Zhou Huan pulled Dongzi along, Dongzi occasionally looking back at Yu Qiu, while Zhou Huan only glanced back once. But in that moment Zhou Huan looked at Yu Qiu, his expression turned extremely serious, his mind racing as a strange scent drifted into his nostrils.

The two turned the corner and ascended the stairs of the abandoned building, the steps littered with all sorts of refuse. Reaching the second floor, a larger platform opened up, ending at the building’s protrusion—presumably a balcony once the structure was finished. That area was covered in excrement, with messy scraps of toilet paper strewn everywhere. Zhou Huan and Dongzi were intimately familiar with this environment, as it was where they too had emerged from, having once lived here with a gang of beggar friends.

As he climbed, Dongzi called out, “San Luzi, Er Gouzi, Da Niu, I’m back!”

Zhou Huan also began to shout, “Da Niu, Jiu Caihua, come out! Dongzi and I are back to see you!”

Following their cries, only the sound of disordered footsteps thundered from the third floor, a rush of noise as a group of people descended.

“Brother Huan, Brother Dongzi!” came the calls from time to time.

The enthusiasm of this reunion, upon seeing each other again, was akin to the legendary gathering at Liangshan—it was all about loyalty.

Upstairs, Zhou Huan and Dongzi tossed the supplies they had brought toward where everyone slept, and they watched as their brothers’ eyes reflected envy and admiration.

It must be said, these beggars had managed to decorate this derelict building to resemble a home. Where a few slept, they had laid down salvaged straw mats, layered with thick foam boards, and topped with old, ragged quilts that looked surprisingly substantial for sleeping on.

“Brother Huan, Brother Dong, what sort of life have you managed to find? Look at you, so neat and clean,” said the man speaking, Da Niu. He was powerfully built, with eyes as large as a bull’s, hence his nickname. He spoke while scrutinizing Zhou Huan’s clothes.

This was because Zhou Huan’s attire, along with an extra set bought for Dongzi, was purchased by Xiao He before she left for her studies. Wearing them, the two looked stylish and very clean.

“Da Niu, how have you all managed since we left? It’s been so long, and this place is still the same. Why don’t I find some work for you? At least you’d have a place to crash, food to eat, instead of living meal to unpredictable meal,” Zhou Huan mused, thinking of Mr. Lao Wang, who was in real estate. These beggar brothers weren't educated, but they were willing workers; finding them jobs on a construction site shouldn't be an issue.

Dongzi puffed out his chest this time and declared grandly, “Brother Huan speaks the truth! You’re all grown men, go put in some effort, earn some money, and someday find a decent home for yourselves. We’re all bachelors now; we can find wives then.” As he spoke, Dongzi suddenly smiled with happiness, his small eyes staring straight up at the ceiling, trembling slightly, before he gradually closed them.

“Brother Dong, looks like you’ve already got a girlfriend?” asked Er Gouzi, a scrawny fellow whose head of messy hair was astonishingly wild. He was munching on the fruit Dongzi had brought.

Dongzi replied with great pride, “I do, but it’s not a success yet!”

At that moment, a stubborn voice echoed from the corner by the wall, “If you have one, say you have one; if you don’t, don’t. What do you mean ‘not a success’? You’ve been gone a few days and you’re already showing off. Interesting!” Emerging from the shadow of the corner was a short but sturdy-looking man—San Luzi. He was someone who habitually liked to argue with everyone; if he didn't get to contradict someone, he felt uneasy for the whole day.

“San Luzi, you just don’t get it. When I say ‘not a success,’ I mean I haven’t asked her yet, but I’ve already fallen for her. Success is just a matter of time,” Dongzi retorted irritably.

“Then tell us what the girl’s name is. She must be beautiful, right? Brother Dong is doing so well now; he must have plenty of girls interested,” a female beggar said softly, following behind San Luzi as she emerged from the corner, lazily draping her rough hands over Zhou Huan’s shoulder.

But Zhou Huan was preoccupied with something else. He casually asked the female beggar, “Jiu Caihua, is there a young beggar here, maybe around a dozen years old, who usually squats downstairs?”

“Hah, it’s just us here, isn’t it? Since you two left, only the four of us remain. Where would there be a young beggar?” Er Gouzi replied quickly. His mind was sharp enough to pivot immediately. “Did you two perhaps see a young beggar?”

Dongzi’s excitement from reuniting with his brothers hadn’t faded, so his speech remained animated. “How could we not see him? Brother Huan and I clearly saw a young beggar squatting in the corner, and my beautiful fairy was delivering him steamed buns!”

“I’m telling you, that must be some stray beggar who wandered in from somewhere else. We definitely never saw him before,” Da Niu, usually the most straightforward, vouched for Er Gouzi’s statement. Zhou Huan nodded, naturally believing him, and fell silent.

Dongzi looked at Zhou Huan, noticing his deep contemplation, as if something weighed on his mind. He felt compelled to ask, “Brother, what’s wrong?”

“Are you absolutely sure you’ve never seen that child?” Zhou Huan asked again.

“Brother Huan, when you were here, you were our boss. When have we ever lied to you? Fine, tomorrow I’ll keep an eye out for you again! Then we’ll see what you have to say?” San Luzi was truly argumentative, capable of turning polite words into something irritating.

Zhou Huan nodded, “Alright, then you watch closely tomorrow. Watch him well, and record everything you see.” Zhou Huan’s expression shifted, and he let out a long breath. “Ah! That’s enough. Dongzi and I came today to treat you all to dinner—a proper meal out. Come on, change into these, let’s put on a show for once!” With that, Zhou Huan handed out the clothes he had brought.

These four beggars promptly changed. At a glance, they truly no longer looked like beggars. Zhou Huan led his former comrades downstairs, rounded the corner, found a barbecue joint, and they all had a joyous meal. In the end, everyone became quite drunk. Zhou Huan stubbornly supported Dongzi, staggering back to the funeral parlor to prepare for the next day’s ceremony.

On the way, Dongzi’s stiff tongue stuck out, his upper and lower lips failing to close completely. “Brother, I’ll tell you the truth, I am definitely going to win over that girl Yu Qiu. I can tell she likes me, she must like me!”

“What, because you’re handsome? You’re not as handsome as me! Look at your older brother—how dashing am I? I am Zhou Huan. By rights, I’m your elder. If you count my past life, I’m several hundred years older than you. Tell me, am I not cool?” Zhou Huan started rambling nonsense too.

“Stop it, Brother. You’re an expert from a past life, and I’m just your little pageboy. You have Sister Xiao He now—a police officer, a beautiful policewoman! How impressive is that? Ugh!” Saying this, Dongzi climbed onto the curb and started vomiting.

“Dongzi, I told you not to drink so much if you can’t handle it. This is ridiculous! Ugh!” Seeing Dongzi spewing all over the pavement, Zhou Huan couldn't hold back either. He ran a few steps, bracing one hand on a streetlamp, and began retching violently. After a few bouts, he scolded Dongzi, “It’s all your fault! Why did you have to start vomiting and make me feel like I have to, too!”

Just as Zhou Huan was complaining about Dongzi, a fragrant tissue was extended toward him. “Great Master Zhou Shou, I didn’t think you could drink to this extent. Here, wipe your mouth.”

Zhou Huan took the tissue and followed the voice, seeing a young man dressed in a sharp suit, a smirk playing on his lips as he looked at Zhou Huan. This smile seemed laced with sarcasm. The atmosphere between the two suddenly grew tense. Enveloped by this tension, Zhou Huan felt considerably more sober. He focused his gaze and asked sternly, “Who are you? I haven’t seen you. Do we know each other?”

“Hahaha, we don’t know each other—we’ve just met!” The man was quick-witted enough to adapt.

But Dongzi wouldn’t allow it. Having finished vomiting, he staggered to Zhou Huan’s side, draped a hand over his shoulder, and peered drunkenly at the newcomer. “You little punk, you’re full of it. If I got to meet your mother, maybe I could be your father!”

Dongzi, though drunk, possessed a surprisingly strong thread of logic in his insults. He was certainly impulsive. As he spoke, he picked up a brick from the ground, thrust it in front of the newcomer, and shouted, “Buddy, let me tell you, you’re talking nonsense. You’re just like this brick.” With a shout, he violently swung the brick toward his own forehead. However, he failed to grip it; the brick scraped past his head, flying behind him, hitting a stray cat searching for food in the middle of the night. With a faint “Meow,” a dark shadow darted toward a large tree by the roadside.

Zhou Huan was now sober. He immediately steadied Dongzi, straightened up, and said to the man, “Thank you for the tissue, brother. We need to leave now!” Then he pulled Dongzi toward the funeral parlor.

“Master Zhou Shou, surely you can see it—your younger brother is destined for trouble soon.”

Hearing this, Zhou Huan turned back and offered a faint smile. “My brother is fine!”

The man shook his head, murmuring softly, “Alas, if something happens, it will be too late. It looks like I’ll have to step in!”

Zhou Huan dragged Dongzi all the way to the funeral parlor. Fortunately, it wasn't too far. By the time they reached the entrance, both had sobered up.

Dongzi said loudly, “Brother, who was that just now? So nosy!”

“He’s one of our peers, so you must surpass him, or you won't have anything to eat in the future!” Zhou Huan opened the door. “Dongzi, go to sleep early. We’ll get up early tomorrow.”

“No problem, I promise to wake up early and call you. I’m exhausted anyway.” Dongzi rushed into his room, threw himself onto the bed, and before he could count to three, the sound of loud snoring filled the air.