Jason Luo wasn't the type to be pushy. Since the girl didn't want his help, he didn't insist. Instead, he threw himself into the work—after all, the driver was waiting!
To push his Stamina, Jason Luo raised the intensity. One big load wasn't enough—he stacked a smaller one on top, hauling them back and forth like power lifts. No one had ever seen someone work like this before. People glanced over, some even shaking their heads, as if he were out of his mind...
Grace, already drained after finishing one truck, found herself struggling badly with the second. Watching Jason Luo work that way, she couldn't hold back. Straining under her load, she moved closer and whispered, "You're so strong, but why do it like that? It's exhausting... and people will laugh at you."
Jason Luo smiled at her unexpected words. "It's fine, I'm not tired. I'm a boxer—working here lets me earn some money while training my body. The only thing is, it's a bit hot..."
With that, he heaved the load into the truck, then casually pulled off his shirt, revealing a muscular, sculpted frame.
"Ah! Why'd you take your shirt off? Put it back on! It's autumn, you'll catch cold so easily!" The sight of his vibrant, powerful build sent a blush across Grace's cheeks.
Jason Luo pointed toward a middle-aged man nearby, also working bare-chested. "It's fine. Look, plenty of people do it this way."
"That's because... they're used to this kind of work."
"Heh, I work hard too. Labor should be like this. With a breeze blowing, it feels great." Shirtless, Jason Luo felt far more comfortable. After months of boxing training, he'd grown used to working without a shirt—wearing one almost felt restrictive now.
As he worked, Jason Luo only got more efficient. With his current conditioning, a whole night of this would be brutal—but for two hours, it was nothing.
He grew more energetic as he went, but Grace was fading fast. Midway through carrying a load, she'd have to stop and rest before finishing. She was clearly at her limit.
Seeing this, Jason Luo frowned, stepped forward, and said, "Grace, don't force yourself. This work isn't meant for you. I've got a better idea—let's work together."
Exhausted, Grace could barely respond. "Together?"
"Right. The truck bed's too low—too cramped for me. Here's the deal: I'll carry everything over, you load it into the truck. We'll split the pay. Sound fair?"
Grace glanced at the cargo van. It really was low for someone his height. She knew his plan was mainly to make things easier for her, but she truly couldn't carry any more. After biting her lip several times, she finally said, "Alright. But the pay has to be split seven for you and three for me. Otherwise, I won't do it."
She was stubborn, and Jason Luo didn't argue. "Fine, however you want it. Let's hurry—the driver's waiting."
And so, they started working as a team. Knowing Grace couldn't handle the big loads, Jason Luo carried the smaller ones, stacking four at a time.
Grace focused only on loading, her workload much lighter now. She finally caught her breath.
Working side by side, they found the job much easier. Their efficiency soared, and in no time they had trucks filled. They worked nonstop, barely speaking, until the cargo yard clearing out and everyone else wrapped up.
When it came time to settle, Jason Luo let Grace go alone. She quickly returned with a wad of cash, but crouched on the ground for ages, unable to tally it.
Jason Luo chuckled. "What's wrong? Can't even count it?"
"No, it's just... why is there so much? I usually only make sixty or seventy dollars, but this is over a hundred..."
"How much in total? Hand it here, I'll count."
"It's 353 dollars. Here, you check."
Jason Luo took the money, pulled out 120 dollars, and handed it back. "Seven for me, three for you—that's three-tenths. Three-tenths is the same as one-third. A third of 360 is exactly 120. Simple."
Grace took the money, though it didn't feel quite right. Before she could say anything, Jason Luo pressed, "Now, tell me—why are you doing this kind of work? It's too tough for you."
"I..."
Grace clearly didn't want to answer, but under Jason Luo's repeated questions, she finally spoke softly. "My mom passed away. We spent everything on her treatment but still couldn't save her. A kind person helped me get a job as a sales clerk, but back then... I couldn't smile. My manager said I was hurting sales, so I lost the job."
"Later, someone suggested I work at a nightclub. I refused! But the landlord kept pressing for rent, so I had to take odd jobs... Don't worry, I'll find proper work soon."
Jason Luo fell silent. After a while, he asked, "What about your dad?"
Grace's expression changed instantly. "Don't mention him. I don't have a dad!"
She turned and pushed her bike. Jason Luo hurried to follow. After a few steps, she noticed him still beside her and stopped. "Jason, thank you for today. You helped me again. But I don't want anyone's pity. I've got my own hands and feet—I won't starve. No one stays unlucky forever. Things will get better."
Jason Luo looked at her, speechless. Seventeen or eighteen, yet with a spirit that strong—it made even him feel ashamed.
"Grace, you're right. Things will get better. But I'm not helping you out of pity. Actually... I'm motherless too. My dad's in the hospital, detoxing from alcohol. I thought my life was tough enough, but then I met you... sigh."
"What? You're not lying to me?" Grace stared in disbelief.
Jason Luo gave a bitter smile. "Do I look like someone who'd lie about that? Grace, trust me—I mean you no harm. Since you called me your friend, I'll treat you like my own sister. Alright?"
Grace's lips trembled. "No... it's too much of a coincidence. I don't believe it!"
Jason Luo sighed, looking up at the sky. "I wish it wasn't true either. But... I know right now you can't trust anyone. You're too afraid of being hurt again, with no one to rely on. I've been there too."
"But deep down, don't we all long for a warm home? Someone to listen to you, someone to hand you a cup of tea, someone to make you smile... Grace, believe me, there are still more good people in the world."
His words finally touched her. Since her mother's death, no one had spoken to her like this. Seeing Jason Luo's sincere expression, she let down her guard. "Jason, thank you. If what you say is true, then from now on, I'll treat you as my real friend. I..."
Her voice cracked into sobs before she could finish. Jason Luo panicked, searching himself for something to give her, but came up empty. "Don't cry—if someone sees, it'll just draw attention. Wipe your face—it's covered in dust. If it gets in your eyes, that'll be trouble..."
Grace quickly stopped, pulling out a clean tissue to wipe her face. When she saw the grime on it, she gasped. "Oh no, my face was this dirty? And you didn't tell me? How embarrassing!"
Jason Luo pointed to a spot she'd missed. "What's embarrassing about earning money with honest work? If we're talking about clean, you're the cleanest girl in the world. It's late—I'll walk you home."
"Oh, no need. I can bike home fast by myself. Jason, you've worked all day too. Go rest."
"How could I? It's so late. What if something happens on the road?"
"Nothing will. I've been riding alone for a while now. I know the way well."
Jason Luo's expression grew firm. "No. You have to listen. I'm your friend now. I'll walk you home first, then head back. Let's go—it's already very late."
"Oh!" Hearing him speak like that, Grace actually felt happy. That tone of warmth made it impossible for her to refuse.