Respeito Contra a Corrente

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The bustling city of A was ablaze with lights; towering skyscrapers loomed like indifferent beasts under the night sky. Delivery rider Xu Yunchuan weaved through the streets on his electric bike, the biting wind whistling past his ears, steam rising from the food container in his hands. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he glanced down at his phone: just one last order.

“Three kilometers away, estimated arrival in ten minutes,” the navigation’s mechanical voice echoed in his ear. With a soft sigh, he quickened his pace.

Xu Yunchuan had not always been like this. He was a top student at a prestigious university, excelling in every subject and even winning national awards. But two years ago, a scandal involving alleged cheating forced him to withdraw, plunging his family into deep debt. His parents’ reproaches and the cold stares of relatives transformed the once ambitious youth into a marginalized figure in society.

An Unexpected Order

The navigation led him to an old residential complex. Looking up, he saw a seven-story building with no elevator; the dimly lit stairwell was gloomy. Frowning, he tightened his grip on the food box and climbed the stairs.

“Knock, knock, knock”—the sound echoed down the silent corridor.

After a few seconds, the door opened. An elderly man with a head full of white hair greeted him. His gaunt face was deeply lined, but his eyes were sharp as knives.

“Delivery has arrived, please sign,” Xu Yunchuan said with a professional smile, handing over the meal.

The old man took the box, his v