Lu Liang could tell that Bai Wanqing wasn’t in a good mood, as if she’d been bullied at school.
But he didn’t try to comfort her; Commander Lu never liked doing anything overly delicate or sentimental.
That sort of thing would only turn an otherwise pleasant conversation into a painfully awkward and twisted mess.
Most of the time, the person themselves might not even want to share their troubles, and whether you should get involved really depended on how close you were.
Otherwise, a self-important “caring guy” just ended up looking like a complete fool.
Of course, if Bai Hanhang came to Lu Liang on her own to pour out her heart, that would be different.
Lending a shoulder to a beautiful girl for her to cry on, Lu Liang would be more than happy to oblige.
But clearly, Bai Wanqing wasn’t that kind of person. She was far stronger than she appeared, especially in front of others.
Even now, although Lu Liang and Bai Wanqing had gotten much closer, he was still just an “outsider” in her eyes. Unless someone was truly a lifelong confidant, there was no way they’d ever see Bai Wanqing’s vulnerable side.
“Bai Hanhang, when do you get your break?”
Walking through the dark alley, the streetlamp stretched Lu Liang and Bai Wanqing’s shadows out long and thin.
When Lu Liang turned his head, the shadow twisted all at once.
A dumb dog by the roadside got startled by the shadow, tucked its tail, whimpered, and ran off in a panic.
“Still, still two months.”
Bai Wanqing’s voice was even softer than usual, carrying a heavy, tired weariness.
“Oh… If you don’t have any plans by then, come work for me. I just found a job myself—it’s decent. If you work a half-day, I’ll pay you a full day’s wage. How about it?”
“Alright.”
Bai Wanqing nodded, and her Peach Blossom Eyes regained some light. After a moment, she said seriously,
“As long as I get half a day’s pay, that’s enough.”
Lu Liang let out a “hehehe” laugh.
That’s more like it. This was the familiar, stubborn Bai Wanqing he knew.
If he didn’t pinch her cheeks and tease her every few days, his hands would get itchy.
He reached out with his “evil claw,” and Bai Wanqing, thinking he was about to pinch her, shrank back.
But this time, Lu Liang didn’t pinch her.
He just tidied Bai Wanqing’s wind-blown hair and then, pretending to be casual, asked,
“Bai Hanhang, how was your day at school?”
The moment he asked, Bai Wanqing tensed up, clenching the hem of her shirt until it was all wrinkled.
Lu Liang didn’t miss a thing.
“St-still okay.”
Bai Wanqing avoided Lu Liang’s gaze and replied quietly.
“Bai Hanhang, if someone bullies you, you need to tell me.”
Lu Liang looked at Bai Wanqing’s pretty face, and thought he saw a trace of redness at the corner of her eye, as if she’d just been crying.
“Al-alright.”
Bai Wanqing was still her silly, stubborn self.
Lu Liang sighed. Bai Wanqing was too silly, too stubborn, and too soft.
She was like a little punching bag—never complaining even when bullied at school.
With a temperament like this, if she ever met the wrong people, she’d really suffer in society.
Luckily, Lu Liang wasn’t one to follow the rules. He had his own way of handling things.
“Just remember that, Bai Hanhang. Let’s go, I’ll walk you home.”
By now, Lu Liang already knew the way to Bai Wanqing’s house.
He sent her home, and as he was about to leave, Bai Wanqing stood at the door, hesitating as she looked at him.
“Lu, Lu Liang, do you want to have dinner?”
After mooching two meals already, Bai Wanqing had gotten used to it, making Lu Liang feel like he was freeloading all the time, which left him a bit embarrassed.
“No, it’s fine. I’ve got some things to do, so I won’t bother you.”
“Oh, then, see you next time.”
Bai Wanqing nodded, then waved goodbye to Lu Liang.
After saying goodbye, Lu Liang didn’t leave right away.
Instead, he squatted by Bai Wanqing’s door, staying silent.
He hadn’t said goodbye yet!
Inside the house, Bai Wanqing didn’t cook as usual. After a moment of hesitation, she dialed a number.
It rang for a long time before it was picked up by a woman with a weary, heavy voice.
“Wanwan, it’s so late—what’s the matter?”
“N-no…” Hearing the tiredness in her mother’s voice, Bai Wanqing lowered her head and suddenly wiped her eyes, her own voice growing soft and small.
“Mom, I… I miss you both… Did you have a good day?”
“Good, good, we’re both doing fine.” Her mother didn’t notice anything wrong in her daughter’s tone and began chattering on.
“Wanwan, don’t worry about us. Mom and your Dad are doing just fine lately. Today, both of us worked really hard and the Director even praised us at lunch, gave your Dad and me an extra piece of meat… This afternoon, a young newbie at the factory wasn’t careful and lost his hand to a machine. The Director said that since he was still on probation, he doesn’t get any compensation… May the Bodhisattva watch over us.”
“Wanwan’s calling? Give me the phone. Wanwan, how’s school? Studying hard?”
This time a man’s voice joined in, just as heavy and tired.
“Yes.”
Bai Wanqing replied quietly.
“Study hard, sweetie. Your Mom and I are working so hard for your sake. If you get into a good university, all our suffering will have been worth it.”
The man’s voice grew more spirited, clearly proud and happy for his daughter.
“Dad, Mom, today I…”
Clutching her phone, Bai Wanqing’s Peach Blossom Eyes were rimmed red.
She seemed to hesitate, not sure if she should tell them what happened next.
Just then, a young man’s harsh shout rang through the phone.
“9527, 9528, what are you two doing? It’s still work hours! The Boss isn’t paying you to sit around and chat. If you make personal calls on the job, it’ll be treated as absenteeism!”
Immediately, Bai Wanqing’s parents’ pleading voices sounded.
“Squad Leader, we’re sorry! It’s our daughter on the line! We’ll get right back to work!”
“Wanwan, what is it? Say it quick! Dad and Mom don’t have much time!”
“Dad, Mom, today…” Bai Wanqing gripped her phone tightly, her whole body freezing as if shocked by electricity. Then she blurted out,
“I’ll definitely get into a top university. I won’t let you down…”
“Good, good, that’s good.”
Relieved voices came from the other end before the call was quickly disconnected.
Once again, the small room fell silent, leaving Bai Wanqing all alone.
Her Peach Blossom Eyes were red and filled with tears.
She buried her head in her arms, her body gently shaking.
This was truly miserable.
Listening to the conversation inside the house, Lu Liang felt all sorts of things inside.
The rich had a hundred ways to live happily, but the poor had a hundred ways to suffer.
Lu Liang was certain that Bai Wanqing had run into some trouble at school.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so upset.
Seeing the silly girl who’d made him porridge twice looking so pitiful, Lu Liang couldn’t help but feel stifled in his chest.
He rummaged in his pocket, hoping to find something to snack on and distract himself, but after searching for a while, he only found a pack of cigarettes.
That was a pack he’d bought earlier for Lin Deqing.
Most of them had been given away, but he’d kept one for social occasions.
Lu Liang thought it over, took out a cigarette, lit it, and began to puff away.
The smoke was harsh, and one drag made him want to cough, but since his mind was on the cigarette, his chest felt a little less tight.
Afterward, Lu Liang took out his phone, sent the photos he’d taken tonight to Lu Ansheng, and asked,
“Ansheng, do you know anyone at Ye City High School?”
Just as Chuya had said, Lu Liang was an outsider and couldn’t get inside the school, but that didn’t mean he was out of options.
Those young students who hadn’t joined society yet weren’t afraid of anything—except for the school toughs who didn’t mind fighting or breaking rules.
Not long after, Lu Ansheng, who was busy mopping the floor, saw Lu Liang’s message and quickly replied.
“Yeah, bro, I’ve got a few buddies who got into Ye City High School as sports students. Need them to do something?”
“I’m not happy with a few people at Ye City High. Ask your friends what it would cost to teach them a lesson.”
Lu Ansheng was quiet for a moment before replying,
“Bro, they say teaching someone a lesson is fine, but they need details. Also, they heard you’re the Black Glove. If they can’t stay on the sports team, can they follow you in the future? Is that cool?”
“No problem.”
Lu Liang agreed readily, then pointed out the two flustered girls in the photos and a boy named Xu Qing.
“Also, tell them to keep an eye out. Make sure no one bullies a girl named Bai Wanqing.”
“Don’t worry, bro!”
Once the conversation ended, Lu Liang blew out a smoke ring, ground the cigarette butt out under his foot, filled his lungs, and sang,
“The river flows eastward, the stars in the sky join the Northern Dipper! You have it, I have it, everyone has it! Brothers of life and death share a cup of wine! See injustice on the road, and roar! When it’s time to act, act!”
Lu Liang was totally tone-deaf, but the original song was just wild shouting anyway, so all he needed was the right energy.
Inside her house, Bai Wanqing sat at her desk, arms folded neatly on the table, a damp patch soaking into her thin school uniform.
Hearing someone singing outside, Bai Wanqing, at first frightened, wanted to shut the doors and windows tight.
But once she recognized Lu Liang’s voice, she calmed down again.
He hadn’t sung much before Bai Wanqing’s window suddenly opened.
A timid, blushing face poked out, her Peach Blossom Eyes filled with panic, shyness, and a bit of dazed annoyance as she looked at Lu Liang.
“Lu, Lu Liang, you haven’t left yet? How long… how long have you been listening?”
“Hehe, I was just about to leave.”
Lu Liang grinned, making things up on the spot.
“I didn’t hear anything. I just suddenly felt like singing, so I let out a yell.”
Bai Wanqing obviously didn’t believe Lu Liang’s nonsense. She might be silly, but she wasn’t stupid. Somewhat worried, she explained,
“Lu, Lu Liang, I’m really fine… Do you think… I… I…”
She bent down, suddenly choked up and unable to finish.
Bai Wanqing hurriedly turned to hide her face from Lu Liang and wiped at the sparkling tears on her cheeks, but the tears were stubborn; the more she wiped, the more they came.
“What? Bai Hanhang, what nonsense are you talking about now?”
Lu Liang turned his back to her, not looking at her embarrassed appearance. While Bai Hanhang composed herself, he raised his voice and said,
“Bai Hanhang! You just keep your eyes closed and keep moving forward! Don’t look back! No darkness along this road can block your future!”
“What… what if I fall with my eyes closed?”
After collecting herself, Bai Wanqing’s voice still trembled a little, but it was much better than before.
She was still emotional, though, so her words came out as silly as ever.
“Afraid of falling?”
Lu Liang laughed loudly.
“Just walk ahead—I’ll hold your hand, you won’t fall!”