Volume One, Chapter 14: Pain Amidst the Storm

It was Yu Qingman, dressed beautifully, like a star from a television show. She studied me with a dull, indifferent gaze and asked in surprise, “Zhou Yan, what’s wrong? How did the exam go?”

“I didn’t take the exam today,” I replied, gently shaking my head.

“Why not?” Yu Qingman’s eyes widened in shock, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction. “Zhou Yan, you promised me we’d get into Pingchuan University together. How can you break your word?”

It was because of this girl before me that I had fallen out with Qin Shaohu. She should have told me clearly about the special relationship she shared with Qin Shaohu—I might have been more cautious if I had known. Now, I couldn’t get into university.

Yet, her clear eyes looked so innocent. I took a deep breath and held back my blame.

“I was kidnapped and taken far away. By the time I returned, it was too late. I’m sorry. You’ll have to go to university on your own.”

“How could this happen? Who did it?” Yu Qingman stared into my eyes, trying to see if I was lying.

“Go ask the son of Director Qin. Maybe he knows.” I gave a bitter smile and brushed past her without looking back.

Yu Qingman stood frozen in place, then I heard her furious shout.

“Qin Shaohu, you’re so cruel! I’m not done with you!”

My promise to Yu Qingman was shattered. Our brief romance was over.

Carrying a profound loneliness, I pushed open the door with all my strength.

My father was home, sitting on the sofa, one hand casually resting on Xu Li’s shoulder.

“How was your exam, Xiaoyan?” he asked cheerfully, not noticing my unusual state.

“I didn’t take the exam today. I can’t go to university,” I said with a bitter smile, shrugging as I stood still, awaiting the storm to come.

My father jumped up in shock, eyes wide with disbelief.

Xu Li’s eyes flickered with a trace of delight, quickly masked by feigned surprise.

Smack!

My father slapped me hard across the face, spinning me around on the spot.

His eyes reddened as he demanded, “You little bastard, why didn’t you take the exam?”

“I was in a bad mood. Didn’t want to,” I answered, not telling the truth—there was no use. My father was just a businessman with a few shady friends; how could he possibly stand up to Police Chief Qin? Besides, I couldn’t even recall the faces of those three men accurately, and their license plates were probably fake.

Suspecting Qin Shaohu was pointless. Without evidence, he could deny everything and frame me instead.

My passive attitude unleashed my father’s rage. He cursed and beat me relentlessly, until blood poured from my mouth and nose, dripping onto the floor, yet he refused to stop.

Xu Li clung to his waist, pretending to pull him away but without any real effort.

Finally, I collapsed to the ground, spitting blood and foam.

My father kicked me a few more times before Xu Li pushed him into the bedroom, where he continued to curse furiously.

Xu Li brought over some wet wipes, crouching gently to clean the blood stains from my face, a faint smirk of schadenfreude at the corner of her lips.

I looked at her coldly, saying nothing.

At that moment, the proximity of stockings and lace could not tempt me.

Even if I were to die immediately, I wouldn’t care.

...

Eventually, I stood up with great effort, gripping the handrail as I climbed the stairs.

Without eating, drinking, or moving much, I lay in bed for three full days, both body and soul aching, silently bidding farewell to the past.

Xu Li came in a few times, shaking her head with a sigh.

She seemed to pity me, or perhaps regret that I was still alive.

My father came in only once, coldly ordering me to prepare for a retake next year as punishment, cutting off my allowance from now on.

I merely nodded passively.

The series of family upheavals, the endless torment and struggle, had drained my will to continue studying.

The sunset streamed in, bringing a hint of warmth.

I felt as if awakening from a deep dream, finally rising from the bed.

I washed my face, changed clothes, and even shaved off my stubble while looking in the mirror.

Stepping outside, the evening breeze was cool, and passersby hurried home along the street.

No longer needing to study, I felt a lightness.

Yet my heart was filled with confusion about the future, uncertain where to turn.

I wandered aimlessly along the street, unknowingly arriving at a nearby small park.

There was a Bell Lake in the park, where every few years someone drowned by accident.

I hung my head, lost in gloomy thoughts.

“He said, what’s a little pain in the storm? Wipe your tears, don’t be afraid, at least we still have dreams...”

A hoarse voice sang, accompanied by the strumming of a guitar.

I recognized the old song and had often heard classmates sing it loudly before, growing tired of it.

But hearing it now felt different.

Indeed, even in the storm, one should not lose dreams, but be as strong as a sailor.

Following the song, I finally saw a man.

In his early thirties, with a gaunt dark face but broad shoulders.

His long hair was tied into a braid, wearing a striking checkered shirt, seated on a large rock near the park entrance.

He held an acoustic guitar, playing and singing with abandon.

I noticed a pair of crutches standing beside him and saw that his left pant leg was rolled up, revealing a limp below the knee.

In front of him lay a metal basin with a few scattered coins.

I sensed his life was not easy, so I took ten yuan from my pocket and quietly dropped it into the basin.

His eyes lit up, and he played with more passion.

I sat not far from him, listening to the song, and suddenly waves of sadness welled up, tears moistening my eyes.

I hugged my knees and buried my head as I sobbed.

When the song ended, the man turned and grinned.

“Little brother, how about I play you something more cheerful?”

I shook my head gently and sighed, “Life feels like an inescapable fishing net, a thicket you can’t walk out of.”

“Hey, sounds like you’ve got some wisdom,” he praised, extending his hand.

“Let’s get acquainted. I’m Han Feng.”

“Zhou Yan.”

I leaned forward and shook his hand, feeling its surprising strength.

“You’re about my age, a college student, right?” Han Feng surveyed me.

“Just graduated high school. Unemployed drifter,” I replied with a bitter smile, gazing blankly at the distant horizon.

Han Feng lit a cigarette and comforted me, “College isn’t the only path. If you understand society, you can still shine brightly, stand tall and proud.”

“I don’t know much about society. I’ve only been to a KTV once,” I answered honestly, drawing a hearty laugh from Han Feng.

“When you get the chance, I’ll take you. Karaoke bars, dance halls, pubs, nightclubs—you’ll know them all inside out and have a blast.”

I glanced at the metal basin in front of him, wondering what gave him such confidence.

Han Feng misread my look and generously said, “Brother, you’ve spent big money. Pick a song!”

“Fallen Angel.”

I requested a song.

My thoughts drifted to Fu Xiaoya, who was like a fallen angel, radiating light no matter where she was.

“I like that song too,” Han Feng said, plucking the strings and nodding his head as he began.

At that moment, two motorcycles sped by and suddenly screeched to a halt ahead.

Four young men dismounted and approached me and Han Feng.

My eyes immediately reddened—it was Qin Shaohu and his three henchmen.

Among them was my classmate, Monkey.

“Ha, isn’t this the great talent Zhou Yan? You’re finished!” Qin Shaohu laughed loudly, continuing to mock, “A loser like you deserves to hang out only with a lame beggar. You’ll never even touch a woman in your whole life!”