Fina stood quietly at the doorway, her pretty face tight and hidden in her scarf. Xiao Ning’s smile froze.
“Ah, um… good morning,” he stammered.
Fina shot him a glance before turning away and walking off. Xiao Ning, sighing in resignation, picked up her suitcase and followed her.
Across the street, Fina’s father gave him a disappointed look. The sky was overcast, as if trying to clear but hindered by clouds, matching Xiao Ning’s mood. He responded with an awkward but polite smile.
Dragging the heavy suitcase, he hurried to catch up with the girl. They walked out of the shopping street, and Fina pulled out an old pocket watch to check the time. The antique design made Xiao Ning’s brow furrow, but fortunately, it was just a resemblance.
Fina glanced at him and suddenly handed him the pocket watch.
“?”
“Do you want to smell it?” she asked.
Xiao Ning was taken aback and coughed into his hand.
“No!”
Damn, she remembered last week’s incident. Fina turned away and walked ahead quickly, leaving Xiao Ning to follow with a bitter smile.
…
The autumn weather was refreshingly crisp, with the usual coal smoke in the air significantly diminished. Far off, chimneys on the town’s outskirts still spewed smoke. Stepping over scattered leaflets on the street, Xiao Ning and Fina boarded a slowly moving tram.
Mornings usually meant no seats, but they were in luck today as a couple got off just as they boarded.
Inside, Fina rested her head against the window. Their hometown had changed a lot in recent years. Influenced by nearby cities, Kero Town was becoming more colorful. Rumor had it that a new department store and a bustling shopping street were planned for the town center.
New things were on the rise, while the old were quickly being phased out. The TV constantly talked about how their country, Silin, was undergoing comprehensive reforms.
…
After a ten-minute tram ride, they arrived at the bustling station street. Even before getting off, they could hear the loud commotion from within.
“Come and get your delicious fried fish!”
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“Hot goat milk, fresh and nutritious!”
“Homemade tasty hot dogs, clean and hygienic!”
“Small pancakes, oyster soup…”
The aroma of various foods filled the street, tempting the hungry travelers just exiting the station. The place was crowded and noisy, with the narrow road almost entirely occupied by vendors with their carts.
Fina, just off the tram, stood under the archway, looking around as if she wanted something to eat. Xiao Ning, trailing a few steps behind, scanned the surroundings. His sharp senses noticed several unfriendly gazes directed their way.
Xiao Ning’s eyes lowered as he grabbed Fina’s wrist, steering her away before those people could converge. With his senses heightened, he avoided a few probing hands and tripped a persistent pickpocket.
“Hey, watch where you’re going!”
“Hey, you stepped on my shoe!”
The pickpocket’s companion quickly pulled him up and they disappeared into the crowd. Xiao Ning glared at them coldly.
In the noisy waiting room, he pushed an angry Fina into an empty seat and sighed.
“Don’t wander off. Wait here for me.”
After setting the luggage down and reminding her to keep an eye on it, he headed back out. Alone in the crowded street, Xiao Ning casually stood by a stall.
A faint stench wafted over, and soon a cold object pressed against his waist.
“Hey, kid.”
Xiao Ning turned to see a fierce face looking down at him. The man was huge, scarred, and exuded a menacing aura.
“Let’s have a little chat,” the man growled, nodding towards an alley.
Xiao Ning turned back to the stall owner and said, “Pack it up for me. I’ll be back to get it.”
He then turned and pushed away the filthy knife.
“Don’t touch me with that dirty thing.”
“I’ll walk myself.”
The thug, seemingly used to such bravado, sneered.
Xiao Ning walked into the designated alley, the large thug blocking the light from outside. Several gang members, including the pickpocket with a bruised face, straightened up against the wall.
“You need something from me?” Xiao Ning asked calmly, surprising them with his composure.
“Kid, if you’re some rich kid, now’s the time to call for ransom money.”
“Do I look rich?” Xiao Ning asked, glancing at his clothes. “With such poor judgment, no wonder you’re doing so badly.”
They exchanged looks and laughed cruelly.
“Not a rich kid, huh? Which part of you don’t you need anymore?”
“I’ll go first. I love breaking in newbies. I’ll make him cry like a girl.”
“I heard he has a nice lady with him. Cut off a hand and bring her over.”
They approached with knives and sticks, sneering. The thug at the alley’s entrance grinned, anticipating the show.
None of them expected blood to spray from their own bodies.
Xiao Ning swung his hand, and a filthy arm flew through the air.
The alley fell silent. They slowly turned to see their companion clutching a severed arm, blood gushing out, faces paling rapidly.
Xiao Ning, holding an invisible blade, looked at them with icy eyes.
“Black… black magic, sorcery…”
Their comrade fell silent in seconds. The others, terrified and babbling incoherently, were paralyzed with fear.
As Xiao Ning stepped forward, they stumbled away in blind panic.
He calculated the distance and darkened his gaze. Spiritual energy surged through him, and he moved with supernatural speed.
“Ah…”
The screams were cut short, followed by a spray of limbs.
The thug at the alley’s entrance collapsed to his knees.
“Please… don’t kill me!” he cried, crawling away. His bulky frame, usually a point of pride, now hindered him.
He reached out to the sunlight but was ultimately swallowed by the alley’s darkness.
[Local News: This morning, numerous dismembered bodies were found in the alley at 22 Station Street. Investigations suggest it was a gang conflict. Police have vowed to apprehend all those disrupting public order…]