Love and choices across time and space

On a bustling city night, neon lights flicker and traffic rushes on. However, behind the hustle and bustle, Li Yifeng wanders the streets alone and desolately, like a ghost forgotten by the world.

His expensive suit, once a symbol of status and position, was now wrinkled and stained at the cuffs. His hair was unkempt, and his beard had sprouted, making him look particularly haggard. His eyes were hollow, as if he had lost his soul. Only the deep dark circles under his eyes revealed the exhaustion and despair he had endured for days.

Li Yifeng walked into a dimly lit tavern. The air was filled with the mixed smell of old wood and alcohol. The graffiti and peeling paint on the walls spoke of the vicissitudes of time. He found a seat in a corner. People around him were either loud or whispering, but he felt as if he were in another world.

"Boss, give me a bottle of the strongest wine!" Li Yifeng's voice trembled slightly, as if it was squeezed out from the depths of his throat.

The boss was a burly middle-aged man. He glanced at Li Yifeng with a hint of contempt in his eyes, but still took a bottle of high-proof liquor from the shelf and placed it heavily on the table.

Li Yifeng couldn't wait to open the bottle cap and pour it down his throat. The pungent liquor snaked down his throat like a fiery snake, causing him to cough and choke on tears. But he didn't stop, continuing to drink in big gulps, as if trying to drown out the pain in his heart with alcohol.

"Hmph, isn't this Li Yifeng, the man who wanted to be a Phoenix Man? How come he ends up like this now?" A sharp voice sounded in his ears.

Li Yifeng looked up and saw a man in a fancy shirt standing in front of him with a mocking smile on his face. He had met this man before at a social event. Back then, Li Yifeng was very proud of himself, but now, he had become the object of ridicule.

"What's it to you!" Li Yifeng roared angrily, his eyes turned red due to anger and alcohol.

"Oh, you have quite a temper. Do you think you can still be as glorious as before? Everyone knows that you are a liar now!" The man was relentless and raised his voice a few degrees, attracting the attention of people around him.

Li Yifeng clenched his fists, his body trembling slightly. He really wanted to rush up and punch the man. But he knew that he no longer had the capital or confidence. He took a deep breath, tried to suppress the anger in his heart, and turned his head away from the man.

Seeing that Li Yifeng no longer responded, the man felt bored and left with a sneer. Li Yifeng continued to drink, and the past scenes kept flashing in his mind.

He recalled the first time he met Lin Wan'er. It was at a luxurious banquet. Lin Wan'er, dressed in a white evening gown, looked like a fairy descending from the earth. Her smile was like the spring sunshine, warm and charming. Li Yifeng was attracted by her beauty and temperament, and from that moment on, he was determined to get her.

He used all sorts of sweet talk and tricks to finally win Lin Wan'er's heart. During that time, he lived a luxurious life, frequenting high-end places and enjoying the envy and flattery of others. However, all this was shattered in an instant like a bubble.

After leaving the tavern, Li Yifeng staggered down the street. The night wind was a bit chilly, blowing on him, making him shiver. His steps were weak, and he felt like he was going to fall with every step.

The shops on both sides of the street are brightly lit, and all kinds of exquisite goods are displayed in the windows. But all this has nothing to do with him. He is now just a poor guy abandoned by society.

"How did I become like this?" Li Yifeng muttered to himself, tears finally falling from his eyes. His voice echoed in the silent streets, filled with endless regret and self-blame.

He was now penniless and without a roof over his head. He recalled the sweet times he had spent with Lin Wan'er, the warm strolls they had taken in the garden, the romantic nights they spent together cuddling and watching the stars. Now, all of this had become a distant memory, leaving behind only endless pain and longing.

"It's all my fault. I'm too greedy and hypocritical." Li Yifeng slapped himself hard, and a red mark immediately appeared on his face.

He came to a park bench and sat down wearily. The surrounding trees rustled in the wind, and the leaves fell one after another, as if they were also sad about his situation.

Li Yifeng looked at the sky. The moon was half covered by dark clouds, just like his current life, dark and confusing.

"What should I do? Am I going to continue to fall into depravity like this?" His heart was filled with fear and helplessness.

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the leaves onto Li Yifeng's face. He slowly opened his eyes, a splitting headache arose. Last night's hangover had left him feeling incredibly ill, but he knew he couldn't continue this way.

Li Yifeng straightened his clothes, even though they were worn out, but he still tried to make himself look neater. He began to look for work, his steps firm and heavy.

He walked into a large company's recruitment fair. It was packed with people, all dressed appropriately and full of confidence. Li Yifeng stood out among the crowd.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Li, your reputation is not very good, and our company cannot hire you." The recruiter took a look at his resume and said coldly.

Li Yifeng's face turned pale in an instant. He tried to explain: "Please give me a chance. I already know I was wrong. I will work hard."

But the recruiter didn't listen and simply waved him off.

Li Yifeng walked out of the meeting room helplessly, his mood was extremely low. He walked into a small company. The boss was a middle-aged man wearing glasses with sharp eyes.

"Mr. Li, your experience does make me a little worried," said the boss.

Li Yifeng hurriedly said, "Boss, I will really turn over a new leaf. I can endure any hardship and do any job."

The boss hesitated for a moment, then finally shook his head: "Sorry, we can't take the risk."

Li Yifeng felt extremely frustrated, but he did not give up. He continued to work hard on the job search, eating cheap bread from a roadside shop when he was hungry and drinking tap water when he was thirsty.

Finally, a small trading company was willing to give him a chance, but it was just a low-level warehouse manager position with low salary and hard work.

"Li Yifeng, you have to work hard and don't make any more mistakes." The boss was a fat man, and the flesh on his face was shaking when he spoke.

Li Yifeng nodded repeatedly: "Thank you, boss. I will definitely work hard."

On his first day at work, Li Yifeng arrived at the warehouse early. The warehouse was filled with a pungent smell, and goods were piled high. He changed into work clothes and began to move the goods.

The heavy load of boxes on his shoulders made him stumble, and sweat soaked his back, but he didn't complain at all, gritting his teeth and persevering.

His colleagues did not welcome his arrival and they pointed and whispered to each other.

"Look, that's Li Yifeng. I heard he used to be a Phoenix man, but now he's down and out."

"Humph, this kind of person won't last long."

Li Yifeng heard these words, but he chose to remain silent. He knew that only by taking practical actions could he change others' views of him.

At the end of a day's work, Li Yifeng collapsed on the floor, exhausted. His hands were blistered and his shoulders ached. But a glimmer of hope remained in his heart. At least he had a job and a chance to start over.

At night, he returned to his humble rental house, located on the edge of the city, surrounded by a noisy environment. The room contained only a worn single bed and a rickety table, and most of the plaster on the walls had already fallen off.

Li Yifeng lay on the bed, looking at the cracks on the ceiling, and secretly vowed in his heart that he would start a new life.

Days passed, and Li Yifeng's life was still hard, but he never slacked off. Every day he was the first to arrive at the warehouse and the last to leave.

Once, a batch of urgent goods arrived at the company and needed to be put into storage within a short period of time. Other colleagues were reluctant to work overtime, but only Li Yifeng took the initiative to step forward.

"Boss, let me do it." Li Yifeng said.

The boss looked at him in surprise: "Can you do it? This is a tough job."

Li Yifeng nodded firmly: "No problem, leave it to me."

So, Li Yifeng worked alone in the warehouse for a whole night. The next morning, when his colleagues came to work, the goods had all been neatly stored in the warehouse.

This performance made the boss look at him with admiration.

"Li Yifeng, good job!" the boss patted him on the shoulder and said.

Li Yifeng showed a long-lost smile. He knew that his efforts were finally recognized.

However, life was not smooth sailing. During an inventory of goods, Li Yifeng accidentally made a mistake in remembering a number, which caused some confusion.

"Li Yifeng, look at you, you made a mistake again!" a colleague shouted, his face full of anger.

Li Yifeng quickly apologized: "I'm sorry, it's my fault, I will correct it immediately."

"What's the point of apologizing? People like you just can't change!" He continued to pester her.

Li Yifeng felt extremely aggrieved, but he still silently picked up the account book and rechecked the goods.

After this incident, Li Yifeng became more cautious. He used his spare time to learn about warehouse management and continuously improve his abilities.

Gradually, his colleagues' attitude towards him also changed.

"Li Yifeng, you are actually a good person. We misunderstood you before." A colleague said.

Li Yifeng smiled and said, "Thank you everyone, I will continue to work hard."

In this process, Li Yifeng also began to re-examine his life. He understood the importance of sincerity and hard work, and also understood that only by relying on his own hands can he create true happiness.

"I must stand up again and let everyone see my changes." Li Yifeng swore secretly in his heart.