Wang Ziqin slumped onto a bench by the roadside, exhausted and starving, with barely a hundred yuan left in his pocket.
A week earlier, just after his leg injury healed, his dad had come to see him. What started as a conversation turned into yet another argument. His dad not only threw him out but also confiscated all his money.
At first, Wang Ziqin didn’t take it seriously. Fights with his dad were practically routine. So he went to crash at the homes of his usual buddies, hit them up for some cash. But within two days, no one dared take him in.
Everyone’s excuse was identical:
“Wang-shao, my dad/mom said your father gave a warning. He’s really serious about teaching you a lesson this time. If I take you in, it’ll affect our family business. I can’t go against my parents—sorry, man. Please be understanding.”
Wang Ziqin was so angry he felt like his lungs might explode. Tsk. As if he cared! A bunch of snobs who kissed up when they wanted favors, wagging their tails like puppies. He always treated these friends generously. But now that he was actually in trouble, they avoided him like he carried a contagious disease.
When he left home, things happened so suddenly he didn’t bring much money. He figured he’d be back in two days at most, so he didn’t bother saving and kept spending the way he always did—like money meant nothing. By the time he came back to his senses, he didn’t even have enough left for a cheap motel. Not that he wanted to stay in one anyway.
Was his dad really serious this time? He was the only son—no siblings. Could it be that one of his dad’s mistresses was actually pregnant? Was that why his dad was ready to throw him away? How had he not heard a single rumor?
Even now, he still couldn’t believe his dad was genuinely cutting him off. They’d fought so many times before—hundreds, if not thousands. Why did his dad go all out this time? It’s not like he committed some serious crime. He just liked having fun, living comfortably. That didn’t warrant this level of fury, did it?
Wang Ziqin refused to believe it.
He spent his last bit of cash on a pack of cigarettes, smoked them all sitting by the roadside, and tossed the butts on the ground.
The half-burned cigarette ends glowed dimly in the dark.
After stewing in frustration for a long while, he finally pulled out his phone and called his dad.
“Hey, Dad, it’s me…”
His dad responded coldly, “What do you want?”
Dragging his voice out, Wang Ziqin said, “Dad… I know I was wrong… I won’t cause trouble anymore. Really. I promise I’ll straighten up. Study hard, make progress…”
Wang Sui let out a mocking laugh. “Do you take me for an idiot? You think I’m that easy to fool? You expect me to believe you changed in just a few days? You’re probably cursing me in your heart right now.”
He actually was cursing his dad internally, but he couldn’t say that. He kept acting pitiful:
“I really have changed, Dad. I won’t talk back anymore. Dad… I don’t have any money now. I don’t even know where I’m sleeping tonight. If this keeps up, I’ll end up on the street. If Mom were still alive, she’d be heartbroken…”
That name only angered Wang Sui further.
“So you do remember your mom? If she saw the way you turned out, she’d claw her way out of her grave in rage! You dare bring her up?!”
The jab stung, and Wang Ziqin couldn’t keep pretending. He snapped back, “And you think you’re so dignified? When Mom was alive, how many times did you fool around outside? She died because of you!”
Wang Sui was momentarily speechless. He had wronged his wife—he knew that. But in his heart, she was always the one and only. The women outside were just entertainment; he never let them challenge his wife’s position.
“Don’t bring up your mother. If I didn’t love her most, do you think I would’ve spoiled you for so many years? I would’ve had a few more sons already!”
Wang Ziqin wanted to flip him off.
“Please. You probably just can’t anymore. You think you can still have more kids? Spare me the fake devotion—I’m gonna puke.”
“You—!”
His dad had barely begun yelling when the line suddenly disconnected.
Wang Ziqin was full of rage and humiliation.
Fine. Even if he starved to death out here, he’d never crawl back and beg that disgusting old man!
But the truth was, he only had a few yuan left. Not even enough for the cheapest motel.
He went through what he had left: a luxury lighter worth over a hundred grand, his phone, and a streetwear-brand ring. Worst case, he’d pawn the lighter tomorrow—it’d give him enough money to last a while. But pawnshops were closed this late.
He lay down on a park bench, way too tired after running around all day, and quickly fell asleep.
Deep into the night, the sound of movement woke him. A figure was leaning over him, very close.
Wang Ziqin jumped in fright. The person also panicked and bolted.
It took him a moment to realize what had happened—his finger felt oddly light. He looked down.
His ring was gone.
He checked his pockets.
His lighter—gone.
His phone—gone.
He shot to his feet and ran after the thief, but his leg hadn’t healed fully and he couldn’t run fast. He could only watch the thief disappear into the distance. He couldn’t even call the police without a phone.
Dizzy from anger—and maybe hunger—he wandered around asking strangers until he finally found the local police station. After filing a report, the officers told him they’d contact him when there was progress.
He slammed the table. “Progress? When?! Why aren’t you going after him now? Check the cameras! Catch him! What are you guys even here for?!”
The officers didn’t appreciate being yelled at.
“Calm down. This is a police station—no shouting. The amount stolen is significant; we’ll investigate thoroughly. Leave us a phone number.”
He rolled his eyes. “My phone got stolen! I don’t have a cent! What number do you want me to give?”
“You can give a family member’s number.”
“I just fought with my family! That’s why I’m out here and got robbed!”
The officer frowned. “Is this really the time for pride? Give us a number. If we solve the case, we need a way to reach you.”
Grinding his teeth, cheeks puffed out, he finally grabbed the pen and wrote a number.
A number he had memorized best—
Shen Yuan’s cellphone number.
Honestly, he felt embarrassed contacting Shen Yuan.
He never expected mild, soft-tempered Shen Yuan to actually snap that day—beat him up, yelled at him. At first, he’d been stunned; afterward, he got mad. But after the anger faded… he felt a bit guilty.
Even a rabbit bites when cornered.
Quiet people like Shen Yuan, when they finally blow up, they’re terrifying.
Shen Yuan hadn’t contacted him since. And Wang Ziqin had been too embarrassed to reach out.
Thinking it over… it was his fault. He only meant to tease Shen Yuan, not actually assault him or anything. Did Shen Yuan really need to react that strongly? He was straight as a ruler—never gay.
But now…
Everyone else was unreliable. Shen Yuan was the only one he could truly count on. Thankfully he hadn’t harassed Shen Yuan recently—maybe there was still a chance to fix things.
Even thinking about Shen Yuan filled him with guilt. His arrogance evaporated.
He muttered, “Can I borrow a phone? I need to make a call.”
They let him. He dialed Shen Yuan. It was just past midnight. Shen Yuan was probably asleep.
The ring tone buzzed in his ears until he was sick with nerves. Finally, the call connected.
It felt like salvation.
Half-asleep, Shen Yuan mumbled, “…Hello? Who is this?”
Wang Ziqin hesitated, then said, embarrassed, “It’s me.”
Silence. Then click. Shen Yuan hung up.
“…”
He was sure Shen Yuan had no idea he was in trouble—he must still be angry about being messed with last time. But somehow, that stung more than being kicked out by his dad. A terrible thought hit him:
Was Shen Yuan planning to cut ties with him?
Heart pounding, he calmed himself for two minutes and dialed again. Shen Yuan didn’t pick up. He called three, four times.
One of the officers gave him a look.
“You sure this number’s fine? Is he really your friend?”
Face burning, he blurted, “Yes, yes! We just had a fight, that’s all.”
The officer didn’t say anything, but his expression said it all:
Wow. Not a single person wants to help you. You really failed at being a human, huh.
Finally, Shen Yuan answered again—but before he could speak, Wang Ziqin rushed out:
“Don’t hang up! Don’t block this number! This is the police station’s phone!”
That made Shen Yuan pause. “…Why are you at a police station?”
Wang Ziqin swallowed his pride.
“Shen Yuan… I really have no one else to call. I fought with my dad last week. He kicked me out. Tonight, I tried sleeping in a park, and someone stole everything I had… I—I really don’t know what to do. Can you come here? I wrote your number on the report… please?”
He drew a deep breath and apologized—awkwardly, stiffly.
“About last time… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
Shen Yuan’s voice was icy with sarcasm.
“You think a simple ‘sorry’ is enough?”
So he was still angry. Wang Ziqin’s face went white. Shen Yuan was his last lifeline.
Had he really gone so far that even someone like Shen Yuan wanted nothing to do with him?
His chest tightened. He couldn’t breathe. He clutched the receiver like it was the last thing keeping him alive.
Shen Yuan was probably about to hang up again—
But then Shen Yuan said sharply, “Stay there. I’m coming.”
Wang Ziqin nearly collapsed with relief.
“O-okay… I’ll wait for you…”
Ten minutes later, he saw Shen Yuan’s car pull up. He stood and walked toward it, hopeful—until another person got out from the passenger side.
His eyes widened. He recognized the boy immediately—Shen Yuan’s stepbrother.
“…Why’d you bring him?”
Shen Yuan’s expression was dark.
“He’s staying with me during break. And I don’t trust you. If you try anything again, I can’t take you alone.”
Li Lin stepped forward, shielding his brother, glaring at Wang Ziqin. He’d always hated the crowd Shen Yuan hung around with. He was thrilled that they had fallen out and didn’t intend to let anyone bother his brother again.
Being stared at with such coldness made Wang Ziqin feel like his heart sank into ice. He gave a bitter, self-deprecating laugh.
“Do I look like I’m messing with you right now?”
Shen Yuan looked him over. After days without washing or changing, his T-shirt was stained and wrinkled, his hair a mess, face pale and worn out.
“…Come on.”
Wang Ziqin followed them into the car, sitting in the back. Weakly, he asked, “Can… can you let me stay with you for a few days?”
“No.” Shen Yuan didn’t hesitate. “I haven’t forgiven you. And not just for what happened last time. You think a lazy apology fixes everything?”
Li Lin added, “Ge, don’t bother with him.”
For the first time, Wang Ziqin truly understood.
Shen Yuan was genuinely angry with him.
Shen Yuan continued, “I’ll lend you a thousand yuan. You’ll write an IOU. It should last you a few days. Before school starts, find a job and pay me back. You’re physically able. You can earn at least that much.”
Wang Ziqin felt humiliation burn across his face. After a long moment, he finally forced out, awkward and stiff,
“…Thanks.”
The word sounded foreign to him.
Shen Yuan took him to a cheap motel and handed him the thousand yuan.
Right there, he had him write a formal IOU.
“You can pay me back within a year, right?”
Blushing, Wang Ziqin muttered, “I’ll pay you back before the semester starts.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
And before leaving, Shen Yuan added coldly,
“I know you think a thousand yuan is nothing. You spend that much in a single meal. Don’t blow it. If you waste this money and end up dying on the street, I won’t spare you a second glance.”
“…I know.”
Shame and guilt washed over him. Shen Yuan sounded harsh—but he was the only one helping him when he was down.
Clutching the thousand yuan, watching Shen Yuan walk away without looking back, he felt a pressure in his chest.
Maybe Shen Yuan had always looked down on him.
And why wouldn’t he? Without his father’s name, he was nothing. Shen Yuan was right—his so-called power and status came from being Wang Sui’s son. Without that…
Who would treat him like he mattered?
Staring into the darkness of the street, he felt utterly lost. Was he really so useless he couldn’t even earn a thousand yuan? Couldn’t even pay Shen Yuan back?
Just as he resolved to straighten out his life—
His stomach growled.
…Maybe he should fill it first. Instant noodles would do.
Back in the car, Li Lin asked, “Ge, why’d you even help him?”
Shen Yuan had felt a surge of satisfaction seeing Wang Ziqin so beaten down and humbled. It was cathartic—too satisfying to explain to Li Lin.
“You wouldn’t understand,” he said with a smirk.
But there was one thing Shen Yuan couldn’t figure out—
How did Qiao Hailou know for sure that Wang Ziqin would come crawling to him?
How could he predict it so precisely?