Tao plopped onto the couch, controller already in hand. LiWei kicked off his sneakers and dropped onto the spot beside him, stretching his arms with a loud yawn.
"So…" Tao started, not looking away from the TV screen, "rich girl, expensive car, you... Explain."
LiWei shot him a flat look. "You sound like a nosy auntie."
Tao snickered but didn't let it go. "Bro, don't even joke. You stepped out of a luxury car with a literal goddess inside. If you don't tell me, I'll assume she's buying you new shoes next."
LiWei sighed, letting his head fall back against the couch. "She says her little sister's a fan. Wants me to teach her basketball and English."
Tao paused the game dramatically. "That's it?"
"That's it," LiWei repeated.
"You hate rich people, though."
"Hey I don't hate rich people,I just don't want to have anything to do with them because rich usually equal to trouble
And do you think if I see a soft rice I would not eat it " LiWei said jokingly
Tao turned to him, grinning. "Really,then don't forget your brother too, I also want to eat soft rice
LiWei muttered under his breath, "Then she said she'd learn too…"
Tao blinked. "Wait. She wants you to teach her basketball?"
LiWei nodded reluctantly.
Tao sat up straight, clutching his chest. "My brother's about to start his side quest—'Teach the Ice Queen to Play Ball.'"
LiWei groaned and shoved him. They ended up laughing and tossing insults at each other while playing games deep into the night.
The Next Morning
Dragging himself to campus with heavy steps, LiWei yawned into his sleeve. His mind still buzzed from yesterday.
Two boring lectures passed before it was time for English. He stepped into the classroom, his hands stuffed into his pockets.
"Mr. LiWei."
He looked up. Ms. Liang stood at the front, her slim figure framed by the sunlight through the windows. She wore a soft cream blouse tucked into a pencil skirt, red glasses perched on her nose.
"You look tired," she said lightly.
He rubbed the back of his neck. "Didn't sleep much."
She smiled faintly, almost teasing. "Don't slack off just because you're good."
LiWei blinked at her. Was that… praise?
He shrugged and made his way to his seat. Throughout the class, he caught her gaze a few times. It wasn't suspicious — more like curiosity, like she was trying to figure out what made him tick.
Maybe she was just interested because he wasn't the usual rich-kid student.
Weird.
At the end of class, she handed out an extra practice sheet just to him. "Keep challenging yourself," she said quietly.
LiWei accepted it with a small nod. He wasn't used to teachers who noticed him — not since middle school.
After School
He was exiting the building when a loud, cheerful voice called out.
"Big bro!"
He turned, startled. A girl was jogging toward him — slim, bright-eyed, a notebook clutched in her arms. It took him a second, but—
"Oh... it's you."
A memory flickered — three months ago, behind the library. Two older boys crowding a scared girl. His hand grabbing one guy's shirt, his voice sharp and cold, telling them to back off.
She had stared up at him like he was a superhero.
"You don't remember my name, do you?" she teased, bouncing slightly on her toes.
"Uh…"
"Jiang Mian!" she said, laughing.
His eyes widened a little. Jiang. Wait—
"She is her… sister?" he thought
I'm a big fan of yours! You're like, the coolest guy in school!"
LiWei rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. Praise made him itch.
"Wanna walk home together?" she asked brightly.
He smiled, a little more relaxed now. "Not today, Mian. Maybe next time."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
She gave a mock salute and skipped off.
LiWei watched her go, heart feeling strangely lighter for the first time in days.
Back Home
He pushed the front door open, slipping off his shoes.
Just as he stepped inside, he caught the sound of his parents' voices drifting from the kitchen.
"…he's grown up so fast," his mother was saying. "It feels like yesterday he was still clinging to my leg."
His dad chuckled softly. "Now look at him. Captain of the basketball team, making waves in school... He's going to outgrow us soon."
There was a pause.
"You think he won't... know?" his mom asked in a low voice.
LiWei froze, suddenly feeling like an intruder in his own home.
His dad answered after a moment, "He must not know, you should know how he is,if he knew he will storm their place and things will get worse"
"Don't worry everything will be fine just don't tell him"
His mother sighed "Okay"
LiWei was surprised but decided to come in like he was just coming back since he didn't want them to know
"Hey Mom, Dad". he shouted to announce his arrival
He went to the kitchen to meet them but stopped when he saw his father's face.
An anger he had never felt before came over him and asked his father
"what happened" he said coldly
His father was surprised and quickly replied "It is okay,I just fell down while delivering something
I was just careless"
He didn't believe it even for a second but had to leave it just like that and said
"Okay"
His mom quickly asked him to prepare the plate for dinner to divert his attention but he didn't refuse and prepare the plate
They had dinner and talked and joked like a normal and loving family.
After the dinner he said goodbye and went to his room
What could have happened, the bruise doesn't look like an accident but like someone been beaten
What is Dad hiding from me
I have to find out
I have to ask Uncle Win tomorrow
If it's someone bullying my father....
He thought angrily.
A warm current passed through his body making him feel like he can carry a car but he thought he was imagining it
It's adrenaline
Yes it is the adrenaline