Chapter 1: Where Have I Seen You Before?

  Seoul, the capital of Korea, is not a big place, it's even crowded, but just like a sparrow, although small in size, it has everything. It has bright and beautiful sunshine like the most beautiful actress, and also has dirty garbage at night.

  Gari Peak Cave

  This area has been given a very strange name, but it can't be wronged by the name, because people living here are also quite strange. This strangeness doesn't show on the surface. If Cheongdam-dong or Myeong-dong, these golden areas represent the bright side of Seoul city, then Garieop-dong and its surrounding area represents the dark side of Seoul.

  Here dragons and snakes are mixed together, the security is extremely poor. The local people of Seoul, the outer suburbs of the capital circle, more so, are those who have sneaked in but do not have any identity documents, Yanbian Koreans.

  Gangs, hoodlums, thieves, and low-grade prostitutes, everything is exposed in its true form.

  No police from any other area is willing to take over the security of this place, the people here are poor but don't know what it means to be ashamed and then brave, the people here are inferior but know how to survive, this is the dirtiest and most garbage-filled place, but also a place where dreams and ambitions grow boundlessly.

  There are many injustices in the world, but sunlight is fair. The low and humid balcony of a humble house and the luxurious and expensive apartment can enjoy the same temperature. So here, some people enjoy the only free sunbathing that doesn't require any payment.

  The April sunshine was warm and pleasant, lying on a mat wouldn't feel chilly at all. The young man lay on the rooftop of his flat house, closed his eyes and slowly yawned, then sat up with crossed legs, rubbed his sore eyes, picked up the drink beside him and took a sip before getting up from the mat.

  The furnishings of the house were unexpectedly simple, even to the point of being crude. After wiping his face with a damp towel, the young man picked up his coat and walked out of the small cottage.

  Sunlight shines on the young man's slightly disheveled hair, his skin pale from years of living in the dark of night. This is Gari Peak Cave, the most lawless place in Seoul, a humble little hut that is the black-clad youth's safest haven.

  Entering a Chinese restaurant, the young man shouted in the direction of the kitchen: "I'm starving to death, hurry up, the usual."

  "Alright."

  The restaurant was quiet in the afternoon, with no customers except for a young man who came to eat at this time. The boss walked up to him with a tray of food, put it down and opened a bottle of beer, sitting next to the young man and pouring a full cup, saying: "Jingyan, it's been a long time since you've come."

  "I have to do something to support myself." The young man picked up his chopsticks and began devouring the fried noodles, saying as he ate: "If possible, my wish is to attend university."

  The boss took a sip of beer and laughed: "Is there anything in this world that Chu Jingyan can't do?"

  Chu Jingyu glanced at the boss and cursed with a smile: "Old Li, do you think you can reduce rent by flattering? Who does that? I'd rather eat shit!"

  Old Li put down his empty wine cup and looked at Chu Jing with a helpless expression: "I didn't have any hope to begin with."

  Chu Jingyan continued eating noodles with her head down.

  "After eating his fill and paying the bill, Chu Jingyan walked out of the Chinese restaurant, but was called back by the boss."

  "What's wrong?" Chu Jingyun asked impatiently as he turned his head back.

  Old Li walked up, patted the dust off his shoulder and complained: "You're already 22 years old, can't you tidy yourself up a bit? Which girl would look at you like this?"

  Chu Jingyan slapped away Old Li's hand and said: "Do you think you're my dad?"

  Old Li said with a sigh: "I don't have the ability, having a son like you will shorten my life."

  Chu Jing spoke and turned his head to leave, but was called back again.

  "Old man, don't be so greedy."

  Old Li smiled wryly and then looked at Chu Jingyan very seriously, saying: "It's been five years, collect your thoughts, don't mix with those people anymore. You've saved money for five years, open a small shop, start a family and career, what's wrong with that?"

  Chu Jing spoke with a frown, repeating what he said earlier: "Do you think you're my dad?"

  Back in the low and humble bungalow, he simply took a shower, picked out a clean and tidy black suit from his wardrobe, put it on meticulously in front of the mirror, and Chu Jingyan patted his face with satisfaction, smiling to himself.

  It's another damn day.

  At the age of twenty-two, wearing a black suit on Chu Jingyan's body didn't look out of place at all. The ironed and straight clothes, clean leather shoes, and a tie that was tied to perfection made him look like an office worker rushing to work as he rode his motorcycle out of Gali Peak Cave.

  The Yao Snake Palace is located in the bustling area of Qingtan Cave, where people come and go but not as crowded as usual. At 5 pm, Chu Jingyan walked into this luxurious nightclub, loosened his tie, and the passing staff or private room princesses bowed respectfully to greet him.

  Twenty-two is an age that commands no respect, and Chu Jingyan never enjoyed such deference wherever he went.

  But can't resist.

  As soon as Chu Jingyan walked into the rest room, the people who were originally sitting on the sofa smoking and chatting saw him walk in and stood up to bow.

  "Manager."

  Sitting on the sofa, Chu Jingyan waved his hand and said, "These people are all older than me, much older. One of them brought over a cup of coffee and whispered, 'Manager, tonight Mr. Jin's son booked a VIP private room, saying it's for his birthday. Mr. Jin instructed us to take good care of him.'"

  "That young master Jin? He's someone who needs to be treated with great care."

  After taking a sip of coffee, Chu Jingyan nodded and said: "Give them the room that Old Chen usually comes to."

  His subordinate nodded and continued: "Director Chen, you also need to come over tonight."

  Chu Jing put down his cup and asked, "When?"

  "The fixed time is 9 o'clock in the evening."

  "Got it."

  Chu Jingyan unbuttoned his Western-style coat and ordered, "Go ahead and get busy, Li Qi. Take a few people to Heishi Cave first and retrieve those accounts. Don't worry about the rest for now. I don't want to see those disgusting Koreans causing trouble in those stores again."

  "Yes, manager."

  Chu Jingyan is a Chinese, his parents are too. He doesn't like Koreans and dislikes South Koreans even more. In his heart, he has a bit of admiration for the president of the association. As a foreigner who relied on his own efforts to get to where he is today, Chu Jingyan's growth owes a great debt to President Chen.

  Chu Jingyun had been saved by him before, but didn't show much gratitude.

  But this did not affect Chu Jingyan's admiration for him.

  Living here is a helpless thing, Chu Jingyan has thought about returning to his hometown, but he doesn't know where his hometown is, so he continues to drift. Life here is very exhausting, but can only grit his teeth and move on.

  If you don't keep going, you'll really have nothing to eat.

  At six o'clock in the evening, guests began to arrive one after another. Chu Jingyan was not clear why students nowadays would hold birthday parties in nightclubs, perhaps because he hadn't been in school for too long and his thinking wasn't quite similar to that of today's students. But no matter what, Mr. Jin was the real agent of this nightclub, and his son, Chu Jingyan, had to entertain him.

  A slender and beautiful receptionist who had undergone plastic surgery knocked on the door and walked in, saying sweetly: "Manager Chu, Young Master Jin has arrived. Are you going to take a look?"

  "How many people?"

  The woman smiled and said: "Seven or eight of them, all still students, each one tender like tofu, so lovely."

  "Then go and entertain?" Chu Jingyan said with a smile.

  The woman waved her hand: "I don't dare, if Golden Boss finds out, how can I still hang out in Qingtandong?"

  "Wow, and what Huimei is afraid of, it's really strange."

  Chu Jingyu put down the mouse and followed the woman towards the private room.

  Pushing open the door of the private room, Chu Jingyan took a glance around and saw that they were all students. Several of them hadn't even had time to change out of their school uniforms. Each face was filled with smiles as they surrounded an eighteen or nineteen-year-old youth in the center, who had clearly dressed up and showed off his handsome features typical of his age.

  "Golden Boy?" Chu Jingyan smiled and said: "I am the manager of Yao She Palace, Chu Jingyan. Happy birthday."

  The young man enjoyed the flattery in Chu Jingyan's words and asked, "Are you the manager under my dad?"

  Chu Jing's expression didn't change, still smiling: "I am."

  The young man nodded: "Today is my 19th birthday, so I asked my dad to book a private room for me. There are still many friends coming over later, take good care of them."

  "This is natural." The waiter brought in beer, drinks and various snacks one after another. Chu Jingyan smiled at the young man and said: "Jin Gongzi, have fun."

  As he walked out of the private room, Chu Jingyan pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one up. Only after taking a slow drag did he realize that he seemed to be coming down with a cold today. The corridor felt somewhat empty and hollow, and sometimes this space was strange - for just a brief few seconds, there would only be you left standing alone. Chu Jingyan furrowed his brow, not saying a word.

  "Sir?"

  Chu Jingyan pinched out the cigarette, lifted her head, and then found that she didn't need to lift her head at all.

  She's a girl, well, should say, is a young and beautiful girl. In Chu Jingyan's eyes, with the beauty of this girl in front of him, even if placed in the Snake Palace, she would be one of the most popular girls.

  If this girl were an adult.

  "What?" Chu Jingyan asked.

  The girl is not very old, but she has already put on light makeup. Perhaps it's because of her excessive confidence in her appearance, or maybe she doesn't want to draw attention to herself, so she only applied a little powder and lipstick to her face, along with the faint fragrance on her body, making her look even more lovely at this moment.

  "Excuse me, where is 319?"

  "Room 319? Jin Gongzi's private room?" Chu Jingyan pointed and said, "Go straight ahead, then turn right at the second door."

  "Thank you." The girl bowed slightly and then ran off quickly.

  "Miss, I always feel like I've seen you somewhere before." Chu Jingyan said very seriously after thinking for a moment.

  The girl was taken aback, looking a bit flustered but quickly regained her composure, smiling and saying: "You must be mistaken, sir."

  Chu Jingyu gazed at the girl's back as she walked away, blinked a few times, and then left.

  "I must have seen her somewhere." Chu Jingyan turned his head, only to find that the girl's figure had already disappeared. He was somewhat puzzled and even more eager to know the answer. A child with OCD was indeed vulnerable.