Pei Chuan entered prison during the summer of his senior year of high school. Later, he signed a four-year agreement with the state. By rights, when he was officially released from prison, Bei Yao would just be in her senior year.

With a five-year program, she hadn’t completely finished yet.

In nearly four years, this young man worked harder than anyone, actively receiving education in the “Seventh Prison.”

The “Seventh Prison’s” release process differed from other prisons. After all, to put it nicely, this place was also another cradle for cultivating talent.

During the 2013 New Year, Pei Chuan filled out forms in advance. After the New Year, the release certificate and appointment letter would be issued together.

Cheng Zhenghai went over to look. The young man sat ramrod straight at the desk, filling out that form.

Pei Chuan, male, 22 years old.

Cheng Zhenghai laughed heartily: “Twenty-two—legal marriage age.”

The hand holding Pei Chuan’s pen paused.

“Pei Chuan, would you say your life has turned from darkness to light, found life in a desperate situation?” Through a twist of fate, he’d walked onto another path. Being released from prison meant he could directly work for the motherland. This life might require dedication, but ultimately it was honorable.

“Senior Cheng.” He said lightly, “I haven’t attended a single day of university.”

“What does that matter? Look at today’s college students. After reading through four years of university, who can become a scientist, who can go to national research institutes or frontline work? How much have you given these four years? Compared to male students your age in the future, you’re so much more mature. When you become successful later, remember to come see this old man.”

Pei Chuan’s expression remained consistently calm, making it impossible to know what he was thinking. Senior Cheng said: “Your only flaw is that at such a young age, you think too much.”

Pei Chuan finished filling out the form without responding.

How this world defined him varied from person to person. Some might marvel that after his release, he’d be a national scientist. However, another group would only see that he was a man who’d spent four years in prison and never attended a single day of university.

In prison, he’d seen no daylight, spending time with these senior predecessors. He’d certainly learned much, but what he’d face in the future was a complex society.

Pei Chuan had no timid psychology—he wasn’t afraid of the outside world’s gaze. However, considering Bei Yao, he couldn’t help but overthink.

While he was still in prison, her classmates probably didn’t know she had a “boyfriend” like him. He could also wait for her girlish nature to settle, to see her true heart clearly. In nearly four years, Bei Yao always had the option to back out and say they should break up, but she didn’t.

But a man couldn’t fail to give a woman a future.

Back then, Zhao Zhilan had used her entire fortune to beg him to let go of their daughter. At that time, Pei Chuan hadn’t been to prison yet, and Auntie Zhao and her family were already like this. Now, coming out after serving time, the situation was undoubtedly even worse. He feared Bei Yao would be hurt because of being with him, and even more feared she’d see this world clearly and leave him.

Everything she gave was too beautiful—he’d fallen too deep.

If one day she was hurt, became afraid, and wanted to leave him, he couldn’t bear it.

Being released from prison was ultimately something worth celebrating. Although Bei Yao and Jin Ziyang didn’t know, everything was still proceeding in an orderly manner.

~

During the 2013 New Year, Bei Yao had no way to see Pei Chuan.

Her maternal grandmother was critically ill and almost gone.

Someone once said that when a person becomes a mother, in her eyes, children are most important, parents come second. Humans always love the next generation more dearly.

So although Zhao Zhilan felt some sadness, she still didn’t immediately call Bei Yao home, afraid her daughter would be anxious at school and afraid of delaying her final exams. Actually, though Zhao Zhilan hadn’t said it aloud, she held resentment in her heart. Bei Yao’s maternal grandmother had one son and one daughter in her lifetime. Daughter Zhao Zhilan was the older sister who’d suffered enough hardships as a child—too short to reach the rural stove, yet having to cook.

After Zhao Zhilan’s younger brother Zhao Xing was born, he received endless affection. Only after Zhao Zhilan married Bei Licai did she escape from that living environment.

Zhao Xing was a fool his whole life who’d never done a single good deed. Bei Yao’s maternal grandfather died in an accident, receiving substantial compensation, all of which grandmother spent on Zhao Xing.

Since Bei Yao’s birth, she’d been raised personally by Zhao Zhilan. Bei Yao’s maternal grandmother had never helped Zhao Zhilan care for the child even one day.

Except for that year when she returned to her parents’ home to give birth to her second child, Bei Jun, Zhao Zhilan had stayed there for a while.

At that time, grandmother probably understood her son was unreliable, and in the future she might have to rely on her daughter for elderly care. Therefore, her attitude toward Zhao Zhilan’s daughter Bei Yao was especially good, praising inside and out how pretty Yao Yao was.

However, Zhao Zhilan knew that what’s said with the mouth came easiest. Previously, the Bai family’s money had all been borrowed by Zhao Xing and squandered, so much so that the family was poor enough to make Bei Yao wear her cousin Zhao Xiaocang’s hand-me-downs. Even in such difficult times, grandmother hadn’t been able to help.

Love me, love my dog—yet Zhao Xiaocang’s pretty clothes were mostly bought by Bei Yao’s maternal grandmother.

Therefore, after Bei Yao finished her final exams this time, Zhao Zhilan told Bei Yao: “Come back to see your grandmother one last time.”

Bei Yao couldn’t make it to see Pei Chuan in time, so she could only call Jin Ziyang and ask him to explain to Pei Chuan.

When she rushed to the hospital in her hometown, grandmother was holding Zhao Xing’s hand, a pair of cloudy eyes looking at her only son. Her lips moved, but she couldn’t speak.

The air carried a faint smell of urine. Zhao Xiaocang stood by the door, her nose turned toward the doorway, occasionally breathing in the outside air.

Zhao Zhilan was in the hospital room. When Bei Yao returned, she beckoned: “Come see grandmother.”

Bei Yao went over, gently holding the old woman’s other hand: “Grandmother, I’ve come to see you.”

That wrinkled hand trembled. Grandmother took a long time to use enough strength to recognize this as her granddaughter, the granddaughter she’d never cherished in her lifetime.

Meanwhile, her granddaughter Zhao Xiaocang, whom she’d loved and raised since childhood, had permed big waves in her hair and stood by the door with an ugly expression, seemingly unable to bear this smell.

Little Bei Jun held his mother’s hand. Though he didn’t understand much, he knew something major had happened at home. He didn’t dare speak, standing properly and not complaining about the smell either.

Zhao Xing said nothing and didn’t rebuke Zhao Xiaocang outside.

Grandmother’s eyes looked over the roomful of people, and finally cloudy tears flowed from the corners of her eyes.

She’d treasured her son all her life. In the end, her son was a wastrel who not only squandered the family’s compensation but also dragged down older sister Zhao Zhilan’s family for over ten years. She rarely cared about this daughter. Unexpectedly, in the final period of her life, it was Zhao Zhilan attending to her waste and urine.

The granddaughter Zhao Xiaocang she’d raised for several years found her disgusting.

Grandmother couldn’t speak. The hand gripping Bei Yao’s used force, trembling all the while.

Zhao Zhilan turned her face away, not letting the roomful of people see her tears.

Sometimes she couldn’t understand why, being women who’d also walked through the suffering of the old era, they looked down on women and mistreated daughters.

That night, grandmother still passed away without leaving a single word.

Zhao Zhilan hoped her mother could leave with dignity. She changed clothes for her own mother. Bei Yao wanted to help, but Zhao Zhilan said: “Yao Yao, take your brother outside. Mom is enough here.”

Zhao Zhilan was fundamentally a stubborn woman. Bei Yao could only lead her brother outside.

No one knew what the grandmother who favored sons over daughters was thinking at the end, whether she had regrets.

Bei Jun said quietly: “Sister, Mom hasn’t eaten all day.”

Bei Yao frowned. In the end, she took Bei Jun to buy food outside the hospital.

It was raining that night. After leaving the hospital, they had to walk quite far. Bei Yao worried about uncle’s family, so she could only keep her brother with her.

She packed a bowl of porridge, had her brother hold it, then carried her brother running back.

Suddenly shouting erupted in the hospital room. For the first time, Zhao Zhilan was this angry: “You won’t fix a burial plot in the hometown, can’t afford a cemetery plot in the city. Zhao Xing, you’re really something this lifetime—squandered all the money, and now you can’t even bury your mother in time!”

Zhao Xing craned his neck: “She’s your mother too!”

“My mother?” Years of accumulated pain suddenly erupted from Zhao Zhilan. “Yes, my mother! Made me start cooking and doing laundry at age seven, dropped out after elementary school, raised chickens and ducks—you ate eggs while I ate sweet potatoes. In the end, my daughter wears your daughter’s hand-me-down dresses! While she was alive, you extracted money from her. Now that she’s dead, you don’t want to care for her, and you’re still asking me for money?”

Zhao Xiaocang outside the door couldn’t help saying: “Aunt, you yourself were unwilling to buy Bei Yao new clothes—how can you blame my dad for this?”

Zhao Xiaocang’s mother Deng Ju quickly pulled her daughter back, glaring at her.

Zhao Zhilan was quite angered by this younger generation member. Why couldn’t Yao Yao buy new clothes? Wasn’t it because Zhao Xing had hit and killed someone! She’d considered those ten-plus years of nurturing and given this younger brother a hand, taking money to help him “turn things around.” Look at what they were saying now!

Back when Zhao Xing had designs on Bei Jun, Zhao Zhilan decided to cut ties with them completely.

However, no matter what, when someone was about to die, the past could be wiped clean. Having been a mother herself, she knew how painful it was for women to give birth, which is why she came to attend to her at the end. She hadn’t expected Zhao Xing hadn’t even thought to prepare his own mother’s coffin, instead latching onto Zhao Zhilan.

The old woman’s body was right here. Zhao Xing said he didn’t have a single penny.

Now it was February—the body could be preserved for a few days, which was fine. But if it were summer, it would be terrible!

Zhao Zhilan immediately went over and slapped Zhao Xiaocang. Zhao Xiaocang was stunned: “You hit me?” Her parents had never hit her! Deng Ju’s expression also turned ugly. She immediately said: “Sister, our Xiaocang isn’t a child anymore. Even if she said something wrong, it doesn’t warrant hitting her!”

Zhao Zhilan said angrily: “If you and Zhao Xing won’t teach her, don’t blame me for taking action!”

The hospital room was so loud that many people were watching the commotion.

Bei Jun was scared, hugging Bei Yao and not letting his sister go over. He was extremely afraid of uncle now, always remembering how Zhao Xing had nearly harmed him back then.

Zhao Xing had quit his drug addiction, but the family had gone bankrupt and was in debt. In short, he’d made up his mind not to care for his mother’s body.

Huo Xu arrived at this moment. He wore a suit and glanced at Bei Yao.

Then he went in and asked: “What happened?”

Zhao Xing was very irritated: “None of your damn business!”

Huo Xu glanced at the old woman who’d stopped breathing and the strange smell in the air. He said: “Let the old woman rest in peace first.”

“Easy for you to say—you give the money then!”

Huo Xu said: “I’ll give it.”

This statement made everyone in the room turn their gazes to him. Bei Yao frowned slightly.

Zhao Xing’s attitude immediately changed, though he was still somewhat doubtful: “Are you serious?”

Huo Xu said: “Of course I’m serious. I’ll have someone arrange it in a moment.”

Zhao Xing was overjoyed: “Thank you, what a good person, what a good person!”

Zhao Zhilan’s face was livid.

Last time she’d “won” those hundred-some thousand—it wasn’t that she was unwilling to spend money, but that she didn’t want to fall into Zhao Xing’s pit again! She utterly hated this younger brother’s blood-sucking behavior toward her family.

Last time with Bei Jun’s matter, when mother chose Zhao Xing, she’d vowed not to care anymore. If today she still got latched onto by Zhao Xing, she wouldn’t be able to swallow this anger for the rest of her life.

Unexpectedly, in the end it was a young man who handled mother’s funeral arrangements. This was practically forcing Zhao Zhilan to make a choice.

Zhao Zhilan gritted her teeth: “My mother’s affairs don’t need outsiders to manage. If I pay, I’ll pay, but Zhao Xing, if you dare reach out to ask me for another penny, I’ll chop you with a kitchen knife!”

Zhao Xing muttered: “Didn’t someone offer to pay?”

Huo Xu glanced at Zhao Zhilan, knowing she had a stubborn temperament. He went out to make a phone call, then came back saying: “I can find a cemetery plot fastest, and people will come from the crematorium too. Auntie, your daughter saved me. Just consider this me helping your family.”

With these words, the air quieted for an instant.

Everyone looked at Bei Yao.

Ever since Huo Xu appeared, Zhao Xiaocang’s heart had been pounding. She could still recognize quality wealthy men, and moreover, as soon as this man arrived, he both gave money and effort.

Unexpectedly, it was for her cousin Bei Yao!

Zhao Zhilan was also stunned, but right now it was too chaotic to think too much. She only nodded: “You find people. I’ll give you the money!”

Before long, people came. Inside was hurried and rushed. Huo Xu walked toward Bei Yao.

He rarely spoke with her, but she carried February’s crisp fragrance, with some of the cold intent from outside.

Huo Xu hadn’t originally approached her with good intentions, yet repeatedly became somewhat distracted.

“You… don’t be too sad. Tell me if there’s anything you need help with.”

Bei Yao’s gaze was somewhat cold: “No need.”

Huo Xu pressed his lips together: “Do you dislike me somewhat?”

Why? Clearly when she was sixteen, she was still willing to extend a helping hand to strangers. But now that he’d returned to the country with high status, she always somewhat disliked and rejected him.

In B City, he’d deliberately created several opportunities to meet with her, but she’d secretly avoided them all. The gifts he sent, Bei Yao also hadn’t accepted.

The young girl remained unmoved. Huo Xu was also anxious, which is why today he forcefully inserted himself into this matter.

Originally it was with ill intent, but the closer he got, the less he could explain the unwillingness in his heart.

Bei Yao’s gaze was clear and transparent. She didn’t answer him.

Later, when it grew darker, Bei Yao went over and hugged Zhao Zhilan: “Mom, let’s go home and rest first.”

After Bei Yao and the others left, Deng Ju quietly pinched Zhao Xing: “Look at other people’s daughters who are capable. That man is clearly wealthy, and he’s so eager to please Bei Yao. You mustn’t become estranged from your sister. In the future, our Xiaocang…”

Zhao Xing was somewhat irritated: “My mother just died, why are you saying these things!”

After the New Year, this matter passed, except Huo Xu refused to accept Zhao Zhilan’s money.

Bei Yao felt somewhat anxious. She had no memory and didn’t understand what this person wanted to do.

Zhao Zhilan also didn’t like Huo Xu. The reason was very simple.

The cemetery plot Huo Xu found for Bei Yao’s grandmother plus various expenses added up to—exactly 150,000 yuan.

This was… living in an imperial mausoleum!

However, the body had been moved in. They couldn’t possibly…

Facing money they couldn’t afford even if they went bankrupt, Zhao Zhilan’s expression was extremely ugly, and the pressure was heavy. What kind of matters were these! Could heaven drop another windfall? Win another lottery or something?

~

Before long, spring arrived.

Spring happened to be the day Pei Chuan was released early from prison.

The man put on his prosthetic leg. Having not worn the prosthetic for a long time, he was somewhat unaccustomed.

Cheng Zhenghai patted his shoulder: “Young man, work well for the country outside from now on, understand? Future society depends on you all!”

Pei Chuan didn’t say much, just nodded. His appointment notice had come down—this summer he could go to the research institute.

However, his heart had always been concerned about the news Jin Ziyang brought during New Year’s—Bei Yao’s grandmother was critically ill.

Pei Chuan changed his clothes. He was 22 years old now, with handsome features, especially aloof when not smiling.

Pei Chuan directly returned to C City. The sky was very blue, and the air outside was very fresh.

He saw his hometown’s every blade of grass and tree, as if it had already passed, both strange and familiar.

When Jin Ziyang received his call, he was still bewildered. When the two met: “Holy shit, Brother Chuan, did you break out of prison?”

Pei Chuan looked at him coldly.

Pei Chuan said: “The money left over from selling the software last time?”

Jin Ziyang became worried talking about this: “That thing was quite valuable. You said minimum three million, but they quoted five million. I was so scared I quickly added another million. Finally sold for six million. Until now… uh… gave Auntie Zhao 120,000.”

There was no way around it—they couldn’t keep doing lottery drawings. Other people weren’t idiots.

Pei Chuan nodded.

Jin Ziyang handed him the card: “There’s still over five million left.”

Jin Ziyang’s mood was complex: “Brother Chuan, this money really isn’t illegal, right? Don’t get yourself thrown back in. If you have nothing to do, you can come be a manager at my dad’s company!”

“…”

Just as Pei Chuan was about to leave, Jin Ziyang called out to him: “That, Brother Chuan, listen to me. A while ago Bei Yao said her grandmother was critically ill, so I paid attention. Then I discovered… that Young Master Huo from B City’s Huo family is pursuing her.”

Pei Chuan’s footsteps halted, his lips pressed tightly together.

“The money for her grandmother’s funeral, the cemetery plot—Huo Xu found them all. You should have a mental preparation.” Jin Ziyang bit his teeth, unable to gauge things in his heart either.

If it were someone else, fine, but Huo Xu’s identity was also not to be underestimated.

Wealthy, good-looking, and a returned overseas student.

God knew whether Auntie Zhao’s family would like that Huo Xu more because of this favor. Huo Xu’s identity was indeed very impressive—overseas returnee, wealthy family, handsome, gentle and considerate. Most girls would probably find him appealing.

In Jin Ziyang’s view, Pei Chuan had just been released from prison. Not only was his body disabled… he was also an “unemployed person.” What could he use to compete for someone’s daughter?

Pei Chuan touched the appointment letter from the “First Scientific Research Institute” in his pocket, saying nothing.