The Stream and the River

It was already 3 a.m. when they packed up. Normally, Ye Chuan and Luo Xi would have gone home by this time, but since Luo Xi’s father wasn’t around and business had been good, they stayed out later.

Making more money took priority over rest.

Ye Chuan tidied up the equipment and ingredients on the barbecue tricycle, while Luo Xi picked up the skewers and cans scattered on the ground. The bamboo skewers went straight into the trash, while the aluminum cans and plastic bottles were crushed under the soles of her gray sneakers before being stuffed into a bag. With every movement, the plastic bag swayed and jingled.

Aluminum cans fetched ten cents apiece, and plastic bottles went for one-fifty per pound. Little by little, it added up.

The tables and chairs were rented from the food street, so they only needed to be stacked and put away.

After half an hour of cleaning, Luo Xi jogged over. "Chuanchuan, business was really good today—look!"

She flashed her pearly white teeth, proudly holding up the plastic bag filled with cans and bottles.

"Business isn’t measured by cans," Ye Chuan muttered without looking up, his fingers flying over the calculator while his other hand flipped through the ledger.

"How much did we make today?" Luo Xi leaned in, bending slightly with curiosity.

"Your hair… Over three thousand." The strands of her hair tickled Ye Chuan’s skin as she bent down. He double-checked the numbers before stuffing the ledger into the tricycle’s storage box.

"That’s pretty good!"

"Only on weekends." Ye Chuan did the math—Luo Xi’s family’s barbecue stall could pull in ten to twenty thousand a month, but the grueling setup and teardown took their toll. On top of that, Luo Xi’s mother’s medical bills had left them deep in debt, so they were barely keeping their heads above water.

One serious illness dragging a family under—it was an all-too-common story.

Once everything was packed, Ye Chuan and Luo Xi climbed into the tricycle’s driver’s seat, steering the refrigerated barbecue cart away from the food street.

The city at night was quieter, but the high-rises still glowed with lights. Without a windshield, the late-night breeze cut through them, chilling to the bone.

"Ugh, the wind’s so strong—I can’t even nap." Luo Xi giggled as the wind whipped at her, eventually burying her face in Ye Chuan’s arm like an ostrich.

"Don’t fall asleep. My dad’s life is in your hands."

"Worst case, we just get reincarnated in another world," Ye Chuan smirked.

The food street wasn’t far from home, but since the tricycle couldn’t navigate the narrow alleys, Ye Chuan had to take the main road before turning into the entrance of the urban village.

The uneven path made the tricycle wobble and shake. Despite the darkness, Ye Chuan knew the route like the back of his hand and finally parked it beneath a residential building.

After backing in, he exhaled, tilting his head up. Most of the apartments had already turned off their lights, leaving only a few dim glows. Occasionally, the metallic screech of a rolling gate echoed—probably some breakfast shop opening early.

It was late.

Almost dawn.

His shoulder suddenly felt heavy. Ye Chuan glanced over to find Luo Xi asleep against him, her delicate face flushed, strands of hair sticking to her lips.

"Wake up," he said.

Luo Xi didn’t budge.

Seeing this, Ye Chuan pinched her thigh. She jolted upright—only to slam her head into his chin.

"Ouch."

"Ow."

Ye Chuan clutched his chin while Luo Xi rubbed her head, both hissing in pain.

"Mean! Why’d you pinch me?" Luo Xi whined, swatting at him.

"You were sleeping too soundly."

Puffing her cheeks, she hopped off the tricycle.

Seeing they were home, she stretched, her well-proportioned figure unmistakable even in her Yinshan High uniform. She turned to Ye Chuan. "Come up with me. My parents aren’t home."

"Why would I go up? Planning something shady?" Ye Chuan replied lazily.

"Ew, no! You’re all sweaty—you need a shower. Your place doesn’t even have a proper showerhead. Mine does. It’s late—just wash up and we can rest. It’s not like there’s no space for you."

"Nah." Ye Chuan thought about buying breakfast for Bai Qianshuang and shook his head. A money tree needed watering.

"Oh." Luo Xi nodded.

"Disappointed?"

"N-Not at all!" She turned and headed for the stairwell.

Ye Chuan chuckled, shaking his head as he prepared to leave.

But before he could turn, footsteps approached—Luo Xi had come back.

"What’s up?"

"Mm." She stayed silent for a few seconds before staring at her shoes. "The stairwell light’s broken."

Ye Chuan peered inside. Pitch black—definitely not normal.

"Scared of the dark, Miss Luo?" he teased.

"You know I am."

"Just wait till sunrise—problem solved."

Despite his words, Ye Chuan stepped past her and into the stairwell.

"Hehe." Luo Xi hurried after him with quick, light steps.

Luo Xi’s apartment was on the fifth floor. In these old residential buildings, elevators were a pipe dream—even the stairs were bare concrete, unadorned by tiles.

The walls were plastered with ads, most of them for unclogging toilets.

At the door, Luo Xi handed him the key. Ye Chuan unlocked it and flicked on the lights, immediately hit by the familiar scent of medicinal alcohol lingering in the air.

"I’m heading back."

"Not showering?" Luo Xi asked.

"Nah. By the time you’re done, it’ll be too late."

"You’ll be just as tired when you get home, won’t you?"

Ye Chuan considered it—he was exhausted. Scratching his greasy hair, he relented. "Fine, hurry up. If you take too long, I’m joining you in the shower."

"Got it~" Luo Xi dashed off to grab her clothes. Before disappearing into the bathroom, she popped her head out. "Wear my dad’s clothes. I’ll get them for you."

"Sure."

……

By the time Ye Chuan finished showering, it was nearly 5 a.m.

"Almost dawn," he muttered, checking the time. Pushing open the bedroom door, he found Luo Xi already asleep on the bed.

She lay in a spaghetti-strap nightgown, breathing softly, completely defenseless in front of him.

On the floor beside the bed, a makeshift sleeping mat was neatly laid out for him.

Ignoring his damp hair, Ye Chuan toweled it roughly before collapsing onto the mat.

He was really tired.

Soon, soft snores filled the room.

But on the bed, the girl stirred. Propping herself up on one elbow, she gazed down at Ye Chuan with tender, sparkling eyes.

"Good work today, Chuanchuan."

The night passed without another word.