Chapter 86: Actually, I'm Quite Lonely Too

At the entrance of the arcade...

The owner, with hands clasped together, bowed and scraped as he saw off the wealthy patrons. His smile was innocent, radiating friendliness.

"Goodbye, sir! Have a safe trip! Come again soon!"

Tears streamed down his face – tears of sorrow, as if someone important was leaving him forever.

A group of elementary school students intending to play games had been ruthlessly shooed away. "Go, go! Didn't you see the sign? We have distinguished guests. Go back where you came from!"

The children were furious, threatening never to return to his shop or buy game cards from him again.

The owner, helpless, placated them with a can of cola each and a few soothing words.

Their anger quickly dissipated, and they cheerfully chatted with the owner before running off to play card games in the alley, promising to return once the "VIPs" had left.

Subservient to the wealthy, but heavy-handed with the children – he showed no mercy.

Qian Xiaobao was still interested in games, but he swore to himself that he would never play with Lin Fan again.

He beckoned to his bodyguard.

Understanding his young master's intent, the bodyguard tossed a wad of cash to the arcade owner.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, the owner knelt before Qian Xiaobao, humbly tying his shoelaces and polishing his leather shoes to a gleaming shine with his sleeve.

"Goodbye, sir!"

Passersby looked on with disdain at the owner's servile behavior. What era was this? How could someone be so subservient?

The owner, after seeing off Qian Xiaobao and his entourage, straightened up. His subservient posture vanished, replaced by an air of arrogance. Noticing the judgmental stares of passersby, he pulled out a wad of cash.

"What are you looking at? I earned this money fair and square. Why don't you try earning this much yourselves?" he sneered at those who mocked him.

He didn't need to look to know they'd amount to nothing.

Laugh at the poor, not the prostitute. That was his motto.

Wanting to earn money while maintaining dignity? Serves them right for being wage slaves.

On a park bench...

The three of them sat side-by-side, each holding an ice cream cone.

The sound of licking filled the air.

They extended their tongues, savoring the sweet treat, their faces beaming with joy.

"Delicious," Old Zhang declared.

"It really is," Lin Fan agreed, smiling happily. Spending time with friends was the most enjoyable thing. In Qingshan Mental Hospital, he and Old Zhang were good friends, and now he had another good friend. Although Qian Xiaobao was young, he was a good person and enjoyed their company.

Qian Xiaobao asked, "What do you want for lunch? I know a great place – a revolving restaurant on the top floor with a 360-degree view. If you want to go, I can have someone call and reserve the whole place."

The life of the wealthy was just so… tedious.

Even meals were a grand affair.

Qian Xiaobao was a lonely person with few friends. His current life felt terrible; he disliked money, feeling it had robbed him of friendships.

At his elite school, whenever female teachers spoke to him, they always subtly inquired about when his father would visit.

Lin Fan thought for a moment, then asked, "Can I bring a friend?"

He thought of the prostitute. She was a good person, treating them to meals and cooking for them. He hadn't properly thanked her yet.

"If not, it's okay."

Old Zhang asked, "Is it that kind woman?"

"Yes," Lin Fan replied.

Qian Xiaobao said, "Of course! You can bring whoever you want. I don't have many friends anyway. I'm sure your friend is a good person."

"Yes, she is," Lin Fan said with a smile. "Xiaobao, you're a good person too. I bet you have lots of friends."

"Me?" Qian Xiaobao fell into deep thought, his expression uncharacteristically melancholic for his age. "Actually, I don't have many friends either," he confessed.

"Since we're good friends, I'll tell you a little secret."

"I really envy those families where parents can play with their children. I truly envy them. My mother is in heaven, and I see my father only a few times a year at most. It's been a long time since I last saw him."

As Qian Xiaobao spoke these sad words, he continued to lick his ice cream.

Lin Fan patted Xiaobao's head and said, "Your father must be working hard to provide a better life for you."

"No, my father doesn't work. My grandfather was the richest man in the world, and then he gave his fortune to my father. After I was born, my father became the richest man in the country," Qian Xiaobao explained.

Lin Fan said, "Then your father is very capable."

Qian Xiaobao nodded. "He is. He went from being the richest man in the world to the richest man in the country. My goal is to become the richest man in Yanhai City. Actually, I think I've already achieved that."

"Then you have to keep working hard. I believe you can do it," Lin Fan encouraged.

Qian Xiaobao blinked, sighing, "Okay." He realized his two friends seemed to have misunderstood something.

From the richest man in the world – to the richest man in the country – to the richest man in Yanhai City – to the richest man in the county – to the richest man in the town – to the richest man in the village – to moderately well-off – to poor.

He thought it over. It didn't sound too bad.

At least there were still several levels to descend.

At the dilapidated house...

"Does your friend live here?" Qian Xiaobao asked, dumbfounded, staring at the shabby door and the dirty alley.

"Yes," Lin Fan replied, knocking on the door.

The residents peered curiously. They had never seen so many luxury cars and bodyguards in black suits. They looked just like bodyguards in the movies.

Creak!

The prostitute opened the door. Startled by the scene outside, and intimidated by the bodyguards, she almost closed the door. But then she saw two familiar faces.

"You two ran away again?" she asked.

She knew they were patients from Qingshan Mental Hospital and shouldn't be out. If they were out, they must have escaped. Judging by the current situation, she assumed they had gotten into trouble outside, been caught, and had nowhere else to turn, so they came to her.

She herself was in a difficult situation and couldn't offer much help.

She shouldn't get involved.

But…

"What do you want? Come at me! They're patients from Qingshan Mental Hospital. Don't go too far!"

The prostitute tried to protect Lin Fan and Old Zhang. They were all unfortunate souls, and she felt compelled to help if she could.

"We're not mentally ill," Lin Fan said.

"Me neither," Old Zhang added.

Precisely what someone mentally ill would say, she thought.

Qian Xiaobao scratched his head, confused. We just came to find you. We haven't done anything wrong. What's with the "going too far" accusation?

Was there some misunderstanding?

Just because he was a child, they shouldn't try to fool him.

He was, after all, the heir to a future fortune.

"His name is Qian Xiaobao, and he's our friend. He wants to treat us to dinner, and I wanted to bring you along. Let's go."

Lin Fan pulled the prostitute towards the black limousine.

The woman was utterly bewildered.

She didn't understand what was happening.

And she was wearing her pajamas! She hadn't even grabbed her house keys.

This limousine…

She had never seen such a luxurious car before.

Wow!

The seats were so comfortable, so soft to the touch. Could it be real leather?

Was that little boy also a mental patient?

Otherwise, why would he know these two?