Chapter 41

Chen Jing sat behind the bar, dressed in a black uniform that made him inconspicuous in the bustling club.

No one bothered him, and no one tried to strike up a conversation. He lit a cigarette.

He rarely smoked, only indulging when the pressure felt overwhelming. Today was one of those days.

He had visited the hospital earlier, where his foster mother’s condition had worsened again. The cost of a bone marrow transplant was astronomical. Perhaps due to her advancing age or relinquishing her pride, her attitude toward Chen Jing had softened significantly. She even begged him to save her.

Later in the afternoon, Chen Lianxing called, asking for money to buy new paintbrushes.

As an art student, her annual expenses for paper, brushes, and other supplies were no small burden.

Back when Chen Jirui was still home, Lianxing had been a sweet, warm girl, helping their adoptive father teach Chen Jing how to speak. That memory had stayed with him for many years.

Before his imprisonment, their adoptive father had even expressed hope that Chen Jing and Chen Lianxing would one day marry.

As she grew older, Lianxing’s aspirations climbed higher. Chen Jing, understanding his own shortcomings, never broached the subject again, letting her live her life freely.

To Chen Jing, transitioning from the wilderness to human society, the only semblance of familial affection he had ever known came from the Chen family.

Lost in thought, he was suddenly brought back to reality by a commotion near one of the private rooms.

A girl was struggling and crying as she was forcibly dragged into a room.

Such incidents weren’t uncommon here. It was a nightclub, after all. Some unruly patrons might harass the staff, at which point Chen Jing would step in.

However, if it was someone they brought with them, the establishment typically turned a blind eye. Sometimes, intervening only invited trouble.

Chen Jing had grown numb to such scenes, but when he saw the girl’s back, his expression darkened.

Snuffing out his cigarette, he strode over.

Someone quickly tried to stop him. “Jing-ge, don’t. That’s Third Master Liu, and he brought the girl himself. They might even know each other.”

Chen Jing’s face turned grim. Shoving the man aside, he marched forward. That girl—it was Chen Lianxing!

Kicking the door open, he interrupted Liu Dingcheng, who was mid-act. The man cursed, “Who the hell dares—”

Chen Jing dragged him off the girl and was about to throw a punch when he froze.

The crying girl lifted her face, and in that moment, Chen Jing realized she wasn’t Chen Lianxing—just someone with a similar silhouette.

The unfamiliar girl wiped her tears and clung to Liu Dingcheng’s arm. “Third Master, are you okay?”

Liu Dingcheng spat on the floor. “Who the hell are you to interfere while I’m having fun?”

Noticing Chen Jing’s staff badge, Liu’s anger flared. “Call the manager!”

The manager rushed in, sensing trouble. Liu Dingcheng was notorious in Fengming City for his vindictiveness. Chen Jing had not only interrupted but nearly hit him.

Trying to placate him, the manager said with a smile, “He’s just a young man who’s had a bit too much to drink. Please forgive him. Tonight’s drinks are on the house. Can we let this slide?”

Liu Dingcheng’s eyes glinted coldly. “Let it slide? A little lesson wouldn’t be too much, would it?”

The manager nodded eagerly. “Of course, of course. Whatever you see fit.”

Chen Jing clenched his fists, then slowly released them.

—

Across the street, on the second floor of a small diner, Dai Ning rested her chin on her hands, watching the scuffle unfold in the alley.

Surrounded by four or five men, Chen Jing took their punches and kicks silently, protecting his vital spots.

They beat him for as long as Dai Ning watched, her tone playful and innocent. “What a sight. Too bad his precious sister Lianxing won’t care about him.”

Qingtuan covered its eyes but couldn’t resist peeking through its fingers.

The moon emerged from behind the clouds, casting a pale light. When the group finally dispersed, Chen Jing remained motionless on the ground.

Dai Ning waited, observing as he eventually stirred and dragged himself up.

Blood trickled from his mouth and nose. He leaned against the wall, his hands resting on his knees as he gasped for air.

The moonlight, cold and white, seemed to mirror the hues of Chen Jing’s bleak existence.

From his childhood in the wolf pack, he had always been an outsider. Without thick fur to keep warm, he had relied on his foster wolf mother for warmth during the harsh winters. Every predator in the forest could have killed him. The scars on his neck bore testament to his fragile human form.

Somehow, he had survived.

When he entered human society, he thought he had found his people.

But to them, he was still an outcast—a strong yet peculiar anomaly.

The Chen family had been his salvation and the start of a grueling journey.

—

Chen Jing lit a cigarette with trembling fingers, questioning the point of his lonely, agonizing life.

Amidst the smoke, a petite figure dashed toward him.

A “boy,” wearing oversized clothes and a worn brown hat, stopped in front of him.

Dai Ning approached, her tear-filled eyes widening at the sight of his injuries.

“Wuwuwu, brother, what happened to you?” she sobbed, her hands cupping his face to check if he was still breathing.

Chen Jing: …

He opened his eyes to meet her clear, glassy gaze. The girl sniffled. “Oh good, you’re not dead!”

Chen Jing, exasperated, took a drag from his cigarette and stared at her coldly.

Somehow, she understood. Explaining herself, she said, “I wanted to say goodbye, but you said you’d work until midnight, and now it’s 1 a.m. I was worried something happened. I asked Li Ming, and he said you might be here.”

She took out a tissue and carefully wiped the blood from his face, sniffling as she said, “Don’t worry, brother. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

She attempted to lift him with her small arms, but he didn’t budge.

Chen Jing looked down at her.

Her long lashes framed her red, puffy face. She seemed on the verge of tears again.

Unable to stand her crying, Chen Jing propped himself up and got to his feet.

She hurried to support him.

Knowing her strength was negligible, Chen Jing avoided leaning on her too much, fearing he might crush her.

Even so, her cheeks puffed up from the effort.

Under the warm glow of the streetlights, they slowly made their way back to the dark alley.

“Brother, if it hurts, you have to tell me.”

Chen Jing stayed silent, sweat beading on his forehead.

“Tomorrow, let’s call the police and have them teach those bad guys a lesson!”

Her naïve suggestion earned no response.

After some thought, she softly asked, “Brother, you’re hurt. I’m worried. Can I wait until tomorrow to leave?”

Chen Jing glanced at her. The little girl, fearing he might be angry, quickly said, “Brother, I was just joking. Once I send you home, I’ll leave.”

Seeing her timid demeanor, Chen Jing finally realized that he might have been too cold to this little girl he had picked up.

If it were Chen Lianxing, he would undoubtedly be more accommodating and patient. Over the years, he had taken great care of Chen Lianxing.

But with Dai Ning, he was afraid she would become a new burden.

Chen Jing nodded. Letting her stay one more night shouldn’t be an issue.

Stars seemed to light up in Dai Ning’s eyes, and a smile blossomed on her face.

Chen Jing noticed that while she truly loved crying—so much so that one stern word might send tears rolling down her cheeks—she also loved laughing. Her tears hadn’t even dried before she was already beaming, forgetting her earlier troubles.

“Brother, what’s that noise by the roadside?”

Crickets, he thought.

“Will they jump out?”

No, what kind of silly question is that?

“Why is Dark Alley called Lane 18 and not Lane 19?”

Who knows?

“Is Li Ming your good friend?”

…

Chen Jing’s world had never been this noisy. She chattered incessantly, always filled with strange questions. He, with his communication challenges, simply let her talk to herself with enthusiasm.

Even though he said nothing, she didn’t grow impatient. On the contrary, she got even more animated.

Chen Jing hadn’t realized how close the club was to Dark Alley.

Despite the pain in his body, he no longer needed her support and could walk on his own.

At 1:30 in the morning, while other places were silent, Dark Alley No. 18 was just beginning to bustle.

Chen Jing rolled up his bloodstained sleeves, his face regaining its usual icy demeanor. Casually, he pressed the girl’s hat lower to hide her delicate features.

In the dark, countless eyes scrutinized him, but when they caught sight of his menacing, intimidating gaze, they quickly withdrew, not daring to look further—even at the oddly dressed girl beside him.

The two of them made it home safely.

Dai Ning thought to herself, Chen Jing’s physical resilience is terrifying. If it had been me taking that kind of beating, I’d probably be paralyzed—or at least bedridden in the hospital for months. Yet Chen Jing bounced back after an hour like nothing had happened.

How could someone like this, seemingly a favored son of fate, even die? He just couldn’t be killed!

Good thing she hadn’t sent her people in; those idiots would probably all be lined up in hospital beds right now.

Once the door closed, Chen Jing couldn’t help but cough twice.

Dai Ning quickly asked, “Do you have any medicine at home? I’ll get it.”

Chen Jing motioned toward the coffee table.

Dai Ning opened the first aid kit, which was well-stocked with supplies for treating external injuries. Given that Chen Jing relied on his fists to make a living, it was clear he had been injured often.

She hesitated, picking up a bandage and scissors, then looked at him.

Chen Jing guessed she didn’t know how to do it and took the antiseptic to treat himself.

With her presence in mind, Chen Jing only treated and bandaged the wounds on his arms.

The little girl’s dark, glossy eyes watched him intently, occasionally rubbing her neck with the back of her hand.

Chen Jing looked over and noticed her neck was red—a large, alarming patch.

He had guessed she came from a privileged background, but he hadn’t realized she was this delicate. The simple fabric of her clothes and her earlier effort to support him had left her shoulders and neck reddened and irritated.

Chen Jing stared at her for a moment, then lowered his head and sent a message to Li Ming: Ask Sister Hong to bring over some clothes for a young girl.

Dai Ning looked at him expectantly.

Chen Jing turned his gaze away and added: Make sure they’re soft.

It was just one more set of clothes for her—she’d still have to leave in a few days.

Li Ming’s older sister, known as Sister Hong, was contacted quickly. Li Ming, guessing the clothes were for Chen Jing’s “sister” at home, agreed readily. “I’ll let my sister know.”

When Sister Hong heard her brother’s request, she assumed Chen Lianxing had returned. After all, everyone knew Chen Jing was frugal with himself but went all out for Chen Lianxing.

The quilt Dai Ning was currently using had also been provided by Sister Hong.

When it came to Chen Lianxing, Chen Jing was generous.

Sister Hong, though, despised Chen Lianxing and scoffed. She’s probably come back to ask for something again. After all these years of absence, she only shows up when she needs something.

Though she disliked Chen Lianxing, Sister Hong put thought into selecting the items. With “soft” as the only criterion, she deliberately chose a luxurious purple dress.

Such a bold, regal color wasn’t something every girl could pull off.

And it wasn’t cheap—over 800 yuan.

Knowing Chen Lianxing’s fallen family background, Sister Hong guessed she wouldn’t settle for anything less. Despite her mother still being hospitalized, Chen Lianxing insisted on keeping up appearances.

She was lucky to have a brother like Chen Jing willing to support her; otherwise, who knows how far she might have fallen?