Late at night, by the floor-to-ceiling window, a woman sat smoking, her face haggard.

Cheng Yuanli had an ice pack on her head, she knocked on her door and softly called out, "Mom."

"Yuan Li?"

"Mom..." He set the ice pack down and held it in his hand, "Who is that guy..."

Cheng Yuanli's mother turned around and looked at him, saying, "Son... go to sleep."

"That man..."

"Go to bed, listen to your mother. " The woman stubs out her cigarette, revealing a hint of resignation in her smile. "Son, trust me, your mother can take care of you."

Cheng Yuanli looked at her, with a hesitant expression as if wanting to say something but holding back.

They gazed at each other in silence for a long time.

"Son..." the woman approached and gently caressed Cheng Yuanli's cheek. "..."

Slowly, a teardrop fell from her eyes.

Cheng Yuanli's mother is tall and elegant. Even when she sheds tears, she does so gracefully. However, his father left too early, and Cheng Yuanli feels that it has really burdened her.

At this moment, the mother looked so helpless, so innocent. Looking at her exhausted appearance, Cheng Yuanli's heart felt like it was being pricked by a tiny needle.

"Mom, promise me one thing." He wiped away the tears from the woman's cheeks with his index finger. "Please remarry... The days of repaying debts are too difficult, and you won't be able to hold on for too long by yourself."

The woman's heart suddenly froze, and she looked up, meeting his gaze. Her incredulous eyes seemed to be questioning him, asking why he would say such disrespectful words about his father.

"Son, if you don't understand, then don't worry about it." His mother's brows furrowed tightly, and with a pained expression, she walked past him and left the bedroom.

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At school.

Since Yuyang was slapped by Liu Pei, everyone thinks that Yuyang is a "very kind-hearted," "easy to get along with," and "handsome" person, which has led to a surge in Yuyang's popularity at school. Yuyang has gained many new friends and has become a well-known figure in society.

Cheng Yuanli felt a little uncomfortable seeing him like this. The older he grew, the more he preferred people who kept a small and tidy circle. It was simple and comfortable to be around them, without a heap of troublesome matters or the need to attend meaningless gatherings.

So, he intentionally avoided the aftermath.

Yuan Li's distant behavior was quickly noticed by Yu Yang. After school, he walked up to Yuan Li and swiftly slung his arm around his shoulder, squinting as he asked, "What's wrong? Feeling unhappy?"

"No."

Yu Yang raised an eyebrow and asked, "Want to go to the internet cafe?"

"No, I won't go."

"I'll take you back."

"No need."

"......"

Yu Yang's eyes narrowed.

Moving into a less crowded alley, he paused and grabbed Cheng Yuanli's arm tightly, stopping him in his tracks. With a forceful motion, he pressed him against the wall.

He gritted his teeth and asked word by word, "Who are you getting angry with?"

The warm breath of lingering oxygen gently brushed against Cheng Yuanli's face. After taking a deep breath, he turned his face away and replied, "We're just not suitable to be friends, that's all."

"That means...," a glimmer flashed through Yu Yang's eyes, as he lifted a corner of his lips, "If we can't be friends, then let's be lovers?"

Cheng Yuanli was shocked and, being slow on the uptake, instinctively pushed away the lingering fragrance. In a fluster, he blurted out, "Hey, you... don't misinterpret what I mean!"

"I don't like it when it's too noisy around me. Your friends have a lot of issues, and it bothers me," Cheng Yuanli furrowed his brows and pushed Yuyang away with an irritated expression.

"Oh, about this matter." Yu Yang blinked his eyes. "Are you feeling dissatisfied?"

(...)

"Alright, I got it. I'll spend more time with you from now on." Yu Yang revealed a row of neatly arranged, pretty teeth, hugged his chest, and took a step back.

"I didn't mean it like that..."

"Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you. My birthday is on March 14th. Come and celebrate with me." Yu Yang looked at him steadily, "Make time for me."

Cheng Yuanli furrowed his eyebrows and asked, "Where are you going?"

"Kaminsky," Yu Yang blinked his eyes.

Cheng Yuanli's brows furrowed even deeper, forming an unpleasant character resembling the Chinese word for "Chuan" on his forehead.

This guy is so wealthy.

"Come on." Yu Yang licked the corner of his mouth.

"I have no money." Cheng Yuanli turned around and wanted to leave.

"I invite you."

Cheng Yuanli paused and turned to Yu Yang, "You can consider it."

"No need to think about it. It won't cost you a thing to have a good meal." With his hands in his pockets, Yuyang smiled mischievously.

"......"

March 14th.

Cheng Yuanli sat on the floor in the living room, fanning a stack of money in his hand, staring blankly out the window.

Although the stack of money in hand is not insignificant, it is all made up of one or five-dollar bills. I'm afraid it won't even cover the round trip fare, let alone buying a gift for Yu Yang as a formality...

Forget it, Yuyang is the kind of person who doesn't care about gifts.

Cheng Yuanli snatched the metro card and stepped out wearing a pair of sports shoes.

After exiting the subway station, Cheng Yuanli's phone vibrated. He took out his phone and saw a familiar number on the screen dialing in.

"Have you arrived? I'm at the entrance, did you see me?"

I saw it.

"Um... why didn't I see you?"

Cheng Yuanli's footsteps came to a halt.

He looked at the luxurious hotel across the street, with its exquisite landscaping and trimmed ornamental trees. He swallowed his saliva and put down the phone next to his ear.

Suddenly...I inexplicably didn't want to go in.

Cheng Yuanli tightly clenched the coins in his hand and looked towards this expensive place of consumption. Suddenly, he felt that this place was not suitable for him. At this moment, it felt like there was a force within his body pushing him in the opposite direction.

......

The residual oxygen outside the hotel stood there, looking in his direction.

Cheng Yuanli turned around and walked into a convenience store, stepping into the aisle where no one could see him. Eventually, he placed his hand on a packet of instant noodles.

"I'm not going." He brought the cellphone back to his ear.

"What... What's wrong?"

"Not appetizing." He took the instant noodles off the shelf and held them in his hands, making a clicking sound as he squeezed them.

"What do you feel like eating?"

Losing oneself in indulgent thoughts, Cheng Yuanli happily devoured the instant noodles.

......

"...Yu Yang remained silent for a while, then said, 'Fine, go ahead and jerk off... Where are you?'"

Cheng Yuanli was taken aback.

"Convenience store... right across the street."

"Wait for me, I'll be there right away."