Chapter Forty-Eight

Zhang Yi had a question for Rain Xingyue and said, "Xingyue, a rather interesting friend has come to my house recently. But I hardly ever know this person's whereabouts, and I want to understand her better."

"An interesting friend? Did you make a new friend recently? You have to introduce me next time," Rain Xingyue replied.

Zhang Yi said, annoyed, "Didn't I just say that this person's whereabouts are mysterious? Even if I go looking for her, I might not find her. She only appears late at night most of the time—so how am I supposed to introduce her to you?"

Rain Xingyue stuck out her tongue and laughed. "Sorry, that does sound difficult. But tell me, who exactly is this mysterious friend that has you so intrigued?"

With a wry smile, Zhang Yi explained, "Actually, Xingyue, you know this person too. Remember last time when we went to Extraordinary's house and caught that thief? That's who I'm talking about."

"The thief..." Hearing this, Rain Xingyue fell into thought. She quickly realized that Zhang Yi meant Li Li, the person who had been lurking outside Huang Feifan's house. Yes, that was Zhang Yi's so-called friend.

"You mean that person is your friend? Is that true?" Rain Xingyue asked uncertainly, watching Zhang Yi with a tense expression.

Zhang Yi, startled by her nervousness, hurried to reassure her, "Calm down, Xingyue. She really is my friend, it's just that she doesn't acknowledge me. But don't worry—she's not as bad as you think."

"That's not what I meant," Rain Xingyue protested. "But Zhang Yi, how could you willingly befriend a thief? Has she brainwashed you or something?" She thought Zhang Yi must be crazy to befriend a thief, but then she worried that maybe Li Li had some ulterior motive and was getting close to steal something.

Zhang Yi quickly explained, "Listen to me, Xingyue. I believe she will change and stop stealing. All I want is for her to find a better path in life."

Rain Xingyue patted Zhang Yi's shoulder and sighed, "Zhang Yi, let me be honest with you. A leopard can't change its spots. That tomboy Li Li—no one can change her. She's bound to do whatever she wants."

"So you still don't believe me? Fine, then I'll swear a poison oath: if she steals again, let my right arm be gone." Zhang Yi glanced at his right arm.

"No, stop!" Rain Xingyue interrupted anxiously. "You really are impossible! Fine, I'll trust you this once. If she really gives up stealing, I'll accept her as your true friend. But if she goes back to harassing Huang Feifan, then I'll make sure she spends the rest of her life in prison." At some point, Rain Xingyue's hand had clenched into a fist.

"You're really harsh, Xingyue, but your words put me at ease. Trust me—she'll change," Zhang Yi replied with a smile, wrapping his left arm around Rain Xingyue's shoulder.

"Let's see how she turns her life around. For now, all we can do is wait for school to start. It's all because of the pandemic—it's been almost two months and still no school," Rain Xingyue complained.

"Yeah, we can only keep up with everyone through video calls. I really want to go back to school and sleep," Zhang Yi said.

Rain Xingyue replied, "You're not going back to school to study, but to sleep, aren't you?"

"I can't help it. There's something about those desks—they make you sleepy. Sleeping in the classroom just feels right," Zhang Yi laughed.

Rain Xingyue was speechless. She'd always thought Zhang Yi was a model student, but evidently, he was just like everyone else—napping through class. Still, she couldn't blame him. Once you get used to sleeping in class, it's a hard habit to break.

"Meow!" A cat's cry startled Rain Xingyue. She shrank into a ball on the sofa, nervously looking around. Zhang Yi, seeing her so frightened, asked, "Xingyue, what's wrong? What are you afraid of?"

"Did you hear that cat just now?" Rain Xingyue asked.

"A cat? You mean David, my cat?" Zhang Yi pointed to the doorway. At that moment, David poked his head out, staring at the two of them, his fur bristling at the sight of Rain Xingyue.

"Ahhh!" Rain Xingyue screamed. "Get him away! I'm afraid of cats!"

"What? You're afraid of cats?" Zhang Yi was stunned. The founder of Scatterstrike, who led the Tianyuan team to glory and was admired by Xiao Jian, was scared of a cat? No one would believe that Rain Xingyue—the fearless legend—would be afraid of something so small.

Zhang Yi picked up David and sat down next to Rain Xingyue, smiling, "Don't be scared, Xingyue. He's very gentle—he wouldn't hurt you." He tried to pass David to her.

But as Rain Xingyue looked at David, especially his eyes—so snake-like and ready to strike—she curled up even tighter. "No! Take him away! Don't give him to me! Ahhh!" Her shrieks grew louder, loud enough for the neighbors to think some parents were scolding their child.

"Are you really afraid of cats, Xingyue?" Zhang Yi set David down, and the cat scampered back to the room. Zhang Yi did his best to comfort Rain Xingyue.

With his reassurance, Rain Xingyue gradually calmed down. Embarrassed, she apologized, "Sorry, Zhang Yi. I didn't mean to show you such a cowardly side of me."

Zhang Yi waved it off. "No need to apologize. Honestly, I think you look kind of cute when you're scared."

The word "cute" was usually reserved for girls, not boys. It was the first time Rain Xingyue had ever heard anyone describe him that way, and his cheeks flushed unexpectedly. He couldn't meet Zhang Yi's gaze.

"Cute... This is the first time I've heard you say that about me," Rain Xingyue said softly, catching Zhang Yi off guard.

Zhang Yi grew worried, "Don't scare me, Xingyue. Are you alright? Did I break your brain by calling you cute?" He instinctively reached out to touch Rain Xingyue's forehead, but there was no fever or anything unusual.

Rain Xingyue pouted. "Don't touch my forehead like that, or I'll never grow tall."

"Tall? Xingyue, don't rub it in. I already feel inferior about my height compared to you. Why compare yourself to someone barely over one-seventy?"

"Uh, I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I just wanted to encourage you."

"Encourage me to be as tall as you? No, thanks."

"Why not? Aren't you even a little jealous of my one-eighty?"

"If I were as tall as you, my back would have given out long ago. Being too tall isn't all that great. Here, stand on the sofa," Zhang Yi suggested.

Rain Xingyue did as he was told and stood up, his head immediately bumping into the ceiling. "Ow, my precious head!"

"See? That's why I don't want to be as tall as you. There are pros and cons to everything. As long as life is fulfilling, that's happiness," Zhang Yi said cheerfully.

"You're right. Your life is more fulfilling than mine," Rain Xingyue admitted.

"But before that..." Zhang Yi grinned mischievously, his expression turning sinister. "Xingyue, you're afraid of cats, right? Then I'll bring David over for some quality bonding time."

"No!" Rain Xingyue wailed, dashing out the door to hide, out of sight.

...

By the trash bins, Li Li finally managed to dig out a half-eaten piece of bread. Her sole principle for survival was simple: as long as it was edible, it was hope.

In a remote alley, Li Li crawled into a large cardboard box—the only place she could call home. It didn’t offer much protection, but as long as it kept out the wind and rain, that was enough.

Before her was what she considered the best food in the world: unfinished bread, sour milk, and expired potato chips. At first, she’d never dared eat from the trash, but to survive, she forced herself. After fourteen years, her stomach had grown immune. She no longer got sick from such food.

Li Li wolfed down the bread, washed it down with the milk, and finished off with some chips. That was her meal for the day. She only ate once daily, and now there was nothing left in the trash to stir her appetite. Usually, she would roam further afield to scavenge food for the next day’s lunch.

When she really couldn’t find anything, she thought of one person—Zhang Yi. Every time she came by, there would be food waiting on his windowsill. She knew Zhang Yi left it for her, even though he never mentioned it. In her heart, she believed Zhang Yi was a good person.

The pandemic was finally easing, but the streets were still deserted, and there was less and less trash. With nothing for lunch tomorrow, Li Li had no other choice but to seek food from Zhang Yi’s home.