Volume One, Chapter 12: "Mutual Affection"

After my father came to his senses, he handed the passbook to my older brother without saying a word.

Naturally, my brother waved him off, saying that Uncle Nan had already taken care of everything for us.

“You even contacted Old Nan?” my father’s eyes flashed sharply.

Quickly, my brother explained to Dad that Uncle Nan’s involvement was a mere coincidence. He then recounted everything in detail about our visit to Old Hei.

After listening, my father glared at me fiercely once again and said, “If you hadn’t run into Uncle Nan by chance, who knows what Old Hei would’ve made you do?”

“Chen Hui! Listen to me carefully! Nothing good falls from the sky!

If he forgave you fifty thousand yuan, it means what he wants you to do is worth far more than that!

It might even be a matter of life and death!”

I nodded. “Understood...”

My father was momentarily taken aback, not expecting me to stop arguing and instead relent.

Of course, through what my brother told me about Chen Bing, I understood that my father only wanted the best for me.

Regarding Old Hei’s request for me to do him a favor, I also agreed with my father; it was just that at the time, I couldn’t afford to be so cautious.

“Just understanding it isn’t enough—you have to remember this,” my father’s tone softened. “Don’t just think about matters in society. In the adult world, everything revolves around money.

No one will be kind to you without reason. If they are, it means they want something from you!

Chen Hui, never harbor ill intentions toward others, but always guard yourself!”

After finishing his lecture, my father asked my brother for Uncle Nan’s new landline number and told us not to contact him unless necessary.

He said that although Uncle Nan was forced into his circumstances, we ultimately live in different worlds. The proper path is to work diligently and honestly.

Then my father glanced at my brother and said his visit to our factory tonight was actually to see him.

“What’s up, Dad?” my brother asked.

“What’s up? You’re almost thirty and still haven’t found a wife. What do you think?” Dad shot him a stern look.

My brother helplessly nodded in agreement and promised that if he didn’t meet someone special this year, the family would arrange a match for him.

My father then let us return to the factory.

Sister Yuzhu and Kang Youwei were waiting at the factory gate. When they saw us return, they hurried over.

My brother and I told them that the matter with Old Hei had been settled.

“That’s a relief...” Kang Youwei sighed deeply.

Sister Yuzhu visibly relaxed.

“Old Kang, what’s the betting for today?” My brother suddenly remembered and looked at Kang Youwei.

“Today?” Kang Youwei blinked. “No betting today.”

“Oh, no betting? Then we need to figure out how much to spend...” My brother wrapped his arm around Kang Youwei and headed toward the dormitory, gesturing back at Sister Yuzhu.

That instantly made me think of my brother’s earlier explanation of “mutual affection.”

But before I could say anything, Sister Yuzhu’s expression changed as she stared at me seriously.

“Xiaohui, can you promise me something?”

“Of course, Sister Yuzhu,” I nodded decisively.

“Can you stop fighting? Even if someone bullies me, please don’t fight back, okay?” Her voice softened as she lowered her head. “The day my brother got into trouble, he took a knife from home. I waited at the door and waited... but in the end, it was a call from the hospital...

Xiaohui, after you left earlier, I thought you might end up like my brother... It was really terrifying...”

“Okay! Sister Yuzhu, I promise you. I won’t fight anymore. I won’t lay a hand on anyone. I won’t make you worry.”

At that moment, I truly meant it.

I intended to follow my father’s advice—to stay grounded and walk the straight path.

But in this world, nine times out of ten, things don’t go as planned...

After I gave my clear answer, Sister Yuzhu nodded and then grabbed my wrist to look at my arm.

It was marked with the bruises from my father’s earlier beating.

Frowning, she asked about the whole story, then took me to her dormitory and helped me apply medicine to my wounds.

I was overjoyed, feeling comforted by her gentle hands...

Until I was almost drifting off, I suddenly recalled the images from that video!

I opened my eyes and looked at Sister Yuzhu, swallowing nervously. “Sister Yuzhu, um... what about that time you said you’d give me... give me a chance? Does that still count?”

“Huh?” She gave me a sharp look.

“Sister Yuzhu, my brother took me to watch that video, and I get it now! We’re mutually attracted, right?” I turned over earnestly. “You make me feel good, I make you feel good, and we both feel good! There’s no financial entanglement! That’s mutual affection! My brother said so!”

Sister Yuzhu burst out laughing, clutching her stomach and wiping tears away.

I scratched my head, confused.

Once she stopped laughing, she said my brother was talking nonsense: “Xiaohui, mutual affection focuses on feelings, but your brother only talks about desire. Feelings and desire are two different things. If you use feelings as an excuse to satisfy your desires, then you’re nothing but a beast.

Xiaohui, do you want to be the beast that hurts me?”

I shook my head firmly but felt it was complicated.

Then Sister Yuzhu pulled a street stall novel from her luggage.

She told me to read it carefully, saying that after reading, I’d understand the difference between feelings and desire.

I naturally agreed.

So I took the street stall novel back to the dorm and studied it closely.

But I’m the type of person who gets sleepy when reading; the words felt like hypnotic spells.

It wasn't until the male and female protagonists met in the story that I finally perked up.

Because I subconsciously imagined the male lead was me, and the female lead was Sister Yuzhu...

Plus, the occasional explicit descriptions in the book made me feel parched...

That dryness soon turned into vivid memories from that video in my mind...

Just then, a square object slipped out of the book and smacked me in the face.

I picked it up — it was a color photograph, and the person in it was none other than a smiling Sister Yuzhu.

Perhaps to take this color photo, she had clearly worn makeup.

With her graceful figure standing there and her slightly flushed cheeks and softly parted lips...

I really couldn’t resist. I got up, made sure my dorm mates were asleep, and sneaked into the bathroom with Sister Yuzhu’s photo...

Sister Yuzhu, I’m sorry. I’ve become a beast in spirit. Blame it on your beauty—so alluring, I can’t stop myself... Awooo, awooo...

That was how I spent two days finishing the street stall novel Sister Yuzhu gave me. From it, I understood that feelings and desire are indeed different.

Feelings can include desire; they complement each other. But desire without feelings is dangerous—it’s like Sister Yuzhu said, using feelings as an excuse to hurt others, becoming a beast.

Those women standing on street corners or working in salons earn money that feeds such beasts...

So what am I to Sister Yuzhu? Feeling or desire?

I myself was confused.

Before I could figure it out, another important matter for both Sister Yuzhu and me arrived.

That was the job assessment for the flatbed vehicle.

Because Sister Jing taught us carefully, over the past few days Sister Yuzhu and I had mastered the basics of the flatbed—opening and closing tarpaulin covers was no longer a problem.

Sister Jing arranged for us to be assessed by the supervisor.

On the day of the test, Sister Yuzhu and I got up early and met downstairs at the dormitory.

We wanted to be the first to enter the factory and take the vehicle spot, so we could warm up and get familiar before the supervisor arrived.

But as we waited at the factory gate for it to open, I suddenly noticed a man standing in the office corridor on the side of the factory, staring straight at me...

He wore glasses, smoked a cigarette, and wore a sly grin—it was Team Leader Li!

Immediately, I remembered his words:

“The road is long and the mountains high...”