When I arrived at Shangjing Yucai Middle School where Huang Yingdie studied, it was right at the peak of dismissal time.

Huang Yingdie stood quietly by the school gate, dressed properly in her uniform, a small backpack on her shoulders as she fiddled with her phone.

Honestly, setting aside her personality, Huang Yingdie was undeniably beautiful—both in figure and face. With her family background in Shangjing City, she’d never wanted for food or clothes.

I couldn’t understand why someone with such a seemingly perfect life would make choices like hers.

I parked beside her. After she got on the bike, I started pedaling.

“Hasn’t Huang Qinghao come to see you?” I asked casually on the way back.

“He’s in class.”

Her tone made it clear she was in a foul mood today.

“Did he mention when he’d take you to sing at KTV?”

The girl behind me fell silent for a moment. “That’s none of your business.”

“Of course it isn’t. I’m just reminding you—not all boys have pure intentions. Internet cafes are one thing, but KTV rooms are sealed spaces…”

Huang Yingdie cut me off impatiently. “Thanks for the warning. Don’t make me say it four times—Qinghao isn’t that kind of person.”

How to describe this feeling…

At this age, in those circles, genuine love rarely blossomed.

In another parallel world—when I was still a boy—I’d overheard dormmates boasting endlessly about how many girlfriends they’d had that month, how many times they’d booked hotel rooms. They treated stealing a girl’s first time like a trophy. Only when they matured enough to shoulder responsibility would they seek a lifelong partner.

Girls did the same: after playing the field, they’d marry a “nice guy.”

If Huang Qinghao was one of *those* boys, I worried Huang Yingdie’s sincere heart couldn’t survive the truth.

Love at first sight? Just lust. Mutual affection? Merely convenience.

“Do you really think that *man* can protect you for life?”

I deliberately used “man.”

Before, I’d never dare say this to a girl my age—it’d spark endless misunderstandings. But now, as another girl, it might actually deepen our bond.

Few girls mind discussing boys with their own sex.

“He’s reliable,” she said softly, her voice dripping with the tender hope every lovestruck girl carries.

No wonder they say love makes girls stupid. Huang Yingdie was a textbook case.

“What if someone slips something into your drink at that KTV when you’re not looking? What then?”

I called out as she walked toward her apartment complex, phone glued to her ear chatting with her “boyfriend.”

She stopped, glaring at me with impatient confusion.

“You’re implying,” Huang Yingdie said coldly, “that my Jiangnan Society brothers would use such underhanded tricks?”

“No. I’m saying if it *happens* and you’re unprepared—you could lose your whole life.”

That’s the cruel difference on life’s path: girls carry heavier risks.

“Yi Yao.”

Huang Yingdie slowly untied her hairband. Her long hair danced in the sunset breeze. “Maybe we’ll never reconcile.”

“You’re my enemy. I hate you!” She pointed at me, voice trembling with earnest fury. “No matter what, Huang Qinghao and I will be fine. You can slander him all you want—I’ll repay the life debt I owe you another way. But from now on… we are! NOT! ALLIES!”

Without waiting for my reply, she turned and ran into the complex.

“Drown in your dreams then.”

I sighed, watching her disappear. The damage was done.

At my own apartment complex, I spotted a luxury sedan—and my father.

“Xiao Yao! You’re dining with Uncle Huang tonight, okay?” Dad beamed, yanking me off my bike. He whispered in my ear, “If you get the chance, mention our fruit shop—the truck accident last month. Maybe the insurance could… *help out*? Or at least let him know we run a store. Praise your old man plenty, got it?”

*Uncle Huang?*

I turned to see Huang Yingdie’s father—Huang Zhiqiang, current mayor of Shangjing City.

“Oh, Yi Yao! Did Xiao Die get home safely?” His smile was warm, like a father who’d found the perfect girl to tame his wayward son.

“I dropped her off.” I flashed my canines in a playful grin, channeling energetic schoolgirl charm. “What brings you here, Uncle?”

“Haha, nothing much! I never properly thanked you for saving my daughter. Just wanted to treat you to dinner tonight—chat properly.” He ruffled my hair. “Is that alright?”

“Of course! Yi Yao’s free every night!” Dad butted in, fawning. “Mayor Huang, I leave my daughter in your hands.”

“Nonsense! She’s *our* savior.” Huang Zhiqiang opened the car door and waved at Dad. “I’ll have my driver bring her back later.”

“Wonderful!” Dad grinned ear to ear. “Have fun, Xiao Yao!”

Still dazed, I stumbled into the sedan.

“Yi Yao,” the mayor began from the passenger seat as the car moved, “do you have a boyfriend at school?”

The question nearly choked me. “Ah… no.”

“Good. I like obedient girls like you.” He sighed deeply. In the rearview mirror, exhaustion lined his face. “Xiao Die’s mother passed soon after her birth. Her grandmother raised her. My duties kept me away… and now…”

“You might not know—little Die was just like you once. I gave her 300 yuan weekly allowance; she’d save 100 to give to beggars near school. When I collapsed on the couch after work, she’d cook for me, bring water… but now…”

“She’s a good child. Just stubborn. Once she sets her heart on something, no one can pull her back.”

“She’s been talking about you nonstop lately. Her QQ Zone’s flooded with posts about you. I thought… maybe *you* could help pull her back.”

*Pull her back? How?* She’s already drunk on love’s sugarcoated lies. Only heartbreak could wake her.

“Oh! Almost forgot.” He pulled out a brand-new phone. “Yours and Xiao Die’s were smashed by those thugs. I bought matching ones.” He smiled sheepishly. “Our contacts are saved inside.”

I stared at the pastel-pink bunny-cased smartphone. “Uncle, this is too expensive. I can’t accept it.”

*Yi Yao, you’re facing a corrupt official.*

*A man everyone despises. A man who’ll be executed on January 3rd, 2017—his name forever rotten.*

“Haha,” he chuckled. “Kids see what adults miss. Don’t worry—this phone, your wages, everything’s paid from my salary. All accounted for.”

“It’s not that, Uncle—I didn’t mean…”

He waved me off, turning away. “I know my reputation’s ruined… But if Xiao Die could be happy again? I’d die content.”

*Wait… what did he just say?*

“I’m old. I have no ambitions left. Only Xiao Die… She lost her mother so young. I just want to give her everything money can buy. Maybe it’ll make up for the love I failed to give.”

*Something’s wrong.*

If Huang Zhiqiang committed crimes *for his daughter*… this was far worse than I thought.

In another world, Xiao Die died in that kidnapping. Without her, Huang Zhiqiang wouldn’t have clawed so desperately for money and power.

But now? With Xiao Die alive… this father might spiral further to “fix” her trauma.

His crimes could escalate. His exposure might come sooner. His execution date could move up.

A city mayor’s fall would shake Shangjing to its core.

I could already feel the storm gathering—a storm I’d unleashed.

*Is there no other way?*

I didn’t regret saving Xiao Die. I didn’t know the full extent of this mayor’s sins. But I knew this: without her father, a sixteen-year-old Xiao Die would shatter.

And if her boyfriend Huang Qinghao struck the final blow…

What’s left when you lose love, family, and friendship?

“Something wrong? Don’t like the phone?” Huang Zhiqiang’s voice cut through my thoughts.

“No! I love it. Thank you, Uncle.”

This man was a corrupt official deserving death.

But he was also a father.

“Of course you do! I asked Xiao Die—she said you’d adore this model.”

He unbuckled his seatbelt.

The car glided to a stop outside a luxurious hotel.

“We’re here, Yi Yao. Let’s go.”