The summer night brought a cooling breeze that gently washed away the day's clamor and restlessness. The pervasive scent of flowers in the air was deeply refreshing. The reflection of the stars, scattered like countless pearls upon the shimmering lake, made the city night feel so romantic and vibrant. I stood before the lake in the residential park. Since I disliked the noise of the crowds, I quietly slipped away to a solitary spot, stretching my aching limbs as my mind slowly calmed down.
I sat on a bench, quietly watching the lake. Occasionally, a mischievous red carp would dart by, its tail slapping the water and creating a ripple. Everything felt beautiful and still.
Staring at the shimmering lake, my gaze gradually unfocused, and I sank into my own thoughts.
In school, exercising was impossible. First, there was no time; second, there was no place. Losing weight at school was a pipe dream.
Then there was my academic problem. I had fallen so far behind in many subjects that I needed to start from scratch. The workload was huge—so overwhelming that I didn't know where to begin. Even if I did start, there was a high probability I wouldn't stick with it, as it would undoubtedly be an extremely tedious process.
The solution I considered was applying to become a day student. My home wasn't far from school. By skipping evening study hall, I could free up an hour for exercise, then use the remaining time to complete homework and catch up on everything I had missed.
But this was a beautiful thought that would be hard to realize. Leaving aside whether I could stick with it, Mistress Extinction would never agree to the day-student arrangement. She already viewed me as a thorn in her side, and after I accidentally touched her chest this morning, I'd be lucky if she didn't try to teach me a lesson; I certainly couldn't expect her to help me become a day student. The idea made me laugh at my own foolishness.
Furthermore, becoming a day student didn't just require my consent; it required a parent to call her personally and sign a liability waiver with me. That's just how the school was. Similarly, for all holidays, they would issue a "mandatory clause" requiring the student's signature, essentially stating that the student and parents were responsible for any accidents, and the school was not.
The thought of my mother made me sigh. My mother would never agree. I was certain of this. That single point nullified my entire plan, and it was officially busted.
"Ugh..." I sighed deeply, frustrated. I picked up a stone and threw it into the lake.
"Dong!"
A clear sound rang out. The stone shattered the mirror surface of the lake, startling a group of leisurely fish. Waves churned, and the fish swiftly swam to the bottom.
"Why is this so difficult? If only I could get that Old Witch to compromise, to make her listen to me." I lay back on the bench, a blade of grass dangling from my mouth, looking up at the bright moon.
The bright moon was always generous in displaying its gentleness and beauty, allowing people to look directly at it, unlike the sun, which was so fiery and domineering it was impossible to stare at.
I admired the moon's beauty for a while and began pondering the feasibility of the plan.
"How to make the Old Witch compromise? Kidnap? Threaten?" I immediately dismissed these as nonsense. I certainly didn't have the guts for that.
"What about force...?" Suddenly, I recalled the close encounter with the Old Witch this morning. She truly possessed a breathtaking beauty. This kind of mature, dignified, and intellectual woman held a fatal attraction for me. Her body scent, her full, alluring red lips, and that soft, full feeling in my hand... My heart couldn't help but pound with adolescent urges, almost making me utter that forbidden word.
"Am I crazy?" I shook my head and laughed. How could I have such a thought? Was I, this timid and cowardly guy, even capable of thinking such a thing?
But from today forward, the image of Mistress Extinction began to transform in my mind. She was no longer just the fierce, rigid woman. She was a mature woman in a uniform, radiating intellectual charm, with an added layer of seduction and allure.
I stayed a while longer but couldn't come up with a reliable plan, so I got up to go home.
The Temptation and the Contrast
I passed a snack street, where various aromas intertwined: grilled cold noodles, fried skewers, stinky tofu, hot and sour noodles, meat balls—all kinds of food that made my stomach growl after my workout. In the past, I would have rushed over without hesitation. After all, with all the fat I carried, I must burn a lot of energy, so I usually ate a late-night snack every day, or at least some junk food.
But now I hesitated. I had only just decided to change a few days ago, and my inner self was wrestling: an angel and a devil battling it out. Buy, or don't buy?
I stood blankly in front of the barbecue stall, looking like a simpleton.
The skewers, brushed with chili oil, were placed over the charcoal. The owner skillfully turned them, sprinkling various seasonings. The hot oil sizzled on the coals, and the grilled sausages, cut open and seasoned, glowed a mesmerizing red under the light—an appetizing, stomach-opening crimson.
The smell was so intoxicating. I swallowed several mouthfuls of saliva, my feet unconsciously moving forward a few steps. But my inner rationality was still holding back, though it was clearly losing the fight.
"Hey, young man, want some BBQ for a late-night snack? It tastes great," the owner greeted me warmly. Looking at his eager eyes, I felt I couldn't bear to refuse.
"I exercised for two days, so a little barbecue won't hurt, right?" Swallowing my saliva, I stepped forward and ordered some skewers.
Once they were finished and packed up, I planned to eat them later at home, with some ice-cold cola under the air conditioning. The taste would be divine.
I was holding the bag of BBQ, intending to walk into the residential complex, when I inadvertently saw two figures I never expected to see, and my gaze was locked, unable to move even an inch.
One tall, one short, one in black, one in white—the two people walking down the street instantly drew countless eyes.
The tall, slender woman was wearing a black shirt, her towering bust threatening to spill out, showing a perfect outline. Below, she wore a black A-line skirt that reached her knees, with some ruffled layers at the hem. Her long, straight, beautiful legs were encased in black stockings, revealing lovely curves. The stockings connected down to her feet, disappearing into black high heels. The back of the heel stretched the stocking, revealing a hint of rosy color.
Her hair was styled in a ponytail, her shoulder-length, beautiful black hair tied back. Scattered bangs covered part of her forehead, which was otherwise fair and smooth. Her beautiful eyebrows arched over her eyes, like distant mountains. Her face wore light makeup, and her eyes were like a calm, deep pool; looking into them, one couldn't help but sink in. Her upturned eyelashes were long, like a butterfly's wings, making her look very seductive. Below her small, elegant nose were lips painted with red lipstick, looking moist. She was fair and radiant, with a graceful aura.
The beautiful woman's tall, slender figure stood out exceptionally among the crowd, like a crane among chickens, naturally exuding an extraordinary presence. As she walked gracefully, she unintentionally radiated mature charm and allure, yet without losing her dignity and composure.
Beside her, the petite figure clung to the tall woman's arm, looking exceptionally affectionate.
The girl's long hair was unrestrained, falling like a black waterfall onto her shoulders. Her bright, black eyes sparkled like stars, and a smile on her face revealed charming dimples. The beautiful woman occasionally used her hand to playfully scratch the girl's small, elegant nose, making the girl's pink lips pout slightly, seemingly in slight displeasure.
The girl was wearing a pure white dress, with white stockings covering her slender, long legs, and a pair of exquisite, dark, round-toed leather shoes on her feet. She looked exceptionally playful and cute overall, especially when she smiled; she was like a little angel.
This pair—one black, one white, the mature and the playful—instantly became the center of attention. It was as if all the beauty of the world had been stolen by them, breathtakingly beautiful, seeming almost otherworldly.
I froze. I rarely encountered my mother and sister outside, and I rarely went out myself, always refusing, preferring to stay home. So, my mother and sister usually went out together, and I rarely saw them in public.
But this chance encounter stunned me. I marveled at my mother's and sister's beauty, but at the same time, it intensified my inferiority complex. I could barely believe we were family. I suddenly felt unworthy to be my mother's son or my sister's brother. I was too much of a failure.
I was standing there, this big lump of a man, with a protruding belly, holding greasy street BBQ that was constantly leaking oil—a stark, incomparable contrast to their ethereal appearance. In an instant, a strange taste surged in my heart. Self-doubt enveloped my body like a tide. I wanted to struggle and escape, but my huge mass of fat was like a cage, rendering me motionless. I could only endure the bitter pain alone, a pain that pierced my bones and struck my soul.
I stared blankly at the two of them. We were only separated by a small snack street, a few trees, and a dark-brown road. We were only about ten meters apart, but in my eyes, the distance between us stretched infinitely. My mother and sister were within reach, yet they seemed worlds away. It was just like that nightmare, so close yet so far.
My body began to tremble slightly. It felt as if invisible chains bound me, oppressing me until I could barely breathe. A certain emotion reached its peak. I was overwhelmed by an unknown fury, but inferiority held me captive. This ultimately turned into a feeling of powerlessness. A powerful, surging, unknown substance rushed up through my red-and-blue veins, like a high tide crashing into my brain.
"Ah...!"
The suffocating pressure was too much. I couldn't help but let out a low, breathless cry, afraid to be loud and disturb anyone. Then, I fled in panic. I ran, passing busy streets, a bustling commercial area, and sparsely populated development zones. I ran and ran, forgetting everything, as if I were back in that dream.
As I ran, everything around me seemed to fade from my sight. It felt as if there was only one path beneath my feet—wherever I ran was the path. I ran and ran until I reached the deserted riverside.
Looking at the river view, the city lights on the opposite bank still twinkled. Huge landmark buildings stood tall, and boats moved on the water. It was then that a heart-wrenching pain shot through my chest. It was agonizing, a soul-crushing pain. I instantly snapped out of the fugue state, falling weakly to my knees. My mouth hung open, all my strength focused on breathing. My brain was blank from lack of oxygen, and only the sound of my gasping filled the air.
A long time later, my breathing gradually calmed down, as if I had come back to life. I rested for a while longer, attempting to stand, but my legs wouldn't obey. They were shaking violently, completely devoid of strength.
I resigned myself to sitting on the cold ground, lowering my head to look at the BBQ in my hand. It was already deformed from being gripped so hard for so long, the packaging was torn, and most of the oil had leaked out during the run.
The smell, which had been so incredibly tempting before, now made me feel sick. The sudden, prolonged, and intense running was too much for my body. I felt my stomach churn, and something traveled up my esophagus, threatening to burst out. The nausea was unbearable. I braced myself with one hand on the ground, the other clutching my chest, retching with my mouth wide open.
"Ugh!"
Finally, I threw up, and with the bile came my tears.
After throwing up, I finally felt a little relief. This experience would likely prevent me from ever touching BBQ again; the smell alone might make me gag.
I moved my body away from the mess I had created.
Looking at the BBQ in my hand, a burst of malice welled up again. I searched around, looking at the garbage can in front of me. I tried to move toward it, but my body still wouldn't stand up. So, I crawled, using my hands and feet, reaching the large garbage can. Gritting my teeth, I pushed myself up against it, and using the last of my strength, I threw the bag in. But to my surprise, because I had no strength left and was leaning against the can, I rolled into the garbage can myself.
The feeling of being enveloped by trash was horrible. It was a hot summer night, and food fermented and rotted quickly. A pervasive stench filled the space. Maggots and flies squirmed. The disgusting sight made me want to vomit. I tried desperately to struggle, writhing for a long time, but I simply had no strength left to climb out.
I struggled for a while longer, feeling like I was sinking into muddy quicksand. My body was limp and weak. I gasped for breath, closing my eyes. I can't get out, I told myself.
This trash can is my final resting place, I thought, and my movements gradually slowed down. I seemed to be accepting this fate. I was too tired. I didn't know why I had suddenly gone mad and run so far. How far was it? I felt like I had run the distance of several days' worth of exercise tonight. I felt like I was going to die. Where would I find the strength to struggle?
I'm so tired...
I mumbled, and my consciousness began to drift toward darkness. It's fine to fall asleep here, I consoled myself. Tomorrow morning, I'll be taken to where I belong, to the destination inside the trash compactor, and disposed of.
The rocking of the garbage can gradually ceased. The person inside seemed to have given up the struggle, accepting their destiny.
Night fell. The misty darkness swayed. In this dark place, even the moonlight could not penetrate.
Everything was enveloped in darkness.