Wen Xun didn’t want to return to the scheming Wen family.

But when he saw the fear in my eyes, he gave up struggling.

After Wen Xun left, I focused on completing my mission.

One month.

Two months.

Half a year.

A year.

I devoted all my time and energy to Xu Yan.

When his mother needed surgery, I arranged for the best doctors, and I paid all the medical expenses.

When he ran out of living expenses, I supported him.

When he got into college, I even agreed to pay for his tuition.

But unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned, and I failed in redeeming Xu Yan.

Maybe I spoiled him too much.

After living a life of indulgence, Xu Yan couldn’t adjust to being an ordinary person again.

The progress bar remained stuck.

The system said I had been too accommodating, making him so accustomed to my help that he started to believe he was entitled to ask for money.

If this continued, I’d never complete the mission.

So when Xu Yan asked me for a large amount of money for living expenses, I refused.

“You’re a college student now; you can work part-time to earn money. I can’t always support you.

“Also, Xu Yan, your demands are getting too outrageous. 20,000? Who needs 20,000 for living expenses in a month?”

Xu Yan seemed surprised that I refused, pausing before speaking again.

“Brother Shang, I really need the money. Can’t you lend it to me, just this once?”

“What do you need that much money for?”

I had a bad feeling.

When he said, “online gambling,” I completely lost my temper.

I had assumed, given that gambling had ruined his family, that he would hate it the most. I never expected him to follow in his father’s footsteps, and with my money no less.

I hung up without a word.

After the call, I looked at the gray sky, feeling a heavy weight in my chest.

I had spent so much time, energy, and money, only to end up with an ingrate.

Five years isn’t long, but it’s not short either. Xu Yan failed, and I had to find another redemption target.

With that thought, I ruffled my hair in frustration.

---

I thought I had made things clear with Xu Yan.

But he kept texting me relentlessly.

“Brother, I’m begging you. I’ll kneel if you want, just lend me the money.”

“If you don’t give me the money, they’ll beat me to death.”

“Bai Shang, don’t be so heartless. If I’m miserable, I won’t let you off either.”

“Fine, you’re ruthless. You really won’t give me the money?”

His texts went from begging to threatening.

In the end, I blocked him.

But I didn’t expect Xu Yan to really lose it.

One day, when I was out looking for a new redemption target, a shadow suddenly rushed at me, knocking me over.

Even with the system’s power allowing me to walk again, my legs, weakened after so many years, were still fragile.

With that shove, my legs gave out, and I fell to the ground.

The next second, my hair was yanked violently, the pain radiating from my scalp as I struggled.

In the moonlight, I saw who was pulling me.

It was Xu Yan.

But this wasn’t the energetic college student I once knew.

He was filthy, limping, and covered in bruises. His eyes burned with hatred when he looked at me.

Noticing my gaze, Xu Yan exploded.

He slapped me hard, growling, “What’s with that look? Do you think you’re better than me? How dare you look down on me?

“I’m like this because of you! It’s all your fault! If you’d given me the money, I wouldn’t have had my leg broken or been expelled from school! Bai Shang, didn’t I tell you? If I’m miserable, you won’t have it easy either.”

As he spoke, his gaze drifted to my legs.

He sneered. “I remember you said the reason you helped me was because, after being crippled for over a decade, your legs suddenly healed. You said you had a dream that you had to help someone in need, or your legs would return to their previous state, right?

“Well, I’m crippled now. Why don’t you go ahead and become crippled again, huh? Haha! That’s what you get for not giving me the money!”

It was then that I noticed he was holding an iron rod in his other hand.

I was furious.

I bit down hard on his leg, making him let go in pain.

I wanted to run, but my legs wouldn’t cooperate.

I saw the iron rod about to strike my legs and instinctively closed my eyes.

But the expected pain never came.

I heard Xu Yan groan.

When I opened my eyes, Xu Yan was sprawled on the ground, looking defeated.

And the person who had kicked him away held me tightly in their arms.

Gently patting my back, he said in a soft voice, “Brother, I’m here.

“Don’t be afraid.”

---

It was Wen Xun.

Tears flowed uncontrollably down my face.

I buried my head in Wen Xun’s shoulder, inhaling his familiar lemon scent as I gradually calmed down.

I called the police.

When they arrived, I glanced at Xu Yan, who lay on the ground like a pile of mud, then quickly looked away.

But something seemed to trigger Xu Yan.

He suddenly rushed at me.

That’s when I noticed he had a fruit knife hidden up his sleeve.

In that moment, his figure overlapped with the image of when I first met him. How ironic.

The knife never reached me—Wen Xun blocked it.

Blood flowed from his wound, staining his white shirt, making his pale skin look even whiter.

His chin rested weakly on my shoulder, as fragile as if he might break with a single touch.

The police took Xu Yan away.

An ambulance soon arrived as well.

Looking at Wen Xun’s pale lips, I panicked like never before.

“Don’t sleep.

“Listen to me. Wake up.”

Hearing my voice, he forced his eyes open and smiled weakly at me.

“Brother, did you know? When I was a kid, I stood at the gate of your yard and saw your little dog die. You cried so much. I thought, if only I were your dog.

“Then, when I die, will you cry that much for me too?”