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

"Xiulian, a tall building starts from the ground up. Didn't many listed companies begin as small workshops?"

"As Li Bai once said, 'Even Confucius feared the younger generation; a man should not underestimate the young.' I'm still young; who knows, maybe one day I can start a real estate company? Everyone should have dreams; what if you succeed?"

"Impressive! Your confidence alone sets you apart!"

"Oh, Xiulian, you have a car, can you take me to the used car market tomorrow?"

"You want to buy a car?"

"What kind of vehicle should I buy? I don't have the money. I want to buy a used tractor, preferably one that can haul two or three tons of cargo, with a tipper, and the cheaper the better."

"Since I run a cement shop, I'll definitely need to deliver and restock frequently. It's inconvenient without a tractor, or even a three-wheeled vehicle would do."

"Okay, when are we going?"

"Any day is fine with you if you have time."

"Then let's do it tomorrow, I happen to have the day off tomorrow."

"Okay, whatever you say!"

"Oh, where do you live? Do you live with your parents?"

"No, I live near Shatou, it's not far. I don't like living with my parents, they always nag me."

"Oh! That's true!"

"Xiaoyang, what's your family situation like?"

"My father passed away when I was 5 years old. My mother remarried. I haven't seen her for more than ten years. I don't know the specifics. I grew up with my grandparents."

"oh!"

Do you have any friends in Chang'an?

"Yes, I have a classmate who works in the mold-making department of Jinbao Electronics Factory. I had dinner with him last night."

"oh!"

Ding Yang took out a Temes and lit it.

"You only smoke this kind of cigarette?"

"It's cheap, only 3.5 yuan a pack. I lost my parents when I was young, and my grandparents treated me like a treasure, indulging me in everything. I started smoking when I was in school."

"Were you bullied when you were a child?"

"No one bullies me, but I get some disapproving looks. After all, I'm an orphan, so it's normal to be disliked. But compared to other kids my age, I grow really fast, so no one dares to bully me."

"I was almost 1.8 meters tall when I graduated from junior high school, and I was the tallest boy in my class."

"When I was in vocational high school in Changsha, there were some training classes outside the school. I went to learn boxing, and now I guess I'd call myself an amateur athlete."

"So you're really good at fighting?"

"Well, to put it simply, he can't compare to professional players. Compared to ordinary people, he could probably take on two or three without much trouble, but even the fastest fist is no match for a kitchen knife, right?"

"Last time in Yantian, Fenggang, I encountered a robbery. Two guys tried to rob me in broad daylight, but I took them both down."

"Oh, I also got my driver's license, but I haven't driven much."

"Your family is so poor, why are you learning to drive? And boxing too? Where did you get the money?"

"My grandfather was a pig farmer and ran a small pig farm. In our village, my family was considered quite well-off. When I was in school, my family was not short of money, and my grandfather gave me much more pocket money than other children."

"I not only learn boxing and driving, but I can also play the guitar."

"But I squandered it all, and now I'm drowning in debt."

"What's wrong?"

"Can you please stop digging into my past?"

"Say it!"

"Let's talk about it later. Don't keep asking 'why' a million times, it's not good."

"go!"

After chatting for a while, the dishes were served.

"Eat quickly!"

"Um!"

Just then, a young man in his early twenties appeared, dragging a speaker and holding a guitar, busking.

"Hey handsome, can I request a song?"

Ding Yang suddenly wanted to show off.

"How much does a song cost?"

"10 yuan!"

Ding Yang said, "Lend me your guitar, I'll sing a song, and I'll give you 10 yuan, how about that?"

"OK!"

Ding Yang simply stood up, took the guitar,

Just pluck a few strings,

"bite……"

He started belting out "As Long As You're Doing Better Than Me."

I wonder how you are doing now.

Is it the same, without any worries?

I can't forget that childlike expression.

…………

Li Xiulian was stunned. Looking at Ding Yang's handsome expression, coupled with his excellent guitar playing and singing, this man was like a mystery...

.........

As long as you're doing better than me

They are doing better than me

Nothing can defeat him

Until old age...

…………

After Ding Yang finished singing,

"Palatapapapap..."

A round of applause broke out, and even the diners at the next table started clapping.

"Thanks!"

Ding Yang took out 10 yuan and gave it to the young man who was busking.

"Thanks!"

Li Xiulian was completely captivated. Not only was he handsome, but he was also incredibly talented and hardworking.

"Xiaoyang, you're so handsome!"

"Hehe, a gentleman as handsome as jade, unparalleled in the world. Female benefactor, you are too attached to appearances."

"Hate!"

"Eat up!"

Unexpectedly, the Cantonese steamed spare ribs with black bean sauce were quite delicious. Ding Yang thought they were even better than braised spare ribs.

"Xiaoyang, how come you sing so well?"

"Well, after graduating from vocational high school in Changsha, I worked at KFC. When I had time in the evenings, I would occasionally sing in bars. Changsha has a very vibrant nightlife."

"Sigh, more than three years have passed, and everything has changed. I don't really like singing anymore. I don't want to think about those unpleasant past events. My biggest thought now is to earn more money and save some for my grandfather to live on in his old age."

"I don't know much about Guangdong, but in southern Hunan, when an elderly person passes away, the funeral is very grand and expensive. It costs 30,000 to 50,000 yuan just to carry an elderly person out, and some well-off people even spend more than 100,000 yuan."

"My grandparents are getting old. If they get sick, they'll need money. Even if they pass away, a funeral will cost tens of thousands."

"My family had some savings, but I've squandered them all."

"Forget it, let's not talk about these upsetting things anymore. I'm going to finish this beer and go to sleep."

"Xiaoyang, why are you sleeping so early? Shall I treat you to a movie?"

"No need. To be honest, my shoulder hurts terribly right now, and my legs hurt too. I'll go back, take a shower, and apply some medicine. I'm not really interested in watching movies."

"Xiaoyang, your feet hurt, shall I wash them for you?"

Ding Yang laughed and said, "I'm not interested in you washing my feet, but I would be interested if you washed them for me yourself. I could even add an extra hour for you."

"Pah! What are you thinking?"

Li Xiulian suddenly blushed.

The two were eating when a double-cab Isuzu truck, dark blue with white "security" and "patrol" markings, pulled up behind Li Xiulian's car, just a few meters away from Ding Yang.

The driver's side door opened, and a person got out. He was wearing a white short-sleeved security uniform with a security patrol armband on his arm, a baton at his waist, and a walkie-talkie in his hand.

He was in his early twenties, about 1.7 meters tall, with tanned skin, short hair, and a low but firm nose. He looked like a local.

Arriving at Ding Yang's table,

"sister!"

Li Xiulian looked up and saw that it was her younger brother.

"Ah Yong!"

Ding Yang said, "Hello!"