Wu Mengchan's tears fell instantly, standing there like a child who had done something wrong.
"I... I was afraid you'd worry."
"And hiding something this serious was supposed to keep me from worrying? Do you know what could have happened if I hadn't shown up today?"
Although it pained him to see his sister like this, Wu Liangchen didn't hold back, scolding her with a stern face.
He couldn't help it; he was truly angry.
Actually, he had first noticed something was wrong that night when Wu Mengchan was mending clothes by lamplight instead of sleeping.
As her brother, he knew his sister too well.
Her sensitive, introverted nature meant she never shared her problems, choosing instead to bear them alone.
That's why he had been secretly following her to and from work these past few days, not only to protect her safety but also to find out what was going on.
When nothing happened for several days, most people would have let their guard down, but not Wu Liangchen. Instead, his suspicions only grew stronger.
His sister was now returning home before dark, something she had never done before.
Sure enough.
When heavy rain fell today, Wu Liangchen instinctively felt something would happen. He asked Aunt Fan for time off and waited outside the laundry shop.
Only when he saw his sister cross the bridge and encounter Wu Yang did he finally understand what was happening.
Yet he didn't immediately intervene, instead watching coldly from the bridge.
From that distance, he could rush over if anything truly dangerous happened, while still letting his sister learn a lesson.
As for why he let Wu Yang go, the reason was simple.
Killing someone in public would only bring trouble!
Wu Mengchan didn't dare speak, keeping her head down as teardrops fell one after another onto the ground.
Wu Liangchen sighed, knowing his sister must now understand the danger. He walked over and gently patted her shoulder.
"It's all right now. It's over. But from now on, don't ever hide anything from me again, understand?"
Wu Mengchan looked up, choking back tears: "I... I understand!"
Wu Liangchen smiled and pinched her tear-stained cheek. "Good. Now go wash your face while I make dinner."
While his sister was washing up, Wu Liangchen efficiently prepared dinner, then said, "Go ahead and eat. I need to leave!"
"What? You have to drive in this heavy rain?" Wu Mengchan asked worriedly.
Wu Liangchen smiled. "It's fine. Just taking a customer to the theater. Not far at all."
"Please be careful on the road, brother."
"I will. Remember to lock the door behind me. Don't open it for anyone except me."
"I know."
Wu Liangchen left the house. The rain had lessened somewhat but still fell steadily.
After pulling his cart onto the street, Wu Liangchen didn't head to North City at all. Instead, he turned in the opposite direction and hurried toward South City's market district.
He had already requested time off from Aunt Fan that afternoon, so his claim about going to North City was just an excuse to fool his sister.
What he needed to do now was something extremely important.
Something that would keep him awake all night if left undone.
South City market district.
This was the most chaotic place in South City, perhaps in all of Dinghai City, filled with gambling dens and opium houses, where gangs ran rampant.
The people who frequented this area were opium addicts, gamblers, and hooligans—not a decent person among them.
Even rickshaw pullers generally avoided this place. Without connections or backing, you wouldn't earn any money here—just beatings and abuse.
Wu Liangchen rarely came here, but today was different. Today he needed to find someone.
Though Wu Liangchen didn't know the name of the thug he'd encountered on the bridge earlier, he could tell from the man's clothes, demeanor, and appearance that he was no good person—likely a street hoodlum.
And in South City, the market district was where most thugs gathered.
Upon arriving, Wu Liangchen first found a teahouse, paid an attendant to watch his cart, then changed his clothes in an alley before heading straight for the gambling and opium dens.
Though he didn't know the man's name, Wu Liangchen was certain the fellow would be hanging around these establishments tonight.
Perhaps because of the rain, the gambling dens and opium houses were even busier than usual.
Every place was packed with people, and the shouts of dice-rolling and betting could be heard from far away.
Wu Liangchen entered but didn't place any bets, instead finding inconspicuous spots to carefully observe the patrons.
When he didn't find his target, he moved to the next establishment.
Searching one place after another, midnight quickly approached—the busiest time in the market district.
Finally.
When Wu Liangchen entered a gambling den called the Yongsheng Treasure Bureau, he immediately spotted Wu Yang placing bets at a dominoes table.
The man's narrow, triangular eyes were fixed intently on the tiles in his hand, nervous sweat streaming down his forehead.
But when his tiles finally revealed their value, he was overcome with joy and slammed the table.
"Heaven's seven-nine! I win everything!"
The room erupted in a commotion, and one gambler grumbled in dissatisfaction.
"Damn it, Wu Yang, did you step in dog shit today or something? How is your luck so good?"
Wu Yang laughed heartily. "Quit your bullshit and place your bets!"
In his excitement, he completely failed to notice the pair of eyes watching him intently from within the crowd.
Wu Liangchen didn't linger long in the Yongsheng Treasure Bureau.
After all, everyone inside was a gambler, and someone who never placed bets would eventually stand out.
Using a bathroom visit as an excuse, he observed the layout of the Yongsheng Treasure Bureau and discovered that besides the front entrance, there was also an exit at the back. However, with the heavy rain, that back path would be difficult to navigate.
After a moment's thought, he overturned several chamber pots directly in front of the back door, instantly filling the area with an unbearable stench.
Now it would be virtually impossible for anyone to escape through that back door.
Having done this, he left the gambling den, retrieved his cart from the teahouse, and found a quiet spot with a clear view of the Yongsheng Treasure Bureau's front entrance, where he waited patiently.
The rain intensified then weakened, finally stopping completely after two in the morning.
Though Wu Liangchen had been sitting outside for over two hours, he showed no signs of drowsiness, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the Yongsheng Treasure Bureau.
Finally.
Around three o'clock, gamblers began to leave.
Wu Liangchen carefully examined every face, ensuring no one slipped past him.
After another half hour, Wu Yang finally staggered out.
His luck had been extraordinary today—he'd won a total of five silver coins, which was quite a fortune for him.
So Wu Yang hummed a little tune to himself, planning to find a prostitute to relieve his desires.
Damn it.
He'd almost succeeded today, but then some random kid had ruined everything.
Thinking of this, Wu Yang spat viciously.
No rush. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future. Sooner or later, he'd get his hands on that little woman.
Wu Yang cheered up again, humming an obscene tune as he strolled toward a brothel he frequented.
By now, the market district had grown quiet.
As Wu Yang walked, he suddenly heard footsteps behind him. Immediately alert, he whirled around—but there was no one there.
Strange. Had he misheard?
Wu Yang shook his head and continued walking, but his pace quickened considerably.
Ahead lay a low-lying area. Due to the recent downpours, the foul-smelling river nearby had overflowed, causing sewage to spread everywhere.
Wu Yang frowned and was about to take a detour when he again heard footsteps behind him.
"Who's there!" He spun around but still saw nothing.
"Who the hell is trying to scare Grandpa Wu?" he shouted fiercely.
But the street remained empty, without a soul in sight.
Wu Yang began to feel uneasy. Abandoning his plans to visit a prostitute, he quickened his pace, eager to leave the area.
Just then, he heard something cutting through the air behind his head.
Not good—someone was attacking him from behind!
Having spent many years fighting in the streets, Wu Yang had extensive combat experience. He immediately crouched down to avoid the blow.
But his attacker seemed to have anticipated this move. Before Wu Yang could react, a foot slammed into his lower back.
The kick was so powerful that even the large-framed Wu Yang couldn't maintain his balance. He stumbled forward uncontrollably.
With a splash, he fell into the small river by the roadside. Foul water rushed into his mouth and nose, causing him to cry out.
"Help—" He tried to surface and call for help, but just then, a club descended from above, heading straight for his skull.
Terrified, Wu Yang quickly dove underwater, managing to dodge the strike. Then, desperately opening his eyes in the murky water, he saw through the polluted surface a young man standing by the ditch.
Handsome face, slender build!
His heart tightened as he instantly recognized who it was.
Wasn't this the young man he'd encountered on the bridge that evening?
He had come for revenge!
Realizing this, Wu Yang turned to swim away.
But at that moment, the club thrust straight through the water's surface, striking him squarely in the back.
With a crack, Wu Yang felt like his spine was breaking. The pain made him scream, causing him to swallow several mouthfuls of water as his limbs thrashed uncontrollably.
The fear of death gripped his heart. Wu Yang opened his eyes and looked pleadingly at the figure on the shore, but the other showed absolutely no reaction.
Using his last ounce of strength, Wu Yang tried to surface, but in the next moment, the club smashed directly into his face, extinguishing all his remaining life force.
Wu Liangchen stood silently on the bank, watching.
He watched as Wu Yang's painful struggles gradually ceased and his body floated to the surface. Only when he was certain the man was dead beyond all doubt did he clean away his footprints from the bank and turn to leave.
Just then, a roll of thunder, rare for autumn, rumbled across the sky, crushing all worldly clamor and sin.
The rain began to fall once more.