Rewind time one hour.

Zhou Haiming pulled Chen Shiwei out of the low-rent district. October in Chuanhai was far colder than expected. He exhaled a puff of breath, staring blankly as the mist swirled before his eyes. This was Chen Shiwei’s first time doing something like this—he was still nervous. The taciturn man asked dully, “Shouldn’t we bring Xiao Qian along too?”

Zhou Haiming didn’t answer. Chen Shiwei didn’t dare ask again.

The security guard at the compound gate dozed in his recliner. An alarm clock clanged and clattered nearby. Zhou shot the guard an uneasy glance. Seeing no reaction, he quickened his pace inside. His loose jacket hid the iron rod up his sleeve. The cold metal sent a chill through him. He shivered. “Hurry up. Don’t drag your feet.”

Chen Shiwei hung his head. “Haiming… maybe we should go back.”

“Cut the crap. This is our chance for revenge.” Zhou snarled. “Don’t you want justice for Brother Lu? For Xiao Qian? We sneak in, knock that old bastard out, drag him away…”

“And then?”

“What ‘and then’?”

“What after he’s out?”

“Like on TV—call the family for ransom.”

“How much?”

“At least fifty thousand.”

Fifty thousand. The number stunned Chen Shiwei. He’d never seen that much money. Maybe revenge drove him. Maybe greed. He stopped questioning and silently followed.

They reached An Gulai’s door. Light knocks got no reply. Zhou took a deep breath, swung the iron rod, and smashed a hole through the old wood. A neighbor peeked out, met their fierce glares, and slammed the door shut.

Silence filled An Gulai’s home. It felt abandoned. They ransacked every room—no An Gulai, no daughter.

Under the bed, An Baili clutched a rusted fruit knife, her face pale. She’d woken to find Lu Li gone, utterly distraught. Then came the crash of forced entry. Too scared to fight, she cowered beneath the bed. *If they find me… I’ll use this knife.* But she’d just reconciled with Lu Li… Tears spilled down her cheeks.

Footsteps neared the door.

“Only this room left.”

“Search it. Take anything valuable.”

Her heart hammered. Her legs trembled uncontrollably. In that moment, only Lu Li’s smile filled her mind—sunlight behind him, hand outstretched to her crouched in the corner, voice gentle: *“You look lovely in that dress.”*

Footsteps closed in.

“Could someone be under this bed?”

“Check.”

An Baili’s heart leaped into her throat. She bit her lip until it bled, raising the knife with all her strength.

Then—urgent footsteps.

“Zhou Haiming! Stop!”

Lu Li leaned against the doorframe, gasping, waist bent, feet numb. *Damn. Should’ve exercised more.* “What are you doing?”

Zhou and Chen froze, backpacks bulging. “Brother Lu, we… it’s not…”

Lu Li cut him off. “What happened to the people here?”

“No one’s—”

*Smack!*

Lu Li punched Zhou, locked his neck, pinned him down. Chen stood frozen. One second calm, the next violent—blink-of-an-eye speed.

“What the hell?! Are you insane?!” Zhou yelled.

“You’re insane!” Lu Li pressed his thigh on Zhou’s neck, glaring at Chen. “This is how you repay me? Breaking and entering? Kidnapping? Assault? Answer me!”

Chen stepped back. “N-no, we just…”

“We’re avenging you! Avenging the low-rent district kids!” Zhou shouted hoarsely. “Lu Li, I misjudged you! You’re a traitor! Just like Shu Ming said—you were never one of us!”

Lu Li’s heart turned cold. *All this… for greed.* The Zhou who once vowed, “I’d risk my life for you,” now screamed “traitor.” Sincerity so cheap.

“Lu Li, let go! We’re still friends! Shiwei, pull him off!”

Lu Li had always seen the low-rent district as home. But some, once called mud, chose to be mud—trampled, yet smugly proud of staining others’ shoes.

Enough.

A long-held knot unraveled. In his previous life, old friends vanished. After rebirth, he’d gladly accepted Chu Xiaodong’s request to mend regrets.

“Ruan Qian told me,” Lu Li said quietly. Zhou fell silent. “If you want to fall, fall alone.” He released him. Zhou clutched his neck, stumbling back. “Lu Li—we sever all ties! You’re dead to us! No more hypocritical charity!”

“Shiwei, go!”

“An Gulai’s with the police. Past grievances are settled.” *All of them.* Life is letting go—innocence, ideals, friendships, misplaced sympathy.

Zhou paused. Said nothing. Stormed off with Chen.

Only then did Lu Li sink to the floor, rubbing his sore thighs. “Baili… you okay?”

A teary face peeked out. “Y-you knew I was here?”

“Of course.” He smiled softly. “When upset, you’d hide under the bed… watching me panic.”

He wasn’t a saint. Couldn’t please everyone. Couldn’t abandon Baili. Just an ordinary man—flawed, human. He liked An Baili. Liked Chu Jingyi. Liked Wen Amber. Life’s dozen years pass like morning dew. Better to be honest than pretend.

Pretending was too exhausting. Not for him.

An Baili crawled out, tears streaming. Before she could reach him, Lu Li pulled her close—and kissed her, warm and sure, like first love.