When Worlds Apart Collide

Back when I was 20, I supported a girlfriend. I paid for her education and even found the best doctors for her mother, who had cancer. The sweet, brilliant girl stayed with me for four years. However, my family went bankrupt after my parents died. I even injured my eyes and broke my legs. I watched her have a heart-to-heart talk with her childhood friend, tears in her eyes. I left without a word, and she never sought me out. Years later, I saw her again while picking up trash outside a hotel. She had become a wealthy CEO and was about to marry her childhood sweetheart. Her gaze at me was cold and indifferent. I bitterly asked, "Do you still hate me?" Yet, with tears streaming down her face, she replied, "Yes… I wish you were dead." Chapter 1 Back when I was 30, I became homeless, picking up trash for a living. That day, I was picking up trash on the streets with a woven sack as usual. It was only 10:00 AM, but that street was particularly lively. Yet, everyone who walked past me would cover their nose in disgust. I knew they despised me, but I had long been used to this sort of gaze. Slightly lowering my head, I continued picking up trash from a trash can in front of a hotel. The trash reeked, but I still rummaged through it, wearing rough gloves and straining on tiptoe. Suddenly, a commotion broke out at the hotel entrance. A luxury car slowly pulled up at the hotel entrance. The staff stood in a line, hands clasped before them, greeting the guests with utmost respect. The next second, a familiar figure got out of the car. I narrowed my eyes, and the moment I made out that face, a sharp jolt ran through my chest. I almost lost hold of the bag in my hands. It was Joey Taylor. Joey wore a custom-made wool coat, the tiny gems on her high heels were like sparkling stars beneath her feet, while priceless jewels swayed around her ears. She was still as beautiful as she was 6 years ago, but her face now bore the proud bearing of a noble. A man was standing beside her. It was Marcus Gray, Joey's childhood friend. Marcus wore a perfectly-tailored suit, and the watch on his wrist gleamed in the sunlight. Perhaps the drive tired her out, but Joey seemed quite exhausted, and even her long brown hair was a little messy. Marcus gently tucked her loose hair behind her ear. Then, he held her hand, and they smiled at each other. Their lovey-dovey scene was like a thin needle stabbing into my heart. Nonetheless, I still kept my eyes wide open, greedily taking in every view of Joey's face. I knew this might be the last chance I'd see Joey in real life. She was now a CEO and one of the wealthiest people in the world. She was no longer a person living in the same world as me. Soon, she'd be moving her company headquarters overseas, and moving overseas with Marcus. If I wanted to see her, I could only see her through public advertisement screens, and only know about her situation through the news. Thinking about this, my heart hurt so badly that I could barely breathe. Not far away, Joey straightened up, then bent down again to carry a little girl about 5 years old out of the car. The little girl had just woken up, rubbing her eyes while calling out to her, "Mom!" I stood in the corner, feeling the cold wind blowing through my tattered cotton jacket, then piercing into my heart. When I saw Marcus gently protecting Joey and her daughter, tears welled up in my eyes. It turned out that their kid was already this big. Chapter 2 "Are you crazy?" A strong force rushed toward me. It turned out that while I was looking at Joey, I had subconsciously taken a few steps toward her. I ended up bumping into a security guard and stepping onto his polished leather shoes. I staggered a little, then finally fell onto the ground from the heavy shove. With a loud crash, the soda cans in my woven sack all rolled out. The security guard I had bumped into saw the footprint on his polished shoes and kicked me in a fit of rage. I curled up helplessly, guarding the most fragile part of my body. The commotion on our side drew everyone's attention. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Joey and Marcus looking in my direction as well. I quickly wrapped my arms around my head, covering my face. I was afraid that Joey would recognize me. I didn't want her to see how I had become a beggar, someone anyone could bully. The security guard's kick landed on my soft abdomen, and the pain made me break out in cold sweat. A cry of agony escaped my lips, but I quickly bit my lips together to silence myself. As Joey saw this scene, her brows furrowed and she strode toward me with the little girl in her arms. My heart was in my throat. Did Joey recognize me? The thought alone made me feel uncomfortable, and a sudden feeling of inferiority washed over me. The sound of Joey's footsteps came closer, and the unease in my heart grew along with it. An overwhelming sense of humiliation engulfed me, filling me with the urge to escape. However, the moment I tried to get up, a crushing pain spread throughout my body, as if I had just been run over by a car. While I was still figuring out what to do, Joey had appeared in front of me. Joey looked at the security guard sternly. "How could you hit someone?" Under Joey's sharp gaze, the security guard's face turned bright red, and he apologized repeatedly. After warning the security guard not to let it happen again, she reached out her hand, wanting to help me up. I stayed on the ground, burying my face deep in my arms. Those were the hands I had once longed for so desperately, yet I didn't dare touch them. At that moment, Marcus had finished giving his instructions and walked over to Joey, breaking the tension. "What happened?" The security guard quickly explained everything. Marcus furrowed his brows as he looked at me. His eyes were filled with disgust and disdain, as if looking at plain trash. He said to Joey, "You shouldn't blame the security guard. This is a luxury five-star hotel, so having a beggar here would only hurt the hotel's reputation." Hearing Marcus' words, Joey frowned. The little girl in her arms suddenly said in a childish tone, "Mom, this person is so weird! His whole body is trembling. He's so pitiful." It was at that moment that I realized my body couldn't help but tremble. Joey seemed like she still wanted to say something, but Marcus interrupted her. "The weather is cold, so bring Nina in. She only recovered from her cold. I'll handle things over here, okay? "Although this person is affecting the hotel's image, hitting someone is never acceptable… I'll give him proper compensation." Hearing Marcus' words, Joey finally felt at ease and left with the little girl in her arms. Once Joey left, Marcus put away the warm expression on his face. He took out two 100-dollar bills and lightly tossed them to me, then turned around and left. These two light bills weighed like two mountains, suffocating me. My hands trembled as I picked up the 200 dollars, then stuffed them into my pocket. … I had nothing left, so pride was no longer important. Chapter 3 Joey didn't walk into the hotel as the little girl in her arms was attracted by the two potted plants by the entrance. Joey held the little girl patiently with a gentle smile on her face. I stared at her in silence, the wind carrying away the tears on my face. I suddenly remembered the first time I saw Joey. She was out under the blazing sun, wearing a heavy mascot costume. She sat in a corner of the mall, her hair soaked with sweat, gulping down bottle after bottle of water. Although she was exhausted, the light in her eyes shone like stars. I was captivated by the starlight in that girl's eyes. I watched her put her headpiece back on, then continued interacting with passing customers. As the mall was about to close, she suddenly walked up to me and gave me a lollipop. I took it anyway, and instinctively peeled away the brightly colored wrapper. The weather was hot, so the lollipop had melted a little, yet it still had the usual cheap taste as it hit my tongue. It was cloyingly sweet, yet strangely intoxicating. I later learned that Joey was a university freshman, a poor student who had just left the mountains. Her father had died early, and she had a sick mother at home. The tuition fees and her mother's medical bills had all landed on Joey's frail shoulders. Nonetheless, she always had a smile on her face and never complained about the unfairness of the world. She quietly accepted society's prejudices and injustices. I gradually started to have feelings for her. I would visit her part-time workplace and act as if I were also a hardworking student. However, I had grown up without worry and lived a life of comfort, so I naturally couldn't get used to this type of work. When I accidentally broke a plate, Joey looked at me with worry. At first, I thought she was afraid of being dragged down by my mistake since we were on the same team. Surprisingly, she quietly cleaned up the mess and even paid the fine for me. Joey even comforted me and said, "It's alright. Just be careful next time." Her clean, gentle smile touched a soft spot in my heart. I never told her that I was the sole heir of the Smiths. I was scared that she would treat me like everyone else, flattering me because of my background and wealth. As we spent more time together day after day, I found myself caring for her even more. Until one day, I realized that just hearing the name "Joey Taylor" would bring an inexplicable sweetness to my heart. I knew that I had fallen for this pure, friendly girl. However, I saw her hugging a boy in a plain white shirt and sharing a small cake when I arrived at her dormitory one day. It was only then that I learned that she had a childhood friend. He was her first love, the one she liked. They had promised they would start dating after graduation, once they could support themselves. Seeing the happiness and contentment on Joey's face, I forced a bitter smile, quietly left, and quit my part-time job. I thought our connection had ended there. Yet, when I passed by a hospital one day, I heard Joey's heart-wrenching cries. Chapter 4 I followed the sound of her cries, walked into the hospital, and found her at a corner. Joey was hugging her knees and wailing on the floor. In her hands were a critical illness notice and a medical bill. Her face was pale, and her lips were tightly pursed. The light in her eyes was long gone, completely replaced by despair. The way she was crying so miserably did not look good at all. Seeing how sad Joey was made me feel really uncomfortable. Her mother's critical illness needed a large sum of money. What was worse was that she didn't have any connections. Joey cried so hard that she was shaking and retching. Her hands trembled as she took out her phone and called a loan shark. I heard her say that she was willing to do anything, even if it meant becoming a collateral or selling her body. As long as she could get the money, she was willing to do absolutely anything. I finally couldn't bear the pain in my heart and slapped her phone away. Joey's eyes were filled with shock when she saw me. Seeing how fragile she looked, I mustered up the courage and hugged her. She didn't struggle, but simply grabbed my sleeves and burst into tears. Joey was really skinny. She kept asking me what she should do. Listening to her cries, it was the first time I felt lucky for having the wealth and power to help her. I patted her long black hair and said gently, "Don't worry, I'll help you." When Joey's mother was transferred to a luxury ward and surrounded by famous doctors, Joey finally let out a sigh of relief. She looked at me with a face brimming with gratitude. Instead of blaming me for hiding my identity, she repeatedly thanked me. However, Joey's mother's condition was very critical, and she had to be in constant, meticulous care. Every time Joey saw the medical bills, her face would turn pale. I looked at her and suddenly said, "Joey. "I don't need you to write a promissory note. I really like you, so please be my girlfriend. "I can let you continue studying and find the best doctor for your mother." With the Smiths' status, I had gotten everything I wanted since I was a child, so nobody had taught me the proper way to confess to a girl. That was also why I had no idea how much my words had devastated Joey. Back then, I watched as Joey stayed silent for a long time before finally nodding and agreeing to be with me. Lost in happiness, I didn't notice Joey's disappointed gaze. Once we were a couple, she always treated me with care. She never asked for anything, but would also never reject the luxurious cars and jewelry I gave her. I thought we would continue living happily together, but it seemed like God didn't want my life to be smooth sailing. While my parents were on a business trip, they got into an accident and died on the spot. The company's stocks tumbled overnight. Once the Smiths went bankrupt, I was thrown out of the house by wicked relatives. Then, I got my leg broken and my eyes injured by thugs. When I was deep in despair, I suddenly thought of Joey's smile. However, when I arrived at Joey's place, I saw her and Marcus having a heart-to-heart talk, tears welling up in their eyes. I finally understood everything. I used the little amount of money I had left and bought a train ticket to the South. The Joey in my memories and the one before me gradually overlapped. I felt the chill all over my body, and though I couldn't bear to look away from Joey, I still staggered away. If I continued to stay there, I'd die. My vision turned blurry after only taking a few steps, and I collapsed heavily on the ground. As I sank into darkness, it felt as if I caught a glimpse of Joey's anxious expression. Chapter 5 When I finally woke up, I found myself lying on a hospital bed. Seeing that I was awake, the doctor gave me a check-up and said sternly, "Due to your irregular diet and long-term consumption of unhealthy food, your digestive tract was bleeding, and your stomach was filled with pus. If you don't get proper treatment soon, it could develop into cancer. "Moreover, your legs haven't been properly treated. You might only be limping now, but in the future, you'd risk losing both legs!" I clenched my pocket, which still contained the two 100-dollar bills. I was well aware of what the doctor said. However, simply surviving was hard enough for me, let alone getting treatment. Perhaps in another year or two, I'd need to resort to begging on the streets. Looking at the doctor's stern expression, I couldn't help but recall what happened earlier when I ran into Joey and Marcus. My once numbed heart throbbed faintly with pain, and a long-lost sense of dignity suddenly welled up within me. My face flushed with embarrassment as I said, "I don't have much money, so can you just prescribe some cheap painkillers?" The doctor frowned and, with a helpless look, wrote me a prescription. I hobbled my way to the pharmacy, only to find that even the cheapest painkillers cost about 70 dollars. I stood in silence for a long time before walking out of the hospital. Then, I picked up some cheap painkillers for 15 dollars from a small clinic by the road. That was enough. It'd last me quite a few days. With a wretched life like mine, I'd just do whatever I could. Night fell, and snowflakes drifted from the sky. I squatted under a dim streetlamp, wrapping myself tightly in my tattered cotton jacket. While wondering where I could spend the night, I swallowed a pill, washing it down with snow. As it slid down, my throat churned, and the cold snow I gulped spread a bitter taste into my stomach. The pain in my legs was unbearable, and my stomach felt as if it were burning. Exhausted, I collapsed headfirst into the snow. The icy flakes brought a bit of clarity to my muddled mind, but my face burned with heat. Maybe I got a fever. What bad luck. How'd I have the money to treat it? I sank weakly to my knees on the ground, while snowflakes fell onto my head and shoulders. All I felt was cold, and yet unbearably hot. Maybe I wouldn't be able to hold on much longer. Who knew that I'd be able to see Joey during the last moments of my life? Being able to see her happy was not bad either. It seemed like she had become even happier and content after leaving me. I let out a slow breath. A faint sound echoed in my ears, soon swallowed by the heavy snow. However, the snowflakes were no longer falling on me. Had the snow stopped? My vision darkened again, and I instinctively lifted my head. It was Joey, standing behind me with an umbrella. People said that you'd see the person you longed for the most before you die… Apparently, it was true… It seemed like I could finally see the one I loved before my death. My dry lips cracked into a faint smile. Joey let out a sigh and said, "It's been six years since we last met, so have a meal with me." I quickly snapped back to my senses. This wasn't an illusion. The Joey standing before me was the real deal. Chapter 6 I sat in a clean private room, and its bright lights clearly illuminated every stain on my clothes. A nearby waiter cast me a subtle, judging look. His eyes were filled with disdain. After six years of living as a homeless scavenger, I had long gotten used to such detestful gazes. However, I found myself unusually restless in front of Joey. Feeling ashamed, I picked up my cup and drank the water inside. When I set it down, a black handprint marked the polished surface. The waiter rolled his eyes and said in a low voice, "How dirty! What a country bumpkin. That isn't drinking water!" My face burned bright red, and my cheeks were hotter than ever. Joey said unhappily, "We're the guests. Where's your professionalism? Apologize!" Then, she drank the water in front of her. My chest trembled violently. I suddenly remembered the time when Joey and I had just become a couple. I brought her to a sushi restaurant, but she wasn't familiar with using chopsticks, so she asked the waiter for a fork and a knife. Back then, the waiter also muttered under his breath and called her a country bumpkin. Joey's face flushed in embarrassment, and she nearly cried as she sat there. I remember scolding that unreasonable waiter and then asking him to bring two pairs of forks and knives over. However, times had changed. Instead of me defending her, it was Joey defending me. While I was lost in thought, Joey asked me what I wanted to eat. I smiled bitterly and replied, "Anything works. I only need a plate of pasta." Hearing my words, Joey had a complex expression on her face, but she didn't say anything. I couldn't stop myself from gulping a little when food was served. I hadn't had a meal that good in six years. Normally, I'd make do with a bottle of mineral water and a piece of bread or two to get through the day. Seeing me eat so hungrily, Joey's eyes glistened with tears. She poured me a glass of water while saying in an icy tone, "Eat slowly. No one's going to take it from you." I couldn't help lifting my eyes to look at her, and her gaze was cold and indifferent. I gave a self-mocking laugh. "Do you… still hate me?" Joey's eyes glistened with tears, but her voice was even colder. "Yes. I wish you were dead!" In an instant, the delicious food in front of me turned tasteless, as if I was chewing wax. Yet, I still forced myself to stuff it into my mouth. I was starving, and I knew this might be the last decent meal I'd ever have. Just as the atmosphere was turning tense, Joey's phone rang. She answered the phone and said, "Marcus, what's the matter?" "Tell Nina that you'd be coming back soon." Only then did I remember that Joey already had someone to spend her life with. They even had a cute daughter. My tears fell onto my plate, making the dish saltier. I couldn't hear what the other end said, but Joey glanced at me, then went to the balcony to speak with Marcus. I lifted my head, watching her from behind. There was a tenderness in her eyes as she talked to him. I didn't want to blink. I wanted to memorize every detail of her. I knew it was about time to leave. I didn't want to see Joey's cold, indifferent gaze. I looked at the food on the table, hesitated, then decided to pack it up. After that, I silently looked at Joey and said, "Goodbye, Joey." The moment I opened the door, I heard Joey's anxious voice. "Henry Smith, you left without a word six years ago. Are you going to do it again?" She rushed toward me, grabbing my hand. Only then did I see her tear-streaked face. Ignoring the dirt on my clothes, she held me tightly. "Henry, don't leave me, okay?" I looked deeply into Joey's eyes. I remembered how people had described her and Marcus as a perfect match, made for each other. On the other hand, I was merely a homeless man… Besides… I gently pushed her away and let out a bitter laugh. "Joey, you and Marcus… You were the ones who caused my parents' deaths, who leaked the company's secrets. You really think I could be with an enemy?"