Volume One: High School Days Chapter Forty-Nine: Night Owl

Three o’clock in the morning.

“Don’t move. We only want your money. If you cooperate, we’ll let you go! Take out everything of value you’re carrying!”

Three young men, knives in hand, pointed them at Yusheng as he passed by.

Yusheng, intoxicated, fixed his gaze on them, focused his mind, sped up his perception of time, and swiftly snatched the knives from their hands before relaxing his vision again.

The three men stared in shock as their knives vanished from their grasp, frantically searching the ground for them.

Yusheng meant to speak, but his stomach churned violently. He squatted to the side and vomited, the sharp scent of alcohol filling the air.

The three men saw the knives now held in Yusheng’s hands, as if they’d witnessed something supernatural. How had he gotten them so suddenly?

“Is he human or a ghost?” one of them whispered.

“Run!”

Who said it wasn’t clear, but all three scrambled away, stumbling over each other in their haste.

Buzz, buzz...

Yusheng’s phone vibrated. After he finished vomiting, he sat at the roadside and pulled out his phone. It was a message: “Handsome, thank you for the drinks tonight. I’m home safe. Maybe we’ll meet again someday!”

Yusheng didn’t reply. He put the phone back in his pocket, tossed away the knives, and headed toward home.

He walked for a full hour. By the time he arrived, the effects of the alcohol had faded. He washed his face and sat on his bed until dawn began to break, only then feeling the pull of sleep. He lay down and drifted off.

Yusheng had thought he’d moved on from losing Xiaoya, but watching her marry someone else made his pain a hundred times worse.

He feared being alone in the quiet depths of night, plagued by nightmares and insomnia. At first, he believed sleep would come with tiredness, but soon realized he couldn’t rest until daylight. Nighttime was when Yusheng was most vulnerable.

To avoid suffering in the night, Yusheng wandered through the cold winter darkness. Wherever the city lights shone, crowds gathered—there was always some place alive, no matter how late.

At five in the afternoon, Yusheng was still asleep when his phone rang, jolting him awake. He picked it up and saw an unfamiliar number. The events of the previous night flashed through his mind.

“Handsome, are you alone? I’m thirsty from dancing. Can you buy me a drink?”

It was last night at the bar. Yusheng, drinking alone, had been approached by a stranger—a woman. Before leaving, he’d personally entered his number into her phone and added her on social media.

Still half-asleep, Yusheng answered.

“Hello?”

“Handsome, have you rested?”

“What is it?”

“Nothing really. I just want to go out again, but I have no money.”

“Last night’s place?”

“I want somewhere different. I’ll send you the address. See you at ten tonight!”

She hung up, and Yusheng promptly fell back asleep.

At nine that evening, Yusheng woke, ate a little. His father was still out at the hotpot restaurant, and his mother and brother were already asleep.

For Yusheng, nightfall marked the true start of his day.

Arriving at the address sent by the woman, he realized it was a nightclub—large and lively judging by the entrance.

A woman stood by the door, waving eagerly at him. Yusheng thought she’d mistaken him for someone else. He looked around, saw no one else, and finally recognized her as the woman from last night.

He’d been drunk when she approached him, so hadn’t noticed her features. Now, as he drew closer, he saw she was about his height, maybe taller in her heels. She looked eighteen or nineteen, slender but strong, shoulder-length hair, an oval face, large eyes, small nose and mouth, all perfectly proportioned. She wore a long black down coat.

“I’ve been waiting ages for you! Hey! Where are you looking? Pervert!” she said, quickly covering her chest.

Yusheng realized his gaze had wandered, but retorted, “You’re so bundled up—what could I possibly see? Besides, whether you have anything or not, you’ve got nerve to cover up!”

“What’s your name?” Yusheng asked.

“What difference does it make if you know or don’t know? We’re just strangers crossing paths. You called me to kill your loneliness, I called you to spend your money. I get to have fun for free.” Her expression was natural—clearly a woman who spoke her mind.

Yusheng thought her directness was refreshing, unlike Xiaoya or Liu Meng. Xiaoya was the nurturing type, offering hope, encouragement, and comfort, always caring for her man. Liu Meng, previously brash, had softened into a gentle, docile girl since falling for Yusheng. No arguments, just compliance.

But this woman before him was truly bold—unrestrained and outspoken. Suddenly, Yusheng felt at ease in her presence. At least they could enjoy each other’s company and survive the long, difficult nights together.

“So what should I call you? Old lady?” Yusheng teased.

He expected her to get angry and braced himself for a scolding, but she replied, “I’m only nineteen! A college freshman. You dare call me old?”

Yusheng laughed. “Alright, to be fair, I’m Yusheng. And you?”

“You seem sensible, so I’ll tell you. I’m Tang Xin. And don’t let me hear you say ‘old lady’ again, or I’ll gouge your eyes out with scissors! Your eyesight’s bad enough, mistaking a young woman for an old one!”

As Tang Xin led Yusheng inside, the staff whispered, “Changing boyfriends again?” “This one looks better than the last few.” Their murmurs drifted around.

Tang Xin responded, “Don’t talk nonsense! I’ve never even been in a relationship!”

This place was unlike anywhere Yusheng had been before—dancers swaying sensually on stage. Even before he’d crossed over, he’d only ever been to ordinary bars. This upscale club was a first for him.

Yusheng watched the scantily clad dancers, swallowing hard, his eyes glued to the stage. His mind was filled with nothing but smooth, pale legs.

“Hey! Like what you see? Want me to call one over to drink with you?” Tang Xin teased.

Yusheng turned at her voice and swallowed again. Tang Xin had shed her coat, revealing a white oversized T-shirt and black stockings. Her slender arms and legs clad in black sent Yusheng’s adrenaline surging.

“I can’t. I need to leave,” Yusheng said, preparing to go.

Tang Xin grabbed him. “We’re just getting started. Where are you going?”

Yusheng leaned close and whispered in her ear, “I can’t take anymore. If I stay, I might have a heart attack—or worse.”

Tang Xin burst out laughing, lowering her neckline to reveal a flawless cleavage. She stared at Yusheng, then wrapped her arm around his neck, whispering, “Can’t hold it in?”

Yusheng’s mind was a mess, completely out of his own control. He nodded.

Tang Xin pushed him away and shouted, “Dream on!”

Yusheng thought, “I’ve lost Xiaoya. As for Liu Meng, I don’t even know if I like her. With Tang Xin, is it impulse or true feeling...?”

Lost in thought, he suddenly exclaimed, “Damn it, so annoying!”

But the pounding music drowned out his voice—no one heard.

A server approached. “Bro, where should we sit?”

Yusheng glanced around; all the booths were full. He considered a regular table but suddenly spotted a familiar figure—Ren Xiadong.

Yusheng signaled Tang Xin to follow him.

The server said, “All the booths are taken. You’ll have to sit at a regular table.”

Yusheng ignored him and walked with Tang Xin to Ren Xiadong’s booth.

Ren Xiadong sat with a sexy dancer, boasting and smoking. Yusheng planted his foot on the table in front of him. Ren Xiadong, angry at first, looked up and saw Yusheng, quickly stood and invited him over.

He noticed Tang Xin behind Yusheng and made a motion with his hands across his chest, grinning, “Nice!”

Tang Xin seemed wary of Ren Xiadong and hid behind Yusheng. After pushing her to sit down, Yusheng asked, “Why are you so afraid of him?”

She spoke quietly, afraid Ren Xiadong would overhear. Yusheng couldn’t catch it, so he focused his hearing and asked her to repeat.

This time he heard clearly: “You say everything, but you’re a gentleman. Last night, you drank so much and didn’t even touch me. But he looks like a creep—I’m afraid he’ll take advantage.”

Yusheng smiled, leaned in, “He’s just playful, won’t go too far unless you want him to. He’d never force you.”

He motioned for Tang Xin to look at Ren Xiadong. As they turned, Yusheng said, “Don’t mind him... Damn! What the...!”

Ren Xiadong’s hand was already inside the dancer’s top.

“You’re defending him! I saw it!” Tang Xin protested.

Yusheng turned Tang Xin’s head away, “Not for kids. Let’s just watch the dancing.”

But Tang Xin’s eyes were fixed on the bottles on the table, pointing at one, “That one costs over ten thousand, right? I’ve seen others drink it.”

Yusheng said nothing, gestured to the server to open it. The server took the bottle but went to Ren Xiadong first.

Ren Xiadong declared loudly, “Whatever my buddy wants, give it to him—no need to ask me!”

Tang Xin took a sip and said, “Delicious!” Then, looking at Yusheng, she added, “I don’t like owing people. You let me drink this good wine; how should I repay you tonight? You decide. Or should I do what your friend does?”

Yusheng understood her meaning, but he wasn’t that kind of man. He feigned ignorance, “If you want to repay me, just drink with me tonight. No other requests.”

“That’s all?” Tang Xin asked, incredulous.

Yusheng nodded.

Tang Xin laughed, “Are you a good man or a fool? Enough talk—let’s drink!”