Volume One, Chapter 37: Leaving Behind an Empty Shell

Chapter 1

Mr. Peng was startled and quickly waved his hands, stepping back two paces with a distressed expression.
“Brother Feng, you know, I was just following orders. Please be magnanimous and don’t hold it against me. Besides, I’m already unemployed—haven’t been paid for six months.”
“Get out!”
Han Feng raised his hand impatiently, and Mr. Peng immediately clutched his bag and left.
“Brother Feng, what’s going on here...”
I had a rough idea but still found it hard to believe.
“Chu Hailong finally got scared and transferred the KTV to me. But that bastard took all the operating funds, leaving me with an empty shell.”
Han Feng shrugged, clearly displeased.
I admired Han Feng; he was resilient, bold, and insightful.
Starting from nothing, he quickly owned a KTV. As the saying goes, a golden-scaled fish is no ordinary pond dweller!
“Brother Feng, congratulations!” I sincerely congratulated him.
“Heh, same to you!”
Han Feng smiled, “Xiao Yan, from today on, Night Beauty KTV belongs to us brothers. Like I said before—we share blessings and hardships together.”
I was deeply moved and flattered but remained tactful.
“Brother Feng, I know nothing. I’ll need your guidance.”
“I’m disabled; you’re the one taking care of me. Brothers don’t need to be polite,” Han Feng frowned again. “Right now, we have to revitalize this KTV. We can’t let Chu Hailong make a fool of us.”
“I’ll work hard.”
I solemnly patted my chest, youthful blood boiling within me.
“How about you be my assistant?” Han Feng asked.
“Sure!”
I agreed quickly, though I wasn’t exactly sure what an assistant’s duties entailed.
“Your sister works here too, right?”
“Yes.”
“What’s her name?”
“Fu Xiaoya.”
Han Feng opened a drawer, found some paper and a pen, confirmed the name with me, then wrote down “Fu Xiaoya.”
“Brother, go find her.”
I didn’t understand why Han Feng wanted Fu Xiaoya but agreed nonetheless.
Leaving the general manager’s office, I approached the front desk. The female receptionist recognized me, leaning on the bar with a raised brow and a smile.
“Hello, handsome. Here to see your sister again?”
“Yeah, which room is she in?”
The receptionist picked up the walkie-talkie and pressed a few buttons. “Xiaoya, your brother is here, waiting at the front desk.”
“I’m coming!”
Hearing Fu Xiaoya’s voice, my heart stirred inexplicably. Soon, I would see her again.
I recalled that night in Fu Xiaoya’s room, lying in her arms—it was so warm and blissful, an unforgettable moment in my life.
Fu Xiaoya came downstairs, her face was pale and grim.

Chapter 2

Without a word, she pulled me into an empty room nearby and slapped me hard on the head several times.
Stars danced before my eyes as I dodged and begged.
“Sis, stop hitting me!”
“You’re hopeless, like mud that can never be lifted! Dad’s lying in the hospital, almost dying, and you still have the heart to come here and play? Shouldn’t you be thinking about what to do next?”
Fu Xiaoya shouted, eyes fiery yet misty with extreme disappointment.
“Han Feng told me to come with him.”
I stammered in panic, which only made her angrier; she struck me again.
“I told you not to hang around with that old scoundrel Han Feng! Why won’t you listen?”
“If I don’t hang out with Han Feng, what else can I do?”
I shouted, pushing Fu Xiaoya away with all my strength. She almost stumbled onto the sofa.
She stared at me, surprised.
She probably never expected someone as submissive and weak as me to dare show attitude.
“Sis, have you ever thought that after Dad’s collapse, the money for his treatment isn’t enough, and I have to make a living? Only Han Feng gives me a chance. Do I have any other options?”
“You should be re-studying to get into university, not mixing in the streets.”
“Retake exams? Do you think Mom will let me? I’ll never go to university!”
Life was truly suffocating!
What others called a normal life was a mountain of obstacles for me. Had heaven gone blind?
I felt wronged and hateful but held back my tears.
“The sky hasn’t fallen yet.”
Fu Xiaoya sighed and embraced me.
Miraculously, my emotions calmed quickly, burying my head deep into her neck.
“Xiao Yan, don’t be afraid. I’ll work hard to support your retake and get you into university.”
Fu Xiaoya was kinder than ever, gently patting my back.
I was deeply moved, tears bursting out uncontrollably.
Those were the most beautiful words in the world, worth treasuring for a lifetime.
But I couldn’t accept it.
Fu Xiaoya was not yet twenty, working in a KTV selling drinks with meager income. How could I burden her?
I painfully pushed her away, lowering my head and saying with difficulty, “Sis, I’ve made up my mind. I won’t go to university. I want to rely on myself and make my own way in the world.”
Fu Xiaoya said nothing more, but her eyes were full of regret and disappointment.
“Sis, Brother Feng is looking for you!”
I whispered to remind her. Fu Xiaoya snapped back to reality with a displeased hum.
“What does he want? That crippled bastard has corrupted you!”
“Brother Feng is in the general manager’s office.”
“Does he know Mr. Peng?”
Fu Xiaoya immediately became sensitive; a word from Mr. Peng could decide her fate.
“Chu Hailong transferred the KTV to Brother Feng. He’s the general manager here now,” I explained.

Chapter 3

“Ah, really?”
Fu Xiaoya was incredulous. “Why would Brother Long do that?”
Of course, I knew why but shook my head and emphasized, “Sis, it’s true. I saw the business license — the legal representative is Han Feng.”
“Brother Long just left, and Han Feng came right after...”
Fu Xiaoya suddenly understood. “I’ll go with you to... meet Brother Feng.”
She spoke the last two words with difficulty.
We left the private room and went to the general manager’s office, where Han Feng was reclining in a chair, spinning a lighter between his fingers.
“Brother Feng!”
Fu Xiaoya stood respectfully.
“Xiaoya, how long have you been working here?” Han Feng asked with a smile.
“Half a year.”
“How much do you earn each month?”
Fu Xiaoya glanced at me and didn’t hide the truth.
“I help with cleaning and get commissions from selling drinks — about fifteen hundred.”
I felt sorry for Fu Xiaoya; her work was hard but earnings were low.
With such income, she still planned to support my university studies—didn’t she need to eat?
“Do you live here?” Han Feng continued.
“I used to, but it was inconvenient. A few days ago, a friend and I rented a place nearby.”
“How much is the rent?”
“Very cheap, including utilities, about three hundred.”
My heart ached again. Such a cheap place must be far and in poor condition.
But Fu Xiaoya preferred living in a harsh rental than going home.
I understood her.
That home was always filled with oppression and suffocation, making one want to escape at all times.
“Do you know the whole KTV well?”
Han Feng’s questions were many, making it hard to grasp his intent.
“Very well!”
Fu Xiaoya answered quickly, afraid of losing her job, and added, “I know every person, every corner, even every song on the jukebox.”
Oh.
Han Feng nodded and asked again, “Xiaoya, I consider Zhou Yan a brother, and you’re like family. Can you do me a favor?”
“Please tell me, Brother Feng.”
Fu Xiaoya was respectful and attentive.