The floor was paved with black marble, and the tiles gleamed like a mirror. Brilliant crystal chandeliers illuminated every corner, and ornate, expensive paintings hung on the walls.
A woman, dressed neatly and impeccably, wore delicate makeup. Despite being in her forties, she maintained herself with grace.
She sat on a high-fashion French sofa, a laptop in her hands.
A sound came from outside the door, followed by the rhythmic tap of footsteps.
The woman’s expression turned severe. She closed her laptop and looked coldly towards the sound.
A young man sauntered in, appearing nonchalant. Upon seeing the woman on the sofa, he flashed a cheeky grin. "Hey, not asleep yet?"
The woman’s expression was icy. "You're back this late? Do you know what time it is?"
The young man stood with a slouch. His short, red hair was as fiery as a flame, and he wore a patterned shirt that was both stylish and carried a hint of wildness. He was tall and lanky, with handsome facial features. A diagonal scar cut through his right eyebrow, giving him a rebellious and sharp appearance.
He frowned impatiently and turned to head upstairs.
"Stop right there!"
The woman's voice was sharp.
"Qi Rui, listen to me. Do you know how much effort I put into resolving the reason for your suspension? You were almost sent to jail, do you understand? Didn't I tell you to stay home and reflect? It seems you haven't taken my words to heart."
Qi Rui had heard this countless times. He idly scratched his ear, leaning back against the sofa with one leg bent, clearly bored.
Truthfully, he found the woman's concerned demeanor to be hypocritical and sickening, making him want to vomit.
He said dismissively, "You could choose not to bother."
His indifferent attitude infuriated the woman. She stared coldly at the young man, forcing herself to calm her anger. "If I didn't bother with you, do you think you'd still be standing here talking to me?"
The woman was usually rational, but regarding her only son, she felt helpless and disappointed.
She couldn't understand why her son had become this way – fighting, indulging in revelry, skipping classes, and disrespecting his teachers. He seemed fearless, as if there was nothing he wouldn't do.
The young man sneered, "If that's how you feel, then you shouldn't have given birth to me in the first place."
"Qi Rui!"
The young man exaggeratedly covered his ears, a smile still on his face. "Are you going through menopause?"
"Fine! Fine! Fine!"
The woman was so enraged she could have bitten through her teeth. Her expression was grim, her eyes filled with disappointment.
"Since that's the case, I won't bother with you anymore. Tomorrow, you'll pack your things and go to the countryside."
The young man snorted, seemingly unfazed by his mother's words. He turned and walked upstairs.
***
A light rain fell on the mountain, making the dirt path slippery and prone to tumbles.
The sky was overcast and oppressive, with not a ray of sunshine. The dark clouds seemed ready to press down.
Yet, it was the height of summer, and the air was humid and stifling.
Qi Rui held an umbrella, taking deliberate steps. His expensive designer sneakers were splattered with brown mud, and the cuffs of his clean black trousers were speckled with dirt.
He carried a suitcase, his brow furrowed, a deep hostility hidden in his eyes.
The mountain path was extremely narrow and the mud was slick, making Qi Rui's face contort in disgust.
Finally reaching the base of the mountain, Qi Rui scraped the mud off his shoes against a large rock. Once the thick layer of dirt was removed, his feet felt considerably lighter.
The road at the foot of the mountain was still unpaved. After a few steps, Qi Rui reached the village entrance. As far as he could see, there were vast fields of golden rice stalks, with people working among them.
This village was called "Banpo Village".
The wind that met him felt like a wave of heat. Qi Rui waited for a minute, growing so agitated he felt like killing someone.
He was hot and irritable.
After walking for over an hour on the mountain, the driver had told him someone would meet him at the village entrance. However, there was no one in sight.
Qi Rui had never waited for anyone before; people always waited for him. This remote, impoverished place didn't even have a proper road.
Everything about this place was unacceptable to him. He longed to just grab his suitcase and turn back, but he suppressed the urge.
The suitcase was heavy, and Qi Rui panted slightly, his face darkening like the stormy sky.
He held an umbrella in one hand, his head bowed as he scrolled through his phone, his fingers jabbing aggressively at the screen.
"Excuse me, hello?"
A soft voice called out.
The young man looked up, his gaze defiant and sharp, making him appear unapproachable.
A girl stood before him. She wasn't holding an umbrella, only a straw hat, revealing a small, delicate face.
Qi Rui's first thought was:
So fair, damn it.
Her face was as clear and translucent as white jade, soft and transparent like solidified milk.
The girl appeared gentle and soft-spoken. "You're Qi Rui, aren't you?"
The rain, which had been light, had stopped after only a short while.
The girl removed her hat and tied her hair back, revealing her round, beautiful ears, which appeared somewhat translucent and fair.
The young man's usually rebellious eyes curved upwards slightly at the edges. His sword-like eyebrows were knitted, and the irritation surrounding him was palpable. He glanced impatiently at the girl.
"Yes, it's me. I've been waiting here for you for a long time."
Actually, it hadn't been long – a mere three minutes at most. But in the eyes of this young master, it felt like three hours.
A faint smile played on the girl's lips, exuding a quiet, gentle aura. She apologized, "I'm sorry, my name is Shen Yue. Let's head back, or it might start raining again."
Qi Rui was still displeased. He strode forward with his suitcase.
Shen Yue watched the young man, who seemed difficult to communicate with, and fell silent. She followed him hesitantly.
Qi Rui didn't look old, but he carried a considerable presence. From head to toe, he was dressed in designer brands, a stark contrast to the poor, rural surroundings.
The small path disappeared into the dense, lush trees. The verdant foliage swayed in the wind, making rustling sounds.
Qi Rui stopped. There were two paths ahead.
Shen Yue noticed and said softly, "Go left."
The only sounds on the path were the rolling of the suitcase wheels and footsteps crunching on the mud.
At the very end of the village stood Shen Yue's home.
It was a simple wooden house, about thirty square meters. The walls were severely weathered, and weeds grew in abundance at the corners.
Qi Rui stared, a vein throbbing on his forehead, his complexion turning an ominous shade of dark green.
As he approached the dilapidated wooden house, his scowl deepened enough to trap a fly.
The wooden tables and chairs looked dilapidated and rickety, as if they might collapse under the slightest weight.
In this rundown shack, there wasn't even a single lamp. Outside, it was overcast, and inside the house, there was no light at all, only dimness and a sense of destitution.