What was supposed to be a pleasant class reunion had turned into an inexplicable nuisance, and Chen Fei lost the desire to stay any longer. Plus, it was getting dark, so he had Slickhead drive him home.

When Slickhead pulled up to the urban village where Chen Fei lived, he frowned at the miserable surroundings. He couldn't help but turn to Chen Fei in the passenger seat. "Listen, Da Fei, you've made something of yourself. You're an associate director at a top-tier Class 3A hospital now. You really shouldn't be living in this dump anymore. It's a complete mess."

Chen Fei gave him a sideways glance. "You make it sound so easy. I paid six months' rent on this place, and it's only been a few months. I have been thinking about moving, though. It's just too inconvenient to commute to the City Center Hospital from here. If I miss the bus, I'm guaranteed to be late."

"You're still taking the bus? Just buy a car!" Slickhead said, exasperated. "Riding the bus is so beneath you these days."

"No money!" Chen Fei was blunt. He truly didn't have any.

Although I have that top-tier VIP card from the Vast Sea Group that Gao Zhinan gave me, the one that lets me withdraw thirty million anytime... any idiot knows that kind of money isn't easy to take. Besides, I'm not truly desperate right now, so why would I sell myself out?

"Ah, forget it. I'm not gonna bother with you. We're here. Get out, get out! Your brother needs to go out and have some fun tonight," Slickhead said, dropping the subject and ushering Chen Fei out of the car.

After all, his friend had truly made it now. Things like houses and cars were trivial, so there was no need for him to worry.

"Bye! Be careful you don't catch anything!" Chen Fei laughed, hopping out of the car. "Hahaha!"

"Screw you!" Slickhead couldn't help but curse, speeding away in frustration.

***

Walking along the uneven, muddy paths of the urban village, Chen Fei surveyed the squalid environment. He really didn't want to live here anymore.

After all, it's true what they say: once a person's circumstances improve, their standards and expectations increase exponentially.

Now that I'm at the City Center Hospital with an annual salary of 300,000, I don't need to live in some luxury villa district. But I can at least afford a decent, modern apartment complex with no problem. With that thought, Chen Fei made up his mind to move.

I haven't gotten my first paycheck from the hospital yet, but at least I have that five-figure windfall I never used when I went clothes shopping. Now's the perfect time to use it.

"Xiaofei, is that you?" Just then, a woman's voice called out from behind him. Chen Fei turned and saw it was none other than his landlady, Sister Lin.

Sister Lin was a local woman in her early forties.

"Hello, Sister Lin."

Chen Fei was about to greet her properly, but she cut him off anxiously. "Xiaofei, I'm so sorry. Something came up with my family, and we need money urgently, so... I sold the building today. I've already talked to the other tenants. They all moved out this afternoon. You're the only one left."

As she spoke, Sister Lin took a thick stack of cash from her purse—at least a thousand yuan or more—and pressed it into Chen Fei's hand. "Xiaofei, I'm truly sorry," she said apologetically. "I calculated it out. You still have over two months left on your lease, so I'm returning all of it. The extra is compensation. Please don't think it's too little."

Hearing her say this, what else could I say? My two months' rent was probably only five or six hundred yuan at most. She gave me over a thousand, and that's on top of returning my deposit. It's a very sincere gesture.

"It's all right, Sister Lin. In that case, I'll go back to my room, pack my things, and try to be out by nine," Chen Fei said with a smile. Looks like I'll have to find a hotel for the night.

And a hotel, not just some cheap guesthouse. After all, I'm really not short on cash anymore.

Seeing how understanding and easygoing Chen Fei was made Sister Lin feel even more guilty. She forcefully pressed another two hundred yuan into his hand for his lodging. From her perspective, most people renting in the urban village were struggling financially. Forcing someone to move out this late at night meant they'd have to stay in a cheap guesthouse. Since they were parting on good terms, there was no need to be stingy; giving a little extra was a show of goodwill.

Chen Fei tried to decline, but Sister Lin was firm. She thrust the money at him and immediately turned to leave, giving him no chance to refuse.

Chen Fei could only shake his head with a helpless smile. He returned to his rental room, packed his few belongings, and left.

As he was leaving, he noticed the rooms in the shared courtyard were all empty. It seemed Sister Lin was right; everyone else had moved out that afternoon.

I wonder where Sister Yan went. It's a shame this was so rushed, I didn't even have a chance to get her phone number, he thought, feeling a pang of regret. Sister Yan had always been helpful, and it was a pity that he might never see her again.

But he quickly pushed those thoughts aside. Carrying what little luggage he owned, he walked out of Stone Man Village, officially leaving his days in the doldrums behind him.

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