Category: Come, Let Me Take You Home

No. 29 A River of Innocence Flowing Backwards

It was only now that I truly understood the meaning of the “butterfly effect.”

The overlap between Yi Yao’s past and mine was rapidly diminishing, replaced by a tangled web of social connections and an uncertain future.

And it all started because I had done something Yi Yao wouldn’t have done, for a friend she barely cared about.

“Oh, Mayor Huang, you’ve arrived.”

I followed Huang Zhiqiang to the third floor of the hotel. Before we could even settle in, a middle-aged man in a suit approached us, his hand outstretched.

“Haha, I wouldn’t miss Secretary Huang’s banquet for the world.” Huang Zhiqiang shook the man’s hand, laughing heartily. “I’ll go in and punish myself with three drinks first.”

“Now, now, Mayor Huang, that’s not how it works. You arrived on time. There’s no need for punishment.” The man smiled thinly, his eyes flickering towards me. “And who is this?”

“Oh, this is Yi Yao, the girl who saved my daughter during the kidnapping incident. Yi Yao, this is Secretary Huang Tianqi.”

“Hello, Secretary Huang!”

I bowed politely, forcing a smile.

Great, even the provincial secretary. The Huang family was truly powerful.

“Yi Yao? That name sounds familiar… Wait a minute.”

He pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts, then his face lit up with recognition. “Yi Yao! My son mentioned you. He said I should help you if you ever needed anything. Heh, it’s been so long, and you haven’t even called me.”

Your son is… Huang Tianhai?

The news reports two years from now never mentioned their relationship. I had assumed Huang Tianhai came from a humble background and worked his way up.

“Her phone was destroyed by Zero… those kidnappers. I just bought her a new one.”

Huang Zhiqiang, sensing my discomfort, quickly intervened. “Secretary Huang, let’s talk over there.”

“Well, even with a new phone, she should at least save my number.”

Huang Tianqi waved his hand dismissively, took my new phone, and entered a few numbers. “Here, Yi Yao. If you ever need anything, just call me. My good-for-nothing son asked me to look after you. I might be busy sometimes, but I can always ask someone to help you out.”

What the hell? The only three contacts on my phone, even without a SIM card, were the mayor, his daughter, and the provincial secretary?

“Well, I’ll leave you two to your private conversation. Please excuse us.”

He returned my phone, then gestured towards a security guard. Huang Tianqi and Huang Zhiqiang walked towards a nearby staircase, leaving me with the guard. “Miss, the VIP room is this way.”

“Okay.”

I had anticipated this outcome.

Despite the ideals of equality, humans were the only creatures in nature who lied for reasons other than survival.

But what I hadn’t expected was to find a room full of familiar faces in the so-called “VIP room.”

Pai Ge, Bing Bing, Hua She, Liang Zhenyi, and even the Jiang Nan Gang members I had injured.

“Yo, Yi Yao.”

Pai Ge was still his usual carefree self, his smile bright, his demeanor sunny, dressed in his signature suit and top hat. The only difference was that he wasn’t holding any playing cards this time.

No wonder Ouyang Dati had called him a “big shot”…

“You guys…”

There were two tables in the large room. Pai Ge, Hua She, and their group occupied one, while the Jiang Nan Gang occupied the other. As I entered, all eyes from the Jiang Nan Gang table turned towards me.

Are you sure you won’t start a fight sitting together like this?

“Why aren’t you wearing a dress, Yi Yao?”

Pai Ge, oblivious to the tense atmosphere, teased me. “I specifically asked Mayor Huang to tell you to wear a dress.”

Wear a dress my ass. How am I supposed to carry those knives in a dress?

I glared at him and sat down beside Liang Zhenyi, forcing a calm facade. “Lao Liang, how’s your injury?”

I instantly regretted my words.

Of all the things to bring up, I had to mention Liang Zhenyi’s injury, the very source of the conflict between the Black Dragon Society and the Jiang Nan Gang.

“It’s much better. Nothing serious. I was being a bit too harsh with my words that day.”

He poured himself a glass of wine, stood up, and raised his glass towards the Jiang Nan Gang table. “My apologies, brothers. I, Liang, offer you my sincere apologies.”

He downed the wine in one gulp.

“Don’t mention it. It was our fault. We got carried away.”

They all stood up and raised their glasses. “Cheers!”

That was how it was with boys.

There was nothing a good meal and a few drinks couldn’t solve.

Three drinks down, they were drunk, they slept.

The sun rose, they woke up, their worries forgotten, life went on.

Besides, with the mayor and the secretary present, they wouldn’t dare cause trouble. One wrong move, and they could end up on the front page of the news.

I stood up and walked over to an empty chair at the Jiang Nan Gang table.

“I’m sorry. I went too far that day.”

I spoke in a soft, apologetic tone, reaching for a glass, but one of the boys stopped me.

“Secretary Huang is upstairs. You’re a girl. You shouldn’t drink.”

“Yeah, we’re a bunch of grown men. We should be ashamed of ourselves for losing to a girl. It’s not your fault.”

“Don’t worry about it, Yi Yao. We’re all friends now. Besides, your Long Ge has helped me out a few times before.”

They all chimed in, their words surprisingly kind.

A wave of warmth washed over me.

“But… I still feel bad…”

One of the boys, his face still bandaged, slammed his bottle on the table. “It might have been a misunderstanding, but Qinghao Ge was hospitalized because of her. It cost us a lot of money. I…”

The atmosphere turned awkward.

Everyone, including Pai Ge and Hua She, stared at him.

“How about this.” The boy who had stopped me from drinking earlier pulled out a small bottle with foreign writing on it. “This is Stolichnaya, Russian vodka, 60% alcohol. As an apology to our brother, you drink half of this, and we’ll call it even. What do you say, Xiao Chao?”

He poured half the bottle into my glass.

“Okay.”

I hesitated for a moment, then raised my glass towards the bandaged boy, Xiao Chao, and downed the liquid in one gulp.

Sweet?

“Good! That’s the spirit!”

The boy cheered and raised his glass. The others followed suit, emptying their beer glasses.

“Xiao Chao, are you satisfied now?”

“Yes, yes.” He wiped the beer from his mouth, his gaze shifting from resentment to concern. “Is she going to be okay?”

“Relax. We have all the best doctors in the Yixian Province on standby. What could possibly go wrong?”

“Good, good, good.” He nodded repeatedly, then bowed to me. “You’re a true heroine. I was wrong. Please forgive my rudeness.”

Are you guys filming a martial arts drama?

“Alright, alright, we have more guests arriving soon. Yi Yao, you should head back to your table.”

Seeing that the matter was settled, they politely dismissed me.

I returned to Pai Ge’s side. He patted my back nonchalantly. “Yi Yao Mei(little sister), I’m impressed. Stolichnaya, Russian vodka. You downed it in one gulp. You’re a true disciple of mine.”

I glanced at the other table, making sure they were distracted by their drinking game, then whispered to Pai Ge, “That wasn’t vodka. It was sweet.”

It didn’t even taste like alcohol.

“I know.” He grinned. “They already forgave you. Boys will be boys. They fight, they bleed, it’s all part of growing up. That guy was just close to Qinghao and felt a bit resentful. So, we decided to play a little prank on him.”

His words stunned me.

They didn’t even care about getting hurt.

Like wolves, they had learned to embrace pain and grow stronger through bloodshed.

“Speaking of which, Yi Yao, let me tell you a secret.”

He lowered his voice conspiratorially.

“Bing Bing said she likes you…”

“Whoosh!”

A small knife flew across the room, narrowly missing his face and embedding itself in the chair behind him.

“I’m sorry! Bing Bing, I’m sorry!”

He raised his hands in surrender, a bead of sweat trickling down his forehead as he stared at the knife.

“Hmph.”

Lu Yibing, who was sitting across from us, snorted and continued playing on her phone, her long hair swaying gently.

“Hey, I’m your brother’s best friend! What if you had actually hit me?”

He pulled the knife out of the chair and, with a few deft movements, transformed it into a playing card.

“…”

“What are you looking at? Eat your food.”

No. 28 The Long Road

I arrived at the Nurturing Talent Middle School just as the students were leaving for the day.

Huang Yingdie, dressed in her school uniform, was standing by the gate, fiddling with her phone.

Putting aside her personality, she was a beautiful girl, with a good figure, good looks, and a powerful background.

I couldn’t understand why someone who seemingly had it all would make such a foolish choice.

I parked my bike beside her, and she got on.

“Didn’t Huang Qinghao come to see you?”

I asked casually as we rode away.

“He’s still in class.”

Her tone suggested she wasn’t in a good mood.

“Did he mention anything about going to karaoke?”

She hesitated. “It’s none of your business.”

“Of course it’s none of my business. I’m just warning you. Don’t assume all boys have good intentions. Internet cafes are one thing, but karaoke rooms are enclosed spaces…”

“Thank you for your concern. Don’t make me say it again. Qinghao is not like that.”

How could I explain it to her?

At their age, in their social circle, true love was rare.

In my previous life, I had often heard my male roommates bragging about their conquests, treating taking a girl’s virginity as a badge of honor. Only when they matured and were ready to settle down would they seek a life partner.

Girls, on the other hand, often played the field, then settled down with a “nice guy” when they were tired of playing.

If Huang Qinghao was that type of guy, I worried that Huang Yingdie, who seemed genuinely devoted to him, wouldn’t be able to handle the truth.

Love at first sight was just lust. Mutual affection was just mutual benefit.

“Do you think that man can protect you for the rest of your life?”

I deliberately used the word “man.”

In the past, I wouldn’t have dared to say such a thing to a girl my age. It could easily be misconstrued. But now, it could actually help strengthen our bond.

Girls rarely held back when discussing boys with other girls.

“Yes, he’s a reliable person.”

Her voice softened, filled with the naive hope and romantic fantasies of a girl in love.

No wonder they said girls in love had zero IQ. Huang Yingdie was a prime example.

“Have you ever considered what would happen if someone spiked your drink at that karaoke party? What if you weren’t paying attention?”

I dropped her off at her residential complex and watched her walk towards her building, chatting with her “boyfriend” on her phone. I couldn’t help but call out to her.

She stopped and turned to me, her expression a mixture of annoyance and confusion.

“Are you saying,” she said coldly, “that the members of the Jiang Nan Gang are all deceitful and underhanded?”

“No, I’m just saying, if something like that happened, and you weren’t prepared, you could ruin your life.”

This was the burden girls carried that boys didn’t.

“Yi Yao.”

She slowly removed her hair tie, letting her long, beautiful hair flow freely in the wind. “Perhaps we’ll never see eye to eye.”

“You’re my enemy. I hate you!”

She pointed at me, her voice trembling with anger. “No matter what you say, Huang Qinghao and I will be fine. You can slander him all you want. I owe you my life, and I’ll repay you in other ways. But from now on, we are enemies!”

She turned and ran into the complex without waiting for my reply.

“Drown in your delusions.”

I sighed, knowing there was nothing I could do. I mounted my bike and headed home.

To my surprise, a luxury car was parked outside my building.

And my father was standing beside it.

“Xiaoyao, you’re having dinner with Uncle Huang tonight, okay?”

He looked excited. He pulled me off my bike and whispered in my ear. “If you get the chance, mention our fruit shop to him. You know, the accident we had. Maybe he can… persuade the insurance company to be more generous. Or maybe he can help us with our business. Just say good things about your dad, okay?”

Uncle Huang?

I turned around and saw Huang Yingdie’s father, the mayor of Upper Capital City, Huang Zhiqiang.

“Yo, Yi Yao, is Xiaodie home?”

He looked at me with a kind smile.

Like a father who had given up on his own child, seeing the girlfriend who could finally set him straight.

“I dropped her off at her complex.”

I flashed him a toothy grin, my voice adopting the playful tone of a cheerful girl. “What brings you here, Uncle?”

“Haha, nothing much. I just wanted to thank you properly for saving my daughter. I thought we could have dinner tonight and chat.” He patted my head. “Are you free?”

“Of course, of course. Yi Yao has nothing to do every night.”

Before I could answer, my father jumped in, eager to please. “Mayor Huang, please take good care of my daughter.”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry. Your daughter is our family’s savior.”

He opened the back door for me and waved at my father. “I’ll take good care of her. My driver will bring her back later.”

“Okay!” My father beamed. “Xiaoyao, have fun.”

Still dazed, I got into the luxurious car.

“Yi Yao, do you have a boyfriend at school?”

As the car pulled away, the mayor, who was sitting in the passenger seat, asked a question that almost made me choke.

“Uh… no.”

“Good. I like obedient and sensible girls like you.”

He sighed deeply. I saw his exhausted face in the rearview mirror. “Xiaodie’s mother passed away shortly after she was born. She was raised by her grandmother. I’m always busy with work and haven’t been a good father. As a result…”

“You probably don’t know this, but Xiaodie used to be just like you. I remember giving her only 300 yuan for a week’s allowance, and she would still give 100 yuan to beggars near the school. When I came home exhausted and collapsed on the sofa, she would make me dinner and pour me water. But now… sigh…”

“She’s a good girl, but she’s stubborn. Once she sets her mind on something, it’s hard to change her.”

“I’ve noticed that she’s been talking about you a lot lately. Her QQ space is filled with posts about you. So, I thought, maybe you could help her.”

Help her? How? She was blinded by love. Unless she experienced heartbreak, nothing would change her.

“Oh, right, I almost forgot.”

He pulled out a brand new phone and handed it to me, a sheepish smile on his face. “Those thugs destroyed your and Xiaodie’s phones. I bought two new ones. This one is the same as Xiaodie’s. I’ve already saved our contact information in it.”

I stared at the phone, a sleek smartphone with a cute pink bunny case. “Uncle, this is too expensive. I can’t accept it.”

Yi Yao, you’re dealing with a corrupt official.

A despised man, responsible for the economic turmoil in Upper Capital City. Even if he was executed, his name would be forever tarnished.

This man would be sentenced to death on January 3, 2017.

“Haha, no wonder they say children can see things adults can’t. Don’t worry, I bought this phone, and your salary, with my own money. Everything is accounted for.”

“No… Uncle, that’s not what I meant…”

I tried to explain, but he waved his hand dismissively. “I understand. I know my reputation isn’t good… sigh, if I could just turn Xiaodie back into the girl she used to be, even death would be worth it.”

Wait… did he just say…

“I’m getting old. I don’t have many ambitions left. Only Xiaodie… She lost her mother at a young age. I just want to give her the best material comforts, to make up for the love I haven’t given her.”

Something wasn’t right.

If he was committing these crimes for his daughter, then this was a serious problem.

In the other world, Xiaodie hadn’t survived the kidnapping. Without her, Huang Zhiqiang wouldn’t have been so desperate for money and power.

As long as Huang Yingdie was alive, her father’s fate would be drastically altered.

He might even commit even greater crimes to compensate for her trauma.

Which meant that the chances of him being exposed and arrested would increase, and his execution date might be moved up.

The replacement of a city’s mayor would have a significant impact.

I could already see the storm brewing, a storm caused by my own actions.

Was there no other way?

I didn’t regret saving Huang Yingdie. I didn’t know the extent of her father’s crimes, but I was sure that without him, she would crumble.

And if Huang Qinghao chose that moment to break her heart…

What would be left of her?

“What’s wrong? Don’t you like the new phone?”

Huang Zhiqiang asked, noticing my silence.

“No, I love it. Thank you, Uncle.”

This man was a corrupt official, but he was also a father.

“Good. I asked Xiaodie, and she said you would like this model.”

He unfastened his seatbelt.

The car stopped in front of a luxurious hotel.

“We’re here, Yi Yao. Let’s go.”

No. 27 A Plea Beyond Silence

The game resumed.

“Hey, girl, you’re really putting in the effort. No offense, but your team is pathetic. Having to rely on a girl to play…”

The boy in the center position smirked at me as he prepared to inbound the ball. “Hey, do you have a boyfriend? I’m not going to lie, you’re pretty. Seriously, if you dressed up a little…”

“No, thank you.”

I cut him off flatly. “Maybe if you were a girl, I’d consider it.”

“You…” He sputtered, then turned to Tan Lijiang. “Lao(senior,old) Jiang, are you giving up by putting her as point guard?”

Tan Lijiang snorted. “Since when did you become so talkative?”

At least he had some pride.

He could insult his own class, but no one else could.

—He’s my brother. Only I can hit him. Anyone else tries, and they’ll face the consequences.

“Fine, don’t blame it on the girl when you lose, heh.”

The basketball arced through the air.

Everyone scattered, the initial formations forgotten.

It was just a middle school game, after all. No need for strict rules.

“Jiang Ge(brother)! Rebound!”

Under the watchful eyes of over a hundred students from both classes, Tan Lijiang, who usually looked like a bookworm, suddenly unleashed a burst of energy. He dashed into the crowd, snatched the ball, and quickly passed it to a teammate.

“Three-pointer! Shoot!”

The teammate’s position wasn’t ideal, but spurred on by Tan Lijiang’s shout, he threw the ball towards the basket from beyond the three-point line.

“Clang!”

The ball bounced off the rim. As our team hesitated, the Class 12 players swarmed the basket.

“Defense!”

Tan Lijiang, the first to react, tried to block the boy who had grabbed the rebound, but it was too late. The ball was passed to their point guard, who turned and effortlessly sank a three-pointer.

“Three points! Score is 45 to 11!”

We were a disorganized mess.

“Tan Lijiang, pass me the ball next time.”

I pulled my cap lower and walked over to him.

“Okay.”

He didn’t argue, his face dripping with sweat.

“Dude, give it up. There are only nine minutes left. You can’t win.”

One of the Class 12 players patted Tan Lijiang’s shoulder, then looked at me. “Hey, little sister, if you like basketball so much, you can play with us after school. We won’t treat you like this in Class 12. It’s just a game. Have fun.”

He inbounded the ball.

“Jiang Ge!”

“I know.” Tan Lijiang, his spirit broken, lacked his earlier energy, but he still managed to grab the rebound.

I moved into position for a three-pointer.

Since I hadn’t taken a single shot so far, the defenders only halfheartedly guarded me, their attention focused elsewhere.

“Jiang Ge! Over here!”

One of our teammates called out, running towards the basket.

Tan Lijiang hesitated, glancing at me, then at his teammate.

Finally, he passed me the ball.

“Seriously?”

The small basketball sailed through the air, landing in my hands.

“Yi Yao, pass the ball!”

“You can’t make it from that distance!”

“Pass it to me! Quick!”

Pass my ass.

I jumped, without hesitation, and threw the ball towards the basket.

“Swish!”

The ball sailed through the net, bouncing a few times before rolling out of bounds.

The entire court fell silent.

Three seconds later, cheers erupted.

“Holy shit!”

“Yi Yao, you’re amazing!”

“Three points! Mark it down!”

“Okay… okay, three points for Class 11! The score is 21 to 45!”

Only 24 points to go…

I brushed my hair away from my eyes and returned to my position.

“Yi Yao, you play basketball?”

“Was that just a lucky shot?”

My teammates stared at me in disbelief.

“You also said my perfect score on the test was a fluke.”

I pointed towards the court. “Let’s focus on the game.”

The tide turned, and our team started scoring point after point.

“Thirty points for Class 11! The score is 27 to 45!”

“Another three-pointer! Thirty points!”

Tan Lijiang and the others focused on grabbing rebounds, while I focused on shooting.

Our relentless scoring spree drew a larger crowd. Even some teachers and staff from the cafeteria came over to watch. The basketball court became my stage.

The Class 12 players, desperate to stop me, assigned their best defenders to guard me.

Their strategy worked to some extent. They managed to steal the ball from me once.

“Forty-six points for Class 11! Forty-seven points for Class 12! One minute left!”

As the game reached its climax, everyone was exhausted, their heavy breathing filling the air.

I wiped the sweat from my forehead, my heart calm, and looked at my classmates.

I was starting to feel tired.

No matter how hard Yi Yao trained, she was still a girl. She couldn’t match the stamina of her male peers.

The opposing team inbounded the ball.

“Yi Yao, two points! It all comes down to you!”

Tan Lijiang passed me the ball, then collapsed onto the sun-baked ground, utterly spent.

All eyes were on me.

Three or four tall boys immediately surrounded me.

“Still trying for a three-pointer?”

They chuckled, their faces flushed with exertion.

“Even two points will win the game, right?”

I smiled and charged towards them.

I had barely moved from my spot throughout the game, just catching the ball and shooting. They had probably dismissed me as a one-trick pony.

Habits were dangerous things. Sometimes, they could save you from darkness. Other times, they could lead you to ruin.

I feinted a pass, effortlessly slipping past two defenders, and headed straight for the basket.

“Shit! Stop her!”

Their captain shouted, and two more players rushed towards me.

Too late.

My eyes fixed on the basket, I jumped, soaring through the air, and slammed the ball through the hoop.

“Boom!”

The backboard rattled from the force of my dunk.

Mission accomplished.

I released the ball and landed gracefully, looking around the court. Everyone was staring at me as if I were a monster.

Silence.

“Yi Yao, you…”

Tan Lijiang finally found his voice, his jaw hanging open. “Was that a dunk?”

“I guess so.”

I walked back to my spot, grabbed my water bottle, and took a long drink.

Yi Yao had trained her legs extensively. She had often attempted dunks while playing with Hua She and the others. It was child’s play for her. And since the defenders weren’t expecting it, I had easily scored.

“Did we… win?”

Luo Xiaoning, who was holding my water bottle, still looked dazed, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“Yes, we did.”

I waved at the girl who was keeping score. “Flip the board. Forty-eight points.”

“Oh, oh.”

She snapped out of her daze and flipped the scoreboard. “Game over! Forty-eight points for Class 11, forty-seven points for Class 12! Class 11 wins!”

…

As I wheeled my bike out of the school gate, I saw a group of familiar faces waiting for me. The same group from Huang Tianhai’s dinner party.

And they were all carrying steel pipes.

“Huang Qinghao sent you?”

I parked my bike casually.

“Yi Yao Jie(sister)…”

The leader of the group hesitated.

“Just spit it out. I’m in a hurry.”

“Qinghao Ge wants us to avenge him, but you know… Hai Ge forbade us from messing with you. So…”

“So, what are you going to do?”

His words surprised me. I had assumed they were all blindly loyal to their “brotherhood.” It seemed not all delinquents were hotheaded fools.

“It’s not about what we want to do. It’s…”

He glanced around and lowered his voice. “I think Qinghao Ge has… lost it.”

“Lost it?” I frowned. “Isn’t he your brother?”

“That’s why I’m worried. You know he likes A-Pian Jie, but she refuses to go to a hotel with him. So…”

“So what?”

“Yesterday, he asked me to organize a karaoke party and slip something into A-Pian Jie’s drink. I refused, and he got really angry. I’m worried he might do something stupid.”

I knew it.

I took a deep breath. “Where’s Xiaodie now?”

“Still at school.”

“I understand. I’ll handle this.”

I walked back to my bike, then turned to them. “Thanks for the heads-up.”

No. 26 When Tears Turn to Scars

“Alright, that’s all for today…”

Before the homeroom teacher could finish her sentence, a few students started to get up.

“Hold it right there!” She slammed her hand on the desk. “Did I say class is dismissed?”

They quickly sat back down.

“Look at yourselves! What kind of behavior is this?”

She stood with her hands on her hips, her face stern. “Eager to go play? To go to the internet cafe? Do you want me to turn your next class into a self-study session?”

With the high school entrance exam approaching, many elective courses had been replaced with self-study sessions. Even PE, which was mandated by the Education Bureau, had been reduced to once every two weeks. So, their eagerness for physical activity was understandable.

Although PE usually consisted of a few warm-up exercises and a couple of laps around the track.

“I have an announcement. Starting tomorrow, we will have classes on Saturdays.”

Her words were like a bomb, sending shockwaves through the classroom.

“Why?!”

“What era are we living in? Extra classes on Saturdays?”

“You should have told us earlier! I already made plans for tomorrow.”

“Yeah, this is so sudden!”

Even Tan Lijiang, the model student, couldn’t help but protest. “Teacher, can we ask for leave? I have something to do tomorrow.”

I watched the chaos unfold, my heart filled with conflicting emotions.

On one hand, I was grateful for this second chance at life, to experience the joys of school again. On the other hand, I was saddened by my inability to change the predetermined fates of those around me.

Some of these students would become factory workers, some would become office workers, and some would face bankruptcy and broken families.

Yet here they were, arguing with the teacher about extra classes.

“Enough! It’s just extra classes! Stop complaining!” The teacher slammed her hand on the desk again and pointed at a notice posted beside the national flag. “Look at this! How many days are left until the high school entrance exam? Our school is being lenient. Other schools have classes even on Sundays! And you’re still not satisfied?”

“Look at Yi Yao. She’s a girl, and she’s not complaining. Why can she be a hero, but you can’t? This is the difference! Do you understand?”

That’s because they hadn’t been kidnapped. In the face of death, everyone was equal.

But seriously, teacher, are you trying to throw me under the bus?

Why bring me into this? Why portray me as the outlier, the enemy?

Classrooms were strange places. Everyone knew that even if someone from their class scored the highest in the city, it wouldn’t affect their own lives. Yet, they still felt the need to suppress or sabotage their competitors, making comments like, “I didn’t study at all last night. I’m going to fail this test,” or “I messed up so many questions. I’m giving up. Let’s go to the internet cafe tonight.”

No one could relax and enjoy themselves knowing their friend was studying hard at home.

“Yi Yao, stand up and tell us your thoughts on extra classes.”

Seeing that I wasn’t reacting, she gestured for me to stand.

“Before I answer that, I have a question for you, teacher.”

I stood up and smiled faintly. “Do you have one day off or two days off every week?”

Days off were a sensitive topic for most people, including teachers.

Just like the Education Bureau’s rule against weekend classes for students, our country had implemented a law twenty years ago limiting work hours to forty per week. Which meant that, with an eight-hour workday, a five-day workweek was the legal limit.

But the reality was that, even after twenty years, eighty percent of schools in Upper Capital City still held classes on Saturdays, and most companies still only gave their employees one day off.

Even ten years later, in 2026, this situation wouldn’t change. In fact, it would only worsen.

“I…” The teacher was speechless. She stared at me, then stammered, “Look, I’m working overtime with you. Don’t you think you should study hard?”

“That’s all. Remember to come to class tomorrow. I’ll be taking attendance. You’ll face the consequences if you skip.”

She left the classroom, her parting words a thinly veiled threat.

“Haha, well said, Yi Yao!”

The two boys in front of me turned around and gave me a thumbs-up.

“Yeah, look at her face! Why didn’t I think of that? We have extra classes, and she has to work overtime. Hahaha, fair trade.”

I just smiled faintly, not wanting to engage.

They were still children…

When it came to rest and relaxation, teachers definitely had it worse than students.

Students could nap during class, play on their phones, or read comics. But teachers couldn’t. Besides teaching, they had to grade papers. If they couldn’t finish grading during school hours, they had to take it home, unpaid overtime.

Students had extra classes, teachers worked overtime. Students went home to do homework, teachers went home to grade papers. Both sides were exhausted, trapped in a vicious cycle with no end in sight.

“Hey, Yi Yao, is Lan Zhuoyue still not here?”

Tan Lijiang approached me with a few other boys as I was packing my bag. “The basketball game is about to start. You said you would give me an answer after class.”

“My answer is,” I put on my cap, “I’ll play in his place.”

“What? You?”

He looked at me incredulously. “Come on, do you even know how to play basketball?”

I turned to him. “Yes, I do. Why?”

I didn’t know how to play basketball, but Yi Yao did.

She played streetball, the rough and tumble kind. She often played with Hua She and the others after school or during holidays. Like Taekwondo, basketball was a skill ingrained in her body. Now, having inherited her body, I was naturally familiar with the game.

“Well… never mind. Do whatever you want.”

He waved at his friends, then patted my shoulder. “Meet us at the court after warm-up.”

“Okay.”

His agreement was expected.

Yi Yao had never shown off her athletic abilities in school. Even in the 800-meter run during PE exams, where she could easily come in first, she would deliberately slow down and barely pass. I already had a conflict with Tan Lijiang. Now that I had volunteered to play, he wouldn’t miss this opportunity to see me fail.

Warm-up exercises, running laps, safety instructions—PE class passed quickly.

Then came free time.

I took off my school uniform jacket, revealing a T-shirt and denim shorts, and headed towards the basketball court.

Tan Lijiang and the Class 12 team were already there.

“You seem to be short a player.”

One of the Class 12 boys looked at Tan Lijiang’s team. “There are only four of you.”

Tan Lijiang pointed at me. “And her.”

“Seriously, Lao Jiang? That’s not fair.” The boy glanced at me. “Is your class that desperate? This is a competition. Bringing a girl is not cool.”

I walked over to him. “You don’t have to treat me like a girl.”

“Ooh, feisty, aren’t we?”

He feinted a move, then effortlessly sank a basket. “We’re not responsible for any injuries, okay?”

“Try to hit me first.”

I chuckled inwardly. Playing basketball with Hua She and his gang, I had encountered all sorts of dirty tricks. These kids were amateurs.

“Alright, I like your spirit.”

He tossed me the ball. “Fine, Lao Jiang, I’ll trust you this time. You guys have the girl, you get the ball.”

I passed the ball back to him. “Let’s play by the rules.”

“Yi Yao, aren’t you going to take off your cap?”

Tan Lijiang whispered behind me.

“No need.” I adjusted my cap and took my position as forward. “Let’s start.”

Taking off the cap would defeat the purpose of this game.

“Are you serious? Trying to bully us with a girl?” One of the Class 12 boys was outraged. “Little sister, let me tell you something. Don’t expect us to go easy on you. This is about our class’s honor.”

The commotion on the court attracted a crowd.

Even some of the girls from our class, who usually avoided the sun, came over to watch, whispering among themselves.

“I never asked you to go easy on me.”

“Heh, that’s what you said.”

The whistle blew, and the game began.

“Two points for Class 12!”

One of the Class 12 boys sank a basket after a smooth pass.

“Ten points for Class 12!”

“Twenty-four points for Class 12!”

“Two points for Class 11!”

“Forty-two points for Class 12!”

“Eighteen points for Class 11.”

Whether out of distrust or malice, my teammates never passed me the ball. Even when I managed to steal it, they would immediately demand it back. Fifteen minutes had passed, and I hadn’t scored a single point.

“Halftime!”

I walked over to my bag, barely breaking a sweat, and was about to grab my water bottle when a small, pale hand offered me a cold bottle of mineral water.

“Go, Yi Yao!”

The girl was Luo Xiaoning, whose grades were second only to Tan Lijiang. In my previous life, she had often asked me for help with her studies. But in this world, Yi Yao had barely interacted with her.

“You’re the first girl in our class to play in a basketball game. We’re rooting for you.”

She added, seeing my confused expression.

“Thank you.”

I took a few sips of water, then walked over to Tan Lijiang. “Switch me with the point guard.”

“What? Why?” He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a towel. “I’ve never seen you practice shooting.”

“Come on, Lao Jiang, let’s just forfeit.”

A few Class 12 boys approached us, grinning. “You’re trailing by 26 points. Class is ending in fifteen minutes. Just give up.”

“Why should we give up?”

I looked at them, the sun shining brightly on my face. “It’s just 26 points. Nine three-pointers, and we’re ahead.”

No. 24 Igniting the Spark of Love

“Huff… huff… huff…”

My ragged breaths echoed through the quiet basement of the entertainment complex.

I straightened up, took a deep breath, and assumed the offensive stance Luo Wei had just taught me, holding two playing cards between my fingers.

“You’re exceeding my expectations. I thought you would be exhausted after half an hour.”

Luo Wei, dressed in his black suit and top hat, stood five meters away, a playing card in his hand. His face was devoid of sweat. He exuded confidence and a cheerful energy.

He had been sparring with me for an hour, showing no signs of fatigue. Was it because men naturally had more stamina than women, or was he simply that strong?

“Is there something you’re protecting? Or someone you want to save?”

He raised an eyebrow, a cryptic smile on his face. “If there is, tell us. We’re all friends here, right, Xiao Bing Bing?”

He reached for Lu Yibing’s lollipop, but she kicked him away effortlessly.

“Haha, Pai Ge, aren’t you afraid her brother will come after you if you keep teasing her?”

“I heard he treats her like a precious treasure. You’re doomed, Pai Ge. Start preparing your funeral money.”

The other members, who were smoking and playing cards, chimed in.

“It’s fine. Bing Bing wouldn’t snitch on me.”

Luo Wei returned to his position. “Yi Yao, how about we call it a day?”

I glanced at the clock on the wall. “It hasn’t even been an hour.”

You promised to teach me the Pai family’s secrets, and now you’re ending the session after a few minutes of playing around?

My answer seemed to surprise him. “Aren’t you tired?”

“Being tired has nothing to do with how much I need to learn.”

When you worked for someone, your boss didn’t care if you were tired, if you had family problems, or if your friends were sick. They paid you to work because you were profitable. No one cared about you for no reason.

Just like now, Luo Wei was willing to teach me these fighting techniques because he needed my talent.

“Yi Yao.”

He noticed the exhaustion on my face, sheathed his card, and walked over to me.

“We know what you’re going through.”

“There are many things in this world that we can’t change. All we can do is adapt and move forward. Dwelling on the past or worrying about the distant future will only destroy you.”

“When Bing Bing was young, her father abandoned her in the mountains because she was a girl. Her current master found her and raised her. I was also abandoned by my parents when I was sick. Only my uncle refused to give up on me. He stayed by my side in the hospital for three months. And then a miracle happened. See? Reality isn’t always so cruel.”

He patted my shoulder. “You’re the fastest learner and the most talented girl I’ve ever seen. I was only planning to teach you the basic stance and hand gestures today, but you’ve already mastered the fundamentals in just one hour.”

“But…”

“But you haven’t grasped the mindset, the spirit of the Pai family. Or perhaps, in your current state, you’re incapable of learning it.”

I thought for a moment, then lowered my head. “A friend of mine is dying.”

“Yes, Lan Zhuoyue. He’s your good friend.”

He held out a few playing cards. “Pick one.”

I randomly chose a card and flipped it over. Two of diamonds.

“And?”

“See? I asked you to pick a card, and you did, without hesitation. But you didn’t even question why I asked you to do it.”

“I thought you were going to perform a magic trick.”

“Exactly. Humans are creatures of habit, bound by their assumptions. That’s why so many people live mediocre lives. You assumed I wanted to perform a magic trick. But I’m not a magician. If someone who’s not a magician acts like they want to perform a magic trick, you automatically assume they’re going to do it. It’s a simple concept, but when you’re caught up in your own thoughts, it’s hard to see.”

I looked up at him, confused.

“Your friend, Lan Zhuoyue, is sick, and you’re heartbroken.”

“I…”

“We did some research. Lan Zhuoyue doesn’t have many friends. You’re practically his only friend at school. He’s seriously ill, yet you’re the one who’s burdened by his illness. Have you ever wondered why it’s not you who’s sick?”

His words struck a chord within me.

It was like wandering through a vast desert, searching for an oasis, only to realize that the oasis had been following me all along.

“Yi Yao, you’re his friend. It’s up to you to decide what to do. We won’t interfere. But I hope you can learn to let go, for your sake and his.”

He walked back to his position, drew a card, and assumed a fighting stance, tossing his top hat onto a nearby table.

“Since you’re so eager to learn, let’s get serious. I’ll show you the true spirit of the Pai family.”

“Okay.”

I wiped the sweat from my forehead, gripped the cards in my hands, and went through the motions of the Pai family’s offensive stance, ending with the signature Z-shaped hand gesture.

I understood now.

It was like me and my sister.

She was gone, but she had left me with a wealth of knowledge and a future.

That was her wish, her happiness.

Under the harsh fluorescent lights, I adjusted the baseball cap Lan Zhuoyue had given me.

Luo Wei blurred into motion, charging towards me.

“Queen of spades!”

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Although I knew he wouldn’t actually hurt me, the speed and precision of his movements sent a shiver down my spine.

“Joker!”

Two more cards whizzed past my ears. His attacks were swift and stylish, overwhelming my defenses.

“King of clubs!”

He leaped into the air and swung the card at my neck. I barely dodged it. He crouched low, his eyes, as sharp as an eagle’s, glinting with amusement.

“Hahaha…”

He moved so fast, he was just a blur of motion. His laughter echoed through the room as he landed a series of blows, leaving white marks on my clothes.

“Hahahahaha…”

I had never encountered such a fighting style before. His movements were both elegant and deadly, fueled by an almost arrogant confidence.

His laughter shattered my composure.

I retreated, blocking his attacks, but more marks appeared on my clothes.

If he had been using real knives, or if he had unleashed the full power of his cards, I would be dead.

“Hahahahaha…”

Cards danced through the air, a mesmerizing display of skill and speed. His aura was so powerful that even I, a black belt Taekwondo instructor, was forced to retreat. He cornered me against the wall.

“Check.”

He stopped, drew the two of diamonds from behind my ear, and flipped it over, a faint smile on his face. “The magic trick you requested.”

Seriously?

“Haha, sorry, I got carried away.”

He turned to me, noticing my sweat-drenched clothes. “Feeling better?”

I nodded and stood up. “Much better.”

“Then I take back what I said earlier. Yi Yao, you’re a strong girl… no, you’re stronger than anyone I’ve ever met. We believe you’ll achieve great things, far beyond any of us.”

He tossed me the king of hearts. “Practice the basics I taught you today. I’ll send someone to contact you when the time is right.”

I caught the card and nodded. “I’ll look forward to it.”

…

I stopped by the bank and, using my newly acquired ID, opened an account and deposited the 100,000 yuan Luo Wei had given me.

I couldn’t forget the looks the bank staff gave me.

The Upper Capital City wasn’t a wealthy city. 100,000 yuan was a significant sum for most people, let alone a sixteen-year-old middle school girl.

“What are you going to do with the money?”

Ouyang Dati, who had somehow appeared out of nowhere, handed me a can of Sprite as I stepped out of the bank.

“Don’t worry, it’s not alcohol.”

“Oh.”

I opened the can and took a sip. “Heartbroken?”

He didn’t answer, just glanced at the building across the street. “What do you think of 043?”

I shrugged. “We’ve exchanged maybe five sentences in the past two days.”

“Haha, fair enough.”

He produced a can of beer from thin air and sat down on a bench outside the bank, patting the space beside him.

I sat down, humoring him.

He was a large man, built like a tank. Unlike Luo Wei’s carefree demeanor, his every move exuded strength and power. Just sitting beside him, I felt a sense of intimidation. I wouldn’t be surprised if he could punch a hole through a wall.

“To be honest, I’m from the military.”

The setting sun cast long shadows through the trees.

“My family sent me to a training camp when I was young. I only came home recently. And when I did, I learned that my parents had passed away.”

I took another sip of Sprite and looked towards the setting sun. “You people always seem eager to share your sob stories with me.”

Long Fei, Luo Wei, and now Ouyang Dati.

“No, Yi Yao, it’s not that I want to. It’s just… you seem so lost, so lonely. I’ve never met a girl like you. You used to be more fragile, more feminine. Don’t you feel lonely like this?”

“I’d rather be lonely than mediocre.”

“…”

“So, what’s your purpose in coming here today?”

“I need your help. Huang Zhiqiang asked me to look after his daughter, Huang Yingdie. You remember her, right?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t think I’m the right person for this job. I just came back to Upper Capital City. I don’t have any close friends who are familiar with that little devil…”

“You want me to babysit ‘A-Pian’?”

“Don’t call her that. Have some respect. Your task is to pick her up from school and make sure she gets home safely every day.”

No. 23 Entrusting the Blade with Blood

As I stepped out of the hospital, the sky had cleared.

The sun, like a cheerful girl after a shower, chased away the chill, bringing light and rainbows to the world.

But my heart remained heavy.

Lan Zhuoyue’s father’s words, spoken in the hallway outside the ward, echoed in my mind.

“He was diagnosed with thalassemia when he was young, but it was mild. It only worsened in recent years.”

“He always wanted to see the world, but I wanted him to have a normal life, to go to school, to get into a good university, to make our family proud.”

“Now I realize only a useless parent would try to live vicariously through their child.”

“He has internal bleeding. He can’t eat solid food. The daily treatment costs thousands of yuan. We’ve borrowed from everyone we know, but…”

“The doctor said he only has two weeks left…”

I walked towards the meeting point I had arranged with 043, wearing the baseball cap Lan Zhuoyue had insisted I take.

It was a high-quality cap, stylish and cool, with two red hearts embroidered on it, similar to the ones worn by hip-hop dancers.

It was a gift from a boy who, despite his terminal illness, had bravely pursued his dream. It was more precious to me than any other gift.

“043, what do you think is the purpose of life?”

I asked as we walked home.

I saw him flinch slightly.

“Just say what you want. I’m not some delicate princess. Dati and the others are just putting on a show.”

Compared to me, an ordinary person with some skills in the computer world, I was sure this professional sniper had a far more interesting story to tell.

He shook his head. “Luo Wei wants me to take you to the entertainment complex.”

“Luo Wei?” The image of the carefree young man, dressed in a suit even for a casual card game, flashed through my mind. “What does he want?”

I didn’t know how to gamble.

“He said it’s just an invitation. You can refuse if you want.”

His voice was as flat as ever.

“Hmm…” I considered it briefly. “I’ll go.”

I had nothing better to do.

I needed to re-evaluate my understanding of this world.

I was confident in my abilities, but I needed to learn how to navigate the complexities of human relationships from those who lived on the fringes of society.

People first, tasks second.

That was a universal truth.

I arrived at the entertainment complex with 043. Unlike last time, the place was bustling with activity.

Perhaps out of respect for his superior, Luo Wei, 043 discreetly excused himself.

It was strange. It wasn’t even a holiday. Where did all these people come from?

The first floor was filled with arcade games and sports equipment. Young men were racing on motorcycle simulators, playing fighting games, and testing their strength on punching bags.

As one of the few girls present, my arrival attracted a lot of attention. And since I wasn’t accompanied by a boyfriend or anyone else, some of the gazes were filled with a predatory gleam.

“Hey, little girl, all alone?”

“Want to play with us? It’s free!”

A group of young men surrounded me. I waved them away. “Sorry, I’m looking for someone.”

This was the downside of being a girl.

In a place like this, if you were a boy, as long as you didn’t act too provocatively, no one would bother you. But if you were a girl, and not particularly unattractive, you were easy prey for these types.

“Don’t be like that. You can find your friend later. We’re only here today.”

One of them, a cigarette dangling from his lips, blocked my path. “I’m friends with the owner. We can play whatever you want.”

Did I look like I was here for fun?

I glanced at my androgynous outfit and shook my head. “I really have something to do. Maybe another time.”

“Hey, hey, hey!”

He wasn’t giving up. “Who are you looking for? Is he more handsome than me?”

“Yeah, little sister, don’t you know our boss is the most handsome guy in the Black Dragon Society?”

“Be smart and play with us. No one will dare touch you in this area.”

Why were there always a few idiots who couldn’t take a hint?

I suppressed my annoyance and tried to walk past them again. “Thank you for the offer, but I really don’t have time.”

I’ll let you off the hook this time, considering you’re the owner’s friend.

“Stop right there.”

I ignored him and continued walking.

Footsteps pounded behind me. Just as I felt a hand grab my shoulder, I spun around and delivered a roundhouse kick.

“Thud!”

My foot connected with his chest, sending the man, who was at least two heads taller than me, crashing to the ground.

“Don’t make me say it again. I don’t have time.”

My sudden attack stunned everyone, even those who were engrossed in their games.

No one expected a middle school girl to take down a grown man.

“Little sister, didn’t your parents teach you to show some respect?”

The man who had first approached me recovered from his shock and, after checking on his fallen comrade, walked towards me, taking off his shirt as he did so. His muscular arms were covered in black dragon tattoos.

“Looks like I need to teach you little flowers how to bloom.”

The Black Dragon Society?

I couldn’t help but laugh.

Long Fei had mentioned that the Black Dragon Society wasn’t just Hua She’s small group. There were other members scattered throughout the city. But since I was busy with school, I rarely attended their gatherings and didn’t recognize most of them.

“You can still apologize, girl.”

He stood before me, shirtless, a challenging smirk on his face.

I didn’t answer. I assumed a fighting stance.

“Good! I like a woman with spirit. Straightforward, no nonsense.”

He stretched briefly and beckoned me forward.

I advanced, feinted a punch, then spun around, appearing behind him in a blur of motion. I delivered two swift kicks to his waist.

“Wha…”

Despite his quick reaction, he was sent flying, landing two meters away.

The onlookers were stunned again.

Although it looked impressive, I knew I hadn’t inflicted much damage. His stance and muscular build were formidable. He had probably lost his balance due to the sudden force of my kicks.

As I walked past him, I saw him struggling to get up. “You’re… Yi Yao, right? The girl who single-handedly took down seven or eight Jiang Nan Gang members.”

I nodded.

“Of course! Haha, my bad, my bad. We’re on the same side.”

He scrambled to his feet, his tone completely different from before. “Yi Yao Jie, are you here to see the boss?”

“Yes.” Seeing that he was about to follow me, I added, “I can go alone.”

As I entered the elevator, swiped the card, and pressed the button for the basement level, I could hear them whispering behind me.

People were like that.

Self-preservation was a primal instinct, and we had simply complicated it.

“Yo, Yi Yao.”

The elevator doors opened, and I saw Luo Wei sitting at a card table, smoking a cigarette.

“Pai Ge.”

I walked over and sat down beside him, grabbing a bottle of soda. “What did you want to see me about?”

“How are you getting along with those knives?”

“I’m getting there.”

At least I could peel an apple without cutting myself now.

“Hmm…” He pondered for a moment. “Come here every night around nine. I’ll teach you the Pai family’s techniques. What do you say?”

“Pai family?” I was confused. “Is that a martial arts school?”

“Hahaha, you could say that.” He chuckled and flicked his cigarette into the ashtray. “Actually, my uncle was supposed to be the head of the Pai family. But after… well… that incident, he disappeared. To avoid those people, we’ve been using the Black Dragon Society as a cover. We’ll reveal our true identity when the time is right.”

This was getting more complicated by the minute.

“The Pai family’s techniques must be passed down, even if there’s no heir. Bing Bing recognized your S-rank potential. Personally, I hope you’ll join the Pai family. But even if you don’t, I want you to learn our fighting style. It’s very important to us.”

“What kind of fighting style is it?”

“The art of being cool.”

He spread out a deck of cards on the table and, with dazzling speed, drew two cards. He jumped off his chair, twirled the cards between his fingers, and struck a pose.

“This is the basic stance. You can modify it slightly to make it more feminine. The key is the use of the cards. Remember, the Pai family always maintains its elegance, even in death. We die standing tall.”

He flicked the ace of hearts. A gust of wind swept through the room, and before I could even blink, the card split in two.

“This is a card that can cut through a beer bottle. Imagine what it would do to a human body.”

He held the ace of spades between his fingers and smiled faintly. “Now imagine it’s a knife.”