The internet cafe, which should have been noisy, was unusually quiet at the moment. 　　Only the boy's slightly hoarse voice, word by word, was clear enough for everyone present to hear. 　　In this environment, Li Rui's expression clearly turned ugly. 　　He took two steps forward, grabbed Chen Mo by the collar, and slammed him against a nearby computer desk, gritting his teeth: "You still dare to be so arrogant at a time like this? Do you know why we're making trouble for you today?" 　　"I know." Chen Mo looked directly into the other person's eyes: "You like Yang Shule, right?" 　　Chen Mo spoke softly, but as he said those words, it was as if one could see the despair in the other person's eyes, like a building about to collapse. Chen Mo then pulled his collar back and continued, "You like him but don't dare to pursue him, so you have to start with me, hoping to gain some attention and favor. Li Rui... classmate, it's quite pathetic that someone like you would resort to this kind of unrequited love. " 　　"You fucking want to die!" 　　Everyone watched as the two men, after exchanging a few words, suddenly attacked. 　　Li Rui, a tall and burly man, was about to punch Chen Mo when the seemingly thin man grabbed a mechanical keyboard from the table and smashed it down on Chen Mo's head with a "bang." 　　The sound was loud, and the movements were swift. 　　Before Li Rui's group could even surround him, Chen Mo grabbed Li Rui by the neck, ignoring the dark red blood flowing from his hair, and whispered in his ear, "You know that the word 'homosexual' makes you feel ashamed at school, right? Then should I tell your brothers that your biological father is actually a gold digger who tricked you into marriage, and he's kept at least three or five male mistresses on the side? You hate homosexuality, but you're just a coward who's afraid to admit that you like men, right?" 　　Li Rui's face turned red from being strangled. 　　The school bully from No. 1 High School suddenly looked like a turkey with its throat being choked, his voice trembling almost imperceptibly, and asked, "How did you know?" 　　"The Yang family is so wealthy and powerful, what's so special about this little bit of gossip in your family?" 　　"So what do you want?" 　　The power dynamic had reversed so quickly, and Chen Mo was too lazy to argue. He released him, looked around, and said calmly, "Take your bunch of... lackeys and get out of here." 　　Even though they had the advantage of being able to predict the future, they didn't feel any sense of accomplishment in being in a superior position. 　　Chen Mo bent down to pick up the schoolbag from the ground, ignoring Li Rui and the others who were still standing there in a daze, and walked towards the front desk on his own. 　　He didn't leave, but instead tapped the front desk with one hand, "Turn on a computer, three hours." 　　"Okay, okay." 　　The receptionist was a young woman who was discreetly observing the newcomer. 　　I had only one thought in my mind: the rumors were simply not credible. 　　The boy was thin and frail, but not short. His blue and white school uniform jacket, slightly stained from recent tearing, hung on his shoulder, yet it lacked the stiffness often associated with school uniforms. His handsome features and the unintentional ease and composure he exuded were enough to mask any dishevelment, leaving only a hint of paleness on his face that was somewhat heartbreaking. 　　During a lull in the busy front desk staff, he casually pulled out a pack of regular Yuxi cigarettes and a lighter from the shelf next to him. 　　Place it on the glass display case and ask, "How much is it in total?" 　　"The total is... forty-eight yuan and fifty cents." 　　The person in front of him patted his entire body, finally pulling a black wallet from his pocket. When he opened it and saw a thick wad of red cash inside, he raised an eyebrow meaninglessly, then pulled out a bill and handed it over, saying, "Keep the change." 　　Seeing his overly natural movements, the girl blushed slightly for some reason. Holding the money, she hesitated, "Isn't this a bit inappropriate?" 　　Chen Mo looked up and had no choice but to ask again, "What kind of food is available here?" 　　"Oh, we have instant noodles." The receptionist immediately replied, "Pickled pepper, spicy, or would you like the sauerkraut and mushroom version?" 　　"Nothing else?" 　　"Uh...that's all." 　　Just then, Li Rui and his group came out from inside. 　　As Li Rui passed the front desk, he deliberately bumped into Chen Mo's shoulder, pointed at him with his finger, and gritted his teeth: "Chen Mo. I'll remember you. Just you wait." 　　The glass door opened and closed again, and the group of people quickly disappeared. The receptionist looked at him worriedly: "Shouldn't you tell the teachers at the school? Those people are used to being arrogant, and they might cause you trouble again." 　　Chen Mo picked up the cigarette and lighter, smiled, and said, "It's nothing." 　　The girl didn't know what else to say, so she asked, "Do you still want the instant noodles?" 　　"No need." He turned and walked towards the back of the internet cafe, leaving behind the words, "I'm taking care of my health lately, so I'm not eating fast food." 　　The girl watched the figure tearing open a cigarette pack as he walked, and saw him casually stuff the outer packaging trash into his pocket and skillfully tap out the cigarettes. She couldn't help but be suspicious. 　　Is this really about health preservation? 　　Chapter 2 　　Chen Mo took off his coat, slumped into the large chair in the corner, and silently lit a cigarette. 　　The cigarette smoke cleared his lungs, awakening his somewhat dulled thoughts. He remained immersed in this state for a long time before he truly felt the reality of returning to high school. 　　All I could hear were the grumbling and cursing of teenage boys. The summer sweat mixed with the smells of cheap cigarettes, snacks, and instant noodles, creating a stuffy atmosphere in the space . 　　A message came in on my phone. 　　The person who added "Big Brother" in the notes asked: Where are you? 　　Chen Mo ignored him. 　　Two more minutes passed. 　　Brother: Driver Uncle Li said he didn't pick her up after school. It's just because Mom and Dad withdrew the lawsuit that you're unhappy. You want to kick Shule out of the Yang family? That's impossible. I advise you not to cause trouble. 　　Two more minutes passed. 　　Brother: Reply to this message. You don't even know how to use a phone, do you? 　　Patience is clearly running out. 　　Yang Zhi, at the age of twenty-five, was already recognized as the heir of the Yang family. 　　Yang Qi'an, the father, was able to take over the Yang family business from among his four siblings because of a marriage alliance with Zhou Yaoqiong, the second daughter of the Zhou family, who was of equal standing. Over the years, the couple lived in a state of estrangement, and their marriage was barely maintained by mutual benefit. 　　The year Chen Mo and Yang Shule were born was when their marital relationship was on the verge of collapse.

Chapter 3