Train station.
The steam locomotive belched white vapor and sounded its whistle from time to time as huge crowds of passengers surged about.
There were elegantly dressed gentlemen and ladies, students brimming with excitement and curiosity, and timid old farmers who were plainly from the countryside.
People from every walk of life gathered here. The din never ceased, nor did the chaos.
Theft, robbery, even abduction and trafficking—they were like shadows beneath the sunlight, forbidden time and again yet never eradicated.
Fang Qing carried a suitcase and wore a fashionable white long-sleeved shirt. His leather shoes shone brightly, making him look every inch a member of high society.
In truth, all of it had been funded by the Black Tiger Gang!
As the local tyrant of the dock district, Li Heihu possessed considerable wealth. Even after Fang Qing had wired most of it to his predecessor's family as compensation, plenty remained.
Whooo!
Another steam train pulled into the station, and the crowd swarmed forward.
Even the ticket inspectors, waving wooden clubs in their hands, could not intimidate them.
For a time, curses, complaints, and children's cries blended together, while quite a few pickpockets took the opportunity to ply their trade.
Fang Qing had originally been too lazy to squeeze into the crowd, but several honest-looking men had already pressed toward him.
Then he sensed a sharp intent, poised to slash across his pocket.
Pickpockets indeed... Have they set their sights on me? Fang Qing smiled faintly, reached out, and twisted...
"Ah!" A scream rang out. A child of thirteen or fourteen had several fingers on his right hand hanging limply. There was no fear in his eyes at being caught red-handed, only viciousness. Like a wolf cub—how could a child who survived out here possibly be tame?
*But judging by