An Yao

Several days passed.

In a high-end apartment—

Chen Hai woke up from his bed in a daze. It was eleven in the morning—or perhaps calling it noon would have been more accurate. Even though the sun outside was already nearly high enough to scorch his backside, he still looked as if he hadn't slept enough.

He sat up, his hair as messy as a bird's nest. His double chin was covered in stubble, and his entire appearance was one of utter dejection.

“Clink.”

His foot had kicked a wine bottle beside the bed, producing a crisp sound.

He sat there blankly for quite a while before finally turning his gaze to his phone. There were no messages on it whatsoever. It was completely empty. Even after opening his social media apps, the only thing that greeted him on time was an official account's promotional post.

The latest message was still Ye Shuang's greeting from several days ago.

Chen Hai: “…”

He glanced at the profile picture labeled “Wife” and tapped into the conversation. The last message was marked by a glaring red exclamation point.

“Whew.”

Chen Hai tossed his phone aside and staggered to his feet to wash up.

After tidying himself up a little, Chen Hai returned to the bed and curled up there. He casually scrolled through short videos on his phone and ordered some takeout. In this manner, he whiled away the time from noon until evening.

The orange glow of dusk streamed through the window and fell across the bed. His body cast a shadow on the wall.

This was the twenty-eighth floor.

The apartment had excellent natural lighting, but that light only brought Chen Hai an overwhelming sense of loneliness. He stared at his shadow and reached out to touch the wall, as if he had lost all sense of direction, like a lone boat drifting aimlessly across the sea.

“Damn it, I should be happy. I'm free now, and I don't even have to go to work.” As he spoke, Chen Hai slapped his own face. “I can eat whatever I want, and nobody's here to control me. Let's go!”

He cursed and grumbled, but no one answered him in the empty apartment.

Chen Hai stood there motionless. The setting sun blurred his shadow and blurred his sense of time.

After silently taking out his phone, Chen Hai looked through his list of contacts. In the end, he still called Ye Shuang—

“Hello, Chen Hai.” The call was answered almost immediately.

“Want to grab a drink tonight?”

“Tonight? Sorry, I'm away on a business trip right now. I probably won't be able to make it back tonight… Hey, Xiaoyi, don't play with that mouse like it's a pet!” There was a noisy commotion on Ye Shuang's end. Chen Hai merely responded with an “Oh.”

Ye Shuang seemed to sense something and asked, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling any better?”

“Damn it, of course I'm happy. I’ve got money and free time, so I’m definitely going to relax properly.” Chen Hai tried to make his voice sound happier.

“I see…” Ye Shuang was silent for a while before saying, “Then take this time to relax.”

“Enough. I’m going out drinking. I’ll even call over a couple of girls tonight.”

“…Don’t let yourself go, Chen Hai.” Ye Shuang said, “Sometimes, happiness and fulfillment have more weight and last longer when they’re built upon responsibility.”

“Alright, I’m busy too. We’ll talk if something comes up.”

With that, Ye Shuang hung up.

Chen Hai looked at his phone and put it away. “Screw it. I’ll go out for a walk.”

The day passed just like that.

Chen Hai wandered aimlessly. The new shop he wanted to open had not even begun operations—in fact, he had only chosen a location. As for what he was really going to do, he didn't know himself.

“Hee-hee-hee, Daddy.”

The giggling voice of a child came from behind him. Chen Hai suddenly froze and turned around. He saw a little girl he had never met before running over and throwing herself into the arms of a man beside him.

“Did you miss Daddy?”

“I missed you so much! I was super well-behaved today.”

“Really? Then Daddy will make you something delicious.”

“Yay!”

Chen Hai silently watched the father and daughter walk away. He couldn't help thinking of Qiaoqiao. But now, his daughter wasn't by his side, and he might not even have a chance to contact her—unless he took a plane there himself.

Yet even if he did fly over, he would probably only be met with a closed door. Feng Shan's mother was even fiercer than Feng Shan herself, and Chen Hai didn't even have the courage to face her.

“Being alone is easier anyway.” Chen Hai said it as if he were trying to console himself.

He found a nearby bar and walked straight inside.

Late that night, he staggered out with a bottle of liquor in his hand. He was still alone.

“Hey, tomorrow I’ll ask some people out for drinks again.” Chen Hai talked to himself, but there was no one else beside him. Ever since he had quarreled with his family and then resigned from the company, he had not told anyone around him. He had not even contacted the friends he used to drink with.

The night wind was a little chilly. Feeling his head grow dizzy, Chen Hai walked to a bus stop and sat down on the bench.

Being alone was great.

No restraints.

No one to control him. He could do whatever he wanted, and he didn't even have to go to work. He was, after all, the son of a rich family. He should have been living this carefree life. So why did his heart feel so awful?

He should be taking two girls out for a joyride and having a great time.

Living freely and recklessly.

…

“Are… are you alright, sir?”

In his muddled state, Chen Hai felt someone calling out to him.

He opened his eyes and saw a familiar figure in front of him. Chen Hai suddenly chuckled.

“Feng Shan, heh heh. What the hell are you looking for me for?!”

“Get lost!”

“Ah…”

The girl standing in front of Chen Hai stumbled, but she quickly steadied herself.

“Sir.”

Only then did Chen Hai become a little more clearheaded. He looked around, and his gaze eventually settled on the girl before him.

She had an oval face and wore her hair in a ponytail. She was also dressed in a school uniform. Chen Hai did not recognize her, but he felt a faint sense of familiarity.

“You…”

“Who are you?”

“I-I, well… I’m someone you helped before.” The girl stammered a little, but she immediately introduced herself. “My name is An Yao.”

“I don’t remember,” Chen Hai said coldly.

“That thug…” An Yao asked tentatively. She was not entirely certain whether the man before her was the same person who had helped her that day. After all, the alley had been extremely dark.

But she had not mistaken his voice—especially that foul-mouthed manner of speaking.

“Oh, the thug? How was I? Pretty awesome, right?” Chen Hai immediately grinned.

“You… you were very impressive.”

“Hah, it was nothing. Taking care of two punks was no problem at all for this young master.” As he spoke, Chen Hai’s tone gradually settled down. He looked at the girl before him. “Alright, girl, I’m leaving.”

Chen Hai stood up, but his body swayed unsteadily.

Seeing this, An Yao quickly reached out to support him. “P-please be careful!”

“It’s fine. My nickname is ‘the man whose steps don’t sway even when he does.’” Chen Hai said this, only to bang his head against a utility pole.

“Damn, this utility pole actually hit me!”

“A-are you alright? I’ll take you home, okay?”

…