It's dark, and the only guiding light comes from the street lamps scattered along the road, casting elongated shadows as I make my way home.
Glancing at the watch on my wrist, I note the lateness of the hour; it's already seven. Yet, the thought of arriving home late doesn't concern me much. There's little waiting for me there, aside from the glow of the television screen.
Beneath the soft illumination of a street lamp, I pause, looking up at the star-studded sky. My mind wanders back to the events of the evening.
"Why are you doing this job?"
It was a question I hadn't expected, despite the numerous clients I've encountered. Yet, the answer is layered with reasons that extend beyond mere explanation.
The first reason is to confront my fear of girls, a secret I've kept hidden from all my clients. It's a challenge I've struggled with for years, one that this job offers me a chance to face head-on.
The second reason is more pragmatic: money. I need a substantial sum to clear a debt hanging over me like a dark cloud. The salary from this job is generous, with a monthly income of 50 thousand Yuan, placing me among the top ten most sought-after boys in the rental boyfriend service.
But how did I accumulate such a staggering debt in the first place? It all traces back to a pivotal moment two years ago, when my father, once a prominent businessman in this city, fell from grace.
The memories flood back, reminding me of the life we once had. Our family, consisting of my father, my mother, and myself, resided in a modest mansion that exuded warmth and comfort.
One fateful day, after returning home from school, I encountered an eerie scene. The familiar halls of our mansion were shrouded in darkness, the absence of light creating an ominous atmosphere. Despite my trepidation, I ventured inside, calling out for my parents.
"Dad? Mom?" My voice echoed through the dimly lit space, but there was no response. As I cautiously made my way further into the house, I stumbled upon a peculiar sight—a table positioned in the middle of the hall, its movements catching my attention.
Perplexed, I approached the table, only to realize that it wasn't just an inanimate object—it was my father, hunched over on all fours, consumed by his grief.
In a whirlwind of emotions, I rush to my father's side, desperation evident in every step. Gripping his shoulders tightly, I implore him for answers, my voice trembling with fear.
"Dad!? What's going on!? Tell me!"
His eyes meet mine, filled with a sorrow that cuts deep into my soul.
"Son... It's all over... Your mother.... She... "
His words hang heavy in the air, and before he can continue, my world shatters. The mere suggestion of my mother's demise sends shockwaves through me, a surge of anguish tearing through my heart.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!! MOM!!! HOW CAN YOU DIE BEFORE ME!!!"
I scream into the void, my cries echoing through the empty halls as grief consumes me whole. But amidst the chaos, my father's voice pierces through the turmoil.
"S-Son! Let me finish my words first!"
Confusion clouds my mind as I pause, meeting his gaze with tear-stained eyes.
"Eh?" I manage to utter, my voice choked with emotion.
"Your mother didn't die! It's something else."
In a moment of overwhelming frustration and anguish, I lash out, hurling my school bag at my father in a fit of disbelief and rage.
As the weight of his words sinks in, my father winces in pain, rubbing the spot where my school bag had struck him.
"Couldn't you say that sooner!" I snap, frustration boiling over.
"But you didn't let me complete my words!" he retorts, his voice tinged with exasperation.
Clearing his throat, he continues with a heavy heart:
"Your mother told me to sign some papers, she told me that it was to buy her some jewellery."
"Uh-huh," I respond absentmindedly, still reeling from the shock of the situation.
"And you know how much your dad, which is me, loves your mother."
"Yeah," I acknowledge, my mind racing to make sense of the unfolding revelation.
"So I signed the papers blindly, but the next day I got to know that it was the papers... Of my property.... "
"Uh-huh," I murmur, nodding along in automatic agreement until the gravity of his words finally registers.
"WAIT WHAT!?" I burst out in disbelief, my eyes widening in shock as the truth dawns on me. My father's somber nod confirms my worst fears, sending waves of disbelief crashing over me.
"So does that mean she took away your whole property and ran away!?" I blurt out, my voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and anger.
"Yes... With her old lover," my father confirms with a heavy sigh, his expression mirroring the weight of his words.
I feel the ground shift beneath me as the reality of our situation sinks in, turning my world upside down. Collapsing onto my knees, my heart heavy with despair, I can't help but ask the question weighing on my mind:
"What's.... Going to happen with us?" I inquire, my breath forming wisps of white fog in the air as the chill of uncertainty settles over me.
"You'll know soon... " my father responds cryptically, his own demeanor resigned to the impending fate that awaits us.
But before we can dwell further on our uncertain future, a sudden commotion interrupts our conversation, drawing our attention to the main entrance.
"—Thump Thump Thump!"
"—What's this noise!?" I exclaim in alarm, my gaze snapping towards the source of the disturbance.
As heavy footsteps approach, my father's resigned expression speaks volumes, signaling that our lives are about to change in ways we could never have imagined.
"—Bang!"
The sound of the door being forcefully kicked open jolts us from our somber conversation.
"Who's there!?" I demand, my voice tinged with a mix of fear and confusion.
As the intruders enter, clad in black uniforms and exuding an intimidating aura, my heart races with unease. They encircle us, their presence looming over us like a dark cloud.
"—What the!" I gasp, my eyes widening in shock as they approach my father and hoist him onto their shoulders.
"Why are you people taking my father away!?" I protest, my voice trembling with a mixture of disbelief and defiance.
Their response is chillingly indifferent, delivered in monotone by one of the men: "He made a contract with the Liu group yesterday, but he didn't pay the money yet."
My father's resigned farewell pierces through the tense atmosphere, leaving me reeling with a sense of abandonment and helplessness.
"Dad!?" I call out, my voice cracking with emotion as they whisk him away, leaving me standing alone in the empty mansion, grappling with the harsh reality of our circumstances.
"Damn you, old hag! You'll pay for this!" I roar, the anger and frustration boiling inside me threatening to consume me whole.
Falling to my knees, I unleash my fury into the empty expanse of the night sky, my voice echoing with bitterness and resentment.
As the cat scurries away in fear, I am left alone with my thoughts, grappling with the daunting reality of my situation.
[Will Yan Xia ever be able to pay off the debt? Will he be able to rescue his father? And will he seek vengeance against his mother? To uncover the answers, stay tuned for the next chapter~]