An inconspicuous pawnshop.
Several burly men with dragon and tiger tattoos sat at the entrance playing cards. A boy half a head taller than others his age hurried over.
They clearly knew each other well.
When the bald man leading the group spotted him, he smiled around the cigarette in his mouth. "A Yao, what good stuff did you get this time?"
"Brother Sheng." A Yao stepped forward with an easy smile, glanced around, and took out a piece of red cloth with a grin once he was sure no outsiders were around.
Everyone on the ground level knew stolen goods had to stay out of sight.
A Yao's actions also proved there had to be something good inside.
The men exchanged glances, greed showing on their faces.
"Take it out and let me see. Would I cheat you?"
The bald leader snatched the red cloth and opened a corner. The gleam of solid gold made their eyes light up.
He hefted it in his hand. It had plenty of weight.
"How much do you want?"
The bald man looked friendly, but he had already stuffed the red cloth into his pocket.
A Yao's expression shifted slightly. He had no intention of giving it back.
"In exchange for Qianqian-"
Smack!
Before he could finish, a mahjong tile flew straight at his face.
The bald man had put force behind the throw, and it scraped a bloody line across A Yao's forehead.
Yet the boy did not even frown. Holding his head high, he said, "Brother Sheng, this is gold. I weighed it. At market price, it's worth five thousand."
"Five thousand for Qianqian. You won't lose out."
Facing the vicious-looking men, A Yao appeared neither servile nor overbearing, but one hand had already closed around the short knife in his