Chapter 15: Li Yan Knocks on the Door
Just then, the two of them came out and were taken aback when they saw Cao Yang and Lei Dian. They hadn’t expected Cao Yang to actually rescue someone.
“How much did you sell it for?” one asked.
“Two thousand,” A-Liang said, handing the money to Lei Dian.
Though they didn’t have a formal hierarchy, Lei Dian was implicitly the leader.
Lei Dian took the money and counted out a thousand to give to Cao Yang.
“Isn’t that too much?” Cao Yang asked, knowing how the money was usually split. If divided evenly, he’d expect at most five hundred.
“Too much? You saved me. Otherwise, I’d still be locked up for a while. Just take it!” Lei Dian shoved the money into Cao Yang’s hand without argument, then looked at the other two. “You guys don’t mind, right?”
And so, the three split a thousand, while Cao Yang alone took a thousand.
He felt a bit embarrassed and kept insisting on returning some of it.
Lei Dian said, “If you really feel bad, then treat them to a good meal.”
Cao Yang nodded in agreement, but it was four in the morning—what kind of meal could they possibly have?
The four returned to the inn and started drinking again. The leftover food and drinks were still on the table, and they didn’t mind at all.
While drinking, they planned their next target.
A-Liang and Jiawei asked Cao Yang how he managed to rescue Lei Dian.
Lei Dian began recounting the story to them—the glorious feat of Cao Yang single-handedly fighting four men.
The two listened in awe, though they found it hard to believe.
...
Li Yan came home after work and found Cao Yang wasn’t there. She wondered where he had gone.
If it were five in the afternoon, he might be out job hunting, but it was early morning now!
She took a shower, changed into a dress, and waited for over half an hour, yet Cao Yang still hadn’t returned. She began to worry.
She went down to the front desk and saw Old Xu dozing off, so she woke him up.
“Uncle, have you seen the boy who’s staying here with me?”
Old Xu nodded and pointed to room 213. “He’s inside drinking with them.”
Li Yan sighed in relief, having feared something worse, but then felt a flash of irritation thinking he was drinking with others while she was worried.
She asked Old Xu, “Who’s staying in room 213?”
“Three young men.”
“What do they do for work?”
Old Xu smiled and shook his head. “They don’t work.”
Young people with no jobs, gathering to drink—definitely not decent company.
---
Li Yan didn’t object to Cao Yang making friends, but it depended on who they were. She feared he might be led astray, used, or sold out, so she marched angrily toward room 213.
What she didn’t know was that in Old Xu’s eyes, this girl who slept by day and was active by night wasn’t exactly a model citizen herself.
“Knock, knock, knock…”
Inside, the four were chatting when the knock startled them.
No one usually came by at this hour, and since they had stolen something and fought with security, they felt guilty.
They exchanged wary glances.
Lei Dian whispered, “Maybe the police,” and gestured toward the window, signaling for them to come with him.
The four quietly stood up, all barefoot, making no sound.
They were on the second floor—not very high—so jumping down wouldn’t hurt much.
“Knock, knock, knock…”
The knocking came again. Lei Dian gave a sign and was the first to jump.
“Cao Yang… Cao Yang… are you in there?” Li Yan knocked a third time and finally called out.
Cao Yang exhaled in relief—he was so nervous, but it was just Li Yan.
He grabbed A-Liang, who was about to jump. “Don’t jump. It’s my sister.”
Cao Yang opened the door.
Li Yan crossed her arms and glanced around the room, eyeing the scattered bottles and cigarette butts with disdain.
“Come with me.”
She grabbed Cao Yang and took him to her room, passing by a limping, cursing Lei Dian on the way.
“Hey beautiful, can’t you just call out when you’re looking for your brother? Knocking without speaking is scary, you know?” he said, his face bruised and swollen. He had even twisted his ankle jumping from the second floor, looking ridiculous.
“If you’ve done nothing wrong by day, you won’t fear ghosts knocking at night.”
Li Yan was even more convinced they weren’t decent people. She pulled Cao Yang inside and slammed the door shut.
“How do you know those people?” she asked, sitting on the bed with arms crossed and legs crossed, looking like a big sister.
“I met them downstairs. He asked me to help move some drinks and then invited me to drink with them.”
“You just drank because they invited you? Don’t you have any caution?”
“Do you even know what they do? You’re calling them brothers?”
Cao Yang opened his mouth but said nothing.
“Those guys are obviously no good—drinking, gambling, prostitution, drugs, cheating, scamming, and stealing. You’re not allowed to hang out with them anymore!”
“I…”
“No buts! If you don’t listen to me, fine. I’ll tell Mom you’re hanging with those shady people, and I won’t be responsible for what happens. Don’t come to me for help!”
---
Cao Yang fell silent.
Seeing him give in, Li Yan proudly lifted her chin and asked, “How’s the job search going these days?”
“Nothing suitable yet.”
“You shouldn’t aim too high. Just find any job for now. Someone like you who doesn’t mind hard work won’t be unemployed for long.”
Cao Yang nodded and went to take a shower.
After washing up, he lay on the top bunk, staring at the ceiling.
He had made a thousand yuan today. If he worked with them a few more times, he could soon afford to buy a slot machine.
But being a thief wasn’t respectable, and he felt conflicted.
He considered borrowing some money from Li Yan so he wouldn’t have to steal and could still achieve his goal. But Li Yan always said she had no money, though he suspected otherwise.
He peeked down at Li Yan on the lower bunk. She was still awake, staring at him.
Her white dress had been taken off, and she was covered only by a thin blanket. It was unclear whether she was truly without undergarments or just lightly clothed.
“Sister Yan, I want to…”
“No thinking allowed! I’m your sister. We can’t do that kind of thing!”
“That’s not what I meant…”
“What’s not what you meant? I know what you’re thinking. It’s not allowed! If you really want to, find a girlfriend later. But under no circumstances with me!”
“I…”
“Enough! I told you not to have feelings for me. Go to sleep!”
...
At four in the afternoon, Lei Dian came knocking, wanting to take Cao Yang out to play.
But Li Yan was still there and immediately gave him a tongue-lashing.
Lei Dian was furious—if she weren’t Cao Yang’s sister, he would have beaten her up by now!
After Li Yan left, Cao Yang finally came out to meet them.
He wasn’t afraid of Li Yan; he just feared she would gossip to his mother.
Besides, Li Yan’s strict care felt somewhat like a mother’s, and he didn’t dislike it.
Cao Yang felt awkward about taking more money yesterday and promised to treat everyone to a meal today.
The four went to a Hunan restaurant and ordered a table full of delicious dishes.
Just as they were about to eat, a girl came and sat down at their table.