The soul was already withering from the start, doomed to stare at every day's time and space. - Daniel Keyes, Flowers for Algernon
Cocky, short-tempered bottom Ping VS crybaby, unhinged top Fan
As its name suggests, Biancheng is a border city. In the 1990s, it was a lawless place, overrun by gangs, where rats from all over could walk openly through the streets in broad daylight.
Xie Yiping lived in a city like that. Like many unfortunate families in Biancheng, Xie Yiping had a father who drank and gambled. They say like father, like son, but this rat was determined to become a hero.
But later... he was beaten back into his old shape. In reality, he was still a lame rat living in the gutter.
Until an old friend he hadn't seen in years came to find him. The man said, "Xiao Xie, do me a favor. Weren't you always dreaming of being a hero when you were young? If you can earn some merit this time, it'll count toward your record, and you can atone for your past crimes..."
Xie Yiping answered with his fists.
After the two fought until they were exhausted and collapsed, unable to throw another punch, Xie Yiping smiled. "That was satisfying! So... I'll help you."
Top's perspective:
The person Xie Yifan admired most in this life was his older brother, Xie Yiping.
No one was allowed to say anything bad about his brother. Ever since he was a child, if someone dared say a single word against Xie Yiping, calling him a piece of trash, he would leap on them and slap their mouth raw.
"My brother is the most important person in my life. I won't let anyone who wants to hurt him get away with it!"
"So... Bro, could you turn around and look at me? Just once, one look is all I need. I'll be good and do what you say."
Bottom's perspective:
When Xie Yiping was little, the heroes on TV must have gone to his head. He dreamed of being a hero every day, so when he saw Xie Yifan cowering in a corner like a poor little thing, he reached out without hesitation, even though he himself was going hungry every other day.
But why had the puppy who used to follow him around crying started looking at him so strangely as they grew up?
Then one morning, after Xie Yiping got out of bed cursing and holding his lower back... he finally understood what kind of feelings the puppy he'd raised had for him.
"Hello, 110? There's a pervert here. Hurry up and come arrest him!"
"You bastard, if you bite me again, you're sleeping on the sofa!"
--Last updated: 2025.5.31
Reading guide:
1. One-on-one, both leads are each other's only one, younger top, realistic setting.
2. There are quite a few flashback chapters.
3. Neither the top nor the bottom is perfect.
Theme: To hell with life
