Volume One, Chapter 10: The Little Inn

Fu Xiaoya’s movements faltered.

Brother Zhuang immediately stepped forward to grab her wrist, snatching the beer bottle away with a lecherous smirk. "Xiaoya, why are you so fired up? Are you on your period?"

"Get lost!"

Fu Xiaoya pushed Brother Zhuang so hard he stumbled. She then sat down beside me, her beautiful, large eyes fixed on mine as she asked coldly, "What do you want?"

My brain nearly short-circuited. I rubbed my face vigorously, finally remembering, and explained nervously, "Yu Qingman has a special relationship with Qin Shaohu. You hit her, and now he’s threatening to get back at you."

"And?" Fu Xiaoya asked, sounding impatient.

"That’s it."

"That’s all?"

"Sister, you have to be careful!" I mustered the courage to finally say what I was truly worried about.

*Damn it...*

Fu Xiaoya glanced at me sideways, her lips forming a curse—I couldn't tell if she was calling me pathetic or Qin Shaohu a jerk. "As if I’m afraid of that piece of trash," she said, tilting her slender neck.

"His father is the chief of the local police station," I couldn't help but remind her.

*Ha!*

Fu Xiaoya let out a cold laugh. "That doesn't mean a damn thing! Brother Long has connections even at the Municipal Public Security Bureau. If he dares to touch me, he’ll definitely regret it."

"Xiaoya, Brother Long is a big banner to hide behind, but it might not hold up," Brother Zhuang interjected.

"Shut up, it’s none of your business."

Fu Xiaoya rolled her eyes at him before shouting at me, "Are you done? Get your butt home and study. Don't you know the college entrance exam is right around the corner?"

"I... I want to stay here!" I stammered. I hadn't originally intended to stay, but Brother Zhuang had taken my money, and I felt both pained and unwilling to leave.

"You’re almost a college student; can't you act like a decent human being for once?" Fu Xiaoya scanned me with disgust, stood up, and walked out.

"Zhou Yan, compared to your sister, you really are a useless piece of trash." Brother Zhuang began mocking me again, opening a bottle of beer and sliding it over. "If you're a man, drink this all at once. Otherwise, slap yourself in the face."

"I'm not trash," I muttered under my breath.

"Damn, what did you say?" Brother Zhuang leaned in, pressing his ear close.

*I am not trash!* I didn't want to be mocked forever, living as humbly as a dog!

Driven by the frustration deep within, I grabbed the beer bottle with both hands and gulped it down. I drank too fast and was seized by a fit of violent coughing, tears streaming down my face.

Brother Zhuang clapped and laughed, opening another bottle for me. He then picked up the microphone, squinted his eyes, made a delicate hand gesture, and began to sing, swaying his neck.

"It doesn't matter, who will fall for whom..."

It was truly awful—pure noise.

***

I gulped down another bottle of beer, my head beginning to spin, and leaned back against the sofa, feeling utterly exhausted.

I was happy to have finally seen Fu Xiaoya and to have had the courage to tell her to watch out for Qin Shaohu. At the same time, I was incredibly sad, lamenting my inability to break free from my broken family, living each day like a year. I missed my mother and my little sister; I missed the beautiful times we once had.

I also missed Fu Xiaoya, even though she had only just left.

Two more thugs entered the private room. I struggled to keep my eyelids open, but I couldn't make out their faces. They recognized me and shouted that they wanted to beat me up. I grinned—I didn't care. Let them hit me! Perhaps physical pain could dull the suffering inside, or help me see the truth of this world.

Brother Zhuang stopped them. "Don't hit him; Xiaoya won't be happy."

They didn't have good intentions, though, and continued to force-feed me alcohol. I didn't refuse any of it. I couldn't remember how much I drank, but I began to cry and laugh uncontrollably, venting all the repressed emotions in my heart. Eventually, I passed out completely.

In my stupor, I seemed to hear Fu Xiaoya’s voice, sharp and high-pitched, scolding the three thugs.

The chaotic dream was long.

When I finally woke up from the hangover, I saw sunlight filtering through a crack in the curtains. It wasn't my room; with its old, heavy curtains and gray, peeling walls, it looked like a small inn.

Suddenly, a familiar, pleasant fragrance drifted toward me. I turned my head and was stunned on the spot.

It was Fu Xiaoya.

She was lying right beside me, fully clothed, sleeping soundly.

*Oh my god!* I was actually in the same bed as Fu Xiaoya. I hurriedly checked myself—my clothes were still on, and my racing heart calmed down just a little. Thank goodness, we were just staying together, and nothing had happened.

I steadied my breathing and looked at her. For the first time, I admired her in such detail, and without reservation. She was breathtakingly beautiful, the kind of beauty that left a deep impression. Her red lips were slightly curled as if she were smiling; she must have been having a pleasant dream.

I envied and admired Fu Xiaoya. She was a powerhouse in life—independent, free, daring to break away from the constraints of family, and daring to challenge every rule. Meanwhile, I was timid and lived cautiously, truly like a coward.

Suddenly, Fu Xiaoya opened her large eyes. They were bright, clear, and sparkling.

Our eyes met, and we both instinctively looked away.

"What are you looking at? I'll dig your eyes out!" Fu Xiaoya threatened with dissatisfaction. She sat up, leaned against the headboard, and lit a lady's cigarette.

"Sister, I'm sorry!" I apologized timidly, feeling guilty.

"All you ever do is apologize, you spineless wretch. You drank so much, weren't you afraid of dying? You made me have to stay here and watch over you," Fu Xiaoya complained incessantly.

"Thank you!" I replied incoherently, which actually made her laugh. She reached out and tapped my head. "Sometimes, you're actually kind of cutely stupid."

Was she praising me? My heart surged with excitement. The word "cute" felt like a ray of sunlight, illuminating the gloom at the bottom of my heart.

I raised a hand and said solemnly and loudly, "Sister, I swear, I really wasn't the one who snitched about that incident. May I die if I'm lying."

"I knew that a long time ago. It wasn't you." Fu Xiaoya exhaled smoke, her expression calm. "When my mom told me it was you back then, I hated you for so long, thinking every day about how to kill you."

*Xu Li!* How could she have dumped that dirt on me? The thought of having to continue living with Xu Li sent a chill down my spine.

"Sister, let's go home," I said sincerely. Compared to Xu Li, she actually made me feel more at ease.

"Go back to hell!" Fu Xiaoya cursed. "I hate your father, and I don't like my mother either. They’re a pair of shameless dogs; sooner or later, they’ll pay the price."

I fell silent. I didn't understand it either. Xu Li would cry her eyes out and kowtow in apology to Fu Xiaoya, and my father often slipped her money, yet she held such deep resentment toward them, without a shred of affection.

"Bookworm, you don't understand anything." Fu Xiaoya rolled her eyes at me and extinguished her cigarette. "You’ve had your fun, now get back to school."

"I will definitely get into college." My expression was exceptionally solemn. I got out of bed, went to the narrow bathroom to wash my face, and pulled myself together.

Fu Xiaoya lay back down, covered herself with the quilt, and waved her hand impatiently, shooing me out.

Working in a place like a KTV, it was normal for night and day to be turned upside down. I truly wished she could find another job where she didn't have to sell drinks with a forced smile, letting those men with wandering hands take advantage of her.

Walking out of the small inn, the sun was bright, and the breeze was gentle. Everything felt so beautiful. I still had a few dozen yuan in my pocket, so I hailed a taxi and went straight to school.

I was already late, but right at the school gate, I saw Qin Shaohu and his brothers. They were all looking at me with malicious intent, mocking smiles hanging on their lips.

I wanted to run!

But I walked past them in silence, keeping my head down and pretending not to see them. Naturally, Qin Shaohu wouldn't let me off. He stepped directly in front of me and grabbed me by the collar.