ONE PEICE: LONG ROAD

As the frigid winds of winter swept through the city, the days grew shorter, and the nights seemed endless. Streetlights flickered to life early, casting a pale glow over the sidewalks, where pedestrians hurried to and fro beneath their dim illumination.

A middle-aged man, clad in a long, black trench coat, pulled his collar tight against the biting cold. His steps quickened as he imagined the warmth of home, where his wife and children awaited him. A smile flickered across his face, filled with anticipation, as he broke into a brisk stride.

Wang Li watched from the shadows, his heart aching with longing. "I wish I could feel that anticipation," he thought bitterly, shaking his head as though to banish the impossible dream. A gust of wind lashed against him, making him shiver uncontrollably. His thin, malnourished frame was no match for the cold, and the tattered sweater draped over his small body offered little protection. His dark cloth trousers, riddled with holes, failed to shield his skin from the elements.

At just 12 years old, Wang Li scavenged garbage to survive. Malnourished and skeletal, he had long grown used to the gnawing hunger and bitter cold that accompanied his harsh existence. Yet, his life had not always been so bleak. Fate had brought him a brief reprieve when he crossed paths with the old man.

On an equally cold winter's day, Wang Li, weak with hunger, collapsed on the roadside. The old man, on his way home, paused at the sight of the boy. "Should I take him in?" he muttered to himself, frowning. Compassion won over hesitation, and the old man bent down to lift Wang Li's frail body. "So light…" he whispered, his heart heavy with pity.

That fateful encounter marked the beginning of their bond. The old man took Wang Li home, giving him warmth and a place to rest. But their happiness was short-lived. The old man's resources were meager, barely enough for himself, and the winter proved merciless. Before long, Wang Li found himself alone once more.

The night before the old man's passing, Wang Li asked if he had any regrets. The old man responded only with a kind, weary smile that spoke volumes. As he passed away, Wang Li felt a strange warmth in his chest—a gift of love and kindness he would never forget. Yet, Wang Li did not cry. Life on the streets had hardened him. Tears would not bring the old man back. All he had left was an abandoned, rusted tricycle and a dilapidated shack.

"If it weren't for him, I'd have frozen to death long ago," Wang Li muttered to himself. His gaze hardened as he pushed the tricycle toward Guiyun Junior High School, where the bustling crowds of students often discarded bottles and cans he could sell. It was dismissal time, and the streets were alive with the scent of food from nearby stalls. Wang Li's stomach growled in protest, but he paid it no mind, his focus solely on the ground, scanning for any discarded bottles.

The sound of laughter drew his attention. A group of well-dressed students surrounded the food stalls, their chatter filling the air. For Wang Li, they were an unreachable dream. His small hands, purple from the cold, gripped the tricycle tightly as he trudged onward. Yet, no matter where he looked, the streets were barren of anything he could salvage.

Frustration began to claw at him. "Have the cleaners been extra diligent today?" he muttered under his breath. His only hope lay around the corner—a small garbage dump where he usually found enough to scrape by. But as he approached, his heart sank. The dump was empty of anything useful. For the first time, there wasn't a single can to be found. Wang Li clenched his fists in despair.

Just as he was about to leave, something cold and sharp struck the back of his head. A metallic clang echoed as an empty Coke can rolled to his feet. Turning, Wang Li saw a group of boys led by a rotund figure, their mocking laughter piercing the chilly air.

"Look at the little beggar!" the fat boy sneered, his voice thick with disdain. He hurled another can at Wang Li, laughing as it struck him. The boy's schoolbag bulged with more cans, taunting Wang Li with their abundance.

The other boys joined in, pelting Wang Li with cans and jeers. Wang Li crouched, covering his head with trembling hands. The laughter around him grew louder, each insult cutting deeper than the cold ever could. Memories of a previous altercation with the same boy flashed in his mind. That time, Wang Li had fought back, landing a punch that left the boy crying. But his victory had been short-lived. The boy's father had retaliated with a brutal beating that left Wang Li battered and humiliated.

Now, Wang Li could only endure. The barrage finally ended as the fat boy checked his watch—a fancy electronic model that glinted in the fading light. "Time for my cartoons," he announced, leading the others away.

When the last of their footsteps faded, Wang Li stood shakily. Pain radiated through his body, but he forced himself to gather the cans scattered around him. His hands trembled as he loaded them onto the tricycle.

Looking at the pitiful pile of cans, Wang Li's heart burned with anger. "Why do they treat me like this? Just because I'm poor? One day…" His voice trembled as he clenched his fists. "One day, I'll make them regret it."

With that vow echoing in his mind, Wang Li trudged back to his shack. The night was dark, and the chill seeped into his very soul. In the haze of his thoughts, a storm of resentment and determination brewed.