Wai Wenbin, utterly despondent after coming up empty-handed, had no choice but to take his cousin to find the pervert who had given them the drug.
Returning home was out of the question.
If he didn't get food today, he would have to go out hungry tomorrow, and his condition would only worsen with each passing day.
So, today, he had to get food.
Wai Wenbin thought, the pervert had a particular taste—perhaps he could tolerate his cousin's runny nose…
But the pervert didn't live in this complex; they had to travel a long way to reach him.
Reluctantly, Wai Wenbin squeezed into the bathtub with his cousin, struggling to paddle through the water.
Qian Ying'er was no help at all, only causing trouble. She excitedly gazed around and said:
"Hee hee hee! Water, so much water!"
As she spoke, she splashed water all over Wai Wenbin.
"Water! Drink it!"
"Qian Ying'er! Stop! Can't you be more careful?!"
Paddling the boat alone was exhausting enough, but now, she was splashing filthy water all over him, soaking him to the bone.
Especially with his wounds, every drop of water made him wince in pain.
His eyes burned, and a tear fell from the eyes of the 1.8-meter man.
Today was undoubtedly the hardest day of his life!
He had been humiliated and beaten by his former love, lost all food and supplies, and now had to endure this nonsense from his suddenly foolish cousin!
The worst part? He couldn't even cry himself to sleep.
Because there was no bed!
Annan hadn't even left him a bed!
He gritted his teeth through the sharp pain in his shoulders and arms, continuing to paddle.
By the time they reached their destination, he nearly collapsed in the bathtub.
It was getting dark, and he took a deep breath before dragging Qian Ying'er ashore. They climbed five more flights of stairs to reach the pervert's apartment.
When the pervert heard his voice and opened the door, the sight that greeted him was two pig-faced figures.
"...Wai Wenbin?"
Wai Wenbin's eyes filled with tears—this was the only person who had recognized him after knocking on so many doors today.
He said, choked with emotion, "Brother Zhang, it's me!"
He pushed his cousin forward, "This is my cousin."
Wiping his eyes, he added, "The drug you gave us worked well, but we still lost... Look at her, she's been beaten into a fool."
This time, Qian Ying'er didn't call him "handsome" but instead, as if traumatized, timidly hid behind Wai Wenbin.
"Ugh, ugly man! Pervert! I'm scared!"
Wai Wenbin's face turned ashen. He gripped her tightly and hissed, "Stop making nonsense! Go greet Brother Zhang!"
Brother Zhang was their last hope. Though he was a pervert, it was better to endure a little humiliation than to starve to death!
But Qian Ying'er, tearfully hiding behind him, refused to move forward.
Brother Zhang, however, remained calm and merely showed a hint of distaste. "Stop pushing her, she's got snot all over her face. It's gross."
Wai Wenbin's heart sank.
It's over! Even this pervert was disgusted by her snot!
He looked at her, growing increasingly frustrated. Where did all that snot even come from? It seemed never-ending.
Brother Zhang stared at them both and, instead of immediately slamming the door like others, suddenly grabbed Wai Wenbin's hand.
He gave a knowing smile. "Little brother, why not take her place? I'll offer you double the reward."
Wai Wenbin stared at his pockmarked face—the creases at the corners of his eyes when he smiled made him feel queasy.
He yanked his hand away, horrified, "Brother Zhang, what are you saying! I'm a man!"
Brother Zhang winked at him. "I know, that's why I said I'll give you double the reward!"
He had already grown tired of Qian Ying'er—she was ugly, always lifting her head arrogantly as if she had something to be proud of.
Wai Wenbin, on the other hand, was attractive, knew his place, and clearly could swallow his pride and serve him well.
Who would pay for trouble?
Besides, he'd never tried a man before...
Wai Wenbin instinctively covered his backside, his worldview crumbling, his body bristling with discomfort.
He managed to force out a smile, more grotesque than a cry. "Brother Zhang, please stop joking..."
He pushed Qian Ying'er forward again. "Look, I've brought my cousin for you."
But Brother Zhang wasn't interested in his words. He reached out and roughly pulled Wai Wenbin into the apartment.
"Come on, little brother, don't be shy. I won't treat you badly."
"Ahh! Let go of me!"
Terrified, Wai Wenbin screamed and shoved him away, dragging Qian Ying'er down the stairs in a wild panic.
Brother Zhang watched them flee without chasing them, but called out with a laugh:
"Slow down, little brother! Don't trip! Remember to come back for more, okay?"
Wai Wenbin, with Qian Ying'er in tow, paddled the bathtub back home.
Exhausted after a day of turmoil, weakened from blood loss, and shaken by the fright, he was barely holding on.
He sat weakly in the tub, paddling a few strokes before pausing, taking twice as long to get back as he had getting there.
When he finally reached home, weary and defeated, he looked at the empty, desolate apartment and couldn't help but vent his frustration on Qian Ying'er.
He kicked her to the floor. "It's all your fault! You insisted I go after Annan, and look at what happened!"
Qian Ying'er lay there, unresponsive, still staring at him with a vacant, foolish smile.
Seeing this, Wai Wenbin felt like punching a pile of cotton—his anger couldn't be released.
He collapsed on the couch, eyes closed, breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling violently.
Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, he opened his eyes and sat up straight.
"Chu... Peipei!"
He gritted his teeth and muttered her name.
In his desperation to find food, he had almost forgotten about her!
If it weren't for her meddling, delaying their time, he would have already broken through the wall and taken care of Annan. Why would he have to go through all of this?
At that moment, he realized his frustration and anger had found an outlet.
It was Chu Peipei! She was to blame for everything!
He clenched his fists, his eyes gleaming coldly. With a sudden movement, he got up and walked toward the door.
He would kill her!
To quell his anger!
As he walked, he thought about how, earlier, Chu Peipei had desperately tried to protect Annan. Though he didn't know when they had bonded, their relationship was clearly strong.
Perhaps Annan had even shared some supplies with her.
His steps grew firmer.
If I can't have Annan, why not her?
With renewed energy, he climbed the stairs, determined.
Reaching room 1301, he couldn't wait any longer. He banged on the door.
"Chu Peipei, get out here!"