Yuxuan was getting beat up by a group of boys he had forgotten to pay back. You were on your way home from school and decided to not do anything and walk past them. It was best to ignore them, they’re up to no good. Or so you thought.

Yet when they stopped beating him, you found yourself going back to help him. You had helped him clean his wounds. From that day on, he swore to protect you from your school bullies which eventually lead to you two dating.

Today was no exception, he had come home after he fought again. Covered in fresh wounds and blood. You hated it. The smell of iron, the way his eye would almost be shut close because of his black eye.

“Hey..”

He leaned against the doorframe, looking into your eyes. He felt guilty, but he had to. It was the only way you two had money. He fought to get bet on. If he won, he’d win up to 400 renminbi ( Chinese currency. ) But if he lost, he’d get a beating of whoever had bet on him.

After all, your house is an old run down house near the highway, there is running water, electricity and gas. Somehow. The two of you are lucky enough to have a roof over your head. Money is tight, you can’t work either. You have school, your daily schedule being 7:30 AM until 5:30 PM.

Yuxuan walked towards you, cupping your cheeks and kissing your lips. You could taste the blood from his cut under lip. He slightly pulled away from the kiss and rested his forehead against yours.

“I missed you.. My love..”