Chapter Eleven
Halfway through dinner, Rain Xingyue signaled to Xiao Jian to join him outside. Xiao Jian gently set aside Zhang Yi, who was already drunk and leaning on his shoulder, and followed Rain Xingyue out of the restaurant to begin their conversation.
Rain Xingyue asked, “Xiao Jian, what’s the story with that girl in the blue dress?”
“Oh, you mean Rain Li. Did she cause you any trouble?”
“No, I’m just curious why she’s so afraid of me and Lin Ling. She doesn’t seem to react much to anyone else. Is there something you want to tell me?” Rain Xingyue pressed.
Seeing Rain Xingyue’s curiosity about Rain Li, Xiao Jian wondered why she was so fearful right after meeting them.
With both hands in his pockets, Xiao Jian replied, “Brother Rain, actually, Little Raindrop—Rain Li—is deaf and mute.”
“A deaf-mute?!”
“That’s right. She’s been that way since childhood, which made her very withdrawn. She doesn’t dare to get close to people, especially strangers, fearing she’ll upset them—just like how she reacted to you just now,” Xiao Jian explained.
Rain Xingyue finally understood. He’d thought Rain Li was simply quiet and shy, but he was mistaken—she was deaf and mute and afraid of everyone. Rain Xingyue wondered how she had ever become a candidate for the Tianyuan Team.
Xiao Jian continued, “When she joined the Tianyuan Team, I was curious too. She was chosen by Coach Tian.”
“What does Coach Tian have to do with it?” Rain Xingyue asked.
“At the time, Coach Tian was out shopping and happened to see Little Raindrop. He thought she had potential and brought her into Tianyuan.”
“Did her parents agree?” Rain Xingyue pressed.
“Don’t even mention it. According to Coach, when he said he wanted to take Rain Li, her parents felt she was a burden and readily agreed to let her go with him. I can’t believe what kind of parents would do that—heartless!” Xiao Jian punched the wall in frustration.
“Yeah, everyone has a bastard for a father,” Rain Xingyue muttered, thinking of his own.
“Sorry, Brother Rain, I didn’t mean to bring up your past,” Xiao Jian apologized, realizing he’d touched a sore spot.
Rain Xingyue shook his head. “It’s fine. I was the one who came to you for answers. I didn’t expect it to turn into such a heavy topic.”
“Well, you know what you wanted. Let’s go back inside before they get impatient.”
“That’s enough for now. Let’s head in.”
Their conversation about Rain Li ended, and the two returned to their seats as though nothing had happened. When asked, they simply said they’d gone to the restroom. Huang Feifan, drunk, seized the moment to joke that he and Rain Xingyue had shared a toilet, provoking laughter all around. Rain Xingyue and Xiao Jian pinched his arm playfully, but since he was drunk, there was little else they could do.
The gathering ended. Rain Xingyue hadn’t drunk much and was only half-tipsy, his mind still clear. Lin Ling abstained from drinking since she had to drive—never drink and drive.
Xiao Jian and Lin Zimo took responsibility for getting the others home; their tolerance was decent. Rain Xingyue felt most concerned for Rain Li—so young, yet she’d already downed four bottles of beer.
When they got home, Rain Xingyue collapsed into bed. The alcohol churned in his stomach, and within minutes, he felt drunk.
Lin Ling returned home, washed up as usual, and went to bed. The day passed.
When Rain Xingyue woke, it was already afternoon.
“Damn, how did I sleep so long?” Rain Xingyue checked his phone—it was 3:39 p.m.
There was no work that day. Rain Xingyue had planned to rest, but seeing the time, he realized even his pajamas were gone. He got up, dressed, and went out for a walk.
After going downstairs, he soon spotted a familiar face.
“Wu Siying, what are you doing here?” Rain Xingyue asked in surprise.
Wu Siying retorted, “I should be asking you—what are you doing here?”
“I live here. Did you just move in?” Rain Xingyue asked.
“That’s right. My parents moved here, so I did too. Looks like we might be neighbors.”
“Which suite are you in?”
“506.”
“Oh, so you live right above me.”
“Seems like fate, doesn’t it? What are you standing around for? Come help me.”
Rain Xingyue was stunned. “Help with what?”
“Moving furniture, of course. Take these things up to 506 for me. I need to go downstairs for more.”
“Wait! How much stuff is there?”
“A lot. A whole lot.”
“You’ve got to be kidding!” Rain Xingyue groaned.
He carried Wu Siying’s belongings to 506, where he met a middle-aged man and woman—her parents. They asked him for help, and Rain Xingyue, unable to refuse, joined Wu Siying downstairs for more trips.
After about twenty runs up and down, Rain Xingyue felt utterly drained. Always slight in build, he struggled with the heavy loads, his arms numb and aching.
He’d only meant to take a stroll downstairs, but after running into Wu Siying, it turned into a weightlifting marathon. Rain Xingyue was drenched in sweat.
After Wu Siying’s parents thanked him, Rain Xingyue went home and took a bath, soaking away the fatigue.
Time shifted to a Monday afternoon after school. In Heartbreak Café, Rain Xingyue was chatting with Lin Zimo when a stranger entered, looked around, and, after checking a photo on his phone, approached Rain Xingyue at the counter.
“Are you Rain Guo?” the man asked.
Rain Xingyue’s expression froze. He knew this man all too well—the very person whose debts had ruined his mother and caused so much suffering. His father.
“Come with me,” Rain Xingyue’s father said. Rain Xingyue told Lin Zimo to watch the shop, then followed the man outside.
They walked to a small alley, and Rain Xingyue spoke bluntly, “Go ahead, tell me—how much do you owe this time? We finally paid off everything, and now you dare ask for more?”
Rain Xingyue’s father sighed. “Rain Guo, is that really how you see me?”
“How else would I see you? After the divorce, you and Mom are nothing to us. We finally have the life we want—why do you keep disturbing us, Rain Chun?” Rain Xingyue shouted.
Rain Chun looked at his son, realizing he was no longer the boy he once knew. The last time he’d seen Rain Xingyue was after his elementary school graduation. Now, his son had changed, his long hair long gone.
Rain Chun said, ashamed, “Rain Guo, please, just give me one more chance.”
“Give you a chance? Do you think I’m stupid? It’s not up to me—ask Mom if she’ll agree. She told me recently she’s found a good man who loves and cherishes her. If she still cares about you, I’ll call her right now and see if she’s willing.” Rain Xingyue pulled out his phone, ready to dial.
“No, there’s no need to trouble her. Let’s just settle this between us,” Rain Chun said quickly.
“Fine. What kind of chance do you want? If it’s for Grandma being sick and needing money, save it—she’s been gone for ages. Are you still using her as an excuse?”
“Rain Guo, am I really that greedy in your eyes?”
“Stop calling me Rain Guo. The name you gave me is a disgrace. My name is Rain Xingyue now. Here’s thirty thousand yuan—take the card and get lost!” Rain Xingyue threw the card at Rain Chun’s face and walked away without looking back, leaving Rain Chun standing alone.
Rain Chun watched his son’s retreating figure. From Rain Xingyue, he felt nothing but loneliness and helplessness—feelings he himself had caused. He had truly come to seek forgiveness from his ex-wife and son.
But Rain Xingyue wanted none of it. He believed Rain Chun was only returning because the debts were paid and now wanted reconciliation. Rain Chun had never contributed a cent—everything had fallen on Yang Shuting’s shoulders, and Rain Xingyue’s hatred for him was deep. During those hard years, Yang Shuting suffered immensely, enduring countless humiliations to support herself and her son.
Rain Xingyue’s stance was clear: he would never forgive the man who abandoned his family. Giving him money and telling him to disappear was the greatest mercy Rain Xingyue could offer.
Rain Chun realized his son would never forgive him. He stood there, staring at the bank card Rain Xingyue had thrown at his feet, full of regret. To his son, he was nothing but a gambler and beggar. But once a wrong is done, there’s no going back—opportunities come only once.
Rain Xingyue returned to the café. Lin Zimo greeted him, concerned, “Are you alright? Did he do anything to you?”
“Zimo, he’s my father.”
“What?! That was your uncle?”
“That’ll be the last time I call him that. We’ll never have contact again. I gave him money and told him to leave for good. I just want a peaceful life, no more appearances from him. Zimo, do you think I’m an unfilial son, hating my own father like this?”
Lin Zimo shook his head, reassuring him, “I think you’re right. He was the one at fault. Now that your lives are better, he wants to take advantage—it’s impossible. After all, father and son never hold grudges forever; time will heal everything.”
“Your words make me feel better. Thank you for listening.”
“No problem. We’re friends! If there’s ever trouble, we can support each other,” Lin Zimo said warmly.
“Mm.”
They returned to work, Rain Xingyue quickly putting the unpleasantness behind him and immersing himself in his duties. Forgetting was simply a matter of shifting focus, doing his job and not dwelling on the past.
With crowds flooding the café, it could no longer accommodate everyone. Before closing, the owner announced they’d be renovating, and no one should come to work until it was done. With the café’s profits, the renovation wouldn’t cost much—a small matter for the boss.
With nothing else to do, the two went home. Now, all they could do was wait. Rain Xingyue and Lin Ling would soon return to the Tianyuan Team, this time as sparring partners and team medic.