Volume One, Chapter 16: The Fertilizer Plant

Page 1 of 3

She wore a striking red leather jacket and matching leather skirt. Pale pink fishnet stockings and black pointed stilettos made the outfit even more outrageous, accentuating her curvaceous figure and giving her a fiery, alluring appearance.

Her makeup was so exquisite that not a single flaw could be found.

Her permed and dyed hair was swept into a high bun at the back of her head. Paired with black-rimmed glasses, it gave her a distinctive, intellectual beauty.

I was certain that if she walked down the street dressed like that, countless people would turn to look at her.

Seeing me eating instant noodles, Xu Li said calmly, “Xiaoyan, I’ve been very busy lately and often eat out. You’re grown up now, so learn to take care of yourself.”

“All right.”

I lowered my head and continued eating. It was obvious that after our last confrontation, she had become even colder toward me.

Xu Li must have regretted it, hadn’t she?

If she hadn’t drugged me and had instead supported me wholeheartedly through the college entrance examination, I would have left this house sooner. That would have spared her the annoyance of seeing me every day.

“I discussed it with your father. In a couple of days, we’ll find you a temporary summer job.”

So she wanted me to work. This was probably just another way to drive me out.

I remained silent and did not answer.

A trace of displeasure flashed across Xu Li’s face, but she quickly adopted a grave, earnest tone.

“Xiaoyan, you’re not a child anymore. You need to gradually learn how to live independently. Besides, your father is impossible to persuade. He won’t give you any more money from now on, so you’ll have to earn it yourself.”

“Got it!”

I tossed the container of instant noodles into the trash can, then turned and went upstairs.

I didn’t want to work. I had no useful skills.

The only option would be manual labor, but I felt that would ruin me too, leaving me with little hope of ever getting ahead.

Without money, one could scarcely take a step.

I had no idea how I was supposed to make any.

At that moment, I admired Fu Xiaoya even more. She had dared to work at a karaoke club, proudly supporting herself outside the family.

As for me, all I could do was lie on my bed and let my thoughts run wild, utterly lost about the future.

The doorbell rang downstairs.

I assumed Fu Xiaoya had returned. Delighted, I got out of bed and opened the door a crack.

But I was disappointed.

From the voice, it sounded like a middle-aged woman. After entering, she chatted warmly with Xu Li, and the two of them frequently burst into laughter.

I heard Xu Li call her Zheng Juan. They were not only close friends but former classmates as well.

In my memory, Xu Li had never invited outsiders into the house.

Tonight was the first time in all these years.

But I didn’t care. This house did not belong to me anyway.

Page 1 of 3

What did make me extremely unhappy was that Zheng Juan actually stayed the night—and slept in Fu Xiaoya’s room.

I felt an overwhelming urge to smash open the door and drive Zheng Juan out.

That woman had violated the room’s sanctity and filled it with an unpleasant presence.

Then something entirely unexpected happened.

In the middle of the night, I went to the bathroom. When I pulled open the door, I was startled.

A disheveled woman was sitting on the toilet, staring at me in astonishment.

It was Zheng Juan. She had a rather plump figure that had begun to lose its shape, but she was still quite beautiful.

Not only had she failed to close the bathroom door, she had not even turned on the light.

I stood there stunned for two seconds, then hurriedly apologized and shut the door.

I ran back to my room, my heart pounding wildly.

It had only been an accident, but I couldn’t help worrying that Xu Li would make an issue of it, claiming I had done it deliberately and was some disgusting little voyeur.

Ten minutes later, someone knocked on my door.

“Xiaoyan, you can go now!”

It was Zheng Juan’s voice. A moment later, I heard the door to Fu Xiaoya’s room close.

I waited for a while before going to the bathroom.

A black stocking lay casually on top of the washing machine. It was a very revealing, open-crotch style. It certainly did not belong to Xu Li, which meant Zheng Juan had brought it with her.

Zheng Juan was no innocent woman either. Birds of a feather truly did flock together.

Early the next morning, Xu Li and Zheng Juan left the house together.

A little after nine, I left as well, deliberately wearing a suit. I didn’t know how to tie a tie, so I simply went without one.

I also dug out my father’s sunglasses and put them on, hoping to add a touch of gangster swagger.

Today was a major day for me. I was going out to make my way in the world with Han Feng.

I saw Han Feng again in front of the park.

He was dressed just as he had been the day before, leaning on two crutches with a cigarette between his lips, radiating a thoroughly disreputable air.

He looked me up and down, then grinned, apparently satisfied.

“Once we get there, don’t lay a hand on anyone unless I tell you to,” Han Feng instructed seriously.

I nodded vigorously, feeling that he thought too highly of me.

Why would I ever fight anyone? I had never escaped the fate of being beaten, and was always left covered in bruises.

We hailed a taxi to a fertilizer plant in the suburbs. It was a long way, and the fare came to more than thirty. Naturally, I paid.

The security guard stopped us and refused to let us enter.

“Don’t block us, damn it. I’m here to see your plant manager, Wu Rui. We’re practically brothers. We haven’t seen each other in ages, so I’m here to catch up.”

Han Feng thrust out his chest arrogantly, holding the cigarette between his teeth and tilting his face upward. He looked every inch the street tough.

Page 2 of 3

The guard was completely unmoved by Han Feng’s act. He contacted the plant manager through the internal phone.

Only after receiving permission did he allow us inside.

The factory grounds were enormous, with all kinds of buildings rising throughout the compound.

Han Feng and I searched for quite some time. Then I helped him climb five flights of stairs, supporting him all the way, until we finally reached the plant manager’s office. By then, sweat had broken out across my forehead.

Han Feng knocked on the door with his crutch. A voice from inside called for us to enter.

I helped him push open the door, but the scene inside sent a chill down my spine and made me want to turn around and run.

Behind a broad desk sat a middle-aged man with a bald crown.

From his bearing, he was clearly the plant manager, Wu Rui. Yet his eyes were full of fury as he stared at us, two streams of smoke bursting from his nostrils.

Three uniformed factory guards stood behind him, arms folded and expressions hostile.

Though I had no experience in the ways of society, even I could see that this was not how one received a friend after many years apart.

It looked far more like he was waiting for an enemy to walk through the door.

It seemed another beating was unavoidable.

Han Feng, however, remained completely unconcerned. He calmly leaned on his crutches and entered the room.

After hesitating, I followed him in. Fortunately, the sunglasses concealed the panic in my eyes.

“Old Wu, I’m back—and I’ve brought a brother with me.”

Han Feng pointed at me, showing off the new crew he had assembled as he returned to his old life on the streets.

“Han Feng, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time. I’ve thought of you day and night. Since you’ve come, I’ll be sure to give you a warm welcome.”

Wu Rui let out a cold laugh. Then he suddenly slammed his hand on the desk and waved to the men behind him.

“Beat them! Beat them hard. I’ll raise all your wages tomorrow.”

The three guards immediately charged over.

One of them shoved Han Feng violently. He fell backward onto the floor, and his crutches went skidding away.

A guard snatched off my sunglasses and threw them to the ground, then crushed them beneath his foot.

Immediately afterward, several vicious slaps landed across my face. My nose grew hot, and blood began trickling from the corner of my mouth.

“Brother, don’t fight back!”

Han Feng shouted at me as though I were some formidable fighter.

In truth, I had already been beaten into helplessness. All I could do was desperately raise my arms to shield my head.

I regretted coming with Han Feng more than anything. I should never have stepped into this mess. Once again, misfortune had found me, and I had taken a savage beating for nothing.

Page 3 of 3