Rumors spread through the town like a disease.
"Did you hear? Lin Han's got mental problems."
"Of course he does. Hanging around with a wild fox every day… his brain must be broken."
Their voices came from everywhere.
Sharp. Poisoned.
Like needles stabbing straight into my ears.
At first, I still tried to argue.
Later, I stopped.
There was no point.
No one would believe me.
No one cared.
What hurt the most was Li Ya's smirk.
During break that day,
she spoke loudly on purpose, right in front of the whole class:
"Some people are really pathetic."
"Can't even take care of themselves, yet they dream about raising a fox as a pet."
The class burst out laughing.
"Yeah, maybe he's actually sick!"
"Heh, a disaster like him with a fox—pretty well matched."
My fists clenched so hard
my whole body trembled.
After school, I walked home in silence.
Ah Li followed beside me.
Watching my expression carefully.
"Don't listen to them," she said softly.
"I know," I nodded.
Then gave a bitter smile.
"But sometimes… it's really hard to pretend I don't care."
When we got home,
I tossed my bag onto the table
and let out a long breath.
Ah Li silently walked into the kitchen
and started making dinner.
Somehow…
she had become my only support.
Every morning, she woke up early to make my breakfast.
Every night, she stayed up with me while I studied.
She helped me organize my notes.
Copied my mistakes into a fresh notebook
so I could review them anytime.
Quietly.
Without complaint.
"Did you finish today's plan?"
She walked out with a bowl of hot soup.
"Almost."
I rubbed my temples.
My head felt heavy.
To make some money,
I worked at a small restaurant after school.
Then studied until dawn when I got home.
My body was exhausted.
But I couldn't stop.
Because I knew—
Only by getting into university
could I leave this place.
Only then
could I give Ah Li a stable life.
"You can't keep pushing yourself like this,"
she said, looking at me, worry in her eyes.
"It's fine."
I forced a smile.
"I can handle it."
I lowered my head
and continued solving problems.
But the next day…
things got worse.
My uncle, Lin Guodong, somehow dragged a few drunk friends to the school gate.
He pointed at me
and yelled:
"It's this kid!
Always acting weird and raising some fox demon!"
Students gathered around, whispering and pointing.
"So his family's really that poor?"
"No wonder his grades are trash. Guy's brain is broken for sure."
I clenched my teeth.
Walked straight through the crowd
without looking at anyone.
But inside…
It felt like knives
were ripping me apart.
When I got back to the classroom,
there was a note on my desk.
"Freak. Stay away from us."
That was the moment
I truly understood what it meant
to be completely alone.
My old friends had distanced themselves.
Even teachers started ignoring me.
Only Ah Li remained.
Late at night.
Under the desk lamp,
I was buried in a math problem.
Ah Li gently tapped my shoulder
and handed me a cup of warm milk.
"Drink something. Take a break."
Her voice was soft.
"Wait a little,"
I muttered without looking up.
"I almost got this one."
She sighed
and sat down beside me.
Outside, the wind stirred the trees.
Moonlight cast broken shadows on the floor.
Inside the room,
there was only the sound of my pen
scratching across paper.
And the quiet rustle of turning pages.
"Lin Han."
She suddenly spoke again.
This time, serious.
"…Hm?"
I looked up at her.
"No matter what they say…"
"I believe you can do it."
Her eyes were clear.
Steady.
Like they could pierce through all the darkness.
"Thank you…"
My voice came out hoarse.
"I will."
"I promise."
She smiled faintly
and reached out to hold my hand.
Her fingers were warm.
Real.
In that moment, I felt it.
No matter how cold
the outside world was—
At least,
someone
was standing on my side.
So I picked up my pen again.
Fought through the night.
Until morning.
But I knew…
Things would never go that smoothly.
Not for people like us.