Li Wenshui stared at the man before him in disbelief, his beautiful face revealing a mix of embarrassment and unease. For a moment, his mind screamed at him to open the car door and flee, but Zhao Mingcheng had already reached the front of the car.

On instinct, Li Wenshui ducked his head and curled his body toward the window, his back to Liang Jin. His hands twisted together nervously.

Zhao Mingcheng was infamous in their neighborhood—a street thug with a history of robbery, assault, and jail time. After his release, he had become a debt collector for a loan shark company. With his tall, burly frame and ruthless methods, he was not someone to provoke lightly.

Li Wenshui regretted his impulsive decision to stand up to him.

“Li Wenshui! Stop hiding! I saw you, dammit!” Zhao Mingcheng banged on the car window. When there was no response, he moved to the other side, pounding again. “Hey, buddy, roll down the window. I’ve got a personal matter to settle with him.”

Inside the car, Liang Jin glanced at Li Wenshui, who wouldn’t even look at him. A faint smile played on Liang Jin’s lips as he reached for the window control—but his hand was suddenly grabbed.

Li Wenshui’s light brown eyes trembled slightly, his voice barely audible. “Don’t…”

His hand, gripping Liang Jin’s, was damp with sweat, long and slender but cold and slightly rough to the touch. Despite its delicate appearance, it was not soft.

Liang Jin flipped over Li Wenshui’s wrist to examine his palm. Beneath his pale skin were faint calluses at odds with his otherwise refined appearance.

Intrigued, Liang Jin brushed off Li Wenshui’s hand and began to lower the car window.

Li Wenshui’s face turned pale, his lashes fluttering as he kept his gaze lowered.

“Li Wenshui, you—” Zhao Mingcheng began furiously, but his voice faltered mid-sentence.

Liang Jin raised an eyebrow and smiled gently. “What’s the matter?”

Zhao Mingcheng’s aggressive demeanor instantly deflated like a stalled engine. His tone shifted to one of obsequiousness. “Ah, Liang Ge, this—this is your car?”

Zhao Mingcheng was five years older than Liang Jin, yet he meekly called him “Ge,”^[1]Ge or Gege here means showing respect, even though Zhao Mingcheng is older than Liang Jin he still called him Ge or Gege to show respect. knowing full well the absolute power the Liang family wielded. Even someone as reckless as Zhao Mingcheng feared them.

“Liang Ge, Li Wenshui owes money to our boss. Paying off debts is only fair, right? You understand,” Zhao Mingcheng said, grinning nervously.

Liang Jin nodded thoughtfully. “How much does he owe?”

“One million.”

Liang Jin’s eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise. A million was no small amount for the average person. Someone like Li Wenshui, who had once taken photos of himself in Liang Jin’s car just to show off, clearly had no means to repay such a sum.

“I’ll pay this month’s installment on time tomorrow!” Li Wenshui said firmly, looking Zhao Mingcheng straight in the eye.

“And what about punching me?” Zhao Mingcheng’s face still stung, and he couldn’t help but raise his voice. He pointed a beefy finger at Li Wenshui. “Come out here so we can have a proper chat!”

Li Wenshui clutched the hem of his coat tightly, his lips pressed together in silence.

Liang Jin studied him for a moment, then turned to Zhao Mingcheng with a calm, almost amused expression. “He doesn’t seem too eager to chat with you. How about another day?”

Zhao Mingcheng was unwilling to let the matter go. “Liang Ge, just let me take him somewhere else to settle this. I swear I won’t bother you.”

A flicker of panic crossed Li Wenshui’s eyes, and his grip on his coat tightened, his knuckles turning white.

Liang Jin smiled warmly, his tone still pleasant as he said, “Then another day, alright?”

Zhao Mingcheng had dealt with his fair share of smooth talkers who hid sharp fangs. Some of the most polite and composed people were deadlier than hardened criminals.

Now, staring at this “approachable” young master of the Liang family, Zhao Mingcheng couldn’t ignore the blatant signal: Liang Jin was determined to protect Li Wenshui.

Swallowing his frustration, Zhao Mingcheng forced a smile. “Fine, fine. Another day, then. Liang Ge, I’ll take my leave.”

Liang Jin waved amiably. “See you around.”

The car window slowly rolled up.

Li Wenshui felt a bit dazed. He hadn’t expected Liang Jin to help him. Yet, instead of gratitude, he felt more ashamed. Why was it that Liang Jin always seemed to see him at his worst moments? He imagined how pathetic and wretched he must look right now.

“Well then, can you let go of my shirt now?”

Li Wenshui froze, only then realizing that he had been clutching the corner of Liang Jin’s shirt. His sweaty hand had left a clear imprint on the expensive fabric.

“…”

His face flushed crimson in an instant. He opened his mouth to speak but couldn’t think of anything to say.

By now, Liang Jin had already taken out a blanket. He leaned closer, draped the blanket over Li Wenshui’s damp, trembling shoulders, and then turned on the car’s heater.

The unexpected gesture of care left Li Wenshui feeling out of place, his cheeks growing even redder.

Leaning an elbow against the window, Liang Jin propped his chin on the back of his hand and studied Li Wenshui. “Aren’t you usually quick-witted and sharp-tongued? Where was all that confidence just now when you splashed red wine?”

Li Wenshui knew Liang Jin was mocking him, but he stubbornly retorted, “If he were my size, you’d see if I dare or not.”

Liang Jin chuckled. “So, you’re admitting you bully the weak and fear the strong?”

“I…”

“How did you end up owing a million?”

Li Wenshui pressed his lips tightly together, unwilling to explain.

Liang Jin didn’t expect an answer. Instead, he mused aloud, “Spent it on designer brands? Or indulging in food and entertainment? You probably didn’t borrow much at first, but once you start, it’s hard to stop. When desires outpace your means, the snowballing interest grows until you’re buried in debt you can’t repay.”

“You don’t understand.”

Li Wenshui gripped the soft, warm Hermes blanket. Liang Jin, the kind of rich person who casually used a blanket worth five figures, could never understand. He wouldn’t understand why Li Wenshui was in debt or why he felt the need to wear luxury brands.

Liang Jin would only look down on him from above, thinking he had everything figured out. Explaining the truth to someone like him, who lacked empathy, was pointless. Li Wenshui didn’t need anyone’s pity, nor did he want to expose his past to anyone—it would only make him seem even lower.

“Thank you for your help today,” Li Wenshui said, taking off the blanket. He quickly folded it neatly and handed it back to Liang Jin. “I’ll be leaving now.”

Liang Jin accepted the blanket but suddenly said, “Stop contacting Jianan.”

Li Wenshui froze, his body stiffening. “What do you mean?”

Liang Jin’s expression was calm. “Jianan is simple-minded. You’re not suitable for him.”

“You’re implying that I’m deceiving him, playing with his feelings?”

“Haven’t you benefited from him?” Liang Jin’s tone was amused. “I’m not here to argue. This is just advice. When my aunt finds you, she won’t be as easygoing as I am.”

It was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over Li Wenshui, chilling him from head to toe. Any gratitude he had felt for Liang Jin’s earlier help vanished completely.

He should have known better. He shouldn’t have harbored even a shred of hope in anyone.

Taking a deep breath, Li Wenshui straightened his back. “Shouldn’t you, like in TV dramas, at least give me some compensation for leaving Luo Jianan?”

Liang Jin narrowed his eyes. It had been a long time since he’d encountered someone so lacking in tact.

Without warning, rain began to fall, pattering against the car and creating an irritating cacophony. The cold wind rushed in, driving away the car’s warmth.

Liang Jin took out an umbrella and handed it to Li Wenshui. “I have something to do, so I won’t see you home. Don’t bother returning the umbrella—consider it your compensation.”

The car door opened automatically. Liang Jin busied himself with his phone, not sparing Li Wenshui another glance.

It was clear that Liang Jin just wanted him gone.

With nothing more to say, Li Wenshui took the umbrella and quickly got out of the car.

The young man’s thin figure, in the midst of the downpour, looked like a solitary boat adrift with no harbor in sight.

*

When Li Wenshui returned home, he was drenched from head to toe.

The small one-bedroom flat was cramped and filled with old furniture that had seen better days, yellowed and musty with a damp odor.

Drip… drip…

The house was leaking again.

Li Wenshui expertly grabbed a basin and placed it under the dripping water. Then he walked to the bed, unbuttoned his clothes, and revealed his slender, lean body. Water droplets slid from the ends of his hair down his back, his delicate skin glowing softly in the dim light.

He changed into a faded pajama set, the same one he’d bought in high school. It was much shorter on him now. Sitting on the bed, his fair legs dangled and swayed lightly.

He laid out the torn jacket on the bed, frowning. That jacket had cost 30,000 yuan. Tomorrow, he had to pay back 10,000, and there was still…

A video call suddenly popped up on his phone. Seeing the name on the screen, Li Wenshui forced a smile. After making sure his smile looked good, he pressed the answer button.

On the screen, a girl in a school uniform spoke first. “Gege, I got first place in the entire grade on the mock test this time!”

“Amazing,” Li Wenshui replied with a grin. “What reward do you want?”

Li Wenqing couldn’t hide her excitement. “I don’t want a reward! I just wanted to tell you that I’m sure I can get into the best university in the city. Then I can get a job and help lighten your burden.”

“Li Wenqing,” Li Wenshui sniffled and said seriously, “Don’t talk about working again. It’s not like I can’t support you. Tomorrow is when I send you your allowance, and I’ll add an extra 500 yuan. Buy whatever you want, and if it’s not enough, just ask me.”

Li Wenqing glanced at the nearly empty house on the screen. How could her brother possibly afford to support her? He was just forcing himself to manage.

Seven years ago, her brother had taken her away from their stepmother’s home and sought refuge with their grandfather. After their grandfather passed away, her brother had endured so much hardship for her. She had seen it all. But she couldn’t say anything—bringing it up would only make him sadder.

“Gege, did you eat?” she asked.

Li Wenshui touched his empty stomach and nodded. “I did. A friend invited me to their birthday dinner. I had cake, wine, and steak.”

“Wow, that’s great! I want to eat steak too!”

“When you come home for the holidays, I’ll take you out for some,” he replied, his voice sounding a bit odd. “It’s late. You should rest.”

“Okay, you get some rest too.”

After hanging up, Li Wenshui quickly wiped his eyes. Thinking about the challenges awaiting him tomorrow, he pulled himself together and called Li Qun.

The phone rang for a long time before the other end answered. The background noise was loud, with faint voices congratulating someone—it seemed like a celebration.

“What do you want?” The man’s tone was distant.

Li Wenshui straightened his posture, instinctively adopting a firm stance. “What about Wenqing’s allowance?”

Li Qun suddenly raised his voice. “What allowance? Isn’t Li Wenqing already 18 this month? Besides, aren’t you working as a part-time online influencer making good money? With all those designer brands you post on social media, you can’t even afford her allowance?”

The string of rhetorical questions made it clear he didn’t want to give any money.

Li Wenshui raised his voice even louder. “Li Qun, whether I have money or not has nothing to do with you giving us what you owe. When I took Wenqing away, leaving you and that woman with the house, you promised to pay her allowance until she turned 20. Looks like you’re living comfortably now, forgetting all the dirty things you did back then. Want me to remind your current wife and friends?”

“Don’t make trouble,” Li Qun paused for a moment before saying, “Come pick up the money. I have something to talk to you about.”

Li Wenshui doubted anything good would come out of Li Qun’s mouth.

—

Half an hour later, Li Wenshui arrived at the bustling entrance of a villa.

He had changed into a brightly colored designer coat. One hand was in his pocket, and the other held an umbrella. He looked spirited and radiant.

Li Qun came out to meet him. The man in his forties had few wrinkles, wore an expensive suit, and had his hair slicked back, looking vigorous.

Leaning against the wall, Li Wenshui stared at him with contempt in his eyes.

Li Qun handed him an envelope. “Don’t go inside. Take the money and leave. Oh, by the way, there’s a photo inside. Show it to Wenqing—it’s the son of your Uncle Zhang’s family.”

Li Wenshui’s face darkened as he clenched the envelope tightly. Feigning curiosity, he glanced inside the villa. “What’s the occasion?”

“Nothing. Just go home!”

Ignoring Li Qun’s attempts to stop him, he strode into the villa.

The living room was lively with flowers, balloons, wine, and food. Guests were mingling and toasting each other.

Hanging in the center of the living room was a banner that read: “Congratulations on Li Yueyan’s One-Month Celebration!”

The bold letters stung Li Wenshui’s eyes.

He picked up a glass of wine from the table, took a sip, and then, in front of Li Qun, threw the rest on the floor.

The sound of shattering glass echoed sharply.

“So, it’s your daughter’s one-month celebration? Why didn’t you tell me? Afraid I’d ruin the party?”