News

At a low table inside a street-side food stall, Fish Head Xu held a cigarette in one hand and a garlic-toasted oyster the size of a palm in the other. With his mouth full of grease, he shouted at Yang Chu, who sat opposite him, "Chu-zai, do you like this place? It's tasty and cheap, perfect for a big eater like you."

After the short-haired man stepped out of the car, the two of them did not leave.

Fish Head Xu found a temporary parking spot nearby and led Yang Chu into the night market that filled the streets, claiming he wanted to treat him to some authentic local delicacies.

"Not bad."

Yang Chu, who was focused on tackling the various foods before him like a machine, paused his eating for a moment and nodded at Fish Head Xu.

In truth, he didn't care much about the flavor of the food; as long as it provided sufficient calories and nutrition, it was enough.

His sense of smell and taste could distinguish the quality of the food, but when faced with the various feedback signals from his nervous system, they did not trigger the dopamine release that would bring him pleasure.

It was much like pain or other sensations—he could distinguish them and feel them, but that was all.

"I really like it here. When you asked me about the meaning of life earlier, I didn't really get it. But having food to eat, games to play, and seeing so many people—I just feel that being alive is a happy thing."

Fish Head Xu's cross-eyed gaze swept over the bustling scene, and he suddenly turned his head to say this to Yang Chu.

Since he first met Yang Chu, he had gradually realized that this newly recognized little brother was different.

After saying this, Fish Head Xu suddenly chuckled, stood up, and beckoned to Yang Chu, "Hurry up and finish so we can go. There are still plenty of places to see, and I'll pick you up some clothes while we're at it."

Yang Chu polished off the food on the table in a few quick bites, grabbed a napkin to wipe his mouth, and followed behind Fish Head Xu toward the lively night market.

Temple Street, Ning Po Street, Sai Kung Street, Woosung Street, Pak Hoi Street.

Chaotic, disorderly billboards, noisy music, and the roar of human voices.

Shops and stalls stood in rows, ranging from the latest VCDs and Walkmans to private lingerie for sexy women. Beauty salons and hair stylists sat right next to tattoo parlors, banks, gold shops, silver shops, watch stores, pharmacies, and video stores. There were clothes sellers, magazine vendors, herbal tea shops, and upstairs, celebrity nightclubs and karaoke bars; downstairs, there were aphrodisiacs and secret palace formulas.

Endless rows of food stalls, stir-fry joints, snack shops, burger joints, and pizza parlors—a blend of East and West, local and foreign.

The area was packed with people, the shouting of vendors never ceased, and the clatter of cooking and music created a constant, noisy din.

Yang Chu bought and ate various snacks and meals along the way with Fish Head Xu.

Watching the diverse people and hearing their diverse conversations, seeing face after face—joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness—the overwhelming, earthy scent of human life gave Yang Chu a sense of being small yet profoundly real.

He was not watching coldly from the sidelines, but was instead immersed within it.

It seemed that in such an environment, he could also perceive various emotions and desires.

The two of them ate and shopped their way along until nearly ten o'clock at night. Only then did they emerge carrying large and small bags, and after retrieving the car and driving for another dozen minutes, they returned to Fish Head Xu's residence.

"I'm exhausted. I'm going to take a shower first."

After entering, Fish Head Xu casually turned on the television and headed into the bathroom.

Yang Chu sat on the living room sofa, closed his eyes slightly, and began to use his various systems to accelerate his digestion and absorption.

He couldn't remember how much he had eaten that night; when he was sitting, there was still too much to digest and absorb, so he eventually had to store the excess.

"...Uncle Zhan, you didn't manage to invite any guests tonight, and your two partners aren't here either, so there's no need for defenses. What are you planning to talk about? You know, everyone in Hong Kong loves hearing you pry gossip out of those stars—stuff they can't hear anywhere else."

A voice drifted out from the television.

"Tonight, I really want to talk about a major piece of news that has happened in the city over the past few days."

On the television screen, a man around fifty years old with a flat-top haircut, wearing a suit and glasses, faced the camera with a solemn expression.

"Wow, what major news? You've become so serious and earnest—this isn't your style, is it?" a young woman responsible for the banter asked curiously.

"It really is a very significant event. I don't know how many people are already aware of it, but as a responsible public figure, I truly feel it is necessary to tell everyone again. I want to state first that what I am about to say is not directed at anyone in any industry; I am simply discussing the facts."

The man in glasses looked grave, habitually gesturing with his fingers as he began to speak:

"...Today, the Tuen Mun Police Station released details on a new case. In the early hours of July 19th, on the Green Dragon Head section of Green Mountain Road—near the Marine Police Center, which many of you should have heard of—a taxi driver was murdered. His sternum was shattered, and his heart and lungs were pierced by the broken bone, causing internal hemorrhaging that led to his death.

Around six or seven in the morning, the taxi driver's body and his taxi were discovered, and someone reported it to the police immediately. The police initially thought the taxi driver was the victim, but after an in-depth investigation, they discovered—"

At this point, the host in glasses paused, a hint of indignation appearing on his face.

"The twist in the case is right here. After an in-depth investigation, the police discovered that this taxi driver was actually suspected of murdering multiple women who had hailed his cab at night. Furthermore, they found a large number of organs preserved as specimens and various horrific photos in the driver's home. It was insane, cruel beyond measure..."

On the sofa, Yang Chu, who was accelerating his digestion and metabolism, suddenly opened his eyes upon hearing these words.

"What are you watching?"

Fish Head Xu walked out of the bathroom, shirtless, holding a towel to dry his thinning hair, and asked Yang Chu as he walked over to the sofa.

Yang Chu did not answer, his gaze fixed steadily on the host speaking on the television.

"Regarding the specific sequence of events, the police infer that at the time, this cruel butcher of a taxi driver had kidnapped a seventeen-year-old girl in his trunk and was driving to a remote area to commit murder.

As it happened, when the vehicle reached the Green Dragon Head section of Green Mountain Road, a stranger flagged the taxi down. The kidnapped girl in the trunk shouted for help, which caught the attention of the stranger who had hailed the cab. A conflict then broke out between the butcher driver and the stranger, and the stranger beat him to death, rescuing the kidnapped girl. Wow, this is truly gratifying; I could clap until my hands fall off."

As the host reached this point, he became emotional, clapping his hands repeatedly.

After a long moment, he continued: "However, this stranger vanished without a trace after performing this act of chivalry. The only people who saw him were the rescued girl and a convenience store clerk who saw his figure from afar.

The police are collecting clues to find this hero and have promised that, in light of his heroic act, they will petition the judge for immunity. I will also go on record here: as long as this nameless hero has any need, I will certainly provide money and support..."

"Wow, he really is a hero!"

Fish Head Xu, who had finished watching the news report, couldn't help but shout, then glanced at Yang Chu, who was watching with intense focus. "Chu-zai, you're watching this so intently—is this hero you?"

Yang Chu slowly withdrew his gaze. He neither shook his head nor nodded; he simply felt that he finally understood a little more about the taxi driver who had died by his hand.

Fish Head Xu didn't mind Yang Chu's lack of response; he was already used to Yang Chu's personality. He suddenly pointed at the still-excited host on the television and said, "Look, that's the one of the Four Great Talents I was telling you about in the car. I've seen him on set a few times. He's funny when he talks, especially good at telling dirty jokes."

"Oh?"

Yang Chu's drooping eyelids lifted slightly, as if he had taken a bit of interest.

"Alright, suit yourself, I'm going to sleep."

Fish Head Xu yawned. He didn't actually believe Yang Chu was the person mentioned on television, so he patted the sofa and turned to head back to his room.

Not long after Fish Head Xu returned to his room, Yang Chu rose from the sofa, turned off the television, picked up the keys Fish Head Xu had tossed on the table, and quietly slipped out the door.