I stood at the convenience store entrance.

It was Friday. I’d skipped morning classes. By noon, I arrived alone at my part-time job spot, dragging a suitcase and clutching my game helmet.

"Tiancheng, you bastard! Why aren’t you working tomorrow— Wait, what happened to you?" The boss sat behind the register, shouting as soon as he saw me. But his voice softened with worry when he took in my state.

My clothes were still damp. My face was pale from the day’s cold. Even walking felt exhausting.

"Boss…"

"What’s going on?"

"I got kicked out of my house."

"Kicked out? Why?" The boss asked, shocked.

"I stole a girl’s gym uniform from my class. Got caught. My sister threw me out." The corners of my mouth quirked up slightly, forming a ghastly smile.

"You? Steal a uniform? With your timid self? Don’t joke. You were framed, right?" The boss frowned, thinking aloud.

I froze at his words.

Suddenly, tears pricked my eyes. My heart started pounding again. My childhood friend didn’t believe me. My family didn’t believe me. My classmates didn’t believe me. But this boss—who always teased me at the convenience store—actually believed me.

"Dunno. Maybe I did it while sleepwalking."

I laughed. A real laugh. I cracked a joke. Tears welled up silently. I swiped them away fiercely, but more kept spilling over.

"Idiot! What’s a big man like you crying for? How old are you? Embarrassing! Get inside." The boss patted my shoulder and led me into the store.

"Sorry… sorry, Boss. For the trouble," I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.

Only in times of hardship do you see who truly cares. Only then do you feel real warmth. Only then do you see who’s genuine and who’s just playing around.

The more I thought, the more tears fell. But deep inside, I silently vowed: I’d never shed another tear again.

---

The boss took my suitcase. He reached for my game helmet too, but I held it tight. He didn’t push it, just led me upstairs.

This was his living space. The second floor was surprisingly large—a hallway with only one room and a bathroom.

"Take a shower first. We’ll talk later. You can wear my old clothes."

"No trouble, Boss. I have clothes."

"Hmm. Fine. Use whatever you need inside."

"Thanks."

He nodded and headed back downstairs.

Inside the bathroom, I peeled off my soaked uniform. Warm water poured over me, melting half the day’s exhaustion away.

After showering, I pulled plain clothes from my suitcase. Suitcase and helmet in hand, I went downstairs.

The boss sat at the register. He looked up immediately. "What’s your plan now?"

"Rent a place. Settle down first."

"Your wages here won’t cover rent in this city… Even if you found a place, you’d starve."

"No choice. Gotta look." I gave a bitter smile.

"…Come with me. Bring your stuff. I’ve got an empty room upstairs."

"An empty room?"

"There’s a loft on the roof. Small, but it’ll fit one person." He waved me up the stairs again.

"Really? Won’t I bother you?"

"It’s empty anyway. No bother."

"I’m so grateful, Boss…"

"I’ll deduct rent from your wages. Haha!" He grinned.

"Please do."

---

The boss led me to the edge of the second floor. He grabbed a pole, poked the ceiling, and a folding ladder crashed down—sending up a huge cloud of dust.

"*Cough! Cough!* Sorry. Haven’t cleaned it in ages."

"Thanks, Boss. I’ll handle it. Go back to the store."

"Alright. Tell me if you need anything."

"Got it. Thanks, Boss… Why are you helping me?"

"People help each other in tough times. I can help. Why wouldn’t I?"

"I’ll never forget this. I’ll always remember who stood by me when I had nothing." I said it earnestly.

"Rest now. I’m heading down. Take today off. Work as usual tomorrow, got it?" He walked away, waving casually over his shoulder.

I watched him disappear before climbing the loose wooden steps into the loft. A tiny triangular room. Some clutter, but not much. Just a rickety bed frame—barely that.

Spotting an outlet near the bed, I plugged in my game helmet and phone to charge. I tidied the bed, swept away dust.

Finally, I lay slowly on the thin mattress. This cramped space felt strangely warm. I put on my game helmet, ready to dive back into the game world.

...

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