Chapter 3: Time to Rise

Han Qiuya was genuinely surprised. She hadn’t expected Chen Ye to lose his job over the complaint.

“Don’t worry. I’ll help you find another one,” she said. “Being a deliveryman is beneath you. I’ll introduce you to something better, something that’ll help you get ahead fast.”

“There’s no need. I don’t want to trouble you.”

He had a prison record and little education. Finding work would be difficult, and he didn’t want to put her in an awkward position.

“Don’t you believe I can do it?” Han Qiuya turned and looped her arms around his neck, her eyes tender. “One word from me could multiply your earning power several times over.”

“It’s not that I don’t believe you…” Chen Ye hesitated.

“All right, we don’t have to talk about it now. Tell me whenever you’ve made up your mind. For the moment, we have something more important to do…” She pushed him down onto the sofa and licked her lips. “Time like this is precious. This time, let me take the lead!”

…

From noon until three that afternoon, they moved from the sofa to the bed, then to the kitchen. By the end, they were both exhausted.

That evening, Han Qiuya took Chen Ye out for an upscale Western dinner. To her, it was a simple meal. To him, it was like stepping into heaven.

He looked at the steak in front of him, which cost more than a thousand yuan, and thought of himself making deliveries. The gulf between their worlds shook his view of life.

“Chen Ye, do you think I’m a loose woman?” Han Qiuya’s question interrupted his thoughts.

She was wearing an elegant long dress. Her expression was serene, her bearing refined, and her bright eyes met his.

“No,” he said, a piece of steak between his teeth.

She smiled. “I still have feelings for my husband and our family. But that bastard spent years chasing other women. Only now that he can’t perform has he come back to the family. I hate him for it.”

“I kept thinking, if he can go looking for women, why can’t I find a man?”

“I understand, Jie.”

She nodded and said no more.

His phone chimed with a message. Chen Ye glanced down, and his eyes widened. It was from Wen Yu, a single short line.

*Do you have time? Let’s meet.*

Excitement surged through him. Ever since he’d come to Shanghai, Wen Yu had refused to see him, and then she’d blocked him. He’d thought they were completely finished. He never expected her to contact him first.

Had she simply been too busy before?

He quickly replied: *I have time. Where are you?*

Wen Yu wrote back: *I’ll come to your place. Send me your location.*

*Okay!*

He put down his phone. “Qiuya-jie, I might have to go back a little early. I’m meeting a friend later.”

“All right.”

She paid the bill and drove him home.

Chen Ye immediately set about cleaning the place from top to bottom. Then he showered and fixed his hair.

At eight that evening, the doorbell rang. He opened the door eagerly, and there was the face he’d longed to see.

“Xiaoyu! You’re here!”

“Chen Ye.” Wen Yu forced a smile. “How have you been?”

“Good!” Struggling to contain himself, he reached for her hand. “Come in, let’s talk.”

“There’s no need.” Wen Yu pulled her hand away, a flash of coldness in her eyes. “Chen Ye, I haven’t seen you because I didn’t know how to face you. The truth is, I have a boyfriend now. I came to say goodbye. We’re getting engaged next month.”

Chen Ye stood frozen.

He had tried to prepare himself, but hearing those words from the girl he’d grown up with still felt like a needle piercing his heart.

“I see.” He nodded firmly, drew a deep breath, and forced a casual smile. “I wish you both happiness.”

Looking at Wen Yu in her designer clothes, he knew she was no longer the lively girl who had curled up in his arms and promised to spend her life with him.

“Chen Ye, you suffered because of me. I’m sorry,” she said. “If you need any help, just ask. I’ll do what I can.”

Her offer felt like condescending charity. He gave a bitter smile. “I don’t need help.”

Footsteps sounded in the hallway.

“Darling, you’re still talking?”

A young man with a short ponytail and a flippant expression approached the door.

“Dong!” Wen Yu slipped an arm through his. “Chen Ye, this is my boyfriend, Xie Dong.”

Xie Dong looked at Chen Ye and offered his hand. “You’re Xiaoyu’s ex, right? Nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

Though displeased, Chen Ye reached out politely. At the last second, Xie Dong pulled his hand back, a mocking look on his face.

“I almost forgot. You’re an ex-con, aren’t you? I don’t shake hands with ex-cons. Their bad luck might rub off on me. Ha!”

Chen Ye stared at his sneering face, brow furrowed and fists clenched.

“Oh, so this is the place you rent? It’s filthy and it stinks. Can anyone actually live here?” Xie Dong pinched his nose and peered inside in disgust.

“That’s enough, Dong. Go downstairs first. I’ll be right there,” Wen Yu said.

Xie Dong scowled. “You’re just breaking up with him face-to-face. I’ve given you plenty of time already. You’re coming down with me now.”

He grabbed her arm and started pulling her toward the stairs.

“Wait!” Chen Ye stepped in front of him. “Can you let her finish?”

“Does she have that much to say to you?” Xie Dong sneered. “Buddy, your story ended yesterday, understand? I’m the one sleeping with her now!”

“You fucking…”

Enraged, Chen Ye raised his fist.

“Chen Ye!” Wen Yu hurried between them and glared at him. “Is violence the only way you know how to solve a problem?”

He stopped, stunned that she would say such a thing.

“I came to break up with you in person because I wanted to give you some dignity. I didn’t want to leave you wondering.” She clenched her teeth. “So let me make this clear: there’s no reason for us to see each other again. Please don’t keep pursuing me. Goodbye!”

She turned away without another word.

Chen Ye stood rooted to the spot, unable to believe how cold she had become. Xie Dong put an arm around her shoulders, looked back, and gave Chen Ye the middle finger as he laughed and walked away.

Chen Ye took a deep breath and went to the window. On the street below, Wen Yu smiled as she climbed into Xie Dong’s Porsche sports car.

A bitter smile touched his lips. His love had lost, beaten by this fucked-up society.

The innocence vanished from his eyes. In its place came a fierce, untamed resolve.

He picked up his phone and sent Han Qiuya a message:

*Qiuya-jie, about the job you mentioned earlier—I’ll endure any hardship and do any work, as long as you give me a chance…*