Chapter 2

After finishing a cigarette, Yue Heng threw the cigarette pack and lighter into the trash can at the alley entrance.

Smoking is harmful to health.

One was enough.

He walked along the sidewalk of the small street, heading towards the bus stop in his memory.

This street was behind Taijiang No. 5 Middle School, with most of the houses being buildings from the 1980s and 1990s.

Due to the relatively low rent, it became a place where outsiders gathered.

Crowded and dilapidated.

There were many small restaurants, milk tea shops, and pastry shops along the street.

The air was filled with all sorts of strange smells.

People hurried by, busy with their own lives.

The scene before him easily awakened the deepest memories in Yue Heng's soul.

Like a wanderer who had drifted for half a lifetime, finally returning to his hometown.

This most genuine human烟火气 (human烟火气 is a Chinese phrase that doesn't have a direct English equivalent, but it refers to the bustling, down-to-earth atmosphere of everyday life) seemed to have a strange magic.

It easily soothed Yue Heng's agitated heart, and diluted the沧桑 (沧桑 is a Chinese word that means "the vicissitudes of life" or "the wear and tear of time") in his eyes.

At the same time, it subtly changed the aura that Yue Heng exuded, an aura woven from countless blood and fire.

He was like a true 16-year-old boy, observing everything around him with curious and greedy eyes.

Such a scene would be impossible to see a thousand years later, even the Earth, the mother planet that gave birth to humanity, was listed by the Star Alliance as a top-level primitive protection planet.

No one was allowed to step foot on it.

After Yue Heng was reborn, he never returned to Earth until his death in battle.

The short distance of two to three hundred meters took him ten minutes to walk.

Finally, he arrived at the bus stop for route 107.

A few minutes later, the bus arrived, and Yue Heng swiped his student card to board, then got off at the East Gate.

He then transferred to route 7 and arrived at the Emerald Garden stop.

As a large city with a long history, Taijiang has always had the saying "East Noble, West Rich."

The place Yue Heng was going to belonged to the core area of "East Noble."

When he arrived at the Zhang family mansion, it was already dark.

"How come you're just getting back?"

A middle-aged man with a distinguished appearance and fashionable attire was waiting at the gate.

Seeing Yue Heng, he frowned and scolded, "Don't you even look at what time it is!"

Yue Heng stopped, his face expressionless, and replied, "There were a lot of cars during the evening rush hour, and the bus got stuck in traffic."

The middle-aged man was speechless.

For some reason, he felt that the son who returned today was very different from usual.

It made him feel a strange unease.

"From now on, from now on..."

The middle-aged man awkwardly rubbed his hands, "Be more careful. Aunt Li Rong is very worried about you and asked me to come look for you."

Yue Heng almost laughed.

Zhang Li Rong worried about him?

What a huge joke!

The middle-aged man in front of him was none other than Yue Heng's father, Yue Junmin.

Zhang Li Rong was Yue Junmin's second wife.

And also Yue Heng's stepmother.

Although Zhang Li Rong was also remarried and had two children, and was not particularly beautiful,

In everyone's eyes, it was a great match for Yue Junmin to marry the daughter of the Zhang family in Taijiang.

In his first life, Yue Heng, as a拖油瓶 (拖油瓶 is a Chinese term that refers to a child from a previous marriage), moved into the Zhang family mansion with Yue Junmin.

On the surface, it seemed like a step up.

In reality, it was the beginning of his tragic life!

If he had a choice, Yue Heng would never want to step into the Zhang family mansion again.

Or even see any of the Zhang family members!

But after some thought, he still followed Yue Junmin into the grand mansion.

The front hall of the mansion was brightly lit, with men, women, and children gathered together.

All the Zhang family members, about a dozen of them, were present.

The men were drinking tea and chatting, the women were whispering to each other, and the grandchildren were doting on the old man and woman.

A scene of warm and harmonious family life.

However, when Yue Junmin brought Yue Heng in, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became subtle.

Yue Junmin involuntarily bent his waist and smiled at a middle-aged woman sitting on a redwood sofa, "Li Rong, Xiao Heng is back, there was traffic on the way."

Zhang Li Rong nodded gracefully, "Mm, take him to the kitchen to eat something."

Yue Junmin quickly said, "Okay."

He hurriedly led Yue Heng to the kitchen.

Yue Heng did not speak.

But he keenly sensed the various gazes falling on him.

Haughty, indifferent, contemptuous, mocking...

And hostile!

Yue Heng remembered the faces of every Zhang family member present and could connect these gazes with their names.

His posture remained upright.

After Yue Heng and Yue Junmin left, Zhang Li Rong pursed her lips, "No discipline."

In the kitchen, Yue Junmin had someone bring a plate of pastries, "Eat something to tide you over, I'll have the chef make you a few dishes."

Yue Heng shook his head, "I'm not hungry now, Dad, I want to talk to you about something."

Yue Junmin was somewhat surprised, "What is it?"

"I want to move back to the old house."

Yue Heng said, "It's closer to No. 5 Middle School, and it's more convenient for me to go to school."

"That won't do!"

Yue Junmin's eyes widened, "Who will take care of you if you live there? No way!"

He had put in a lot of effort to convince Zhang Li Rong to let Yue Heng live in the Zhang family mansion with him.

After just a few days, Yue Heng wanted to leave!

Yue Junmin was very angry.

He felt that all his hard work had been wasted.

Yue Heng's eyes darkened, "I've made up my mind. The Zhang family has too many rules, and I'm not used to living there."

In his first life, Yue Heng lacked the courage to refuse and resist.

He lived a life of dependence in the Zhang family for three years, enduring cold eyes and ridicule.

He was eventually kicked out in a most humiliating way.

But the Yue Heng of now would not let himself be controlled by others anymore!

Although he no longer had the power and status of his second life,

He was fully capable of living a carefree and free life!

Yue Junmin hesitated.

The middle-aged man sensed Yue Heng's determination.

He was also very clear about the Zhang family's attitude towards his son.

After a moment's consideration, Yue Junmin nodded, "Alright, I'll talk to Li Rong and let you move back to the old house."

He hesitated again, then gritted his teeth, "I'll transfer the house to you!"

Yue Heng was surprised.

The house was left by his grandfather.

In the past, Yue Heng lived with his grandmother in the county, only coming to Taijiang during holidays.

After his grandfather's death, Yue Junmin married Zhang Li Rong, and the old house was left empty.

He remembered that it was later sold by Yue Junmin.

The time was early next year.

At that time, Yue Junmin's partnership project failed, and he owed a large sum of money.

From then on, Yue Junmin was completely broken, becoming Zhang Li Rong's servant and plaything.

He lost all his dignity as a man.

But at this time, Yue Junmin still had some affection for Yue Heng.

Not as cold and despicable as he would become later.

"Okay."

Yue Heng immediately agreed and added, "I want to move in tonight."

He didn't want to stay in the Zhang family mansion for even a second longer.

He just needed to take some personal items with him.

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Just found out it was approved, sending the second update. During the new book period, I will ensure at least two updates, and may add more based on the situation. Please support in any way you can!