Xu Zhouyi is a pushover. He's no good at arguing or getting angry, and he's lived a pathetic life until the age of twenty-six. There aren't many things he hates. First, going to work. Second, the childhood friend who swindled him out of all his savings.
Third, rich people.
Especially that rich second-generation boss of his, whose life is so smooth sailing that he has nothing to worry about, yet who acts gloomy and sour all day, scowling and making life difficult for everyone.
"Do it over." "Start again." "Redo it."
He writes his boss's name in his notebook: Zhang Ce. Then he crosses it out in red and scrawls a vicious note: Zhang Ce, try being reborn.
Mild-mannered, honest Xu Zhouyi is being followed.
From the office to his rental apartment takes twenty-one bus stops, or three subway transfers. At some point, an extra set of footsteps began following him on his way home after overtime.
Tap, tap, steady and unhurried, day after day, like a ghost that never leaves his side.
Xu Zhouyi is fed up with it, but he doesn't call the police.
He merely furrows his brow under the crushing weight of his enormous debt and quickens his pace.
Until one day, he is pinned down in a pitch-black stairwell.
His normally neat shirt is now a mess, and his tie hangs loose over his collarbone. A cold hand travels down his neck, strokes his vulnerable throat, then slowly caresses every inch of his skin.
Xu Zhouyi trembles with regret and fear. He should have called the police sooner. Once again, his own pathetic cowardice has pushed him to the edge of the abyss.
His wide, frightened eyes shimmer with fear. "Please, don't do this," he begs in a small, pitiful voice.
"I won't tell anyone, I promise. Please."
His stalker is Zhang Ce, his unsmiling, icy boss. They had only seen each other at work that very day.
Now, for once, a smile appears on Zhang Ce's face.
But there is no warmth in it. Only possession, oppression, and cruel amusement.
The pretty, dull-witted, honest man is as pitiful as a lamb. His eyes are red, and the hand pushing Zhang Ce away trembles.
"But I will," Zhang Ce says, lowering his eyes.
"So you'd better not make a sound."
Saved on 2025.5.15
Theme: Take pride in your work, and build the nation through practical effort
