"It's been a while."
The black motorcycle stopped under a lamppost, parked in a non-motorized vehicle spot marked with yellow lines.
Zhao Yuanqing took off his helmet, sighing wistfully.
Lu Chao also looked up at the short building by the roadside. The words "Dreamfire Bar" came into view.
The rectangular neon sign hung above the second-floor windows, stretching a good seven or eight meters long.
The concrete wall below was intentionally covered in graffiti that looked like burning flame patterns and various ferocious beasts, giving it a somewhat dark, gothic style.
On the first floor, some of the booths inside were visible through massive floor-to-ceiling windows. The gold-trimmed, blast-proof glass door in the center was propped half-open, and a young man in a waiter's uniform was standing at the entrance.
"Yuanqing! Ah Chao!"
Spotting the two of them, he smiled, waved, and then ran over.
Lu Chao got off the bike, carrying a bag of fruit. He took off his helmet and called out to Xiaoyang with a smile. After parking the motorcycle, Zhao Yuanqing pulled him into a bear hug.
"Xiaoyang, you're looking sharp, kid! Dressed all proper and even wearing a bow tie now."
"Heh, it's all thanks to Brother Hao." Xiaoyang tugged at his bow tie, a little embarrassed. He was rather thin and short, with short hair and a long face.
"Come on, what do you want to drink? I'll whip something up for you."
"Lin Ze and the other two are already here."
He had a radiant smile on his face; he was another one of Lu Chao's friends from their time at the orphanage.
When he came of age and left the orphanage, he had gotten a job at the Dreamfire Bar with Brother Hao's help. They hadn't seen each other in over half a year.
TAP! TAP!
"Not bad, Yuanqing."
"Where'd you get the bike? This is a Black Wind model, right? It's pretty sweet..."
As he spoke, three people—two men and a woman—walked out of the bar.
The speaker was named Li Heng. He was on the heavier side with some freckles on his face and wore a blue short-sleeved shirt. He walked over to the motorcycle, looking it over from every angle before reaching out to touch its streamlined body with a face full of envy.
Zhao Yuanqing didn't stop him. Instead, he looked smug, feeling that borrowing the bike today had been completely worth it.
"Of course. This is a third-generation Black Wind."
"What do you think? Wanna give it a try?"
He patted the gleaming fuel tank cap, pulled off the key, and tossed it to him, gesturing that he could take it for a quick spin around the block.
Li Heng's face lit up, and he eagerly reached for the key.
"Alright, you. You didn't really think this bike was his, did you?"
"He probably borrowed it from the repair shop. Don't go breaking it, or you'll make him go back and beg for forgiveness."
Lin Ze, who was standing to the side, deliberately drawled. He was thin and stood about five-foot-ten.
His black, choppy hair covered his forehead, and he was dressed in a dark-colored shirt, slacks, and leather shoes, exuding the polished competence of a professional elite.
"Lin Ze, you're asking for a beating, aren't you!" Zhao Yuanqing said, annoyed.
"See? Getting defensive? Looks like I hit the nail on the head."
The two of them had often bickered back at the orphanage, never really seeing eye to eye.
Lu Chao and the others were used to it. After a few half-hearted attempts to mediate, the only girl in the group spoke up.
"We haven't seen each other in over half a year. It looks like everyone is doing well."
she said with a smile. Her eyes were bright, and she wore a white floral dress with white canvas shoes.
Her long black hair flowed down her back, held by a white hairpin. She carried a small cloth bag, and her pretty face was accentuated by light makeup.
"Yuhan, you're as beautiful as ever."
Zhao Yuanqing rubbed his head, blushing a little as he temporarily ceased his bickering.
It was a rare reunion for the six of them. Even Lu Chao, influenced by his predecessor's memories, felt a wave of emotion.
At a place like the orphanage, with no parents, you had to fight for everything in a world that only seemed equal.
During those years, they had banded together for warmth, forming their own little circle.
"Yuanqing, you haven't changed much."
"Your muscles are so impressive. Are you still working at the repair shop?"
"Yeah. What about you?"
With Song Yuhan jumping into the conversation, the five guys' topic of discussion gradually shifted.
Through the ensuing small talk, Lu Chao learned about the recent situations of his other four friends.
Song Yuhan had changed jobs. Thanks to her good looks, she had recently landed a position at a jewelry company selling accessories.
Li Heng was the same as always, working as a warehouse security guard at a small company.
Finally, there was Lin Ze, who had the best prospects of them all.
"Lin Ze is a C4-level employee at Lianwei Heavy Industry now, in charge of managing blueprints and documents."
"He gets six days off a month, works nine-to-six, earns a full six thousand yuan, and they even gave him a rent-free apartment..."
the heavier-set Li Heng said admiringly, unconsciously shuffling closer to him.
Lu Chao and Zhao Yuanqing were a little stunned.
Even though C-level was just for contract employees, behind it stood the behemoth that was Lianwei Heavy Industry, a corporate supergiant.
In terms of both salary and social status, he was leagues above the rest of them.
"It was just a coincidence. I had a stroke of good luck a while back and met a benefactor who gave me a leg up."
"He promised me I'll have a chance to be promoted in the future, maybe even become a permanent employee. When that happens, if you guys ever need anything, you can come to me."
Lin Ze's spine straightened subtly. He gave a reserved smile, but the pride in his tone was impossible to hide.
Xiaoyang and some of the others subconsciously moved closer to him, gathering around him and showering him with praise and flattery.
Witnessing this scene, a complex expression flickered in Zhao Yuanqing's eyes.
It wasn't that he couldn't stand seeing a friend do better than him; it was just that the comparison inevitably created a sense of disparity.
Lin Ze, standing at the center of the adoring group, clasped his hands behind his back and gave another reserved smile. His gaze shifted from Zhao Yuanqing to Lu Chao's face.
"What about you, Ah Chao? Still working as a cleaner?"
"Yeah, same as always."
Lu Chao nodded frankly, not denying it.
A strange look flashed across Lin Ze's face before he shook his head. "That job is dirty and tiring. It's not respectable."
"Ah Chao, if you want to put down roots and make a life for yourself in the city, I suggest you be a bit more ambitious and find a more respectable job."