They finally reached a dilapidated house deep inside the settlement. Judging by its exterior, it was shabby even by the shantytown's standards.
The little girl called out excitedly from outside, "Dad, I'm home!"
Then she pushed the door open, only to let out a terrified cry. "Dad, what are you trying to do? Put the knife down!"
"Huh?" Li Yichen was startled and darted into the house. Mo Yurou and the others hurried in after him.
Inside the dim room, a tall, thin man had laid his left arm on a chopping board and raised a cleaver high in his right hand. Looking at the little girl in alarm, he shouted, "Qian'er, stay back! Go outside first... just give me another moment..."
"No, Dad! You can't lose your arm!" The little girl rushed over, sobbing, and clung to his arm as tears streamed down her face.
"This arm's ruined. It can't be cured, and we don't have the money anyway. Cutting it off will end this once and for all. I can't be a burden to you," the man said, his lips trembling.
Then he spotted Li Yichen entering the room. A fierce light flashed in his eyes as he pulled the little girl behind him and pointed the cleaver at Li Yichen. "Who are you? Why were you following my daughter? I'm warning you, if you try to hurt her, I'll fight you to the death!"
"Uh..." Li Yichen was speechless. Do I really look that much like a bad guy? Besides, your daughter's only twelve or thirteen. I'm not that much of an animal, am I?
"Dad, he's not a bad guy." Before Li Yichen could speak, the little girl grabbed her father's hand and hurriedly explained, "This big brother came to help us!"
"Help us?" The man