Song Chen stood up. "Dad, Mom, I'm heading out for a bit."
Li Xiuying was sorting vegetables in the kitchen. She poked her head out. "Where are you going?"
"I've got something to take care of."
"Come back early."
After leaving home, Song Chen didn't head toward the Inner City. Instead, he turned into the Poor District.
It was still the same as ever: rundown buildings, pothole-ridden roads, and little ads on the walls that changed again and again.
He found Liu Si's place and knocked on the door.
No one answered, so he knocked several times more, harder.
A flurry of panicked movement came from inside, followed by a trembling voice. "Who... who is it?"
Song Chen said nothing and knocked once more.
The door cracked open, and Liu Si's face appeared in the gap.
The instant he saw Song Chen, his face turned deathly pale, and he instinctively tried to shut the door.
Song Chen wedged his foot against it. The door bounced back, sending Liu Si stumbling two steps backward before he landed on the floor. His lips trembled, and he could barely get the words out.
"Song... Song Chen... the top scorer... what... what are you doing here...?"
Song Chen walked in and casually closed the door behind him.
Liu Si sat on the floor, trembling all over, his face as white as paper.
Song Chen pulled over a chair and sat down, looking at him. "I need you to testify about Zhao Wei."
Liu Si froze. "T-testify?"
Song Chen was perfectly calm. "Come with me to the Garrison Command and tell them exactly how Zhao Wei asked you to keep an eye on my family."
Liu Si's face grew even paler, and his lips trembled harder.
"N-no, I can't... Zhao Wei will kill me... His