I had barely finished speaking when Pei Shi Yu grabbed Xiao Long's hand and tugged him towards the exit. Suddenly, my clothes were pulled. The child looked at me with a panicked expression, seemingly hinting for me to help him stay.

Perhaps he hadn't had enough fun, or perhaps being with Pei Shi Yu was too boring. Otherwise, he wouldn't have looked at me with such a pleading expression. Seeing that I didn't react, Xiao Long immediately started to cry, "I don't want to go home."

"We'll go to the children's park tomorrow, okay?" Pei Shi Yu replied patiently.

"I don't believe you. You're lying."

"When have I ever lied to you?"

"You always say that, but you never take me out to play."

"You really don't want to go home?"

"Yeah, just let me play with Uncle for a while."

Pei Shi Yu suddenly let go of Xiao Long's hand and said very seriously, "Do you want to be like him when you grow up?"

I didn't want to interrupt, since her attitude was already clear: she didn't want the child to be with me. But those words were a bit too demeaning.

"Why are you using me as a negative example to educate your child?"

"Do you think it's appropriate for such a young child to be here?"

"It's not like he comes out often. What's inappropriate about playing for a while? If that's the case, hurry up and take him away."

Although our past warranted resentment, after spending time together these past few days, she shouldn't still harbor such feelings, right? Because I had long forgotten the past. Pei Shi Yu's personality was hard to fathom. If she really held a grudge against me, then she wouldn't have taken the initiative to call me on the second day of the Lunar New Year. Wasn't that intentionally misleading, giving me the illusion that she was showing weakness?

Pei Shi Yu grabbed Xiao Long's hand again, dragging him away.

I stared blankly at the game coins in my hand. This place was once my entertainment park, even to the point of losing myself in it. The few stuffed animals that I had just won next to the seat, Xiao Long didn't even have time to take them with him. They were carelessly discarded on the ground like abandoned children, just like my own background.

I sat down in my seat, feeling a little bored. With Pei Shi Yu gone, I probably wouldn't run into her much in the future. The project had probably been mostly handed over tonight. In this era of advanced networks, the remaining handover could be completed with just a few taps of the fingers.

I turned my head to look in the direction they left. At this moment, I actually felt a strange feeling. After this short period of contact, my impression of her had been steadily improving. But Pei Shi Yu's emotions fluctuated greatly. I didn't know which side was her true nature.

Suddenly, a voice rang out next to me, "Are you playing or not? If you're not, make way."

I immediately withdrew my gaze. It was a very young boy, tentatively asking me since I hadn't put any coins in.

I didn't answer, then got up from my seat, bent down to pick up the stuffed animals, making sure not to leave any behind. I walked slowly to the cashier and returned the game coins I had just bought.

Outside, a half-moon hung in the sky like a hook, the moonlight immersed in a haze, making one feel a faint sense of sadness.

...

The next day.

I arrived at the construction site early. Xiao Wu and the others hadn't arrived yet, and some of the workers from out of town hadn't returned yet either. The entire site was sparsely populated, with only a few people around.

It wasn't until about 9:30 that people gradually began to arrive. Xiao Wu had just arrived when Chen Biao came in close behind, his arrogance still as blatant as it had been last night. His walking posture was exaggerated to the extreme. I didn't greet him, nor was there any need. It would definitely be difficult to communicate with him.

I thought he would avoid me like I was avoiding him, but he walked directly in front of me, looking me up and down. His entire expression was infuriating. Last night's words were probably just a small appetizer.

Just when I was feeling very uncomfortable, Chen Biao opened his mouth and said, "What goes around comes around. After a few years in prison, you've become quite docile. Boss Liang is in charge of this project now. I suggest you leave early."

I looked at him coldly and said, "Everyone earns a living through their own abilities. Don't you think this kind of mutual squeezing is ridiculous?"

I saw the corners of his mouth twitch in a fake smile. Before leaving, he dropped the line, "You'll find out eventually. Just wait and see."

I was about to say something harsh when I saw Xiao Wu rushing to my side, his eyes fixed on Chen Biao as he left...

"Is this son-of-a-bitch trying to start a fight again?"

"I'm not afraid of fighting with him. But for Manager Li's sake, I can't act like a thug with him. I'm just avoiding him."

"Can you avoid him? We're on the same construction site. We're going to fight sooner or later," Xiao Wu replied presciently.

"Either we fight, or we leave. Those are the two choices. You have to try to hold back."

"I can't hold back if he provokes me again."

I was already in a bad mood because of Chen Biao, but I laughed. Xiao Wu's entire face was as red as if it were on fire, and his tone was filled with fierceness.

I took out a pack of cigarettes and handed him one. Actually, the atmosphere was indeed filled with gunpowder. The grudge between me and Chen Biao, along with him working under Boss Liang, seemed to have suddenly elevated his status a lot. His motive was clear: he wanted to suppress me. Of course, with Pei Shi Yu's withdrawal, Manager Li's voice was probably going to be diminished compared to before. This was already an obvious fact.

Whether to stay or leave wasn't the time to conclude. At least I had to see Manager Li's situation. If he really had no say, then I figured leaving would be a matter of time.

Xiao Wu and I smoked while sitting in a corner of the construction site. A Cheng and Xiao Hei stayed in another corner by themselves. The first day of work was basically just a roll call. It was just a formality.

We were chatting lively when Manager Li appeared by our side and said something that surprised me...

"Lin Che, I have something to tell you."

I stood up, dusted off my pants, and asked, "What is it?"

"I don't know what Old Liang is up to. Not only did he bring Chen Biao in, but he also brought Lin Hai in. I have to warn you, don't be impulsive. Don't fight with Lin Hai again. Your situation is a bit awkward right now. Although Chen Biao and your dad had some trouble in the past, they've reportedly reconciled and are working together under Old Liang."

I was first shocked, then complained to Manager Li on the spot...

"It seems like they're coming for me. I can ignore Chen Biao, but Lin Hai is like a plaster, he doesn't even want his face to deal with me... How did he hook up with Old Liang?"

"After you guys left last night, Chen Biao learned that you were Lin Hai's son during the conversation, and that you had a bad relationship. He deliberately pulled Lin Hai in. When Shi Yu was here, I could embolden her. Now, even I can only act according to the contract. A lot of things I say don't count. Old Liang is very cunning, don't be fooled by his kind and amiable demeanor."

"I understand that."

After giving me some advice, Manager Li was immediately called over by Old Liang, who was standing not far away.