Chasing after Lin Jinglei downstairs was Lin Tai.

"Brother! Where are you going? It's time to eat!"

Lin Jinglei quickly left: "I'm not eating anymore."

Lin Tai ran faster until he grabbed Lin Jinglei's arm before stopping. He said, "My dad was just angry. Don't be upset."

"I'm not angry," Lin Jinglei continued walking without stopping.

Lin Tai knew that he couldn't persuade him to come back. He sighed and said, "Then come back early, bro."

Lin Jinglei watched as the figure hurriedly ran back, feeling even more uneasy in his heart.

For so many years, Lin Tai treated him like a real brother, and his uncle and aunt treated him like their own son. But he still couldn't shake off the feeling of being a burden, no matter how much they cared for him. This feeling grew more frequent and intense as he got older. He couldn't help but wonder if his uncle's words were just spoken out of anger or if he truly believed that he was a freeloader, a hindrance to that so-called family bond.

Lin Jinglei walked out of the community with a heavy heart, still wearing a tank top, shorts, and slippers. Whenever he was in a bad mood, he liked to drink ice-cold beverages. Whether it was a habit or a quirk, whenever his emotions were low, his body would automatically crave it. With nowhere else to go for the time being and not wanting to go home, the cold drink shop was his undisputed choice for the next destination.

After walking for about two hundred meters, Lin Jinglei saw a strange storefront. It seemed to be newly opened recently. He had tried all the cold drink shops within a few miles, so he wanted to taste something fresh. Without waiting for a moment, he pushed the door open and ordered a large cup of ice-cold beverage.

Patting his pockets, he realized he had forgotten to bring his wallet. He hurriedly called out to the young man who was preparing drinks with crushed ice and said, "Hey, buddy, I changed my mind. Don't make it anymore."

Obviously, the young man was a little displeased. While forcefully closing the refrigerator door, he muttered: "What was he thinking? Such a lunatic."

Lin Jinglei was already in a bad mood, and being talked to like this made him quite angry. His voice was very abrupt: "Can't I just not buy it if I didn't bring any money? Who do you think is crazy?"

Seeing that the other party did not respond, Lin Jinglei didn't linger either. He swiftly dodged the person who was about to place an order behind him and walked briskly out.

"Bro, what's going on?" A girl from the back room poked her head out and asked.

The drink delivery guy casually pointed and said, "It's nothing. Just now, a guy ordered a drink but didn't want it anymore, so they exchanged a few words."

The girl looked out the window and her eyes lit up when she saw the person standing by the roadside. She quickly ran out from behind the counter, making left and right turns.

Yan Zizheng didn't choose to take the bus, but walked all the way back. The envelope containing a stack of money remained clenched in his hand, with the cover showing slight traces of sweat.

His father did not come over to give them money. Instead, it was his grandfather who took out his own money and falsely claimed that it was sent by his father. Perhaps he wanted to ease the tension between him and his father, or maybe he simply wanted to do what a father should do for his son. Yan Zizheng felt conflicted and didn't know whether he should go along with his grandfather's intentions and accept the money, or if he should burst the bubble and tell his grandfather not to do this again in the future.

He could not feel at ease by taking his grandfather's retirement money. If he didn't accept the money, his grandfather would definitely be upset. It was a torture to be caught in such a dilemma. If Yan Ziqing were of a similar age, at least he would have someone to discuss with. In the end, he had to make the decision himself.

When thinking of Yan Ziqing, immediately followed by thinking of Ma Liangli, Yan Zizheng stopped to buy a drink, wanting to thank someone for going such a long way in the scorching heat to pick up Yan Ziqing.

He initially only wanted to buy one cup, but since this new store was having a promotion of buy one get one free, he ended up ordering two cups. While waiting for the drinks, he heard a familiar and annoying voice. He turned his head and indeed saw Lin Jinglei sitting by the window at a table. He was dressed casually, unlike their previous encounters where they were always at odds. He seemed a bit tired, with one hand propped on the chair and the other holding a cup of iced drink, while a girl sat across from him, chattering away with a smile on her face. It seemed like Lin Jinglei wasn't really listening to her.

With a violent gust, Lin Jinglei almost drank a whole glass in one gulp, leaving only the ice debris at the bottom. He pinched the cup and looked across, saying, "I'll pay for the cold drink when I pass by again."

Of course, he had to make it up. He wasn't familiar with the girl who found his keys, and until now, he couldn't remember her name. If we talk about their relationship, they were just fellow students at the same school. After being dragged back, he couldn't resist the temptation of the cold drinks and planned to drink first and pay later.

Zheng Qiaoyin waved her hand and said, "No need, consider it as my treat to you."

Lin Jinglei repeated his words once again and then got up to leave. Just as he took a couple of steps, he looked up and saw Yan Zizheng standing a few meters away in front of the counter.

Both of them felt that it was not appropriate to encounter each other outside of school. With their eyes meeting, the undeniable mutual dislike couldn't be concealed. One of them walked ahead, carrying a neatly packaged drink, while the other tugged at the back of their vest as they walked behind, both heading towards the entrance.

Lin Jinglei thought that Yan Zizheng, who opened the door first, was not in a hurry to close it as he was waiting for him, who was two steps away from the door. For a moment, Lin Jinglei thought that the guy wasn't as annoying as he thought. However, he shouldn't have had such thoughts because soon the rebounding glass door came straight towards his face as soon as his foot stepped out of the threshold.

It seems that Yan Zizheng was specifically waiting for Lin Jinglei to approach within striking range before letting go. Lin Jinglei, who was completely unprepared, was caught off guard.

"I'm damn it!" Lin Jinglei was forced to retreat back into the house, covering half of his face and cursing.

Yan Zizheng took a square step back and turned his head to admire the fierce and hideous face of Lin Jinglei inside the glass door. Then, he continued walking casually.

Lin Jinglei rubbed his face and came out, saying, "Yan Zizheng, are you purposely messing with me?!"

Yan Zizheng did not turn around, his face showing fierceness and disdain: "Stepping on my back in the morning, don't think it will benefit you."

Lin Jinglei was so angry that he wanted to chase after him. However, the passing traffic blocked his way, and even if there were no vehicles passing by, he doubted that he could catch up with Yan Zizheng while wearing slippers. He stood in place, watching Yan Zizheng's figure gradually recede across the street, holding a beverage bag. He clenched his teeth tightly, damn it, Yan Zizheng, our grudge is not over!

Zheng Qiaoyin stepped forward to ask Lin Jinglei if there was anything wrong. Lin Jinglei waved his hand dismissively, saying, "You better check if there's anything wrong with the door of your house."

"The door hit you hard, didn't it? Is your face hurting? Do you want me to get some ice to apply it for you?"

Lin Jinglei sat down on the stone steps in front of the shop's entrance. He shook the sand out of his slippers and patted the dirt off the soles of his feet, saying, "No need, I'm fine."

Zheng Qiaoyin couldn't help but laugh as she watched Lin Jinglei's series of actions: "It turns out that handsome guys always look pleasing no matter what they do."

Lin Jinglei put on his slippers and didn't want to go home. He wanted to go online, but he forgot to bring money. He wanted to play basketball, but he didn't have his shoes. He wanted to check the time, but he didn't bring his phone. He felt too lazy to move, so he decided to sit here for a while.

"Do you know him well?" Zheng Qiaoyin squatted down and asked.

"Who?"

"Yan Zizheng ah."

"Do you know him?"

"We used to be classmates in junior high school."

"Ghosts, fuck that, I'm not just familiar with him, I'm his enemy."

"He wasn't like this before," Zheng Qiaoyin said thoughtfully, "especially outstanding in both academics and character."

Lin Jinglei chuckled and said, "Him? Dead last? Don't mess with me."

"Really."

After a moment of silence, Zheng Qiaoyin turned her head and said, "Mixed-race children really are good-looking."

"You talk a lot."

Lin Jinglei is a mixed-race, although it is a fact, he doesn't like being defined as something different. With a face filled with proof of his parents' cross-border love, he has lived for so many years amidst the envy and praise of others. But whenever he hears these three words, he can't help but feel annoyed.

It's not too bad when you spend a lot of time together; at least the people around you gradually stop feeling amazed. But once you are in a new environment, you have to go through the baptism of curiosity all over again. Many people who didn't know his name at first were willing to call him "Mixed-blood" just to make it more convenient to mention and reach a consensus. More than once, Lin Jinglei wanted to release the French blood that was still inside him.

Lin Jinglei sat in front of Zheng Qiaoyin's beverage shop like a watchdog until it was dark. He finally got up and started walking home. He leisurely strolled along the street, deliberately dragging his footsteps and wasting time. The most embarrassing thing was that he had rebelled and run away, but in the end, he still had to obediently return on his own. However, if he didn't go back, he didn't have anywhere else to go.

His uncle and aunt were not at home, only Lin Tai was in the room reading a book. Lin Jinglei, who had only had a glass of cold drink for dinner, stubbornly refused to eat the food that his aunt had put on the plate for him on the kitchen table.

So he deserved to be woken up by hunger the next morning, way earlier than his alarm clock. It seemed that Maisui, who had been lying in the living room, was also hungry. As he was getting ready, Maisui came in meowing and rubbing against his leg.

Lin Jinglei quickly made up his mind, thinking that it would be best not to come face to face with his uncle. A few minutes later, he threw a handful of cat food into the wheat grain bowl and picked up his backpack to put on his shoes.

Jinglei, why are you up so early? Aren't you going to eat breakfast?" Tong Yuying, wearing a nightgown, yawned and called out to the young man who had already reached the doorway.

Lin Jinglei slung his single-shoulder book bag haphazardly, shaking his head and saying, "No, Auntie."

Tong Yuying sighed and walked over, saying, "Did uncle make you angry again?"

Lin Jinglei shook his head and said, "No."

"Don't listen to his nonsense, he's just trying to scare you."

Lin Jinglei did not respond. He turned around to open the door hastily, saying, "Then I'll go now, Auntie."

"Just a moment."

Lin Jinglei saw his aunt bend down and open the TV cabinet drawer. He knew she was going to give him pocket money again, so he immediately pushed the door and tried to leave.

"Take this!" Tong Yuying grabbed the person's arm and handed them the money while instructing, "Buy some breakfast before going to school. Be obedient."

Lin Jinglei held the two bills in his hand as he walked downstairs. Out of habit, he tucked the money into the inner pocket of his backpack. He didn't like to ask his uncle and aunt for money, even though they treated him well. He always felt like an outsider. So he saved up all the leftover pocket money every time, just in case he needed it for emergencies, to avoid the embarrassment of asking for help. It was not so much about saving money as it was about saving a sense of security. Some sense of security could only be obtained through money.

On a sunny day, riding a bike to school was much better than squeezing on the school bus. Lin Jinglei's good mood was like another deposit into his personal treasure chest. He had two youtiao and a bowl of tofu pudding at a breakfast shop across the school. After his stomach was filled, his whole body felt relaxed.

After he finished eating, the high school seniors who had finished their early self-study classes just happened to pour out of the school gate. He waited across the street for the crowd to disperse before pushing his bicycle towards the school campus. Despite it being perfect weather for skipping class, Lin Jinglei didn't want to receive too much scolding. For now, he pretended to be a diligent and enthusiastic student, intending to wait for this wave of scolding to pass before freely enjoying himself.

Zhao Yu was planning to skip another two days of classes. He didn't want Gong Yue to see him limping. If it hadn't been for their damn class advisor showing up at their door yesterday and his dad threatening to cut off his pocket money if he didn't behave, he wouldn't have come to school on time.

He said his foot was injured from falling off a bike. His busy dad who was on a phone call probably couldn't be bothered to question it, so he believed him. Seeing him struggle to fit his still slightly swollen foot into canvas shoes, I knew he couldn't ride a bike or squeeze onto the school bus, so I had our family driver deliver one to him instead.

Due to his foot injury, Zhao Yu took more than ten minutes to walk from the school gate to his classroom. The back door was still closed, so he had to enter through the front door and use his arms to support himself on the desks on either side as he swayed through the aisle back to his seat.

A few people were in the house, and it was unclear who was eating the buns. The smell was so appetizing that You Zhaoyu, who hadn't had breakfast, felt a little hungry. He took out his phone and called Yan Zizheng, but as expected, the person did not answer after three attempts from an unfamiliar number. So, he switched to sending a text message.

Yan Zizheng had already entered the lobby of the teaching building. After seeing the message from Yu Zhaoyu asking him to help buy steamed buns, he ignored it and continued climbing the stairs. When he appeared empty-handed at the classroom door, Yu Zhaoyu scolded him fiercely, saying he lacked loyalty.

"I've already arrived at the destination and you're only telling me now? Do I have to go out specifically to buy it for you?"

"It's only right," Yue Zhaoyu lifted his injured foot and shook it, "I'm the patient, it's normal for you, as a buddy, to show some concern."

Yan Zizheng tossed his backpack onto the seat and walked over from the aisle, sneering as he said, "You were beaten and still have the nerve to talk. If I were you, I'd shut my mouth."

"Those idiots didn't play by the rules, talking about a fair one-on-one fight but ganging up on us in the end. Fucking bastards," Yu Zhaoyu said as he took out his phone. "I bought another phone. The one I just had was a new number. Look, it's the latest model. Isn't it cool?"

Yan Zizheng leaned against the table and took the phone from Zhaoyu. He lowered his head and glanced at it: "Cool."

"A few thousand ocean dollars, it took me a while to persuade my dad before he agreed to buy it for me."

Yan Zizheng smiled and asked, "Where did the one before him ask you about go?"

Zhao Yu waved his hand dismissively and said, "Forget it, old rules."

"I thought you would retrieve the item confiscated by the class leader."

Zhaoyu leaned closer to the chair, with his long legs casually stretched across the aisle. He said, "Speaking of the class leader, I'm so angry at him. He actually went to my house yesterday. Damn it, do you think he has nothing better to do?"

Yan Zizheng tapped the desk with his slender fingers, raising his eyebrow: "Deal with him?"

The first period is language class, the entire class is focused on discussing the reading comprehension section from the test papers of the past few days. Lin Jinglei lost his test paper, even if he had it, he wouldn't be able to follow along. He used a blade to carve a rectangular hole that runs through the entire exercise book with a moderate thickness, allowing his phone to fit perfectly inside, disguised perfectly.

When the bell rang after class, he blew away the scraps of paper on the desk, scattering them everywhere. He looked at his masterpiece and felt very satisfied.

"Lin Jinglei, come here."

Hearing Jiao Fengzi calling him from the podium, Lin Jinglei hurriedly stuffed his newly-made mobile phone gadget into the drawer of his desk and got up to walk over.

Qiao Fengzi tidied up the books by the side while saying to the student standing in front, "If I find out that you are not in class when you should be, I will immediately call the principal's office. It would be best if you could voluntarily abide by the rules."

Lin Jinglei responded with a casual "Mmm."

Qiao Fengzi glanced at the time and turned around before heading to the restroom, saying, "During the next period, I have class in Class 17. Please bring me my book."

Lin Jinglei was very reluctant to take on this casual assignment. Before even entering the front door of the neighboring class, he swung his round arms and threw the Chinese language book onto the lectern. The book, which missed its mark, landed heavily on the side of the person sitting in the seat next to the lectern, causing the papers nestled inside to fall onto the ground.

Yan Zizheng frowned and looked over. The person who threw the book outside the door quickly stepped forward and mouthed a sentence to him, saying, "Serves you right."