The dimly lit hall was filled with a chill.
A figure sat on the central sofa, head down, drinking wine, the floor already piled high with empty bottles.
As a child, Su Zhe approached his father somewhat fearfully and pleaded, "Dad, drink less."
The figure paused, but did not stop drinking.
It's unclear if it was because of Xiao Su Zhe, but he drank heavily, as if he were retaliating by torturing himself, without telling Xiao Su Zhe the reason.
"Dad." Little Su Zhe looked at him with some worry and fear. He was only seven years old and had just started elementary school. It was the first time he had seen his father like this. He was terrified and could only stand aside, not daring to make a sound or leave, for fear that... his father would abandon him.
After a long silence... only the crisp sound of bottles being tapped could be heard.
The figure glanced at Su Zhe, about to speak but then sighed, "An Xin, I... sigh... never mind, it's all in the past, why should I vent my regret here?"
"Su Fengzi is a joke..."
Xiao Su Zhe sat on the sofa with his head down, not daring to make a sound. But suddenly, he heard footsteps. When he looked up again, his father's figure had disappeared, leaving only the smell of wine.
Su Zhe's eyes dimmed.
He slowly got up and walked towards his room.
My name is Su Zhe.
Most people think I'm a rich kid living a good life. Now it's the seventh year since the Great Wilderness began, and the outside world has changed dramatically. I'm only labeled this because of my father.
But is being rich really a good thing...?
It's not good in my eyes. I crave family. My mother died in childbirth, and now my father hates me to the core. It's just not time for it to explode yet. One day I'll know that the peaceful days I have now are about to shatter and eventually turn into nothingness.
What will I do then...?
Chuanhai Academy
The twelfth year of the Great Wilderness, also the first year after all the academies reformed, the academies will not only teach students about the affairs of the world, but also let them know where the Great Wilderness came from and how it ended, and how to become Sequence User... and so on.
Classroom 163 was bustling with activity, with many students playing. Su Zhe, however, looked around alone, wanting to join the group but unable to find an opportunity.
Suddenly, he noticed a classmate sitting in the corner, not playing with anyone else. He became interested; he was ostracized because of his background, but why was that other person being ostracized?
I went over there out of curiosity.
The person didn't seem to notice that Su Zhe had secretly approached, and was looking out the window as if in a daze.
"Hehehe..." Su Zhe chuckled mischievously, crouching low as he slowly walked under the desk. Suddenly, he stood up, intending to startle the person.
But after shouting, no panicked voice was heard.
The man stared at Su Zhe silently, their eyes meeting in an awkward silence.
Feigning composure, Su Zhe coughed twice and said cautiously, "My name is Su Zhe, and I'd like to get to know you."
The person in front of him remained silent for two seconds before speaking.
My name is Li Chen.
Su Zhe's face lit up with a smile, and he chuckled, grabbing Li Chen's hand before he could react, saying, "That's great, you're still my first friend."
"I'm taking you out for a big meal today, bro!"
Li Chen: "..."
This was the first time he had encountered such a situation, and he was at a loss for what to do. He wondered whether he should refuse, but it seemed that the man had said he was his first friend, so should he go?
I only have 20 yuan to last five days. A steamed bun costs one yuan, plus a cup of soy milk... Hmm... Maybe I should ask that fierce-looking uncle for an extra serving of pickled cabbage. That way, I can definitely get by for five days with a full stomach.
But should they agree or not?
If he spent even a penny more, he would go hungry for at least a day... Li Chen looked out the window, unsure how to answer. This was the first time someone had wanted to be his friend, but wasn't they afraid of him?
Suddenly, Su Zhe interrupted Li Chen's thoughts.
Are you going or not?
"I'll treat you to a meal, don't worry, I won't charge you." Su Zhe's expression was unusually arrogant, but he had every right to be arrogant. In this day and age, money is hard to earn, and he was a rich kid. Those who could become his friends were undoubtedly the best among their peers.
After hesitating for two seconds, Li Chen finally agreed...
Su Zhe grinned, looking like a fool, which attracted the attention of many students around him, but none dared to directly confront him.
As the table was dragged along, Su Zhe sat down less than half a meter away from Li Chen.
The two had only known each other for a short time.
Su Zhe talked a lot, which made Li Chen's thoughts, who usually liked to think, keep coming back to a halt. However, Li Chen didn't find it annoying, because it was a novel experience and a conversation between "friends".
The class ended quickly.
After seeing Su Zhe leave first, Li Chen assumed that Su Zhe had just been bragging all day and decided to go home.
As soon as Li Chen reached the door, Su Zhe appeared in front of him on a bicycle with a large headlight and a loud horn. He even pressed the horn, making a loud noise. Su Zhe didn't feel ashamed at all, and even shouted for Li Chen to get on the bike.
"Hurry up, we're going to have a big meal!"
Li Chen looked around before sitting down.
Su Zhe grinned, patted the bicycle, and said, "This is my precious new bike, it's my life!"
Li Chen nodded and sat obediently in the back seat, showing no disdain. He was pondering in his mind, "This guy really is going to take me out for a big meal... but what if he reneges on the bill later?"
Is it too late to get off the bus now?
However, he overthought things.
With a quick movement of the bicycle, I soon arrived in front of a noodle shop. The signboard was quite meaningful, named "One-Noodle Encounter."
That's indeed how Li Chen and Su Zhe met.
After parking the car, Su Zhe led Li Chen inside. He seemed to know the way well, clearly a frequent visitor. However, Li Chen felt reassured seeing the noodle shop.
If Su Zhe really takes him to a big restaurant, he'll probably run away as soon as they get there.
The two sat in a corner.
Su Zhe ordered two bowls of "Yuan Noodles," the restaurant's signature dish, and chuckled, "Hehehe, the noodles here are really delicious."
I've been eating this since I was a child.
Eat it every day, without worry.
Li Chen nodded. If it were noodles, he could actually afford to eat them, but he would be hungry for three meals after eating one.
Soon, two steaming bowls of noodles were served.
While eating his noodles, Li Chen looked at Su Zhe with a puzzled expression and asked, "Why did you approach me and even treat me to noodles?"
Su Zhe's hand, which was holding the chopsticks, froze for a second.