Hu Xiu didn't understand this statement: "Is it that serious?"
"Li Ai isn't some rich young master either. He used to support the café with his day job, and his wife had a decent income too. After his wife passed away, he's been living off savings while fighting the lawsuit. Legal consultation fees are expensive - charged by the hour. He's been too busy to see us lately, probably trying to raise money. With everyone turning their backs on him, where could he possibly get it?"
"But that lawsuit... it's hard to win, right?"
"Right. The other party comes from a wealthy and powerful family - the son of some real estate developer. I shouldn't say more, but he drives a Ferrari. That night he drove drunk and hit three people. Li Ai's wife and her colleague died, and there's still a young boy in the ICU. The other two families - one just wants compensation since their person is gone, the other would take two million to save their family member. With the three families not united, Li Ai fighting alone for justice to send that young master to prison... the chances are slim."
"The lawyer told me the case might only proceed if all victims file claims together. Now that time has dragged on, the settlement offers have increased. The other two families think Li Ai is being stubborn."
"He just thinks it's unfair. Three lives for six million - according to wealthy people's logic, that's already expensive. But for drunk driving causing three deaths, even a death sentence or life imprisonment wouldn't satisfy his hatred."
"It's just that there's no fairness in this world. When we're young, we think passion alone can achieve our ideals. Gradually we first learn that money gets things done, then discover power speaks louder than money - it can even silence voices. The elders' wishes for us to become officials come from their own hard lessons. The longer you live, the more injustice you witness."
"In Shanghai, as long as you're unlucky enough to avoid major troubles, achieving modest comfort is possible. Li Ai just happened to be the unfortunate one, and he refuses to surrender to the world's rules. We all know he sold his house for the lawsuit, but we never thought..."
"Never thought he'd reach the point of closing the shop... He never tells us anything."
"Who said anything about closing the shop?" Zhao Xiaorou held her vape between her fingers, exhaling clouds. "I, Zhao Xiaorou, won't allow it."
Anxious Hu Xiu seriously called her father before the conference. After frequently pretending to be busy recently, she finally asked to borrow 50,000 yuan to help Li Ai pay rent.
As expected, after her father pressed for reasons, he scolded her harshly: "What are you thinking? Getting mocked by your blind date for working in entertainment was already embarrassing enough. Now you're asking me to help your friend pay rent? I can't help wondering how poorly you're doing in Shanghai to come begging like this. If not for your recent dedication at work, I'd call your mother to question how she raised such a scheming daughter. Unless this friend plans to marry you, I might consider..."
Hu Xiu silently hung up. After Saturday's conference, instead of rushing to Snowpiercer, she quietly went to the exhibition center with her senior colleague and earned 8,000 yuan from a simultaneous interpretation job.
If she could consistently get such interpreting jobs weekly, she could make 30,000 monthly - enough to help Li Ai somewhat.After finishing, Hu Xiu was so exhausted that she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Given how busy she'd been lately, she decided not to visit Qin Xiaoyi. But when she truly missed him, she'd find a weekday session to chat with him.
Thinking of Li Ai struggling to pay rent, and dreaming of his limping figure disappearing after closing his shop, Hu Xiu woke up reluctant to spend even 498 yuan. She checked the schedule on Dianping and found the last Wednesday session ended at 10:30 PM. After working overtime, she went to wait on the street by the emergency exit.
Standing in an inconspicuous spot, she saw Qin Xiaoyi emerge with others. Hu Xiu waved gently, and surprisingly, Qin Xiaoyi noticed, dashing across the street.
This moment felt like a dream to Hu Xiu—even in her wildest dreams of dating someone, this was way too handsome!
"Haven't seen you around lately."
"I've been a bit..."
"Broke, right? I thought after last time I told you not to come, you'd actually listen." Qin Xiaoyi coughed lightly. "Not many people follow my advice so well."
"I'd still come if I wanted to see you. See, I'm... waiting at the back door for you." To avoid awkwardness, Hu Xiu quickly added: "A friend's in some trouble and needs money urgently, so I wanted to help however I can."
"Close friend?"
"It's that slightly limping guy who came before—not sure if you remember him. He runs a coffee shop on Yuyuan Road, recently hit with financial issues, might have to close down. I can't just watch a friend's long-running shop disappear like that. Gotta help within my means, even though... I don't have much money myself—can't even afford to play Snowpiercer anymore."
"No need to keep playing." Qin Xiaoyi stretched lazily. "Haven't you gotten sick of the storyline yet? Besides, this industry isn't as simple as you think. No need to keep seeing me in character."
"Oh? Not simple?"
"Shouldn't you be asking about that latter part instead? Never mind—you're really quite clueless. I've quit drinking recently, and I just feel like walking tonight. Let me walk you home."
Qin Xiaoyi started walking ahead casually. Hu Xiu pondered for a while before realizing he'd been teasing her, then quickly caught up.
Today she'd changed into sneakers after work. The autumn breeze was cool, and she wore a pure black knit sweater over her formal shirt. Walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Qin Xiaoyi, she noticed her eyebrows only reached his shoulders.
Their elongated shadows stretched across the pavement. Qin Xiaoyi remarked, "Look, don't we resemble two compasses?"
Such peculiar thought patterns. Hu Xiu had only intended to watch him finish work from the emergency exit, yet unexpectedly found herself... being escorted home by Qin Xiaoyi again.
He seemed to enjoy strolling. Walking straight home along the broad avenue, listening to Qin Xiaoyi talk about being a Script Murder NPC—he was already on his fourth establishment. Hu Xiu expressed surprise.
When classmates took leave for film shoots, he seemed reluctant to miss school, only accepting TVC and short film projects during weekends and holidays.
By senior year, he started working intensively as an NPC, becoming quite adept at this new form of interactive theater.
Looking at Qin Xiaoyi's profile, Hu Xiu blushed slightly: "I'm curious, why don't you pursue acting?"
"The goal is simple: to make money. Being a Script Murder NPC is quick cash for me."
"Is the pay that good?"
"Not particularly. But it's decent enough for me."He didn't elaborate on any specifics, clearly unwilling to talk. In the night breeze, Hu Xiu's hair lifted and brushed against Qin Xiaoyi's arm; by the time Hu Xiu noticed, she saw goosebumps rising on Qin Xiaoyi's arm under the streetlight.
They walked quietly into the residential compound, with Hu Xiu failing to find more topics—how could someone as handsome as him be interested in translation work.
Arriving at the building entrance, Hu Xiu waved: "I might not be able to visit you anymore. For a friend's sake, I have to focus on translation work."
"No problem. Teacher Hu has shown me the courage and emotions people should possess. I deeply admire that."
"You say that as if you don't have them yourself."
"Me?" Qin Xiaoyi smiled wistfully: "Perhaps..."
Hu Xiu couldn't decipher the meaning behind that smile.
Two weeks later, Zhao Xiaorou indeed shared good news in their three-person group chat: "Divorce successful..."
When Hu Xiu arrived, Zhao Xiaorou was already sitting in the innermost seat of the coffee shop drinking coffee, with Li Ai's new creations covering the entire table.
Zhao Xiaorou grew excited seeing Hu Xiu: "Come quick, Li Ai has new single-origin espresso again!"
The sight of coffee pots and various latte art patterns covering the table made Hu Xiu's heart flutter. This should be a time for drinking alcohol...
Wait, Zhao Xiaorou coming to torment Li Ai inevitably meant making him create latte art, source new beans, and develop new products.
Li Ai, accepting everything without complaint, had a gleaming pin on his dark green apron—put there after losing a bet to Zhao Xiaorou a year ago, with a rather domineering meaning: unconditional acceptance of all Zhao Xiaorou's requests.
Of course, aside from asking Li Ai to bring e-cigarettes during travels, make coffee, and occasionally lend her keys to avoid arguments, Zhao Xiaorou had never made any unreasonable demands.
Now Zhao Xiaorou spread her legs, occupying two stools: "REGARD successfully renewed the lease, I'm done with divorce, and Hu Xiu has Qin Xiaoyi. Shouldn't we celebrate extravagantly?"
"I haven't gotten Qin Xiaoyi... REGARD renewed?"
Zhao Xiaorou answered before Li Ai could: "Yeah, someone influential helped out."
"Oh my..." Hu Xiu clapped excitedly: "I even told Qin Xiaoyi I was sad about my friend's shop closing down. Now I can bring him here when there's a chance."
"You two have reached the dating stage?"
"Just... in my imagination."
"Damn. Hu Xiu, let me remind you—I'm single now after the divorce, wealthy and beautiful. If you don't make a move soon, watch out or I might sleep with Qin Xiaoyi myself."
Li Ai's delivery order arrived just in time. Fish Maw Chicken and Sea Cucumber and Shark Fin Rice were wrapped layer upon layer in foil, with the clay pot releasing steam when uncovered, the rich aroma quickly filling the room.
Li Ai looked satisfied with the steaming dinner: "This way drinking coffee won't hurt your stomach."
"Oh come on, Li Ai, stop thinking about health preservation all the time. What should we be eating now? Spicy tripe, stir-fried kidney, extra spicy chicken wings, then go clubbing."
Hu Xiu watched Li Ai and Zhao Xiaorou locking eyes. Li Ai's gaze softened, his frown lasting three seconds before relaxing: "I just noticed you've lost weight."It wasn't botox—straight men really can't tell anything. Hu Xiu ate quietly while listening to Zhao Xiaorou recount her heroic feat of flying to Shenzhen for divorce. Within a week, she had visited several banks to provide all payment records and loan repayment statements. Although it was a joint repayment, the deduction records always showed Zhao Xiaorou's name.
She clearly delineated the proportion of the couple's home purchase, investigating both the purchase price and current market value thoroughly. Wang Guangming, who had made a major mistake, ultimately walked away with only 1.5 million.
As for that Nanshan District school district property worth 9.7 million, Zhao Xiaorou retained occupancy rights and had rented it out to high school seniors for monthly income.
Though it pained her to transfer 1.5 million from her account, the continuously appreciating school district property remaining in her possession ensured stable returns regardless of circumstances.
The real killer was that Zhao Xiaorou had publicly executed him on Weibo, making Wang Guangming's life increasingly difficult.
To become an Internet celebrity without genuine skills and copywriting ability, one could never reach Zhao Xiaorou's level.
"Let's celebrate my comeback victory in advance. I've gained one million followers, and my headline fee has risen to 100,000."
"Another MCN wants to sign me. I declined, but I haven't figured out how to reach the next level either."
"Are you worried you can't succeed without Wang Guangming?" Hu Xiu laughed. "I don't think so."
"Of course, several of my accounts can't advance further with his vision. We actually had good rapport as a couple, but the final housing dispute drained the last bit of affection I had for him."
"From now on, I'll only think of him occasionally—worrying during rainy days whether he's buried deep enough, whether his urn is leaking, or during dry weather whether static electricity might ignite and reduce the box to ashes."
Li Ai shook her head: "That tongue never shows mercy. Hu Xiu, I've reserved cake for you upstairs, could you go get it?"
The upstairs referred to the second floor Li Ai rented in the old building—aged but uniquely arranged. In the ten-square-meter room, plants separated the bed from the desk; light-colored bedding and tablecloths reflected light, making the space transparent. Shoe boxes formed mosaic patterns on the wall, displaying collected sneakers in color gradients, the entire wall neatly arranged like window displays.
The storefront on Yuyuan Road was renovated old housing, while the interior remained dilapidated. The bedroom was separate from the kitchen and bathroom, requiring one to exit and turn into the restroom—a classic old layout. The loose stairs shed wood chips, making Hu Xiu feel the building might collapse with every step.
Yet she loved this place. Li Ai had made both bedroom and bathroom exceptionally cozy, with warm tones that never felt cold. Descending and navigating maze-like paths led directly into bustling streets—tranquility within chaos, like the wonderland Li Ai created.
He was once a designer frequently featured in AD magazine.
Sure enough, there was a reserved cake in the refrigerator. Carrying it back, Hu Xiu wondered why the cake was stored upstairs when downstairs would be more convenient.
Entering through the back door, before lifting the curtain, she heard Zhao Xiaorou speaking with Li Ai.
"One year's rent means nothing—just two or three months of advertising income. Don't dwell on it, just focus on the lawsuit.""Of course, if it really can't be resolved... we might as well reconcile. I don't think your wife... would blame you either—this isn't your fault."
"I'll repay the money as soon as possible."
"No need, consider it as my investment."
"Investment has its own protocols, but you're helping me through this difficult time now. Both emotionally and logically, I should repay you."
"Do we have to be so formal?" Zhao Xiaorou took the coffee, but her eyes remained fixed on the man who kept his head lowered. "Li Ai, I must remind you that I'm currently single."
"I know..."
A two-minute silence hung in the air—neither a stalemate nor a confrontation. Zhao Xiaorou held her coffee cup, quietly watching the man behind the counter, while he meticulously wiped a glass with a napkin.
The already gleaming glass didn't need cleaning at all, yet it had unwillingly become a tool to deflect the awkwardness.
Zhao Xiaorou withdrew her gaze and timely noticed Hu Xiu emerging with a cake: "Hu Xiu, now that I'm single again, it's time to go flirt with handsome guys on Snowpiercer—my treat."
OpenNovel