High school students have limited free time. Seventeen-year-old Shen Duoyi didn't have many choices. Every day after school, he had to rush to the convenience store for his part-time job. However, occasionally he would go to another job - as a nightclub waiter.

Originally, he didn't want to come to such a place, but the general manager was the nephew of the convenience store owner, so he felt a little more at ease, thinking that at least he wouldn't be cheated.

His salary was calculated hourly, and seventy percent of the tips had to be handed over to the nightclub. Even so, the money he earned each night was much more than working as a cashier at the convenience store.

It was already very late when the evening self-study ended. He entered the nightclub through the back door, wearing a neat school uniform. The work uniform consisted of a shirt, trousers, a small vest, and a tie. He had just learned how to tie a tie, and it took him a long time each time.

He was responsible for a corner of the hall, not the private rooms, which was quite fortunate because there were too many drunks in the private rooms. At two o'clock in the morning, work ended and the back door was also closed. He changed back into his school uniform, ready to go home.

"Duoyi, on the schedule for tomorrow, you filled in six o'clock?"

"Yeah, there's a parent-teacher meeting tomorrow, so school ends early." Shen Duoyi zipped up his school uniform jacket, deciding to bring an extra set of clothes tomorrow. Otherwise, it would be too conspicuous to enter and exit in his school uniform in broad daylight.

Although he had already been caught by his classmates, and rumors had long spread throughout the entire grade.

It seemed that all the primary and secondary schools in the city were holding parent-teacher meetings on the same day. As soon as the military off-road vehicle drove into the sanatorium, it was stopped on the tree-lined road by a little brat who had been let out of school early.

"Brother!"

Zhang Yiming slammed the steering wheel: "Is your brother a bit out of his mind? If I hadn't stopped just now, I probably would have been shot at your doorstep today."

Qi Shi'an got out of the car, bent slightly, and hugged the child who rushed over. He said, "Zhang Yiming asked if you are out of your mind. Answer him."

Eight-year-old Huo Xuechuan clung to the window of the military off-road vehicle: "Brother Ming, Grandpa said this car will be given to me to drive in the future. You get out!"

"Your grandpa is fooling you. It's already been transferred to your brother's name." Zhang Yiming stepped on the accelerator hard, "It's so heavy. After getting used to driving a sports car, touching this feels like driving a bulldozer."

Qi Shi'an walked towards home with his younger brother who hadn't graduated from elementary school, answering questions as they walked.

"Brother, what kind of training do you do in military school?"

"Eating, drinking, whoring, gambling, smoking. Do you want to learn to smoke?"

"Yes. Have you learned fighting?"

"I have. Who are you planning to fight?"

"I want you to protect me. Grandpa is going to the parent-teacher meeting today, and I think I'm going to get a beating."

The brothers arrived at the building of their home while talking. Zhang Yiming had already turned off the engine and was waiting. After entering the door, there were several exercise books spread out on the table in the living room. Huo Xuechuan conscientiously went over to do his homework.

Qi Shi'an went upstairs to take a shower and change clothes. During this time in military school, he always wore a military uniform and had to tie a combat belt. Now suddenly changing back into jeans and a T-shirt made him feel a bit unaccustomed.

Zhang Yiming, who was a few years older, especially loved to play, and asked, "Going out for a drink tonight?"

"Where to drink?"

"You'll know when you get there."

Qi Shi'an felt that was a waste of words, nothing more than trying to be mysterious and tantalizing. He felt it was very unnecessary. But when he saw the sign of the nightclub, he realized that sentence was quite necessary.

Zhang Yiming said, "If I had told you in advance, you definitely wouldn't have come."

That's right. Qi Shi'an was almost nineteen years old. Among eating, drinking, whoring, gambling, and smoking, he actually only did the first two. He had no bad habits and had no interest in such a place of bright lights and wine, especially after experiencing a few months of army training.

The occupancy rate in the hall was always high because the band's performances were constantly being refreshed. The two found a seat and casually ordered some beer and fruit.

The lights alternated between bright and dark. Qi Shi'an was dazzled and a bit sleepy. Just as his eyes were about to close, another burst of dense drumbeats erupted from the speakers. Zhang Yiming beside him had already disappeared, probably hooking up with a stranger and entering a private room.

"Young master, any recommendations?"

A flirtatious question drilled into his ears. Qi Shi'an looked in the direction of the sound and saw a waiter stopping at the table in front. It was a very good-looking side profile, which could make people can't help but imagine what the front looked like.

Apart from the side profile, there was also a slender waist tightened by the vest. Qi Shi'an enjoyed it freely where no one noticed, and even thought of the idiom "Shen Lang's slender waist*".

*T/N: Refers to a refined man with a slender waist

Shen Duoyi had no time to notice the peeping gaze. In order not to block other customers' view of the stage, he squatted down in front of the table and then skillfully recommended several types of wine.

Seven or eight bottles of wine were brought to the table, and the tipsy customer demanded, "Young master, have a glass of each. It's my treat."

Shen Duoyi hated this title. He smiled apologetically, "We have rules. Service staff are not allowed to drink."

"How can you be a waiter?" That customer had already filled several empty glasses. "With your appearance, it would be great to be a young master. I'll be the first to book you. Come, drink slowly. Two thousand per glass."

Qi Shi'an's keychain was also two thousand. He felt a bit mixed in his heart.

Shen Duoyi put the wine list on the table, then reached out and grasped one of the glasses. The smell of alcohol permeated his nostrils, as if mixed with the suddenly slowed music.

But the music was moving, while the wine was spicy and bitter.

If fatigue and grievance spread from the bottom of the heart, gradually filling a person, then the burning sensation at this moment was just the opposite. From the throat downward, it burned like wildfire all the way, reaching the stomach like a bomb exploding, crackling, both painful and scalding.

By the third glass, Shen Duoyi could no longer squat steadily, swaying and about to sit on the ground.

Qi Shi'an witnessed everything and spoke, "Waiter, bring the wine."

The person squatting over there slowly turned his face. The hair on his forehead was slightly damp, and sweat dripped down his cheeks from his temples. His complexion was an abnormal red, his thin lips moist and still stained with wine.

A pair of eyes, under the alternating light and dark lights, seemed to contain the sun's glare.

Qi Shi'an sinfully thought, if the other party was really a "young master", he would definitely book him.

Shen Duoyi was in so much pain that he broke out in a cold sweat. His skin was flushed from the alcohol stimulation. He used the little strength he had left to calculate, how many glasses did he drink? How much of a tip would he get?

Qi Shi'an had already walked to the table and also saw the three characters "Shen Duoyi" on the name tag. Just as the customers at that table were about to make a scene, he grabbed the person squatting on the ground and pretended to be familiar, saying, "Duoduo, why are you secretly working part-time again? Your dad is here to take you home."

Shen Duoyi stared at the other person. Their similar age made him let down his guard. Even if he had any, it crumbled with the word "Duoduo".

Only his mother called him that.

His mother had been gone for many years.

Shen Duoyi hazily remembered that there was a parent-teacher meeting today. He was supported by Qi Shi'an to the front door, clutching his stomach the whole time, unable to straighten his waist, and wiping all the sweat from his face onto the other person's shoulder.

Qi Shi'an asked, "Are you drunk or unwell?"

"I don't know," Shen Duoyi looked up at the other person, "It hurts here."

Qi Shi'an reached out his hand and placed his palm on Shen Duoyi's stomach, only to find that the body in his arms was shaking from the pain. The alcohol kicked in, and Shen Duoyi couldn't even stand steadily. He forced himself to say, "Thank you."

"No need." Qi Shi'an didn't know what he was thinking. "Are you really not a young master?"

There was no answer or cursing. The body in his hands was shaking violently. Qi Shi'an saw that Shen Duoyi's face was covered in sweat again. He bent down and carried him on his back, walking towards the SUV not far away.

As he walked, he declared, "I'm taking you back to my home. Don't make a fuss when you sober up."

Shen Duoyi mumbled, "Dad, you're here to pick me up... Did the teacher praise me at the parent-teacher meeting?"

He's still in school?

Qi Shi'an didn't stop walking, but his heart inexplicably tightened. He replied in response, "Yes, keep working hard and be good."

Shen Duoyi didn't answer and had already fallen asleep.

The military SUV was quite noisy, especially in the quiet night. Qi Shi'an brought Shen Duoyi back to the military retirement home and lied to his parents that the other person was his classmate.

He hadn't stayed at home for several months, and the room had lost its warmth. He unloaded Shen Duoyi from his back and gently placed him on the bed. Just as he was wondering how to take care of him, he noticed Huo Xuechuan standing at the door.

"Brother, Grandpa hit me with a military stick." Huo Xuechuan ran to the bedside and lifted his pajamas, turning his back. "He said I didn't study well and won't be able to get into military school in the future."

Qi Shi'an pulled Huo Xuechuan onto his lap. "Then don't go. I don't plan to either."

Huo Xuechuan was facing Shen Duoyi on the bed and asked, "Who is he? He's so good-looking."

"I don't know who he is either." Qi Shi'an pushed Huo Xuechuan away again, preparing to change Shen Duoyi's alcohol-soaked clothes. "Go back to sleep. Don't stay here."

Huo Xuechuan took a step back and turned his head three times. "Who is he? Brother, I'm so curious."

Qi Shi'an kicked his brother out of the room, then wrung a hot towel to wipe Shen Duoyi's face. In the nightclub, he hadn't seen clearly, but now under the dim light, he could even make out the eyelashes under the other person's eyes.

Shen Duoyi was exceptionally quiet, curled up on the bed clutching his stomach without moving, only maintaining a shallow breathing sound. Qi Shi'an climbed onto the bed and lay on his side, half-enclosing him in his territory, then placed his palm on the spot where he was having spasms.

They both slept very deeply, deep enough to miss countless good dreams.

The burning sensation in his throat had turned into pain after a night, but the agony in his stomach had lessened by more than half. Shen Duoyi slowly opened his eyes. His mind was not yet clear, and the person in front of him also woke up.

Qi Shi'an's voice was a little hoarse. "Is my bed comfortable?"

Shen Duoyi wanted to sit up from under the covers, only to find that the other person's warm hand was still covering his stomach. He rolled over on the bed and knelt up, asking in return, "I didn't go home all night?"

"Mm." Qi Shi'an looked at the vest and shorts on the other person's body. "Where's your home? I'll take you."

His parents had already found out about him driving a military license plate car to the nightclub, so the SUV was temporarily replaced with a black Volkswagen. After sobering up, Shen Duoyi was embarrassed, at a loss, and shy, as if staying in the unfamiliar military retirement home for one more second would make him mentally collapse. Qi Shi'an deliberately dawdled in finding the car keys and slowly tied his shoelaces because he wanted to see Shen Duoyi collapse.

If he collapsed while sober, he could take advantage of him again.

"You can drop me off on Qiuye Street."

Shen Duoyi had already expressed his thanks before leaving, so he only said this one sentence on the way. The black Volkswagen finally stopped by the side of Qiuye Street. Qi Shi'an turned off the engine and waited for Shen Duoyi to ask his name.

Shen Duoyi unfastened his seat belt. "Thank you. I wish you safe travels."

Qi Shi'an was stunned. He wasn't very romantic and didn't believe in love at first sight, but last night's glance did make his heart flutter. Taking the initiative to help, bringing him home to take care of him—he didn't want to write the words "good person" on his face. He clearly had "want to get with you" written all over his face.

As a result, the car door opened and closed, and Shen Duoyi left, only leaving behind a "safe travels".

Qi Shi'an didn't get out of the car to chase him. He started the engine and turned around, driving away from Qiuye Street. A feeling of anger gradually rose in his chest, clogging up all the air passages, and finally making him laugh in anger. When he stopped at a red light and stepped on the brake, the pendant hanging on the rearview mirror swayed a few times, and the back flipped over, clearly written with the four characters "safe travels".

"..."

Qi Shi'an picked up the soft and precious little panda on the dashboard and pulled out a cigarette, taking two puffs. From then on, he added one more vice from drinking, whoring, gambling, and smoking. The pungent cigarette smoke filled the car, and the moment the green light came on, he drove the Volkswagen with the momentum of an SUV.

Two thousand yuan for a glass of wine. Shen Duoyi had to drink it even if it made him pass out from the pain.

So if money could sway things, it would be very easy to handle.

In the senior partner's office, no external noise could be heard. Shen Duoyi's eyes, which had been wide open for a long time, suddenly blinked weakly a couple of times. He lowered his head to look at the floor, then squatted down to pick up the scattered chestnuts.

Qi Shi'an walked around the desk and happened to see the top of the other person's head. He squatted down and casually picked up a chestnut, peeled it, put it in his mouth, and said after swallowing, "Very sweet. The Germans don't add sugar when roasting chestnuts. Not as good as this."

Shen Duoyi was still picking them up, seemingly not coming back to his senses.

Qi Shi'an grabbed the other person's wrist. "It took ten years to find out my name. I hope you can remember it firmly."

Shen Duoyi looked up. "Is there anything else?"

Qi Shi'an replied with a smile, "I'll make it up to you tonight for the welcome party that was cancelled due to the report."