1
At 2 AM, the streets of Los Angeles, particularly the small bridges, lacked the bustling vibrancy of inland cities, exuding an eerie quiet, as if something was about to happen. Pedestrians were scarce, and even the occasional speeding car couldn't break the unsettling silence.
On the sidewalk beside the street, a drunk man stumbled along, carrying a beer bottle in his left hand, half-empty. He muttered something to himself, occasionally taking a sip.
Undoubtedly, this was a typical loser. He must have suffered some blow; he was either complaining about social injustice or lamenting the superficiality of modern life!
As the drunk man passed a lamppost, he nearly crashed into it, then looked up and unleashed a torrent of curses at it. Then he turned and continued walking.
Just as this drunk man, Alex Qi, turned, someone suddenly appeared under that lamppost. He appeared out of nowhere, suddenly. No one knew where he came from, or what he was doing there.
The streetlights shone on him, but there was no shadow beneath his feet.
Walking aimlessly down the street, Alex Qi had just broken up with his girlfriend—his 20th girlfriend, to be precise. He had proposed with a huge bouquet of flowers, but all he received in return was a simple question: "Where will we live in the future? Are you even planning to buy a house?" Alex Qi didn't know how to answer.
Because he was from the countryside, he had only saved 30,000 yuan since graduating from university without giving his family a single penny. The down payment for a house was still a long way off!
He wanted to tell the girl, "Wait two more years, and I'll have enough for a down payment!" But the words wouldn't come out. Even if he bought a house, he still wouldn't be able to get married.
Getting the keys, decorating, and getting married all cost money, which would add up to nearly 100,000 yuan. He couldn't possibly have that much savings in the short term.
Looking at the girl's slightly questioning eyes, the words that came out of his mouth were, "Let's break up."
Heaven and earth bear witness, Alex Qi's heart was bleeding as he said those words. What should have been the next steps—marriage, children, and a quiet life.
But facing the questioning gaze of the woman he loved, a mix of anger, helplessness, and dissatisfaction with life swirled within him, making it hard to breathe.
The girl's choice regarding the future was understandable. He had no reason to blame her, but was it really meaningful to selfishly keep her by his side, to bind her with various lies?
As a man, he had an obligation to make his woman happy and give her a warm home. But what could he offer her? Forget it, let her go! While she's still young, let her pursue her own happiness!
Loving her means wanting her to be happy, regardless of whether that happiness is given by him or not. As long as she's happy and joyful, that's enough! Isn't that right?
After saying goodbye, Alex Qi felt much lighter. The girl simply replied, "Okay then, let's not contact each other anymore!" Ha, how easily she said it!
Picking up the fallen bouquet, Alex Qi brought it to his nose and smelled it. How fragrant! What a pity! A pity for the fragrance, and even more a pity for the 100-plus yuan he'd spent!
Holding the flowers in his hands, Alex Qi didn't know where to go or what to do.
He walked a few steps forward, then turned back. If Alex Qi remembered correctly, there should be a 24-hour convenience store a little further ahead. Sure enough, not far ahead, there was a convenience store, its lights still on.
As soon as Alex Qi stepped inside, the shop owner greeted him warmly, "Oh, young man, going on a date? Holding such a big bouquet of flowers. Are you looking for... you know? Sorry, I don't sell that here! I only sell cigarettes, alcohol, and snacks."
Alex Qi silently turned his head, placed the flowers on the counter, and said casually, "Sir, take these flowers home for your wife, and get me a few beers while you're at it!"
The shop owner looked at the flowers, then glanced at Alex Qi a few times, sighed, and said leisurely, "Never mind, my wife can have the flowers! Help yourself to whatever you want to drink, it's on me!"
Alex Qi casually grabbed two bottles of beer (he didn't recognize the brand) and placed them on the counter, saying to the owner, "Open these, sir."
The owner didn't say anything, just took out a bottle opener, clicked open the two bottles, and handed them to Alex Qi.
Alex Qi grabbed an opened beer and chugged it down in one go at the convenience store. He immediately felt a little dizzy, grabbed another bottle from the counter, and left the store.
Watching his staggering figure disappear, the shopkeeper sighed heavily. He muttered to himself, "What is love in this world that makes people willing to die for it?"
Upon reaching the street, the cold wind made Alex Qi feel nauseous. He quickly tightened his coat to suppress the feeling and continued walking.
The winter street was eerily quiet. Even the occasional passing car couldn't mask the desolation.
After leaving the convenience store, Alex Qi wandered the streets for hours, beer in hand, completely aimless. This street was Xiaoqiao Street; if he kept walking, he'd reach Datong.
But it didn't matter. He'd just keep walking until he couldn't walk anymore.
As Alex Qi passed a lamppost, he nearly bumped into it, cursing it a few times before continuing on his way.
But he hadn't gone far when he heard a lazy voice behind him: "Young man, are you planning to give up like this? Perhaps this old man can help you become stronger! But in exchange, you'll have to agree to some conditions."
Slowly turning around, Alex Qi was certain that there was no one there when he passed the lamppost, and he had even cursed the lamppost blocking his way. But now he clearly saw a person leaning against the lamppost—or rather, an incredibly handsome foreigner.
A cigarette dangling from his mouth, the foreigner was smiling at him. Alex Qi shivered, rubbed his eyes, and the foreigner leaning against the lamppost was still there. He pinched his thigh hard, and the foreigner was still there.
At this moment, the foreigner spoke again, repeating the same words Alex Qi had heard before turning around, "Young man, are you planning to just give up like this? Perhaps I can help you become stronger! But in exchange, you have to agree to some conditions."
