Although Pei Haobin knew he had official duties to attend to, seeing his unfamiliar and "wayward" son made him stride over with a grim expression. "You bastard! What are you doing?"
The scene fell silent for a moment, time stretching endlessly. The arrival of the criminal police had already frozen the lively atmosphere of Allure World, with nearly everyone watching Pei Haobin and his officers. But when the captain went straight to the bar, all curious eyes shifted to Pei Chuan.
Pei Chuan removed the cigarette from his lips with two fingers and stubbed it out on the bar counter. Since Pei Chuan had left last time after his prosthetic leg was damaged, Pei Haobin still hadn't managed to find him.
Pei Chuan understood this man all too well - Pei Haobin strictly separated personal matters from professional duties. No matter how much he wanted to find his son, he could only ask his colleagues for help rather than abuse his power for personal reasons. Pei Chuan had left many "clues" behind, but with Pei Haobin's individual efforts, he would only drift further off track - just like a year ago, and still the same now.
Moreover, Pei Haobin wouldn't ask other teenagers in the neighborhood either. This stern policeman maintained only casual relationships with his neighbors. Or perhaps more likely, he didn't really want Pei Chuan to come home that much.
After all, when Pei Chuan was around, the air at home turned cold and stagnant - probably disturbing their happy family harmony?
Pei Chuan's casual, indifferent attitude infuriated Pei Haobin, who raised his hand and slapped him across the face.
The crisp sound echoed as the music stopped. Pei Chuan didn't dodge - the slap landed on his face, leaving half of it numb. He turned his head aside: "Officer Pei, consider this slap repayment for your cheap sperm."
Amid the bustling noise, Pei Chuan's voice wasn't loud, and only the bartender heard these words.
Pei Haobin's heart trembled, and he actually retreated two steps.
Pei Chuan wiped the corner of his mouth with his thumb - his mouth hurt, with faint traces of blood seeping out. Jin Ziyang and others at the other end of the hall didn't witness this scene. Only Ji Wei, sitting closest, saw it all. Shocked, Ji Wei came over and whispered, "Even police can't hit people randomly."
Pei Haobin felt some regret - the slap had left his own hand stinging badly. But Pei Chuan's piercing gaze nailed his feet to the spot.
An officer behind him said, "Captain, we still have official business. Zhao Ping is still in 'Allure World'."
Pei Haobin said, "I... Pei Chuan..." Ultimately unable to say anything more, he led his team to search the seventh floor.
The incident seemed like just a minor interlude as the music resumed. With half his face swollen and red, Pei Chuan looked at the room full of decadent luxury and let out a low laugh.
Wasn't he just the combination of cheap sperm and an egg anyway.
Ji Wei stammered, "Brother Chuan, are you okay?"
Pei Chuan said, "Yeah."
Ji Wei: "Oh." He didn't know how to comfort people - he felt sad seeing Brother Chuan without his usual smile. But if Pei Chuan said he was fine, then he must be fine.
Ji Wei said, "Should I go study then?"
"Go ahead."
Ji Wei's figure retreated to the corner. He studied hard but couldn't find the right method, like those ancient scholars who no matter how hard they tried could never pass the imperial exams. Watching him, Pei Chuan didn't find Ji Wei particularly pitiful - after all, he himself was much more pitiful than Ji Wei.
He lowered his gaze and lit another cigarette.
～
Bai Yutong was very reluctant when going out. She originally hadn't gotten into high school, but after Cao Li married Pei Haobin, she pulled strings to get Bai Yutong into an ordinary high school. Bai Yutong said: "Mom, you know I'm afraid of him! I don't want to go!"Cao Li shot her a sidelong glance: "If you don't go, should I? That boy has been studying in City C all this time, lying to us for so long. Your Uncle Pei hasn't slept well these past few nights—he's upset. We should share his burden. Only by making him like us mother and daughter more will we have a good life later."
Bai Yutong said, "But I've never been to No. 3 High School."
"Haven't you got a mouth to ask with? Just go check on him today, or people will talk about what kind of stepmother I am. We're moving in a few days—don't hold us back at this critical time."
Bai Yutong had no choice. Thinking of the luxurious new house, she went to No. 3 High School.
Standing on the campus, she curled her lip. This school was much better than theirs. The plastic track was clean and tidy, while theirs had weeds growing all over it.
It was unbelievable that the cripple studied here.
After asking for directions, she found Class 9, Grade 11. The class had just ended, and Pei Chuan was sitting by the window. Bai Yutong knocked on the window: "Hey, come out for a moment."
The whole class looked over.
Bai Yutong grew impatient: "Pei Chuan!"
Pei Chuan frowned and walked out.
Bai Yutong thought to herself, this is so embarrassing. She didn't want to be associated with him at all. So many people were watching.
Bai Yutong had no idea what status Pei Chuan held in Class 9. In her mind, the classmates must have kept their distance from him knowing he was disabled. She pulled eight hundred yuan from her pocket, counted it, and handed it to Pei Chuan: "My mom gave this to you. Don't be ungrateful."
Pei Chuan stared at her expressionlessly. The boy's pupils were pitch black, unnerving when he stayed silent.
Bai Yutong remembered how he had beaten that rabid dog to death and felt a chill. But with so many people watching, she felt bold. She threw the red bills at Pei Chuan: "Hurry up, I need to go back."
Pei Chuan didn't take it. The money fell to the ground, scattering everywhere.
Bai Yutong, feeling distressed about the money, quickly crouched down to pick it up.
At the back of the classroom, Jin Ziyang and the others watched in stunned silence. Pei Chuan turned and went back inside. This time, Bai Yutong didn't call after him—if he didn't want it, fine! Let him starve outside—none of her business. She could even save eight hundred yuan!
After Bai Yutong left, the classroom fell somewhat quiet.
Someone whispered, "Isn't Pei Chuan quite rich? Why did that girl just..."
"Shh, keep it down. Don't let them hear."
As soon as Pei Chuan sat down, Ji Wei turned around, guiltily focusing on his homework. He felt it was better not to provoke Brother Chuan at a time like this.
Jin Ziyang, being blunt, asked, "Who was that girl, Brother Chuan? She actually gave you money."
Zheng Hang tugged at him. Jin Ziyang said, "Why are you pulling me?"
"Can't you just shut up? Even Brother Wei knows better than to ask now."
Jin Ziyang shut up.
However, the incident didn't take long to escalate. Never underestimate the power of curiosity when people start digging into someone.
Pei Chuan, who everyone thought was a low-key rich second-generation, turned out to have a father who was a police detective, and his stepsister came to school to give him money.
Those who had previously been afraid of provoking him now said, "I thought he was so badass with that attitude, but turns out he's fucking poor and needs handouts."
Someone laughed loudly.
"Was his face beaten up because he was begging for money?"
"Hahahaha."
Someone even wrote a sarcastic post that spread through the school forum. Though it was quickly deleted, many had already seen it.
～
When Chen Feifei saw the post, her jaw dropped in shock.Some of the comments in that post were particularly harsh. Back when Pei Chuan used to hang out with Jin Ziyang and the others, driving luxury cars, although there were people digging up dirt on him, most still had to admit he was wealthy and handsome. Now that everyone knew his family wasn’t in some "untouchable" situation, all sorts of unpleasant remarks began sprouting like bamboo shoots after rain.
They were still in their third afternoon class. Chen Feifei had been scrolling through her phone during the lesson and stumbled upon the post. After class, she quietly mentioned it to Bei Yao.
"I remember you know him, right?"
It was late October, and the first spring rain was falling outside.
Bei Yao fell silent for a moment. "Feifei, if the teacher asks about me next class, just say I have a stomachache and went to the restroom."
"Hey, wait—you..."
Bei Yao opened her umbrella and dashed into the rain.
The umbrella was canary yellow—a birthday gift from the neighborhood kids last year.
The ginkgo trees at No. 3 High School were battered by the rain, their leaves scattered across the ground. Pei Chuan sat on the basketball court, smoking. Cigarette butts littered the area around him. Though sheltered by an overhead canopy, his clothes were slightly damp, carrying the chill of autumn.
The tips of Bei Yao’s hair and her shoes were soaked as she walked past rows of seats and stopped beside him.
The canary-yellow umbrella dripped water as she closed it and held it at her side. He looked up, his dark pupils reflecting her delicate figure.
The boy’s forehead was slightly damp, half of his face still swollen and red. She spoke softly, "Pei Chuan."
Pei Chuan stubbed out his cigarette. "What are you doing here?"
"I was afraid you’d be upset."
"I’m not upset." He was used to it—hadn’t that family always brought him nothing but this?
Bei Yao set down her umbrella and crouched in front of him, right amid the scattered ashes.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say it was dirty around him. The next moment, a cool, gentle touch brushed against his right cheek.
Stunned and disbelieving, he stared at her. She looked up, her fingertips softly cradling his face. "Then, does it hurt?"
Instinctively, he grabbed the hand on his cheek.
The girl’s hand was soft, delicate as if boneless. But in the autumn chill, having walked through the rain, it carried a slight coolness.
His palm felt scalding. After a moment, he released her small hand as if electrocuted.
"It doesn’t hurt," he said hoarsely.
He told himself she was just petting a wounded stray cat or dog. Nothing more—don’t think about it, don’t dare to.
Bei Yao looked troubled. "But I skipped class. It seems like a waste to come out for nothing."
His dark eyes froze in surprise.
The girl’s almond-shaped eyes curved as a slow smile bloomed on her face. "Pei Chuan, treat me to dinner."
At the very least, don’t smoke alone in such a gloomy place.
Pei Chuan lowered his gaze, his voice strained. "Go by yourself."
He took his wallet from his pocket and handed it to her.
She didn’t take it. "Why is your temper so bad? You’re making me really angry."
He pressed his lips together, a faint trace of disappointment and displeasure in his eyes. She said his temper was bad—he knew. He wasn’t good with words and had never been likable since childhood.
She laughed. "Never mind, never mind. But since I’m not one to hold a grudge, how about I treat you to dinner instead?"
He remained silent.
She reached out and tugged his hand. "There’s a place near your school that’s really good. Have you tried it? Last time, I grabbed a takeout portion because I was in a hurry to get back for evening self-study. My roommates all said it was delicious."
Her pull was as light as a kitten’s scratch, yet he couldn’t help but stand up and follow her.
Leaving the dim, canopy-covered basketball court, she opened her canary-yellow umbrella. On it, a comical big-headed duck gaped its mouth, looking utterly silly.
She stood on tiptoe, pulling him under the umbrella. "My umbrella is small. Don’t get wet."He took the umbrella and held it open for her.
The girl was petite, and standing this close, he could catch the faint fragrance from her. Though it was raining, there wasn't a trace of gloom; the rainy area seemed even brighter than the sheltered basketball court.
She led him forward: "Turn right, yes, yes, I remember... um... what's it called? That's it, 'Happy Tangyuan'."
He was tall, with half his shoulder soaked, while she was well-protected under the umbrella, her tone extremely lighthearted.
Following her pointing finger, he saw a small, cramped shop selling tangyuan.
Having been at Third High for over a year, he never knew such a place existed outside the school.
The shop owner remembered Bei Yao after seeing her just once—such a beautiful girl was a first in her lifetime.
Bei Yao pulled him to sit down; his whole body stiffened. The shop owner said, "The young lady is back, with your brother?"
Bei Yao nodded with a smile.
Pei Chuan lowered his gaze, his eyelashes drooping. He folded her umbrella and silently placed it beside her.
Bei Yao sensed his sudden shift in mood.
The shop owner wiped her hands on her apron: "What would you like to eat?"
Bei Yao said, "I'll have fruit tangyuan, and he... he'll have the signature Happy Tangyuan."
He looked up; her almond-shaped eyes were like ripples on a lake, shimmering with light and laughter, enough to crush one's heart. His anger was abruptly stifled, fading into silence.
Pei Chuan pursed his lips: "I didn't say I wanted that."
She leaned on the table, laughing uncontrollably: "Just try it, it's really delicious." The girl's tone was so soft he couldn't refute a single word. Pei Chuan's fingers trembled slightly, filled with frustration and embarrassment.
The tangyuan were cooked quickly—two bowls, one with ordinary fruit tangyuan.
The more expensive Happy Tangyuan had colorful tangyuan arranged into a smiling face.
Bei Yao asked, "Isn't it pretty?"
He lowered his gaze: "Mm."
"Happy Tangyuan has sesame filling, you know, the black dots. If you don't like things too sweet, give them to me. Don't waste food." She pushed her bowl toward him.
His heart felt lightly scratched, and he said softly, "I'm not picky."
The girl smiled, pursing her lips: "Oh, Pei Chuan is so good."
He gripped his spoon tightly, even forgetting why he had been angry earlier. Almost recklessly, he scooped one into his mouth.
She ate gracefully and sighed inwardly. Pei the Unhappy had grown up, yet he still wasn't very happy.
Being slapped by his father must have hurt and saddened him. Who in the world gets used to pain?
The tangyuan, scalding hot, drove away the autumn chill.
After the meal, Pei Chuan naturally wouldn't let her pay. Frowning, he told her to stay seated and went inside to find the shop owner.
The shop owner smiled and asked, "How was it, classmate? Our signature tangyuan are pretty good, right?"
He remained silent, pulling out a hundred-yuan bill and handing it over.
The shop owner asked, "No change?"
Seeing the boy still silent, she understood he didn't like talking to people and began counting out change.
After a while, she heard the boy speak.
"I'm not her brother." Having said that, he left without taking the change, stepping out of the shop with unspoken embarrassment.
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