37: Chapter 37 You treat me like a national hero; I will repay you with my life…

The night grew darker.

A few minutes later, the three of them arrived at the entrance of the police station.

An old electric scooter was parked at the entrance. Its paint was badly chipped, and one of the rearview mirrors was missing a piece. It was their family's means of transportation.

Li Dahai walked over and turned the key.

"Get on."

Li Hao looked at the electric scooter, then at his parents, and suddenly smiled.

"You two go back first. I have some things left at a friend's place that I haven't picked up yet. I'll be back in a while."

Li Dahai stared at Li Hao, his brow slightly furrowed, before nodding after a moment.

"Alright."

He didn't ask any more questions.

Wang Huifen hesitated for a moment, but in the end, she said nothing.

Soon, the electric scooter started up and slowly drove away from the police station.

Watching his parents' retreating figures, Li Hao stood where he was and suddenly felt a chill.

Even though it was summer, he felt empty inside.

He was raised by his grandparents.

Growing up, his parents had barely paid any attention to him.

When he skipped class, they didn't care.

When he got into fights, they didn't care either.

Often, when the three of them sat together, they had nothing to talk about.

Therefore, the subtle change from just moments ago might have gone unnoticed by others, but he could feel it.

And it was very obvious.

It seemed his parents didn't want to face who he was now.

It was as if all they cared about was money.

Thinking of this, Li Hao gave a self-deprecating smile.

"That's true."

"What family's son looks like this ghost of a person I've become..."

Before he could finish, the sound of electric motors suddenly came from afar.

Screech—

Screech—

Two Ninebot electric scooters drove up, one after the other.

The headlights were blinding as the vehicles stopped.

It was five delinquent youths.

Red.

Yellow.

Green.

And two other friends he usually hung out with.

Seeing them, a smile finally appeared on Li Hao's face.

"Why are you guys here?"

To be honest, at this moment, he was genuinely touched.

Although it wasn't like this afternoon when he went to the 4S dealership, where a single call would bring twenty or thirty people, having a few sincere ones was enough!

However, in the face of his enthusiasm, the expressions of the group were somewhat strange.

They looked at each other, and the atmosphere became inexplicably awkward.

Li Hao was stunned. "What's up? Are you all mute?"

Red scratched his head and gave a dry laugh.

"Brother Hao..."

"Um..."

"It's mainly your face..."

"We're just not used to it for the moment."

As soon as these words were spoken, Li Hao's smile stiffened slightly.

He then remembered that he was no longer the same person he used to be.

He subconsciously looked at the others.

Sure enough, their eyes were all darting away.

Although they didn't say it, that sense of estrangement had already appeared.

In the past, they would go online, race, and brag together because they were all about the same age.

But now, standing among them, aside from his height and build, he looked every bit like a middle-aged uncle.

Who could treat him the same as before?

Thinking of this, Li Hao suddenly felt a tightness in his chest.

His life seemed to be over!

At this moment, Yellow, who was beside him, spoke up.

"Brother Hao."

"Um..."

"Where's the money?"

"The police didn't confiscate it, did they?"

Hearing this, Li Hao's heart grew cold.

Just as he thought!

They came for the money!

But he still shook his head.

"No."

Upon hearing this, their faces instantly lit up.

However, Li Hao suddenly changed the subject.

"But my parents took it away."

As soon as these words were spoken, the air suddenly went quiet for a moment.

The smile on Yellow's face instantly froze.

The two people on the same scooter as him also fell silent.

A few seconds later, Yellow suddenly slapped his head.

"Oh!"

"I almost forgot."

"Meijiao asked us to go pick her up."

The other one also hurriedly chimed in.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"Um, Brother Hao, we'll be heading off then."

With that, the three of them got on their scooters.

They twisted the throttles and sped away.

Watching the taillights disappear quickly, Li Hao fell silent.

After a long while, he suddenly laughed.

It was a bitter laugh.

As expected.

What brothers—they were all fake.

When you have money, you're Brother Hao; when you don't, you're nothing.

Fortunately, Red and Green didn't move and remained where they were.

Li Hao asked, "Why aren't you guys leaving?"

Red was immediately displeased.

"Brother Hao!"

"What kind of people do you take us for?"

Green also patted his chest.

"Exactly!"

"Are we the type of people who only care about money?"

"...No!"

"That's right, so what if you don't have money?"

"Even without money, we're still brothers!"

Li Hao stared blankly at the two of them, his nose suddenly feeling sore.

At critical moments, these two guys were the reliable ones!

He hadn't wasted his effort taking them to the third floor last night!

And he hadn't wasted the two hundred yuan he gave each of them!

"Thanks," Li Hao said in a low voice.

Red waved his hand dismissively.

"Thanks for nothing!"

"Let's go!"

"Let's go get a drink!"

"My treat tonight!"

Green also nodded along.

"Right!"

"Drinks!"

Li Hao's eyes reddened slightly, and he was incredibly touched.

Look at that, just look!

This is what you call brothers!

What is loyalty?

This is it!

Thinking of this, Li Hao gritted his teeth and decided to go all out!

If you treat me with the respect due to a national hero, I will repay you with the same loyalty!

He took out his phone and opened... the lifespan treasure!

Red and Green exchanged a glance.

Their breathing quickened slightly at the same time.

"Brother Hao, are you going to..."

Li Hao didn't speak, just gave them a reassuring look.

Soon, he tapped open the lifespan trading page.

[Do you wish to sell one year of lifespan?]

[Estimated gain: 40,000 yuan.]

Seeing this, Li Hao was slightly stunned.

For... forty thousand?

Wasn't it thirty thousand?

Why did the price go up?

"Forget it, who cares!"

Li Hao took a deep breath.

He clicked confirm to [Sell one year of lifespan].

Soon, his personal information changed again.

[Remaining lifespan: 17 years.]

Seeing this number, Li Hao felt no ripples in his heart.

But the next second!

His expression changed drastically!

It wasn't that he regretted selling another year of lifespan.

After all, his life was already like this.

How much worse could it get?

What he was panicking about was...

that money!

It wouldn't be deposited into that card again, would it?