I'll wait for you amidst the romance of nature.

The wind stirred up waves on the river, and the lights rose and fell with them. Behind this dreamlike scene, I seemed to see two completely opposing cities: Shanghai's grandeur overwhelmed everything, but Dali's flowers bloomed more brilliantly.

I lit a cigarette and finally asked Yang Sisi, "Which hotel are you at? I'll use my ID to book a room for you."

"Jiangwan International Hotel"

"Okay, wait for me in the lobby, I'll take a taxi there right away."

After ending my voice call with Yang Sisi, I used Didi Chuxing to hail a taxi nearby. On the way, I thought about everything Lao Huang had said to me today and understood his intentions. No wonder he felt comfortable letting me accompany Yang Sisi; he knew all along that Yang Sisi wouldn't go far. It was better to be a good person and make Yang Sisi think he was on her side to gain her trust and favor, making it easier for his son abroad to be close to him in the future.

This must be what the complex adult world is like.

……

After a half-hour drive, the car finally arrived at the Jiangwan International Hotel that Yang Sisi had mentioned. This hotel was truly magnificent; not only was it built along the river, but its overall layout was also very grand, definitely meeting five-star standards.

I walked into the lobby, where Yang Sisi sat down on the sofa near the service counter, looking listless. When she saw me approaching, she quickly got up to greet me and then launched into a tirade of complaints, without mentioning the room reservation again.

I reminded her, "Don't rush to speak. Look, besides your documents being taken away, have your bank cards also been frozen?"

Yang Sisi was taken aback at first, then quickly took out her phone from her bag, her face turning green. She said angrily, "Are they trying to wipe us out completely?"

"It's not about pushing you to the brink; I think they just want you to back down... They want you to realize that you haven't achieved financial independence at this stage."

"Don't they know I'm going through a rebellious phase? They want me to go back to Shanghai? No way! I'm calling them right now."

I smiled, then sat down on the sofa she had just been sitting on, waiting for the outcome of her conversation with her parents...

Just as I expected, after only a few words, Yang Sisi became agitated. She started crying and hurling threats at the person on the other end of the phone, but it seemed to have no effect. After about ten minutes, she finally hung up the phone, seething with resentment. She stood in front of me and said, "Uncle, please get me a room. I've decided to fight them to the death. Dali is a place I absolutely must go. If I give in this time, I won't be able to live the life I want for the next few years!"

I stood up and said to her, "Old Huang gave me a total of six thousand yuan. I'll transfer the rest of the money from booking the room to you later. You can decide how to use it... I think it'll definitely be enough for your trip back to Shanghai."

"What do you mean? Are you trying to kick someone when they're down and abandon your teammates?"

Yang Sisi's voice was particularly loud, quickly attracting a crowd of curious glances, but I didn't feel any pressure at all. I calmly replied, "Then tell me, you not only don't have any documents, but you also don't have any money. How are you going to go to Dali?"

"Don't you still have the six thousand Uncle Huang gave you?"

"I remember when I talked to you about this money during the day, you seemed quite dismissive."

"Well... when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head... I'll use this money to tide me over for now, and I'll pay him back later."

"It's fine if you think that way... but I also have to remind you that the cheapest business standard room at the hotel you're staying at costs 1500 yuan. At your spending level, you won't even be able to get to Hunan before you have to turn back and go home."

Those little complaints seemed to be written all over Yang Sisi's face. She glared at me and retorted, "Shouldn't you be encouraging me to persevere at a time like this? You're also going to Dali. Would you be willing to give up halfway like this?"

"I'm probably unwilling, but I don't want to bring a burden along... Just think about it, you don't have any documents here, how much trouble will you cause along the way?"

"You...you not only look old, but you're also a complete jerk." Yang Sisi got angrier and angrier as she cursed. Suddenly, she took a bag out of her handbag and threw it at me, yelling, "And here I am, thinking of you, even buying you duck necks on the way back...and you, while I'm suffering, you spout nothing but bullshit!...No wonder people say that the pitiful are often hateful; first of all, you're disloyal, not like a real man...I can't be bothered with someone like you!"

I've truly witnessed the bad temper of a rich girl. Just as I was about to speak, she turned and walked away, dragging her suitcase. This is quite in line with her personality, but I didn't expect us to part ways so quickly. However, I did this out of good intentions, because she's at an age where she's most malleable and has the financial means to study abroad. What reason does she have not to choose to improve herself?

No matter how much money a person has, they should always strive for a better life.

……

After Yang Sisi stormed off, I picked up the duck necks scattered on the ground one by one. I felt a little bad, but knowing that her parents were so opposed to her going to Dali, it wasn't appropriate for me to continue traveling with her.

I transferred the money Lao Huang gave me to her via WeChat, but she didn't respond; I guess she was driving.

A short while later, I received another message from Lao Huang: "Why haven't you replied to my messages? Where are you guys?"

"Wuhan. But I reckon she'll have to go back to Shanghai tomorrow..."

"Back to Shanghai?"

"Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"

"You still don't understand what I mean..."

"Just say what you mean. If I had as many tricks up my sleeve as you, wouldn't I be your boss?"

"What I mean is, you should get her safely to Dali first, and then I'll go to Dali to find her. Once she's suffered enough, she won't be so stubborn anymore, and I'll be able to persuade her..."

I scoffed and replied, "Not only will she thank you for your chivalrous help along the way, but her parents will also thank you. In the end, you'll get to play the good guy... But is it really worth scheming against a young girl like this?"

"Michael, parents always have the same heart for their children. You'll understand when you become a parent yourself."

For some reason, Lao Huang's words reminded me of my own parents. Back when Lu Jia and I were still together, the old couple would save the best food for us, mostly sending it to us instead of eating it themselves. Besides their concern, they also hoped to solidify our relationship. Lao Huang's motives were similar, but it felt a bit crooked. So, little by little, I was manipulated by him and became his informant…

Thinking about it, if I hadn't gone with Yang Sisi, there might not have been anyone who could have found her after we got to Dali. In that respect, Lao Huang really did a perfect job. And the six thousand yuan he gave me before was also part of his plan.

With good intentions, I reminded her, "Be careful not to make things worse and end up losing everything... I feel that girl's temper isn't so easy to figure out."

"It all depends on human effort, it all depends on human effort..."

I shook my head and smiled, then closed the WeChat chat window. I opened Ctrip and started checking flight information from Wuhan to Kunming for tomorrow. The reason I wanted to switch to flying was because I didn't want to waste time on the road. Unlike Yang Sisi, who went to Dali to enjoy life, I went to live.

Ultimately, I chose the 7:45 AM flight.

……

Back at the budget hotel, I took a hot shower and then lay in bed, forcing myself to fall asleep as soon as possible. But the more I tried, the less I could sleep. I kept thinking about the people I had lost. I wondered what state they were in now, whether they were doing well or not.

After a moment of this daze, my phone, which was next to my pillow, beeped with a message notification. I picked it up and saw that it was from Yang Sisi again, but this time it was full of hostility.

"Everyone around me pampers and spoils me, so why did I have to run into a jerk like you on my first long trip? Let me tell you, I especially hate this feeling of being abandoned, you make me feel hopeless!"

"Then you're far too easily discouraged."

"Yes, I'm very sensitive! ...This is Wuhan, I don't know anyone here. Look, I left without even a sound. Aren't you afraid something might happen to me?"

"You have friends here, what could possibly happen?"

"That's my friend, not my talisman. I'm giving you half an hour to come to the riverside park and apologize to me, or you'll face the consequences."

Yang Sisi's childish temper left me both amused and exasperated. I checked the time; it was already 12:30 a.m. If she couldn't find a place to stay, being alone in the riverside park would not only be miserable but also unsafe.

As someone approaching thirty, I wouldn't hold a grudge against her. I got dressed and immediately took a taxi to the riverside park.