After returning to the supermarket, Jiang Xuehan worked until 9 PM. She helped the shopkeeper tidy up and close for the day.

"Xiao Han, are you still living alone? How much is the rent?" The shopkeeper had always cared for this young part-timer.

"Yes, Auntie Chen. It's 1,500 yuan a month."

"That's nearly half your salary gone... Xiao Han, don't your family look after you?" Auntie Chen's face showed deep concern.

"My family isn't well-off. I had to come out to work..."

"But even if they're poor, they shouldn't let a young girl like you struggle alone."

Jiang Xuehan's expression turned gloomy. "Auntie Chen, thank you for caring. They have their reasons. If nothing else, I'll head home now. I'll be here on time tomorrow."

"Sigh..."

Auntie Chen was kind. She covered Jiang Xuehan's meals during work, saving her money.

Jiang Xuehan had always been frugal. Beyond rent and food, she owned only two cheap sets of clothes and shoes. She never wasted money on movies or karaoke.

But after becoming a girl, she faced extra costs: bras and sanitary pads.

Since one embarrassing period incident, she kept pads in her bag. She tracked her cycle to avoid staining the bed and having nowhere to sleep.

It was past 9 PM. Streets glowed brightly, bustling with people. Overtime workers rushed home. Shirtless men at a barbecue stall bragged and drank heavily. Students with heavy backpacks trudged by, young faces weary.

Yet the warmth belonged to others. They had families or lovers waiting. Jiang Xuehan faced only a tiny, empty room: a bed, a desk, a chair, a cabinet, a computer.

She'd planned to stream live then sleep. But feeling the crisp 1,000 yuan in her bag, she changed her mind. She took the bus to Huimin Hospital.

The hospital was eerily quiet at night. Jiang Xuehan slipped into a ward softly. On the innermost bed, a pale girl around 16 slept soundly.

This was her sister, Meng Xue. Two years ago, she collapsed in class. Diagnosed with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, she'd lived here ever since.

Jiang Xuehan gently stroked her sister's thin short hair. Her eyes held deep sorrow.

Meng Xue once loved long hair. It flowed like a waterfall to her waist. But after hospitalization, it thinned daily, forcing a short cut.

Her illness wasn't incurable. But treatment at a top US clinic cost a staggering 5 million yuan upfront.

Jiang Xuehan had dreamed of handing her signing fee to Meng Xue. She'd imagined her recovery, reconciliation with their father, a family reunion. But now...

She sighed silently. She placed the crisp 1,000 yuan on Meng Xue's sleeping hand.

"I'm sorry, little sister. I can't get 5 million now. But I'll earn it—I promise."

She left the ward quietly. Jiang Xuehan worried about explaining the overdue rent. She needed another week's work to gather it.

Back home, light seeped under her door. She knocked. The landlord opened it—just as expected.

He was a man in his early sixties, seemingly single. Years ago, urban demolition gave him suburban apartments. Now he lived off rent, playing mahjong daily.

He looked kind but was ruthless about payments.

Smoke filled the cramped room. Jiang Xuehan frowned but forced a smile. "Uncle Yu, what brings you? Wait—I'll brew tea—"

"No need." He sat on the bed edge, flicking ash coldly. "Miss Jiang, it's September 6th. Rent was due last week. Why delay?"

The thick smoke made her cough. "Cough... Uncle Yu, I'm tight on cash. Can you give me one week? Just one week, I'll—"

"So you can't pay?" He took a drag, eyeing her sideways.

"Uncle Yu, please—"

He waved sharply. "Enough! Move out now!"

"Huh?!"

"Truth is, I found a new tenant. They pay 300 yuan more and need the room."

"But we have a contract! I gave you a 2,000 yuan deposit!" Her voice rose with anger.

"Contract?" He snorted, pulling out papers. "It states rent must be paid by month's end. Or I reclaim the room. How overdue are you?"

"What about my deposit?!"

"You breached first. The deposit's forfeited—clear in the contract." He dropped his cigarette butt. "You have one hour to clear out. Leftovers become trash."

He sat calmly, playing his phone. Game sounds echoed: "one wan," "eight bamboo," "Pong," "Hu!"

Jiang Xuehan was proud-hearted. A year ago, that pride made her drop out. She gritted her teeth, fists clenched. Her dark eyes burned like flames.

But she unclenched them.

The landlord was heartless but legally right. Causing trouble would only bring security dragging her out, shaming her. Better to leave with dignity.

Her new computer—installed just a day ago—was disassembled into a cardboard box. Clothes and essentials stuffed into a suitcase.

Weak from exhaustion, she carried them out in two trips. She hauled them down the stairs alone.

The landlord played his game silently, ignoring her.

At the building entrance, she watched residents come and go. Cars passed on the quiet road. Her heart felt hollow.

It was only 11 PM. The night stretched long. Her wallet was empty. No money for a hotel. Where could she spend this endless night?