Wu Quan's roar, mixed with the thunder outside the window, gave Old Man Liu quite a fright!
He hurriedly reached out and rubbed Wu Quan's back, comforting him softly. "What's gotten into you, kid? Why do you react so strongly whenever Shen is mentioned... Don't overthink it. That boy's life is as tough as his bones. He won't go down that easily."
Wu Quan gritted his teeth, shook off Old Man Liu's hand, turned, and ran into the rain.
"Xiao Quan!"
Old Man Liu called out and reached for his arm, but Wu Quan was simply too fast. In the blink of an eye, he had pushed open the iron gate through the rain and sprinted toward the end of the alley.
"...That child." Old Man Liu stood beneath the eaves and let out a long sigh.
In the alley.
Torrential rain poured down from the dark clouds. Wu Quan ran along the narrow alley, leaping over puddles as he raced forward.
His brows were tightly furrowed, his eyes filled with struggle and madness. In a daze, Shen Qingzhu's voice surfaced beside his ears once more:
"Your name is Wu Quan? Don't be afraid. I killed all those beasts."
"..."
"My name is Shen Qingzhu. From now on, I'm your brother."
"..."
"Those people just look fiercer and act more ruthlessly. There's nothing to be afraid of... As long as we're crueler and more willing to risk our lives than they are, they'll be the ones afraid of us."
"..."
"Your dream is to become the umbrella that protects me? You're still too weak... Grow up properly. You'll have the chance someday."
"..."
"Xiao Quan, I'm going off to become a soldier. From now on, you have to protect Old Man Liu and the younger children for me. Don't