Making a living in Dongguan, her fiery red lips offer me tenderness.

The three then got on the bus and arrived at the Pearl River Estuary. The outer sea is the Lingdingyang. The three visited the Humen Weiyuan Fortress, and the ticket cost 8 yuan.

Standing on the old cannon platform of Weiyuan Fortress, looking at the vast and majestic Pearl River Estuary, Ding Yang felt a mix of emotions as the sea breeze, carrying salty and damp air, rushed towards him.

The mottled stone walls still bear the marks of bygone days. In the distance, the Humen Bridge spans the river, with a constant flow of traffic. The river is wide and surging, its waters rushing eastward toward the South China Sea.

A century of vicissitudes have been melted into this vast expanse, but when I turn to think about my own life, I feel only sorrow and my eyes well up with tears.

I left home young to wander, enduring day and night in a factory in Dongguan. Far from home, I struggled to survive, yet achieved nothing. No one cared, no one waited for me. The grievances I suffered, the bitterness I swallowed, the countless long nights I endured—no one ever knew. I couldn't keep the ones I loved, I couldn't get the ones I wanted. My heart was full of expectations, but in the end, all that remained was regret.

Looking at the boundless rivers and seas, I realize that I am but a speck of dust in this world, insignificant and helpless. Time flies by, youth is wasted, the road ahead is uncertain, and there is no shore to turn back to.

A desolate sigh in the Lingdingyang!

At this moment, Ding Yang's emotions were at their most suppressed, tears welled up in his eyes, and he wanted to cry out loud. This life had been too bitter, too lonely, too tragic; after all the twists and turns, he had ended up with nothing.

Lin Nana suddenly patted him on the shoulder

"Ding Yang, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, just some sentimental thoughts."

He then sighed and said, "As the ancients said, 'A great man's ambition should be like a great river flowing into the sea, with lofty aspirations.' But alas, I have left my hometown, wandered from place to place, tasted the bitterness and warmth of human relationships, and worn down my youthful spirit. I have a heart full of resentment, but nothing seems to go as I wish."

Seeing that Dawei wasn't there, Lin Nana seemed to have mustered up her courage.

"Ding Yang, since you're unemployed now, why don't you stay in Humen and sell clothes with me?"

Ding Yang looked at Lin Nana and saw that she was blushing.

"Nana, thank you for thinking so highly of me, but we're still not really compatible. I'm too lazy to do this kind of business."

"Ding Yang, do you look down on me? Do you think I'm not good enough for you?"

"Don't say that. You're so beautiful and come from a good family. I'm not good enough for you."

"Ding Yang, I haven't been in a relationship all these years, so meeting you today is quite a surprise. I only have one sister, and if you're willing, my parents will treat you like their own son."

Ding Yang suddenly stretched out his index finger and scratched her nose.

"Silly girl, we're too close, I can't make a move. Don't listen to Dawei's nonsense, I've actually dated several girlfriends, and they're not exactly respectable people."

"Actually, it's Dawei who has a crush on you. He's just using me as a cover. I wasn't even planning to come to Humen, but he insisted on dragging me here to see you. He's got the desire but not the courage. He has a crush on you, but he doesn't dare to tell you."

"Yeah?"

Why would I lie to you? But I also know you look down on him, you don't care about him, so don't force yourself.

Ding Yang lit a cigarette and said nothing more.

Lin Nana said, "Ding Yang, can I call you when I have time?"

"Of course, we're old classmates."

"Make a note of this..."

"Um!"

Just then, David walked over.

"Have you two finished talking? Are you starting to feel something for each other?"

"Stop talking nonsense, it's getting late, let's go!"

"Nana, it's 4 o'clock. Dawei and I are going back. Contact me by phone if you need anything."

"Have dinner before you leave. I'll drive you back to Houjie."

"No need, it's still early for dinner. You can drive us to the Yellow River wholesale market we just visited, and we'll take the bus back. You're quite busy, so we won't waste your time."

"Oh well!"

A short while later, the three got into the car.

Lin Nana drove to the entrance of the Yellow River Wholesale Market.

The two got out of the car!

"Ding Yang, Dawei, come visit often when you have time, and let's keep in touch."

Ding Yang said, "Okay, please give my regards to your parents."

"Okay, goodbye!"

"goodbye!"

Lin Nana drove away.

Dawei and Dingyang were waiting for a car by the roadside.

"Ding Yang, what were you two talking about at the fort? Did she confess her feelings to you? Did she want you to stay and help her sell clothes?"

"I guess so, what's wrong?"

"Then why are you leaving? Stay! You need to find a job anyway, can't you just work here?"

"Let me tell you, her family runs a clothing wholesale business. They've been doing it for so many years. Putting everything else aside, that stall alone is worth at least 50 yuan."

"Didn't you say you wanted to find a rich woman? This is a rich woman, and she's interested in you. With your looks and being your classmate, I doubt her parents would object. Why not take advantage of it?"

Ding Yang shook his head:

"Dawei, you're just naive. I don't deny that her family has some money, but I have absolutely no interest in her. Besides, she's far from being a real rich woman."

"We're old classmates from the same town. If I sleep with her and then don't take responsibility, wouldn't it be so embarrassing if word got out?"

"I know my own character very well. If it were a stranger, I could just sleep with them and have some fun, but if I just pack up and leave, how could I face their parents?"

Even rabbits don't eat the grass near their burrows; we need to have boundaries in our actions and avoid making things too awkward.

David nodded: "What you said makes sense. We're too familiar with each other. It wouldn't be right to just play around and then ignore it."

"Damn it, how can a goose head be so expensive? A regular meal cost more than 900 yuan, which is almost a month's salary."

Ding Yang said, "As the ancients said, a rich man's meal is a poor man's ten years' worth of food. We're just country bumpkins who haven't seen the world."

"Damn it, I don't believe that a strong wind can blow down a sycamore tree. I only believe that money can make you take off your safety pants. It's so good to be rich. And that goose head really does taste good."

"Ding Yang, I really made you proud today. If you hadn't come, Lin Nana wouldn't have been so generous. Last time I came, I ate out, which was much cheaper."

"Stop talking nonsense. It's definitely different when one person comes versus two people."

"Let's go, the car's here!"

The two got back on the bus, where there were still seats available.

About 40 minutes later, we returned to Houjie Santun.

"Ding Yang, it's 8:30. Can you go out and have some fun? Can you lend me your room?"

"What's wrong?"

"Wang Chang worked overtime until 8:30 last night. I brought her to the room. I hadn't touched her for almost two weeks. I had to comfort her, right? It's not good to always take care of things in the lychee grove."

"Wow!"

"Dawei, we're going to eat later. After dinner, I'll head to Chang'an. I'll leave the room for you two tonight, so have some fun."

"What are you doing? Are you trying to slap me in the face?"

"Dawei, there's no need for formalities between us. You have to go to work tomorrow morning, so even if you stay in the room with me tonight, you still have to leave tomorrow morning."

"We're buddies, brothers, not lovers. What's the point of staying one more night? We're not gay, are we?"

"Wang Chang is a good girl. She only has eyes for you. Cherish her. This room has a private bathroom and hot water. Enjoy your honeymoon."

"Sigh, what's going on here?"

"Dawei, let's do it this way. You can keep the key. You can check out tomorrow morning. There's a 30 yuan deposit."

"Okay, then call me if anything happens."

"Um!"