"What nonsense are you talking about? What do I have to hide?"
"Then why don't you dare tell me the address?"
Li Yan took a deep breath, clearly angered. "I'm at the Crown Nightclub. Come get it yourself!"
The call cut off with busy tones. Cao Yang finally put down the receiver and asked the phone booth owner, "Boss, do you know where the Crown Nightclub is? Is it far from here?"
"Not far. Go east about 800 meters after you leave the village," the boss said lazily while fanning himself.
"Thanks." Cao Yang turned to leave.
"Kid, you haven't paid yet!" the owner called after him.
Cao Yang's pockets were empty. He smiled awkwardly. "Boss, I don't have any money on me. I'll get it from my sister and pay you back later."
"Don't pull that on me! You're not leaving until you pay!" The owner's tone was hostile, looking like he'd beat him up if he tried to run.
Cao Yang was speechless. All this over one yuan of phone fees—like he owed thousands.
"Boss, I really won't run. I'll give it to you once my sister comes back." Feeling guilty, he could only soften his tone.
"Fuck off! Don't give me that crap! Pay right now!" the owner cursed, spitting as he shouted.
Cao Yang had never been a patient person—why else would he have gotten into trouble back home?
He'd just been unfairly fired, chewed out by Li Yan, and now this owner was yelling at him. He finally snapped and threw his bucket on the ground.
"I don't have money. What can you do about it?"
"You won't let me leave? Fine—I won't leave. I'll follow you home!"
The sudden aggression startled the owner. He was furious but, after looking at Cao Yang's tall and sturdy build, decided he couldn't win that fight.
All this over one yuan—not worth it.
He waved impatiently. "Get lost. I don't want it anymore."
…
Carrying his bucket and woven bag, Cao Yang asked for directions several times before finding the Crown Nightclub.
The name sounded fancy, but the place was small—a low-end nightclub.
"What do you want?"
Cao Yang tried to enter, but the guard glanced at his belongings—obviously a factory worker—and stopped him immediately.
"Bro, I'm looking for someone. My sister works here."
"What's her name?"
"Li Yan. Can you call her for me?"
"Wait here."
The security guard raised his walkie-talkie. "Li Yan, Li Yan, your little brother from the countryside is at the door. Come out for a moment."
After a while, Li Yan came out. She wore a miniskirt; her long pale legs drew every eye around.
Seeing Cao Yang's shabby luggage, she felt embarrassed and immediately scolded him harshly.
Cao Yang had already been in a foul mood—nothing had gone right since he arrived in Dongguan. And now seeing Li Yan's job and the way she treated him…
He used to see her as his childhood goddess, but that goddess had fallen—and her attitude toward him shattered all the expectations he had before coming.
"Here's the key! Go back!" She didn't hand it to him but threw it at him. Cao Yang didn't catch it; the key fell to the ground.
"Pick it up! What are you standing there for!?"
Cao Yang was furious—he almost wanted to hit her.
"I don't want your key, and I'm not going to your place! Give me back my money. From now on, we go our separate ways!"
He suddenly said something so final and cutting.
Li Yan froze for a moment, then sneered. "You should've done this earlier. If your mom hadn't begged my mom to look after you, do you think I'd bother with you at all?"
"Give me my money," Cao Yang said, not wanting to hear her nonsense.
"You took 125 yuan from me. That day the bus cost 10, you gave me 5 plus 30, so you still owe me 80. Since I stayed at your place for a day, I'll deduct 20. Just give me 60 yuan."
Cao Yang stared coldly at her, doing the math.
"You really calculate well for someone your age. So scheming already—your mind is real heavy."
"Give me the money," Cao Yang repeated, not arguing further.
Annoyed, Li Yan grabbed two 100-yuan bills from her bag, crumpled them, and threw them at his head.
"Here! Take it! From now on, live or die on your own—don't ever come looking for me again!"
The money hit his forehead and bounced onto the ground. Cao Yang didn't pick it up—first because it felt humiliating, second because she gave too much and he didn't want it.
"I only want my sixty. I don't need extra from you."
"You think I want to give you more? I only gave extra because we're from the same village. I'm giving you just enough so you can at least buy a ticket home instead of starving to death here. It's called pity, you know?"
"You think I need your pity? I have hands and feet. I don't believe I'll starve!"
"As for you, doing those improper jobs—that's why you earn more than others! Truly glorious of you. You've disgraced your parents and brought shame to everyone in Langlang Village!"
"Who are you calling improper?" Li Yan trembled with anger, pointing at him.
"Whoever's doing it knows."
"Who are you calling a hooker?! I'm a waitress!"
"Heh… you think I'm stupid? What kind of 'waitress' dresses like you? Chest out, legs out, caked in makeup—no shame at all."
"Fuck you! You bumpkin! You don't know shit—this is how people dress in big cities!"
"Enough. I'm done listening to your bullshit. I'm leaving. We're done!"
Cao Yang turned and walked away. He didn't take the key, nor the money on the ground.
"You stop right there!" Li Yan shouted. "It's fine if you talk nonsense to my face. But if you dare go home and spread rumors, I won't let you off!"
"Oh yeah? What can you do? I'll call your mom right now and tell her you're working as a hooker!"
"You—!"
"Not only will I tell your mom, I'll tell the village chief too! I'll have him call a meeting and criticize you publicly, let everyone know how you embarrassed Langlang Village!"
Cao Yang finished and walked off in big strides, thinking he looked cool and unfazed.
Li Yan watched his back, trembling with rage until tears came out.
She bent down, picked up the key and the money, calmed herself, then went back inside the nightclub.
…
Cao Yang wandered aimlessly. He had no money at all. In this city, the only person he knew was Li Yan—and after their fight, he truly had nowhere to go.
Before he knew it, he had walked into a park. He didn't want to walk anymore. He pulled the straw mat from his bucket, laid it on the lawn, took out a thin blanket, and lay down to sleep.
But he couldn't. His eyes stayed wide open. He tried to look at the stars, but the city lights drowned them out.
Before long, his stomach growled loudly. He swallowed hard and cursed himself for acting tough.
She gave you money and you didn't take it. Thinking you're something, huh?
Now look at you—hungry.