Dingxiang got on the phone with Mashan, bubbling over with excitement as she told him about running into Li Muchen.
When she hung up, she turned with a grin.
"Brother Muchen, Mashan-ge says your job is settled. He'll handle everything."
Muchen only gave a noncommittal nod. He didn't really care about the job, but he didn't want to dampen her enthusiasm.
Dingxiang kept staring at him until he frowned.
"What are you looking at? Do I have flowers growing out of my face?"
She broke into laughter. "Brother Muchen, you can't show up to work looking like this. You look like some mountain priest. Come on, I'm taking you for a haircut."
Before he could protest, she dragged him into a salon. Under the stylist's scissors, the long hair he had carried for over a decade fell away, replaced by a sharp, clean cut. Then she pulled him through the mall, picking out new clothes.
By the time she was done, the shabby mountain hermit had vanished. In his place stood a sharp, energetic young man.
Dingxiang's cheeks flushed. "Brother Muchen… you look really handsome."
But then she sighed, her expression dimming.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"It's just… the material's too cheap. It doesn't suit you. If only I earned more money…"
Muchen chuckled, pinched her cheek the way he used to when they were children, and said, "Silly girl. You're still a student. Your job is to study hard, not make money. Leave the earning to me."
She nodded seriously. For some reason, she felt an instinctive trust toward this brother she hadn't seen in more than ten years, who had suddenly walked back into her life today.
The two spent the afternoon wandering the city. Dingxiang skipped along at his side, talking non-stop about how much Hecheng had changed.
"See over there? That used to be the dump where we picked through trash. Now it's the CBD!" she said, pointing at the towering skyscrapers.
"And that mall? It used to be the paper mill. Remember? I got bullied in the alley behind it once. You and Mashan-ge fought them off—two against five! You both looked so impressive!"
Muchen remembered. In truth, Mashan had done most of the fighting. Two years older, bigger, and sturdier, he'd taken the beating head-on, bloodied but unyielding, until the gang of kids finally scattered.
The memory brought a smile to Muchen's face, a warmth stirring in his chest.
"You've got a good memory, Dingxiang. You were only four then. No wonder you got into such a good university."
She beamed. "I don't know why, but I remember everything when it comes to you two."
By evening, she insisted on treating him to a lavish dinner before they headed to the bar. Muchen felt guilty about her spending the money she'd earned working part-time, but she waved away his concerns.
"You're here, Brother Muchen. Even if I spend every last cent, it's worth it."
Muchen swallowed his words and silently vowed: he would protect this girl. Whatever it took, he would repay her kindness a thousand times over. He would make sure she lived a happy life.
---
The Blue Bridge Bar glittered in the night, neon lights casting a hazy glow over the line of luxury cars outside.
Muchen walked past them without a flicker of emotion. He didn't recognize a single one.
Ahead, a tall man in a fitted suit waved. Mashan. Aside from his size, he hadn't changed much.
"Brother Mashan!" Muchen called.
Mashan strode up, seized him by the shoulders, and looked him up and down with a grin. "Well, look at you! Taller, sharper—handsome even! Where the hell have you been all these years?"
"Studying under a master in the mountains," Muchen said.
Mashan didn't ask further. He thumped his chest. "Now that you're back, you're not leaving again. You're my brother—if I've got food, you'll never go hungry."
Muchen smiled. "Thanks, Brother Mashan."
"Save the thanks. We're brothers. Come on, let me show you around."
Inside, Mashan led them through the bar, introducing staff and patrons alike. Everywhere they went, people greeted him. He was clearly doing well here, and he basked in it.
But Muchen saw the truth beneath the surface. He caught the faint bruises under Mashan's skin, the sluggishness in his meridians. Mashan wasn't just managing the floor—he was running protection.
"Brother Mashan," Dingxiang reminded sweetly, "you promised to find work for Brother Muchen."
"Of course. When have I ever gone back on my word?" Mashan chuckled. "But let him get familiar with the place first."
Just then, a bald man with tattoos swaggered in, heading straight for Mashan.
"Leopard! When did you get here? You should've called so I could set things up," Mashan greeted with a smile.
The man clapped him on the shoulder. "Book me the best private room. Best wine, best girls. I'm going to pick up Boss Liu—I'll be back soon."
"Consider it done."
Leopard was about to leave when his gaze landed on Dingxiang. His lips curled into a grin. "Now this one's nice. Fresh. Perfect for Boss Liu. Send her over later."
Mashan's smile vanished. "Leopard, she's my sister. She's here to have fun. She's not one of the girls."
"Your sister?" Leopard sneered. "Since when do you have a real sister? Forget it. She's his type. That's settled."
"I said no."
Leopard's grin turned cold. "Don't get cocky, Mashan. Just because you're under Sister Na doesn't mean I won't touch you. I'll say it one more time—send the girl to the room."
He shot him a final glare and stalked off.
Mashan's fists clenched, his jaw tight as he forced down his anger.
Dingxiang was pale.
"Maybe we should leave," Muchen said softly.
Mashan thought he was afraid and tried to reassure him. "Relax. This is Sister Na's territory. They won't dare go too far. And besides—when have I ever backed down from a fight?"
But Muchen could feel the bitterness behind his forced smile. As children, Mashan had sworn again and again that he would become a true boss one day—someone no one could push around.
Mashan, unwilling to lose face, took them upstairs. His plan was to book them a private room to relax in, maybe sing some songs.
But Muchen could already tell—Leopard wouldn't let things go so easily.
Dingxiang was far too pure and striking, too bright a flame for a place like this. He wasn't worried for himself, but he couldn't bear to see her innocence sullied.
Finally, Mashan agreed when Muchen suggested leaving.
They had just reached the first floor when a voice rang out—
"Dingxiang!"
Five young people came in—two men, three women.
Dingxiang's eyes widened when she recognized one of them. "Yao Lili? What are you doing here?"
Yao Lili smiled. "Dingxiang! I didn't expect to see you here. Aren't you in Nanjing University now? Come, let me introduce you to someone."
"Really?" Dingxiang's eyes lit up.
Pulling her forward, Yao Lili pointed to another girl. "This is Lin Manqing, the eldest miss of the Lin Family."
Li Muchen froze.
Lin Manqing… could it be?
He remembered the engagement contract his grandfather had left behind. The bride's name on it had been Lin Manqing.
The Eldest Miss of the Lin Family—Lin Manqing.
Which meant… this was his fiancée.