Shen Haolin?
Who was Shen Haolin? He was one of the brainless cannon fodder characters in the novel. He had fallen in love with Sheng Xia at first sight and despised Yuan Wei, the ex-boyfriend who offended his eyes, so much that he wanted nothing more than to crush him with one hand and throw him out of the city.
In the early part of the novel, he repeatedly provoked Yuan Wei and even drove him out of City A.
Yuan Wei suffered greatly because of it, but it also gave him the opportunity to rise again. Carrying resentment and fury within him, he returned like a phoenix reborn from ashes. In the blink of an eye, he transformed into a rising elite in the business world and ultimately brought down the Shen family.
Sheng Xia was filled with regret afterward. Lowering her pride, she repeatedly tried to curry favor with the male lead by relying on the remnants of their past relationship.
But by that point, Yuan Wei already had the female lead by his side, and his disgust toward her had only deepened.
It could be said that in the early stages of the novel, Shen Haolin was an indispensable cannon fodder character who pushed the plot forward and intensified the conflicts. Without his relentless self-destructive behavior, there would never have been the male lead’s rise to power.
But if he wanted to court disaster, couldn’t he do it without dragging her along too?!
Sitting on the bus home, and thankfully the system even had navigation functions, Su Youtian lifelessly knocked her forehead against the window.
Thinking about what Yin Shan had just said, she could not help sighing.
Right now, Shen Haolin was pursuing her relentlessly, and he also seemed to know about the existence of the ex-boyfriend by her side. Su Youtian did not want to get involved in this mess, but if these cannon fodder characters did not devote themselves wholeheartedly to causing trouble, how was the plot supposed to continue?
After all, she had written this novel herself. She did not want this world to collapse either.
“System, do I still have missions today?”
【There is no fixed time for courting disaster. If the plot is triggered, the host will naturally be notified.】
Aaaah!!!
Su Youtian nearly burst into tears.
She had seriously overthought things just now. Whether Shen Haolin existed or not, she still had to carry the glorious banner of cannon fodder and become one stepping stone after another on the male lead’s path to advancement.
“What exactly did I do wrong for you to torture me like this?”
【You should ask yourself that.】
Herself?
Since it was related to the novel, Su Youtian immediately thought of the ridiculous ending she had written on impulse.
“No way, it’s because of that?”
The system fell silent.
Covering her mouth, Su Youtian let out a choked sob.
“I’ll change it, okay? Just send me back. I’ll write novels specifically for you. Whatever you want to read, I’ll write it. Look… would an eighteen-plus version work?”
【……】
“How about I personally voice an audio drama for you too?”
【……Give up already. Once you complete the plot, I’ll naturally send you back.】
Su Youtian wiped away her tears and grinned.
“System, you hesitated just now. Admit it, you were tempted.”
【Get lost!!!】
Looking utterly dejected, Su Youtian arrived at Sheng Xia’s home. The moment she got off the bus, she saw a man in a white suit leaning against a car door. His head was slightly lowered, and his bangs were somewhat long. The moment he heard movement and looked up to see Su Youtian, his eyes immediately lit up.
“Sheng Xia!”
He walked over briskly.
“Why are you only getting back now? I called you so many times and you didn’t answer.”
Who the heck are you, bro?
【Your cannon fodder backup boyfriend.】
So this was that Shen Haolin, the cannon fodder who could never get what he wanted, eventually blackened, and repeatedly self-destructed?
Su Youtian looked him up and down with dead fish eyes.
Presentable appearance, dressed like a gentleman, rotten underneath.
“You here for something?”
Shen Haolin had sharp upturned eyes and thin lips. His features naturally gave off a cold and ruthless impression, but when he looked at Sheng Xia, his brows softened into a warm smile.
“I wanted to ask if you’re free in a few days. A friend of mine recently bought a vacation resort. Can I invite you to come?”
A vacation resort?
Su Youtian immediately felt a bad premonition.
Because she remembered that in the novel, Sheng Xia had agreed to Shen Haolin’s invitation in order to get acquainted with more rich second-generation heirs. Unexpectedly, she ran into Yuan Wei there while he was helping out with work.
She did not want others to know she recognized Yuan Wei, but the more she tried to hide it, the guiltier she looked. After Shen Haolin noticed, he assumed she still had lingering feelings for Yuan Wei. Out of jealousy, he and the other rich young men humiliated Yuan Wei and pushed him into a lake.
Yuan Wei could swim, so nothing serious happened, but he forever remembered the faces of those bastards standing on the shore.
Especially Sheng Xia, who stood nearby smiling especially beautifully.
Su Youtian shuddered and quickly said, “No, I…”
【Ding! Plot triggered. Host, please choose a response within ten seconds. Failure to answer within the time limit will result in erasure:
10, 9, 8…】
Su Youtian: “What the hell, aaah…”
【Response not among the options. Please answer again. 3, 2…】
Su Youtian wiped her face and smiled at Shen Haolin.
“Okay.”
The tension in Shen Haolin’s face immediately relaxed.
“Really? Just now I thought you were going to reject me. I’ll come pick you up that morning.”
Su Youtian nodded perfunctorily.
Shen Haolin became even happier. Looking at Su Youtian’s exhausted face, he finally realized something.
“Oh right, you must be tired after a whole day out. Hurry back and get some rest.”
Su Youtian rubbed her eyes. After taking a few steps, she suddenly seemed to remember something and patted Shen Haolin on the shoulder.
“Bro, treat yourself a little better these next few days.”
Shen Haolin: “?”
It sounded almost like he did not have much longer to live…
The construction site bustled with people coming and going, but it was rarely this quiet.
Yuan Wei walked back with his hands in his pockets and his head lowered. His expression remained blank as always, though for some reason his back seemed bent slightly more than usual.
The workers around him immediately withdrew their gazes and gathered together to whisper among themselves.
“Wouldn’t have guessed that guy knew such a pretty girl.”
“What’s so strange about that? Yuan Wei’s pretty handsome himself. Sister Liu from the cafeteria keeps wanting to introduce her daughter to him. I heard Jiao Xing’s niece likes him too. He and that girl actually looked pretty good together.”
“What’s the use of being handsome? He’s still just a poor kid. A girl that good dumped him. He’ll have plenty to cry about later.”
“I saw it too. That girl cried louder than the factory manager’s dog Wangcai. Imagine how wronged she must’ve felt.”
“Man, some people die of thirst while others drown.”
After eavesdropping long enough, Jiao Xing hurriedly carried his cup over to Yuan Wei.
“So, Yuan Wei, how’d it go? Did you smooth things over with that girl?”
Yuan Wei pressed his lips together and continued walking inward.
Jiao Xing grabbed his arm.
“Hey, don’t tell me you really dumped her before. Didn’t expect that from you, kid!”
Yuan Wei walked into the temporary break room. Crossing his arms, he pulled off his tank top in one motion.
The soaked shirt was casually tossed into his bag. Slightly bending forward, his honey-colored shoulder blades protruded subtly, like canyon walls framing the smooth groove of his spine in between.
Jiao Xing kept chattering behind him.
“So how did you two break up back then? The girl already came looking for you. You could at least pretend a little and give her a way out.”
Yuan Wei changed into a fresh tank top and stuffed his belongings into his bag.
Jiao Xing sat down on a chair. Remembering his wife’s repeated instructions, he pulled Su Youtian’s face back out of his memory and compared it to Chu Tao’s. His face heated up with embarrassment.
If the kid could not even fancy a stunning beauty like that girl, how could he possibly like Chu Tao?
He took a sip of tea. Thinking about how his wife had lectured him over and over again, he somehow regained a little confidence.
Maybe Yuan Wei simply did not like glamorous women and preferred someone like Chu Tao instead?
After all, nobody could predict matters of fate, right?
After pondering for a moment, he rubbed his hands together.
“Yuan Wei, since you and that girl already broke up, how about considering Chu…”
“We didn’t break up.”
Yuan Wei turned his head and emphasized again:
“We didn’t break up.”
Though spoken softly, the words landed with unmistakable force.
The seriousness and stubbornness in his eyes startled Jiao Xing so badly that he flinched. For a moment, he opened and closed his mouth like a mute, unable to produce any sound.
He coughed awkwardly and forced a laugh.
“Y-you didn’t break up…”
Yuan Wei turned away again, returning to his usual expressionless look. He zipped up his bag, slung it over his shoulder, and walked off.
Jiao Xing hurriedly put down his cup and shouted after him:
“There’s still work this afternoon. Where are you going?”
Without even turning back, Yuan Wei answered:
“Home.”
Jiao Xing nodded reflexively. Only after a moment did he realize something, stomping his foot in frustration.
“If you didn’t break up, you should’ve said so earlier! Why was I even trying to set you up with someone? What a mess…”
Blending into the bustling crowd, Yuan Wei squeezed onto a bus.
It was lunchtime rush hour. The air was stuffy, and the passengers were packed shoulder to shoulder. Even moving a foot felt impossible without losing balance.
Yuan Wei was tall and broad-shouldered. The moment he stepped onto the bus, he attracted most of the attention around him.
Many young girls noticed how handsome he was, especially those eyes of his. Beneath the sunlight, they shimmered gently, giving him an exceptionally tender appearance.
Some people had already taken out their phones, but after noticing the way he was dressed, they curled their lips in disdain and put them away again.
Yuan Wei was handsome and neatly dressed, but this area was full of construction sites. Some people immediately recognized that he had just come from one, and as if afraid of catching germs, they pinched their noses and leaned backward repeatedly.
Yuan Wei stood beside the window. A faint breeze drifted in, easing the oppressive heat. The scent of soapberry on his body became the only pleasant smell in that small area. A young girl standing behind him accidentally stumbled against his back when the bus braked. A fresh masculine scent instantly filled her nose, and when she raised her head again, her entire face had flushed red.
Yuan Wei lowered his head slightly, completely unconcerned by the gazes around him.
He reached into his pocket and took out a small cloth pouch.
Under the sunlight, he carefully opened it. Inside, a ring gleamed with a warm, gentle shine.
On the inner side of the ring were engraved the letters: Y&S.
The corner of Yuan Wei’s lips curved upward slightly. He gently stroked the ring before pressing a careful kiss onto it.
The girl behind him saw everything clearly. On one hand, she mourned the fact that her budding crush had been strangled before it could even sprout. On the other hand, she felt envious. Just what kind of girl had managed to win the heart of such a handsome man?
The way he treasured that ring, he must love her very much.
Eight bus stops later, he arrived home.
Unlike the other workers, Yuan Wei did not live in the employee dormitories. Rather than stay there, he preferred waking early and traveling back and forth every day just to return home.
His house was not large, merely a very ordinary little one-story home hidden deep within a maze of narrow alleys. The surrounding residents were all similarly poor families, so there was little risk of attracting thieves.
He pulled out his keys with a jingling sound.
At that moment, Elder Wang from next door happened to emerge while bent over slightly. Squinting at Yuan Wei, he said:
“Little Yuan, why’re you back so early?”
As he spoke, he covered his mouth and coughed several times.
Yuan Wei paused and turned around.
“Where are you going?”
Elder Wang took a few labored breaths and waved his hand.
“My health hasn’t been good lately. I caught a chill, and the coughing just won’t stop. I’m going to buy some medicine.”
Yuan Wei immediately put down his things and supported the old man’s arm.
“I’ll help you buy it.”
Elder Wang had been his neighbor for many years, so he did not stand on ceremony with him. After nodding, he let out another sigh.
Yuan Wei asked what was wrong.
The wrinkles on Elder Wang’s face bunched together, and his shriveled lips drooped downward endlessly.
Elder Wang’s full name was Wang Zhimin. His wife had died young, leaving him to raise his son alone as both father and mother. He spent most of his life’s savings and energy finally sending his son overseas. He had thought he would at last enjoy a peaceful old age, but after his son got married and settled abroad, the man completely stopped contacting him.
With only the small amount of money he had saved for his coffin expenses, Elder Wang had no choice but to continue working just to survive.
Fortunately, an old friend helped introduce him to an easy job. At night he watched over the lake at a vacation resort, and during the day he helped guests with miscellaneous tasks. It was enough for him to scrape by.
A few days ago, however, the resort’s business had declined and ownership changed hands. The new boss saw that Elder Wang was already old and figured keeping him around for a few meals was no great burden, so he was not dismissed.
Elder Wang had been endlessly grateful for that.
But who could have expected that, at his age, a chill caught beside the lake would leave him bedridden for several days?
Word had now come from the resort that if he still did not return to work soon, whether he could keep the job at all would become uncertain.
With no one to care for him during his illness and the livelihood he depended on now hanging by a thread, several more strands of white hair had appeared on Elder Wang’s head within just a few short days.
Yuan Wei pressed his lips together.
“Starting tomorrow, I’ll cover your shifts for you. Just stay home and rest.”
Elder Wang froze.
“How could I trouble you with that?”
Yuan Wei replied, “Back when my mother was still alive, you looked after us a lot. This is only right.”
Elder Wang repeatedly insisted that it would not do, saying Yuan Wei had his own work too. But in the end, he could not outstubborn him and reluctantly agreed.
After returning home, Yuan Wei stood at the doorway and shook his head lightly.
Old people were always like this. Whenever they wanted to ask someone for help, they felt too embarrassed to say it outright. They would refuse repeatedly and insist on preserving face, until somehow it ended up sounding as though they were the ones doing you a favor instead.
There was no such coincidence as him returning home just in time to run into Elder Wang going out to buy medicine.
Yuan Wei understood this clearly, but he did not mind.
At that age, who did not have difficulties of their own?
He set down his bag and looked toward the center of the living room. In the black-and-white photograph, a middle-aged woman smiled at him kindly.
Yuan Wei paused for a moment, then lowered his eyes.
“Mom, I’m back.”
Naturally, no one answered him.
Yuan Wei let out a breath and sat down on the sofa. The old couch creaked loudly beneath him.
The furniture in the room could be taken in at a glance. An old television and a yellowing sofa already occupied most of the space.
The apples on the table had softened from sitting too long. The clock on the wall ticked along unhurriedly, and the vibration of the second hand was the only sound in the room.
After a while, Yuan Wei looked at the photographs covering the entire wall, and the expression on his face finally softened.
They documented the first half of a boy’s life.
From birth to school years, every stage contained the shadow of a woman beside him. Her complexion was pale, but she had the exact same eyes as his, eyes that seemed cold at first glance yet were actually gentle. She held him close affectionately.
He squinted his eyes like a thoroughly contented kitten.
As his gaze moved downward, he gradually grew older, but the smile on his face became rarer and rarer.
Yuan Wei’s eyes stopped on one photograph.
Wearing a high school uniform, his thin lips were pressed into a straight line as he stared gloomily at the camera. Beside him, the gentle figure was already gone.
When his eyes reached the final photograph, Yuan Wei slowly stood and walked toward the wall.
The person in the picture already looked like a young man. His hands were tucked into his pockets, standing straight with a dark expression on his face, but the faint upward curve of his lips betrayed his true mood.
The girl beside him was stretching up on tiptoe with all her might, her arms looped around his neck as she smiled and kissed his cheek.
The breeze lifted the hem of her skirt like a blue butterfly.
The sunlight was perfect, gently illuminating the two young people. The girl beside him was so fair she almost seemed to glow.
Yuan Wei’s fingertips lightly touched the photograph, so gentle it was as though he feared crushing her face.