Chapter 24: An Unexpected Incident

Although Yu Xiaoyu came from an ordinary background, she was incredibly loyal—a rare quality to find among girls these days. While her looks were average, she could still be considered above-average among her peers.

"Living with you must be quite expensive for her now," Chu Feng said, pulling out five thousand yuan and handing it to her.

Yu Xiaoyu was stunned. "So much money? Did you spend all the money you earned from your summer job...?"

Chu Feng smiled without answering. "Don't tell her."

Chu Feng’s current strategy was to keep Zhang Yanran on a string. He needed to completely wear down her arrogance and willfulness before he could proceed with the next phase of his plan. After exchanging a few more words with Yu Xiaoyu, Chu Feng left.

Yu Xiaoyu felt the weight of the money in her hand. When she returned home, she found Zhang Yanran wiping away tears. She hesitated over whether to tell her what had happened, but she felt that some things needed to be known.

"This money... it’s what Chu Feng earned working," Yu Xiaoyu said, placing the five thousand yuan into Zhang Yanran’s hands. "He was worried you wouldn't have enough for living expenses while staying with me."

Upon seeing the money, Zhang Yanran’s pupils constricted. "Where is he?"

"He left."

"He clearly cares about me so much, so why is he now..." Zhang Yanran’s sobbing intensified.

Yu Xiaoyu took a deep breath. "I’ve finally figured it out. He still loves you, but at the same time... you’ve hurt him too deeply."

"But I gave him a hint just now... I was already planning to say yes to him..."

...

Chu Feng drove through the streets with the window rolled down. The cool breeze on his face helped clear his mind, but for some reason, he felt a sudden sense of loneliness. Walking the empty streets, he was struck by the reality that as a man reborn, he had no one to share his innermost thoughts with.

"I might as well go get online for a while," he thought.

Because Li Xueli was still at his rental apartment and recovering from her physical condition, Chu Feng could only look but not touch. Every time he went back, it was pure agony—like a starving man wandering a desert, parched and famished, suddenly seeing a grand feast, only to realize as he approached that it was nothing but a mirage. How could that not be torture?

Chu Feng arrived at an internet cafe near the school, a place he and his roommates used to frequent all night long. Usually, they would spend their time gaming or watching movies, and when they couldn't stay awake anymore, they’d grab a pack of tissues and head to the bathroom to "refresh" themselves.

"A private room for the night, and bring me a cup of instant noodles with a sausage," Chu Feng told the girl at the counter, who sported a stereotypical "non-mainstream" look.

She was busy playing *Audition Online* and didn't even look at him as she handed over a login card. "The noodles will be there in a bit."

Chu Feng booked the private room to spend the night; the cafe had air conditioning and a computer, after all.

"Oh! Hurry up and take off your stockings!"
"No! We're out in public!"
"What are you afraid of? We’re the only ones in this private room."

Sounds of a couple drifted from the next room, quickly followed by heavy, frantic breathing. Though he had mentally prepared himself, the suggestive noises were still hard to ignore. He quickly put on his headphones.

After playing *Counter-Strike* for a while, Chu Feng lit a cigarette, intending to watch a movie to liven his spirits.

"Your noodles!" The girl from the counter pushed the door open and set them down. But when she caught a glimpse of what was playing on his screen, her face turned bright red.

"Got any tissues?" Chu Feng teased, noticing her hand had slipped and spilled some broth.

"Don't get the computer dirty! Or... or I'll fine you." She tossed a pack of tissues at him, clearly misunderstanding his intent.

But something occurred to Chu Feng. He smiled and said, "That anniversary outfit in *Audition Online*—I get the impression you really want it?"

Mentioning the game perked the girl up, but she sighed a moment later. "It’s a lucky draw. It would cost at least half a month's salary!"

"I'll get it for you," Chu Feng said. The girl grew guarded. "But I have a condition," he added, his tone playful.

She hesitated. Sensing this, Chu Feng went on the offensive: "I bet nobody in your gaming clan has that outfit yet, right?"

Suddenly, as if she had made up her mind, the girl clenched her fists. "Fine. Let’s go to my place!"

On the way out, Chu Feng learned her name was Xiaomei. She had dropped out of high school to work in Jiangcheng, but because of her gaming addiction, she struggled to find steady work. She’d eventually settled for the night shift at the internet cafe—low pay, but free internet. She lived in a garage in an old residential complex; it was cramped, but enough for one person.

*Rustle...*

Xiaomei pulled the curtains shut and looked at Chu Feng with her heavy, smoky-eyed makeup. "Hurry up. I don't know when my boyfriend might come back."

"The hell?" Chu Feng’s eyes widened.

It was 2:00 AM. The television was replaying the news. It was the agricultural channel, showing cows plowing a field. Xiaomei lay on the bed, her bangs stuck to her forehead, tears still damp near her eyes. She was exhausted and couldn't even get out of bed.

Chu Feng placed the money for the game outfit on the nightstand and began to get dressed. "When is he coming back?"

Xiaomei sat up weakly. "He probably won't come tonight."

"Oh? Why not?" Chu Feng pulled out his cigarette case and tossed her one.

Xiaomei lit it with practiced ease. "His wife won't let him."

Chu Feng thought, *What the hell?* So she was the "other woman." His guilt dissipated significantly. "He makes you live in a garage? Why are you with him?"

"He said... he’d get a divorce," Xiaomei replied, her expression sorrowful. "And marry me after."

Chu Feng chuckled. "Listen to me: think more of yourself. Don't pin all your hopes on a relationship. The shelf life of love is far too short."

"I left my hometown for him. I believe he wouldn't lie to me," she said, snuggling into his arms.

"What, not sleepy yet?" Chu Feng looked at the nineteen-year-old girl.

"I’m okay. It’s just... I think you’re more capable than him, and more considerate."

It was a double entendre. The room fell silent. Xiaomei broke the tension: "I see you’re wearing cheap clothes too. It’s not easy to make money, is it?"

She stuffed the money back into the pocket of his jeans and even added a hundred-yuan bill of her own. "It’s hard out there. Save where you can."

"Heh!" Chu Feng grinned at her and said nothing more.

Just then, his phone lit up. It was a call from Li Xueli.