Late at night, near Lan Kwai Fong.

This area, known as Bar Street, was a popular hangout spot for men and women in Hong Kong, and Dai Yong was a regular and well-known figure here.

“Brother Yong, it’s your birthday today, yet you’re all alone. Did your girlfriend dump you?”

A swaggering man, his arm around a pretty girl, stumbled drunkenly over to the booth where Dai Yong and his group were seated.

Dai Yong sneered and leaned back. “What nonsense are you spouting? Even if your mother abandoned you, my girl would never leave me.”

“Exactly!” one of Dai Yong’s friends chimed in, flaunting, “Hey, Ah San, let me tell you something. Brother Yong’s girlfriend is planning to buy him an apartment. Do you have anyone doing that for you?”

Ah San’s expression darkened as a glint of jealousy flashed through his shifty eyes.

They were all in the same business, all relying on women to support them. Hearing that Dai Yong was about to get an apartment, who wouldn’t feel envious?

“Really? That extravagant?!” Ah San scoffed. “An apartment isn’t a pack of cigarettes, you know. Are you sure she wasn’t joking? If you take it seriously, that’s just hilarious.”

Dai Yong shot Ah San a disdainful glance and sipped his champagne. “Whether it’s true or not, you’ll see soon enough. It’s my birthday today, and my girlfriend will be here shortly. Oh, and not just an apartment—she’s planning to marry me and take me to America. After that, I won’t be able to hang out with you guys anymore.”

As he spoke, the smugness in his tone and the cocky arch of his brow were unmistakable.

The others around him began to look uneasy.

There’s an old saying: “You fear your brother’s hardship, but you also fear your brother driving a Land Rover.” Ordinary people already feel a twinge of discomfort when their friends succeed. How much worse it was for this group of fair-weather friends and drinking buddies, none of whom were eager to see someone close to them rise above.

“Ah Qi!”

Just as Dai Yong finished his boast, he saw Ma Qi standing at the entrance of the bar, seemingly looking for someone. He quickly stood up and waved in her direction.

Ma Qi looked at him, her feelings complicated. Her cousin standing beside her asked, “Ah Qi, do you need help?”

Ma Qi shook her head. “No, just wait here. I’ll go talk to him and make things clear. If he acts up, you can step in then.”

Her cousin, unbothered, nodded and walked over to the bar to order a drink.

Ma Qi weaved her way through the crowd and approached the booth.

“Ah Qi, it’s my birthday today. Why are you so late?” Dai Yong’s tone carried a hint of complaint as he reached out to wrap an arm around her waist, only for Ma Qi to push him away.

Dai Yong froze, noticing Ah San smirking at him from the side. Irritated, he put on a stern expression and said, “Ah Qi, what’s with you? I’ve been waiting for you so long, and as soon as you arrive, you throw me attitude. This is really upsetting me.”

Ma Qi stared at him silently for a moment before saying directly, “Dai Yong, I want to break up with you.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, and at first, Dai Yong didn’t catch her meaning. Confused, he asked, “What break?”

“Break up.”

Even though Ma Qi had calmed down a lot over the past few hours, seeing Dai Yong still brought back memories of how he had once been involved with her mother and had almost become her stepfather. Her mind was a storm of turmoil.

“Brother Yong, your girlfriend just said she wants to break up with you. Did you hear it clearly this time?”

Ah San, ever eager to stir the pot, repeated Ma Qi’s words loudly, ensuring everyone around could hear.

A flicker of shock crossed Dai Yong’s face before he turned red with embarrassment and anger. Dragging Ma Qi aside, he lowered his voice and said, “Ah Qi, are you joking? Everything’s been fine between us. Why do you suddenly want to break up? Did your mom tell you not to be with me, and you gave in? You’re an adult now; do you still need to listen to your mom like a little kid?”

Ma Qi’s patience was wearing thin.

Shaking off Dai Yong’s grip, she said coldly, “This has nothing to do with my mom. If I say I want to break up, then I want to break up. If you’re smart, we can part ways amicably. In that case, the money and things I’ve given you will be yours to keep. But if you insist on pestering me, I won’t go easy on you.”

“Wow, Brother Yong, didn’t you say your girlfriend was planning to marry you? How did it come to this, breaking up?”

Ah San, clearly out to cause trouble, had followed them to eavesdrop. Not only that, but he made sure to repeat their conversation loud enough for everyone to hear.

Dai Yong’s face turned green with anger. He snapped at Ah San, “What’s this got to do with you? This is between me and my girlfriend!”

“Your girlfriend? She just broke up with you,” Ah San said, winking at Ma Qi and teasing, “She’s being so generous, not even asking for the money or gifts back. Why are you still clinging to her?”

“You—!”

Dai Yong, humiliated and furious, clenched his jaw as the whispers and mocking glances from those around him grew louder.

“Wow, relying on a woman’s money. What kind of man is that?”

“He looks pretty manly, but who would’ve thought he’s this type of guy?”

Even those sitting in their booth started murmuring among themselves.

“Didn’t Brother Yong say his girlfriend was going to marry him? How did it turn into a breakup?”

“Yeah, and what about the apartment? Is he still getting that?”

Dai Yong, having basked in the group’s flattery for days, had been spending Ma Qi’s money recklessly, seeing himself as a wealthy man.

Now, with Ma Qi’s sudden decision to end things, the blood rushed to his head. He grabbed her hand. “Ah Qi, did I say something wrong? I’ll apologize, but don’t break up with me. I can’t live without you.”

Ma Qi thought, Well, that’s convenient. I can’t stand you.

Now, just looking at Dai Yong made her think of how close he’d come to becoming her stepfather, and the waves of disgust and frustration surged again.

“Let go of me. There’s nothing more to say. If we end things peacefully now, it’s still not too late.”

Her face was expressionless, her tone cold.

But there was no way Dai Yong would agree. His future of luxury depended entirely on Ma Qi. “Ah Qi, how can you be so heartless? What about all the time we’ve spent together? I refuse to break up with you.”

“Refuse, huh?”

Ma Qi frowned and looked at him.

Dai Yong’s tone was resolute. “That’s right. Even if I die, I won’t break up with you.”

“Well, if that’s the case…”

Ma Qi turned toward the bar, where a burly man with a bear-like build was walking over. He shoved aside the onlookers like they were nothing and approached. His booming voice asked, “Ah Qi, what’s going on?”

“Cousin, he said he’d rather die than break up with me,” Ma Qi said, looking at her cousin.

Ma Dali frowned, grabbed Dai Yong like he was a ragdoll, and growled, “You’re serious about not breaking up with my cousin?”

Seeing the man’s massive fists and burly frame, Dai Yong swallowed hard, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

“I… I can break up, but at least she should give me a reason!”

Ma Qi squinted at Dai Yong and said coldly, “You want a reason? Fine, I’ll give you one. Today, I went to see a fortune teller, and they said you’re nothing but a kept man who relies on women. How could I possibly stay with someone like you?”

Dai Yong’s face changed, panic flashing in his eyes. “Which fortune teller said that? This is slander! I’ll sue them!”

“Brother Yong, why bother suing a fortune teller? Aren’t you exactly that—a kept man?”

Ah San chuckled mischievously. “Who here doesn’t know? It’s only your girlfriend who was in the dark!”

“Shut your mouth!”

Dai Yong was trembling with rage, glaring at Ah San like he wanted to tear him apart.

“You heard it yourself,” Ma Qi said, her tone cold. “It wasn’t the fortune teller slandering you—I was just blind enough to fall for your lies.”

The more Ma Qi thought about it, the angrier she became. She motioned to Ma Dali to let him go and said directly, “I don’t ever want to see you again. If you cross my path, you won’t want to find out what happens when I get angry.”

Ma Dali released his grip, and Dai Yong fell to the ground with a heavy thud. Writhing in pain, he dared not say another word.

With that, Ma Qi turned and left with her cousin.

Ah San, glancing around shiftily, quietly followed them.

Ma Qi parked her car behind the bar. After walking a few steps with Ma Dali, her cousin suddenly turned back, his voice low and gruff. “Ah Qi, someone’s following us.”

Ma Qi turned around in confusion. When she saw who it was, she paused, her face showing a trace of puzzlement. “Why are you following us? Are you trying to rob us or hit on me?”

Ah San’s expression turned awkward as he rubbed his hands together. “Miss Ma, you’re joking. How could I dare to do such things? I actually wanted to ask about that fortune teller you mentioned—where can I find them?”

Ma Qi blinked, frowning. “Why are you asking about that? Are you trying to help Dai Yong get back at me?”

“No, no!” Ah San waved his hands frantically. “You saw in the bar just now—I don’t exactly get along with Dai Yong. I’m asking for myself. I have something I want to ask the fortune teller about.”

Ma Qi studied him up and down. She wasn’t familiar with Dai Yong’s friends, let alone Ah San. But just now, this man had helped her out with a few words, so after a moment’s thought, she said, “There’s a fortune-telling shop on Temple Street. You can go there directly—don’t bother asking me.”

“Great, thank you so much,” Ah San said, cupping his hands in gratitude.

Ma Qi couldn’t help but take another look at him. She found him rather interesting. In the bar, he had been cocky, but out here, his demeanor had completely changed.

Ma Dali leaned over and whispered, “Ah Qi, you’re not seriously interested in this guy, are you?”

“Are you crazy?” Ma Qi snapped, stepping on his foot in irritation. “I swear, for the next five years at least, I’m done with relationships.”