Chapter 28

 

“…Why are you all here!”

Ming Xi’s eyes lit up. Her face was bright with a smile as she walked quickly over to the three of them. Looking at the two people behind Cai Ni, she asked cheerfully.

Han Junjun was still arranging his two bulging “little mountains” of luggage. The tips of his ears were red as ripe tomatoes, and even his neck had flushed.

Dezi casually draped his arm over Cai Ni’s shoulders and raised an eyebrow at Ming Xi with a teasing grin, “Guess?”

“I guess… you’re the flower protectors, escorting Cai Ni all the way here,” Ming Xi replied playfully, half-joking.

“No way!” Cai Ni waved her hands quickly, anxious to clear things up. “I didn’t tell you before because I was afraid you’d misunderstand and think I brought them along. They may have come with me, but they’ve got nothing to do with me!”

That day, when Cai Ni decided to leave Yicheng, she went to say goodbye to Dezi. Both Dezi and Han Junjun worked as network administrators at Liu Xinjun’s internet cafe — a life easy and dull.

They were young, full of restless energy. When they heard Cai Ni was heading to Haigang to try her luck, they were moved after just a few words. Everyone knew big cities were full of opportunities — if even a girl dared to strike out on her own, how could Dezi stay behind in Yicheng and just muddle through?

As for why Han Junjun had come along, Cai Ni suspected Ming Xi knew the answer…

When Ming Xi finished listening, her lips curved again into a smile. Her eyes drifted curiously toward Han Junjun’s two huge bags. She couldn’t help wondering—what on earth was inside them?

Dezi’s white canine tooth grazed his lower lip as he licked the corner of his mouth and said, “We’re new here, and we can’t find job right away, so we’re planning to start a small business.”

Starting a business right after arriving? Ming Xi’s eyes lit up, and her smile was sweet and bright.

Hearing her ask with genuine interest, Han Junjun lifted the two large bags back onto his shoulders. Using his height advantage, he pushed Dezi aside and stepped forward to answer her himself: “We brought some clothes from Yicheng to sell here in Haigang. We plan to set up a night stall. My cousin’s already in this line of work—we’re going to join him.”

…That sounded great!

Ming Xi didn’t know much about street vending, but she’d been to the bustling night market once with Ding Xiao.

Unlike Yicheng’s market, Haigang’s night markets were filled mostly with young people. And young people loved to look good. Even if they didn’t have much money, they’d never stingy when it comes to pursuing beauty.

Even migrant workers just entering the workforce from other places often find the night market fun.

Ming Xi smiled at Han Junjun with firm approval and said encouragingly, “I think it’s a great idea.”

When you’re out making a living, hope comes first, the plan second. Whatever the venture, friends should encourage, not dampen the mood.

“Come on, I’ll get us a car, and we’ll find a place to eat first. I’ll handle everything today.” Ming Xi had only been in Haigang for two months, but in front of her friends, she was already shown the “hospitality of a host”, her warmth spreading like sunshine.

“Oh, then let’s follow Ming Xi!” Cai Ni echoed, like a loyal second-in-command repeating her leader’s orders, calling back to her two “servants” and “laborers.”

Ming Xi reached out to take Cai Ni’s luggage.

Cai Ni had thought that with Ming Xi’s delicate looks, she’d become all soft and dainty — but to her surprise, Ming Xi grabbed the heavy backpack with one hand and lifted it easily, freeing the other hand to naturally take Cai Ni’s and lead her forward.

Cai Ni’s heart was instantly filled with joy, as if it were illuminated by the hot and bright sunlight.

Originally, Ming Xi had planned only to pick up Cai Ni alone, but suddenly there were four of them. Her carefully arranged plans had to be scrapped and redone on the spot. With all the luggage Han Junjun and Dezi had brought, a regular taxi couldn’t fit them all — so she had to switch to a pickup truck.

They hired a four-seater pickup — the luggage went in the back, and the front could just barely fit everyone. Technically, it was meant for four passengers, but squeezing a little, they managed to fit in.

At first, the driver wasn’t too happy about it; after all, they were technically one person over capacity. But looking at this bunch of broke, bright-eyed young people, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse. He only warned them, “Once we hit the city, if you see the traffic police, duck your heads.”

“Okay!” the four of them said in unison.

“…”

The driver’s mouth twitched slightly — young folks sure had loud voices.

Ming Xi had originally thought: she had a double dorm room, and Cai Ni could come and stay with her. If Cai Ni could get a job at Longmao, even better — they’d have an official reason to live together. Even if she didn’t, she could stay there for now until she got settled. Once they both had steady incomes, they could rent a place outside.

Now what? Longmao was in the central Jianghui District, while Han Junjun’s cousin lived in Xujia District — one north, one south. Since Cai Ni didn’t have much luggage, Ming Xi decided to first help Dezi and Han Junjun get settled. From the train station, it wasn’t far — less than twenty kilometers — and the pickup driver charged a flat one yuan per kilometer.

Along the way, Ming Xi held Cai Ni’s hand while Cai Ni stared wide-eyed out the window. The tall buildings, the heavy traffic — everything was so new to her. Her heart brimmed with curiosity, while Ming Xi, no longer new to the city, felt calm and grounded beside her.

As for Dezi and Han Junjun, one was chewing gum, looking nonchalant and carefree; the other sat upright, his expression serious.

From the moment he got in the car, Han Junjun had kept his neck straight, his eyes fixed straight ahead, as if he were contemplating something important.

Seeing Han Junjun’s tense and serious expression, Ming Xi felt a bit sorry and gave him a friendly smile.

But Han Junjun remained upright and solemn — though the tips of his ears slowly turned red. His gaze stayed fixed on the road, unshifting for even a second.

Three failed confessions, to succeed or to die.

Han Junjun had decided to show his worth through action.

Ming Xi let it go, smiling to herself.

Similarly, Han Junjun gazed out the car window at the clean, wide city streets, the skyscrapers, and the long line of cars slowly driving up the overpass. An indescribable surge of ambition welled up within him.

The flame of striving burned fiercely within the boy’s young body — silent but powerful, hot blood rushing through every vein.

A man, he thought, should let his actions speak louder than words!

Han Junjun’s chest swelled up with a surge of masculine pride.

He silently swore to himself that he would gain a foothold in this Haigang city and become a man everyone admired — rich, capable, and successful. He would rely on his own hands to make it big, to become a man of wealth, style, and strength. When the day came that he returned home in glory, Ming Xi would surely look at him with new eyes!

Today, the sunlight over the harbor was especially bright — so dazzling it was almost blinding.

The driver rolled down half the window, and a gust of spring breeze, carrying warmth and freshness, rushed into the car.

The faint fragrance lingering in the girl’s hair drifted softly in the air, wrapping around the two boys’ senses. Their gazes met for the briefest second — and as if scalded, they both turned away quickly, pretending nothing had happened.

Dezi continued to pretend to be nonchalant and hummed an off-key tune.

Han Junjun, on the other hand, was so quiet that his silence itself carried a faint air of cool detachment — a kind of aloofness that made him seem distant.

Ming Xi and Han Junjun were not very familiar with each other. Though they’d gone to the same school for two years, their connection was limited to his repeated confessions and that one night they’d spent together celebrating the turn of the millennium.

However, Ming Xi always remembered how Han Junjun came on his motorcycle to help her with her luggage that day; how afterward they’d dinner together at Jinxin Winery; and how, when they went ice skating, he held her hand tightly, round and round.

His movements were skilful, and the look in his eyes when he looked at her was always shy and sweet. The whole time, he held her tightly, not once letting her fall.

In the end, he took her to the train station. After his final confession and their exchanged blessings, she boarded the midnight train and left.

Ming Xi admitted that she’d once felt a trace of tenderness toward Han Junjun, but it wasn’t romantic love.

He touched her in her youth, but he was not what she sought in life.

Still, she hadn’t expected how much more composed he had become after just one winter. Whether boy or man, she thought, those who spoke little always had a certain charm.

“Pfft~~~”

Dezi blew a big bubble out of the chewing gum in his mouth.

It accidentally broke, making a fart sound.

Dezi gave Cai Ni a playful look that was full of meaning. Cai Ni quickly turned her eyes away, unwilling to meet his gaze.

She knew exactly what he meant — he was mocking Junjun for trying to act cool in front of Ming Xi.

But was it really so embarrassing for a boy to act cool around the girl he liked? It was actually… kind of endearing.

—

Dezi and Han Junjun put their luggage at Junjun’s eldest cousin’s house, a rented house on the outskirts of town.

The building had been converted into cramped rooms for migrant workers — dozens of them squeezed into one floor. It was more like a temporary shelter than a proper place to live.

By the time they’d finished unpacking, night had already fallen.

The four of them started to feel their stomachs growling, especially Cai Ni. She was so hungry that she took out a sausage from her pocket, broke it in half, and handed one half to Ming Xi.

Afterwards, they randomly found a Jiangxi stir-fry restaurant that was still open, ordered five dishes, and sat down around the small dining table one after another.

Face to face, eye to eye, everyone looked starving.

Meeting like this, all far from home, it felt only natural to have a drink. Once the food arrived, Dezi and Han Junjun each opened a bottle of beer. Ming Xi and Cai Ni, since they’d have to return to the Longmao dorm afterward, didn’t drink; they took two cans of Sunrise Iced Red Tea instead — the country’s first carbonated tea drink. Like JianlibaoTooltip content, it was popular among young people.

After a few sips of beer, Dezi suddenly grew talkative, clearly waiting for this moment. “Actually… I’ve got a relative here I could turn to. He’s doing really well for himself!”

“Yeah, right,” Cai Ni cut in mercilessly. “If you had such a great relative, would you still be crashing at Junjun’s cousin’s place? Why didn’t you go to your amazing relative instead?”

After saying that, Cai Ni glared at Dezi with disdain. Did he really think she was stupid? This was Haigang, not a small place like Yicheng. They’d agreed to come here together — a bunch of broke nobodies — and now he was putting on airs, spinning tales about some successful relative? What a joke.

Han Junjun said nothing, only poured Dezi a bit more beer — a quiet gesture of brotherly understanding.

Dezi looked at the two of them and sighed. “You guys…”

Ming Xi didn’t think Dezi was necessarily bragging. These days, it wasn’t rare to have a relative or two doing well somewhere. But even so, having such a relative didn’t mean you could count on them — that was just reality.

“Hmph. Being poor isn’t shameful. What’s shameful is pretending otherwise,” Cai Ni couldn’t resist snapping again.

Since childhood, Dezi had been wild and frivolous, while Cai Ni was eccentric and fiery. It was precisely because of this that they could hang out together. However, hanging out together didn’t guarantee harmony — they were always sparring, sniping, bickering.

Dezi wasn’t annoyed by Cai Ni’s jabs; he was used to it.

“I swear, my lady! I’m not lying! You’ve even met him before — he took us out once when we were kids, to Heming Mountain Park. Remember? He bought us each a cotton candy!” Dezi spoke quickly to prove his innocence, recounting their shared memories.

Cai Ni’s mind went blank for a moment, she didn’t quite remember. But when Dezi mentioned cotton candy, she slowly remembered—

“Oh, that Wen-something brother…!” Cai Ni pointed at Dezi and slapped her forehead, though the name wouldn’t come to her.

“That’s him!” Their minds in sync, Dezi didn’t rush to say the name.

“He’s your cousin, right? If he’s really as capable as you say, why don’t you reach out to him?” Cai Ni asked.

Dezi pursed his lips, shook his head slowly, and uttered two words: “Forget it.”

Cai Ni blinked, confused. “Why? It’s not shameful to ask for help. We’re all out here trying to make it — knowing one more person, especially family, can only help.”

Of course she was right. Everyone knew that.

Dezi looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated. He glanced at Ming Xi and Cai Ni’s two pretty faces, sighed heavily, and finally said, “There are two kinds of people who ‘make it big,’ but he’s not the usual kind of man who succeeds.”

“The unusual kind’s even better,” Ming Xi said with a faint smile tugging at her lips.

“You don’t understand.” Dezi was still kept the suspense. But when he saw Cai Ni growing impatient, he leaned in slightly and lowered his voice. “He’s doing well because he hooked up with a rich woman.”

Ming Xi was slightly stunned: … That’s it?

Cai Ni was also surprised: … Is that all?

Only Han Junjun sneered softly and said nothing, taking a sip of his beer. There was no way he would ever take that path.

Despite their different reactions, all four of them ended up laughing. Cai Ni in particular couldn’t stop, her shoulders shaking so hard tears almost streamed down her face. Slapping the table between bursts of laughter, she shouted, “Oh, come on! That’s nothing, Dezi! You’ve got to learn to seize opportunities!”

Her shoulders shook with laughter, her dimples deepened. She continued, “Yang Kangde, I’m telling you —if you’ve got this kind of connection, you’d better get in touch fast! Miss this village and there won’t be another inn down the road!”

Her words carried a teasing double meaning.

Ming Xi, who was in the middle of sipping her iced tea, choked and nearly spit out her drink. Her eyes watered from the sudden cough, but she was laughing too hard to care. She dabbed the corner of her eye, still smiling uncontrollably.

Dezi was speechless: “…

He knew it! That’s the inevitable reaction!”

Sure, he wanted to get in touch with that cousin of his who’d struck it rich by clinging to a wealthy woman—maybe not to profit directly, but at least to bask in a little reflected glory.

The problem was—he had no way to reach the guy.

Originally, Dezi and the other person were not particularly close relatives, but were just clan members of the Yang family. In the past, they could still meet occasionally during festivals.

In the family, this person had always been better known than Dezi—he was the first in the Yang family to get into college. He had a fair and delicate face, practically the picture of a kept pretty boy. Later, no one knew what happened, but they heard that he had become involved with a very wealthy woman. Since then, he had lost contact with all his relatives in Yicheng.

He rarely returned to Yicheng anymore.

Dezi, an unknown junior, had only known him as a kid. Now that the man was successful, he’d all but vanished from sight. Dezi only heard scraps about him through family gossip.

According to seniority, Dezi had to call him “Third Brother.”

“His name is Yang Minwen. He’s incredibly handsome, with a very pretty face. I used to call him Brother Minwen when I was little,” Dezi added.

Cai Ni nodded quickly, adding, “Yes, Brother Minwen. I remember him too. He’s so kind and gentle. He even bought me a cotton candy that time.”

While Dezi and Cai Ni reminisced, Han Junjun looked utterly unimpressed. Despite being young, he was deeply traditional and chauvinistic, and to him, the idea of relying on a rich woman was disgraceful.

And now, this man was being hailed by Dezi as the pride of their family? He couldn’t wrap his head around that.

This Yang family doesn’t seem to amount much!

The Han men were different—every one of them made his own way in the world, courageous and principled.

Thinking that, Han Junjun unconsciously straightened, his thoughts turning inward. He stole a glance at Ming Xi, then quickly looked down again, lifting his beer and taking a small sip—his heart quietly full of hopeful anticipation.

Ming Xi’s attention wasn’t on him at all, and naturally, she didn’t notice Han Junjun’s gaze. When Dezi mentioned the relative’s name, her eyes widened in shock. Unfortunately, everyone else was focused on Dezi, and no one caught her startled reaction.

“Gu Shuangyang’s current husband is twenty years younger than her,” Manager Li’s gossip from the previous day echoed in her mind.

Yang, Min, Wen?

Could it really be him?

If so… she still had his number saved in her phone, and the business card he’d given her was still in her dorm room.

Ming Xi remembered the man’s appearance. He was indeed a gentle and elegant man. When they met in the dormitory that day, he took the initiative to mention that he was also from Yicheng, saying that it was natural for fellow townspeople to help each other. At that time, she didn’t think much about it and just thought it was a small talk. But now, looking back, everything made sense!

To find her a job, Professor Liang had apparently asked his ex-wife Gu Shuangyang for a favor. With Gu Shuangyang’s status and position, she would definitely not arrange this matter personally—she’d have passed the task on to Yang Minwen. It just so happened that Yang Minwen and she were from the same hometown, so he’d pull some string under that pretext.

That was why he knew her name, why he knew she was from Yicheng! He’d even told her she could reach out anytime if she needed help.

This connection…

It’s so convoluted.

Ming Xi felt a chill ripple through her chest, her heartbeat fluttering uncontrollably. Aside from disbelief, she could only feel a strange cold shock. All she could feel was disbelief—nothing but disbelief. If that was the case—

The Brother Minwen that Dezi mentioned, isn’t he Liang Jiancheng’s stepfather?!

For a moment, Ming Xi sat there with this explosive secret pounding in her mind, her expression turning quietly serious and thoughtful.

Han Junjun, noticing her solemn face, felt a wave of satisfaction. Compared to Dezi and Cai Ni—who were giggling shamelessly over such indecent gossip—Ming Xi alone seemed to share his disdain for that sort of man.

Ming Xi: …

If she’d known what Junjun was thinking, she’d have been mortified. Because honestly—if a powerful woman like Gu Shuangyang ever took a liking to her, she might not have the moral integrity to resist either…

—

When the four finally wrapped up their gathering, it was already late at night. Ming Xi and Cai Ni were getting ready to head back to the dorms. Han Junjun offered to see them off, but Ming Xi refused firmly. She sent them off, and they sent them off in return; what’s the point of going back and forth like this?

“The security in Haigang is pretty good. Don’t worry, we can still catch the last bus.”

The last bus from Xujia to Jianghui left at 8 p.m., and the bus stop wasn’t far from where they were. As Ming Xi and Cai Ni boarded the bus, Dezi and Han Junjun waved goodbye from below.

Dezi mimed a “call me” gesture at Cai Ni, reminding her to phone when they got back safely.

Okay, okay, okay! Just go! Don’t disturb their sisterly bond.

As they sat down, Cai Ni hugged Ming Xi—Aww!

She had finally reunited with her best friend…

At 8 p.m., the No. 113 bus crisscrossed Haigang City from north to south. Passengers boarded and disembarked, some looking exhausted, others filled with anticipation.

Meanwhile, a black sedan slowly drove up the elevated highway from Jianghui District and headed steadily towards Xujia District.

Earlier that day, Yang Minwen had called Liang Jiancheng to say he’d just come back from Yicheng and brought along two home-raised poultry, inviting him over for dinner. Liang Jiancheng thought for a moment—indeed, it had been quite a while since he’d last visited Yang Minwen’s place. Whenever Yang Minwen called him over, his mother, Gu Shuangyang, would always be home.

In Liang Jiancheng’s mind, that place felt less like Gu Shuangyang’s home and more like Yang Minwen’s.

From as far back as he could remember, Gu Shuangyang’s sense of “home” had always been vague. Home, to her, was merely a place to occasionally return and sleep. Out of 365 days a year, she probably spent less than a month at home.

Yet, Yang Minwen managed that home beautifully.

Back when Liang Jiancheng was studying abroad, Yang Minwen had looked after him—not just with daily concerns but also arranging his schooling in detail. Liang Jiancheng had no resentment toward him for “marrying up.”

Even though he’d once considered Yang Minwen an older brother, the fact that he was now his nominal stepfather was a bit difficult to accept at first, but he had grown up after all.

They were all rational adults, and once he’d accepted it, they became family in every sense.

Yang Minwen lived in an upscale villa complex, built in the French-style manor. The houses there had been standing for six or seven years. After Gu Shuangyang bought theirs, she’d left the entire matter of decoration to Yang Minwen, who spent five full years tailoring every detail to her tastes.

When they finally moved in, Yang Minwen had also been the one to register Liang Jiancheng’s car plate, so tonight, he could drive in smoothly without issue.

He parked the car securely in the parking space designated for guests behind the villa.

There were private underground spots as well, but he didn’t feel like walking that extra distance.

Shutting off the engine, he opened the car door, picked up the two small gifts on the seat beside him, and stepped out.

He had long been used to handling things on his own. Whether visiting his father, Professor Liang, or coming here, he always brought gifts—it was a matter of courtesy. The ones for his father tended to be heavier, more formal; the ones he brought here, lighter and more casual.

It wasn’t that he meant any disrespect. Yang Minwen ran the household so efficiently that there was really no need for him to bring much of anything.

This place… wouldn’t lack his gifts.

Today, Liang Jiancheng met with a German client. The Germans were known for their fastidiousness, so he’d taken extra care with his appearance. After the meeting, he personally drove the client back to the hotel before heading straight here.

Now, stepping out of the car in a tailored suit, he looked every bit the polished scoundrel—a charming, refined rogue one might meet at a cocktail party. If Old Liang saw him like this, he’d probably mock him again…

That thought made Liang Jiancheng’s lips curve in faint, self-mocking amusement.

Life never allows perfect balance. As the son of two people as temperamentally opposed as Liang Yuzhi and Gu Shuangyang, he couldn’t devote himself fully to both sides. All he could do was maintain the peace on the surface.

Exhausted after long days of work, he paused before heading in. Pulling out a pack of cigarettes gifted by his German client, he lit one, inhaled deeply, letting the smoke calm him before climbing the marble steps to the front door.

Finally, he stood in front of two heavy and imposing armored doors and raised his hand to press the doorbell.

Even though the house now had a new coded lock—and Yang Minwen had shared the password with him—Liang Jiancheng still preferred to ring.

There was a housekeeper at home, but it was Yang Minwen who opened the door himself.

The weather in March had begun to warm up, but the air at night still carried a lingering chill. Always attentive, Yang Minwen had kept the heating on.

“I rushed over after arranging things with a client, so I’m late.” Liang Jiancheng lifting his eyes to the man and explained.

At the same time, he handed over the two boxes he brought with him.

This gift was for his mother, so Yang Minwen naturally didn’t bother with polite refusals. Smiling naturally, he said, “You’re not late. Your mom has been on the phone in her study since she got back. You came just in time.”

Liang Jiancheng smiled lightly: “You should eat first, and you don’t have to wait for her.”

“How else would I get to see people if not at mealtime? Of course I’ll wait.” Yang Minwen also replied with a smile. In his shirt and slacks, he looked every inch the respectable professional, yet at home, he carried himself with a gentleness—a composed, considerate air befitting a perfect homemaker.

“I’ll go call her.” Yang Minwen said warmly, “And I’ll take the things you brought while I’m at it.”

“Thanks.”

Feeling a little warm, Liang Jiancheng took off his suit jacket and handed it neatly to the housekeeper.

That quiet “thanks” was addressed both to Yang Minwen and to her.

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