The cold wind at the alley entrance swirled with cigarette ash.
Yuan Su gripped Pu Yu's wrist and used a little force to pry her fingers from their desperate hold on his sleeve.
Her voice shook uncontrollably, and tears spilled down her face. "Can we call the police? They won't dare do anything with the police here..."
Watching her tears fall, Yuan Su's gaze darkened. He reached out and roughly wiped the wet streaks from her face with his fingertips. The gesture was far from gentle, almost harsh.
"Don't cry." His voice was hoarse. "Stay hidden. That's how you can help me."
He pushed her farther into the narrow gap again.
He blocked her completely from view with the battered bamboo baskets.
"If I deal with them, I'll come get you. If I don't, or if you hear anything wrong, go out the back and run to the police station. Don't look back."
Pu Yu wanted to say more, but Yuan Su gave her no chance.
"Listen to me."
His voice was very soft, each word distinct. "Listen to me, Pu Yu."
"Yuan Su-"
In her desperation, Pu Yu reached for his hand, but caught nothing.
The boy didn't even glance back at her. As though determined to sever something, he turned and rushed out of the cramped gap.
The men stationed at the alley entrance were enforcers from an underground casino.
Yuan Su wasn't foolish enough to charge straight through the front door.
He knew all too well what his so-called father was like.
If he had come back, he must have run out of options.
If he had brought men on his tail, he must have racked up another massive debt.
Under cover of darkness, Yuan Su quickly circled around to the wall along the side of the