Chapter 5: Morning Star

“As the sun sets in the west, red clouds fly…^[1]“

His phone suddenly rang.

After switching to a smartphone, He Chong found that its battery drained extremely fast. His old phone was light and easy to carry, so he hadn’t discarded it. He carried both with him, one for chatting with Zhou Mo and the other strictly for phone calls. Only now did he realize just how much of a mood-killer that old ringtone was.

He Chong froze, his sanity rushing back in an instant. His gaze fell on Zhou Mo’s trembling eyelashes, a breath catching tight in his chest.

The ringing continued, but the subtle, ambiguous atmosphere had vanished completely. He Chong drew back his hand, gave a light cough, and turned around to pull out his phone. “Hello…”

Zhou Mo’s hands and feet felt numb. Overwhelmed by tension, she hadn’t even noticed her fingernails digging deep into her palms. It wasn’t until He Chong moved away that she finally let out a long breath.

She plucked up the courage to glance over at He Chong, his windbreaker flapping in the night breeze. She quickly pulled back her gaze, pressed a hand against the burning skin of her neck, and sighed.

He Chong’s call was brief. Zhou Mo heard him say, “I’ll be right there.” Before the person on the other end could even respond, He Chong had already shoved the phone back into his pocket and said hurriedly, “Lin Xinghe has an emergency. I need to head over and help.” Just then, headlights flashed nearby as a taxi approached. He Chong raised his hand to hail it. “I won’t be able to take you home tonight. Stay safe, and send me a message when you get home.”

Zhou Mo’s voice was barely audible. “I don’t need you to take me home. I’m not a child anymore.” She heard He Chong laugh softly, but she didn’t dare look up at him.

As the car pulled up, He Chong opened the door, resting one hand on top of the frame. Once Zhou Mo stepped inside, he gave her a deep look. “Wait for me to handle this.”

He Chong knew very well that the turmoil in his heart was something he hadn’t felt in a long time, like his younger self facing a vast, unknown world, full of ambition yet filled with quiet trepidation. But for now, he still had to endure.

Standing where he was, He Chong didn’t move for a long time. He watched the taxi drive away, its taillights flickering in the dark before making a turn and disappearing completely into the night.

Another empty taxi approached from the opposite direction, and he flagged it down.

Lin Xinghe lived in the old district. After the city center relocated, that area had fallen into disrepair, its development grinding to a crawl. Because of the cheap rent, all sorts of characters from all walks of life gathered here.

He Chong had the taxi stop at the entrance of the alley, got out, and walked inside with quick strides. The buildings on both sides looked ready to collapse, and the narrow lane was choked with bicycles, tricycles, and various pushcarts from street vendors, leaving barely any room to walk.

Last year, when Lin Xinghe’s mother had surgery, He Chong had lent a hand and visited the Lin household once. Lin Xinghe was somewhat aloof and kept to himself, with a fierce pride. He Chong had known him for years and understood his family situation, but he had never disclosed it to outsiders.

Before his sophomore year of high school, Lin Xinghe’s family had been wealthy. But then his father developed a gambling addiction, squandering their entire fortune overnight. The company went bankrupt, leaving behind a mountain of debt. Driven into a corner, his father took his own life, leaving a total mess for Lin Xinghe. Lin Xinghe’s mother had long suffered from a chronic illness that worsened last year, requiring major surgery. Since then, she had to take expensive imported medication, costing four to five thousand Yuan a month on medicine alone. Aside from his critically ill mother, Lin Xinghe faced an even bigger problem: after his father’s death, the debt collectors naturally shifted their sights, frequently harassing the mother and son.

At the end of the alley, three or four motorcycles were parked at the entrance of a residential building. He Chong felt a chill run through him. Quickening his pace, he took the stairs two at a time and ran up the building.

Outside the doorway on the fourth floor, two young thugs stood guard. Seeing someone approach, they barked, “What are you doing here?!”

He Chong glanced through the crack in the door. “Is Lin Xinghe inside?”

“We asked you a question! What are you doing here?!”

He Chong chuckled. “I’m not a cop. If I were a cop, would I be standing here wasting my breath on you? Just the charge of illegal detention would be enough to lock you guys up.”

The two exchanged a glance, stepped aside, and opened the door.

Inside the room, Lin Xinghe sat on a chair with his head hanging down and his eyes closed, his hands tied behind his back. He had a stubborn streak, and he had clearly suffered for it. A cut on the corner of his mouth had already clotted with blood, and his face was bruised black and blue from a beating.

He Chong swept his gaze over the room, then looked across from Lin Xinghe.

Across from Lin Xinghe, two men stood while one sat. The seated man wore a leather jacket and leather pants, had a head of dyed green hair, sallow skin, and a sharp, fox-like face. Hunching forward with his arms propped on his thighs, he held a dagger pointing downward. Hearing someone come in, he glanced over, then suddenly raised his foot and kicked Lin Xinghe hard in the leg.

The chair wobbled, nearly tipping backward. Lin Xinghe’s voice was hoarse. “Brother Chong…”

Greenie stood up and looked at He Chong. “You here to pay off his debt?”

Lin Xinghe said hoarsely, “Brother Chong, my mom’s in the bedroom… she collapsed…”

Hearing this, He Chong immediately headed for the bedroom. Greenie took a step forward, blocking him. “Hold on, pal. That’s not how we do things.”

He Chong paused, smiled, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and offered one to Greenie. Greenie hesitated for a moment before taking it.

Greenie said, “Pal, looks like you know the rules. We debt collectors are just trying to put food on the table. This kid refuses to pay no matter what, so you’re making things difficult for us too.”

“How much?”

Greenie glanced at him. “You paying for him?”

He Chong chuckled. “Depends on how much. If it’s too much, I don’t have it either.”

Lin Xinghe rasped out, “Brother Chong! Don’t get involved in my mess! Just get my mom to the hospital!”

Greenie cursed, raised his foot, and kicked hard, flipping Lin Xinghe to the ground along with the chair. Greenie stepped forward, rested his foot on a chair leg, and glared down at Lin Xinghe. “Brother Yuan said as long as you give him that motorcycle of yours, your dad’s debt to him is wiped clean. Kid, don’t be so ungrateful.”

Lin Xinghe looked up, panting heavily and covered in blood, his gaze remaining firm. “No matter how many times you ask, my answer is the same: no.”

Incensed, Greenie lost all patience. Clenching the cigarette between his teeth, he viciously kicked Lin Xinghe. “Don’t you fucking push your luck!”

He Chong stepped forward to stop them. “Hey.”

Greenie turned his head.

“Does it have to be the bike? Won’t cash do?”

“Do you know how much this kid owes? Three hundred thousand! If you can cough that up, I don’t need the bike either.”

He Chong dangled a cigarette from his mouth, fished his wallet out of his pocket, and pulled out a bank card. “Can I swipe a card?”

Greenie froze for a moment.

He Chong smiled. “Pal, your crew isn’t very professional. Who carries that kind of cash around these days?”

Greenie gestured to the man beside him. “Take him to the bank to transfer the money. Let me know when it clears, and I’ll let the kid go.”

He Chong said, “That won’t work. You guys just want to collect a debt, right? Turning this into a murder case isn’t worth the trouble. Let Lin Xinghe go so he can get his mom to the hospital right away. I’ll go with you to the bank to withdraw the money.”

Greenie thought it over for a moment, then waved his hand, signaling his men to untie Lin Xinghe.

Lin Xinghe scrambled up from the floor, threw off the ropes, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and shot He Chong a reluctant look.

He Chong said nothing, merely reaching out to pat his shoulder.

Lin Xinghe opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He lowered his head and walked toward the bedroom.

Greenie watched Lin Xinghe’s back and clicked his tongue. “With an invalid mother like that, even if she makes it through this time, she won’t survive the next. Anyone burdened with her is cursed with bad luck.”

Under the dim light, Lin Xinghe’s footsteps stopped. A moment later, he spun around abruptly, charged at Greenie, and slammed a fist straight into his face!

The situation flipped in an instant. The two men guarding the door outside rushed in as well. Five against two, the room turned into complete chaos…

At four in the morning, the hospital room was dead silent. After receiving treatment, Mother Lin was out of danger and had fallen into a deep sleep. He Chong checked the time, grabbed his dusty trench coat draped over a chair, and said softly to Lin Xinghe, “Get some rest. I’m heading back.”

The twenty-something young man was still a bit shaken. After being put through the wringer all night, his reactions were sluggish. Only after a long pause did he say, “Brother Chong, I’ll walk you downstairs.”

“No need. Stay here and rest.”

Lin Xinghe insisted anyway, so He Chong let him be.

When Lin Xinghe had clashed with the debt collectors earlier, He Chong naturally couldn’t just stand by. But facing five armed men with only the two of them, and with Lin Xinghe barely counting as half a fighter, even someone with He Chong’s past martial arts training found it tough to handle. Fortunately, Lin Xinghe was quick-witted and claimed he had called the police. Not wanting any extra trouble, the gang temporarily withdrew.

Both of them had suffered only minor injuries, though He Chong took a knife wound to his right arm to protect Lin Xinghe, making his injury somewhat worse. The two of them had rushed Mother Lin to the hospital and then gotten their own wounds treated. By the time everything was sorted out, it was already this late.

He Chong was physically exhausted, yet after reaching the peak of fatigue, his mind entered a strange state of excitement. Stepping out of the hospital entrance, He Chong reached into his coat pocket, pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, flipped open the golden lid with one hand, put a cigarette between his lips, and bowed his head to light it.

Taking a deep drag, his exhaustion eased slightly. With the cigarette dangling from his lips, He Chong pulled a bank card from his wallet and handed it to Lin Xinghe.

Lin Xinghe pressed his lips tightly together, glanced at He Chong’s hand, and didn’t move.

“Take it. Now isn’t the time to act tough.”

Lin Xinghe took the card without looking at it and shoved it straight into his pocket. After a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, “Brother Chong, take that motorcycle.”

He Chong gave him a look. “That motorcycle of yours is worth quite a bit. Why were you so determined to hold onto it?”

Lin Xinghe lowered his head, shadows obscuring his face and masking his expression for a moment. “It was a birthday gift my dad bought me when I was fifteen. I didn’t actually want to forgive him, and I wanted to sell the bike several times, but for some reason…”

He Chong patted his shoulder. “I’ll keep the bike at my place for now. Once you graduate and start working, you can swap it back.”

Lin Xinghe nodded, his throat tight, barely able to squeeze out a word. “Brother Chong, thank you.”

“No need for thanks. I’ve known you for so many years, and you’re younger than my cousin. Was I supposed to just watch you hit a dead end? In the future, speak up earlier when you run into trouble. Did you really need your big brother to play the hero rescuing a damsel in distress^[2] and take a few hits for you?”

Lin Xinghe almost burst out laughing.

He Chong took his coat off his shoulder and draped it over his arm. “Go back up and rest. I still have one thing left to settle. If I don’t take care of it soon, I won’t even be able to sleep peacefully.”

“Something at the garage? Need help?”

He Chong smiled. “Private matter.”

After parting ways with He Chong on the bridge, Zhou Mo took a taxi back to the entrance of her neighborhood. Stopping outside her front door, she sent He Chong a text, then pulled out her keys to unlock the door. After trying several times without success, she took a closer look and realized she was holding the key to her upstairs bedroom. Her mind was in a haze, the scene on the bridge replaying again and again behind her eyelids.

Zhou Mo took a few deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down.

When she opened the door, both Zhou Sipei and Tang Shulan were sitting in the living room—one reading a newspaper and the other a book, each absorbed in their own world without speaking to each other. Zhou Mo greeted them, and Tang Shulan offered only a dismissive murmur in return. Zhou Mo pulled back her gaze and headed upstairs.

“Zhou Mo.” Tang Shulan’s eyes suddenly darted over to her. “Mind your step when you walk. Who taught you to be so careless?”

Zhou Mo stopped in her tracks.

Tang Shulan returned her gaze to the pages of her book. “I’ve arranged dinner with Uncle Duan’s family this Saturday. Keep your schedule open.”

“Oh.”

Zhou Mo went back to her bedroom. After taking a shower, she picked up her phone and saw He Chong’s reply: Alright. Get some rest early, good night.

Wrapping her wet long hair in a dry towel, she curled up on the bed. She typed something into the chat box, then deleted it word by word, until in the end she only sent back: Good night.

Tossing her phone aside, Zhou Mo lay on her back and stared up at the ceiling, pressing a hand against her chest. A seed seemed to be sprouting within her, throbbing violently with restless life.

So this was what people called falling in love. It was like a fierce midsummer thunderstorm, passionate and overwhelming.

When had it all begun?

Was it when he grabbed her hand and ran recklessly into the wind? Was it when he stood at the abandoned station, talking about his tumultuous childhood? Was it those moments when he unexpectedly showed up right when she needed him? Was it the subtle nobility^[3] hidden beneath his wild, unruly exterior? Was it when he strode toward her through the misty rain, carrying a bouquet of roses… or was it even earlier, that night at the Gu Family Mansion, when he arrived in the driving rain, bringing the storm with him?

At his side, she had always lived so freely and untamed. By the time she snapped out of her reverie, she realized that this feeling, this love, had long since taken deep root in her heart.

After lying in bed for a long time, Zhou Mo got up, walked over to the window, and drew back the curtains.

She stood by the window for a moment before turning her gaze to the sketchbook resting on her desk. She walked over, picked it up, and sat down on the bay window sill.

The faint light from outside illuminated He Chong’s outline on the page. Zhou Mo lightly traced her fingers over his drawn eyes, which seemed to gaze quietly back at her.

A single star shone with extraordinary brilliance in the night sky: Venus, also known as the Morning Star.

Zhou Mo could not wait for dawn. She wanted to see He Chong right this second and tell him everything.

As the night deepened, looking out through the gap in the curtains revealed that the lights near and far across the landscape had all gone out.

Zhou Mo couldn’t remember how many times she had woken up. She grabbed her phone to check the time: four-thirty, not even five o’clock yet. Dawn was slow to arrive, making the night feel endlessly long.

Tossing and turning, unable to fall back asleep, Zhou Mo got out of bed and went to the bathroom.

Just as she stepped out of the bathroom, she saw her phone screen light up on the bed.

Startled, she hurried over and picked up her phone. To her surprise, it was a WeChat message from He Chong: Send me a message when you wake up. Let’s have breakfast together. I have something to tell you.

A wave of excitement surged through her heart, and she immediately replied: Okay. Where are we eating?

Moments later, He Chong replied: You haven’t slept yet?

Zhou Rong: I’m awake. Couldn’t sleep.

He Chong: Then why not come down? Keep me company for a bit and chat.

Before Zhou Mo could finish typing, He Chong sent another message: Though you probably don’t dare come down.

She could practically picture the playful smirk on his face right now.

Zhou Mo typed out five words: Who says I don’t dare?

A moment later, Zhou Mo suddenly realized something and hurriedly asked: Where are you right now?

The prompt “Typing…” flashed on the screen before three words popped up: What do you think?

Zhou Mo’s heart thudded violently twice. Unbeknownst to her, the hands holding her phone had grown sweaty, leaving faint smudges on the screen. Taking a deep breath, she replied: Wait for me.

With no time to dress up properly, Zhou Mo stripped off her pajamas, pulled on her underwear, fished a T-shirt out of the closet, threw on a loose white sweater over it, slipped into a pair of jeans, and grabbed her phone. Adjusting her breathing, she opened her bedroom door.

The entire villa was quiet. She stood by the doorway for a moment until her eyes adjusted to the dark. Placing a palm against the wall, she crept down the stairs on tiptoe without making a sound.

Reaching the first floor, she clicked her phone screen on and paused at the front door. After changing her shoes, she listened closely for any movement upstairs, then pressed down on the doorknob, turning it millimeter by millimeter.

With a faint click, the door opened. A damp night wind rushed at her face, carrying a fresh, earthy chill.

Zhou Mo carefully steadied the door, gently pulling it shut inch by inch.

Once the door was locked, Zhou Mo looked up at the sky. The Morning Star was still shining, like a guiding beacon. Her heart pounded violently, like a sail fully billowed by the wind, primed and ready to embark on an unknown voyage.

Zhou Mo closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths, then broke into a run toward the main gate.

Her hurried footsteps echoed through the night, falling almost in sync with the beat of her heart.

As she drew closer to the gate, Zhou Mo could faintly make out a shadowy figure leaning against a tree trunk. She recognized him instantly as He Chong.

He stood casually with his head bowed, the trench coat draped over his arm fluttering loudly in the wind. A tiny spark of fire flickered between his fingers, dimming and brightening in turn.

She had the sudden illusion that she was seeing the He Chong from that night, the one who had arrived amidst the wind and rain.

Across vast rivers and seas, amid the swirling dust of the mortal world, he was merely a passerby, entirely alone.

Zhou Mo couldn’t help quickening her pace.

Reaching him, Zhou Mo stopped and caught her breath. Just as she was about to speak, she noticed the bandage wrapped around He Chong’s right arm. Stunned, she hurriedly asked, “What happened?”

“Just a flesh wound. It’s nothing.”

Zhou Mo looked up at his face and noticed a patch of gauze near the corner of his eye. “Did you get into a fight?”

He Chong looked down at her and asked with a smile, “Worried about me?”

Zhou Mo felt inexplicably annoyed. “Helping out is one thing, but why did you have to get yourself hurt too?”

He Chong stopped teasing her and said in a low voice, “Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”

Zhou Mo glanced at his arm. “You call this knowing what you’re doing?”

“If I didn’t, you’d be visiting me in the hospital right now.” He stubbed out his cigarette and glanced at her. “Walk with me.”

The two of them walked beneath the streetlights, their shadows lengthening and shortening under the lamps.

He Chong was walking fast, perhaps without even realizing it. Zhou Mo lagged half a step behind, struggling slightly to keep up. Yet for reasons she couldn’t explain, she didn’t ask him to slow down.

Their footsteps fell one after the other, one heavy, one light. Crossing the intersection, they arrived at a small plaza nearby. A few lonely streetlights stood by the river in the night as the wind swept leaves across the wooden benches.

He Chong suddenly stopped in his tracks, and Zhou Mo halted just in time to avoid bumping into him.

He Chong looked down at Zhou Mo.

The white sweater Zhou Mo wore cast a soft, hazy glow under the moonlight. Having walked the whole way, she panted softly, her breath forming small clouds of white mist in the chilly air. Looking up at him with messy hair, her eyes held a near-childlike trust in him.

He Chong felt his chest tighten, suddenly reluctant to tell her what was in his heart.

Yet even if he hesitated, even if he had arrived here battered and disheveled, even if the light surrounding Zhou Mo was so pure that any desire to claim her felt like profanation, he could no longer hold back.

He Chong chuckled softly. “I’m exhausted today. But if I didn’t see you tonight and clear this up, I definitely wouldn’t be able to sleep.”

“Clear what up?”

He Chong paused. “Zhou Mo, what do you think of me?”

Zhou Mo was taken aback, stammering slightly, “Pr-Pretty good. You’re loyal, trustworthy, generous…”

“Is that so?” He Chong stepped forward, suddenly reaching out an arm to brace himself against the riverbank guardrail.

Zhou Mo stepped back in response, leaving half her body loosely enclosed within his arm.

“Remember what I asked you last time? Did you really think I’m this good to you for no reason at all?”

Zhou Mo was blanketed in the shadow He Chong cast. As the wind blew past, every breath she drew was filled with his scent. His gaze rested on her face, not with his usual look, but with an intensely predatory one, the look of a man about to launch a hunt.

Zhou Mo’s throat tightened. She wanted to step back, but her lower back hit the guardrail; there was nowhere left to retreat.

He Chong simply stared at her, forcing her to look right back at him.

Amid the sound of the wind, she heard He Chong’s deep voice: “I like you. You can’t possibly not know that, right?”

The wind suddenly died down. All sound around them vanished, as if the world had ground to a halt.

A moment later, the missing sounds returned: the rush of speeding cars, the flowing river, the sound of ragged breathing… The wind rose again, carrying these sounds from far to near, and everything that had been frozen began to move once more.

Zhou Mo heard He Chong’s words loud and clear.

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Her heart was beating violently, as if trying to break free from her chest, leap into the night sky, and burst like fireworks of pure joy.

Zhou Mo closed her eyes and pressed her clenched fist tightly against her chest. “I…”

He Chong watched her.

“I really thought about it…” Her voice trembled, sounding almost on the verge of tears. “I… I don’t know…”

She didn’t know if this was truly what it meant to like someone.

But whenever she thought of him, a surge of reckless courage filled her heart. If this wasn’t love, then what was?

Zhou Mo looked up and met He Chong’s gaze. He gave a low chuckle. “You really don’t know?”

“I…”

He let out a breath and suddenly reached out both arms, pulling Zhou Mo firmly into his embrace.

She practically slammed into his chest, her heart suddenly churning like wild waves.

The sound of the wind drifted away again. He Chong’s broad back was like a fortress wall, blocking out the cold gusts completely.

“If you don’t like me, push me away,” his voice came from above her head, carrying a rogue-like confidence. “But I know you won’t.”

Hearing this, Zhou Mo struggled slightly, but He Chong immediately tightened his arms around her. She stopped resisting. His embrace was too warm, and she willingly surrendered all her armor.

Neither of them spoke, only their mingled breaths filling the silence. The brightening morning light slowly bled across the river from the opposite shore to theirs.

Zhou Mo heard He Chong softly ask if she was cold. She shook her head, only then realizing her fingers had been clutching the hem of his trench coat the entire time.

“Want to take a walk?” He Chong loosened his arms and looked down. Zhou Mo turned her head away and burrowed deeper into his chest.

He Chong chuckled softly and wrapped his arms around her once more.

The sky grew brighter. Through the hazy white morning fog, the silhouettes of street sweepers appeared on the opposite side of the road.

He Chong let go of Zhou Mo and took her hand in his. “Come on, let me take you for breakfast.” Her hand was partially hidden inside the loose sleeve of her white sweater, soft and warm.

After walking a couple of steps, He Chong couldn’t help turning to look at Zhou Mo. She kept her head lowered, as if too shy to meet his eyes.

He Chong felt his heart soften even further. He let out a quiet breath, a sense of accomplishment swelling from deep within.

As they crossed the street, the breakfast shops along the road were gradually opening for business. It wasn’t until they walked into one that He Chong finally released Zhou Mo’s hand.

Sitting opposite each other, they both yawned at the same time, clearly short on sleep.

Zhou Mo smiled and finally looked up at He Chong. Having stayed up all night, dark circles framed his eyes; she figured she didn’t look much better.

He Chong glanced at her and asked with a grin, “Why so shy? I’m not going to turn into a different person. How I was before is how I’ll be now. However I used to tease you, I’ll just keep teasing you.”

Zhou Mo glared at him, putting on a fierce look, but her voice was barely above a whisper: “I haven’t even said yes to you.”

He Chong picked up the white porcelain teapot and poured Zhou Mo a cup of hot tea. “Then say yes right now.”

“Is there anything in it for me?”

He Chong smiled at her. “Of course. You still owe me all that back pay, right? We can write it off. Plus my auto repair shop, my Jeep…”

Zhou Mo couldn’t help laughing. “Who cares about all that?”

“You don’t care? If you don’t care, why do you keep running over to my place every day?”

Zhou Mo had no comeback for that and simply let out a quiet “Hmph.”

“Here, let me tell you what you get for being with me.” He Chong reached across the table, took her hand, and held it tightly. Her hand was a little cool, her palm slick with a thin sheen of sweat. “If you’re with me, you can do whatever you want. I’ll always be watching over you. As long as you’re in my line of sight, you can be as ‘good’ or as ‘bad’ as you want.”

He had a smile on his face, looking a bit roguish, but every single word he spoke landed heavy and solid right in her heart.

Even her ears grew hot. She murmured softly, “Let me think about it a bit more.”

He Chong let out a soft laugh. He hadn’t slept all night and was feeling tired. A nerve in his head throbbed with a dull ache, yet his mind remained crystal clear.

He patted his pocket and asked Zhou Mo, “Mind if I have a smoke?”

“You never asked for my permission before.”

He Chong smiled. “Your status is different now, so the treatment is naturally different.”

Zhou Mo’s voice dropped so low it was barely audible: “Smoke if you want.”

He Chong put a cigarette between his lips, thought for a moment, and stood up with his lighter in hand. “I’ll smoke outside.”

In the cold morning wind, He Chong squatted down by the shop entrance and lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag. Thick fog blanketed the area, and through the vast white mist, an orange sanitation truck slowly passed by.

Resting his right hand on his knee, He Chong flicked away the ash. He heard footsteps behind him, and a moment later, Zhou Mo squatted down right beside him.

He Chong turned his head to look at her and asked with a smile, “Why come out here with me instead of sitting inside?”

Zhou Mo wrapped her arms around her knees, resting her chin on them. “I just wanted to be out here with you.”

Unable to resist, He Chong reached out and patted her head. Only her toes were touching the ground with her heels slightly lifted, so the pat made her sway. He Chong quickly tossed his cigarette away and caught her by the shoulder.

It was an awkward position, yet neither of them wanted to stand up. As she squatted there, her sweater made her skin look even paler, giving her a soft, faint glow.

He Chong suddenly recalled that rainy night at the Gu Family Mansion. She had been squatting on the ground just like this, holding a pebble as she scribbled, looking like an angry little rabbit and speaking with a sharp edge. Yet in less than half a year, she had completely walked into his life, turning into an obsession he lived in constant fear of losing.

He was unaccustomed to wearing his heart on his sleeve and rarely let his emotions show. So even though his face remained as impassive as ever, his inner turmoil refused to settle.

“Little girl, to tell you the truth,” He Chong glanced at her before looking back ahead, “today is the happiest I’ve been in five years.”

Zhou Mo froze.

His palm slid down, gripping her hand tightly.

The squeeze carried every ounce of his strength, making the bones in her fingers ache slightly.

Zhou Mo’s heart melted completely, and a swell of complex emotions welled up in her throat.

They stayed in silence, watching a red sun rise through the gaps between the tree branches at the edge of the fog.

After breakfast, He Chong walked Zhou Mo back to the gate of her residential compound.

He glanced inside at the quiet, deserted courtyard. “If you run into your parents getting up when you walk in, don’t be too honest.”

“I’ll tell them I went out for a morning run.”

He Chong smiled. “Quick learner.”

Zhou Mo stole a glance at him, then lowered her head, asking softly, “Are we going to keep it a secret from them forever?”

“What do you think?” He Chong asked gently. “Don’t rush it. Trust me.”

Zhou Mo nodded.

He Chong reached out and touched her cheek. “Go on in. Get some rest, and call me when you wake up.”

“What about you?”

“I need to find somewhere to get some sleep too.”

Zhou Mo looked at his arm, which was wrapped in narrow bandages. “Are you really okay?”

“I’m fine, really.” He Chong gave her shoulders a light squeeze. “Go on.”

Zhou Mo nodded and waved at him, silently mouthing “bye” before taking a couple of steps back, then turning around. After just a few paces, she suddenly stopped and looked back.

To her surprise, He Chong hadn’t left either. He raised his arm, waving back at her lazily against the morning light.

Zhou Mo giggled to herself and began waving both arms back, as if trying to convey through exaggerated gestures the overwhelming affection she hadn’t yet put into words.

Han Yu’s place was not far from the bar, a spacious 150-square-meter three-bedroom apartment he had bought just a year ago. Most importantly, it was close to the hospital. Hearing that He Chong and Lin Xinghe had been honorably wounded, Han Yu had set aside his usual stinginess and generously invited both of them over to recover. But once they actually arrived, Boss Han realized what a mistake he had made: the two “bandits” made themselves completely at home without a shred of restraint.

At dinnertime, the two patients, He Chong and Lin Xinghe, sat at the dining table, taking turns complaining about how terrible Han Yu’s cooking was.

Han Yu was practically fuming. “Eat it or leave it!”

He Chong chuckled. “Now, don’t be like that. Leaving it would mean wasting Boss Han’s kind intentions.”

“Old He, do you even realize whose place this is? Keep picking at the food and you can beat it back to that pigsty of yours on the outskirts!”

“My place is way more spacious than yours.”

Han Yu grabbed the vacuum cleaner, gesturing as if to sweep these two freeloaders out the door, when the intercom rang.

Ye Yinyin’s voice came through the intercom: “Open up, I brought some care packages.”

Han Yu snorted and unlocked the downstairs door. “Old He is a scourge that’ll live a thousand years^[4]. What is there to visit him for?” The previous night, Han Yu and Ye Yinyin had taken a major step forward, and they were currently in an awkward adjustment period, still getting used to their new roles. Ye Yinyin had come over to pick up things before, but coming over as his girlfriend gave it a whole new meaning. Boss Han had an image to maintain, so he immediately slipped into the bathroom to fix his hair.

Moments later, the doorbell rang.

Han Yu checked his appearance one last time before stepping out of the bathroom and opening the door. “You didn’t have to bring any care…” His voice trailed off when he spotted the person standing behind Ye Yinyin.

Ye Yinyin pushed Zhou Mo forward and called out inside, “He Chong, I brought your family member!”

Han Yu stared, stunned. “F-family member?”

He Chong set down his chopsticks and walked over with an easy air to claim his “family member.” “Boss Han, let me introduce her to you properly. This is Zhou Mo, and from now on, she’s my little girl.”

Han Yu was flabbergasted. “You two move fast.”

“Just keeping pace with Boss Han.”

He Chong and Han Yu bounced banter back and forth like a pair of double-act comedians^[5]. Zhou Mo was shy, and the teasing left her blushing slightly.

He Chong was mostly done eating and had no intention of returning to the dining table, so he said to Zhou Mo, “Come here. Let’s talk.”

Zhou Mo glanced at Han Yu, feeling that since they were guests in someone else’s home, this might be impolite.

Ye Yinyin shoved Han Yu aside. “Momo, you two go right ahead! Make yourselves at home!”

He Chong smiled and reached out a hand to Zhou Mo. “Come on.”

That single word seemed to hold magic; Zhou Mo couldn’t help stepping forward and following him.

Once inside the bedroom, He Chong pulled the door almost shut behind them.

The heater was on inside, keeping the room pleasantly warm. He Chong wore only a short-sleeved shirt, making the bandage wrapped around his arm particularly noticeable.

He Chong asked Zhou Mo, “Did you get enough rest?”

“I slept until the afternoon before waking up. Attendance was taken in my major class, and Yinyin had to answer ‘here’ for me.” Zhou Mo looked at him. “What about you?”

“Not bad. Did your parents catch you when you went home this morning?”

“No, they weren’t up yet.” Zhou Mo glanced at him. “Yinyin said we’re like Romeo and Juliet.”

“Tell me about it. Your parents are way harder to deal with than you are.”

Zhou Mo glared at him.

He Chong chuckled softly and reached out to pull her into his arms. “You’re pretty tough to deal with too. You took so much effort.”

He was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, yet warmth radiated from his body. His collar carried the clean scent of soap, and his deep voice came from above her head.

Zhou Mo didn’t say anything, only gripping the hem of his shirt tightly.

He Chong asked again, “Were you playing dumb with me last time?” He truly didn’t believe that back at the abandoned train station, when his intentions had been so blatantly obvious, she had really noticed nothing at all.

Zhou Mo whispered, “What do you think?”

“That depends on whether you want me to think you’re innocent or just stupid.”

“Can’t you ever say anything nice?”

He Chong gave a light laugh and asked her, “Can you say yes now?”

“I need to think about it.”

“Let me tell you, I’m known for being unreasonable. Whether you say yes or not, I’m taking it as a yes.”

Zhou Mo murmured, “Then why are you even asking me?”

He Chong burst out laughing.

Outside, it was already dark. Zhou Mo and Ye Yinyin had an elective class that evening and couldn’t stay long. Ye Yinyin called out from outside, and Zhou Mo called back. Before leaving, she remembered something important and hesitated, “On Saturday, I have to accompany my parents to dinner with another family.”

“Who?”

“Duan Yongzhou and his parents.”

“Who’s Duan Yongzhou?”

Zhou Mo looked at He Chong. “Don’t you remember? Last time, at Sun Qi’s birthday party, the guy who was with me…”

He Chong smiled. “The guy you went on a blind date with?”

Zhou Mo glared at him. “You remembered! So why did you make me say it?”

“I didn’t remember. It only came back to me when you mentioned it. Go ahead and eat with them. I trust you to draw the line.”

Zhou Mo wanted to tease him a little. “I might know where to draw the line, but my parents might not. If they…”

He Chong smiled. “What, are you inviting me to supervise the whole thing? That wouldn’t be appropriate, would it? I’d like to think I have at least a bit of charm. I doubt you’d be swept away by someone else over a single meal.”

Zhou Mo smiled.

“Go ahead without worrying. Besides me, you have your own life to live. This is a civilized society. If someone isn’t willing, can anyone force your heads together to make you date? Meeting more people and making more friends won’t hurt. As for this Duan Yongzhou, I’ve looked into him…”

Zhou Mo immediately caught the key point in his words. “You looked into him? When? Who did you ask?”

He Chong fell silent.

Zhou Mo smiled slyly. “I get it. Was it after you ran into me on that blind date with him?”

“Little girl, I’ve had designs on you for a long time. I have to know my enemy and know myself to emerge victorious in every battle^[6].” Seeing how straightforward He Chong was, Zhou Mo was left speechless instead.

Just then, Ye Yinyin’s voice rang out again. “Momo, time for class!”

“Coming!”

Zhou Mo put on her backpack and said to He Chong, “I’m off then. I’ll come see you again tomorrow.”

He Chong smiled. “Go on then, don’t be late.”

He Chong saw her to the door, then returned to the living room, sat down on the sofa, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag with his head down. Han Yu was just packing up to head to the bar, and seeing He Chong looking down, his interest was instantly piqued. “Lao He, what’s with the brooding act?”

He Chong didn’t bother responding to him.

Han Yu gloated, “Come on, spill. What kind of wall did you hit? Can’t afford a house? Or can’t scrape together the betrothal gifts?”

He Chong glanced at him. “Worry about yourself.”

Han Yu chuckled. “What do I have to worry about? Yinyin and I love each other, and we’re a perfect match^[7].”

He Chong lazily lifted an eyelid and said no more. He had known Han Yu for years, and they knew each other’s temperaments inside out. That was why Han Yu’s words about being “a perfect match” sounded exceptionally harsh to He Chong’s ears.

“Are you really stressing over this? Ah, don’t worry. This heiress of yours…” Han Yu observed He Chong’s expression. “…is pretty different from that Qin girl before.”

He Chong’s expression remained neutral.

Han Yu raised his wrist to check his watch. “I won’t waste time talking trash with you. I’ve got to head to the bar. Instead of spending your time wallowing in sentimentality, you’d be better off lending a hand and earning some extra cash.”

A short while after Han Yu left, Lin Xinghe emerged from the kitchen holding a food container, preparing to head to the hospital to deliver food to Mother Lin.

Once Lin Xinghe left as well, the room fell completely silent. He Chong sat there in silence, finishing his cigarette without saying another word.

After freeloading food and shelter at Han Yu’s place for a few days, He Chong’s injuries had mostly healed. Remembering that he still had a job from Sun Qi to take care of, he returned to Yannan Town to get to work.

Lin Xinghe’s mother had also been discharged from the hospital. As a senior, Lin Xinghe didn’t have many classes, so whenever he was free, he would hang around the garage studying modification plans. However, Yan Tianyu came around far less often. Over the entire week, he only showed up once on Friday morning, stayed for less than an hour, and then claimed he had things to do at school before leaving in a hurry.

Grateful to He Chong for stepping in to help during the emergency last time, Lin Xinghe worked even harder than usual. On Saturday, he worked straight through the morning without taking a single sip of water.

When He Chong returned after taking care of some errands outside, he found Lin Xinghe in the exact same spot as that morning, hunched over the filthy workbench writing and drawing, without even having changed his posture.

“Did you eat lunch?”

Lin Xinghe shook his head.

He Chong quickly walked over and snatched the pencil from his hand. “Come on, let’s go get food first.”

Lin Xinghe was a bit reluctant. “Eating out wastes time. How about we just order takeout?”

He Chong chuckled. “Working yourself to death won’t make me pay you extra.” Still, he respected Lin Xinghe’s wishes, pulling out his phone to order a few home-style dishes from a nearby restaurant.

With his train of thought interrupted by He Chong, Lin Xinghe stretched out his arms and decided to rest for a bit before continuing.

He Chong lit a cigarette, held it between his lips, and leaned against the workbench to look at the drawings Lin Xinghe had made. “Did Yan Tianyu come by today?”

Lin Xinghe shook his head. “He was here yesterday, but not today.” He cast a glance at He Chong. “Chong-ge, I’m not trying to talk bad about him behind his back, but I just feel like Yan Tianyu is too restless. He probably won’t last long here.”

“I can understand. After all, my place is small. He’s a top student like you. Why would he be content to work here under me?”

Lin Xinghe disagreed. “Chong-ge, you’re just too lazy to expand and legitimize the business. You have both the capability and the resources.”

He Chong smiled and said, “What’s there to legitimize about this line of work? Forget about me. I’ve been meaning to ask, what are your own plans? Graduate school or work?”

“Go straight to work, probably.”

He Chong was a little surprised. “You’re so sharp, so why not study a bit more and serve the country? Don’t be so shortsighted. Any problem that can be solved with money isn’t a real problem.”

Lin Xinghe kept his head down, saying nothing.

He Chong patted his shoulder. “Think it over carefully. If you run into any trouble, just talk to me.” Lin Xinghe shot him a sideways glance. “Chong-ge, can you just not bear to see people suffer?”

“It depends on the person and the situation, of course. I’m not a pushover.”

Lin Xinghe smiled.

A short while later, a young man arrived on a motorcycle with their takeout, and He Chong walked over to pick it up.

Lin Xinghe decided to clean up the workbench. As he finished counting the blueprints, he froze, then hurriedly turned his head and called out, “Chong-ge, did you move the blueprints on the workbench?”

“No. I was afraid of messing them up for you, so I haven’t touched them. Why?”

Lin Xinghe shook his head, pressed his lips together, and lowered his head to count them again. There was indeed one blueprint missing: one for the engine system.

He Chong paid the delivery driver and carried the takeout inside. “What’s wrong? Is something missing?”

“No.” Lin Xinghe shook his head, rolled up all the blueprints, and bound them with a rubber band. “Let’s eat.”

On Saturday, Zhou Mo accompanied Zhou Sipei and Tang Shulan to a banquet.

It had been a while since Zhou Mo last saw Duan Yongzhou, the previous time being at the school’s faculty office. Duan Yongzhou had always seemed to be in poor health; this time, he looked even thinner and paler than before, his face completely devoid of color.

Because Duan Yongzhou had stepped in to help her out during their last “blind date,” Zhou Mo didn’t have a bad impression of him. She also knew he had zero interest in her and was similarly playing along out of helplessness.

By contrast, the parents on both sides were extraordinarily enthusiastic. The conversation took endless twists and turns before inevitably landing back on the two young people. The two sets of parents went back and forth, one boasting that their daughter was refined, sensible, gentle, and quiet, while the other implied their son was brilliantly talented, cultured, and elegant.

Zhou Mo felt intensely awkward. She glanced over at Duan Yongzhou; there wasn’t a trace of expression on his face.

The main course was cleared, and dessert was served. Zhou Mo had no appetite at all, forcing down just two bites before setting down her spoon. Opposite her, Duan Yongzhou put down his utensils as well, unhurriedly wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin, and said softly, “Uncle Zhou, Auntie Tang, Miss Zhou and I arranged to see an art exhibition after dinner. May we take our leave first?”

Tang Shulan paused, exchanged a glance with Zhou Sipei, unable to conceal her delight, and hurriedly said, “Go right ahead. You young people have your own things to talk about, no need to stick around listening to us talk shop.”

Duan Yongzhou looked at Zhou Mo and signaled toward the door with a glance, his expression neutral.

Zhou Mo put on her coat, said goodbye to the four elders, and left the restaurant with Duan Yongzhou.

Duan Yongzhou asked, “Where are you heading? I’ll give you a ride.”

“Thank you,” Zhou Mo said quickly. “I’m going home.”

Duan Yongzhou’s car was a black Porsche, and its interior matched his personality, steeped in a rigid, dull aura.

After getting into the car, neither of them spoke, nor did they turn on the radio. Only the low hum of the engine filled the quiet space. Perhaps owing to Duan Yongzhou’s temperament, the silence didn’t feel awkward.

While waiting at a red light, Duan Yongzhou suddenly asked Zhou Mo, “The matter I mentioned to you last time, could you give it some more thought?”

Zhou Mo remained silent.

She had long forgotten when she had painted for the very first time. It felt as though, for as long as she could remember, her life had been steeped in the scent of oil paint and turpentine. She had never had the time to explore what painting meant to her, nor had she ever paused to consider whether there was any joy in the act itself.

Yet one thing was clear to her: every detail of her life had been arranged by her parents, leaving her without a single inch of breathing room. In this meticulously orchestrated life, there was only one thing she didn’t dislike, and that was painting.

Her parents were content to see her spend seven or eight hours straight in the studio. Over time, painting became her escape. Only within her paintings was her will free from being twisted; beneath every visible stroke of her brush, she could hide her tangled, lingering thoughts without fear of discovery.

This was her sole sanctuary. And she didn’t know if she could remain loyal to her brush once it turned into her career.

“Mr. Duan, to be honest, I’ve never thought about making a living by painting.”

Duan Yongzhou paused, turning his head to look at Zhou Mo. “Then what do you plan to make a living on? A marriage alliance?”

Zhou Mo froze.

Duan Yongzhou’s tone had been flat, but his gaze possessed a sharpness that seemed to see through everything.

Zhou Mo suddenly felt ashamed. Just then, she recalled something He Chong had said: I can’t take you away. I can’t take you anywhere. The only one who can do that is yourself.

In an instant, she felt as though she had touched a barrier she had never thought to examine before. Out of the dark mist, the barrier exposed its grim, jagged contours, like a monster blocking the path she had to walk.

Zhou Mo suddenly felt unable to breathe. She pressed the button to roll down the car window. Cold wind rushed in, brushing against her cheeks as she closed her eyes and quietly clenched her hands into fists.

Duan Yongzhou said nothing more. The car glided silently through the night.

Zhou Mo rested her hand on the window frame, watching the cityscape rush past outside, streetlights leaping one after another into her eyes and flashing away again.

Suddenly, the car slowed down.

Zhou Mo thought they had arrived home. Coming back to her senses, she realized Duan Yongzhou had pulled over to the side of the road. She turned to look, only to see him slumped over the steering wheel, his fist pressed tightly against his stomach.

Zhou Mo hurriedly asked, “Mr. Duan, what’s wrong?”

“My stomach is acting up.”

“Let me drive. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Duan Yongzhou said nothing for a long moment.

“Mr. Duan?”

Duan Yongzhou grunted softly. “No need for the hospital, it’s an old issue. Could you please take me to the gallery on Changchuan Road?”

Zhou Mo didn’t ask further. She got out of the car and swapped seats with Duan Yongzhou.

She hadn’t driven much since getting her license, so she drove cautiously and slowly, arriving at the gallery more than twenty minutes later.

Duan Yongzhou was curled up in the passenger seat, his brow tightly furrowed, utterly silent.

“Mr. Duan, we’re here.”

“Mm.”

Zhou Mo parked the car, walked around to the passenger side, and helped Duan Yongzhou out. Once he found his footing, he walked slowly toward the entrance. Still feeling uneasy, Zhou Mo hesitated for a moment before following him inside.

The first floor of the gallery was an exhibition hall, while the second floor was where Duan Yongzhou lived. It was a massive room decorated in a minimalist black, white, and gray palette, making it feel all the more spacious and quiet. The walls were covered in oil paintings. Stepping into the space gave the impression that the temperature had dropped by several degrees.

Zhou Mo helped Duan Yongzhou sit on the sofa, then went into the kitchen to boil some water for him. She poured the hot water into a glass and set it down near his hand.

Duan Yongzhou murmured a soft “Thank you” and reached out, but his fingers recoiled the moment they touched the glass.

Zhou Mo: …

She looked around and asked, “Do you have any medicine?”

Duan Yongzhou reached out a hand and pointed toward the cabinet by the bed.

Zhou Mo fetched the medicine and opened the refrigerator, which was neatly lined with bottles of mineral water. She took out a bottle, mixed some cold water into the hot glass, and felt the outside until it was comfortable to hold. Then she handed both the water and the medicine to him.

“Thank you.”

Planning to wait until the medicine kicked in before leaving, Zhou Mo stood up and walked over to look at the oil paintings hanging on the bare walls.

They didn’t look like the work of famous masters, nor did they seem like pieces from an emerging painter. Painted in an Impressionist style, the works focused on landscapes with bold color choices, unique, expressive, and full of life.

Admiring them quietly, Zhou Mo leaned in closer to check the signature: a cursive “ZX,” dated four years ago.

“Miss Zhou, thank you.”

Zhou Mo turned around and saw that Duan Yongzhou’s pain seemed to have subsided a little, though under the light, his face remained as pale as paper.

“Are you feeling better?”

“I’m sorry for taking up your time.”

“It’s nothing. I should be thanking you for taking me out in the first place.”

Duan Yongzhou’s expression was calm. “You can take some more time to think about signing the contract. I’m purely a businessman, and profit comes first in everything I do. I believe you are well worth investing in.”

This time, Zhou Mo didn’t refuse right away.