From the distance came the sporadic crackle of firecrackers, mingled with the laughter and clamor of children.
Lv Jianyang finally recovered from his immense shock. He looked at Yang Qi's calm, yet somewhat unfamiliar face, then glanced down at his own rough, chapped hands. His thoughts turned to the school fees waiting to be paid at home, his father's medical expenses, the child who would soon be born...
His eyes suddenly turned red.
He ducked his head abruptly, taking a hard drag from the nearly finished cigarette before forcefully extinguishing the butt against the earthen wall. His shoulders trembled almost imperceptibly.
After a long moment, he raised his head again. His eyes were still a little red, but the heavy, deathly aura in them had dissipated considerably, replaced by a mixture of disbelief, gratitude, and a newly rekindled light.
He looked at Yang Qi, his throat bobbing a few times. Finally, he hoarsely uttered a single word.
"...Thanks."
