"Li Huai, do you, a toad, dream of eating swan meat? Can't you see your true colors?!"
"What do you mean, two-timing? I call this optimization. I, a university student, condescended to be your girlfriend. You, a mere high school graduate, should be grateful to me. Yet, you expected me to be loyal to you alone? You must be dreaming!"
This conversation occurred at the bustling university entrance.
Li Huai stared coldly at his girlfriend, Zhao Manlin.
Next to Zhao Manlin stood a short man, arm wrapped around Zhao's waist, provocatively staring back at Li Huai.
At twenty years old, with his less-than-stellar college entrance examination results, Li Huai started working immediately after high school.
Zhao Manlin had been his girlfriend since high school, to whom he had been nothing but caring and attentive.
The tuition and living expenses she required after entering university, were all painstakingly earned by Li Huai.
In his hometown, people marry young. His family wanted to meet Zhao Manlin; that's why he came looking for his girlfriend in the provincial capital, bringing gifts with him.
But to his surprise, he walked in on Zhao Manlin kissing another man!
"Zhao Manlin, you cried to me about your family favoring sons and neglecting daughters, claiming they wouldn't support your education. That was half the reason I chose to work instead of repeating the year!"
"For the past two years, I've sent you a monthly stipend of 500 yuan, surviving myself on steamed buns and instant noodles. I did this just so you would not feel inferior at the university. Now, you deem me unworthy of you?"
Li Huai scoffed coldly, his face emotionless as he looked at Zhao Manlin.
Zhao Manlin's face turned beet red. "Li Huai, stop assuming that you've made big sacrifices for me. All those things were what you willingly did. Did I ever force you? I am a university student, with limitless possibilities in the future. You can't keep me anchored to you with this little money!"
At this point, the man next to her, Chen Yan, patted her on the shoulder.
"Manlin, don't speak of him that way. After all, we wouldn't be living comfortably these past two years if it weren't for his monthly contributions."
Chen Yan then turned a provocative gaze towards Li Huai.
"Bro, now that you're aware of my relationship with Manlin, you should recognize your position and keep your distance. You're not in her league anymore.
For a high school graduate like you, it would be best to find a girl from your village. However, if you still wish to continue supporting Manlin financially, I don't mind. I've grown accustomed to using your money these days."
At this, he erupted into laughter, and Zhao Manlin couldn't help but giggle with her hand over her mouth.
Their looks toward Li Huai were full of mockery, as if they were watching a clown performing in a circus.
Li Huai took a deep breath, covertly clenching his fists. The amber in his right palm, which he skimped and saved to buy for Zhao Manlin, was starting to become warm from the force of his grip.
Unbeknown to him, a ray of golden light suddenly flashed across the amber and shot into his eyes.
"Zhao Manlin, I'll just consider these past two years as a blind period in my life. Everyone meets some scum when they're young. It just so happens that I met the worst among them. Don't worry about me bothering you, I'm not interested in trash."
Li Huai's eyes nonchalantly swept over Chen Yan.
There's a saying that goes, 'whores belong with dogs', so may you two endure eternally. As for trash, it belongs in the bin. I wish you all the sterility in the world, and no offspring to continue your line."
With that, he turned around without hesitation to leave.
Back in high school, it was Zhao Manlin who pursued him.
She was a girl who hailed from the mountains, facing gender prejudice at home. Her family was misogynist, treating her poorly and leaving her to live a life of scarce means.
After she poured out her sorrows to him, he felt an innate desire to protect her, and thus agreed to be with her.
As for the depth of their feelings, it was just as it was.
But Li Huai believed that since he had promised to be with someone else's daughter, he had to take responsibility.
Over these years, he worked hard so as not to make Zhao Manlin feel inferior at school, hoping that she could wear pretty little dresses like other young girls and buy expensive skincare products.
His salary was not high, but whatever he could contribute, he did. He felt no remorse about his feelings towards this relationship.
It could be said that their break up now is a kind of liberation for him.
"Boy, who did you say is a garbage?!"
Upon hearing his words, Chen Yan's face instantly turned ugly. He clenched his fists and pounded them towards the back of Li Huai's head.
How could someone like him who has never suffered be able to beat Li Huai? Li Huai simply reached out, grasped his wrist, and pressed it down hard. The immediate pain made Chen Yan swear.
"Darn it, how dare you hit me!"
"Slap!"
Without uttering a word, Li Huai delivered another slap on his face, glaring at him menacingly.
"I've put up with you for a long time now. Swear one more time and I won't hesitate to knock you down right here on the street."
Chen Yan was so frightened that he fell silent and involuntarily took a step back.
Li Huai gave Zhao Manlin, who was standing there dumbfounded, a final glance before turning around and walking away, ignoring the cursing Chen Yan behind him.
Walking along the unfamiliar street, observing the passersby, Li Huai felt a wave of melancholy.
Breaking up with Zhao Manlin didn’t sadden him as much as he had expected. Instead, there was more disappointment, and even a hint of relief.
The obligation that had been binding him was finally gone.
From now on, he could live freely for himself.
Li Huai squatted on the roadside and smoked a cigarette. He found a small bar, ordered some barbecue, and sat alone at a table drinking.
His salary was not too high, but without the stress of home and car loans, it was more than enough to support himself.
After being with Zhao Manlin, he hadn't indulged like this in a long time.
At the table beside him, five or six rowdy youths were sitting, drinking and making noise.
One bald man even had his foot on the chair, holding a glass of wine, and shouted.
"Do you guys know how I got this scar? I had offended one of Tiger Brother's men. Tiger Brother himself stuck me with a knife! Any of you dare to mess with Tiger Brother? Have the guts?"
The rest of the youths encouraged his boasting.
"No way, Wei is way too brave. I only dare to run when I see Tiger Brother!"
"This scar is your medal of honor, Wei. When will you show it to us?"
Sun Wei laughed and scolded them, "Get lost, that's not something you little scrubs could handle."
...
Li Huai was drinking, turning to glance at Sun Wei with a dismissive murmur.
"It's just at the lower abdomen, right?"
He was ready to gulp down another swig of wine as he spoke.
Yet, just when he was about to sip from the cup, his body froze.
He hastily glanced at Sun Wei once more, then, with a surprised look on his face, he rubbed his eyes.
"What the hell? Why can I suddenly see through things? Am I dreaming?"
At that moment, his left pocket started to grow unusually hot. He quickly took out the piece of amber that was inside.
Simultaneously, the amber emitted a burst of light again, shooting straight into his eyes!
