That evening, he didn't eat much, just kept drinking.

After a while, Boss Song opened another bottle of Niulanshan liquor, poured himself a full glass, and downed half of it in one gulp.

I could tell his mood was low, even his forced smiles seemed strained, and I could clearly see the pain in his eyes.

Although he was usually easygoing and never put on airs, I still cautiously chatted with him, afraid of accidentally hitting a sore spot.

People are different, especially the insurmountable gap between the rich and the poor.

It's so hard to bridge that gap.

Boss Song kept downing one glass after another, the strong liquor in his mouth seemed as easy as drinking water.

By the time he finished the second bottle, he was already quite drunk, mumbling for me to open the third bottle.

"Boss, please don't drink anymore. Lily would be upset if she knew you were drinking this much."

I mentioned Lily, hoping to awaken some sense in Boss Song.

Little did I know, that sentence would become the most regrettable one I ever uttered in my life.

At that time, I didn't know that the two words "Lily" had transformed from a cherished gem to a taboo for Boss Song.

The previously somewhat disheveled Boss Song, upon hearing me mention Lily, staggered to his feet and suddenly roared at me, "Why are you mentioning that illegitimate child!"

I stood frozen in place, stunned by Boss Song's sudden outburst.

Boss Song grabbed my collar, the smell of white liquor from his mouth rushing into my nostrils.

"Haven't I been good enough to you? I gave you money, a place to stay, and you took my money to support a man, and even had such an illegitimate child."

"The treasure I held in my hands for sixteen years turned out to be an illegitimate child, hahaha."

I felt a bit scared.

Boss Song exuded a menacing aura, completely erasing his usual easygoing demeanor.

I will never forget that day, New Year's Eve when I was seventeen.

The face Boss Song brought close to mine inexplicably overlapped with that of a one-eyed cripple.

My mouth covered, unable to make a sound, all fear and sobbing were drowned out by the fireworks outside the window.

Suffering returned home like a runaway child.

While the city of Xijing celebrated the New Year outside, Liu Panhao endured suffering inside the shop.

I walked from one mountain into another.

For the poor, it seemed that everywhere in this world, there were mountains.