The setting sun dips low, casting all the skyscrapers and the bustling highways with a layer of shiny gold, making the entire city look so splendid and magnificent.
Mu Zi and Ouyang Liuse gently hold hands, leisurely strolling through the crowded streets.
Under the golden sunlight, a pair of happy shadows move continuously.
Ouyang Liuse suddenly realizes that when she's with Mu Zi, most of the time, they're in silence.
For those truly in love, understanding each other's thoughts is instinctive. Why the need for excessive sweet nothings?
Sometimes, silence is the best language. Many emotions, when they reach a certain intensity and depth, require silence. To share in silence, to sublime in silence.
Now, it's the time when people are gradually leaving work. Well-dressed men and women, luxury cars of various models moving slowly, all set against the surrounding magnificent buildings.
If it weren't for the occasional grey shadows on the roadside, one might think this world is perfect.
Those grey shadows represent another aspect of the city, one that's not easily noticed, unwilling to be noticed, and increasingly overlooked.
They are the city's vulnerable, most with serious illnesses and no one to rely on, their faces gaunt and clothes ragged, abandoned by fate, unable to survive on their own.
So, they stay by the roadside, forgoing all dignity, extending their emaciated hands, hoping for a bit of charity from passersby.
Because of some bad apples, the identity of beggars is facing unprecedented discrimination and skepticism. Take Ouyang Liuse for example, her kind aunt and uncle taught her from a young age not to easily pity those beggars on the streets; they're probably fake and not worthy of sympathy. They even told her stories about professional beggars who kidnap children and maim them to force them to beg... But kind-hearted as she is, every time she walks by and sees those disabled and worn down people, she feels especially sad... She's even thought countless times that if one day she has a lot of money, she will help these poor people, let them dress neatly and eat comfortably...
While Ouyang Liuse is lost in thought, a mother and daughter on the side of the road catch her attention. The mother, missing an arm, with disheveled hair and a sallow complexion, holds her few months old baby, shivering and kneeling on the roadside, looking up with hopeful eyes at the passersby. Yet, most people who walk past either ignore her or scornfully shout, "Scammer," before strutting away.
With such a dire appearance and trembling from hunger, if this is also a scam, then it's too professional, right? Don't these people who call her a scammer have any sense of observation? Ouyang Liuse thinks helplessly, unconsciously reaching into her pocket—thankfully, she has quite a bit of money today... Almost simultaneously, Mu Zi takes her hand and strides toward the mother and child...
The day flies by, and shortly after work, the sun rushes down from the western sky, and the night of Zhonghai begins hurriedly.
Below Zero calls his wife Zhen to tell her he'll be home late due to some work. Then, he drives in the opposite direction of home. The neon lights gradually light up, adding a romantic glow to the entire street. The street is bustling with people, many couples either snuggled up, holding hands intimately, or playfully teasing each other, drawing envy. The dim lights cast a charming halo on them, and Below Zero watches them, as if seeing himself and Zhen from the past.
Once upon a time, after work, he would walk with the beautiful Zhen under the neon lights, talking about their day and sweet nothings. Back then, the world seemed sweet and carefree. Unlike now, even driving feels more tiring than walking.
Tired in heart, so tired in body.
Suddenly, Below Zero feels a lump in his throat, his eyes starting to blur.
But he doesn't slow down. He soon recovers from his despondence.
He rubs his moist eyes, straightens his back, looks at the street signs, and speeds up.
All his nightmares began with a woman named He Li. So, it must end with her.
He admits his mistake, not resisting the temptation and falling for He Li's beauty. He's willing to pay the price, giving her money, one hundred thousand, almost his annual salary. He decides to quit smoking and drinking, take on several part-time jobs, and quickly fill up this sum without Zhen noticing. He thought that would be enough. But He Li, this woman is too malicious, too greedy. She's like a wolf that can't be fed. One hundred thousand is just the beginning; she'll want the second, the third, until he's driven to ruin...
So, let it end this way. Once and for all. He'll pay Archangel two hundred thousand to finish this matter once and for all; he's already exhausted...
He doesn't know how Archangel will kill He Li, but during his time in contact with this mysterious assassin or assassins' organization, he's learned that they kill uniquely, planning accidents to kill their prey unnoticed and traceless, keeping themselves and their employers far from police suspicion. He's impressed by their unique method of killing...
That's why he's determined, even if it costs two hundred thousand, it's worth it to have Archangel do this.
He hates He Li, but doesn't want to die with her. He just wants to see her dead, so he can continue his beautiful life with Zhen...
The car weaves through the streets and soon arrives at a grand building. It's a huge aircraft carrier, covering about three thousand square meters, three stories tall, with dazzling lights and golden walls shining under the lights, surrounded by lakes, adding a touch of mystery. Yes, this is where Below Zero came to pay Mu Zi, this is Zhonghai City's landmark - Zhonghai Aircraft Carrier! It's past seven in the evening, the busiest part of Zhonghai's nightlife, many people scattered around the carrier on bridges or boats, enjoying the beautiful night. Upstairs in the KTV, the high-end sound system's music drifts out from the cracks of the windows, echoing above the lake.
This is a special place, Below Zero tends to categorize the people who come here for fun into two types. Inside and outside the building, many are enjoying themselves, but it's clear they are two different types of people, living in completely different worlds. Those inside are mostly well-dressed, sometimes venturing outside to enjoy the night view, but those outside may never enter, never experience the luxury inside...
Below Zero parks the car at the entrance of the aircraft carrier, then strolls to the lobby door, leaning on the railing opposite the door, lighting a cigarette.
Inside and outside, which one does he belong to?
With an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand, he should belong to the middle income in this society, but becoming one of those inside seems unlikely. The most basic room in the aircraft carrier costs three hundred yuan an hour.
But he's different from those outside because he's been inside and enjoyed the luxury, just recently. And more than once.
Back then, he always had a stunning beauty by his side, the most beautiful model in Zhonghai City, her name is He Li.