Chapter 5: A Collision at the Street Corner

Chapter 5: Collision at the Street Corner 5

She actually wanted to ask more, but she understood from his unwilling attitude that he wasn’t going to say anything.

Besides that, she felt conflicted.

When they were children, they were inseparable. For those two years, Fang Ye had taken care of her almost entirely—even pulling up her pants was something the young boy handled.

But what about now that they were grown?

She touched her tear-streaked nose.

Once she stepped outside, she didn’t even know how to address him.

Fang Ye? Brother? Bro? Brother Fang Ye?

Every way felt awkward.

Time had changed them both, but it seemed Fang Ye had changed more.

His gaze, once gentle and bright in childhood, was now filled with bitterness, and his demeanor had turned cold and detached to an extreme.

Moreover, Bai Li noticed that Fang Ye seemed to have pierced his ears—both his earlobes and cartilage—exuding an audacity far more rebellious than the self-styled delinquents in her class.

This strange blend of familiarity and estrangement made her wonder what he had been through all these years he hadn’t come home.

But then she quickly stopped herself.

Even if he did come home, things wouldn’t get any better.

She was Ms. Hu’s biological daughter, yet her status was no more than that of a well-trained pet dog that required no effort to manage. Fang Ye’s position was even more insignificant.

After a whole day spent on the road, Bai Li hadn’t eaten anything. Finally free from travel, a dull ache settled in her empty stomach.

Just then,

Outside the bathroom door came the steady sound of footsteps.

Fang Ye’s slightly deep voice sounded.

“Bai Li, how much longer are you going to keep me waiting?”

His tone was conciliatory, without a hint of impatience.

Bai Li wasn’t sure.

“Almost done.”

She hurriedly rinsed her face again until, without close inspection, no one would notice she had been crying. Only then did she feel at ease enough to open the door and step out.

Fang Ye stood waiting at the doorway.

The night breeze gently ruffled his hair, and the small earrings glimmered in the darkness, highlighting the profound weariness in his eyes.

Across the short ten meters, she suddenly felt as if she had returned to that summer when she was five—her brother always stood patiently at the door, waiting for her slow, lingering footsteps.

Hearing her footsteps, Fang Ye turned his head, his gaze resting on the faint redness at the corner of her eyes. Raising an eyebrow, he said, “Let’s go.”

Bai Li nodded softly and followed him into the deeper darkness of the night.

...

Lingjiang was a lively tourist hotspot, and even in the early hours, the streets bustled with activity.

Bai Li didn’t know where Fang Ye was taking her, only trailing behind him as he turned down alley after alley.

Having been seated on a bus all day, she was beginning to falter under the strain of so much walking, but she gritted her teeth and endured.

Since she was five, she had never indulged herself—this was a survival skill learned from years of depending on others.

Only when her legs went numb from exhaustion did Fang Ye finally stop in front of a small tavern.

The tavern was cozy, tastefully designed, with just a few chairs arranged in the center. The glass windows were wrapped in vibrant, climbing vines.

Through the window, Bai Li could see three young men drinking and laughing at one of the tables inside.

One had graying hair, another was tattooed, all tall and broad-shouldered. Though smiling, they exuded a strong aura that warned people off.

It was unclear who noticed them first.

Perhaps it was because Fang Ye himself drew enough attention.

The man sitting farthest out waved to them. “Brother Ye, over here.”

Fang Ye nodded lightly and efficiently opened the door, but Bai Li showed no sign of entering.

Looking down with a faint smile, he teased, “Still not coming in? Not hungry anymore?”

Bai Li was far from not hungry; she just felt a little out of place.

These people must be Fang Ye’s friends.

Though they weren’t quite like the gangsters from movies, they emitted a dangerous vibe.

If this had been before, she would never have dared to approach.

After all, if something happened, no one would protect her.

So her instinct was to avoid them.

However...

When her eyes met that familiar, profound gaze, an unfamiliar sense of safety enveloped her heart.

Her courage surged, and she stepped up onto the threshold.

“Hungry. I’m coming.”

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(End of chapter)