Chapter 2 Past Events

  "Hmm"

  At the end of September, the sun poured down without leaving any residual strength. In Ning City, at the end of a secluded alley, on the concrete floor where miscellaneous items were piled up, a group of flies buzzed around a person who had collapsed to the ground, hovering and biting repeatedly.

  It wasn't until much later that the figure suddenly moved, startling a large number of mosquitoes into flight.

  After the first movement, the figure completely got up, propping himself up with his arms, and stood up from where he was. In the sunlight, this was a dirty and disheveled body, with filthy clothes, and even that handsome face had some bruises and a small dry bloodstain.

  This figure was none other than Xu Yu, who had been drunk all night.

  Last night, after continuously drinking a dozen beers, he didn't know that he could drink so much. However, after pouring all the liquor into his stomach, Xǔ Yú thoroughly collapsed. He vaguely remembered that at the time, due to being extremely drunk, he even bumped his head somewhere.

  He shook his head slightly, and Xuyu, who had just sobered up, still felt the pain of a hangover in his brain. All the memories came flooding back into his mind, and for an instant, a hint of pain and confusion flashed across his eyes. However, all his thoughts began to transform into determination in a short period of time.

  Let bygones be bygones, since he has already told himself that he must stand up again, he will start from today and take a step forward!

  Since it's already been decided to leave home, then thoroughly leave Ning City.

  Where to go, he didn't know for the time being. However, soon an image of a city emerged in his mind - Linzhou, the provincial capital of Huaijiang Province. Apart from this city where he was born and raised, only Linzhou had given him the deepest memories in this world.

  As soon as he thought of that city, a warm feeling welled up in Xǔ Yú's heart, and a familiar figure once again filled his mind.

  That city, the deepest memory, is hers alone.

  In college, if it weren't for that lovely shadow, after a chance encounter, she broke into his world and often encouraged and comforted him. She also kept passing on her optimism and joy to him. Probably even now, he still can't regain the confidence he lost.

  It can be said that she, in his heart, has already occupied a weighty position, overshadowing everything else.

  Zhang Yan's two words had already left an indelible impression in his heart.

  Unfortunately, Xu Yu regained his confidence, but it wasn't particularly abundant. From start to finish, the two were just very good friends of the opposite sex until university graduation. Facing his mother's constant advice, he really wanted to prove to that person that Xu Yu could do it, so he returned to Ning City and took the civil service exam.

  But never thought, all of this, would end like this.

  As he walked out of the alley, Xu Yu raised his eyes to glance at the sunlight above his head, and then continued along the roadside. Along the way, occasionally there were passersby who glanced at him with a mixture of surprise and disgust, some even covering their noses, but all this had no effect on Xu Yu whatsoever.

  Arriving at the nearest inn, he opened a room and also entrusted the waiter to prepare a new set of clothes for him, plus a simple breakfast. Only then did Xu Yu start washing up, and it was only then that he discovered the bloodstain on his forehead.

  This made him hesitate for a moment, and then he smiled wryly and ignored it.

  After thoroughly tidying up her appearance, Xǔ Yú sat on the bed in the room to rest, but suddenly felt another wave of annoyance.

  Although he had decided to go to the provincial capital, his heart was not at ease.

  It was just that in the past, he had fantasized countless times about reappearing before her, not necessarily with unparalleled glory, but at least with a vigorous and spirited demeanor, able to stand tall and upright.

  And if things go on as they have been for the past few months, his future will be bright and beautiful. All he needs to do is wait a little longer, and he'll be able to stand up straight and face her with confidence. Perhaps, he'll even muster up the courage to express the love that's been hidden in his heart.

  But didn't expect, the change, actually came so suddenly.

  He is now completely clean, relatives, work, even money, are almost all gone.

  After all, he has been working in the organization for several months, and his achievements are not measured by money. Now that he is leaving, those things cannot be taken away.

  Now his pocket has only one bank card with less than 3000 yuan.

  If he were to meet her in such a state, Xu Yu thought it would be hard for him not to smile wryly.

  He fell silent for a moment, and then a determined glint flashed in Xǔ Yú's eyes again. He had already lost everything; what was there to fear? As long as his faith remained, that was enough.

  As long as he has confidence, he believes that even if he starts from scratch, he can still rely on his own ability to reach a point where no one dares to look down on him.

  "Now, the most important thing is to go to the provincial city and find a job first..."

  In the midst of silent contemplation, a wave of hunger pangs gradually welled up in his mind. Come to think of it, he hadn't eaten anything all day yesterday, only guzzling down a lot of liquor.

  Listening to the rumbling in his stomach, Xu Yu let out a bitter laugh again, completely gathering his thoughts and then walked towards the head of the bed.

  On the bedside table, a plastic bag wrapped several fried dough sticks and a bowl of eight-treasure porridge, which had already cooled down slightly. Xǔ Yú didn't mind at all, but simply opened the plastic bag and reached for the fried dough sticks.

  Just then, a strange idea suddenly emerged in his mind as soon as his fingers touched the oil strip.

  "Edible fusion food, 1. Consumes 1 energy, has 3 energies!"

  It felt as if someone was whispering in his mind, crystal clear and unmistakable.

  One sentence scared Xǔ Yú, and his hand holding the fried doughnut also trembled inexplicably, letting it slip from his grasp. He quickly turned around to look left and right.

  But after a glance, he didn't see anyone's shadow.

  "Huh?" A hint of confusion flashed through Xu Yu's eyes, how could there be no one? Had he misheard? But that voice just now was so clear.

  The next moment, when no one could be found in any case, Xu Yu slightly shook his head, with a bewildered gaze, quietly turned around and grabbed the fried dough stick.

  When he encountered this food again, that clear idea flashed into his mind once more.

  This time, Xu Yu finally changed color, his right hand tightened, and with a swish, he turned his head again to look back and around.

  In the empty room, it is still empty.

  "Is it merged?"

  Although there was no one around, the thought still lingered, causing Xu Yu's eyes to suddenly narrow, and then he looked at the oil strip in his hand with a shocked expression.

  It was only because he suddenly discovered that with the rise of this sound, the oil strip he held tightly in his hand gave him a strange and peculiar feeling, as if, as long as he chose to merge, the oil strip would disappear out of thin air.

  "Is this fried dough stick talking?!!"

  In an instant, Xu Yu was completely petrified, a chill ran down his spine, and he was covered in goosebumps. Even his pale and clean face had a faintly greenish tint.

  What a joke, you think doughnuts can talk?