I knew, Lin Jiangwen realized, that he would never like his cousin, Lin Rui.

He propped his feet up on the coffee table, lounging back on the sofa, his gaze fixed on the far side of the living room. His mother and Lin Rui’s mother were chatting amiably, while Lin Rui nestled beside his own mother, listening to the adults with a mask of innocent sweetness fixed on his face. Simply seeing him look that way filled Lin Jiangwen with an inexplicable irritation.

“Xiao Rui scored a perfect hundred in all subjects again this term, first in the whole class, didn’t he? That child is truly brilliant,” praised Lin Jiangwen’s mother.

Lin Rui’s mother, Lin Qingping, proudly stroked her son’s head. “He gets first place in the entire school every time; I don’t have to worry about his studies at all. His father passed away early, and at least this child…”

Lin Jiangwen watched her eyes well up again as she spoke, and a surge of anger hit him—she had to bring this up every single time, and every time she had to cry. What was the point! Third Aunt wasn’t that old; her husband had been gone for over two years. Couldn't she just find someone else? Why did she have to be so tiresome! Then Lin Rui began dutifully wiping his mother’s tears, and the mother and son embraced…

“CRASH!” Lin Jiangwen couldn't watch anymore. He forcefully kicked the coffee table and stood up.

“Jiangwen, come here!” His mother, drawn by the noise, finally remembered the real reason for inviting Lin Qingping over. “Qingping, you know Jiangwen is starting high school next year, but his grades are simply… simply an embarrassment!” she finished, shooting Lin Jiangwen a sharp look, and pleaded with Lin Qingping, “So, I was hoping you could tutor him over the summer break.”

“That’s no problem at all,” Lin Qingping readily agreed.

Lin Rui felt a pang of anxiety. He knew his mother worked extra tutoring jobs during the summer to pay off the debts their family had accumulated. If she took on tutoring Lin Jiangwen as well, she would be even busier and wouldn't get any rest all summer.

“I have classes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning, and Saturday afternoon. How about I come to tutor Jiangwen on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and Saturday morning?” Lin Qingping, unaware of her son's expression, was already finalizing the schedule with Lin Jiangwen's mother.

“Mom,” Lin Rui tugged hard on her hand.

“Xiao Rui, what is it?”

Lin Rui pouted, remaining silent.

“This child…” Lin Qingping smiled, smoothing Lin Rui’s hair, deeply touched by her son’s thoughtfulness.

Lin Jiangwen’s mother felt slightly awkward making such a request to Lin Qingping, but her son had become so disobedient lately; every university student she hired as a tutor had been driven away by him. Since he always listened to his Third Aunt, Lin Qingping, she had no choice but to ask, all for the sake of his high school entrance exams next year. “Jiangwen, come thank your Third Aunt.” she commanded loudly.

“I didn’t ask her to come!” Lin Jiangwen retorted stubbornly, his face puffed out in defiance. He simply refused to live according to the adults’ plans; he wanted to oppose them at every turn.

“How dare you speak to adults like that!” Lin Jiangwen’s mother flared up.

“Sister-in-law, never mind that. Children at this age are naturally a bit rebellious. It’s a good thing he has his own opinions,” Lin Qingping, being a teacher, understood the moods of children this age better and quickly interjected to mediate.

“Ah, if only he were half as sensible as Xiao Rui.”

“When children grow up, they hit a rebellious phase. Xiao Rui will be like that too someday.”

“I won’t,” Lin Rui scoffed, sticking his lip out. He certainly wouldn't be like those foolish humans. “I will always be a good boy, right Mom?”

“Yes, yes, Xiao Rui is a good boy,” Lin Qingping said, smiling and patting his head.

“Stay for lunch,” Lin Jiangwen’s mother invited them.

Lin Qingping and her sister-in-law were not shy about accepting. “Wonderful!”

“I’ll help too! I can scramble eggs!” Lin Rui declared, raising his hand. Under the adults’ praise, Lin Rui rolled up his sleeves and scurried toward the kitchen, followed by Lin Qingping and Lin Jiangwen’s mother. Soon, the sounds of pots and pans clattering echoed from the kitchen.

Lin Jiangwen watched all of it with simmering resentment. He found himself hating Lin Rui more and more, intensely hating him…

Lin Jiangwen stood on the street corner, lighting a cigarette, laughing loudly with his companions. They had just swiped the cigarettes from the supermarket, and his friends were now plotting how to get some cash so they could go to the arcade.

“Look, here they come,” one companion signaled. Across the street, a group of elementary schoolers, finished with their summer interest classes, were walking by in small clusters.

Lin Jiangwen never minded petty theft; stealing from adults gave him a sense of accomplishment. However, extorting money from children younger than himself always felt off, which was why he had never done it before. But that morning, after a vicious argument with his mother, his mood was already rotten, and Sleeves just wanted to do something bad—he wanted to try whatever the adults forbade him from doing.

They followed a lone elementary schooler into a narrow alley. As Lin Jiangwen rushed up, he heard his partners ahead ordering the child to hand over his money.

“A good dog doesn’t block the path,” the elementary student sneered. “Get lost! I don’t have time for games with you.”

That voice sounded incredibly familiar. Lin Jiangwen frantically shoved past his companions and burst to the front, only to see Lin Rui standing there, his schoolbag slung over his shoulder, a look of disdain on his face.

“Damn brat, you’ve got a big mouth,” one of Lin Jiangwen’s companions threatened, waving a fist. Lin Jiangwen quickly grabbed him—no matter what, Lin Rui was still his cousin; he couldn't just let him get beaten up, could he?

“He’s my cousin. Give me some face, please, forget it, forget it,” Lin Jiangwen pleaded with his ‘buddies.’

“That cousin of yours speaks really offensively…” Lin Jiangwen’s companions muttered amongst themselves. But they were considered ‘loyal,’ so they let Lin Rui go. Lin Jiangwen didn't forget to threaten Lin Rui, though: “If you dare go back and tell the grown-ups, I’ll teach you a good lesson.” He waved his fist in front of him for emphasis.

Lin Rui snorted and turned away. He had actually been planning to use a spell to dunk all these kids into the nearby lake, but he stopped when he saw Lin Jiangwen arrive.

Lin Jiangwen watched Lin Rui’s retreating back angrily—he felt like he had saved Lin Rui, yet the little brat hadn’t even said a word of thanks. He had helped a good student in class once before, but that guy, just like Lin Rui, hadn't offered a 'thank you' and had still reported him to the teacher for beating him up afterward.

“All those good kids are trash!” Lin Jiangwen thought, pouting. “They only know how to suck up to the adults.” His dislike for Lin Rui deepened another layer.

For the next few days, Lin Jiangwen worried incessantly whether Lin Rui would tattle to his mother.

That lunchtime, both Lin Rui and his mother stayed at Lin Jiangwen’s house to eat. At the table, Lin Rui was once again displaying his well-behaved, angelic demeanor, constantly serving food to his mother and saying things that pleased the adults.

“Hmph, a good boy’s facade,” Lin Jiangwen thought grimly as he forcefully broke apart a steamed bun. “One way in front of the adults, another way when their back is turned.” But regardless, Lin Rui hadn't mentioned that incident, which was a relief. He looked up and saw Lin Rui staring back at him, a malicious smile playing on his lips…

Lin Jiangwen secretly followed Lin Rui. Today, he intended to teach the little brat a lesson.

That day at the dinner table, Lin Rui had looked up innocently and asked Lin Qingping, “Mom, why doesn’t Auntie give Brother Jiangwen pocket money? I saw Brother asking younger students for money on the street. Can I give him half of my pocket money, okay?”

In that instant, Lin Jiangwen genuinely wanted to strangle the kid. Furthermore, from the look in Lin Rui’s eyes, he knew clearly that the boy understood everything—he had done it deliberately.

That very evening, Lin Jiangwen was severely beaten by his parents. That was why he was preparing to teach Lin Rui a lesson today, to show him how formidable he was and ensure he never dared to report him again.

As soon as Lin Rui entered the alley he always took, Lin Jiangwen followed, rubbing his fists together. But when he peered around the corner, he saw an adult speaking with Lin Rui.

“You’re causing me trouble again,” it was Lin Rui’s voice—it seemed he knew this adult.

The adult murmured something in a low voice that Lin Jiangwen couldn't catch clearly. He cautiously stuck his head out to look, only to witness a scene that made his jaw drop: the tall man was bent over, wearing a sickeningly ingratiating smile, seemingly trying desperately to placate Lin Rui.

“Just say it, what’s the problem?” Lin Rui asked impatiently.

“Another yao guai came to smash my uncle’s stall again, but I don’t dare confront Liu Di… I’m afraid of him…” The man wrung his hands nervously.

“Afraid they’ll eat you if they get unhappy?” Lin Rui wore a look of utter disdain. “Lu Jiu, how can you be so useless? Even a low-level yao guai bullies you.”

“Yes, yes,” the man named Lu Jiu bowed even lower.

“Fine, fine, considering you’ve been relatively obedient,” Lin Rui waved his hand dismissively.

“A little token of respect for you, Elder,” the man pulled out a thick wallet and handed it over. “I’ll go hide outside the city for a few days. I’ll come back to kowtow when things calm down.”

Lin Jiangwen stood there, mouth agape. Although he didn't understand the conversation between Lin Rui and the man, he could see it—Lin Rui was extorting the adult.

“Hey, you!” Lin Rui seemed to have noticed Lin Jiangwen long ago. He walked over, pulled three or four hundred-yuan bills from the wallet, and tossed them to Lin Jiangwen. “Don't go blabbing about this—even if you do, Mom and the others won't believe you.”

Lin Jiangwen saw that the wallet was filled with hundred-yuan notes, easily thousands, and he stammered out, “You, you…”

“How could I have a relative like you,” Lin Rui sighed, then walked away without a backward glance.

Lin Jiangwen was also thinking: Between him and Lin Rui, who was the real bad kid? Why did this elementary schooler possess something so frightening? He realized he had an incredible cousin…

Looking at the hundred-yuan bills in his hand, Lin Jiangwen thought again—this brat had so much money, yet he let Third Aunt struggle so hard to pay off debts. The relatives kept calling him sensible and filial; they were lying! He must have spent that money. Hmph, hypocrite! Lin Jiangwen firmly resolved once more not to be a good child; he would become a delinquent.

Ever since he decided to be a delinquent, Lin Jiangwen let himself go even further. He spent his days fooling around outside, making friends with aimless social youths.

“Jiangwen, let me introduce you, this is Brother Xu.” One day, a companion excitedly introduced a man in his early twenties to Lin Jiangwen.

“Good, we’re all brothers now,” Brother Xu cheerfully pulled out a pack of cigarettes, distributing them to the teenagers, and said warmly, “Come on, let’s go grab a meal, my treat.”

“Thanks, Brother Xu!” the companions cheered together.

After eating and drinking their fill at the restaurant, Lin Jiangwen stumbled out. He had never drunk hard liquor before, so just one glass got him drunk.

“A real man knows how to smoke, drink, and chase women,” Brother Xu announced to the boys, putting his arm around a heavily made-up girl. “Follow me, and I guarantee you’ll have a good time.”

“Yes!” Lin Jiangwen thought fuzzily. “Drinking, smoking, early romance… that’s what I’ll do… From now on, I will be a complete and utter delinquent!”

A few days later, Brother Xu suddenly sought out Lin Jiangwen and his companions on his own initiative.

“Do Big Brother a favor, and there will be benefits for you later. If you want to try some yourselves, I’ll give you some later.” Brother Xu placed a small packet of white powder in each of the boys' hands.

Anyone who had watched a police procedural film knew that this packet was not flour, but drugs. Lin Jiangwen’s heart skipped a beat. He glanced at his companions; several of them actually looked eager to try it.

“Be careful, go early and come back quickly. Big Brother is waiting for your good news,” Brother Xu gave them an address each and told them to make the delivery.

As soon as they left, Lin Jiangwen grabbed the friend he got along with best. “This is drugs!” he said nervously.

“I know. We just won't use them outside, and it’ll be fine,” the other replied nonchalantly.

“If we deliver this for him, we become drug traffickers!” Lin Jiangwen warned him.

“We’re just delivering them, how is that trafficking! Brother Xu takes such good care of us normally; how can we refuse to help now?”

“I…”

“You’re such a coward, no guts!” His friend chuckled mockingly and patted his shoulder before walking away.

Lin Jiangwen looked at the address in his hand, then felt the drugs in his pocket. He could be a petty thief, a fighter, a liar, an extortionist, a smoker, a drinker… but he didn't want to become a ‘sinner.’ He knew that once he delivered these drugs to the designated location, there would be no turning back. Thinking this, Lin Jiangwen walked into the street-side public restroom and tore open the packet of drugs, flushing them down the toilet.

“Where is my merchandise?” Brother Xu looked at Lin Jiangwen coldly.

Since flushing the drugs that day, Lin Jiangwen knew he couldn't meet these people again; he didn't want anything to do with them, so he had been avoiding them. He hadn't expected to run into Brother Xu at the arcade today.

“Where is it?” Brother Xu asked ferociously, yanking Lin Jiangwen’s hair.

“I lost it,” Lin Jiangwen spat out angrily. “Why should I listen to you! You tell me to traffic drugs and I have to go! I didn’t report you, you should be thankful. And you dare come ask me? Who do you think you are!”

“Slap!” Lin Jiangwen took a heavy slap across the face. Brother Xu roared, “Still talking back! Tell me, where is it?” He hadn’t realized Lin Jiangwen had disposed of the drugs yet, assuming he’d pocketed them. He grabbed Lin Jiangwen’s head and smashed it against the wall a few times. “Tell me! Or I’ll make you suffer!”

Lin Jiangwen, his head bleeding, shouted, “I dumped it in the toilet!”

“What!” Brother Xu was enraged. “Do you know how much that’s worth! You actually dared, you actually dared…” Saying this, he yanked Lin Jiangwen’s hair and delivered a heavy punch to his abdomen.

Lin Jiangwen was thrown to the ground, unable to get up for a long time, tears streaming against his will, but he stubbornly retorted, “You also know this stuff can make you a lot of money, but you tricked us into committing crimes for you with a little food and drink. We have brains too… I won’t listen to you!”

“You’ve got guts, brat!” Brother Xu’s fury ignited. After kicking Lin Jiangwen twice viciously, he ordered the youths beside him, “Beat him!”

Lin Jiangwen huddled over, sobbing, bracing for the blows, when he suddenly heard a child’s voice ring out: “What are you doing here?”

Lin Jiangwen peered through his fingers and saw Lin Rui standing there, tilting his head. “Uncle and big brothers, why are you blocking the alley? Blocking traffic is wrong, you know!”

“Get lost, kid,” Brother Xu roared at him.

“Swearing is also wrong, you know,” Lin Rui said with a smile.

“This kid… he looks like… like Lin Jiangwen’s little brother,” one of the youths recognized him and reported to Brother Xu.

“Oh?” Brother Xu grabbed Lin Rui abruptly.

“Don’t touch my little brother.” Lin Jiangwen didn't know where he found the courage, but he lunged at Brother Xu, only to be kicked away and slump to the ground in pain.

“This little one looks really likable,” Brother Xu said, roughly tugging Lin Rui’s cheek. “You look much cuter than your brother.”

Lin Rui said blandly, “He’s not my brother. I don’t have such poor genetics.” He narrowed his eyes, already calculating how to deal with this human who dared to pull his cheek—feed him to Huo’er? Bury him alive? Deep-fry him in oil? Throw him into the tiger cage at the zoo? Make him go drink with Liu Di? Make him eat food cooked by Zhou Ying? The ten cruel tortures of the Qing Dynasty?

Brother Xu, oblivious to the danger, continued patting Lin Rui’s face. “Come here, Uncle has something nice for you.” He pulled out a syringe filled with a drug.

“Don’t touch my little brother,” Lin Jiangwen knew what Brother Xu was planning. He struggled forward to shield Lin Rui. “I’ll deliver the merchandise for you. I’ll listen to you from now on, but he’s only in elementary school.”

“Oh, so you’ll replace the shipment you ‘lost’…” Brother Xu grinned sinisterly. He hadn't planned on escalating things anyway; he just wanted to scare him a bit.

“I’ll pay you back, no matter how much it costs.”

“You should have been this obedient earlier,” Brother Xu released Lin Rui and patted Lin Jiangwen’s shoulder.

“What is this thing? Why is it flying?” Just as Brother Xu was thinking about how to exploit Lin Jiangwen, he felt his hand empty—the syringe had automatically lifted into the air, spinning once.

Lin Rui smiled, watching the syringe dance in the air. Suddenly, he waved his hand, and the syringe shot straight into Brother Xu’s left eye.

A wail erupted.

Brother Xu clutched his face and rolled on the ground in agony. All the surrounding youths were frozen in terror. Only Lin Rui maintained his innocent, lovely smile. “What’s wrong with Uncle?”

Brother Xu struggled to reach for him, but Lin Rui deftly dodged, then delivered a heavy kick directly to Brother Xu’s stomach.

A second wail pierced the air.

“Uncle seems really sick,” Lin Rui said with an expression of sympathy. He crouched down and rummaged through Brother Xu’s pockets, finding several packets of drugs. “Here, Uncle, take your medicine!” He ripped open the packaging and poured all the drugs into Brother Xu’s mouth.

“Ah!” Someone screamed first, and the teenagers turned and fled, leaving only Lin Jiangwen and Lin Rui. Watching Lin Rui advance step by step, Lin Jiangwen retreated, trembling at his terrifying smile.

Lin Rui gave a sweet smile. “I won’t tell Mom or Second Uncle about you, but you have to treat me to KFC.”

Lin Jiangwen sank onto the ground.

“So useless, wanting to be a delinquent,” Lin Rui pouted, then kicked Brother Xu again, knocking him unconscious.

“Police, the police are here!” Lin Jiangwen heard the approaching sound of a siren and jumped up fearfully, grabbing Lin Rui. “Let’s run!”

“We didn’t do anything wrong, why should we run?” Lin Rui asked, blinking his eyes.

“Wrong, wrong things…” Lin Jiangwen stammered, looking at Brother Xu on the ground.

“This is called self-defense. It’s best if those adults are fooled.”

“Huh!?” Before Lin Jiangwen could understand what he meant, a police car screeched to a halt beside them. It was over; he was going to jail, a criminal record, a lifelong stain… his entire life! For the first time, Lin Jiangwen considered the question of ‘his life.’ He once dreamed of becoming a physical education teacher. Now that was finished; who would hire a teacher with a criminal record? His hands were shaking, his legs weak, and tears streamed down his face. The moment he saw the two officers appear, he instantly wanted to kneel down and confess, hoping for leniency.

“Waaah…” Lin Rui suddenly let out a terrifyingly loud wail. “Police officers, help…”

“What’s wrong, little one? Don’t be afraid. Uncle will protect you,” the officer said to Lin Rui in the gentlest tone possible.

Lin Rui choked, his body convulsing, and after a significant pause, he pointed at Brother Xu on the ground. “He… he hit me… and… and scared me… Waaah…”

Lin Jiangwen’s jaw dropped.

“Drugs!” one officer checked the contents of Brother Xu’s mouth. “Whose drugs are these? And who beat him up like this?”

“It was… him…” Lin Jiangwen looked at Lin Rui, trembling.

“Brother beat him up like this…” Lin Rui sobbed loudly.

"Thud!" Lin Jiangwen hit the ground. Handcuffs, courtrooms, prison... they were drawing closer. A wave of dread washed over him.

"He wanted big brother to bring things, and when big brother refused, he hit big brother, and me... so big brother hit him back... and then suddenly he fell to the ground and ended up like this," Lin Rui mumbled through his tears.

One of the officer's hands settled on Lin Jiangwen's shoulder. "So brave, protecting your brother! You’ll amount to something great someday, kid!"

"What..." Lin Jiangwen could barely believe his ears. They believed Lin Rui just like that?

At the precinct, the officers were taking statements from Lin Rui and Lin Jiangwen. Brother Xu, who already had a rap sheet longer than his arm, was being sent to the hospital. Compared to the innocent, sweet words of a child like Lin Rui, any fool could tell who was telling the truth.

"We've notified your family; they should be here to pick you up soon," the officer said, gently patting Lin Rui's head.

No jail time? No scolding? Lin Jiangwen stared at the police in disbelief.

Lin Rui's stomach chose that moment to loudly rumble. A female officer asked, "Are you hungry, little man?" Lin Rui blushed deeply and shook his head vigorously, though his eyes couldn't help but dart towards an officer enjoying his lunch. The policewoman smiled knowingly and stepped out, returning moments later with piping hot fried chicken legs for both Lin Rui and Lin Jiangwen.

As he devoured the fragrant chicken, Lin Jiangwen suddenly thought that adults were rather foolish.

"Jiangwen has been working so much harder lately, not running around causing trouble. A scare like that might actually do him some good. Looks like getting into high school next year will be no problem," Lin Jiangwen’s mother said happily to Lin Qingping while setting down bowls and chopsticks. "That's also thanks to you coming over to tutor him."

"Once children get older, they begin to understand what they need to do themselves. Jiangwen has always been a clever boy. He was injured saving Xiao Rui; I should be thanking him," Lin Qingping replied with a smile.

"He was mixing with those sorts before; he really deserved a good beating. But now he knows not to get involved in bad deeds, and he knows he must protect his younger brother. A fall teaches a lesson—if he’s learned it internally, that’s enough."

"Jiangwen, Xiao Rui, time to eat." The two mothers finished preparing the meal while chatting, calling the boys over to the table.