tianqiao… and the familiar layout of this ward, the girl with long, jet-black hair lying beside the bed, and her unique fragrance…

So, I hadn't died after all. Who would have thought that even Death, veiled in black and wielding a sickle, could be lazy? I tried to recall carefully: when I jumped off the overpass railing, a large container truck seemed to be coming from the opposite direction. I landed on the roof, feet first, and then was thrown off, falling into the roadside greenery. The moment I hit the ground, my vision went black.

Thinking about it only made the pain in my right leg worse, and I felt incredibly weary, a lethargy spreading through my body. I tried to move my hand, and it moved freely. But the girl lying on the edge of the bed was suddenly awakened by my movement—it was Xiaoxue! I saw her open her sleepy eyes, slowly raise her head, and see me with my eyes open. She paused, seemingly incredulous. Then she smiled happily, pursed her lips, hesitated as if to say something, and finally, as if remembering something, slapped her head and pressed a red switch on my bedside table.

A moment later, hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway, and a slender male doctor in a white coat pushed open the door and entered. He immediately asked, "Hanxue, what's wrong?"

Xiaoxue stood up excitedly and said, "Dr. Wang, he... he's awake, but he seems still quite dazed."

Dr. Wang relaxed upon hearing this and replied, "Don't worry, let me take a look."

He then took a miniature flashlight from the large pocket of his long coat, came to the bedside, shone it through my eyes, and said to me, "Can you understand what I'm saying? If so, open your mouth now."

I opened my mouth as instructed, and Dr. Wang smiled with satisfaction. He shone the flashlight on my mouth for a while, and finally said, "Very good!"

Then he straightened up and said to Xiaoxue behind him, "Hanxue, your boyfriend is really lucky. I've never seen someone who fell from such a height recover so quickly."

Hearing Dr. Wang's words, I secretly sneered, not because Xiaoxue called me her boyfriend in front of others, but because I resented myself. What was I, damaged in body and mind, a broken body? How could I possibly be Xiaoxue's boyfriend?

I noticed Xiaoxue's excited face turn crimson, and then she asked worriedly, "Dr. Wang, how is he... now?"

Dr. Wang turned and glanced at me, who was staring blankly, and said, "Physically speaking, apart from the broken bone in his right calf that needs some time to heal, everything else has basically returned to normal, but..."

Dr. Wang paused, and Xiaoxue immediately asked anxiously, "However, how is it?"

Her expression made my heart ache.

"Hehe, don't worry, I mean, he doesn't seem quite conscious yet, but it's alright. Patients are usually like this when they first wake up from a deep coma; he should be fine in a couple of days."

Dr. Wang turned to look at me and continued, "You stay here and watch over him. I have some things to do in ward 5, I'll go over there first. When the IV drip runs out, ask them to change it for you."

"Okay, thank you, Dr. Wang,"

Xiaoxue nodded. Dr. Wang opened the door and left, leaving only Xue and me in the ward, which returned to silence. I quietly watched the IV bottle hanging on the bed frame, as if I could hear the "drip...drip..."

sound of the medicine dripping from the transparent plastic tube.

Xiaoxue sat back down on the chair beside the bed. I saw she was wearing casual clothes, and I realized that her talk of resigning was true. She was no longer a nurse at this hospital. I opened my mouth, trying to say something to express my gratitude, but then I thought better of it and stopped myself. Xiaoxue gazed at me tenderly, as if searching for bacteria on my face. Then she reached out her delicate white hand and gently stroked my cheek, murmuring, "He Shi, why...why did you fall off the overpass? Why...didn't you want to see me? Why...why did you do this?"

Xiaoxue's hand was gentle and tender; it tickled my face. Her words stirred up memories of what happened before I lost consciousness, and I was overcome with grief, tears streaming down my face...

In my youth, I had heard countless stories of joy and sorrow, and I often wondered: why must people be like this, separating and parting? Isn't it just adding to their troubles? Now that I'm grown up and have experienced love, I will not be like others. I will cherish every moment with her, for with the nourishment of love, even morning dew can turn into spring rain. So, I kept picturing that beautiful scene, reciting "I searched for him a thousand times in the crowd, then suddenly turning around, I found him where the lights were dim," hoping day and night for love to arrive, waiting for my Snow White.

However, now everything has shattered, leaving me broken and wounded. Was I wrong? Or was it all just a fleeting dream? If it's a dream, I'll eventually wake up. But if it's a dream, why do my feelings feel so real? Why does my heart ache so much? I sadly recall everything I've experienced with Yang Liu, every happy moment, remembering how she would often scold me while we were shopping, "What are men for if they don't help women carry things?"

My heart shattered even more, and tears streamed down my face, soaking my pillow…

Seeing that I remained silent but tears streamed down my face, Xiaoxue hurriedly wiped them away with her hands, saying urgently, "I'm sorry... He Shi, I shouldn't have said these things. I know you wouldn't, right? Something must have happened, right? You wouldn't not want to see me. Okay, let's not talk about this anymore..."

As she spoke, she wiped my tears with one hand and forced a smile, however weak it was. But gazing at her cheeks and those small dimples, I felt a surge of emotion welling up inside me.

I drifted back into a deep sleep...

Chapter 2 of Volume 2: Moving to Zhuhai .

When I woke up again, it was already the next morning.

A slightly older nurse, a middle-aged woman, was fiddling with something at the bedside table. Seeing that I was awake, she stopped what she was doing, smiled slightly at me, and said, "You're awake? Hanxue went out to buy some food."

I didn't answer, just stared blankly at the ceiling.

The nurse paused, then continued her nagging, "Sigh... How could you be so careless, young man? But you're lucky to have such a caring girlfriend. Do you know? When you were first brought to the hospital, you only had a few hundred yuan on you, not even enough for the deposit, let alone surgery. If it weren't for Hanxue crying and insisting you were her boyfriend, you probably wouldn't have even had a chance to go into the operating room. Hanxue paid for all your hospital bills, over 20,000 yuan! Young man, if you have such a loving girlfriend, you should cherish her and treat her well. Remember that?"

With that, she turned and left the ward.

So that's why they thought I was Hanxue's boyfriend. Suddenly, I felt a lump in my throat, a tightness in my throat. I owed Hanxue so much, something I couldn't repay to begin with, and now with this huge hospital bill, it was like adding insult to injury... Just as I was wondering how much money I had in my bank account, the door opened, and Hanxue walked in carrying a plastic bag.

She walked over and sat down gently on the edge of the bed, asking softly, "Are you feeling better?"

At that moment, even with a thousand grievances, how could I remain silent? To remain silent would be an insult to Xiaoxue. I forced a smile and answered in a strained voice, "Um... thank you."

But when she heard me speak, she became unhappy again. Her little mouth pouted, and she said sullenly, "Thank you, thank you my foot. If you want to thank me, thank me after you leave the hospital. Now you owe me even more, hehe..."

She finished speaking and laughed triumphantly. Although I knew she was just joking, I immediately remembered what had happened before she came in. Yes! Why? Why do I always owe people so much? When will I be able to be all alone, without any ties...?

Seeing that I remained silent after hearing this, Xiaoxue thought I was angry and hurriedly comforted me, "I was just joking, don't be angry. How can a grown man be so petty, hmph!"

I came back to my senses, smiled at her, and then heard her sigh and say softly, "He Shi, actually... I said this just because I didn't want you to be too polite to me. Don't create so much distance between us, okay? Every time you say thank you, I feel like we're strangers..."

I felt ashamed and was about to say a few words of comfort to her when suddenly her phone rang. She smiled apologetically, took out her phone, and put it to her ear. "Hello? Ah Yan?"

I don't know what the other person said, but it seemed to be asking Xiao Xue if she wanted to go somewhere. Xiao Xue replied, "No, I have some things to do here, I can't leave. You guys go ahead, have fun. Okay, that's all, goodbye."

After hanging up, Xue sat back on the edge of the bed and said to me, "Heh… there are fireworks at the city square tonight, some friends want to invite me to go watch, but I don't want to go."

"Fireworks? What day is it today?"

I asked in surprise.

"Today? Oh… I almost forgot, you were unconscious for several days and nights, today is New Year's Eve, the 29th of the 12th lunar month,"

Xiao Xue said.

"Ah!"

I exclaimed. Ugh, I really am unconscious this time. I never thought I'd start my New Year in a hospital bed. And Xiao Xue said she didn't want to watch the fireworks, was it because of me?

"Xiao Xue, why don't you want to watch the fireworks?"

I asked.

"I… no reason, I just don't want to go. Do I need a reason?"

Xiao Xue said casually. But I could tell she was hiding something, and I could only blame her for being such a bad actress; I always saw right through her.

I had no reason to let Xiaoxue keep me company in my loneliness, so I said softly, "Xiaoxue, you should go, go with your friends. I'm fine, you don't need to stay here with me."

To my surprise, Xiaoxue raised an eyebrow and retorted, "Go...who said I'm staying here with you? You wish! I still have some things to hand over at the hospital, and I just happened to drop by to see you. Ugh...you're so narcissistic, aren't you? Haha..."

She then deliberately made a face at me, trying to embarrass me.

Ugh, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Before I could reply, her phone rang again. Could it be her friend urging her to go see the fireworks again? I started to get anxious. Although I outwardly told her to go, I secretly hoped she would stay by my side.

This time she spoke in Cantonese, and I heard her call out, "Mom..."

It was her mother. Ah, I was overthinking things.

"No, I can't make it back today..."

Xiaoxue said anxiously. I thought to myself that her mother must be urging her to come home for the Spring Festival.

Xiaoxue's phone was a Samsung slider phone—the D508. One drawback of this phone was that the speaker was quite loud, like thunder. Perhaps Xiaoxue thought I didn't understand Cantonese, so she didn't stand too far from me while talking on the phone. Instead, she walked to the bedside near the window, looking out while talking to her mother. Therefore, I could clearly hear her mother's voice coming from the phone.

"What are you doing there? You're not even coming home for the New Year. You're getting more and more disobedient as you grow up,"

Xiaoxue's mother sighed.

Xiaoxue replied coquettishly, "Mom—I have no choice. A friend of mine is injured, so I'm staying here to see him for a few days. I'll be back soon."

"A friend? What friend? Male or female?"

Xiaoxue's mother asked with concern.

"Um... male."

After hesitating for a moment, Xiaoxue told the truth.

"Male? Your boyfriend?"

It seems that caring about their children's love life is something all parents in the world enjoy doing.

"Oh dear... don't worry about that."

I glanced back at Xiaoxue; her face was flushed.

"Hehe... silly daughter, if I don't worry, who will? Is it your boyfriend? Tell your mother, it's not a bad thing."

Wow, how did she end up with such a gossipy mother?

"Hmm... not quite, that guy's a bit silly, I don't even know what he's thinking. Okay, that's all for now, I'll be back in a few days. Give my regards to Dad, and wish you a Happy New Year!"

Xiaoxue said hastily, about to hang up.

"Wait... you silly child, Mom hasn't finished yet. Sigh... daughters really are hard to keep at home. Alright, come back soon, and remember to bring your boyfriend over too, let your dad check him out, and let your mom meet him too."

Xiaoxue's mother meticulously instructed.

"I know—okay, you're so long-winded. Bye—"

Xiaoxue immediately slammed down the phone.

I lay in bed, listening to their conversation, and couldn't help but chuckle to myself. But before I knew it, I burst out laughing. Xiaoxue turned around, her eyes wide, looking at me curiously. "What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing... haha..."

Seeing I couldn't hide it anymore, I simply laughed out loud.

Xiaoxue strolled back, sat down on the edge of the bed, pointed at my right leg, and made a tapping motion, saying, "Nothing? If there's nothing, why are you laughing? Tell me... otherwise..."

Knowing she wouldn't dare tap, I kept my mouth shut. "Really... nothing..."

"Hehe, you won't tell, huh?"

Damn! I didn't expect her to use her ultimate weapon—tickling!

"Okay... okay, I'll tell you, I was laughing at the expression on your face when you were talking to your mom on the phone, haha..." I laughed

uncontrollably while struggling to dodge her hands. Unfortunately, my legs were tied to the bed frame, and I couldn't escape her grasp.

"Huh?"

Xiaoxue's eyes widened even more. She said dejectedly, "So you can understand what I'm saying?"

"When did I ever tell you I couldn't understand?"

I saw Xiaoxue's face turn bright red, like an apple in August or September.

She paused, then opened her arms and viciously grabbed my neck. "You pervert..."

A bloodcurdling scream echoed in the quiet hospital corridor...

The days passed in laughter and feigned innocence. Xiaoxue was like an immature sprite, wielding half-baked magic, trying to soothe the wounds in my heart little by little. And I, like a silkworm in late spring, spun layer after layer of fine silk, wrapping myself in a cocoon, placing my heart within, no longer hurting others, nor being hurt by others. However, after emerging from the cocoon, I became more indifferent to the things around me, my heart filled with darkness and desolation. It turns out that the price of cocooning is to give up all your passion for life.

On the tenth day of the first lunar month, Dr. Wang said I could be discharged in two days, but I still couldn't do anything strenuous after discharge, and my leg would need at least two months to fully recover. Xiaoxue cheered with joy upon hearing this, while I felt my thoughts were a blur, only vaguely thinking: What can I do after being discharged? I tried hard to think, but it was no use; perhaps my heart was deliberately avoiding the issue. It was Xiaoxue who first lifted this veil…

Before being discharged, Xiaoxue bought me a set of clothes, as my old clothes were already tattered. She asked, “He Shi, after being discharged, will you continue to work?”

“Work? No, I resigned too. I won’t work there anymore,”

I said coldly. Really, if I went back to work, I didn’t know how I would face Xiaoli.

“Really? Then…”

Xiaoxue’s face lit up with joy, “Why don’t you come to Zhuhai with me? I can ask a friend to help you find a new job.”

“Go to Zhuhai?”

I pondered for a moment: For me, leaving this place of trouble was perhaps the best choice right now. Since God doesn't want me to die, life must go on. Besides, I still owe Xiaoxue a huge debt. Thinking of this, I said apologetically to her, "Xiaoxue, um... the hospital fees, I'll pay you back later, I don't have that much money in my card."

Xiaoxue's eyes darted around, and she pouted angrily, saying, "No way, that much money, I'm still using my mom's money, I have to pay her back too. No, you have to pay me back now."

"Ah? Okay, I'll see how much I can pay back when we go out, but definitely not more than half. I'm sorry..."

I didn't expect her to be in such a hurry to pay me back. Sigh...

"Hehe... actually, it's not that I'm in a hurry for the money, it's just... if you can't pay me back now, where am I supposed to find you later? What if you just disappear? Wouldn't I be at a huge loss?"

she said with a mischievous smile.

"This... shouldn't be the case, give me your Zhuhai phone number and address, and I'll pay you back when I have the money."

I thought to myself, it's just a few thousand yuan, why would I disappear? Ugh!

"No, I won't give it to you. I'll give you two options. First, pay me back immediately. Second, it's okay if you can't pay me back now, you can pay me back later. But to prevent you from running away, I have to supervise you personally, so you can choose to come to Zhuhai with me. Find a new job, and then pay me back."

She analyzed things for me methodically. Sigh, why do I feel like a lamb

on a chopping board waiting to be slaughtered? The scenery remains the same, but the people are different. Pushing open the door, the room was eerily quiet. Yang Liu must have moved away long ago; a cold, desolate feeling lingered in the room. In just over ten days, the sofa and table were already covered with a thick layer of dust. I stared blankly at everything, seemingly reminiscing about the warmth of the past. Who said that when you look back, everything has already faded into the past? All the ambiguity and sweetness of the past, have I forgotten? Will I forget? Can I forget?

"Hey! What are you standing there for? Pack your things. The car is waiting downstairs."

Seeing me standing there motionless, Xiao Xue tugged at me; she had come to help me pack my luggage. I packed all my valuables and, together with Xiaoxue, got into the taxi.

As the car passed Nantou Pass, I looked back one last time. This city where I had lived and worked for three years—I was leaving. Did everything I cared about still remain in this city?

Two hours later, the taxi entered Jiuzhou Avenue, and I accompanied Xiaoxue to her apartment complex—Zhuhai Yinshi Yayuan.

(Chapter 3, Volume 2: Where is Home?)

I stood at the door, my mind filled with questions.

"Is this your apartment? Yours alone?"

I asked Xiaoxue, who skipped into the house. I asked her this because I simply couldn't believe that a girl in her early twenties would own a three-bedroom apartment of over 120 square meters.

"Yes? What's wrong?"

She put down her luggage, turned around, and asked curiously.

I hesitated for a moment, then chuckled awkwardly, "Oh...no, nothing."

"If there's nothing, come in, you silly goose."

She ran back, took my luggage, then grabbed my clothes and opened the door to a room on the right, saying, "You'll stay in this room, but...you have to be clean, don't make it dirty, or you'll have to mop the floor."

"Hehe...what about you?"

I smiled and asked. It was clearly a guest room. The bedding was neatly folded, and the floor was spotless.

She smiled mischievously and pointed to a bedroom across the hall at a right angle, "I'll stay over there, hehe...don't get any bad ideas."

Ugh, I felt more wronged than Dou E.

"This...where do I put it?"

A voice came from the doorway—it was the taxi driver. Xiaoxue and I were surprised, looked at each other, and laughed. He's such a nice guy. My leg is injured, and Xiaoxue is a girl; I didn't want to bother him, but he's such a kind person, he even helped me carry my computer upstairs.

After moving in and putting away our luggage, Xiaoxue let out a long sigh, patted her stomach, and stuck out her tongue. "I... I'm hungry."

Hearing her say that, I suddenly felt ravenous too. Looking at my watch, it was already past seven in the evening.

We went to a Northeastern dumpling restaurant near the neighborhood, ordered a few dishes and a bottle of beer, and started sipping. Unfortunately, she drank the whole beer herself, justifying it by saying, "Your leg isn't healed yet, you can't drink."

During the break after dinner, I asked her, "Xiaoxue, have you... seen my phone?"

Xiaoxue raised an eyebrow, then chuckled, pulled my phone out of her jeans pocket, and waved it in front of me. "Here it is..."

I quickly reached for it, but she pulled her hand back. "Wait, I haven't said I'd give it back to you yet."

"Heh... then what do you want in return?"

I asked with a smile.

"Hey! This phone, I got it back from the traffic police, it wasn't easy to come by. My conditions are simple: you pay for this meal. And from now on—whenever we eat out, you pay. If we cook at home, I'll cover it. Fair enough?"

Her eyes were mischievous, her smile undiminished.

"Huh? But you know I don't have any money right now."

I shrugged, completely disagreeing with her suggestion.

"No money? Don't you still have some in your account?"

"That's what I'm going to return to you."

"I haven't asked you for it yet, hmph! You're so stingy, I've decided that from now on, I'll eat out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday."

She wrinkled her cute nose, saying indignantly.

"Really? In my current state, I won't be able to find a job for at least two months, and if I just sit around eating away my savings, won't I just eat all the money in my account?"

She was clearly trying to drain my savings! I sighed.

"Hehe... It's good that you ate it all, otherwise you'll be even poorer. You can pay it back slowly, no rush,"

Xiaoxue said smugly.

Sigh, why would anyone want me to become penniless? What kind of world is this? But in this situation, what bargaining power do I have with Xiaoxue? Helpless, I could only say "Deal!"

and successfully retrieve my phone, which I hadn't had for over half a month.

Actually, my eagerness to get my phone back was entirely to see if Yangliu had sent a single message or made a single call to check on me during this time of adversity. Perhaps, people who fall in love, even with a thousand concerns, will still hope, like a lotus root, though broken, that the threads remain connected. First love, for everyone, is a lifelong attachment, like mother's milk, an inseparable bond.

Taking the phone, I turned it on, and the screen was completely black. Broken? I tried pressing the power button, and the screen gradually turned white; it was out of power. I let out a long sigh and was about to check my message inbox when my phone suddenly shut down.

"Hey, you're so disloyal! I've been keeping your phone safe for so long, and you haven't even said thank you! You're just staring at it and ignoring me!"

Seeing me so engrossed in my phone, Xiaoxue pouted and complained, "I'm going home."

I hesitated, then gave an awkward smile. "Hehe, okay, home, home."

The thought of home made me feel uneasy. Was this really my home?

Back inside, I eagerly plugged my phone in, but the damn phone wouldn't turn on. Damn it, I'll smash you someday! After waiting five minutes, I pressed the power button again—it worked! I checked the call log; there were two calls, one from home and the other from Yang Liu. What surprised me most was that both calls went through, lasting a few minutes. But who answered? A traffic cop? Or Xiaoxue?

My heart was filled with doubt, and just as I was about to find an opportunity to ask Xiaoxue, something happened next that almost made me forget my own name! Tucked in the pocket of a black coat inside my suitcase was a letter—a letter from Yang Liu for me.

My hands trembled as I carefully unwrapped the envelope. The letter wasn't long, only a few hundred words, but the handwriting was messy and deeply etched, revealing the writer's intense emotion.

Shi: I'm sorry!

My dear, this may be the last time I call you that. But I'm not saying sorry to beg for your forgiveness, but because I feel sorry for wasting so much of your time.

My dear, I know that in your heart, I must have become a wicked woman, a liar, right? Yes, actually, I am a liar, not just that night, but from the first day I met you, I've lied to you, really.

Shi, do you remember when I jokingly asked you, "What would you do if I were a married woman?"

You laughed then and said without hesitation, "Then we'd break up immediately."

Although I knew it was a joke and shouldn't be taken seriously. But every time the words reached my lips, I swallowed them back. I was afraid you would really cut ties with me. And the reason you took it as a joke was because you thought it was impossible.

Often, things happen just when you think they're impossible. Actually, everything I said is true. I got married three years ago. My husband, I only discovered after marriage that he was a completely depraved man, so we divorced in less than six months. But right after the divorce, I found out I was pregnant. I wanted to abort, but it was too late. I had to give birth, but I hated, I hated that awful man. As soon as the child was born, I left and came to Shenzhen, and then I met you.

Shi, maybe you're saying again that I'm lying to you, ha! You're so silly, so incredibly silly. You don't know, the first time we had sex, it was right when I had my period. I calculated it perfectly, but you couldn't even tell the difference, you fool… (I'm sorry, I…

Darling, I have to tell you why I'm leaving you, and this is the only reason I have to leave you. Without it, I believe nothing could stop my love for you. Without it, I believe we could definitely be together, together for all eternity. My child, I was fostered by my parents, but a year ago, just over two months before I left you, he got acute meningitis, and the surgery was incredibly expensive. Just then, I met Lin Hao online, and I needed money, so I secretly…) I left quietly; I didn't want to see you sad.

My dear, life is full of helplessness and crossroads. Often, these are the crucial moments that test our maturity. We must know how to choose, how to weigh love and family. I'm sorry, my dear, I chose family. He's flesh of my flesh; I can't let him go.

Actually, life is short, like a wind chime—its sound is crisp, but it's scattered by the wind. It comes with the wind and goes with the wind. I am that wind chime tied in the forest, and you are that wind. In the days that follow the wind, I will remember that I once had the wind's embrace, its comfort. I don't regret it; this time we shared will be my... The most beautiful memory of my life. This mark can never be erased…

Darling, remember to eat breakfast before work from now on. If you're short on time, don't sleep in too late. Remember to wash your clothes frequently, otherwise, a pile of laundry will take hours to wash. Remember to eat regularly, and be careful when you travel for work. Also, remember to cherish your current girl. I can tell she cares about you a lot. But before you understand your own love, don't treat her as a substitute for anyone else.

Darling, don't put too much pressure on yourself. I know you were born into a poor family too. But people should always look forward, not look back. The past is only for reminiscing, only for remembering. Just cherish it. Stop, don't get obsessed... understand?

My dear, I love you, I really love you so much. In this life, I'll shed all my tears and let them become a drop of lamp oil before the Buddha, praying for you. I'll shed all my worldly worries and wrap them around the locust tree at the village entrance, wishing that in the next life, we will be mandarin ducks swimming and playing on the lake...

Yours truly, Liu 200*** I held the thin letter, speechless for a long time, tears streaming down my face...

Outside the window, a song drifted from somewhere: "I only ask that you haven't forgotten our past love, I still silently shed tears, I want to walk with you for a lifetime, even if the ends of the earth change, I'll only pursue you in the wind, I don't want to linger alone..."

Everyone has their own pain, called helplessness.

Volume 2, Chapter 4: A New Beginning

Yang Liu's letter stirred up a storm in my heart, which had been calming down. I had never imagined that Liu, with whom I had spent hundreds of days and nights, could have such an unbelievable experience. But why didn't she just tell me directly? Was it just because of that joke? Little did she know, it really was just a joke.

"Now? Should I try to get her back?"

I asked myself, then answered, "No, once a mirror is broken, it can never be repaired. Maybe I really should try to forget, try to start a new life, and from now on, we'll be worlds apart."

However, every night, I still tossed and turned, unable to sleep, with fleeting images constantly swirling in my mind. I knew it was my inner demons at work. Difficult times fly by. In the blink of an eye, it was the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.

Xiao Xue was really free. Every day, she would pack a big bag of potato chips, grab a Coke, and curl up on the sofa in front of the TV from morning till night, even watching the commercials with great interest. I wasn't interested in TV, so I went out and bought a router and network cable, and got a broadband connection from her room. From then on, I was glued to the internet day and night.

While I was browsing the news online, Xiaoxue pushed open the door. "Hey! I'm going back."

"Going back? Going back where?"

I looked at her, puzzled .

"Going back to my mom's. We've been back for several days, and I haven't been back yet. If she finds out, she'll beat me up."

Xiaoxue pouted and frowned.

Oh no! This is her house! How could I have almost forgotten about that? "Oh, right. Then you go back. I'll take care of dinner myself."

"Oh, then… I'm leaving?"

Xiaoxue asked back.

"Okay, be careful on the road."

I lowered my head and continued looking at the computer screen.

"Really leaving?"

She stood at the door, pretending to take a step out, but her body remained leaning against the door.

"Ugh, it's not like we're parting forever, why does she seem so reluctant to leave?" I could only look up and smile. "Hehe, let's go. Remember not to eat too many glutinous rice balls, or your stomach will feel uncomfortable."

She didn't seem to appreciate my advice. "Hmph!" she

snorted and stomped her foot away. But in that instant, I suddenly remembered something and hurriedly called out, "Xiaoxue, wait a minute."

Her hurried footsteps sounded again. Seeing her rush in, she said with a grin, "What's wrong? What's wrong? Are you coming back with me?"

"Huh?"

I was stunned. It turned out that she had been repeating that she wanted to leave but then not leave because she wanted me to go with her to meet her parents. I smiled awkwardly and said, "No, I just have something I want to ask you."

"Oh, what is it? Go ahead and ask."

Xiaoxue's smile faded, and she said indifferently. Her disappointment was evident.

"Um... when I was in the hospital, did someone call me?"

I pointed to the phone on the table and asked weakly, afraid that she would snort and run away again.

To my surprise, the mention of the phone sparked her interest. "Yes, yes. I answered the phone when someone called. But then I realized it was your mom calling."

"Ah? What did you say?"

I was incredibly nervous; she absolutely couldn't have told my mother I was injured.

"Well… I just told her the truth. Hehe…"

She smiled.

"Really?"

I slapped my thigh in frustration. This was bad. Knowing my mother's tendency to overreact, I wondered how worried she was.

"Hehe, silly, look how anxious you are. Do you think I'm that stupid? Of course, I didn't tell her you were injured. Your mom asked who I was, and I said I was your colleague, and then I told her the company announced overtime and no holiday for Chinese New Year, so nobody could go home. That's all."

"Really?"

I breathed a sigh of relief, staring at her incredulously.

"Hmph! Don't believe me if you don't want to."

She tilted her head back haughtily, pouted, and turned to leave. I quickly caught up with her. "Hehe, thank you. I'll see you downstairs. Xiaoxue, besides my mom's call, did any other calls come in?"

I remembered the "she" mentioned in Yang Liu's letter. "Yes, right after you hung up your phone, a woman called. The caller ID showed her name was something like Liu. Who is she?"

Xiaoxue tilted her head and asked as we entered the elevator.

"Her? Uh… she's my colleague."

"Wow, your colleague is really strange. She didn't say anything after I answered. I had to say 'hello' several times before she coldly asked who I was. I said I was He Shi's friend, and she rudely asked where I was. I was annoyed, so I said you were at my house. Hehe… In the end, she seemed angry and hung up."

Xiaoxue stared wide-eyed, gesturing as she spoke.

Sigh… this girl, I really don't know whether to praise her for being smart or call her silly. Then I heard her continue, "He Shi, I'm starting work at my mom's place tomorrow."

"Huh? So soon? Where does your mom work?"

I guessed her mother was probably a civil servant or something.

"Oh~ my mom doesn't need to work. She owns a restaurant in Gongbei."

"Oh, so you're going to a restaurant? As a waitress?"

"No, I'm going to be a cashier, hehe, counting money feels so good."

Xiaoxue grinned, rubbing her thumb and forefinger together as if counting money.

"That's true, a pretty girl like you, just sitting there, customers would probably come flying in like snowflakes."

I joked.

"Hmph! You're asking for it, you're not allowed to say that."

Xiaoxue pouted and pinched my arm hard.

After seeing Xiaoxue downstairs and watching her get into a taxi, I quickly went back inside and called home, making Xiaoxue's original lie sound even more convincing. My mother didn't suspect anything, only telling me to take care of myself.

"Okay, I know. You all need to take care of yourselves too. How's Dad's health?"

I suddenly remembered what my mother had said before the New Year.

"Well? Sigh... He went to the hospital a few days ago and had a CT scan. The doctor said they found a dark spot in his lung, and he's taking some medicine now,"

my mother sighed.

"Oh? Is it serious? Do we have any money left?"

For some reason, whenever my mother mentioned the dark spot in his lung, I immediately thought of unlucky words like "tuberculosis" and "lung cancer.

" "We still have money. We haven't withdrawn the money you sent last time, so don't worry about that. That's all for now. I'm going to go and prepare your medicine for your father."

My mother finished speaking and hung up the phone.

I stared blankly at the computer, my mother's words seemingly echoing in my ears. Sigh... My parents worked hard all their lives, and now that their children have grown up and started their own families, their health is no longer robust. Is this like the saying goes, "The tree desires stillness, but the wind never ceases; the child desires to care for their parents, but they are no longer there"? How can we ensure that everyone can live a carefree life?

My QQ beeped, and Xiaoxue sent a message: "Hey, you idiot, I'm home."

"Oh," I replied listlessly.

"Oh what? Don't want to talk to me? Picking up girls again?"

She casually tossed me an angry emoji.

"It's not that boring, Xiaoxue, I want to go home."

"Go home? Why? Your foot isn't healed yet."

"My dad isn't feeling well, I want to go back and see him."

"Really? But think it over carefully, what good will you do if you go back? Leaving aside whether you can take care of your dad, I reckon your family will have to take care of you when they see you limping around."

Xiaoxue sent a video request, which I answered, and I saw her delicate face, her lips curving into a smile.

"Sigh…you're right, I know. It's just that I feel so annoyed,"

I said with a bitter face.

"Annoying? I think you're getting old. Pig! If you're annoyed, how about we go on a trip?"

"Tourism? Where?"

"Duh, aren't there countless tourist attractions right here? How about Meixi Archway?"

"Ugh, is that what you call tourism? It's just a short walk."

"Hehe..."

She laughed sheepishly, then another string of messages came through: "You're like a treasure trove that you don't recognize? I asked you to go on a trip, and you dare to belittle me. I've decided to entrust you with the arduous task of choosing a location. Give me your answer when I get back tomorrow. That's all for today, it's late, hurry up and take a shower and go to bed!"

"Okay, goodnight." I closed QQ and searched for tourist attractions in the Pearl River Delta region online. Before I knew it, I drifted off to sleep.

"Pighead~ Pighead, the sun's already high in the sky!" I was woken up by a crisp voice in the early morning. I opened my eyes and saw that I had actually slept on the table all night. God knows how tired I must have been. I looked next to me, and Xiaoxue was smiling at me.

"What are you laughing at? Haven't you ever seen someone sleep on a table?"

I straightened my face and said, pretending to be serious.

"Hey... I've seen people sleep on tables, but I've never seen anyone drool like you, with your face covered in the 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' painting. Haha..."

Xiaoxue couldn't help but burst into laughter.

I looked in the mirror on the wall and saw my face crisscrossed with wrinkles from my clothes. Looking back at the table, there was a small puddle of drool on it. Ugh~ I've really embarrassed myself this time.

I was about to go out to wash my face when I saw Xiaoxue take off her shoes, turn over and sit on my bed, grab a pillow and hug it, asking, "Okay, stop laughing. Seriously, did you find what I told you about last night?"

"Uh... I found it, but... I might not be able to get there."

I hesitated for a moment, but still said the answer in my heart, "There's a private island in Huizhou called Delta Island. It's not far, just a little past Daya Bay, but..."

"Delta? Great, great, I like that name. But what?"

As soon as she heard it was called Delta, Xiaoxue immediately perked up. "Oh dear, she probably thinks this is some kind of Delta Force game.

" "But it's not open to the public. You can only get in through connections. So, firstly, without connections, you can't get in. Secondly, even if you have connections, you can't go without a car. And it's not cheap there. I estimate it'll cost at least this much."

I waved my hand at Xiaoxue.

"Fifty thousand?"

Xiaoxue asked.

"Oh, it's five thousand."

"Haha, you scared me! It's only five thousand. I earned that in a few days working for my mom. Go ahead. I have connections. But you can't go now. It's too cold, and your leg isn't fully healed. How about you go when your leg is better?"

Xiaoxue rattled off the whole thing without even panting, leaving me speechless. What kind of family did she grow up in? It's a mystery.

"And one more thing, we don't have a car. I'll look for a place to rent one nearby. Sigh… if only we had our own car,"

I sighed.

Xiaoxue didn't answer, but instead jumped off the bed, put on her shoes, and waved to me, "Come with me..."

I ran to the bathroom, grabbed a towel, and roughly wiped my face before chasing after Xiaoxue. Staring at the elevator, watching the number on the display turn negative one, I immediately understood—she had brought me to the underground parking lot.

When I saw Xiaoxue's car, I was completely stunned and didn't know what to do.

It was a Toyota RAV4 SUV. This wouldn't have been a problem, but the most striking thing was that this RAV4, with its dual Chinese and Australian license plates, was a right-hand drive vehicle, meaning it was a genuine import. Moreover, the pure Japanese RAV4 differed significantly from the domestically produced version in appearance, with more graceful lines and a more resilient look. In China, this car is only available in 2.0L and 2.4L engine versions, priced between 320,000 and 380,000 yuan. But Xiaoxue's was a 3.0L, all-wheel drive, with manual/automatic driving modes. I figured that with the nearly 100% tariff, this car would cost at least 700,000 RMB. Of course, compared to a Land Rover Freelander with autonomous driving capabilities and a BMW X5 that costs $150,000 overseas, it's nothing. But for an off-road vehicle, especially one driven by a girl, it's enough to make anyone take notice.

I glanced back at Xiaoxue and saw her staring at me indifferently. I smiled bitterly… As a man deeply familiar with China's tragic modern history, I also possess the same burning passion to drink the blood of the Japanese invaders and feast on their flesh. Anyone who has read Ben Ruth Needham's *The Chrysanthemum and the Sword* knows that Japan is a perplexing word. It is polite to people, yet attacks your vitals the moment you turn away. It strives for self-improvement and unity, yet shamelessly ravages its neighbors after becoming powerful. It is a contradictory race, a race so insecure that it needs to constantly praise itself for comfort. Nowadays, online and in real life, there are "f*** Japan" messages everywhere, and slogans and warnings against boycotting Japanese goods. I've always wholeheartedly supported these.

But, despite the criticism and resentment, I have to admit that Japanese products are indeed superior. In terms of industry, after Germany, Japan comes next. Speaking specifically of cars, European (mainly German) cars prioritize comfort, safety, and craftsmanship, without much concern for fuel consumption or emissions. But you can't deny it; their products are undeniably safe. For example, a non-Chinese Volvo has dozens of airbags; in a crash, you'd be trapped inside, making it nearly impossible to die. This is why Mercedes, BMW, and Volvo are top-tier luxury cars. Of course, besides their high price, these cars consume fuel incredibly quickly, but to maintain power, this is necessary—an insurmountable bottleneck.

Japanese cars, on the other hand, focus on economy, fuel efficiency, and body materials. Low cost means low price, which explains the tragic accident of a Honda Accord breaking in half on the Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway a few years ago. Of course, I don't know if cars made in Japan would have this problem. However, in terms of power, the Japanese are indeed quite good. To give a simple example, if a domestic car used a Japanese original engine, the price would be at least 20,000 yuan more expensive. The main advantages of Japanese engines are their good endurance, acceleration performance, and fuel efficiency. So overall, there is still a lot of room for improvement in domestic products.

"This car? Did your mother buy it for you?"

After thinking about all sorts of things, I asked Xiaoxue.

"No, but it's practically mine."

Xiaoxue took out the key and started the car. The engine made a humming sound. I stuck my head in to look at the odometer, and wow—it was less than 1,000 kilometers.

"What does that mean?"

I leaned over and asked through the car window.

"Well, this car isn't mine, but I've always been the one using it. It belongs to a friend of my dad's. After that person drove it over last time, they said they'd leave it for me, and my dad agreed, so it's been sitting here."

Xiaoxue explained methodically, then asked, "Hey, do you know how to drive? I'm not used to right-hand drive cars. Look, it's been sitting here for two years and I've only driven less than 1,000 kilometers. Hehe..."

"Well... it should be fine, right? You sit here, I'll try."

I said nervously, actually I wasn't really sure, since I'd never driven a right-hand drive car before.

After Xiaoxue sat in the passenger seat, I gripped the steering wheel, ready to start, when I suddenly said to Xiaoxue, "Hey, buckle up. I can't guarantee I can tame it."

Seeing her look at me without suspicion, she finally obediently buckled up.

Actually, I was wrong. This Japanese car isn't difficult to drive at all; in fact, it's very stable. Apart from the slight discomfort of shifting gears with my left hand instead of my right, everything else is pretty much the same as a left-hand drive car.

"Okay, we'll use this one. Now everything's ready, just a little time left, haha."

After circling Nanping, I patted the steering wheel with satisfaction. The car's performance was indeed as expected; it was surprisingly stable on both flat roads and mountain roads.

"Well, get your foot healed quickly, hehe… He Shi, do you think we should buy a tent?"

Xiao Xue was very happy to see my praise for her car.

I widened my eyes, puzzled, and asked, "A tent? What for?"

"To the Delta, don't we need one?"

she said enthusiastically, seemingly proud of her thoughtfulness.

"Haha...you think this is camping? No need to buy a tent, there are hotels there."

"Oh...then, should I buy a hunting rifle, or a knife or something for self-defense?"

I laughed even more exaggeratedly. "Haha...you, you think this is Iraq? You need a hunting rifle?"

Xiaoxue blushed. "..."

[·E-book Download Paradise—www.qisuu.com] Looking at the Pearl River Delta map, Huizhou is located northeast of Zhuhai. The entire area is mountainous with few plains, dense forests, and crisscrossing ravines. The climate is cool in summer and not cold in winter, quite different from other cities. In short, it is a good place for leisure and seclusion. In the days that followed, Xiaoxue went to work as a cashier at her mother's hotel, while I, taking advantage of my foot pain, went online, chatted, and carefully studied the driving route to the Pearl River Delta. But whenever I had free time, I always felt a void quietly lingering in my heart. When I woke up unconsciously, my desk was piled high with cigarette butts… I thought, I need to fill that void with something; I need to work.

The sun rose and set silently, as did the moon. In that rise and fall, my right leg gradually regained its former strength. But, had the scar in my heart healed as well? I asked myself.

When Xiaoxue came home from work and learned that my leg had recovered, she cheered and said she wanted to go out to celebrate. On the way back, she ran into some shop, bought a calendar, solemnly looked at it several times, and then pointed to a "suitable for travel" day, saying, "Let's go on the 22nd, okay? Look, it says this day is the most suitable for long trips."

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and nodded.

In the warm spring of March, as the willows along the roadside sprouted tender buds and the returning birds eagerly called to their companions, Xiaoxue and I packed our luggage, got into our Toyota, and set off.

After passing the border checkpoint and arriving at the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway entrance, I smiled and said to Xiaoxue, "Xiaoxue, look at those people when they carry out missions, they always give their missions names, like 'Operation Black Hawk' or something. Our operation is so big, shouldn't we also give it a code name?"

Xiaoxue paused for a moment, then happily laughed, "Oh yeah, yes, yes! You choose! What do you think we should call it? Have you thought of one yet?"

"I've already thought of one, hehe… wait a minute, you haven't fastened your seatbelt, this is the highway."

I suppressed a laugh and said seriously.

"Really? Tell me quickly, what should we call it?"

She sat in the passenger seat, fastening her seatbelt as she asked impatiently.

"I won't tell you, haha…"

I teased her deliberately, and seeing her exasperated expression, I couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Actually, I had already defined this trip in my mind as "A Trip to the East with America."

After buying the tickets, I started to regret bringing Xiaoxue here, because when we passed through Zhongshan, I sensed that she had absolutely no interest in these historical figures, let alone the famous "Ye Ting's Former Residence." It all started with the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway…

According to my original travel plan: we would start from Zhuhai, take a section of the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway, pass through Zhongshan and Panyu in Guangzhou, then transfer to the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway at Humen in Dongguan, continue to Shenzhen, then transfer to the Shenzhen-Shantou Expressway, and finally exit at Huiyang for lunch. After lunch and refueling, we continued on the Shenzhen-Shantou Expressway, exiting at Renshan in Huidong County, and after a short drive, we would reach our destination—Delta Island. I planned to stay on the island for two days, then take the Guanghui Expressway to Luofu Mountain in Boluo County, Huizhou for a day trip, and then head straight back to Zhuhai…

In the car, Xiaoxue was still puffing out her cheeks about the “operation code name” and wouldn’t talk to me. Although I knew she wouldn’t hold a grudge for too long, the well-sealed RAV4 was a bit stuffy. I wanted to find a CD to listen to, but after searching for a long time, I couldn’t find one. What a mistake! Next time, I’ll definitely buy a bunch and keep them in the car. Finally, unable to hold it in any longer, I pulled the car to the far right, slowed down, opened the window, and lit a cigarette… I glanced at Xiaoxue; she had her eyes closed, but from her pouting lips, I knew she was pretending to be asleep. Heh~ As we approached the Zhongshan Road section, I could see several huge red characters on the hillside diagonally opposite: “The People of Sun Yat-sen’s Hometown Welcome You.” Recalling that 140 years ago, the great pioneer of democracy was born here, and I was so close, I was very excited, as if I could feel my blood throbbing. Back then, Zhongshan City wasn't called Zhongshan; it was called Xiangshan County. Sun Yat-sen was born in Cuiheng Village within that county. As for the later name Zhongshan, I wonder if it was changed in memory of Mr. Sun.

Although I often passed through here when I worked at Xiaoli's company, I was always on official business and had no desire to explore. However, today was different. After all, I was free, and with a surge of emotion, I said to Xiaoxue, "Hey... should we get off up ahead?"

Xiaoxue blinked, initially seeming unwilling to respond, but then she couldn't hold back any longer and opened her eyes wide, glaring, "What for?"

"Hehe... this is Mr. Sun Yat-sen's former residence. I want to go down and take a look. Paying respects to the ancestor, you know, it'll increase your safety factor when you go out, hehe~" I said with a fawning smile. Since she was still talking to me, everything should be fine.

This time, however, my intuition seriously misled me. She closed her eyes again, and said in a huff, "Hmph! I'm not going. It's just a dead person's house, what's the point? If I'm going, I'll go another time. I'm not in the mood today."

I was speechless, dumbfounded… I never expected her to say that about my idol! I was stunned! Now I finally understand why there are two lines of poetry that say, "The courtesan knows not the sorrow of a fallen nation, still singing 'The Flowers of the Rear Courtyard' across the river." They're probably used to describe a girl like her who is oblivious to history and current affairs. Oh well, what can I do? I had to offend her. Confucius also taught, "It's better to offend a gentleman than a woman," right? Looks like I've forgotten the pain once the wound heals. I hope she just doesn't want to go because she's angry.

I drove all the way to Shenshan, arriving at the Huiyang exit around 2 PM. After getting off the highway and having lunch, I used the excuse of refueling to drive to Qiuchang Town, eventually taking Xiaoxue to the entrance of Ye Ting's former residence. Unfortunately, I don't know if I stepped in dog poop today, but standing at the entrance, I realized my intuition was seriously wrong again. Xiaoxue was completely uninterested in any of this.

But we had already bought the tickets, so even though she wasn't interested, she still happily followed me inside.

According to historical records, General Ye Ting's former residence was built by Ye Ting's grandfather, Ye Peilin. Despite enduring a century of war, it remained undamaged. After being repaired and officially opened to the public in 1980, many relics were weathered away over time. It wasn't until 2003 that the government funded its reconstruction, covering an area of 12,400 square meters.

Stepping through the gate, one can see a lifelike bronze statue of Ye Ting standing proudly in the courtyard, leaning on a steel cane, his gaze resolute as he stares ahead. Legend has it that the steel cane in Ye Ting's hand also has a significant history. This walking stick was a gift from a German military strategist to Ye Ting during his ten years of exile. It was named "Yijian" (倚剑). Those who are familiar with Jin Yong's novels might mistake it for the legendary "Heavenly Sword" (倚天剑), but in fact, this walking stick surpasses even the legendary "Heavenly Sword." Normally, it's an ordinary walking stick, but by opening the oval handle at the top and inserting it into the ground, it becomes a stool. In times of crisis, by pulling out the copper ring to load a bullet, a bolt will automatically pop out; by unscrewing the steel stopper, it becomes a steel gun. Unfortunately, after the Southern Anhui Incident, when Ye Ting went to negotiate with the enemy, to demonstrate his revolutionary spirit of facing death without fear, he resolutely threw his walking stick into the abyss, and it was never found again…

As I looked around, I pondered deeply, and before I knew it, I had arrived at the main hall of the former residence. Hanging directly in front of the hall was a photograph of Ye Ting when he was the commander of the New Fourth Army. On the walls were Mao Zedong's inscription after Ye Ting's unexpected death: "To die for the revolution is an honor," and Zhou Enlai's inscription for his daughter: "Rise at the crowing of the rooster, be a good daughter of a revolutionary general." I walked around the walls, slowly viewing the artifacts and over 150 photographs in the former residence. I was just about to take Xiaoxue to see the Yuying Building, built by Ye Ting's brother, located behind the former residence, when Xiaoxue suddenly tugged at my clothes, anxiously saying, "Where are you going? Don't you know what time it is?"

I glanced at my watch. Sigh… I was so engrossed that I hadn't even noticed I'd been there for over two hours; it was almost 5 PM. I quickly slung my bag over my shoulder and returned to the car. Xiaoxue followed behind, stomping her feet angrily. Ugh, she's upset again…

Back on the highway, after about twenty kilometers, we reached the Renshan exit. I cautiously checked on Xiaoxue; thankfully, she was really asleep this time, probably too tired. Hehe, this little girl, before we even left, she was constantly planning and talking about what she wanted to do, but who knew she'd already given up so soon. No wonder, people who've never lacked for anything growing up are probably all like that.

After exiting the highway, the car sped along the Guangshan Highway, then the coastal highway for about an hour. As dusk approached, we finally arrived at the reception area of the Songyuan Bay Hotel in Xunliao Town, Delta Island.

I stopped the car and gently shook Xiaoxue's delicate shoulder. "Hey, we're here. Get out."

She continued to sleep soundly, unresponsive... A

sudden idea struck me. I leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Wake up! Fire!" Sure enough, Xiaoxue suddenly opened her eyes and shouted, "Fire? Where? Hurry up..."

She frantically opened the car door and ran out. After a few meters, she looked back and realized I'd just played a trick on her. Her expression immediately changed to one of furious rage...

"Haha..."

I sat in the car and couldn't help but laugh loudly. My mind seemed to return to that enchanting moonlit night when I first met Xiaoxue. The waves were still lapping gently on the beach, and she was still a charming and beautiful woman. But the scene and our relationship seemed forever different, lacking that initial purity.

Looking back, was it truly a time of peace and tranquility? I thought of that phrase again.

Because it was too late, going to the island today was clearly a pipe dream. We decided to stay overnight at the Songyuan Bay Hotel and take a boat to the island the next morning.

However, as I checked into the hotel, my heart was filled with conflicting emotions, unable to find peace...

I remembered more than half a year ago, when I went to Shanghai on my first business trip with Xiaoli, we also had differing opinions about the hotel. In the end, Xiaoli persuaded me. At that time, she was worried that sharing a room would disturb others. I had my doubts, but now that I think about it, it seems Xiaoli never clarified or verified our relationship. Perhaps, as she herself said, from beginning to end, she always saw me as a younger version of Lin Hao. Ha, woman, how deep is your heart?

When you are no longer needed by others and no longer need others, you feel utterly hopeless, and life seems meaningless. Was I thinking the same thing when I stepped across the overpass? The higher you climb, the harder you fall; the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. When you reach the pinnacle of happiness, you discover that one side of the mountain is a bottomless abyss. The most tragic thing is that during the climb, you never truly appreciated the beautiful scenery around you until the moment you fell into the abyss, when everything vanished like lightning, and by then it was too late to see clearly…

“Sir, could you please show me your ID?” "

I was standing at the hotel reception when a delicate voice interrupted my long, winding thoughts.

I looked up and saw a cute little girl with a doll-like face smiling at me. Her skin was snow-white, probably from years of not being exposed to the sun. I composed myself, took out my ID card, and handed it to her. 'Two single rooms, please!'

The girl took the ID and skillfully began the registration and scanning process. Looking at her constantly shifting face, I felt a pang of pity and teased her, 'Little sister, you look quite young. Are you eighteen yet?'

The girl looked up, hesitated for a moment, then smiled softly, but didn't answer. She continued writing.

I was puzzled. Was there a rule here against talking to guests? So I pressed on, 'Why aren't you saying anything? I'm asking you, are you over eighteen?'" "If it's not full, that's child labor, it's illegal..."

I rattled off, chuckling twice, thinking she'd finally talk to me this time.

But the little girl was like a mute, just raising her head and smiling at me before burying herself back in her work. Embarrassed, I was about to try again when she looked up a third time and pouted at me from behind. I turned and saw Xiaoxue staring at me with wide eyes and a frosty expression. Ugh, how could I forget Xiaoxue was behind me? This is terrible, the third time I've upset her today. Damn

this weather, it's April already, why do I still feel a chill?

The room is on the third floor, in the elevator. I kept my mouth tightly shut, afraid of saying something that would upset Xiaoxue again.

"Why book two rooms? What a waste!" "

When I handed the keys to Xiaoxue after getting off the elevator, she coldly complained.

'Uh…'

I really didn't know how to come up with a reason. I scratched the back of my head for a moment and said awkwardly, 'It's more convenient to stay separately, hehe.'

'Convenient for what? Isn't it the same to book a double room?'

Xiaoxue seemed to find my embarrassed look quite funny and burst out laughing.

'Hehe, actually I'm just afraid that I might do something wrong at night when I'm alone with such a beautiful girl like you. Hehe.'

I said with a fawning smile.

'You dare! I'll castrate you!'

She held up her index and middle fingers and made a sharp cutting motion.

'Hehe, just kidding. Should I go down and cancel one of the rooms?'

To be honest, frugality is a good habit I've always maintained. Booking two rooms was mainly because I remembered the time I booked a room with Xiaoli in Shanghai."

"No need, too much trouble! Humph!" Xiaoxue said, opening her door and going inside with her bag, leaving me standing there alone, feeling uneasy. It seemed the weather still hadn't cleared up.

At dinner, Xiaoxue didn't say a word, finishing her meal before running back to her room. I felt even worse. Back in my room, I watched TV, my eyes filled with colorful images, but my mind was a jumbled mess, like a hornet's nest buzzing around. Perhaps I'd gotten used to this way of thinking, because I drifted off to sleep.

"Beep...beep..." Damn

it, it's like someone's deliberately trying to wake me up; the phone always rings. I reached for the phone and held it to my ear.

"Hello~" There was silence on the other end, except for the radio waves.

"Hello?"

I mumbled again, my eyes still closed. "Who is it? Speak up! If you don't answer, I'm hanging up. Okay, I'll count to three, and if you don't respond, I'm hanging up. One, two, three..." Just

as I was about to put down the receiver, an angry shout came from the other end: "You bastard, how dare you?"

My heavy sleepiness vanished instantly. Even a fool could tell that the person who insulted me was Xiaoxue. Poor me, I was still happy despite being insulted. "Xiaoxue? Hehe, so late, still not asleep?"

"I can't sleep."

"What's wrong? Is the bed uncomfortable?"

I asked with concern.

"No, it's because of some jerk. Humph!"

Ever since I protested against Xiaoxue's constant use of "tsk," "humph" had become her daily snack.

"Hehe, I didn't mean to upset you,"

I admitted without being asked, laughing sheepishly.

"Hmph! Aren't you angry with me? If you're not angry, why are you defending yourself? What do you think I called you for? I just wanted to see if you went to see your cute receptionist. Oh, you didn't. Sigh... You're such a loser, not even letting such a young girl go. But thankfully she was alert and didn't fall for a pervert like you."

Ugh, why do I smell such a strong sour scent? Also, she's so disrespectful of the facts. If she hadn't been glaring at me like that, I might have hooked that girl. Hehe...

Of course, the above is purely my thought; I probably wouldn't dare say these things out loud even if I had the guts of a leopard. I chuckled awkwardly, "Hehe, I'm just adapting to local conditions and communicating deeply with the people. Don't worry, soldiers like us, influenced by Uncle Lei Feng since childhood, have an absolutely firm stance. We won't be misled by the enemy's coercion or temptation, nor will we be easily defeated by sugar-coated bullets."

"Get lost, ha~ You haven't learned anything, all you can do is spout nonsense. If you do that again, I'll tear your mouth apart so you can't speak anymore,"
Xiaoxue

said fiercely. A warm current surged through my heart, like an electric shock, running through my entire body.

"Hehe, I won't do it again. Next time, I'll definitely buy a stainless steel mask first, and then we'll talk. Haha..."

I paused, then said seriously, "Okay, I was just kidding. It's not late, go to sleep early, I'll wake you up tomorrow."

Xiaoxue gently replied, "Okay, you go to sleep early too, goodnight." Then

I hung up the phone.

The lingering resentment vanished, and I slept peacefully through the night. The next morning at 8 a.m., I woke Xiaoxue, we ate breakfast together, checked out of the hotel, and headed to the designated boarding point for the ferry to Delta Island. Xiaoxue was in high spirits, looking around excitedly. I watched, feeling a sense of joy. This trip was purely a transformation for my own mindset, a chance to break free from my inner turmoil. As for Xiaoxue, I didn't have many other thoughts; I just hoped she could be happy and carefree, nothing more.

I hoped our trip would be worthwhile.

Delta Island, known as the "Maldives of China," became China's first privately owned island with a 40-year legal development right many years ago. Surrounded by the sea, it takes about 20 minutes by boat from the hotel to reach. The island boasts three crystal-clear white beaches, a crescent-shaped bay, a natural stone sculpture park, and a central island... The area within 500 meters is a marine ecological protection zone. Because it operates on a membership system, the island is not open to the public; only members can access it, which was why I was initially worried about whether I could make it. But Xiaoxue somehow managed to do something magical. When boarding the boat, she only had something that looked like an ID, and the staff treated her with utmost respect and deference.

Zhuhai has a sea, but I figured Xiaoxue was a complete landlubber. Sitting on the speedboat, she clung tightly to my arm, refusing to let go, her hand trembling slightly. Only when I gently took her hand, indicating she didn't need to worry, did she relax and make a face at me.

After getting off the boat, Xiaoxue seemed still shaken by the speedboat's jolting, still holding my hand tightly. I felt a little awkward, but didn't know what to say or to let go of her hand. Before long, I felt my palms were slightly sweaty.

"Oh dear… the scenery here isn't very good either. Look, there isn't a single tree." "

Xiaoxue said somewhat dejectedly.

I looked around and indeed, there weren't even any basic plants—coconut trees—let alone the birdsong, fragrant flowers, and lush greenery I had imagined. It was a world of difference compared to the coconut groves and swaying trees we had seen along the coastal highway when we arrived. Feeling a little ashamed, I could only stammer to Xiaoxue, "Maybe it's too close to the sea, so these don't grow there. Let's go in and take a look later." "

The island was indeed strange. After wandering along winding paths, we arrived at the island's heart, where a completely different spectacle unfolded before us. The vast sandy ground was covered with bizarrely shaped boulders of all sizes. Some resembled giant axes, others lazy puppies lying on the ground. Upon closer inspection, it seemed one could even spot a complete set of the twelve zodiac animals. Each shape was unique and lifelike; this landscape was in no way inferior to the renowned Stone Forest of Guangxi.

Xiaoxue finally unleashed the energy typical of a young girl, running around to look, occasionally exclaiming in amazement. It was only then that I shook my sweaty, numb right hand—it turns out that holding hands with a beautiful woman can also be painful." At that time,

due to the relatively high price and Xiaoxue's previous warning, I only chose a standard room by the sea. Our minds were already on the azure sea and sky, but upon entering the room, we discovered there was only one bed. Ugh…

After lunch, we went boating for a while. Seeing Xiaoxue, even in a life jacket, looking pale with fright, I quickly stopped boating. Then we went to the beach volleyball court. After a few rounds, I realized my mistake and regretted coming. I, a grown man, couldn't even beat a delicate girl like Xiaoxue in volleyball… But seeing me steadily losing, it seemed to ignite her competitive spirit; she became even more determined, winning once and saying she wanted to play again.

"Haha… you're not as good as me, are you? Let me tell you, I was the captain of the school volleyball team in college,"

Xiaoxue said proudly, shaking her beautiful head.

"Really? Hehe… too bad I didn't go to college." "

I took the volleyball and said casually. University has always been an unfulfilled dream of mine. I think my university life might be in my next life, if there is a next life.

" "Hey, that's not what I meant. Okay, let's stop playing, I'm exhausted, help me up."

Hey, little girl, if you're tired, why did you play for so long? Now you're ordering me around like an empress commanding her servants. But I know that in front of her, I'd be more than happy to be that servant, how pathetic!

After dinner, night had completely enveloped this wondrous land. Fortunately, the island offered a rich array of activities at night. The organizers had arranged a vibrant hula dance, followed by a dazzling fireworks display. Watching the fireworks disappear into the sky, leaving only swirling plumes of smoke, I felt a murky feeling slowly rising within me. Was it lingering over the past? Or a sense of uncertainty about the future?

"You shower first,"

Xiaoxue said domineeringly, sitting on the bed as it neared midnight.

"Why do I have to shower first? You can shower first too,"

I said, genuinely confused by her insistence on the order of showering. I remembered it wasn't like this at "home."

"Hehe… You shower first, and I'll shower after you're done and asleep,"

Xiaoxue said with an embarrassed smile.

"Haha... Oh, I see. You brought clothes, didn't you? Just wash up and put them on. You can sleep on the bed, I'll sleep on the sofa. But speaking of which... it's not like I haven't seen it before, haha..."

I recalled the scene when I met Xiaoxue at the Prince Hotel, when she was completely naked, and couldn't help but glance at her a few more times.

"What are you looking at? I'll poke you to death, hmph!"

To match the action, Xiaoxue raised two fingers and poked me. I quickly parried, and accidentally grabbed her small hand again. We both froze. Holding hands that afternoon was purely unintentional, but now, the anger felt quite awkward. Time seemed to freeze for a moment. Xiaoxue blushed, slowly withdrew her hand, turned around, took clothes from her luggage, and went into the bathroom.

I stared blankly in the direction she walked, a multitude of thoughts surging in my mind. This little girl, I can never quite figure out her personality. Sometimes, she's as perceptive as Lin Daiyu, always bursting into tears before she can even speak when wronged; other times, she's as cunning and clever as Wang Xifeng, impossible to guard against; but most of the time, she's a happy little angel, completely innocent, always wearing her joy on her sleeve, making everyone feel bright and refreshed.

Although being woken up by the urge to pee isn't a big deal, at 2 a.m., I was still woken up by it. After I came out of the bathroom, I found that Xiaoxue, who was lying in bed, had vanished. Ugh… Where could she have gone at this hour? I hurriedly put on my coat, opened the door to the beach, and rushed to the beach. I breathed a sigh of relief. Xiaoxue, bathed in silvery moonlight, sat upright on the sand, gazing up at the sky. What was she meditating on?

I walked over gently, draped my coat over her shoulders, and asked, "Can't sleep?"

Xiaoxue didn't answer, still gazing at the sky. The cool moonlight shone on her delicate face, as if bathing her in a holy glow, filling me with awe.

"Look, the moon is so pure, like a flawless piece of white jade, so lovely to hold. The air here is exceptionally fresh too. I was thinking, 'I wish I could live here forever,'"

Xiaoxue said softly after we sat side by side for a long time.

Yes, someone like Xiaoxue could easily live here forever, because she no longer needed to search for a silver spoon in her mouth; she was born with one. Yesterday at the Songyuan Bay Hotel, I felt the difference between people. In the hotel parking lot, many cars were license plates from Guangdong (粤A) for Guangzhou, Guangdong (粤B) for Shenzhen, followed by cars from Guangdong (粤L) for Huizhou, and then cars from Guangdong (粤C) for Zhuhai. Among them were luxury cars like the Audi A8 and Mercedes-Benz 600, while Xiaoxue's Toyota RAV4 was considered a mid-to-low-end vehicle. From this, we can observe the leisurely pace of city dwellers. In contrast, can our parents, who toil in the fields all day, imagine living such a life even for a single day? And what about me? I am now in this bustling, luxurious place. Am I a city dweller? Or a country dweller? Or neither, merely a wanderer adrift in the world?

I recall a short story I once read: A country person and a city person died and arrived at the gates of heaven together.

The country person was clearly friendly, smiling and greeting the city person, "Hi, hello."

The city person responded with a sorrowful expression, "Hello, why are you so happy?"

"Happy, of course I'm happy, because I finally own a house of my own before I die,"

the country person said proudly.

"Oh? Shouldn't I be happy too? Because I finally paid off the mortgage before I died,"

the city person sighed.

The story ends here. At first glance, the two seem not so different; they both accomplished what they were meant to accomplish before they died. But upon closer examination, the underlying principle becomes clear: a rural person spends their entire life's effort to finally own a house, but they are already dead, never having the chance to live in it; while a city dweller, though they only pay off their mortgage before death, has already enjoyed the pleasure of homeownership while struggling to repay the loan.

Sigh… Will I become that rural person? Or that city person?

“What are you thinking about?”

Xiaoxue, seeing me silent with my head down, reached out and tugged at my sleeve.

“Hehe, nothing.”

I snapped out of my reverie, breaking free from the rural-city divide.

“Nothing? He Shi, actually… there are some questions, some things I've always wanted to tell you. But I was afraid you'd be emotionally unstable, so I didn't dare ask.”

Xiaoxue frowned slightly.

“Hmm? Hehe, what questions? Go ahead and ask.”

I said with a smile.

"Really? Then I'll ask you this. Last time, I rushed to the hospital after receiving a call from the traffic police. I just want to know, why did you fall off the bridge last time? Was it an accident? Or did you do it on purpose?"

Xiaoxue's face was serious as she asked the question I had been avoiding. My heart skipped a beat and pounded. Finally, she asked.

"Sigh..."

I sighed deeply, took out a cigarette from my coat, lit it, and slowly said, "Xiaoxue, this story is as long as a bolt of cloth, and it's very dramatic, but believe it or not, it happened to me..."

I controlled my emotions and spent two hours telling Xiaoxue, as if I were telling someone else's story, how I met Yangliu, how we lived together, how she left, how I met Xiaoli, how Yangliu came back, and how the whole truth came out.

After I finished, I was surprised to find that I was much calmer. Had I really thrown the past into the wind and let it disappear? Or had I buried it deeper and more thoroughly?

Xiaoxue listened patiently without uttering a single word. Then, she leaned close to me and slowly said, "I'm sorry, He Shi. I shouldn't have lost my temper with you before."

"Hehe, silly girl..."

I gently patted her soft hair and scolded her.

"Actually, from the day I met you, I knew you weren't that simple, you know? Your eyes are always so gloomy. Every time I look at you, I feel like you're so close yet so far away. I've lived with you for so long, but I don't understand you at all. You never talk about yourself, making me feel like your heart is so far away, unreachable. Even though you're right beside me. He Shi, do you remember when we first met, I slapped you?"

Xiaoxue said sadly, and I suddenly noticed a faint glimmer of moonlight in her eyes—tears.

"Hehe, of course I remember. My parents rarely, if ever, hit me. You slapped me, how could I forget?"

I didn't want to make the atmosphere so sorrowful, so I smiled and said to her.

Xiaoxue didn't seem to want to stop her tears. She reached out and touched my face, the one she had slapped before, and softly asked, "Does it still hurt? I'm sorry. Actually, I've never forgotten, because I slapped you on purpose. Who told you to be so disrespectful to me back then? I hit you, firstly to teach you a lesson, and secondly to make you remember me. But, do you understand my heart?"

"I..."

I was speechless, my heart felt like it was about to shatter. All along, I knew Xiaoxue was very, very good to me, and I could feel her devotion to love. But, with my current circumstances, could I accept her? I had nothing, and even now I was living off her, relying on her, and owing her a debt. If there is a God, would God tell me what I should offer in exchange for Xiaoxue's feelings?

Perhaps some would say that love is purely a spiritual feeling, why should it be entangled with material things? But I would tell them that without material things, love will die without a trace. In modern society, there are no longer supernatural tales like Nie Xiaoqian and Ning Caichen. Love has long lost its veil of mystery; everything has become realistic and pale. Take a simple example: the woman you deeply love wants you to give her flowers. What do you do? Do you pick them from the roadside bushes because you don't have money? Be careful not to get caught by the city management officers and face even heavier fines.

I pondered deeply, how should I face Xiaoxue in the future? Xiaoxue grabbed my hand, placed it on her shoulder, and snuggled closer to me. In the early spring morning, the chill still seeped into my bones; I could even feel Xiaoxue shivering in my arms. So I hugged her tightly and urged, "It's cold outside, let's go back?"

"No! You haven't answered my question yet. If you don't understand, I can ask more clearly, He Shi, I just want to know, in your heart, do you like me or not? Don't give me a perfunctory answer; I want to hear your heartbeat."

Xiaoxue didn't want to go back to the room, quietly nestled in my arms, stubbornly saying.

"I like you,"

I answered without hesitation.

"Really? Then..."

Xiaoxue slipped out of my embrace, faced me, gently raised her head, and closed her eyes, seemingly expecting me to do something.

"Hehe, silly girl..."

I leaned down and quickly pecked her lips.

The moon had long since disappeared, and the wind grew stronger, a biting chill mixed with icy moisture rushing towards us. Afraid that Xiaoxue, dressed in only thin clothes, would catch a cold, I didn't care whether she wanted to or not, and hoisted her onto my shoulder, returning to the hotel room.

Two days passed quickly amidst playful chasing. The girl really did catch a cold that night, and her health deteriorated, so I canceled the Luofu Mountain trip and returned to Zhuhai early. Fortunately, Xiaoxue had a good constitution, and she recovered in a few days. Actually, I think it was entirely because she was in such a good mood that her recovery was so fast. Since returning from the Delta, Xiaoxue seemed to have some kind of mental block; her mouth was never closed, and she was always smiling as if she had eaten honey.

She was the only person I had ever seen who was so happy even when she was sick. As for me, I'm planning to look for a job...

Chapter 6 of Volume 2: The Underwear Scandal.

I don't know what work means to Xiaoxue. Anyway, she sleeps until late morning every day before lazily saying she's going to work. Sometimes she simply doesn't go, waking up and just lounging on the sofa watching TV. But I know I'm not destined for that. In my opinion, now that my leg has recovered, it's time to end this life of living off my savings.

"Why don't you go work at my mom's restaurant? We can work together."

Xiaoxue, lying on the sofa, munching on potato chips, looked up at me from behind the sofa and said. Just now, I said I wanted to go out and look for a job, asking her if she had any suggestions. Sigh... When did I start letting her influence my thinking?

"Huh? What would I do? A waitress?"

It's not that I think being a waitress is lowly, but I'm not used to working with someone I see every day.

"Hmm... I'm not sure, wait a minute, let me ask my mom first."

Xiaoxue stood up, ready to make a phone call.

I quickly stopped her, forcing a smile. "Hehe...no need, I...I'm not really suited for those kinds of places. You know, I'm very introverted. I'm afraid if I really went, I'd scare all the customers away."

Xiaoxue stopped, turned to look at me, thought for a moment, and said listlessly, "Well...okay, but if you're looking for a job, it can't be too far away. It has to be in the city, preferably near this neighborhood, and it has to be the kind where you go home every night."

Since returning from the Delta trip, Xiaoxue seemed even more domineering than before, always speaking in a tone that didn't allow me to argue. I was conflicted. After all, the "I like you" I said that night had a slightly comforting element to it, even though I blurted it out. But how could I bear to let her deep feelings go to waste?

I smiled and nodded solemnly. "Okay, no problem."

I turned and went into the house to search for job postings online.

At Xiaoxue's request, I narrowed my search to the Zhuhai city area. However, I wasn't sure about the job I was looking for. After searching for two hours, I finally found this ad: "New Hope Internet Cafe is hiring: Network Administrator. Gender: Not limited. Age: 20-35. Requirements: At least one year of network management experience, familiar with diskless workstation network management, internet cafe firewall maintenance, server data backup, etc.

Address: No. xx, Baishi Road, Qianshan, Zhuhai.

Contact: Mr. Liao. Contact number: -xxxxxxx. Interested applicants please bring your relevant documents for an interview at the internet cafe. Salary negotiable."

I checked the posting date; thankfully, it was yesterday. So I decided to apply next Monday for two reasons. First, before joining Xiaoxue's company, I was a network administrator, though less than a year, it was close enough that I met all the requirements. The second reason was simple: Baishi Road, Qianshan, is just across from Yinshi Yayuan, only a 5-minute walk away, perfectly meeting Xiaoxue's requirement of "going home every night."

I bookmarked the webpage, quickly wrote a resume to make the interview go more smoothly, and then went to take a shower. When I came out to the living room, the TV was still flickering, but Xiaoxue was nowhere to be seen on the sofa. Was she resting? I went closer and found her asleep on the sofa. She was curled up, leaning wearily against the sofa, looking like a little girl who had just finished playing. Ugh!

I lived with Yang Liu after we had a relationship. As everyone knows, once a man and woman are intimately close, and know each other's bodies better than their own, there are no secrets between them, not to mention eating with the same utensils and throwing clothes together. So, when I lived with Yang Liu, there were no inconveniences.

However, now that I live with Xiaoxue, problems have arisen. After

showering, I threw my clothes into the washing machine, set the automatic wash cycle, and went back to my room to revise my resume. After finishing, I suddenly remembered that my clothes should probably be washed, so I hurriedly ran to the bathroom.

One piece, two pieces, three pieces… Ugh, why are there so many clothes? Did I accidentally wash one piece of clothing twice? Looking closer, oh no! What I was holding was—Xiaoxue's underwear.

I don't know if fate was playing a cruel joke on me, but Xiaoxue woke up at that exact moment and came in. Seeing me awkwardly holding her underwear, she blushed and rushed over to snatch it away. "You pervert, why are you taking my clothes?"

"Cough...cough...I...I'm washing clothes. Why haven't you washed yours yet?"

I really didn't understand why she was being lazy today. Usually, she would wash and hang them on the balcony immediately after changing.

"Ah!"

Xiaoxue suddenly screamed.

"What's wrong?"

I hurriedly asked, "Could it be that I tore it?" "Look! This is all your doing, humph!"

Xiaoxue thrust the bra in front of me.

"Oh? 36C, what does that mean?"

After examining it closely, I found nothing unusual except for a price tag. Was that the price? 36 yuan? Not expensive, but what does that C mean?

"You pervert! Who told you to look at that? I meant it changed color, it stained your pants! Look, it was white before, now it's blue!"

Xiaoxue said, both embarrassed and anxious.

"Huh?"

I was stunned. Looking closer, it really had turned blue, probably stained by my jeans. I laughed awkwardly, "Hehe... your... this thing, wasn't it originally blue?"

"Blue my foot! Who would wear blue? If you wear light-colored clothes over it, wouldn't everyone see everything..."

Perhaps realizing that what she said was inappropriate, she suddenly stopped, her cheeks turning red. She paused, then pouted and said angrily, "I don't care, I can't wear this anymore, you have to buy me a new one."

"Huh?"

I was dumbfounded, my mouth agape. I guess at that moment, all I could do was say "Huh?" She wouldn't really want me to buy it for her, would she? Ugh…

"But… I… I've never bought this before, how about this? I'll pay you, you can buy it yourself, I'll reimburse your transportation and meals. Okay?"

Coming to my senses, I decided to regain control.

"No! Who wants your money? You have to buy it yourself, otherwise… hmph!"

Xiaoxue persisted.

"Ugh, it's the same if you buy it yourself. I really don't know anything about these things,"

I cried out, feeling wronged.

"No, you have to buy it even if you don't know anything, I don't care. If you don't pay me, you're not allowed to use the washing machine anymore, you have to wash your clothes by hand. Haha…"

Xiaoxue laughed triumphantly. Little did she know, washing clothes was the number one of the "three most hated things in life" that I considered the most important thing.

Oh no, she hit my sore spot. I had no choice but to risk it all and buy it. Thankfully, she wasn't completely shameless; she finally agreed that I would only accompany her, and she would buy it herself. After all, I didn't know anything about her body.

The next day was Saturday. Early in the morning, Xiaoxue said she wanted to go out. I coaxed and pleaded, and by 2 PM, I finally gave in and dragged myself along behind her to Gongbei Pedestrian Street, into a lingerie store called "Triumph Specialty Store."

I don't know if there are very few men in women's lingerie stores, but as I walked behind Xiaoxue with my head down, I immediately felt the burning gazes of several saleswomen, and I instinctively knew that the source of those gazes wasn't my gender.

Damn! Do they think I'm a monkey in a zoo?

Xiaoxue didn't seem very interested in buying anything, browsing and selecting items, circling the store, which was no more than 30 square meters. Finally, she grabbed my hand and pinched it hard. "Pig, you're so shy, not saying a word?"

I smiled awkwardly and said, "Hehe...you can buy it, I'll reserve my opinion."

Xiaoxue didn't let go of me, pulling me out of the street. I asked in surprise, "Why are we leaving? Aren't you going to buy anything?"

"Hehe...actually, the color faded last night if you just soaked it in laundry detergent."

Xiaoxue laughed mischievously.

"Ugh, then why did you drag me here?"

I couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. Why didn't she explain clearly last night? I didn't sleep well all night.

"Going shopping? I don't remember us ever going shopping. We're cooped up at home all day, it's so boring. I think you're about to get moldy, so I dragged you out to get some sun..."

Before she finished speaking, Xiaoxue put her arm around my shoulder and swaggered forward with me.

Ugh...what kind of move is that?

Chapter 7 of Volume 2: Sudden Change of Fortune

Before, I never quite understood the meaning of the phrase "in full view of the public." But today, I've truly experienced the full meaning of this idiom.

Xiaoxue was supporting me, and I say "supporting" because her hand was always resting on my elbow, while I just stood there, dumbfounded, my arms outstretched, being led around like this. My numbness stemmed from my complete inability to reciprocate Xiaoxue's affectionate gesture. Our relationship didn't seem to have reached that level, did it? At least, that's what I thought. Because

of this, wherever Xiaoxue and I went, it was like Bin Laden appearing on Al Jazeera—we were being stared at. These stares included men and women. Even on the pedestrian street, where you rarely see elderly people, there was an elderly man with white hair, dragging his toddler grandson, also staring at us. Wait, did they think they were selling some kind of calcium supplement, suitable for all ages?

I noticed a pattern: regardless of age or gender, their actions were all the same: first, they stared at Xiaoxue in disbelief, lingered for a few seconds, then turned their gaze to me, but the content of their eyes was completely different. When they looked at Xiaoxue, it was envy; when they looked at me, it was indignation. Oh dear, did they all think of the saying, "A beautiful flower stuck in cow dung"? But then I immediately cheered up. Even if it's cow dung, a handsome and dashing cow dung like me is rare, at least it's fertile ground. I just wonder if it's enough nutrients to satisfy Xiaoxue, this overly flamboyant flower? Oh dear, why would I think of such a thing?

Of course, my description might be a bit exaggerated; I was just trying to illustrate the effect of Xiaoxue and me walking together on the street. Halfway down the pedestrian street, I couldn't stand the strange atmosphere any longer.

"Let's go! Not here, let's go to the supermarket to buy some things."

I pulled my arm out of Xiaoxue's arm and took her hand.

Xiaoxue was taken aback at first, then smiled happily and said, "Yeah, I also feel like the people around us are acting weird. Let's go."

I then pulled her across the welcoming avenue to the Wanjia Supermarket on the other side. The advantage of a supermarket is that you don't feel like you're being stared at, and it's also big enough. Xiaoxue looked around, and only when night fell did she say contentedly, "Ah... I had a great time shopping today. Come on, I'm hungry, let's go eat."

I noticed that her hands were empty except for mine. Sigh... typical talk without action.

After dinner, it was completely dark. The night in Zhuhai, with its dazzling Gongbei district, the lights just coming on, seemed particularly ambiguous. Xiaoxue, full and energetic again, dragged me towards the pedestrian street. Just as we reached the intersection, she seemed to remember something and quickly pulled and pushed me back to Yingbin Avenue. I looked back, and the pedestrian street was now filled with all sorts of alluring women. I knew she had her reservations.

Zhuhai's pedestrian street is the nationally famous—Lotus Street. One year, a group of Japanese soldiers gathered together and came to Lotus Street to find prostitutes. Due to the large number of people, it's said that even with two people sharing one pimp, there was a shortage. Finally, they had no choice but to call in local pimps and temporarily recruit a group from Shenzhen, who then traveled by boat from Shekou. This was the sensational "Japanese Prostitution in Zhuhai Incident." From then on, Lianhua Street in Zhuhai became infamous, tempting men across China with a penchant for prostitution. I remember a former colleague saying, "If you go to Zhuhai and don't visit Lianhua Street, don't tell anyone you've been to Zhuhai."

Xiaoxue grew up in Zhuhai, so naturally she knew the allure of Lotus Street. That's why she stopped at the intersection – I knew it wasn't for her, but for me. I remained outwardly calm, secretly amused. "Xiaoxue, Xiaoxue," I thought, "if a man wants to go to a place like this, how can your reluctance to seek help stop him?"

But despite my amusement, I wasn't interested in such things and let her lead me aimlessly.

When I came to my senses, she had led me to the end of the main avenue. Across the sea, where the high-rise buildings stood, lay the former colony of Macau. And to my right was the Gongbei Port, the place that had caused me so much confusion and bewilderment years ago.

Unexpectedly, after all this time, I had returned to the place of my past sorrows. What about life? After countless hopes and disappointments, must we always return to the starting point and begin anew? I stared blankly into the underground tunnel. Just like four years ago, nothing had changed. The same Macau residents carrying large bags and bundles, the same haphazardly parked taxis, and the same dilapidated, cold exit of the underground shopping mall.

I lit a cigarette and, through the smoke, saw the mall exit. A timid little boy, dragging a dirty suitcase, stared blankly at the cars speeding past, seemingly wanting to flag one down but too afraid to. Suddenly, the exit became crowded, the narrow staircase instantly becoming congested. The little boy looked around, finding nowhere to hide, and could only stand there, helplessly letting the strong people push and shove him… How familiar this scene was! It was clearly my own figure from back then. I could vaguely recognize the boy's face, the youthful innocence that belonged to me.

In an instant, tears silently streamed down my face. I rubbed my eyes; the little boy had vanished. Had he left? Or had he never been there at all? Was this just a hallucination? Why would I be hallucinating? Was it to recall those unbearable past events, or for the unknown future?

In the darkness, Xiaoxue didn't notice my tears. She took my hand, raised it, took a deep breath towards the sky, and then cheerfully said to me, "He Shi, let's... take a walk along this road?"

Hearing this, I looked up at the road sign and froze: this road was also one of Zhuhai's iconic landmarks—Lovers' Road. As the name suggests, it was designed specifically for couples. The road stretched along the sea, and inside the railing was a green belt about ten meters wide, with flat lawns and trees of all sizes. Between the green belt and the seaside railing, there was a stone bench every short distance. As dusk fell, many lovers would meet here to share their secrets.

But, were Xiaoxue and I a couple? Actually, I knew very well that ever since that night at the Delta, when I gently kissed her, she had correctly identified me in her heart. But what about me? That night, I was mostly trying to comfort her, coaxing her not to stand outside in the cold wind. The rest was driven by my deep affection and guilt, which led to a momentary lapse of judgment and a kiss. Could I accept her affection so readily? It's so unfair to her.

But in matters of the heart, who has ever been fair? Yang Liu, Xiao Li, were they fair? I treated them with such devotion, yet one completely deceived me, and the other treated me like a plaything. Did they ever truly care for me? Love, ah, is often the culprit that blinds people!

Xiao Xue didn't give me a chance to object, pulling me into Lovers' Road. We walked along the seawall for a while, then she slowed down, pacing quietly. But I noticed that this road was even more romantic than I had imagined. Along the way, on the stone steps, in the lawns, under the bushes, everywhere were couples, leaning on each other, embracing, whispering sweet nothings, their postures varied…

If it were me, I definitely wouldn't come to the seaside to have a romantic date in the fishy wind; it's simply torture, I thought to myself. Unbeknownst to me, Xiaoxue and I had already left the Gongbei area and arrived at the quieter Lovers' Road, where there were few people and cars. Xiaoxue stopped, turned around, and looked at the misty sea, remaining silent for a long time, lost in thought.

I decided to break the silence. “Xiaoxue, I found a job.”

“Really?”

Xiaoxue turned around, blinking her big eyes, and asked, “What job? Where?”

“In Doumen.”

I chuckled.

“Ah? So far? You can't go!”

Xiaoxue protested loudly.

“Doumen is far? It's only an hour by bus.”

I said, feigning surprise.

“I don't care, it's too far anyway, you can't go!”

Her resolute expression was evident.

“Why?”

I asked innocently.

"Why? And why did you choose a job so far away? I told you to find one within the city, but you wouldn't listen. Anyway, you're not allowed to go. If you want to go, fine. But give me my money back first. Humph!"

Ugh, she's using this trick again. Little does she know, I hate being threatened more than anything.

I straightened my face and said seriously, "Fine, I'll have my mom wire the money from home tomorrow, and I can pay you back by the day after tomorrow at the latest."

Xiaoxue became anxious, her voice even trembling with tears, "You...you're going too far! You know...you know I...I didn't say that just to get your money back. I...boo...boo..."

Oh dear, she really cried. As she cried, she let go of my hand, then reached out and hugged my waist with both of her arms, her fragrant head resting against my chest.

Ugh, why did I have to upset her? My heart ached, and I quickly comforted her, "Okay, okay... I was just kidding. Hehe, it's not in Doumen, the job I found is right across from where we live, in the front mountain area. Really, don't cry."

Just a few seconds after I finished speaking, she stopped crying. She looked up, her eyes wide, and asked happily, "Really? That's great!"

Damn, was she faking it just now?

"Yes, yes, really, more real than pearls, you..."

I suddenly stopped because I heard a few strange sounds coming from the grass not far behind me—the distinctive "squeak...squeak..."

sound of two people's lips touching—the sound of kissing.

How come I didn't notice someone behind me? Hearing that sound, I couldn't help but imagine the expressions on those two people's faces, and I burst out laughing. Xiaoxue looked at me, somewhat puzzled. "What are you laughing at all?"

"Haha... nothing, nothing."

Her head was just touching my chin, a few strands of hair playfully scratching my face, making me laugh even harder.

"Nothing? Then what are you laughing at? Stop laughing, it's so weird. If you laugh again, I'll..."

She used her signature move again, tickling my waist.

I quickly begged for mercy, "Okay, okay, I'll tell you... I'm laughing because you're a shorty, look, you only reach my chin. Ah! Don't pinch me..."

I was trying to run away as I spoke, but I failed and she grabbed me. Sigh, she really is like that martial arts master from Jin Yong's novels, still as a virgin, swift as a rabbit.

"Hmph! You're so mean, I'm not short at all, I'm 1.65 meters tall, is that what you call short?"

After pinching my hand hard, she said indignantly.

"Hmm... in terms of average height, you're not short, but... compared to me, you're... a winter melon, haha..."

This time, I finally ran far away before she caught me.

"Stop! Stop right there! I'm not going anywhere, hmph!"

After chasing her for a short while, Xiaoxue simply gave up and instead leaned against the stone railing to look at the sea.

I had no choice but to stop laughing and go back to get her. But what she did next was something I never expected.

Just as I reached out to pull her, she suddenly lunged at me, her hands wrapped around my neck. I felt a sudden weight on my body, and a warmth on my lips as she bit them hard… My mind went blank, then I felt dizzy, like Jia Baoyu in the Land of Illusion, unsure if it was real or an illusion…

After a long while, Xiaoxue finally released my lips, muttering as she pulled away, “You bastard, see if you still say I’m short…”

In the streetlight, I saw her face had turned as red as her lips, a blood-red hue. I stared at her, about to speak, when she slowly closed her eyes, just like that day in the Delta, tilting her head back as if anticipating the morning dew. I looked at her rosy lips, closed my eyes, and gently kissed her…

I swear to God, this kiss was absolutely pure. I knew that from that moment on, I was completely captivated by her devotion, and I had fallen deeply in love with this beautiful girl.

Thanks to my thorough preparation and prior experience, my interview went remarkably smoothly. Just after 10 a.m., I became a network administrator at "New Hope Internet Cafe." Meals were provided, but accommodation wasn't, and the monthly salary was 2,000 yuan. In truth, I didn't care much about the salary, because I knew I wouldn't stay there long; it was just a stepping stone in my life.

On my first Sunday back at work (internet cafes don't have weekends off), I was adjusting a customer's video when I suddenly received a call from my mother. She said urgently, "Xiaoshi, come home quickly! Your father's condition has suddenly worsened. Before, he only coughed, but now he's coughing up blood."

"Didn't you take him to the hospital for X-rays?"

I asked anxiously, suddenly remembering what my mother had said about "lung shadows," and a sense of foreboding washed over me.

"I saw it. You should come back soon; it's cost a lot of money now. Your dad used to tell me not to tell you because he was afraid it would interfere with your work."

"Mom, don't worry, I'll be back soon. By the way, what did the hospital say this time?"

I asked.

"The hospital said it's early-stage lung cancer..."

my mother said, choking back tears.

I froze, and my phone fell to the ground with a thud, breaking in two.

(Volume 2, Chapter 8: The Suffering of Life

) The Buddha said: There are eight sufferings in life: the suffering of birth, the suffering of old age, the suffering of sickness, the suffering of death, the suffering of being with those one hates, the suffering of separation from those one loves, the suffering of not getting what one wants, and the suffering of the five aggregates. Only by emptying one's mind and body can one be free from suffering, and all calamities turn to dust.

I don't know which of the eight sufferings of Buddhism I will experience in my life, but I know very well that I have already experienced the pain of separation. And I understand perfectly well that I cannot empty my mind and body, nor can I let all the calamities turn to dust…

All afternoon, I was carefully stroking my broken phone, my father's image constantly appearing before my eyes. Overwhelmed with sorrow, tears streamed down my face… Many people like to compare their fathers to mountains, because their fathers' backs are always so resilient and strong. Many others say their fathers are the ocean, because their fathers' laughter is always so loud, encompassing all kinds of grievances as if they were nothing. They always teach us by example, patiently guiding us to "reflect on your own faults in quiet contemplation, and refrain from gossiping about others in idle talk." But I am different. In my memory, my father, whether towards his family or his wife and children, was mostly somewhat indifferent. Therefore, from childhood to adulthood, my relationship with my father has never been particularly harmonious. Many years later, I finally understand that my father was the person who influenced me most profoundly in my life; his love was the kind that didn't need words.

As a child, perhaps due to my mother's indulgence, I was somewhat unruly. I still remember my few fights with friends; because of my weaker constitution, I was always the one who suffered the most. Every time I ran home crying, I was only met with my father's cold stare. He never asked me why I fought or where it hurt. It seemed like it was my own business, and had nothing to do with him. Over time, I became afraid to get into fights with others, because I knew that whether I won or lost, my father wouldn't care. My personality changed drastically. From the age of eleven, when my parents went to the fields, I would stay home, cook meals, and wait for them to return. I would also wash all their dirty, muddy clothes… until I went to study in another city and started working, I gradually understood my father's good intentions. Without him, how could I be so independent and self-reliant, wandering alone for five years without depending on anyone?

Father, a bitter word.

I quietly recalled, enduring the painful torment between memory and reality. Just as I was about to leave work, a familiar figure appeared at the door—it was Xiaoxue.

"Boss, almost off work! Why can't I get through to you on the phone?"

Xiaoxue asked with a smile, her two dimples flashing.

Ever since our relationship was properly defined, she'd used "Boss" to address me, making it her go-to title. But I always felt it had a hint of incest, even though we weren't actually "incestuous" (Boss means older brother in Cantonese). I turned away, rubbed my eyes hard, trying not to let her see I'd been crying, and then showed her my phone.

"Hehe…it fell to the ground, it's broken."

My smile was forced, probably worse than crying.

"Huh? Really? But it's okay, your old phone should have broken a long time ago. Who uses such outdated stuff these days? Come on, let's go buy a new one."

Xiaoxue pulled me along and walked out the door.

"No need, right? Don't you have a few old ones lying around at home? Let me borrow one for now, don't bother buying a new one. A phone just needs to make calls."

Buying a new phone would be a waste of money, and that's exactly what I need right now.

"Ah? How can that be? The ones at home are as big as bricks, are you going to use them? Why don't you use mine for now? I was just thinking of getting a new one."

Xiaoxue took out her D508 and handed it to me.

I hesitated for a moment, then took it and said, "Okay, I'll return it to you later."

"Return it to you my foot."

Xiaoxue pinched my hand when she heard that.

"By the way, Xiaoxue, there's something I want to talk to you about."

I took out her SIM card and returned it to her, speaking softly.

"Why are you so serious? What is it? Go ahead."

Xiaoxue took the card, tossed it into her bag, and asked.

“Um… it’s about the money I said I’d pay you back before, the medical bills from my hospital stay. I wanted to pay it back a little later. A friend of mine has a sick father who urgently needs money, and I wanted to lend him the money first. Is that okay?”

I didn’t intend to tell Xiaoxue about my situation, so I had to make up a lie for her.

“Sure? Why not? Hehe, don’t rush, I don’t need the money right away. Pay it back slowly, the slower the better, ideally… for a lifetime.”

Xiaoxue chuckled, and I sensed something was off about her words, which made me feel guilty.

I must admit, I’m a very rational person. When my mother frantically told me about my father’s illness, I knew that what I needed now wasn’t to rush home, because I’m not a doctor, and even if I went home, what good would it do for my father’s condition? What I needed now was money. Whether this thin piece of paper could save my father’s life or not, I needed it; at least it could alleviate his suffering. When I got home, I put in my SIM card, found J’s number, and dialed, intending to borrow money from him.

"Hello?"

The phone rang twice before J's voice came through, but it sounded gloomy, as if he wasn't in a good mood.

"J? It's me, He Shi. Hehe, are you busy?"

Regardless of his mood, I was quite excited to be able to contact him.

Hearing it was me, J seemed surprised and his tone became more lively. "Oh, it's you, haha! What brings you to call me all of a sudden? I thought you'd disappeared. You called once last time, and then I heard nothing. How have you been? Where are you now?"

"I'm in Zhuhai. Where are you? Do you have time? Want to have dinner together?"

I asked.

"I'm in Xiangzhou. You're in Zhuhai too? When did you get here? Damn it, why didn't you tell me? Damn! I haven't eaten yet. Pick a place."

J said excitedly.

"Okay, I'll wait for you at the Shangdao Coffee shop next to Yingbin Road. Hurry up, if you're not here by 8, you're paying, haha."

I teased.

"Okay! You wait here."

J said, and quickly hung up. I went into the bedroom to change my coat, preparing to go out.

Just as I opened the living room door, Xiaoxue suddenly ran out of the kitchen, shouting, "Hey, are you going out? Dinner's almost ready! Where are you going so late?"

I smiled apologetically at her. "Hehe...didn't I tell you this afternoon? I'm meeting that friend to withdraw the money and give it to her. I won't be eating dinner at home, sorry."

"Hmph! I don't care, I'm going too!"

Xiaoxue ran up to me, pouting in protest.

"Hey...it's not that I don't want to, you know, something happened at her family's house, of course she doesn't want too many people to know. Be good, wait for me at home after dinner, I'll watch 'Friends' with you, okay?"

I cupped Xiaoxue's pretty face and gently kissed her forehead. This trick worked like a charm; she blushed and didn't move.

"Then...come back early, the TV show's about to start,"

Xiaoxue whispered. "Autumn in My Heart" had already ended, but she'd recently become inexplicably obsessed with American soaps.

I quickly said "okay" and rushed off to Ueshima Coffee.

On any other day, I would have been captivated by the beautiful piano music and soft lighting of the coffee shop, but today, I knew that all this idyllic scene was not for me. I never imagined that it wouldn't belong to J either; he brought me a shocking piece of news—he was divorced.

"Why? How could this happen?"

I looked at him in horror.

"Hmph…why? Money, that's too simple. That guy has a car, a house in Futian, what else could it be?"

J sneered. The man he was referring to was, without a doubt, his wife's first love.

"Sigh…forget it, women are hard to judge."

I thought of Xiaoxue again. If Xiaoxue were also a gold digger, what would she have done?

"Sigh…I just can't swallow this. What does she want that I haven't given her? Why is she never satisfied?"

J sighed deeply.

I smiled knowingly and advised, "Hehe, have you ever heard a story? Once upon a time, there was a scholar who had arranged to marry his fiancée on a certain day. But on that day, his fiancée married someone else. The scholar was devastated and fell ill. At this time, a wandering monk passed by and took out a mirror from his robes, telling the scholar to look into it… The scholar saw a vast ocean, and a murdered woman lying naked on the beach. One person passed by, glanced at her, shook his head, and walked on. Another person passed by, took off his clothes, covered the woman's body, and left. Yet another person passed by, dug a hole, and carefully buried the body.

The monk explained, 'That woman's body on the beach was your fiancée's past life. You were the second person to pass by, and you gave her a piece of clothing. She fell in love with you in this life only to repay that kindness. But the person she ultimately had to repay for a lifetime was the last person who buried her—that person is her current husband.'"

"J, have you ever heard this? 'It takes a hundred lifetimes to share a boat ride, a thousand lifetimes to share a pillow. Five hundred glances in a past life are exchanged for a single brush in this one.' If you think about it carefully, you'll realize it's not that important. The most important thing is to live a fulfilling life. To

put it bluntly, women are like clothes; when they're old and worn out, you have to replace them. If you don't understand, just think of her as a worn-out piece of clothing you're going to throw away." I launched into a long-winded lecture to J, looking at his mesmerized face. I couldn't help but wonder, if it were me, could I do what I said? It seems I also need someone to comfort me tonight, so why am I comforting him? But we've always called each other brothers, so let's not dwell on that. Let's get to the point.

"Hey, don't think too much about it. The reason I asked you out tonight is because I have something very important I need your help with."

I patted him across the table. Then I offered him a cigarette, and while we smoked, I explained my predicament to him.

"Damn it! Why didn't you say so sooner? I just sent my mortgage payment back last month."

J exclaimed in shock.

"Huh?"

I never expected he was broke too, and I felt utterly hopeless.

"Then... how much do you have now?"

I asked, unwilling to give up.

"I only have five thousand in my account, but don't worry, I'll ask Zhao Shigao if he has any."

J picked up the phone and dialed his boss. I was incredibly grateful; what more could I ask for than a friend like that?

A moment later, J angrily hung up the phone. I knew it was over.

"Damn it! That bastard, always spouting all that morality, I never imagined he'd be so stingy,"

J said indignantly.

"Forget it... lend me your five thousand first, I'll figure out the rest."

But what other options did I have? I felt like the road ahead was as uncertain as before the creation of the world.

J suddenly seemed to remember something, a sly smile on his face, and said in a teasing tone, "Xiao Shi, I know someone, someone you know too, she must be rich, but... you'll have to make a sacrifice yourself. Hehe..." "

Who?"

Do I know anyone rich? How come I don't know anyone?

"Yu Yanfang, the one you had a one-night stand with, haha."

J laughed smugly.

"Her?"

I fell into deep thought.

I had told J about what had happened with Yu Yanfang during my most confused time. As for the reason, I didn't know if I was hoping to find any answers from him, or simply wanting to confide this secret that felt like "the emperor has donkey ears" to him. But I never expected that just when I had completely forgotten about it, J would bring up this woman I considered to be kicking me when I was down again. Would she lend me money? Or would she, like last time, require me to pay some kind of "price"? 02-06
Volume 2, Chapter 9: A Solo Journey

After dinner, J, still somewhat unsatisfied, smacked his lips and said, "Forget it, Xiao Shi, don't worry too much. Good people are always protected by heaven. Come on, let's go sing karaoke with your brother. It's been so long since we've gotten together. Let's have some fun."

I looked at him hesitantly, wondering if I should go with him. But I knew in my heart that he was only acting this way because he was desperately trying to release the bitterness in his heart after his wife's departure. Before, he was definitely a good, family-oriented man. Sigh…

We withdrew money from a nearby bank, and J handed it to me. Then we went to the Green City Hotel, not far from the island, and booked a small private karaoke room.

"Sir, would you like me to find you some girls? Our girls are all very pretty," the manager

, who followed us in, said with a fawning smile, her lips painted a bright red like a monkey's bottom, speaking in broken Cantonese-accented Mandarin.

I was about to wave her away, annoyed, when J shouted, "Okay? What kind do you have? Bring them all in!"

Soon, about a dozen scantily clad girls filed in. I lowered my head, quietly fiddling with the microphone on the coffee table, while J brazenly stood up, picking through the girls one by one, just like when I was a child with my father at the market.

"Hey, Xiao Shi, which one do you want?"

J asked, turning to me after making his selection.

I looked up and shook my head vigorously.

"Damn! Are you stupid? Don't worry, I'll pay for it today,"

J said loudly, patting his chest.

I chuckled, still shaking my head.

"Damn it, you're not a virgin, what are you pretending to be innocent for? You're usually so eloquent, but now you've forgotten what that saying is again? 'Enjoy life while you can,' right? Haha, isn't that right? Pick one, or I'll get angry."

J persisted.

Enjoy life? Am I enjoying life now? If I hadn't been so heartless to see you give up, why would I have come to this shady place with you? You have no idea the bitterness and torment in my heart. I sighed inwardly, but unexpectedly, J took it upon himself to choose a girl with slightly delicate features to sit next to me. A whiff of cheap perfume immediately filled my nostrils.

My right arm suddenly felt heavy. Looking down, I saw the woman's hand slip into my arm, her palm groping back and forth on my thigh… I instantly felt goosebumps all over. My face darkened, and I swatted the woman's hand away. The young woman gave me a strange look, then smiled and said, "Hehe, sir, you don't come here often, do you? Not used to it?"

I ignored her, lit a cigarette, and slowly smoked it, staring at the glowing red ember. I was bewildered: What was I doing? Thousands of miles away, my father was terminally ill, and I was indulging in pleasure in a place of romance and debauchery? My daughter, Xiaoxue, was still waiting for me at home, perhaps still hoping I would come back to watch TV with her, and I was flirting with a young woman? He Shi, you're inhuman!

"Come on, let's drink, sing, sing! Let's sing 'The Boatman's Love,' let's sing together! Whoever can't keep up or sings off-key has to drink a penalty shot..."

J quickly got into the swing of things, getting very intimate with the hostess, occasionally bursting into shrill laughter.

Thinking of Xiaoxue, her phone rang. I quickly grabbed my phone, ran out into the hallway, and pressed the answer button. "Hey? Boss, look at the time! You said you'd come back to watch TV with me? The show's already over. Humph!"

A pang of sadness hit me, and I hurriedly smiled apologetically, "Sorry, Xiaoxue, my friend's been quite long-winded and isn't in a good mood. I might be back a little late. You... go to sleep early, okay?"

Another commotion erupted from the room. Xiaoxue, seemingly with exceptionally sharp hearing, asked suspiciously, "It sounds like someone's singing over there? Where are you?"

"I... he dragged me here to sing."

After a moment's hesitation, I honestly answered her.

"Ah? You actually went to a place like that? You... Humph! I'll give you half an hour, you better come back right now!"

Xiaoxue said angrily.

"No, don't misunderstand, it's just singing, I..."

Before I could finish speaking, I saw the woman from before also walk out the door. As if afraid that I, the easy prey, would slip away again, she asked with a coquettish laugh, "Sir, why did it take you so long? Your friend is calling you."

I froze. Needless to say, Xiaoxue had heard all of this. I could only hear Xiaoxue's breathing becoming more and more rapid on the phone, until finally she gasped and cursed, "You...you bastard, don't come back, I've locked the door!"

Then the phone went silent, leaving only a dial tone. My mind went blank.

After standing there for a while, I came to my senses and hurriedly pressed the redial button, only to hear a phone malfunction message. Xiaoxue must have unplugged the phone line. Sigh… Now, I'm afraid I can't wash away the injustice I've suffered, even if I drink the whole West River. Back in the private room, my mind was in turmoil, and I couldn't bear their teasing any longer. After saying goodbye to J, I left Green City and hurried home. Back at Silverstone Garden, I was surprised to find that Xiaoxue hadn't locked the door as she'd said on the phone. Walking in, I saw Xiaoxue smiling at me from the sofa. Ugh…

“Hehe, still awake?”

I gave her an awkward smile and asked softly.

“Who's smiling at you? I'm not smiling at you.”

Xiaoxue's smile vanished, and she raised her head haughtily.

“Hehe, weren't you just smiling? There are only the two of us in this room. If you're not smiling at me, who are you smiling at?”

I winked at her, and as I walked over and sat down on the sofa.

"Hmph! Who said I can only smile at you when it's just the two of us in the house? Can't I smile at thin air? Besides, don't think I won't get angry just because I smile!"

Xiaoxue still pouted, her head held high, a hint of anger lingering in her voice.

Ugh... what kind of logic is that? But I was in the wrong first, so it's no wonder she's angry. And while she's angry, I feel a little smug. Would you get angry for someone you don't care about?

So I gently persuaded her, "Okay, okay, don't be angry. It's my fault. I shouldn't have gone to that kind of place. I swear I'll never go again."

"A next time?"

Xiaoxue's expression softened slightly, her beautiful eyes widening as she asked urgently.

"Hehe, no, no, I misspoke again. But today, it was really unavoidable. You don't know, my friend just got divorced, and then something happened, so he's in a really bad mood. I had to keep him company."

I straightened my expression and said sincerely. I wonder, between me and J, who is feeling more stressed?

"I don't care, you messed with me today, and now look, we can't even watch TV. Think of a way to make it up to me."

Xiaoxue picked up the remote and randomly pressed buttons.

"Oh... but I can't think of anything. Why don't you think of something? Whatever you say, I'll do it."

I guessed this was the answer she wanted, but I wondered if she was going to make me go shopping for lingerie with her again. If so, it wouldn't be such a chore.

"Hehe, you're smart. How about this, you promise me three things, okay?"

Xiaoxue smiled slyly.

"Three things? Isn't it just one?"

I asked, puzzled.

"Who said one? Did I say that? It's none of your business! You say you agree or not first!"

Xiaoxue feigned innocence.

"Okay, go ahead, I'll promise you anything I can do."

I didn't want to be completely outmaneuvered by her, so I didn't say I would definitely agree. But she wasn't stupid either; she immediately protested, "No, whether you can do it or not, you have to promise me!"

"Okay, okay! I promise, alright? Go ahead."

Sigh, it's not always a good thing for women to be too smart.

"First, from now on, wherever you go at night, you have to take me with you,"

Xiaoxue said calmly, seemingly having already planned it all out.

I nodded; this was too easy. I'd thought it would be much more difficult.

Seeing this, Xiaoxue smiled contentedly and then continued, "Second, this Sunday, come with me to meet my mom."

"Huh?"

I was stunned. I had never thought of this. I was currently frantically trying to raise money; how could I possibly be in the mood for playing the "mother-in-law meets son-in-law, the more she sees, the more interesting it becomes" game? But now that things had come to this, I couldn't avoid it openly, unless…

"What? No? You don't want to?"

Xiaoxue asked anxiously.

"Hehe, okay, Sunday, right? No problem. Tell me the third point,"

I replied with a smile.

"Hehe, that's good. The third point… I haven't thought of it yet. I'll save it for later and tell you when I do. But don't forget, you promised me!"

Xiaoxue said smugly. Sigh, does promising someone mean you can save it up like a bank account? God, please make her forget about this third condition as soon as possible.

Lying in bed, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, repeatedly choosing between Xiaoxue and Yu Yanfang in my mind. The question was, who should I borrow money from?

First, there's Xiaoxue. If I borrow money from her, the ideal scenario is that she has the money herself, and she won't ask any questions and will lend it to me immediately. However, judging from tonight's events, that chance is extremely slim. She'll definitely suspect that I'm spending the money on "someone else." The second, less ideal scenario is that she has the money, and I tell her the truth—that my father is sick and needs a large sum of money. Then she'll definitely treat this as her own business, and her business will naturally become her parents' business. This is exactly the outcome I don't want; I have no intention of contacting her parents. The third scenario is even worse: she doesn't have that much money herself and will ask her parents. Her parents will then be even more concerned about what their beloved daughter needs such a large sum of money for. Extortion, blackmail? I might even be branded a swindler… I dared not think further. This was a gamble. If I lost, my reputation wouldn't matter, but my father's illness would be jeopardized because of my momentary lapse in judgment.

I knew I couldn't afford to lose, so I thought of Yu Yanfang. Undoubtedly, she had the money. But how could I achieve my goal with minimal loss? There were three possibilities: First, she was sentimental, and out of consideration for our one-night stand, she lent me the money, while I remained aloof, our relationship purely creditor and debtor. Second, she truly was sentimental, unable to forget our intimacy, and as I received her money, her clothes were once again removed. The last possibility was that Yu no longer recognized me and kicked me out.

Distressed, I turned on the light, sat up in bed, lit a cigarette, and quietly smoked…

What is life, really? Is it suffering? Is it joy? Or merely hovering between the two? And what am I? I think I'm neither a reclusive scholar, spending my days tending flowers and plants, so why should I adhere to rigid rules? I'm not a high-ranking government official, "worrying about the world's troubles before others," so why should I care about what others think of me? I'm certainly not Xiang Yu, the mighty conqueror, I don't have that ambition to save the people from suffering. All I have is the desire to ensure my parents, who gave me life and raised me, live comfortably for the rest of their lives. Parents are only one in this life. In any case, I have to try, even if it's a mountain of knives and a sea of fire, I can only charge forward without hesitation.

However, I don't want to become Yu's bedmate again. After much thought, I decided to visit her on Saturday when she's not working, during the daytime, which would increase my chances of success. So I first called my mother to comfort her, implying that I would raise the money first and then return home in a few days. My mother sadly said "as soon as possible" and hung up hastily. My heart was broken...

Early Saturday morning, I arrived at the entrance of the residential area where Yu lived in Nanping District. I dialed her home phone number first to confirm that she was home before ringing her doorbell. A moment later, I heard the sound of slippers hitting the ground from inside, getting closer and closer...

I couldn't help but worry. Would I be able to borrow the money?

Chapter 10 of Volume 2: Returning Home Alone

As the footsteps drew closer, my heart began to pound violently. Suddenly, I felt a urge to back down, because I really couldn't be sure what the answer would be to the difficult problem I was about to face. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle. But do I know myself, but do I know my enemy?

However, the arrow was already on the bowstring, and I couldn't stop myself from drawing it back. The door suddenly opened…

“Ah… He Shi? How could it be you?”

Stunned for a full ten seconds, Yu Yanfang, her face bare of makeup, finally came to her senses and exclaimed.

Whew… it seems she still recognizes me. This is a good start. I sighed deeply, putting my mind at ease.

“Hehe… yes,” I smiled awkwardly and said respectfully, “Manager Yu, good morning.”

“Haha… why so polite? What brings this handsome young man here?”

Yu laughed happily. For a moment, I felt a little dizzy, because her unadorned face, when she smiled, bore a striking resemblance to Xiao Li’s.

“Hehe, yes, I’m sorry to bother you so early, it’s really too presumptuous. I… may I come in?”

I pointed to her hand holding the security door.

"Oh, sure, of course! Look, I almost forgot, haha. Come in, make yourself at home. I'll get you a glass of water..."

Yu Yanfang politely ushered me into the house. I felt as if I were back in that flattered moment from last year, and I couldn't help but sigh. Old wounds hadn't healed, and new sorrows had arisen.

I took the glass of water Yu offered, politely took a small sip, and decided not to waste any more time trying to win her over. After all, time waits for no one, and besides, had there ever been any talk of feelings between us?

"Manager Yu, I'm so sorry to bother you so early. I don't come here unless I need something. I'm here today because I need your help with something. I need some money..."

I vividly described my current predicament to Yu, and finally said, "Manager Yu, I will repay you the money as soon as possible within a year. As for the interest, could you calculate it according to the bank's interest rate? If not, a few percentage points higher than the bank's is also acceptable. I... I really need this money."

Yu sat opposite me, listening quietly to me, her face calm and expressionless, seemingly without any intention of replying... I couldn't help but feel a little discouraged. Was this it? Suddenly, I saw Yu slowly stand up from the sofa and pace back and forth in the room, her head slightly lowered, as if she was thinking about something... Each time her feet touched the ground, the sound was like a giant hammer hitting my heart. My heart churned, and I could even hear the empty echo within me.

Yu didn't say a word, and the room was completely silent. I could almost hear the water I had just drunk churning in my stomach. I dared not speak. Perhaps she was considering lending me money right now, and if I interrupted her thoughts, she would immediately abandon the idea… I was tormented like this… At this moment, I would rather she walked past me and said to me in a strange tone, “He Shi, do you remember our deal last time…”

Even if she uttered just one more word, I would recklessly carry her into the bedroom, have sex with her fiercely, satisfy her, and then take her money… But she said nothing, and continued to walk back and forth quietly…

After a long while, Yu stopped, said to me, “Sit down for a moment,”

and then turned and went into the bedroom.

Five minutes…ten minutes passed, and she still hadn't come out. I finally understood what it meant for time to drag on endlessly. Just as I was about to get up and ask her, she appeared, holding an ICBC/UnionPay card in her hand. She handed it to me. “Here, take this. I just transferred 80,000 yuan into it. The password is 740215. Keep it safe, don't lose it.”

“Huh?”

I was stunned. Was that all? This was completely different from what I had imagined. Had I thought too evil of people, or had my vivid description stirred my compassion?

Without thinking, I took the bank card with trembling hands and said excitedly, "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much, Manager Yu, for your help, I..."

I couldn't speak anymore because I wanted to cry...

After calming myself down, I took out the paper and pen I had prepared beforehand and said, "Manager Yu, let me write you an IOU."

Unexpectedly, Yu Yanfang grabbed the paper from my hand, crumpled it into a ball, turned around and threw it into the trash can, and said with a relaxed smile, "Hehe, no need for an IOU, no need for interest, just pay back whatever you borrow. How about this, give me your ID card, I'll scan it for my records. It's not that I don't trust you, but this is more useful than an IOU, and I think it will make you feel better. Also, give me your current address and phone number, I'll need your help later."

She treated me like this, so what reason did I have not to listen to her? I took out my ID card and handed it to her. She went into the inner room for a moment and returned it to me.

After chatting with Yu for a while, I returned from Nanping. It was almost noon. After lunch, I hurriedly went back to Yinshi Yayuan to pack my luggage—I had to go home today.

The bus from Zhuhai to Ruxian departed promptly at 6 pm. Sitting on the bus, I recalled the events of the past few days and couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. Was my life destined to be spent stumbling and struggling? A light rain began to fall, and the bus sped through the twilight. Raindrops clung to the windows, scattered and broken by the wind, like the tears streaming down my face… Around

8 pm, when the bus reached the Guangzhou section, I dialed Xiaoxue's number. I hadn't told her I was going home.

"Hello, Xiaoxue? Have you eaten? Hehe…"

I asked quickly with a laugh as soon as the call connected.

"Where are you? Why aren't you back yet? Are you working overtime?"

Xiaoxue asked anxiously.

"I...I'm on my way home, Xiaoxue. I took a few days off to go home. I'll be back soon,"

I said calmly.

"Ah? You're going home? Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you drive back? How long are you coming back? You promised me you'd meet my mom tomorrow, you..."

Xiaoxue's voice was almost choked with tears, but she felt a surge of guilt. Silly girl, that's why I had to rush back today. Do you know how a poor, uneducated man like me could possibly win your parents' favor? The sooner I meet your parents, the sooner our love might be buried. Who knows what our future holds?

"Hehe, silly girl, don't worry. I'll be back soon, in five days at most, three days at the shortest. We can go together then, okay?"

I comforted her softly.

Xiaoxue relaxed a little upon hearing this, but still asked nervously, "But...why didn't you tell me you were going back? What are you going back for? Did something happen at home? Don't you have a car? Why do you need to take a bus back?"

I smiled and replied, "Silly girl, driving back would cost over a thousand yuan, while taking the bus only costs a little over a hundred. Nothing happened at home. I just haven't been back for so long, I'm going home to see my parents, that's all."

"Really?"

"Really, more real than pearls, haha."

After hanging up the phone, my mind was a mess. Constantly having to weave lies had long since numbed my heart. When will I be able to stand before Xiaoxue with my head held high, clear in my heart, without feeling guilty?

The bus swayed and rattled along National Highway 106 for over three hours, finally pulling into Ruxian North Bus Station at 2 AM. The rain had stopped by the time I got off. Looking at the starry sky, I felt lost. This remote little town certainly had fresher air than the coastal cities, but the feeling in the air didn't feel any more familiar than in the bustling, vibrant cities where I'd lived for years. Did I ultimately belong to Ruxian, or to Zhuhai?

I didn't want to wake my father at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in the middle of the night, so I found an internet cafe and quietly waited for dawn…

(Chapter 11, Volume 2: Father and Son's Hearts -

From Love Comes Sorrow, From Love Comes Fear; Sorrow is worry; Fear is fear…)

I sat blankly in the leather chair of the internet cafe, my fingers flailing about, randomly clicking and drawing the mouse. A tangled web of sorrow filled my mind. What did my father, bedridden, look like now? Was he even thinner? Was he still lucid? Or perhaps he was already exhausted, on his deathbed, about to... I dared not think any further. A wave of dizziness washed over me, and I slumped onto the table and fell asleep. In my dream, I saw a blue-faced, fanged demon wielding a gleaming iron chain, about to snatch my father's soul. I was powerless, only able to weep and wail helplessly...

I awoke in terror to find it already broad daylight. Looking around the unfamiliar internet cafe, I felt as if I had been transported to another world. I checked my watch; it was nearly 8 a.m. I hurriedly got up and headed towards the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital.

At the entrance, a sign said no visitors were allowed. After waiting for about ten minutes, a staff member removed the sign and opened a side door. At the information desk, I found my father's ward. Facing the milky-white door, I gently turned the handle, and a sudden wave of emotion washed over me—my father was reclining on the bed, resting with his eyes slightly closed.

Thankfully, my father wasn't as weak as I'd imagined. His face was a dark brown, and he looked even thinner than before, with high cheekbones, sunken eyes, and disheveled, shimmering silver hair. Perhaps my footsteps startled him, for he slowly opened his eyes. Seeing me, his eyes lit up with surprise, and he said in a hoarse voice, "Shizi? It's you! Why are you back? When did you get back? That woman is really something; she had a minor ailment, and I told her not to tell you, it was inconveniencing you."

The "woman" my father referred to was naturally my mother. But I knew in my heart that my mother hadn't told him the truth about her illness.

I gave my father a slight smile and said, "Hehe… don't blame Mom, I wanted to come back myself. I thought I hadn't been back for the Spring Festival, and I had a few days of annual leave, so I came back."

As I spoke, I walked to the bedside and sat on its edge.

The May weather was rather chilly, as it had just rained. My father's hands were colder than the air, almost devoid of warmth. I held his calloused hands, tears welling in my eyes, and examined them closely. For so many years, I had never been so close to my father: his palms, purplish-brown, covered with scars of every shape and form—straight, round, winding like a centipede. These scars were from farming and logging. How ugly his hands were! Yet, these ugly hands had given me life year after year, supporting my growth. And compared to them, what had changed in the way I held his pale hands?

Overwhelmed with grief, I gently released my father's hands. I walked to the window, seemingly to look at the scenery outside, but in truth, I didn't want my father to see the tears welling in my eyes…

Once my emotions calmed, I regretted it. Wouldn't such a sorrowful demeanor make my father suspicious of his illness? I took a deep breath and smiled to myself: "Even if Mount Tai collapses before me, I will remain calm!"

"Dad, why don't I see Mom over here?"

I turned around and asked my father with a smile.

"Oh, your mother went back. No one's feeding the pigs and chickens. She went back yesterday afternoon, she should be back soon. I told her not to go through all that trouble, just buy some medicine and take it home, it'd be the same, but your mother just keeps nagging..."

Speaking of his mother, his father's opinions flowed freely. Sigh... in all these decades, when has anything changed?

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door, then the door opened, and a kind middle-aged face appeared in the doorway.

"Dr. Luo, hehe. Shizai, this is Dr. Luo,"

my father called out, introducing him to me. I looked at Dr. Luo, smiled slightly, and nodded.

"And this is..."

Dr. Luo stepped into the doorway, looking at me with a puzzled expression.

"Oh, this is my son, He Shi."

After introducing him, the father scolded, "Hehe... Look at him, he's so tall and big, but he's so dull-witted and doesn't even know how to greet people."

"Oh? Haha, Old He, you're so lucky."

Dr. Luo laughed at the father, then turned to look at me and praised, "Young man, you look very energetic. Where do you work?"

I smiled awkwardly and said, "No, no. What job? Just a laborer, working in Guangdong."

"Hehe... Young man, you can't say that. Working is still work. As long as it's a legitimate job, supporting yourself and your family, that's already quite remarkable." After

he finished speaking, he took out a small flashlight and shone it on the father's eyes and mouth. Then he picked up the folder on the father's bedside table and wrote something down. He then said to the father, "Are you feeling better today than yesterday? Have a good chat with your son. It seems like you haven't seen each other for a long time. But remember to rest."

As Dr. Luo walked out the door, I had a sudden thought and followed him. Catching up with him, I asked anxiously, "Dr. Luo, what's wrong with my father's illness?"

Dr. Luo stopped abruptly and asked, "Didn't your mother tell you?"

"I want to know more details."

In fact, I was afraid my mother had missed something.

"Come with me."

Dr. Luo led me to his office.

He rummaged through a cabinet, took out a yellow file folder, and pulled out a CT scan from it. He turned and placed it on a screen on another wall, turned on the light, and the shape of two lung lobes immediately appeared on the screen.

"Look..."

Dr. Luo pointed and said, "When we did the CT scan, we found this small shadow in your father's lung. Considering your father's medical history, from dry cough to coughing up blood, low-grade fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms, and your father's long-term smoking history, we estimate that your father's illness is a lung tumor inflammation, which is commonly known as lung cancer."

Ah? These words were like a thunderbolt, shaking my heart to the point of despair.

"So... you said it's an estimate, meaning it hasn't been confirmed yet?"

I asked, clinging to a sliver of hope, trying to find a loophole in his words.

"No, it's confirmed."

Dr. Luo plunged me back into despair.

"Then... is there still hope?"

I asked weakly, suppressing the intense heartache. I wanted to know the answer, yet I was also afraid to know it.

"Hehe..."

Dr. Luo chuckled. (Damn, I'm about to go crazy, and you're still in the mood to laugh?) Then he said, "Young man, don't worry, the situation isn't as bad as you think. Actually, lung cancer is just a name for a disease; it doesn't mean that people with lung cancer are doomed."

"Excuse me, I don't quite understand. Could you please explain more clearly?"

I asked doubtfully, but a glimmer of hope seemed to have been ignited in my heart.

"Ahem... It's very simple. Your father's illness is mainly caused by long-term overwork and continuous smoking. If, if your father can quit smoking in the future, and avoid overwork, and with proper medication and care, I think he can last for ten or eight years without any problem. Our hospital recently developed a new drug that is particularly effective for this type of disease, but... the price is quite high."

Dr. Luo said thoughtfully, quietly observing my expression as he spoke.

"Really?"

I exclaimed, both surprised and delighted. "Can it really cure him? There's such a medicine? Then use it right away! Money isn't a problem."

Dr. Luo, hearing this, became somewhat smug. He said cheerfully, "Hehe, young man, don't get so excited. Let's be clear. This imported medicine is one dose per course of treatment, and you must use one course every day. One course costs about 150 yuan. Of course, that 150 yuan doesn't include the cost of other basic medications." Damn

it, in the end, this guy was just trying to sell me medicine. But at this moment, I couldn't care less. Even if he asked me to go bankrupt, I would give him everything without hesitation. After all, I wouldn't hesitate to pay any price to ensure my father's safety.

After talking with Dr. Luo for a while, I learned that my father could recuperate at home, but he needed to come back once a week to pick up his medication and have a check-up. When I returned to the ward, my mother had already arrived from the countryside and was handing my father a bowl of porridge.

“Shizi…”

My mother’s eyes instantly reddened when she saw me.

“Mom…”

I felt a lump in my throat, and my nose felt blocked, making it hard to breathe.

While my father was eating porridge, I pulled my mother to the corridor. After telling her what the doctor had said, I took off my backpack and took out the money that had been wrapped in a large envelope, handing it to my mother. “Mom, here is 100,000 yuan. Keep it safe. Don’t carry so much money with you except for medical expenses. I’ll stay here and look after Dad for the next few days. You can go back now. The doctor said that Dad can go home to recuperate by the end of this week. After I take Dad home, I have to go back to work.”

"So much money? Where did you get so much money? Shizi, you haven't done anything wrong, have you?"

My mother looked at me in horror, her hand trembling as she held the envelope.

I was somewhat amused and exasperated. "Mom... what are you thinking? If I could do those bad things, I'd be rich by now. This money is borrowed from a friend. It's alright, don't worry. Remember what I just told you."

My mother fell silent. She carefully put the money into the snakeskin bag and tied it tightly in a knot. I knew in my heart that a life was contained inside.

My mother gave me some routine instructions and then returned to the countryside. After seeing her off, I... Returning to the ward, I heard my father snoring softly from his bed. I walked over and tucked him in. Looking at his deeply lined, aged face, I felt a surge of inexplicable emotion…

Why was it only at times like this that I felt so close to my father?

(Chapter 12, Volume 2: Relieving Homesickness)

I have returned to this barren land. Five years ago, I was just like this, carrying a small bag, wandering south; five years later, I am again carrying a small bag, returning north. Five years, oh five years! In these five years, has this land I constantly think about changed even slightly, enough to soothe my ever-growing homesickness?

However, aside from the faint fragrance of the soil and the dazzling green of the roadside grass, everything else filled me with disappointment. My hometown is now desolate and barren, with withered willows and poplars... Looking around, the once lush rice paddies are now overgrown with knee-high weeds, and the vegetable gardens, once filled with eggplants and peppers, have been replaced by thickets of thorns. In May, during planting season, only a handful of villagers can be seen working under the scorching sun; everything seems so bleak and desolate.

"Sigh... all the able-bodied people have gone out to work, leaving only the elderly. We used to grow rice twice a day, morning and evening, but now very few people farm. If

they do, it's only mid-season rice," my father said softly, seeing my silent expression.

Even without his words, I understood: the countryside—this is an unsolvable word.

Today's countryside is a forgotten land. Apart from the newly renovated government office building in the township, what else has changed? Uneven, dusty roads? Dilapidated, rickety bridges? Grain tax? No, not at all. If someone says rural development resembles Africa, I disagree. Where in Africa do you find such beautiful government office buildings? Are you blind?

Labor is the greatest virtue? Bullshit! That's just a lie used by the ruling class to fool ignorant villagers into shedding blood and sweat for them! When I was eight, my family had no harvest, and I ran over a hundred miles to borrow rice from relatives. Who cared? When I was in school, the government stipulated that those who hadn't paid grain tax wouldn't be allowed to attend, so I once again worked tirelessly to borrow grain to pay the tax. Who cared? In the 1998 floods, my small plot of land was destroyed overnight, but the disaster relief supplies were completely divided up by the township government. Who cared? After decades of hard work, the countryside is still like it was before liberation. How easy is it to talk about love?

Yet, this is still the hometown where I was born and grew up. Even with all my disgust, I can only sigh "Alas..."

and say nothing more.

After getting off the minibus returning from the county town, my father and I climbed a mountain path for about ten minutes until we could see the small villages nestled among the mountains. Looking back at my father, his forehead covered in sweat, I helped him sit down to rest under a large poplar tree, about the size of a person's embrace. I leaned against the tree myself, and as my eyes inadvertently glanced at the trunk, a surge of emotion welled up inside me. I saw the words I had carved years ago on the trunk, still as clear as ever: "Why do people live?"

The dark, rough bark, covered in moss, bore the marks of countless cuts, seemingly imprinted with the sorrow and confusion of that year. But have I found the answer now? Now, in the prime of my youth, what is there to worry about? And what is there to worry about? Perhaps it's to compose new verses?

Back home, my mother had already prepared lunch. After a quick bite, she started brewing medicine for my father. Watching her busy figure, a sense of relief welled up inside me. Since knowing that my father's health was improving, my mother had rarely smiled. After chatting with my father for a while, he fell asleep again, looking tired. Bored, I climbed onto the roof and looked at the dark, cloud-shrouded mountains in the distance until dusk fell…

During dinner, my phone rang. It must be Xiaoxue calling again; this seemed to have become her nightly ritual.

“Hello? It’s me.”

Xiaoxue said excitedly as soon as I answered.

“Yeah, I know.”

I mumbled as I finished my food.

“Hehe, did you miss me?”

Xiaoxue asked gently.

“Mmm…yes.”

“What are you doing? Why are you talking so unclearly?”

Xiaoxue asked suspiciously.

“Eating. Have you eaten?”

I put down my chopsticks, ready to focus on dealing with her.

Mentioning food, Xiaoxue's interest flared up again. She playfully feigned interest, saying, "Ah? Eating? What kind of food? Ugh... I haven't eaten yet, I want some too. Ugh..."

"Hehe... greens, radishes... do you want some?"

I smiled faintly.

"Yes, of course I do! Eating more vegetables is good for your skin."

Ugh, women only care about these things.

"Okay, I'll bring a bag back for you when I go back."

I said, suppressing a laugh.

"No... I want to eat now."

Xiaoxue said sweetly.

"Now? How can you eat now? I can't fly."

Sometimes, a girl's thoughts are truly unfathomable.

"Hehe... will you feed me, okay?"

Xiaoxue whispered in a voice barely audible. Perhaps because she was so close to the microphone, I could clearly hear her soft breathing, and my heart raced...

"Hehe..."

I laughed awkwardly, looking up to see my mother smiling at me on the other end. I said seriously, "Alright, be good, stop making a fuss. I'm going back tomorrow, we'll talk about it then, you go eat first."

She was dissatisfied and said angrily, "Hmph! You stingy... I'm not eating."

"How can that be? Of course you have to eat... otherwise you'll get a stomachache."

I was getting a little anxious; I couldn't control her spoiled princess temper.

"Hmph! Who told you to be like this... I won't eat, I won't eat. Unless..."

She started making demands again.

"Unless what?"

Was this her third request?

"Unless... you kiss me, then I'll go eat."

She chuckled.

"Ugh... no, my parents are here, I'll wait for me to go back... By the way, is this your third condition?"

I covered the microphone with my hand and asked softly.

"Get lost, how can this count? This is routine work, hmph, you're trying to cheat!"

Xiaoxue protested sharply, then asked gently, "And when are you coming back?"

"Didn't I say tomorrow, I'll be back tomorrow."

I replied.

"Tomorrow? You said tomorrow yesterday, and you said tomorrow today. Every day has a tomorrow, so which tomorrow are you talking about?"

Xiaoxue said irritably.

Ugh, did I say tomorrow yesterday? Thinking back, it seems so. I felt a pang of guilt, coughed twice, and said, "Heh... this time it's for real. Tomorrow, I can get to Zhuhai tomorrow night. Remember not to lock the door from the inside."

"Really?"

She seemed unconvinced. Sigh, do I give people the impression of being such an unreliable person?

"Really, really, go eat, you're starving,"

I said with concern.

"Oh... hehe, you have to come back tomorrow! If you don't come back by tomorrow night, hmph! I'll throw your things out and make you sleep on the streets!"

Xiaoxue exclaimed triumphantly on the phone.

"Wow... that's so cruel!"

I exclaimed exaggeratedly to match her tone. Of course, I knew she wouldn't actually do that.

"Hmph! You try it..."...

A woman's intuition is, after all, sharp. As soon as I hung up the phone, my mother asked with a smile, "Shizai, is that your girlfriend?"

"Um...what?" I had expected my mother to ask this, so I gave a vague answer.

"You brat, still trying to fool your mother? Why didn't you bring her back? You said you'd bring her back for the New Year, why didn't you?"

Ugh... My mother actually remembered that.

As for me, had I forgotten? Yang Liu? Would she remember? And where is she now? In the wind? In the rain? When she looks up at the stars, will she think of me?

"Hehe, the company decided to work overtime, so I had no choice,"

I said, continuing Xiaoxue's lie to my mother.

"So when are you planning to bring her back?"

my mother asked with concern.

I was taken aback. After a moment's thought, I said, "What for? To see this broken brick and tile house?"

"Sigh..."

My mother sighed, her expression turning indifferent. She glanced back at my father, who was watching the news, and said softly, "Shizi, it's not that I'm forcing you. I know this place is poor and desolate; even birds don't lay an egg here. But your father's health is like this now. Think of a way to bring that girl back so we can meet her. At least make your father happy."

I fell silent, unsure how to answer...

A moment later, I heard my mother ask, "Shizi, don't you have a female classmate surnamed Li?"

I was surprised. Surnamed Li? "I've had so many classmates since childhood, plenty of girls with the surname Li. Why?"

I asked back.

"The one from Nancun, an elementary school classmate. That girl is quite pretty."

My mother's eyes were like a hunter spotting his prey; she praised her sincerely.

Nancun? Could it be Li Mei? She's back? But how does my mother know her? I was confused. "There's a woman surnamed Li in Nancun, Mom. How do you know her?"

"No, I don't know her. I went to the market before the Lunar New Year and happened to run into her. That girl kept asking me if I was back yet. Shizai, I think she seems to like you a bit. But that girl is really nice, polite, and tall. Maybe I should find a matchmaker to help you? After all, girls don't usually take the initiative."

In this respect, my mother's imagination and execution seemed stronger than I remembered.

My mother was undoubtedly talking about Li Mei, because last year when I met Li Mei, I knew she would definitely return home for the Spring Festival when she was on the phone with her family. I was terrified that my mother would actually send someone to Li Mei's house to propose marriage, so I quickly said, "No need, no need, haha. Don't worry about it. I have a girlfriend there. If you don't believe me, I'll send you some photos later."

"Really?"

My mother's doubt was obvious. Then I heard her say, "Shizai, don't lie to your mother. You're not young anymore; it's time for me to hold a grandson. You said you'd send photos, but who knows if you'll just find some random girl to take pictures of to fool us? It's more reassuring to bring the real person back."

Ugh! Does nobody trust me?

I argued, half-laughing, half-crying, "Mom...you think too highly of me. Do I need to do that? If you don't believe me, I'll include my girlfriend's parents in the book. That way, it won't be fake, right?"

As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. It was easy to say, but where was I supposed to find "my girlfriend's parents"? "Really? If it's true, then your girlfriend should be as pretty as that girl surnamed Li from the other day. It's not that I'm being petty, but if she's not tall, her future children will be short too. Luckily, your sister is already married, so we don't have to worry about her. But you, well..."

My mother started her sermon about having an heir again. I found it quite irritating and gave me a headache, so I just smiled and got up to get my father's medicine... I got

up at six in the morning. My mother cooked me a bowl of noodles, while my father was still fast asleep. I didn't want to wake him, so I went to his bedside, gently squeezed his withered hand, slung my backpack over my shoulder, and left without looking back.

I dared not look back, afraid to see my mother's reluctant gaze, afraid I would collapse to my knees and weep bitterly. When I arrived in the county town around nine o'clock and boarded the long-distance bus from Ru County to Zhuhai, I suddenly recalled a few familiar lines of poetry: "A mother's thread in her hand, a traveler's clothes on his back.

Before departure, she sews them carefully, fearing his long absence.

Who can say that a blade of grass can repay the warmth of spring?

" The bus radio played the theme song from the Hong Kong drama "Chu Liuxiang," a song I hadn't heard in years: "The world is vast, where is my home?"...

Around ten o'clock that night, I returned to my "home" in Zhuhai. The house was silent and quiet; Xiaoxue must have been asleep long ago. I tiptoed through the living room and gently opened the bedroom door. On the way home, because my mind was filled with so many thoughts, I didn't feel tired. At that moment, the thought of finally getting a good night's sleep made me throw my tired body onto the bed without even turning on the light... But

as soon as I lay down, I felt myself landing on a soft body, and then I heard a scream from the bed, "Ah..." (

Chapter 13 of Volume 2: The God of Wealth Arrives)

I was startled and quickly got up and took a big step back. Then I turned on the light switch and saw Xiaoxue rubbing her sleepy eyes, her hair disheveled, like a black lotus flower, staring blankly at me...

"You're back? Why are you so late? You're pressing down on me and it hurts so much... Humph!"

Xiaoxue pouted her cute lips and complained.

"Uh...traffic jam."

I answered reflexively, then suddenly asked in surprise, "You...how come you're sleeping here?"

Xiaoxue blushed, her face turning as red as a ripe cherry, and stammered, "I...I was waiting for you here, but you weren't back so late, so I fell asleep without realizing it. Then I felt cold, so I crawled under the covers...But, your bed is really comfortable, and..." "

And what?"

I was speechless. Sigh...why did I do this? So silly.

"Hehe...I can still smell you in the blanket. I should consider switching beds, okay?"

Ugh, what smell? Sweat? I immediately refused. "No."

"Why?"

Xiaoxue's aggrieved expression was unmistakable.

"No reason, go, go sleep in your own bed."

To be honest, in the middle of the night, facing such a passionate girl, I was afraid I would do something wrong. I had no choice but to harden my heart and send her away.

"Whatever, I'm sleeping here tonight. I'm warm here already; my own bed is cold, so don't even think about me going back."

With that, Xiaoxue darted back into the covers. Ugh… I hadn't seen her clearly earlier, but I think she was wearing a spaghetti-strap nightgown?

"Hey, are you trying to make me commit a crime? Even though I've read a lot about Liu Xiahui (a legendary figure known for his chastity), I'm not entirely confident in my self-control. If you're not leaving, I'm going to sleep too. Don't regret it…"

I said, pulling up the corner of the blanket and slipping under the covers myself.

I thought Xiaoxue would jump up immediately, shoo me away, or run off, but instead she chuckled twice, turned over, revealing her fragrant back to me, and then fell silent. Ugh, what did she say last time? Castrate me? As soon as

the light went out, I started to regret it. You see, for a normal man, lying in bed with a young, beautiful girl, less than a centimeter apart, it's absolutely impossible not to have a physical reaction. For me, who was all talk and no action, the physical torment was a hundred times greater.

"Hey..."

My hand under the blanket gently touched Xiaoxue; I didn't know exactly where, because I only touched her lightly with my finger.

"Hmm?"

Xiaoxue's voice was drowsy, as if she were deep in sleep.

I fell silent, for I didn't know what to say. Sigh, was I just going to sleep with my eyes open all night? Of course not. Xiaoxue gradually began to snore evenly, while I felt my body growing hotter and hotter. I knew that if I continued, I would only suffer. So I quietly got up, fumbled for a change of clothes, and went to take a shower… and then spent the entire night on the sofa in the living room. Poor me, I'd lost count of how many times I'd slept on the sofa. It was like this outside, and now even at home, my bed had been taken over.

When I woke up the next day, my bedroom door was still tightly closed. Xiaoxue probably hadn't gotten up yet. I didn't have time to think much, quickly wiped my face, washed up, and went to work at the internet cafe. The owner was a rare kind person; even though several days had passed, he was still very welcoming. Around noon, I suddenly remembered that I hadn't thanked J and Yu Yanfang for their kindness. So I called them both to express my gratitude repeatedly. J was fine, but she inquired about my father's condition. After I explained everything, she comforted me with the old saying, "Good people are always protected by heaven." Unexpectedly, Yu insisted on meeting me to discuss something. Reluctantly, we arranged to have dinner together on Saturday evening. After hanging up, I felt uneasy. Could it be that she was coming to collect the debt so soon? In fact, even if I didn't owe her any money, I didn't really want to meet her.

I didn't want to keep Yu Yanfang waiting, so I went home an hour early on Saturday afternoon to change into casual clothes. Around seven o'clock, I suddenly received a call from Yu Yanfang. "Xiao Shi? Are you home?"

Yu asked.

"Yes, I was just about to come out,"

I hurriedly replied, quickly changing my shoes.

"No need, I'll just go to your place. I have other things to do tonight, so I won't have dinner with you. I'll talk to you and then I'll leave,"

Yu said casually.

"Huh?"

I was stunned.

"What? Not welcome? Or inconvenient? Do you have guests?"

She probably noticed my surprise.

I quickly said, "No, haha. It's just that this house is too messy, I was afraid you wouldn't be used to it."

"Haha, that's good. I'm at your door, open it."

As soon as I finished speaking, the doorbell rang.

Ugh... my mind immediately went blank.

Open it? If I open it, this isn't my home, not even an inch of land, not even a speck of dust in the corner belongs to me. All of this belongs to Xiaoxue or her parents, and if I let her in, what if Xiaoxue comes home from work and sees us? Even the snowmelt from Mount Everest couldn't erase the truth about our relationship!

Or should I not open it? If I didn't open the door, Yu would definitely be unhappy, because I hadn't told her I was living in someone else's house. And now she could lend me so much money so easily—was this how I treated my benefactor? Most importantly, the doorbell was still ringing, and she was already at the door. I thought I had no choice.

"Why did it take so long?"

Yu glared and complained as soon as the door opened.

I smiled awkwardly, "Hehe… I was inside and didn't hear it. Please come in, make yourself at home."

"Huh? It's quite clean, but why does it look messy? You didn't want me to come in, did you?"

Yu took off her shoes, about to change, when she suddenly saw Xiaoxue's Hello Kitty slippers in the shoe cabinet and immediately asked in surprise, "You live with someone? And a girl?"

I scratched the back of my head, smiled sheepishly, and said, "Heh… yes, I rent someone else's house."

"Really? It can't be…"

Yu seemed particularly concerned about these things?

"Oh, no, no, we're not related. I live here, she lives there,"

I hurriedly explained. Sigh… I don’t even know if Xiaoxue and I have a relationship, but why am I in such a hurry to explain?

Yu laughed heartily, then sat on the living room sofa and said, “Heh… I didn’t ask anything, why are you in such a hurry? Okay, let’s get down to business.”

What business? Is it asking me to pay back the money? I sat nervously diagonally opposite him and asked, “Manager Yu, what’s the matter?”

Yu cleared his throat and said seriously, “It’s like this, Weida is planning a new factory. The factory buildings and other infrastructure are all ready, and the main production line has been purchased. Now we’re missing some small instruments and consumables. Many people have quoted prices, but… I’m not very optimistic about any of them. I want to find a more reliable one myself. But I can’t spare the time. Then I thought of you. You’ve been in this industry for over a year. Do you know anyone who does this?”

I thought carefully and replied, “Hmm… I do, but… at most I can get laboratory equipment, like microscopes and magnifying glasses. And drill bits too.”

Actually, I only knew that J’s company was an agent for these things.

"Really? That's great. Which company? Are you familiar with them? Tell me their company name so I can check if they've given me a quote,"

Yu asked doubtfully.

I told her the company name, and she thought for a moment before saying, "This one? It seems they've given me a quote, but... they're not very well-known, and it seems they don't have any previous sales records. That makes things difficult. Are you familiar with them? Do you trust them?"

I nodded and said, "Sure, I have a friend who's the sales manager for this company. The company is definitely reliable."

Yu's expression softened, and she added, "Okay, I'll have you negotiate for me. However, I need to make two points. First, I want a 3% commission, so you can ask them to quote a higher price. Second, the quality must be guaranteed. Of course, I won't let you do it for free. You negotiate with them, and whatever price you can lower, besides the 2% commission, the rest is yours. But remember, when they transfer the money, they can't transfer it directly to me; they have to transfer it to you first, and then you give it to me."

Huh? This was something I hadn't considered. Does this mean I've become a third-tier agent? "A free lunch?"

I thought for a moment. It was indeed feasible, but I wasn't sure if they would agree. "But... if they raise the price, it will affect their market share in the industry. I don't know if they'll do it,"

I said.

"Hehe... I've thought about that too. Just tell them that besides the order from this new factory, they can bring over any consumables of this type that Weida purchases every month, as long as they can provide them. As long as the quality is fine, all the orders are theirs. Think about it, Weida has several large factories here, and their monthly expenses for purchasing these consumables alone are over two million. Small companies like theirs can barely afford this one customer, let alone have the energy to talk to other customers."

Yu's insightful analysis impressed me. The old fox is indeed shrewd!

"However, there's still one problem: what about the supplier data in your company's system?"

As soon as I asked the question, I realized it was rather silly.

Sure enough, Yu scolded me with a half-smile, half-crying expression, "You're such a pig-headed idiot. The supplier information, of course, belongs to them! Just take one of my business cards and ask them to fax over copies of their tax registration certificate, business license, and company bank account details. You don't need to worry about anything else. Your job is to contact them about delivery dates and prices. To put it simply, you're their sales representative. Just tell them directly that nobody else can talk to them except yourself."

"Oh, haha..."

I laughed awkwardly. Why am I always so slow to realize things?

"By the way, where's that girl you live with?"

Having finished discussing the important matters, Yu started bringing up personal stuff again.

My head started to throb, and I quickly said, "She...she shouldn't be off work yet. Manager Yu, don't you have other things to do?" As

soon as I said that, Yu seemed to remember something and hurriedly slapped her forehead. "Oh, right...I almost forgot. Okay, that's all for now. Find time to talk to her as soon as possible. Our new factory will start trial production at the beginning of next month, understand?" "

Understood."

I nodded and got up to see her off.

After getting out of the elevator, I walked a few steps to the entrance of the residential area. As I opened the door of Yu's Bluebird car for her, Yu smiled and said, "Xiao Shi, now that you're working for me, don't keep calling me Manager Yu all the time. We're so familiar now, just call me Sister Yu from now on, you..."

I was about to smile and say yes when my face froze because I saw Xiao Xue slowly walking towards me from the opposite direction, and she had already seen me opening the car door for Yu. She paused, didn't say anything, and continued walking towards the entrance of the residential area. As she passed by me, she quickly looked back at the car and then gave me a furious look. Then she went inside without looking back...

As soon as Yu left, I thought, "Oh no, I'm probably going to have to sleep on the sofa again tonight..."

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