Chapter 5: Stay away from alphas

He became one of the most common sights in District Thirteen: a young street punk.

He wandered through the streets and alleys, with no fixed address. He fell in with a group of other punks just like him. They fought, drank, smoked, and huddled together in a daze, barely getting by.

In District Thirteen, people like them would never climb out of the mire.

Xu Lin believed that too.

Until he turned twelve and met the teacher who would change his life.

Pu Sha.

That day, Xu Lin had just finished brawling with another group of punks who had picked a fight with him for no reason. He hadn’t eaten in two days and was weak with hunger. He’d barely managed to win, but his face was battered and bruised.

He sat by the roadside, clutching his stomach and hissing through the pain. A passerby, Pu Sha, crouched down in front of him and handed him a tube of ointment.

Unlike the countless others who had walked past without a second glance, Pu Sha had stopped.

Xu Lin had never met anyone like him before.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll rob you?” Xu Lin scowled, staring at the satchel slung over Pu Sha’s shoulder. “I’m a street punk.”

Of course, Xu Lin had never actually robbed anyone. He just liked to scare people like this.

When he was injured, a show of bravado sometimes scared off those with ill intentions.

Xu Lin had always kept his hair buzzed short. One, it was easier to maintain. Two, it prevented people from grabbing his hair during fights. And three, it made him look fierce and intimidating, which saved him a lot of trouble.

When he spoke, something glinted in his mouth—a silver tongue piercing.

He thought Pu Sha would be scared off, just like everyone else. But to his surprise, Pu Sha’s expression didn’t change. He simply asked softly, “Are you proud of being a street punk?”

Xu Lin hadn’t managed to scare him. Instead, he’d been stumped by the question. But Pu Sha didn’t seem to expect an answer anyway. He pressed the ointment into Xu Lin’s hand and said, “Take this. Remember to apply it.”

Then he stood up and walked away.

Xu Lin clutched the tube of medicine, watching Pu Sha’s retreating figure. Then he scrambled up from the ground and followed at a distance, like a little tail.

He trailed Pu Sha all the way to his doorstep.

Just before entering, Pu Sha turned around, looking as if he had just noticed Xu Lin following him. He asked with feigned surprise, “Why are you following me?”

Xu Lin couldn’t answer. He was sharp-tongued though, and retorted, “Is the road yours?”

Pu Sha pointed to the small bungalow in front of him and said, “I’m home.”

“…”

Xu Lin clenched the tube of ointment in his hand. His stomach let out a loud, audible growl.

He didn’t understand why he had followed this man, as if possessed by some strange spell.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, feeling awkward, Pu Sha asked, “Would you like something to eat?”

Xu Lin froze. His feet, which had been about to carry him away, stuck to the ground.

He gave a non sequitur: “I’m a Beta.”

“I know.” Pu Sha smiled, apparently amused by his logic. “So, do you want to eat or not?”

Xu Lin blinked. Then he ran towards Pu Sha.

“Yes!”

At Pu Sha’s house, Xu Lin ate the first proper meal of his life—one with meat, vegetables, and hot soup.

So this was the best food in the world.

Pu Sha had cooked for him with his own hands, heaped a big bowl of rice, and told him to eat slowly. Xu Lin was so focused on his food that his face was practically buried in the bowl, he couldn’t even nod properly.

It was only after he was full, having eaten his fill and collapsed into a chair, that he realized Pu Sha had disappeared.

Through a wooden door, he heard voices coming from the backyard.

He pushed the door open and peered through the crack. To his surprise, more than a dozen children, all around Xu Lin’s age, were sitting in the yard. Each had a small stool, holding a pen and a book in their hands, listening intently, all facing the same direction. At the focal point of their attention stood Pu Sha, writing and drawing on an old blackboard.

He was teaching these children to read.

Pu Sha was a teacher.

There weren’t many schools in District Thirteen, and tuition was expensive. Beyond the spots reserved for Alphas and Omegas, only Betas from relatively well-off families could attend.

Sixty percent of Betas couldn’t afford school.

Someone like Pu Sha, teaching in his own yard, was an unlicensed volunteer teacher.

Pu Sha noticed Xu Lin hiding behind the door and smiled at him. “Do you want to listen too? Come find a seat.”

The children in the yard all turned to look at Xu Lin in unison. Xu Lin rubbed his nose, walked into the yard, and sat down at the very back.

From a distance, Xu Lin watched Pu Sha, chalk in hand, teaching. Suddenly, he felt that beneath District Thirteen’s gray, overcast sky, the patch of sky directly above Pu Sha was bright and shining with sunlight.

After that day, Xu Lin came to Pu Sha’s place every single day.

Gradually, he got to know all the children in the yard. They were all Pu Sha’s students, coming for a few hours of class each day before going home.

But they were different from Xu Lin. They weren’t homeless or without family. They were simply too poor to afford school.

Xu Lin was easygoing and got along with everyone. He was loyal and a good fighter. On several occasions, he happened to run into classmates being bullied by punks on the street and helped chase them off. After a few times, Xu Lin inexplicably became the leader of this group of kids. Everyone, regardless of age, called him “Little Lin Bro.” Xu Lin quite liked it.

During the day, he would play and roughhouse with them. At night, they all scattered to their respective homes, and Xu Lin would find a spot on the street to crash.

He had lived like this since becoming a street kid, and he didn’t think much of it.

It was Pu Sha who first noticed something was wrong.

One night, Xu Lin was sound asleep curled up under a plastic sheet in a street corner when Pu Sha woke him up.

Still groggy, Xu Lin obediently let Pu Sha lead him home, bathe him, and dress him in clean clothes. Pu Sha pulled out a folding bed and let him sleep in his own home.

The moment he touched the soft, fragrant blanket, he was wide awake.

Pu Sha asked, “Do you have nowhere to stay?”

Pu Sha had noticed for a while now that Xu Lin only had two sets of old clothes that he wore in rotation. His shoes were too small but he never changed them. It was only after secretly following him that Pu Sha discovered he was sleeping on the streets.

By then, Xu Lin trusted Pu Sha completely, so he didn’t hide anything. He frankly told him about his past, laughing as he said, “It’s not that I have nowhere to sleep. I used to sleep under the bridge, but it flooded a few days ago. I’ll move back when the water dries up.”

Xu Lin didn’t see anything wrong with what he said. But Pu Sha was silent for a long, long time, lost in thought.

From that day on, Pu Sha’s home had a bed that belonged to Xu Lin.

Every night, when all the children had gone home and Xu Lin was about to leave, Pu Sha would call him back and let him stay over.

Day after day after day.

Xu Lin finally realized, belatedly, that Pu Sha was taking him in.

One night, Pu Sha was wearing his glasses and grading his students’ homework under the lamp.

Xu Lin quietly sat down across from him. After a long hesitation, he asked in a very small voice, “Teacher, how long can I stay here?”

Without looking up, Pu Sha said gently, “As long as you want.”

Xu Lin’s palms were sweating. He bit his lip and murmured, “But I’m a Beta.”

“I know. So am I.” Pu Sha looked up at Xu Lin, amused. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“Does that mean… this place is my home now?” Xu Lin’s mouth was dry. He gnawed at the dead skin on his lips, asking hesitantly, “Can I think of this place as my home?”

Pu Sha nodded. “If you like, of course this can be your home.”

Xu Lin’s mind went blank for a long time. Fireworks burst in front of his eyes, one after another.

He couldn’t help but smile, then rushed to make a flustered promise: “I’ll repay you. I’ll keep the house spotless every day. I’ll water the flowers in your yard every day. I’ll help you carry things, mop the floor, cook—I’ll help you with anything. I’ll—”

“Xu Lin, none of that matters,” Pu Sha interrupted him, looking at him seriously, his eyes earnest. “Eat well, stay warm, and stay safe. That’s enough.”

“…” Xu Lin’s heart thumped, swelling with a warm, aching feeling.

Being “adopted” this time felt completely different from the last.

He scrambled over to the table, grabbed Pu Sha’s pinky finger, and looked up at him with a bright smile. “So are you my dad now? Can I call you Dad?”

Pu Sha, who had just celebrated his thirtieth birthday, was both amused and exasperated. “I might be old enough, but I’m not planning on being a dad just yet.”

“Then Mo—”

“No.”

Xu Lin burrowed into Pu Sha’s chest, burying his face there. The warm, wet tears soaked a small patch of Pu Sha’s shirt.

Pu Sha didn’t expose the child’s fragile facade of strength. He lowered his head and gently patted Xu Lin’s hair.

Pu Sha’s yard could only hold a dozen or so children. Xu Lin had always assumed Pu Sha taught because it was his passion. But later, he noticed Pu Sha often carrying a bag into the city on errands, leaving early and returning late. After pestering Pu Sha to let him tag along a few times, Xu Lin discovered Pu Sha had a dream.

He wanted to build a school where many children could study.

Pu Sha wanted to build a school in District Thirteen.

Even Xu Lin knew that was no easy feat.

For this dream, Pu Sha had persisted for many years. He scrimped and saved, accumulating funds. He had gone to the city office over a hundred times. Pu Sha had no connections; he was just an ordinary person. Along the way, he had endured countless dismissive looks and setbacks. Building a school required proper qualifications, and the paperwork was labyrinthine. Pu Sha had submitted pile after pile of applications and research reports, but he still couldn’t get approval.

He had prepared everything: campus blueprints, proof of funding. As long as the review passed and the school license was issued, his dream would be within reach.

But the next time he took his materials to the city office, an impatient staff member told him he was missing the most crucial and seemingly impossible documents—a graduation certificate from School A, a degree certificate, and a student seal.

Whether such harsh conditions applied to every school or were specifically aimed at Pu Sha to discourage him was unclear. But to Pu Sha, this was the final hurdle before success. He was so close. How could he give up now?

Pu Sha was deeply troubled by this. He didn’t speak of it, but Xu Lin noticed.

Xu Lin, indebted to Pu Sha and regarding him as his only family, took Pu Sha’s dream as his own. So he offered to help.

He had heard something about School A’s once-a-decade open enrollment policy. Pu Sha had mentioned it a few times, and Xu Lin remembered it well.

If he could be admitted, graduate from School A, and return, Pu Sha’s dream would be fulfilled.

When Pu Sha heard his decision, he tried to dissuade him. “This won’t be easy.”

“I know,” Xu Lin said. “But aren’t you doing something that isn’t easy either?”

Biting the end of his pen, Xu Lin focused intently on the marked passages in his book and said, “You won’t give up. I won’t give up either.”

From then on, Xu Lin became the most diligent student in the small yard.

He attended classes during the day and studied late into the night with extra lessons from Pu Sha. He slept only three hours a day. Apart from eating and sleeping, he was either reading or studying. The little weight he had put on quickly melted away.

Inspired by Xu Lin, Little Fatty and the others also picked up their books and tried to study, scratching their heads in frustration. But they couldn’t keep it up for long; they were easily distracted.

Little Fatty often complained, “Little Lin Bro, you’re studying so hard. Do you think you can actually get in?”

Without even glancing at him, Xu Lin said, “Even if I can’t, I have to.”

“But Teacher has never been to the main city. Who knows if the exam content there is the same as ours? What if it’s really hard? You know how it is. That place is beyond our reach—ow!”

Xu Lin, annoyed, kicked him in the butt. “Get out of here and go whine somewhere else. Don’t disturb me.”

Little Fatty, grimacing and clutching his rear, scurried away.

Xu Lin never doubted Pu Sha. Pu Sha was clearly out of place in District Thirteen. Even though he was stuck in the mud, he remained untainted. What was so great about the main city? Everyone treated it like paradise, but those people probably weren’t even half as noble as Pu Sha.

Xu Lin studied hard for years until the day of the unified entrance exam. He had just turned eighteen.

The exam was held in the city, and many people signed up. This once-a-decade opportunity was everyone’s chance to change their fate. All of Pu Sha’s students signed up too. Whether they could pass or not, whether their grades were good or bad, the tactic was to overwhelm the competition through sheer numbers.

The exam lasted three days.

Half a month later, the results came out. Xu Lin was at the top of the list—the only student from District Thirteen to be admitted.

Xu Lin had exceeded all expectations. A crowd gathered around Pu Sha’s computer, whooping like monkeys when they saw the results. Xu Lin was wrapped up in the middle by Little Fatty and the others. Pu Sha watched from outside the hubbub, his eyes red. When Xu Lin walked over, he didn’t say a word, just gently ruffled Xu Lin’s hair.

They threw him a celebration banquet.

Pu Sha, who rarely drank, had a little. After the students had left, he gave Xu Lin some advice about going to the main city.

“Danshi isn’t like home. The people there aren’t very friendly. Don’t let them bully you. It’s best to keep your distance from them.”

“You’ll be gone for four years. We might not be able to contact each other. Danshi is different from other places; they have a dedicated network that blocks all out-of-city numbers.” Pu Sha found his old phone and pressed it into Xu Lin’s hands. “But just in case, take it. You never know when you might need it.”

“Oh, and this. This is your living allowance. Keep it safe.”

He tried to stuff a thick envelope into Xu Lin’s arms. He was shoving both the phone and money at Xu Lin, who tried to refuse. “I don’t need it. Tuition’s waived anyway. What would I use money for?”

“Of course you need money! You’re not going to eat or drink? Take it!”

Pu Sha bustled around the room, busying himself. Xu Lin watched him, amused. “I still have two months before school starts.”

“Better to prepare early. Get everything ready so you don’t forget anything in a rush. We need to buy you some shoes in a few days. Oh, and you should take those new clothes I bought you last time. Where did I put them?”

Xu Lin’s admission had made Pu Sha very happy. Xu Lin was happy too, thinking about how in four years, Pu Sha would finally have his own new school.

Something occurred to him, and he asked casually, “Teacher, how do you know so much about Danshi?”

Pu Sha, who had been rummaging through the wardrobe with his back to Xu Lin, paused for a moment before replying, “I read about it online.”

“I see.” Xu Lin didn’t think much of it.

Pu Sha brought a few new clothes and laid them on the bed. He crouched down in front of Xu Lin, his expression much more serious than before. “Xu Lin, there’s something very important you need to remember.”

“What is it?”

“In Danshi, unless necessary, don’t have any dealings with them. Especially alphas—stay far away from them.”

He sounded like a worried father afraid his child would be led astray. Xu Lin smiled, unconcerned. “I’m a Beta. What are you worried about, Teacher?”

But for the first time, Pu Sha didn’t smile in response. He repeated, “Answer me seriously. I’m not joking.”

“Alright,” Xu Lin had to nod. “I understand.”

Maybe it was then that Pu Sha, on some subconscious level, sensed something. Fate was giving him a premonition. But Xu Lin had paid it no mind.

And fate always seemed to enjoy playing tricks on people.

If Xu Lin’s life before twelve had been a trashy soap opera, then the ten years after eighteen was a ridiculous farce.

Unwanted. Unchosen.

Heaven was drunk, in high spirits. Its withered finger reached out and pushed Xu Lin on the shoulder, changing the course of his life. The threads of fate tangled, two parallel lines that should never have met were woven together.

That was how he and Ji Jixuan met.