Chapter 10: Does it hurt?

 I left Ruili without saying goodbye to Qian Guang. When he needs me, he will definitely reach out. After returning to Kunming, I went to my grandmother's house.

 I handed over thirty thousand yuan to my grandfather. The funeral expenses for my dad were all borrowed from him, totaling fifty thousand. I've only paid back thirty thousand, as I need to keep some money for my gambling fund.

 "Hey, Xiao Fei, where did you get all this money from?"Could it be stolen?"We're all relatives, no need to rush. If you're in such a hurry to pay me back that you're thinking of robbing someone, that's not acceptable."

 I listened to my aunt's words, smiled, and said, "Don't worry, Aunt, it's not stolen. You can spend it without concern."

 "You say that, but this is your grandfather's money. How can I spend it?" My aunt said, giving me a light slap.

 I smiled a little, not exposing anything, watching my aunt take the money into the house. My grandfather's money is my uncle's money; all of his retirement funds have been transferred to my uncle's account, supposedly to keep it safe, but in reality, it's my uncle and aunt who are in charge

 After I paid back the money, my mom pulled me into the house and sternly questioned me, "Where exactly did your money come from?"

 Mom's expression was both worried and serious, her aged face showing the marks of time, all those wrinkles. I couldn't bear to lie to her, so I said, "I went to gamble on some stones and won fifty thousand."

 "Bang..."

 My mom slapped me on the head. Although it was quite forceful, it didn't hurt. She angrily said, "Your dad died from gambling on stones, and you still want to gamble on stones? Do you want your mom to send you away too?"

 I said, "Mom, I won, there's no loss. Dad's research experience wasn't wrong; he just encountered a counterfeit. I won't follow in his footsteps..."

 My mom started crying, very sad, and said, "I don't want you to get rich overnight; I just want you to be safe and sound. Do you know that you are my only support? Gambling on stones is not a good thing. I don't care if you win or lose; from now on

 I said, "Mom, what else can I do if I don't gamble on stones?"Do you want to be a driver like Dad?Being looked down upon for a lifetime?Have you seen Auntie? She got a new outfit for the Dragon Festival. What about you?"You still wear the old one..."

 "Mom doesn't want to compete with others; I just want you to be safe and sound. There's nothing wrong with being a driver; earning money through your own skills is commendable. Gambling on stones is truly a bad thing. If you keep seeking comfort without effort, something bad will happen. I'm begging you

 I watched my mom about to kneel down, feeling utterly exhausted. I hurriedly helped her up, unable to bear it. I said, "I understand, Mom. I won't go. I have class in the afternoon; I need to attend."

 Mom held onto me and said, "Mom believes in you, okay? You can't lie to Mom. I made you some bamboo tube purple rice, take a little with you..."

 Sitting on the bus back to school, recalling my mother's tear-streaked face, I felt a deep sense of frustration. I will still go gamble on stones, even if it means deceiving my mother. But even if it's a deception, I have to go; I will bear all the consequences myself

 Back at school, I entered the classroom, but I had no interest in listening to the lecture. Deep down, I was a bit hopeful that Qian Guang would call me. I still wanted to gamble on stones, but now I couldn't go alone. I was afraid that Qian Laowu would confront

 I have no regrets; I want what I deserve. I don't care about the grudges or conflicts between Xiao Mi and Lao Wu regarding money. Those are none of my business. I just want to get what I should have.

 "Zhao Fei, you haven't been to class for several days. Where have you been?"

 I turned to look at the person who asked me a question; it was Xuanling. I looked at Xuanling and felt it was so strange. No one in the class talked to me, as if they were avoiding me like the plague. Why was she the only one who came to talk to me?

 I said, "Going out to have some fun, is there something going on?"

 "Oh, I, I want to ask you, do you have time tomorrow..." Xuan Ling asked.

 I frowned as I listened; it seems that tomorrow is the student council president election meeting. I said, "I'm sorry, I'm a bit busy, and besides, I'm not an outstanding student, so I can't really help with your campaign for the student council..."

 She listened, and her expression became a bit awkward; she lowered her head and said nothing. Cheng Na threw a book at me, and it hurt a lot. I looked at Cheng Na and said, "Are you crazy?"

 She said, "Do you think everyone is like you? When they ask if you're free, it's either to borrow money or to ask for your help? Tomorrow night is Xuanling's birthday."

 After listening, I looked at Xuanling and felt very guilty and awkward. Ever since I kept borrowing money at school, no one has invited me to any birthday parties. Even when I asked them out for a meal, no one came. Xuanling was the first person to invite me, so I

 I said to Xuanling, "I'm sorry..."

 Xuan Ling shook her head and said, "It's nothing, do you have some time?"

 I nodded and said, "When I have time..."

 "Then let's just assume you'll come..." Xuan Ling said.

 I smiled a little, which was taken as an acknowledgment. Xuanling then pulled Cheng Na out of the classroom. I watched Xuanling's back and felt quite guilty about her.

 Everyone has left the classroom, and I'm sitting here alone, feeling quite lost. I used to be an active participant here; my previous aspirations were to pursue a master's degree, then a doctorate, and eventually become a working professional, get married, and have children. But now, everything has changed.

 I have become a living dead, existing for money and survival, struggling to get ahead.

 "Bang..."

 A thick stack of bills fell in front of me. I looked up and saw Cheng Hong glaring at me fiercely, saying, "This is the repair bill, a total of 386,000. Since we're acquaintances, you can skip the cents. When will you pay me back?"

 I was a bit surprised as I looked at the warranty slip; it really was three hundred eighty thousand. That number seemed astronomical to me. I looked at Zeng Hong and said, "That night was to save you..."

 "Zhao Fei, weren't you quite the man before? Now you're acting like a coward? Fine, I won't hold it against you. Just call me 'Auntie' once, and I'll let this money slide. I'll just think of it as buying candy for my grandson," Zeng Hong said

 I suddenly stood up, glaring at Zeng Hong. She was taken aback and said, "What? Are you saying you dare not admit it? That day, it was that grandson who said he would cover the repair costs?"

 I listened, my face burning with embarrassment. I had only damaged her bumper, and I never expected the repairs to cost over three hundred thousand. I swallowed hard and said, "Zeng Hong, that's enough. Don't use money to pressure me; I will pay you back."

 "Sure, bring it here," Zeng Hong said, spreading out her hands.

 Her expression was one of utter disdain for me; she knew I couldn't come up with the money. I looked at her and said, "Can you give me a few more days..."

 She started laughing and said, "No way, not now. Let's see what other houses you have to sell. Who do you think you are? Acting all tough, daring to leave me on the street. You're just a little punk. You drive me around and still complain. Now pay me back. If

 I looked at Zeng Hong's aggressive demeanor, and in my anger, I reached out and slapped her. The slap left Zeng Hong stunned; she stared at me, clearly not expecting that I would hit her. I didn't expect it either. Honestly, after I did it, I regretted it,

 She stared at me, tears falling one by one. Gritting her teeth, she said, "No one has ever hit me before; you are the first person to do this, Zhao Fei. Remember this, I will make you pay for it."

 She finished speaking and turned to leave. I watched her back, feeling very angry. Damn it, this is really frustrating. I kicked the chair over hard, letting out a heavy sigh. Zeng Hong wouldn't let this go easily. I wonder what would happen if Boss Zeng found out that I hit Z

 However, I didn't wait for Boss Zeng to take revenge on me; a few people appeared at the door. It was Huang Qin. I looked at Huang Qin as they closed the classroom door. Huang Qin smiled and walked over, saying, "You've got some guts, huh? You even dared to hit

 I looked at Zeng Hong standing outside the door, and I knew it was Zeng Hong who was looking for Huang Qin. I said, "It's none of your business, don't forget in Ruili..."

 Suddenly, Huang Qin punched me in the chest, and I stumbled back a few steps. He said, "Ruili? You're Guang Ge, right? Aren't you the one who's mixed up with the underworld?"Do you think I'm afraid of him?"He's just a little nobody; my dad could easily take care of him with a few people."

 Huang Qin spoke very arrogantly. I know he isn't afraid of Guang Ge; Huang Qin's family is quite wealthy, so it's understandable that he feels this way. I looked at the few people around Huang Qin and realized that today, I couldn't avoid a beating. In today's society, it's truly an era

 "Give me a call..."

 Huang Qin shouted, and someone came up to grab me. I quickly picked up a stool and smashed it towards him; I wouldn't just sit back and wait for my fate. But there were three of them. One person lunged at me and grabbed me, while the other two punched and kicked me.

 The heart hurts even more.

 "Crash..."

 The classroom door was opened, and I looked up to see Zeng Hong. She was looking down at me with a cold expression on her face and said, "Zhao Fei, does it hurt? You brought this on yourself."

 I stared at her, the red dress fluttering in front of me. I got up like an enraged bull, but was quickly restrained by someone, unable to move at all.

 Zeng Hong walked up to me, looked at me, and suddenly slapped me hard, making my mouth bleed. Then she said fiercely, "Are you awake now? Who do you think you are? Are you clear-headed now?""You're just the son of a driver, you're nothing but a little punk, how dare you hit me..."

 I looked at Zeng Hong, her beautiful face twisted in a way that sent a chill down my spine. Yes, I was awake; this slap had jolted me into reality. I was nobody.

 I am nobody, just the son of a driver...