She Became My Reason to Stop Running From the World

Time spent with Yi Yi passed quickly. Before I knew it, it was 9:30, time for my night shift.

I was reluctant to let her go, but after one last exchange, I released her from my embrace.

Yi Yi’s shift started two hours earlier than mine, at ten.

I offered to go early with her, but she said it was fine and told me to leave later.

I thought about it and agreed.

Those two hours would give me time to transfer some files and update my viewers. Though there aren’t many.

But of course, I couldn’t say I got a girlfriend. I’d just make up an excuse.

Most of my viewers are male. I’d often made single-dog declarations like a certain streamer. If I suddenly announced I wasn’t single anymore, I’d probably be spammed with ‘F’ and ‘burn’ until my brain shut down.

After that, time quickly reached midnight.

I turned off my computer and rushed to the convenience store.

When I walked in, Yi Yi saw me, smiled an angelic smile, and waved.

She’d tied her long hair in a ponytail for convenience. It gave her a fresher look than usual.

Ah, my heart skipped again.

She was like a painting.

I could write a three-thousand-word essay praising her.

Nothing interesting happened that night. Not a single customer.

Actually, most days are this uneventful.

Before, I’d pass the boredom by scrolling through my phone, watching videos, or playing my Switch.

But now, Yi Yi is by my side.

The convenience store at night is just an extension of home.

But because of the security cameras, Yi Yi was too shy to be as affectionate as at home. We just held hands.

We continued our conversation from before, talking about each other.

Of course, I asked her many things too.

Unfortunately, Yi Yi doesn’t have any strong preferences.

What ordinary girls like—she’s neither interested nor not interested.

She’s a bit too without desire.

But I think it’s because she grew up following the Shen family’s plan.

She suppressed her personal desires to the extreme, got used to it, and became this way.

I don’t think it’s bad. Suppressing desire is admirable. Many people wish they could do it.

Yi Yi became so accomplished and perfect because of her strong will.

And she persisted because her original wish was for her orphanage friends to have better lives.

Selfless. Sacrificing herself for others.

Unfortunately, it didn’t work out as planned…

The orphanage.

That’s still Yi Yi’s hang-up. The reason her hair turned white.

Even with the idiot’s help, Yi Yi escaped the Shen family, but the orphanage problem remains.

And there’s no guarantee there won’t be another ‘Shen Kaori’ or that girl Oushui she misses. The past hasn’t disappeared.

When we were in bed, I offered to help her with the orphanage situation, but she didn’t want me involved in her past.

She probably guessed I’d do something for her.

Actually, I still think if Yi Yi wants to truly move on, she needs to resolve these issues.

Otherwise, the past will bind her again, causing her more pain.

But asking the idiot for help again would be…

Even someone as shameless as me would be embarrassed.

He might not mind and would gladly help, but I’d feel bad.

Favors need to be reciprocal. One-sided giving or taking is unhealthy.

This time, he saved Yi Yi. It cancels out the time I saved him. That’s why I accepted it. But always taking from him… then what kind of brother am I?

Besides, I’m used to solving problems alone.

Ever since my parents died, that’s how I’ve lived.

My father told me before he died: ‘A real man never begs.’

That’s the only thing I remember clearly.

I don’t have the idiot’s money, power, or talent.

All I can do is think, deduce, speculate… then act.

That’s it.

But I haven’t been involved in any trouble for a long time.

Not since I moved into this apartment Sister Ling provided.

Most of the time, I just stay home, shut in, drawing. I rarely interact with people.

Eventually, I developed this mindset of not bothering anyone and just watching from the sidelines.

But if it’s for Yi Yi…

“I’m sorry, Darling. I’m such a boring person.”

“Huh?”

My silence probably made her think her vague answers had annoyed me.

But I was just lost in thought.

“Not at all. Don’t overthink it, Yi Yi. How could I find you boring?”

“But I couldn’t give you a proper answer. I don’t have any hobbies or strong likes… ah.”

She lifted her head and looked at me, realizing something.

Seeing that, I smiled.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just thought… I actually do have something I like now.”

“Hmm. Wouldn’t that be me?”

“Yes.”

What was meant as a teasing question got a serious answer.

Now I was the one embarrassed.

“Come to think of it, it’s strange. I used to see learning those skills as just tasks. But after meeting you, I’m glad I learned them.”

“Like cooking. Seeing you happily eat what I make makes me happy.”

“And staying pure until I met you. I’m truly glad about that.”

“Yi Yi… yes. That’s truly good.”

Her heartfelt smile and words made me put aside my plans for now.

Maybe I don’t need to do anything for her right away.

Just spending peaceful days like this together is a wonderful happiness.

The night passed.

At six in the morning, Yi Yi went home first to prepare breakfast.

The time I spent alone in the store afterward was boring. I immediately got sleepy.

I didn’t have the same energy as before. I barely stayed awake with coffee.

From six to eight, early risers came out to shop. Still not many customers.

I’ve said before, opening a convenience store in this location wasn’t wise.

I feel like the store’s revenue barely covers wages and inventory. Sometimes I wonder why the manager even opened it.

But it’s not my problem. I prefer less work.

A few office workers trickled in to buy water or bread for breakfast. Then a familiar figure came bounding in.

“Morning! Big Bro!”

I weakly raised my hand in greeting.

“Oh… kid. Morning.”

I was just saying it. I didn’t expect him to show up the next morning.

The kid pointed at his nose, confused.

“Uh, ‘kid’… is that me?”

“Oh, sorry. I’m used to giving nicknames. No offense. Your name is Zhao…”

Actually, I forgot what his name was. I only remember his surname. Awkward.

Fortunately, the kid is perceptive. He didn’t get upset and immediately responded, giving me an out.

“Zhao Zhencheng!”

“Right, right, Zhao Zhencheng. If you don’t like it, I’ll use your name.”

“It’s fine! Whatever you want to call me, Big Bro! ‘Kid’ is fine!”

I’ll stick with ‘kid,’ then.

Nicknames are easier to remember.

I’ve never been good with names. A name is just a code. Remove the code… ah, wrong script.

I shrugged.

“So, kid, you came this early just to say hi?”

His smile slowly turned bitter. Like a child caught misbehaving, standing before their parents, ashamed. He lowered his head.

“Actually…”

—