Chapter 1: Hooligan

"Come on, eat!" a clean-looking girl with long hair reaching her waist, wearing a black long skirt, fed a sausage to the stray dog in front of her.

The black alley was empty; the girl wasn't afraid either, as if she often came to this place.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps of many people running from afar, growing closer; the little dog let out a "woof" and, frightened, hid in the corner.

A black silhouette filled her vision; she felt her waist encircled by a strong big hand.

Before she could speak, she felt something warm press against her lips.

She shoved the strange man hard, but to her surprise his strength was too great—he didn't budge at all.

"Woof!" the little dog barked at the man.

The footsteps from afar drew near, and a large group of people like Bǎobāo came running over, seemingly frantically searching for something.

The girl couldn't push the man away, yet this was her first kiss—how did she just give it away to a stranger like that!

She fiercely bit his lips, summoning all her strength, yet he showed no reaction—instead he kissed her even harder.

Having never been kissed before, she could barely withstand it!

"Hurry up and find him! Once you find him, take care of him on the spot!" shouted a burly big man from the crowd, and the crowd scattered.

The burly big man's gaze suddenly shifted to the two people engaged in an ambiguous act.

The man's kiss grew more intense, heedless of onlookers, and he shoved her against the wall.

The more fiercely he kissed, the harder she bit, yet he stubbornly held back any sound.

"Why won't you let go?! I can barely breathe!" the girl pounded on the strange man.

"Could he be after me? No way—I haven't offended anyone! Or is he after him?" the girl thought, staring at the man whose eyes were locked on her, while also feeling embarrassed and wishing she could disappear into a hole.

Who keeps staring at people kissing like that?! Hooligan!

By the way, this guy, without hesitation, just went ahead and kissed a stranger—what a hooligan!

He's nothing but scum! She wished she could beat him black and blue, but she couldn't move a muscle at the moment.

Damn it!

The man felt no embarrassment; instead, he shone a flashlight on her.

This flashlight beam drove the girl to desperation—did he still not see clearly? She hated being shone with a flashlight the most.

The girl glared at the light, broke free from the man's tight grip, and poised to charge at him and strike.

The man finally withdrew from her lips, but moved down to her shoulder and neck, not touching her, not moving—yet she could feel his exhaled breath, a little ticklish.

Their first kiss was so intense she could barely catch her breath.

"What are you looking at?! Can't you see we're busy?! You can't see clearly, right?! Want to come over here? Let you get an eyeful!"

While she gasped for breath, she didn't forget to curse the man a couple of times.

The man lowered his head to her neck, hearing her words, and a faint smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

The burly man was also left feeling utterly embarrassed by the remarks.

"Darling! Let's continue!" the girl said, pressing the man's head, which was still a short distance away, against her neck; instantly, a cool sensation from her skin reached his lips.

Her hands were still "wandering" over his body—was this real or just an act?!

The man hadn't expected her to act like this! And calling him "darling"! His body went stiff.

The burly man hurriedly turned away and actually walked off in a fluster.

Was he scared by her?

"We didn't find him," a few people reported back to the burly man.

"Let's look elsewhere; he was drugged with an anesthetic, so he can't get far!" the burly man said.

Hearing them walk away, the two almost simultaneously let go of each other.

"Thud—" the man, deprived of her support, collapsed to the ground.

"Hey!" the girl shook him, but there was no response—"Could he be dead?"

No sooner had she spoken than a car drove up.

"Young Master!" a Zhōngnián rén shouted, jumping out of the car and quickly ordering people to lift the man lying on the ground into the vehicle.

As soon as the person got in the car, it drove off.

"Hey! What kind of people are you?! Just leaving like that?! At least I saved him!" the girl shouted at the departing car, "Not even a thank you! What kind of Young Master is this?!"

"I said I've been waiting half a day and still haven't seen you—I thought something had happened." A tall figure drew nearer, "Turns out you were shouting behind a car—is this still the aloof Chu Liuli I know?"

Then came a burst of laughter.

"Hey! Cheng Li! You're still teasing me!" she grabbed his arm.

"No more laughing! No more laughing!" the male student begged.

Only then did she release her grip.

"Come on, let's eat!" he naturally slung his arm over her shoulder.

The two bickered and joked as they walked forward.

Cheng Li, handsome and tall, from a wealthy family, was the school's heartthrob, admired by many girls.

He and Liuli were childhood sweethearts; wherever Liuli went, he was there too, so in the eyes of those girls, she was nothing short of a troublesome presence.

At the barbecue stall by the alley entrance, the two ate late-night snacks as usual.

"This is really delicious! Try it!" Cheng Li handed over a skewer of mushrooms to Liuli.

"Delicious!" Liuli took a bite after taking it.

Soon, their table was piled high with the bamboo skewers left over from the barbecue.

All along, she couldn't figure out why someone like Cheng Li, a Young Master, wouldn't look down on a roadside stall.

Liuli turned to go pay.

"I already paid," Cheng Li said, slinging his arm around her shoulder again and pulling her into the alley, "I'll walk you home."

Hey! Every time we do something, you pay; who do you look down on? Liuli shook off his hand, "I've also earned some money from my part-time job."

Alright, next time you treat! Cheng Li rubbed her head.

You always say that! Liuli looked at him, "Cheng Li, even my school fees are paid by you; I already owe you too much."

As a friend, how could I not help you when you're in trouble?

Cheng Li...

Alright, it's fine.

Cheng Li only left feeling relieved after sending her home.

She stared blankly at his retreating back.

Over the years, without his help, she might not have made it this far.

"Little Liuli, why are you standing at the door not coming in?" An old man opened the door and saw her dazed.

"Grandma, why did you come out? Hurry back inside, your health isn't good." Liuli came to her senses and helped the old person inside.

"Little Liuli, I'm fine, my health is much better."

Liuli couldn't help but hug the frail old person before her.

Yes, she was afraid, afraid that one day the old person would leave her.

"Grandma will always be with you." Grandma gently patted her back.

Hearing Grandma's words, she held back her tears.

Grandma had Alzheimer's syndrome since years ago, forgetting everything, yet she still remembered her.

As Grandma grew older, big and small illnesses cost a lot of money.

The money she earned from her part-time job was too insignificant.

Not only her tuition, but even rent, Grandma's various medical expenses, and surgery fees were all paid by Cheng Li's family.

She owed him too much; given her current situation, she might never be able to repay him in a lifetime.

A few days ago, the doctor told her that Grandma had a large tumor in her brain requiring surgery, but where would the money come from?

She didn't tell Cheng Li, because she didn't want to bother him again.

Whenever anyone invited her to go out, she refused; she never attended class gatherings, and since she wasn't very talkative, everyone found her hard to approach.

Cheng Li also invited her out for meals, but she repeatedly declined, and when she did go out, she always chose the cheapest food.

Cheng Li also understood her difficulties, so each time he quietly paid the bill.

The matter of Grandma's surgery was like a huge stone, pressing down so she could barely breathe.