Inside an unfinished building at the Temple District Star Gate.
Under the hazy moonlight, Ren Ye finally saw the man he had been thinking about day and night.
Old Liu!
He reeked of sour sweat, his clothes were filthy, and a grimy black bandage covered his left eye. "Brother, you really came? Holy shit, what a coincidence! I missed you so much!"
Old Liu bounded over, spread his arms, and hugged Ren Ye hard. The excitement on his face truly looked like that of someone seeing family in a desperate situation.
All the grievances and hardships he had suffered in this extreme environment over the past few days were instantly forgotten.
Nothing in life brought more comfort and happiness than a reunion in desperate circumstances.
"I've spent these last few fucking days barely hanging on, gritting my teeth and toughing it out." Tears welled in Old Liu's eyes. "I thought I was going to die. It's so good to see you, brother...!"
"I know. I know all of it." Ren Ye nodded.
"No, you don't. The people here are animals. They gouged out my eye...!" Facing a friend, someone familiar, Old Liu felt as aggrieved as a child.
"I really do know."
"...!" Old Liu finally realized something and instantly stopped sniveling. "How do you know?"
"Let go of me first."
"Let me hug you again. This feels so good." Grinning, Old Liu happily hugged Ren Ye once more. "Brother, you smell so nice."
A little while later, the two sat beneath a concrete pillar in the unfinished building and began talking quietly.
Ren Ye told Old Liu everything about meeting the fat man and learning what was happening here.
"Oh, that dumbass who stole my phone? He tried to blackmail you?" Sitting on the ground, Old Liu looked at