Chapter 23: No One Was Spared

Chapter 23: No One Was Spared

Fang Ye still did not finish that bowl of seafood porridge.

While he was eating, Bai Li sketched a portrait of him. Her hand moved with practiced ease; having drawn for so many years, she finished in no time. She tucked the drawing away in her room. Lingjiang was a good place; at last, there was a room that could harbor her secrets.

That night, Bai Li lay on her side, her mind filled with thoughts of Fang Ye.

The school she attended was a private high school arranged by her stepfather. It seemed all of his children were expected to go there, and she benefited from her status as his stepdaughter. The school employed professional psychologists who conducted weekly assessments on the students. Her results were always consistent: a world-weary personality. Sensitivity, self-isolation, negativity, and self-abandonment were the hallmarks of this persona. She had never set goals for herself, nor did she look forward to the future, but today, for some reason, she felt a strange shift.

She sat up, took a sip of the warm water beside her, and pondered.

For the first time, she felt a faint, underlying desire to grow up quickly, to study hard, and to become someone formidable. Why was she feeling this way? She didn’t know. Perhaps she simply couldn't stand it anymore? Heaven didn't want to save Fang Ye, and the world didn't want to save Fang Ye. But she wanted to!

As soon as this thought surfaced, Bai Li was startled. The cup slipped from her hand and shattered on the floor, scattering shards everywhere. She hurriedly bent down to pick them up, and a sharp piece of glass sliced her finger. Blood welled up instantly from the tip. Bai Li stared at the crimson liquid. Deep within her, it felt as if a seed had been stained by that blood, beginning to grow wildly.

After cleaning up the glass, she took out her phone and typed a few lines into her notes:
—Make money.
—Study.
—Get into a good university.

She lay back down, closed her eyes, and couldn't help but wonder if, once these goals were achieved, she would finally have the confidence to take control of her own life.

...

The end of July arrived quickly.

Beyond her daily drawing, Bai Li now frequented the library in the new district of Lingjiang City; her life was proceeding in an orderly fashion. Since that day, she had become particularly protective of her time, determined to exhaust every ounce of her strength to move toward her goals.

She also began to see less of Fang Ye. Even though they lived under the same roof, he left early and returned late, and in the last few days, he hadn't come home at all. The messages he sent were brief, telling her he was busy and reminding her to lock the doors. Chengzi and Xiaobai would take turns checking on the house—partly to intimidate the troublemakers in the old district, and partly to see if she needed any help.

Bai Li’s days were busy and fulfilling, and even Ms. Hu, after that final phone call, never reached out again. Her stepbrother had sent a few messages, but she had set him to "Do Not Disturb" and didn't even bother to glance at them.

July 28th.

Bai Li stood at the intersection waiting for the bus as usual. A girl who often accompanied her to the library was with her; they had gradually become "study buddies." Through their conversations, Bai Li learned the girl’s name was Chen Miao. Because she stayed up late studying, a line of acne had broken out on her forehead, which she could only hide with thick bangs, though several more had popped up on her face.

A gentle breeze brushed through the dark green Indian rosewood trees. Chen Miao was riding the bus with Bai Li again. Being the same age and heading in the same direction, they were at ease, discussing which books they planned to read that day.

Sitting in front of them was a young woman with thick, glossy black curls. She was checking her reflection in a mirror, seemingly dissatisfied with her makeup, and muttered to herself, "Why are there so many pimples?"

Chen Miao was very sensitive about the word "pimples." Hearing this, she lowered her head slightly and whispered to Bai Li, "I should wear a mask next time."

Bai Li, sensitive to others' feelings, understood what she meant. She quickly patted her hand and said softly, "There's no need. Covering them up will only make it worse. It’s just puberty; it will get better with time. You’re very cute and very pretty."

After being complimented, a shy smile finally appeared on Chen Miao's face.

Once they entered the library, they each chose a book and sat quietly in a corner. The library was located by the shores of Lingshui Lake, with floor-to-ceiling windows that captured the beautiful scenery, offering visitors a place to rest and admire the view.

Once Bai Li started reading, she couldn't stop. If Fang Ye was a naturally gifted genius, she was undoubtedly a master of sheer, relentless effort. She didn't love reading, but she knew that when one felt powerless, reading was the best way to accumulate strength.

...

By three o'clock in the afternoon, the sky suddenly opened up, and it rained until six in the evening.

In this wind-swept city, Fang Ye was invited to a high-end tea house nearby as a guest. There weren't many wealthy local bosses who could afford bodyguards that year, but the people of Lingjiang were savvy in business, and this boss was generous—he had brought over a dozen bodyguards, making the scene look more extravagant than that of a movie star.

Fang Ye sat across from a middle-aged man. The man smiled at him and said, "Xiao Ye, I heard you're short on cash lately? Any interest in working for me?"

Fang Ye raised his eyes. His gaze remained indifferent, but there was a flicker of ambition that was hard to detect. "Doing what?"

The boss loved this ruthless edge in him. He chuckled and said, "I have a big project lately, but unfortunately, my men are a bunch of cowards. They’ve been terrified ever since a few people died on the job years ago. They’re timid when it comes to guarding the site, and my construction progress is falling apart every day. If this continues, my losses will be massive."

Fang Ye asked, "You want me to guard the site?"

"Exactly." The boss’s smile widened. "I knew you were a smart man. I’ve inquired—your grandmother is in poor health, and you need to pay for college. I have two months left on this project. As long as you’re willing to work for me, I guarantee you won't have to worry about anything for the next few years. Your group of brothers can also get a steady meal."

In any era, there is no shortage of people at the end of their rope. This boss was the same foreman who had appreciated him years ago, known as "Red-Head." Of course, he didn't appreciate Fang Ye’s youth or talent; when a person is nothing, youth and talent are worth nothing. What he appreciated was that Fang Ye was tough and fearless. At the very least, back when he worked at the site, the boy had practically risked his life just to survive.

People who aren't afraid of death and still have a brain are rare at any time.

Fang Ye’s gaze fell on the group of bodyguards, and he spoke calmly, "What if I refuse?"

He wasn't afraid of death—he never had been. But he didn't want to throw his life away. There was a grandmother at home waiting for him. And... there was Bai Li. That child was pitiful; if he died, who would be there to look after her the next time she hit a dead end?

Red-Head guessed his thoughts, a hint of disappointment and contempt crossing his brow. How much could those lousy jobs pay anyway? However, he didn't force the issue. He put on a hypocritical smile and said, "Fine, then you can go."

Fang Ye stood up without hesitation, but he was immediately surrounded by the bodyguards, their fists swinging toward him.