Chapter 1: The Price of Kindness
Shen Yan was just eighteen. He had black eyes, black hair, and an unremarkable face—neither handsome nor ugly. An average guy living an invisible life.
He worked night shifts for a food delivery company, juggling long hours while scraping together enough money to pay for his college tuition. A few years ago, his parents died in a tragic accident, and what little inheritance they left behind was snatched away by greedy relatives through forged documents and bribed authorities. That betrayal, cold and calculated, became the foundation of his unshakable resolve.
Despite the injustice, Shen Yan endured. He never begged, never complained. Life was cruel, but he kept moving forward.
What kept him going was one reason alone: Xi Ming.
She was the only person who had ever been kind to him. His childhood friend. His first and only love. After his parents died, when depression nearly swallowed him whole, it was Xi Ming who pulled him back to life. Her kindness, her warmth—it became his anchor.
Tonight, he rode his motorbike through the brightly lit streets. The city was alive with Spring Festival celebrations. Red lanterns lined the buildings, and fireworks boomed in the distance. Families gathered to celebrate, laugh, and share joy.
But for people like Shen Yan—those at the very bottom—there were no holidays. No warmth. Just deliveries.
Just a few blocks away, far from the golden glow of skyscrapers, the city changed. There, in the shadows, illegal trades ran rampant. Drugs, guns, prostitution—you name it. In that part of the city, morality was dead and everything had a price.
Shen Yan arrived at a towering 40-floor commercial apartment. He parked his bike and approached the front desk.
"Ma'am, food delivery for Mr. Wang Ji," he said politely, holding out the package.
The receptionist checked her screen. "Wait a moment."
She tried to call Wang Ji, but there was no answer.
"He's probably busy. Wait ten minutes. If he doesn't call back, take the food and leave."
"Ten minutes?" Shen Yan blinked, forcing a smile.
"Ma'am, if I wait, the food will go cold. Our company has a strict policy—"
"And our building has a strict policy too," she interrupted, annoyed. "No strangers go upstairs without resident approval."
He sighed. "Understood. I'll wait."
After ten minutes, she finally received a call and waved him through.
On the 30th floor, Shen Yan knocked on the door.
"Coming," a gruff, irritated voice replied.
An elderly bald man opened the door.
"Sir, here's your order," Shen Yan said, offering the package.
The man took it and scowled.
"You're twenty minutes late. The food is cold. And now you want full payment?"
Shen Yan forced a bitter smile.
"Sir, I arrived on time. There was a line at the security check, and you didn't answer your phone for ten minutes. According to company policy—"
"Shut up," the old man snapped. "I don't want to hear your excuses."
He shoved half the payment into Shen Yan's hand.
"Sir, this is only half the bill. You're required to pay in full."
The old man snorted.
"Keep talking, and I'll call security to throw you out."
Shen Yan fell silent.
Seeing his bowed head, the old man smirked and slammed the door.
Shen Yan walked back to the parking zone, frustration boiling in his chest.
It didn't matter what he said—his manager wouldn't care. Only money mattered. He could already hear that man shouting at him.
Ring! Ring!
He glanced at the caller ID and cursed.
"Perfect timing. Thanks for the blessing, God," he muttered.
He picked up the call, voice low. "Hello?"
"Don't 'hello' me, you useless idiot! Do you know who you just offended?! How dare you piss off Mr. Wang Ji?!"
"Manager, please. That man deliberately delayed the pickup, and when I arrived, he refused to—"
"Shut it! I don't want to hear your garbage. That amount is coming out of your salary."
"But—"
"No buts! Come back now. You've got more deliveries. Unless you want to be fired."
The call ended.
Shen Yan stood alone in the dim lot. Only a few scattered lights flickered overhead.
Then—
"FUCK MY LIFE!"
He slammed his fist into the concrete wall. A bruise bloomed across his forehead. His breath came heavy.
Nothing was going right. His old manager had been kind, but he died of a heart attack. The new manager? Vicious and cruel—always deducting pay, always late with salaries.
His rent was overdue. If it went unpaid any longer, he'd be kicked out.
And worst of all—Xi Ming.
She had grown distant. Cold. Her replies were empty:
"Okay."
"Fine."
No calls. No warmth. No explanation. Shen Yan didn't push—he gave her space. But the pain gnawed at him.
He touched the bruise on his forehead, sighing.
"When will it end..."
He thought of the final piece of inheritance—one land deed, still waiting on official approval. That was his last hope. If approved, it could change everything.
He turned to his bike—
And froze.
A familiar voice echoed through the parking lot.
"Oh, Brother Luo Fan~ What if someone sees us?"
A woman in a tight blue dress clung to a tall, muscular man with a scar across his cheek. Her voice was teasing, playful.
Xi Ming.
She was laughing, arms around Luo Fan—a known thug and extortionist. Even Shen Yan had once been blackmailed by him.
Luo Fan chuckled. "You worry too much. Let them see. What can they do?"
He held her by the waist, pulling her closer.
A few meters away, Shen Yan crouched behind a car, eyes wide, heart pounding.
'No... Xi Ming? With him? Is this why she's been avoiding me...?' he thought, breath catching.
"About the deed?" Luo Fan asked casually.
"Oh, you mean those land documents from Shen Yan's house? Don't worry. I snuck in and stole them when I visited him last."
She pulled the papers from her purse.
"HAHAHAHA!" Luo Fan laughed.
"You did well. That idiot really trusted you. What a dumb dog."
Xi Ming smirked. "I never even let him kiss me. Told him I wanted to wait till marriage. He nodded like an obedient fool."
"Let's keep pretending a bit longer. We'll use him as an errand boy. He helps me with rent, with fake medical expenses... while we rake in his money."
"We'll wring him dry."
Her lips curled into a cruel smile.
"Don't worry," Luo Fan said. "Once I get the rest of that money, I'll take you on a real vacation."
"Mmm~ Brother Luo Fan really does care about me."
They leaned in for a kiss—
"XI MING!"
A voice roared through the parking lot.
They froze.
Luo Fan turned.
And Shen Yan stepped into view, his eyes burning with fury.