A Real Man

Yujie, I actually support you getting out and clearing your head. You're only twenty-one, and you can work anywhere. I-I can tell that ever since your breakup, you've always seemed unhappy.

As they walked, Li Yang earnestly tried to persuade Zhang Yujie.

Really, Li Yang? Zhang Yujie smiled, taking Li Yang's arm as she asked affectionately.

Of course. I don't want you to suffer like this either, but unfortunately, there's not much I can do to help. When you get to Shanghai, you'll have Li Meijiao for company too. That's killing two birds with one stone. If you two strike it rich in Shanghai, don't forget to let me ride your coattails.

Li Yang's humor gave Zhang Yujie an unprecedented sense of ease. Sometimes, girls were easy to comfort, but sadly, most guys lacked that kind of patience. They wasted great opportunities for nothing, ended up single, and then shouted every day that there were no good girls in the world.

Sometimes, when a woman threw a tantrum for no reason, she just wanted the man she loved to coax and comfort her. A few soothing words could settle things perfectly. Women could be quite simple sometimes.

Li Yang, my rent won't be up until next month. Just help me hand things over to the landlord. When the time comes, take away the stuff in the room and use it. I'll feel more at ease leaving it with you, and it'd be such a waste to throw it out. You and your girlfriend can use it too. Zhang Yujie thoughtfully considered Li Yang because he had been the first man in her life.

Women always remembered the man who took their first time, whether with love or hate. A man's memory would take root and grow in a woman's mind for the rest of her life.

Zhang Yujie was no exception!

All right, Yujie. Don't worry. I'll see you off tomorrow. Once you leave, who knew when we'd meet again?

Li Yang stopped and gave Zhang Yujie one last lingering look. Other than being a little short, Zhang Yujie really did have a great figure.

After returning home, Zhang Yujie sorted and organized the things in the room with Li Yang's help. Then the two went out for dinner.

To leave Zhang Yujie with one final memory of Luoyang, Li Yang took her all around the attractions in the Old City District. They ate, drank, and had fun. With Li Yang by her side, Zhang Yujie completely returned to being a carefree young girl, trying every Luoyang specialty snack one by one while Li Yang dutifully followed behind and paid the bills.

Naturally, whatever she couldn't finish went into Li Yang's stomach. Zhang Yujie thoughtfully fed him all sorts of snacks after taking only a few bites herself. She had to save room for the next one!

That way, Zhang Yujie sampled everything from beef soup and stewed noodles to all the soupy dishes girls loved.

In the end, Li Yang was so stuffed that he cried out in misery. Seeing his pitiful state, Zhang Yujie giggled nonstop, but then she felt a wave of sadness. It would have been nice if Li Yang could stay by her side forever.

Sadly, all feasts came to an end. Thinking of that, Yujie's sorrowful mood suddenly eased.

It was eleven at night when the two finally took the bus back to Little Li Village in Shanghai Market. Li Yang carried a large bag of snacks for Yujie that she wouldn't be able to get in Shanghai, though the summer heat made it impossible to store some things, so they bought much less.

Back in the room, Zhang Yujie took Li Yang's hand tenderly and said sincerely, "Don't go back tonight. Stay and keep me company, okay, Li Yang? I'm leaving tomorrow morning."

Seeing that, who could resist? Li Yang obediently nodded in agreement.

Zhang Yujie happily hummed a song as she went to shower, leaving Li Yang staring blankly in the room.

Just then, Yue Xiaodan called. It was her first day of business, and she had been swamped beyond belief. Only after washing up did she finally have time to call the man she loved and ease her longing for him a little.

Hubby, are you asleep? I'm not disturbing you, am I? Yue Xiaodan's gentle voice reached Li Yang's ears.

I was just about to fall asleep, honey. Did you miss me? Li Yang's groggy act was quite convincing.

Mm. I want you to hold me while I sleep. I want to kiss you, hubby. It really was true that girls in love had zero IQ. They put all their thoughts into their boyfriends, so how could they have the energy to think about anything else?

When he heard Zhang Yujie returning to the room after her shower, Li Yang promptly coaxed his silly wife. Xiao Dan obediently hung up and went to sleep!

Li Yang, you should go wash up too. Wearing a transparent lace nightgown, Yujie bent over to dry her wet hair. Before Li Yang, she displayed her most seductive posture. Girls were best at using such tactics.

Swallowing hard, Li Yang sheepishly changed into the women's slippers in Yujie's room and went to shower.

After the two finished tidying themselves up, they finally got into bed. The moment Li Yang's head touched the pillow, Zhang Yujie, fragrant from her shower, moved close to him.

Hold me while I sleep. Yujie raised her head, her breath sweet as an orchid, and looked at Li Yang.

A stretch of silence followed. Both of them closed their eyes, though it was impossible to tell whether they were really asleep.

Second by second, time passed. Zhang Yujie's breathing gradually steadied, but her hand still tightly gripped Li Yang's. Li Yang, meanwhile, had no desire to sleep at all. He secretly watched Zhang Yujie's profile, and an indescribable feeling rose within him.

Just then, Zhang Yujie suddenly moved, pressing closer to Li Yang. Li Yang was too nervous to move, afraid of waking her. Yet Zhang Yujie did not wake up. She merely sighed softly and buried her head in Li Yang's arms.

Feeling Zhang Yujie's warmth and softness, Li Yang's heart began to race uncontrollably. He wanted to push her away, but he was afraid of waking her, so he could only silently endure the awkward situation. After a while, Zhang Yujie seemed to sink into a deeper sleep. Her body trembled slightly as she let out faint snores.

Li Yang was startled by Zhang Yujie's sudden movement and hurriedly opened his eyes. Zhang Yujie was looking at him with a mischievous gaze. Her face was wreathed in smiles, as though she did not care at all about what had just happened.

Li Yang smiled awkwardly and tried to explain. "I didn't mean to..." But Zhang Yujie interrupted him. "It's okay. We're already together anyway." As she spoke, Zhang Yujie gently stroked Li Yang's face, her eyes full of tenderness.

Then she took the initiative and kissed Li Yang...

More than half an hour later, everything had become calm again...

Zhang Yujie tightly hugged Li Yang, a sweet smile on her face as she quickly fell asleep...

At six in the morning, Yujie slowly woke, still bleary-eyed. Seeing that Li Yang was sleeping soundly, she mischievously began kissing him again...

Before long, another intensely passionate scene unfolded in the room...

Afterward, Li Yang directly called Manager Zhao to ask for leave. Beside him, Zhang Yujie was so exhausted that she had no strength left and fell asleep again.

This girl could endure even more than Yue Xiaodan. Li Yang smiled helplessly and held her as he drifted back to sleep.

It was nearly ten in the morning when Zhang Yujie urgently cried, "Oh no, Li Yang, get up!" Only then did Li Yang groggily open his eyes.

What is it, Yujie? Isn't there still time? Li Yang asked casually.

I want one last Luoyang meal, Li Yang. Pouting, Yujie quickly picked up her underwear and put it on. Li Yang hurriedly got up and dressed as well.

After a round of scrambling, the two finally packed their luggage, bags large and small. Girls always had more things to carry than men, and Li Yang was speechless. He could only let her have her way.

After leaving, Zhang Yujie wanted cold noodles, so Li Yang took her for the Three Skins, One Noodle, Roujiamo, and Haibi Perfect Combo. Naturally, after Zhang Yujie tasted everything, Li Yang was responsible for finishing the rest.

At 11:10, the two rushed anxiously to Luoyang Railway Station.

Li Yang, sit down and rest for a while. Dragging her suitcase, Yujie plopped down on a seat in the waiting hall. Li Yang held a large bag in his hand and had a travel backpack slung over his shoulders. Women were such a hassle when they traveled, Li Yang thought.

The two sat down leaning against each other. Yujie took out the Yuting pills Li Yang had bought for her and swallowed them with mineral water.

They had not taken precautions during their two intimate encounters the night before, and Li Yang was afraid Yujie might get pregnant. So when they passed a pharmacy, he bought her a single box of the medicine.

Li Yang, when New Year comes, we'll come back. Then I'll take you to Xin'an County to have some fun, okay? Yujie leaned against Li Yang's shoulder and said softly.

Sure. I'll pick you up at the station then. Take good care of yourself over there, understand? Li Yang reminded her uneasily.

Got it. Come on, let's get on the train first. Li Yang bought a platform ticket and escorted Zhang Yujie all the way onto the train. After placing all the luggage on the rack, the two finally sat down to rest.

Will you be able to carry all this when you get off? Li Yang looked worriedly at the bags.

Dummy, I'll carry the suitcase in my hand, put the travel bag on my shoulder, and stack one bag on top of the wheeled suitcase and pull it along. Won't that work? Yujie was in a good mood, without the slightest sorrow over parting. Li Yang's performance the night before had been the best comfort for her, and she was satisfied.

As the moment of separation approached, Zhang Yujie still could not resist giving Li Yang a lingering farewell kiss. Neither of them wanted to let go...

Li Yang stood by the platform, continuously waving at the departing train. Zhang Yujie, seated inside, suddenly began to cry. She slowly lay facedown on the little table by the window and sobbed quietly. The scorching sunlight outside shone through the curtain onto her back, dazzlingly bright...

After Li Yang returned, he lay listlessly on the bed that still held Zhang Yujie's scent, staring into space as he recalled everything they had shared...

That afternoon, Li Yang called Wang Liang and borrowed a tricycle. Together, they packed up everything useful from Zhang Yujie's room and moved it to Yue Xiaodan's rental apartment.

Then Li Yang handed the keys to the landlord, finally completing everything Yujie had asked him to do.

Before he knew it, it was dinnertime. Wang Liang invited Li Yang to go with him and see the curtain girl's beauty.

The two went to the entrance of a curtain shop on West Garden Road. Through the glass window, Wang Liang pointed out his blind date, Yang Yanping, to Li Yang. Li Yang looked curiously. Yang Yanping was fairly tall, around 1.6 meters, and wore high heels and stockings.

The two chatted outside for a while as they waited. Yang Yanping came out after work with her bag over her shoulder. Wang Liang hurried over with a cheeky grin and introduced Li Yang. That counted as getting acquainted.

Come on, I'll treat you both to dinner, Li Yang said readily.

Isn't she the one treating us? Yanping curiously pointed at Wang Liang and asked.

It's fine. Your boyfriend did some work for me, so it's only right, Li Yang said with a chuckle, playing peacemaker.

Hey, don't say that. We're not even close to that yet. We're just ordinary friends for now. Whether anything happens later depends on his performance. Yanping bluntly clarified their relationship so no one would misunderstand.

The three went to a barbecue stall and sat down. The server brought over a menu, and Li Yang let Yang Yanping order first before casually choosing a few things himself. He and Wang Liang ordered a case of beer and began drinking.

Want some? Li Yang opened a bottle and casually asked Yang Yanping.

Pour me a glass. Yang Yanping was in a pretty good mood, so she answered Li Yang without ceremony.

Then the three started eating and drinking. Wang Liang was not good at chatting with girls, while Yang Yanping asked Li Yang all sorts of questions. When she learned that Li Yang also worked at Shanghai Market, she suddenly felt quite happy. She was completely different from the cold, aloof girl she had been during their first blind date.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Yang Yanping said she wanted to go home. Wang Liang rode his tricycle over and told her to get on so he could take her back, but she unexpectedly looked down on that mode of transportation and refused to ride it. In the end, she said goodbye to Wang Liang with Li Yang, and the two of them took a taxi back.

Li Yang sat in the front passenger seat and ignored Yang Yanping in the back. Before long, they arrived at Wangfu Village on Alliance Road. Li Yang paid the fare and got out.

I'll be going then. Bye. Li Yang said goodbye to Yang Yanping and prepared to walk home.

Li Yang, walk me back and help me with something while you're at it. Yanping's tone was domineering, as though she were ordering him around.

What is it? Li Yang turned around in confusion and looked at Yanping, whose well-proportioned figure had curves in all the right places.

Come on. Are you afraid a girl like me might do something to you? Yanping laughed merrily, revealing a row of white teeth.

Li Yang followed her through twists and turns until they reached her rental apartment and went up to the second floor.

When Yang Yanping saw that a room had its light on, she immediately took Li Yang's hand, gestured for him not to speak, and pushed the door open.

Inside were two young men who looked like petty thugs, puffing out smoke and filling the place with haze.

Yang Yanping instantly put on a frosty expression and stood in the doorway. "I'm telling you, this is my boyfriend, Li Yang. If you dare harass me again, don't blame my man for getting nasty."

Only after hearing Yanping did Li Yang instantly understand why she had asked for help. Sometimes, when a pretty girl was out on her own, she often faced harassment from boys with bad intentions. Yanping was one of them. Ever since two hooligans had set their sights on her, she had suffered terribly. Even the landlord had tried to mediate, but it had not helped.

Li Yang knew that to deal with scum like this, he had to make them understand the consequences in one go if he wanted to solve the problem at its root.

So he put on an act, took Yang Yanping's little hand, and boldly kissed her red lips. "Baby, I can't believe that after I've only been out of prison for a few years, some blind fools are already bullying you. Wait here. If I don't vent your anger today, then I've lived for nothing."

Under Yang Yanping's dumbfounded gaze, Li Yang pulled out the Sanrenmu Folding Knife from behind him with a murderous expression and walked straight up to the two men. He pressed one thug's head down onto the table, then drove the knife into the tabletop just beside his head. The two were terrified out of their wits and continuously begged for mercy.

If you fucking dare bully my woman again, it won't be this easy next time. You hear me? Li Yang had once run with rough crowds, and his manner was not an act. He had often taken part in group brawls before and was long used to it.

We understand, bro. We'll never dare again. Please spare us. Li Yang dared to act directly because he was good at judging people. These two were obviously just little punks on the fringes of society, the kind who only bullied the weak and feared the strong. Hurt them badly once, and the cure would be immediate.