Magic City, Yanbei District.

A city full of glitz, charm, and a hint of something unreal. Neon lights everywhere, the streets buzzing nonstop.

Under a bridge cloaked in shadows...

Xiao Ke was just skin and bones, curled up small on a tattered old blanket. All he had against the cold was that thin green overcoat, barely covering his tiny frame.

The bridge echoed with the creepy squeaks of rats, while outside, roars of engines filled the air...

A dim streetlight faintly lit up his pale little face. He looked five or six, but his eyes spoke of someone who'd been surviving on the streets for a year.

The night flew by. Morning sun spilled in. Xiao Ke yawned and opened his sleepy eyes, blinking in confusion at the world around him.

"That dream felt so real, I'm still shook... Why did that cool uncle download a whole library into my brain?"

He patted himself clean, walked over to the riverbank, and splashed water on his grubby little face.

For days now, his dreams had been weirdly vivid. That cool uncle in his sleep kept teaching him crazy stuff—

Calligraphy, chess, Chinese medicine, instruments, painting... and something called cultivation.

"Yesterday he told me I could be his little apprentice — even showed me how to meditate, or... whatever that weird calm thing was called. But now, why can I pick up everything so fast in my dreams? And remember it all... like I've done it for years.."

Xiao Ke muttered in a soft, childish voice, but his stomach let out a loud protest.

He scratched his head sheepishly—it was time to hit the streets for "work."

Back in the tunnel, he quickly pulled out a small bowl and a handwritten sign from beneath his bedding. Then, treading lightly, he slipped outside.

Early morning in Yanbei was chaotic as ever.

Vendors rushed about, cars honked from every direction—it was the peak of the daily hustle.

Two teens made their way to school: Lin Xiaoxiao and Ye Xing.

"Lin Xiaoxiao, move it! We're gonna be late—you know Mr. Sun will have our heads if we're late again.."

"Hey, relax. It's still early. Just take a breath and enjoy the air for once."

Lin Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes but suddenly froze, her gaze glued to the egg pancake stand.

Ye Xing noticed and sighed.

"Seriously, again? You just ate! We gotta move it, or we're gonna be seriously late."

But instead of heading to the food stand, Lin Xiaoxiao dragged Ye Xing to a small open space beside it.

'I'm a good kid.

Any little food helps.

Please.'

She read the message on a small sign and looked at the scrappy little boy crouching nearby—it tugged at her heart.

Xiao Ke once lived with the old junk collector he called Grandpa. Together, they eked out a living by recycling bottles and cardboard. Life was hard, but Grandpa always gave the boy his very best—his precious little trinkets, the tastiest bits of food, everything. Even in their drafty shack, sharing meager leftovers, Xiao Ke felt warmth.

Then, a year ago, Grandpa died of liver cancer.

Xiao Ke cried himself to sleep, clinging to Grandpa's cold body.

By the time the authorities arrived and took Grandpa away, Xiao Ke's old life was over. His life on the streets had begun.

An older beggar took pity on him and showed him the ropes: how to ask strangers for help, where to find shelter. Xiao Ke was a quick learner. Waking up before dawn to scavenge and plead became his new routine

"Please, Could you spare a little something to eat?"

Lin Xiaoxiao looked down at the thin boy—he was all skin, as if he'd shrivel if you poked him.

Malnutrition had clearly taken its toll, but his eyes were bright—those crystal blue pupils were shining.

"Ye Xing, let's give him something, please... He's just a kid."

Ye Xing saw the gloss in her eyes, turned to the boy, and couldn't help feeling a pang of sympathy.

He came back with two pancakes and a bottle of cola.

"Here, go ahead and eat. Must be hungry, huh? Is your family around here somewhere?"

Xiao Ke took the food with both hands and smiled sweetly.

When he heard Lin Xiaoxiao's question, he lowered his head sadly.

"Grandpa... the police came last year. They took him. They said he... passed away. And my mom and dad... I don't even know. I can't find them."

Thinking about Grandpa who used to make him laugh, Xiao Ke's eyes welled up, tears rolling down his cheeks as he trembled.

Lin Xiaoxiao quickly tried to comfort him.

"But... I wonder why the police didn't help find you a place to stay, like an orphanage? At least you wouldn't have to go hungry."

Still sobbing slightly, Xiao Ke choked out, "I wanna find my... my parents. I don't... want to go to the orphanage. I have parents... I-I ran away 'cause I need to find them."

Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't take it anymore. She pulled out 50 yuan and placed it in his bowl.

"It's not safe for you here. How about you come with me? I can get you a hot meal and a place to sleep tonight. What do you think?."

Xiao Ke stopped crying, his watery eyes locking onto Lin Xiaoxiao's with a stunned look.

At that very moment—

A sudden gust of wind snatched the 50-yuan note, sending it tumbling into the busy street.

Without a second thought, Xiao Ke darted after it. He couldn't let this—couldn't let her kindness—just blow away.

"Xiao Ke, NO! Don't go out there!"

Ye Xing reached out, but was too slow.

A black Audi A6 came racing toward the boy—

The driver's eyes widened in panic, slamming the brakes.

Tires screeched so loud they left a trail of burnt rubber—

Just half a meter from Xiao Ke.

The boy clutched the flying bill, staring wide-eyed at the bumper an inch from his nose.

The driver door flung open. Out stomped a fat man, fuming.

Lin Xiaoxiao and Ye Xing rushed over, worried sick.

"What the hell?! You dart out like that again and you'll get yourself flattened! You picking a fight with a car?!"

The man charged forward, about to kick Xiao Ke.

Ye Xing dove in, blocking the blow with his body.

He grunted, stumbled back, but didn't lose his cool.

"Hey, easy. He's just a kid, no harm done. It's all good."

He gave the guy a mild smile, while Xiao Ke tried hard not to cry.

But Lin Xiaoxiao wasn't holding back.

"Yelling at a kid? That's just sad. The problem isn't the road — it's you driving like you're on a test track. Slow down and open your eyes."

The driver's face went beet red. He looked ready to explode.

Crowds formed fast on busy streets—soon the whole road was packed.

Car horns blared.

Just then, the door of a striking green-and-yellow Maserati opened. All eyes turned as the driver, a woman named Xiao Lian in sleek glasses, stepped out. Completely unfazed by the commotion, she walked with calm purpose toward the source of the yelling.

"Sir, would you mind moving your vehicle, please? You're blocking the way for our CEO's car. We wouldn't want to cause any unnecessary delays."

The moment the crowd heard her, murmurs started.

That license plate—11111.

That model—Maserati Dream limited to 500 units across the country.

Price tag? Tens of millions.

That had to be from Wang Group!

No average Joe wanted to mess with the Wangs.

With a final, venomous curse and a spit on the ground, the driver retreated. Not worth it, he thought. Antagonizing the Wangs was the fastest way to sink his business. A second later, his car peeled away from the curb and vanished into traffic.

Xiao Lian took a second glance at the little boy sitting on the ground.

So young, already living like this. She felt a twinge of sympathy.

Taking out 200 yuan, she handed it to him, then climbed back into the car.

"Xiao Lian, what was going on out there?"

Inside the backseat, a calm voice asked.

A young woman sat there, office outfit hugging all the right curves, soft blonde hair cascading over her shoulders.

Pale skin, long legs—every inch screamed class and quiet power.

This was Wang Siqi, CEO of Wang Group, also the Wang family's seventh heiress.

Only 22, yet had the whole company singing to her tune.

"Everything is under control, CEO Wang. There was a brief commotion when a child ran into the street, but I've already handled it and cleared the way."

"Mm."

The car pulled into traffic as Wang Siqi rested her chin on her palm, staring at the bustling streets outside.

Her stunning face remained calm as ever.

"What a ruthless play from Gao. To think, if I'd been delayed, we'd be looking at a two-billion-dollar loss. Hah... that was close...."

With a cold chuckle, her gaze sharpened, the air around her chilling.

Try tricking her? Better be ready to lose more than you bargained for.

Back by the street—

"Xiao Ke, You scared me to death! Promise me you won't do that again? Now, you stay right here, okay? Wait for me after school—I'm taking you home," Lin Xiaoxiao said softly.

After a bunch of reminders, she and Ye Xing dashed off—they were already running late.

Xiao Ke watched them leave, tongue poking out mischievously.

He packed up the sign and bowl, grabbed the pancakes, and disappeared.

The pancake vendor looked back after grabbing some ingredients, only to find that the little beggar boy was suddenly gone.

Under the bridge, Xiao Ke munched happily on his breakfast.

He smiled, taking a big gulp of cola, pure bliss on his face.

"Sorry, but I can't go with you. I have to keep looking for my parents. They must be waiting for me somewhere.."

He whispered to himself, gazing up at the sky.

His small hand clutched the blue jade pendant hanging from his neck—it had just two characters etched on it: Xiao Ke.

Grandpa once said it was the only thing his parents had left for him.

If they saw it, they would recognize him.

After breakfast, Xiao Ke sat cross-legged on his blanket.

Time to meditate... just like the master in his dreams taught him.