Two years had passed, and everyone's appearances and styles had changed, but their personalities remained the same.
Jin Ziyang had never been to a place like the "Seventh Prison" before—he was practically itching to touch even the lights on the walls.
There wasn’t a trace of disdain for Pei Chuan in their eyes. Pei Chuan exchanged fist bumps with them, and Zheng Hang remarked, "Don’t let Jin Ziyang’s excitement fool you—he’s so thrilled right now he could tear the roof off. But back when you got into trouble, he almost sat down and cried in the street."
Jin Ziyang bristled, "Who cried? Zheng Hang, who are you talking about!"
Bei Yao laughed.
She was the only girl in the room, and her laughter seemed to brighten the air like a spring day.
She had never witnessed the camaraderie between men before, and her almond-shaped eyes watched with curiosity. Pei Chuan felt a little helpless but couldn’t help smiling.
Honestly, seeing Jin Ziyang and the others again after so long wasn’t a bad feeling at all.
Pei Chuan noticed Ji Wei still carrying his backpack, clutching "Five-Three" tightly.
"Ji Wei, are you still preparing for the college entrance exam?"
Ji Wei nodded, scratching his head. "This is my third attempt. I always feel like I can make it this time."
No one laughed at him. In truth, Ji Wei wasn’t clever—he wasn’t cut out for studying by nature. But when he liked something, his affection was pure and unwavering, capable of lasting a lifetime.
With the guys all gathered here, Bei Yao felt too shy to speak with Pei Chuan and quietly stood to the side.
She rarely saw him smile, but today it was clear that Pei Chuan was genuinely happy.
Zheng Hang was the most perceptive. They were rough-around-the-edges guys and had come to see Pei Chuan empty-handed. Though they had money in their pockets, everyone knew how much Pei Chuan adored Bei Yao. They couldn’t possibly offer him money in front of the woman he loved—if they were going to give him anything, it would have to wait until Bei Yao wasn’t around. So Zheng Hang pulled Jin Ziyang and Ji Wei along, heading out as he said, "We’ll look around a bit, Brother Chuan. You chat with Bei Yao."
Once they had left, Pei Chuan turned to the girl standing nearby. "Yao Yao."
She felt inexplicably shy but still went over and sat on the stool opposite him. No one had dared to ask him, but she wanted to know. "Pei Chuan, the prison guards said you got into a fight last night. Why did you fight?"
His dark eyes fixed on her, and after a long pause, he replied, "It’s nothing. Prisons are chaotic by nature. Conflicts are inevitable when you live together."
She was only concerned about one thing. "Did someone bully you?"
This silly girl still thought of him as the little boy who used to be pinned to the ground, powerless to fight back. His gaze softened. "No, don’t overthink it."
Seeing the worry in her glistening eyes, he lowered his voice to explain, "I was the one who hit him, which is why I got punished. I wasn’t bullied, understand?"
She let out a relieved sigh and nodded.
Bei Yao knew prisons were dangerous, and she was so far away from him—she had no idea what kind of life he was living.
She lifted her head, tilting her small face up, and bit her lip with a shy smile. "Pei Chuan, hug me." It was so hard for her to see him even once.
He had just been released from confinement and gently stroked her hair. "Be good, I’m dirty."
Remembering the bag she had brought with her—last time she visited, she hadn’t brought anything for Pei Chuan, knowing this proud man would never accept a penny from her—she lowered her head and pulled out some clothes from the bag. After all, it was her first time buying such things for a man, and her cheeks flushed pink. "Do you think they’ll fit?"
His gaze fell on the clothes, and for a moment, his heart ached with a bittersweet feeling.However, Pei Chuan couldn't change clothes in front of her. Many things in this world were unpredictable. What he minded most in this life was his own body, which even his mother had despised. He couldn't bear to disappoint her, so he took the clothes and said, "Yeah, they look nice."
She beamed with joy.
Bei Yao wasn't actually fixated on hugs or kisses; she just felt that inside prison, he must be suffering and needed an embrace.
At nineteen, what she cherished more was the feeling of being with him.
This man was taciturn, but no matter what she said, his dark eyes held only her reflection. Pei Chuan never interrupted her, nor did he ever speak of the hardships he had endured. Yet she knew that the reason this man was here was entirely because of her.
But before they could talk for long, loud banging noises erupted outside, accompanied by the shouts of prison guards.
Bei Yao turned her head, and Pei Chuan said, "Let's go see what's happening."
Bei Yao opened the door to chaos outside.
Jin Ziyang was rushing over to beat up a middle-aged man, who was an inmate of the Seventh Prison. Jin Ziyang was being restrained by guards but continued cursing, "So what if I hit you? If you've got the guts, hit me back! Haha, you coward, hit me!"
His tone was unbearably provocative.
The middle-aged man, his head wrapped in bandages, trembled with rage. Seizing the opportunity, Zheng Hang went over and kicked him.
The middle-aged man: "..."
Zheng Hang was dragged away.
Ji Wei stood to the side, looking utterly bewildered. Jin Ziyang, still unwilling as he was being hauled off, pulled keys from his pocket and threw them at the man. Unfortunately, his aim was off, and the keys flew straight toward Bei Yao. Pei Chuan, his expression cold, caught them and snapped, "Enough! What's all this commotion?"
Everyone fell silent.
Even the guards were exasperated. These young masters had started beating prisoners as soon as they arrived, and they were difficult to manage. They weren't inmates themselves—how were you supposed to handle them? The Seventh Prison didn't hold ordinary prisoners. But if left unchecked, Jin Ziyang and the others would run wild.
Prisoners couldn't fight during their rehabilitation, so the middle-aged man had no choice but to endure it. Jin Ziyang was thrilled by this—he'd gotten his fill of hits, and at worst, they'd arrest him. If the other guy fought back, he'd be punished too.
Bei Yao had no idea how a fight had broken out outside in such a short time.
In the end, the guards had no choice but to warn, "Anyone who causes trouble here will lose their visitation rights permanently!"
The group finally quieted down, as docile as chickens.
Jin Ziyang, still defiant, was about to speak when Pei Chuan's expression darkened. "Jin Ziyang, come with me."
Pei Chuan turned to Bei Yao, his tone losing its sternness and taking on a coaxing note. "Yao Yao, wait outside, okay? I need to talk to him."
Bei Yao nodded. As soon as she left, Jin Ziyang said, "Brother Chuan, I was just teaching that bastard a lesson for you."
Pei Chuan's eyes turned cold. "Do you want to end up in prison too?"
Jin Ziyang retorted indignantly, "He deliberately provoked you into fighting last night, and that's why you got locked up."
They had run into Cheng Zhenghai outside, and the senior had explained. The middle-aged man, Xiang Lei, had intentionally talked about Bei Yao on the day before visitation. That day happened to be New Year's, and someone had come to visit Xiang Lei too.
Xiang Lei had caught a glimpse of Bei Yao through the window when she arrived.
Last night, Xiang Lei had spoken viciously, suggesting that Bei Yao probably had another man outside and was only there to see how miserable Pei Chuan was. How many beautiful women would wait for a man to get out of prison?
Xiang Lei's own wife had left him.
At first, Pei Chuan had been working and hadn't said a word.Later, when Xiang Lei went too far and even said, "You have no idea, even in a down jacket you could tell that woman has a great figure. Haha, would she even let this cripple touch her? Are there really women with such 'devotee' tendencies?"
Pei Chuan immediately smashed all the experimental materials in his hands onto Xiang Lei's head.
The prison descended into chaos, and doctors were promptly called to treat the injured. Xiang Lei rolled on the ground screaming in pain, while Pei Chuan was directly thrown into solitary confinement.
Cheng Zhenghai said, "You knew he was trying to provoke you, so why did you still take the bait?"
Pei Chuan pressed his lips tightly together and remained silent.
It was only after Cheng Zhenghai told Jin Ziyang and the others about this incident today that Jin Ziyang couldn't hold back from throwing punches. So what! If Brother Chuan couldn't hit Xiang Lei, they certainly could!
Pei Chuan closed his eyes briefly: "Don't cause trouble."
Jin Ziyang wanted to say more, but Pei Chuan said quietly: "I can't afford to cause any trouble these two years."
He wanted to get out.
He wanted to be a good man, to stay by her side.
This was the first time Jin Ziyang had seen Pei Chuan like this, and he immediately fell silent.
Pei Chuan knew that a man's courage shouldn't be abandoned, which was why he had cracked open Xiang Lei's head. But today, seeing Yao Yao, he finally understood that no amount of courage or dignity in this world could compare to her importance.
If Cheng Zhenghai hadn't pleaded for him, he would still be locked in solitary confinement, unable to see her.
He had been waiting from Chinese New Year until spring, just hoping to catch a glimpse of her.
Today in solitary confinement, he had felt utterly desperate. Afraid she would be disappointed in him for causing trouble, afraid she would leave, afraid she would walk away.
Pei Chuan said: "Jin Ziyang, I need to ask you for a favor."
In his twenty years of life, this was the first time Pei Chuan had used the word "ask." Jin Ziyang grew somewhat flustered: "Hey, hey, we're brothers, just say what you need. No need for 'asking' or anything."
Pei Chuan said calmly: "Before I came in, I completed a software program. The USB drive is with the manager at Allure World. I'll give you the password—you can sell it. If you need it, name your price, or your company can take it."
Jin Ziyang said: "Brother Chuan, if you need money, I have some here. You should keep that software."
Pei Chuan insisted: "Go get it and sell it. It's conservatively estimated to be worth three million. It's not harmful software. After you sell it, find a way to send money to Aunt Zhao Zhilan every month. Whether it's through prize drawings or company benefits, just don't tell her it's from me."
Jin Ziyang mumbled: "Okay."
Pei Chuan said: "Thank you."
The visitation time passed quickly. As the group left, Pei Chuan watched them go.
She had walked quite far when she turned back, smiling and waving at him. Pei Chuan understood her lip movement—she said: I'll come see you again next time.
The corners of his lips curved slightly, his eyes filled with tenderness.
~
Jin Ziyang and the others were lectured by the prison guards and paid fines before slinking away.
However, there was no chance of this guy reflecting. The more Jin Ziyang thought about it, the more he felt he hadn't hit enough.
Zheng Hang asked him: "What did Brother Chuan want to talk to you about?"
Jin Ziyang said: "I'm confused too. He asked me to sell his old software and send the money to Bei Yao's mother. And Brother Chuan was being too polite—he even used the word 'ask.' What's he trying to do?"
Zheng Hang watched the young woman's retreating figure. Spring had arrived, and new buds were sprouting on the branches.
Wherever Bei Yao passed, wildflowers bloomed along the path.
Zheng Hang said: "Have you ever seen Brother Chuan ask anyone for anything?"
"Never."
In the three years they had known him, Pei Chuan's backbone had been tougher than anyone's.Zheng Hang said softly, "He just feels heartbroken for her."
Jin Ziyang didn't understand, but Zheng Hang had seen through it. He'd heard Bei Yao was studying medicine - an extremely demanding field with heavy coursework. A girl like Bei Yao ought to be living the best life, yet the clothes she wore were far less expensive and beautiful than other girls'.
This was a girl who deserved to be cherished, yet she remained steadfastly waiting for him.
When Brother Chuan had money, he didn't dare give her anything. Now that he'd fallen on hard times, his heartache screamed with no outlet.
When Pei Chuan did these things, he never expected anything in return. That's why he had Jin Ziyang give through other channels. No matter who Bei Yao married in the future, the entire Bei family wouldn't have any burdens.
This man was simply so heartbroken for Bei Yao that he didn't know what else to do.
That's why he swallowed his pride and begged Jin Ziyang to find ways to let her live better.
Jin Ziyang said, "Hehe, although I don't understand what you're saying, Zheng Hang, do you think Brother Chuan trusts me the most? Otherwise, why wouldn't he ask you or Ji Wei, but specifically entrust such an important task to me?"
Zheng Hang's mouth twitched. To be honest, he was somewhat embarrassed and annoyed.
Why not give it to Ji Wei? That was simple - if you asked Ji Wei to find ways to transfer money discreetly, he'd probably be at a complete loss and might even reveal everything if he wasn't careful.
As for why... he didn't let Zheng Hang do it.
Zheng Hang coughed, his ears turning red. Of course it was because back in their second year of high school, he had... somewhat fancied Bei Yao.
Although Brother Chuan never showed it, what man wouldn't mind?
But this wasn't something he could explain to Jin Ziyang. Zheng Hang gritted his teeth and said, "What does trust have to do with it? It must be because your company's headquarters is in City C."
Jin Ziyang thought about it and accepted this explanation.
~
Ms. Zhao Zhilan felt particularly lucky in 2010. Their company was really good too - previously they'd given out summer camp vouchers, but now to celebrate the quarter's performance targets being met, they were holding some lottery for employees.
Ms. Zhao wasn't particularly ambitious. She thought, since the lottery was free anyway, even if she drew a towel or a pack of tissues, that would be fine.
So she went to draw happily.
The first few colleagues had all won something - either household soap or fifty yuan in cash.
Zhao Zhilan thought, fifty yuan - that's pretty good luck.
But when she drew a six of clubs and handed it over, someone said, "Wow, Sister Zhao, you got the first prize! Your luck is really something."
Zhao Zhilan asked, "What's the first prize?"
"Our boss personally prepared it - 120,000 yuan in cash!"
Zhao Zhilan: "..." In this lifetime! She would die working for this company!
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