Ye Feng stepped through the wrought-iron gates of Qingyuan Imperial Academy, and his eyes were sparkling with joy.
The pathways are built with veins of gold, the buildings that rise to the sky. Ancient camphor trees lined the path, their leaves welcoming students.
Ye Feng looked everywhere—polished plaques are filled with donor names, sculptures that belonged in museums were on campus lawns, and libraries filled with thousands of books. Now this is the place where Ye Feng started his college life.
He walked forward, and a group of professors passed by; their voices were low. Students laughed; their futures are already bound with money. Ye Feng inhaled deeply.
"Ye Feng."
He heard one voice behind him, and he turned.
The college principal stood before him, a tall man with silver-framed glasses. He gave hand shake to Ye Feng.
"You've done well to come this far," the principal said. "But—"
The principal hand grip tightened.
"—bro, wake up. Your stop came."
In one second, the world collapsed.
Ye Feng jolted awake, his head snapping forward as the bus lurched over a pothole. The sound of the bus, the voice of people in the bus, replaced the imagined scene of Ye Feng.
A young man beside him nudged his arm.
"Hey, bro. You said to wake you in this town. We're here," that man said.
Ye Feng understood that is his dream. He glanced out the window. A faded sign appeared Welcome to Linhai Town.
He exhaled, then smiled faintly. "Thanks, bro," he said.
"No problem," the man said.
Ye Feng slung his backpack over his shoulder and stepped off the bus. The doors hissed and shut behind him.
Linhai Town was a small town. He stood there for a moment.
He recalled his past.
Ye Feng came from a wealthy family. His parents had owned businesses, properties, and strong connections. Qingyuan Imperial Academy had been his destination. Most of the rich people's children study there.
Then everything collapsed within minutes.
A chain of misjudgements. Betrayals wrapped around them. The family's fortune collapsed overnight, leaving behind debts, silence and a house that no longer felt like home.
After that, Qingyuan College became a dream for Ye Feng.
Now Ye Feng is enrolled at Donghe City College, which is a modest institution because it was affordable, practical and available for anyone.
He adjusted the straps on his backpack and followed the directions his father had given him, winding through side streets until he reached a narrow two-story house.
"Maybe, this is the house," he murmured.
The door opened before he could knock.
A woman in her early thirties stepped out, apron tied loosely around her waist, hair pinned up. Her eyes were amused.
"You must be Ye Feng," she said. "I'm Shen."
"Yes, Aunt— I mean, Ms. Shen," Ye Feng said.
She laughed, waving a hand. "Relax. I'm not that scary. Come in."
Inside, the house was simple and clean. Shen crossed her arms and leaned against the table.
"Rules are simple: you have to pay the rent on time. If you can't pay—" she paused.
"Then you do the house chores until you can," she continued.
Ye Feng hesitated. "House… chores… me?"
She pointed around the room.
"Yes, you, cleaning, cooking, and sometimes fixing small things," she said.
Then she laughed.
"Hey, don't look so serious. I'm a friendly type, so you have to help me with my chores. That's it," she said.
Before he could respond, she handed over a set of keys into his hand.
"Your room's upstairs. I'm going out, I'll come in sometime," she said and left.
Ye Feng stood there for some time, then he went to his room.
He spent the next hour cleaning, sweeping dust from corners, and wiping windows.
After cleaning the room, the room felt different.
He stepped onto the small balcony with a cup of coffee he'd found in the kitchen, the heat seeping into his palms.
Ye Feng leaned against the railing and took a slow sip.
Ye Feng leaned against the balcony railing.
Across from him, a balcony door slid open. A woman stepped out.
She was clearly older than him, her posture straight, shoulders relaxed in a way that earns confidence. She wore simple home clothes. She rested her hands on the railing and lifted her gaze.
Her eyes met Ye Feng's.
He paused for half a second, then gave a polite smile.
She did not smile back.
Her gaze observed Ye Feng—before she turned away without a word and walked back inside. The balcony door slid shut with a soft sound.
Ye Feng blinked, then let out a quiet breath.
"Alright…" he muttered to himself.
Footsteps sounded behind him.
"Ye Feng."
He turned. Shen had returned.
She stood at the doorway, one hand on her hip, the other holding a small handbag. She had changed clothes, the apron replaced by a fitted blouse that carried a light, lingering fragrance.
"If you need anything," she said casually, "just come downstairs. Don't forget—I live right below you."
She laughed, leaning a little closer.
Ye Feng stiffened slightly. As she leaned in, the scent of her body brushed against him. His body reacted before his mind did. Hear surged in Ye Feng.
Shen noticed his stillness. Her eyes flicked on Ye Feng's body. The corner of her lips curved with quiet amusement.
"Hehe," she chuckled softly. "Get some rest."
She straightened and turned away, leaving the scent behind like a lingering echo.
The night passed.
The next morning, Ye Feng walked through the gates of Donghe City College, it is quiet opposite of his imagination. The students in worn backpacks, bulletin boards layered with old notices.
As he moved through the crowd, fragments of conversation drifted into his ears.
"…heard debt collectors showed up again last night…"
"…that family's got their hands everywhere in this town…"
"…someone nearby got dragged into a scandal, police didn't even step in…"
Ye Feng slowed his pace, his eyebrows knitting slightly.
As Shen said, something is wrong in Linhai Town. Ye Feng thought himself.
Classes ended in the afternoon.
On his way back, as he turned into the narrow street near his rented house, he stopped suddenly when he saw a woman.
She was the same woman from the opposite balcony.
This time, she was closer.
She noticed him instantly and walked straight toward him, her steps confident. She stopped in front of him, close enough that Ye Feng could feel the pressure of her presence.
"Don't stare at my house again," she said.
Before Ye Feng could respond, she turned and walked past him, heels striking the pavement. Ye Feng noticed the arrogance in her tone and attitude in her walk.
Ye Feng watched her leave, eyes narrowing slightly.
"So hostile," he murmured.
Night fell.
Ye Feng stood on his balcony, he was enjoying the fresh air of the town. A sudden movement below caught his attention.
At the entrance of the opposite house, a tough-looking man stood blocking the doorway. He has broad shoulders and cropped hair.
The arrogant woman stepped out.
Their voices were low, but sharp.
"…payment…"
"…deadline…"
"…interest keeps piling up…"
Her voice rose briefly, strained. He remained cold, impatient.
Ye Feng's grip tightened on the railing.
Then—suddenly darkness.
The Linhai Town was swallowed by the night.
"Ah, power cut!" Ye Feng said.
A knock sounded at his door.
"Feng, are you inside?"
"Yes, coming," Ye Feng said.
He opened it.
Shen stood outside, holding a candle. The candle's light cast a soft shadow across her figure. She wore thin nightwear. The candlelight traced her curves.
Ye Feng looked for some time, then inhaled sharply and looked away as if he didn't see anything.
Ye Feng felt a treacherous heat rush his lower body, his body betraying him at the worst possible moment. Fear flared in his chest as the fabric of his pants pulled tight, making his reaction clearly terrifying.
In an effort to preserve his dignity, he shifted his weight and carelessly - or so he hoped - slipped his hand into his lap.
He pretended to be in a relaxed posture, using his forearm and palm to form a silly shield over the bulge, praying that the shadows in the room would be enough to hide his shame.
Suddenly, power returned.
Shen didn't seem to notice. She stepped inside slightly, lowering her voice.
"This town…" she said quietly, "…hasn't been the same as before."
The candle flame trembled.
"Be careful of new people," she added. "There are a lot of tough guys roaming in the town to collect debts, even if you didn't take any loan, they ask for debts, otherwise they will harm you."
Ye Feng nodded. "I will."
She gave him a long look, then turned, and she blew out the candle and left.
Ye Feng closed the door.
Moments later, he returned to the balcony.
Across from him, the other balcony door was open again.
The arrogant woman stood there, facing him. Their eyes met in the darkness. This time, there was no arrogance in her gaze.