Chapter 53

The car drove for nearly two hours, from the setting sun until the sky turned completely dark, without stopping. Watching the surroundings become increasingly desolate, the little bit of excitement Chi Aibei originally had was gradually worn away, replaced by a sense of unease. “Brother, where are we going?”

Shen Yicheng tried to scare him. “To find a deserted place and sell you, of course.”

Chi Aibei wasn’t afraid of being sold; he just found it strange. Why would a boxing match be held in a place like this? Remembering how Lin Xiu had adamantly refused to bring him earlier, his mind conjured up images of a battle royale in the wilderness. The more he thought about it, the creepier it felt.

Inside the car, Lin Xiu had changed out of his school uniform and back into the outfit he wore the day he picked Chi Aibei up from the mall. He handed a baseball cap to Chi Aibei. “Take off your uniform jacket and put this hat on.”

Chi Aibei took the hat.

Lin Xiu turned back to glance at him. “Follow me closely when we get out.”

Chi Aibei suddenly felt the tension of an impending adventure. He hugged his schoolbag tight and nodded.

Seeing him like this, Lin Xiu couldn’t feel even a shred of relief, but they were already here.

As they spoke, the car drove into an industrial park area. Shen Yicheng parked in front of a building. Chi Aibei took a look… How should he describe it? It looked like a KTV that had sprouted up in the middle of a bunch of factories?

The abrupt building was lit up with colorful neon lights, looking like a flamboyant monster that had intruded upon the surroundings.

Getting out of the car, Chi Aibei saw luxury cars everywhere at a glance. He finally understood why Shen Yicheng had driven an SUV today; if he had driven a smaller car, it would have been buried by these luxury vehicles.

Lin Xiu took the hat Chi Aibei was clutching and jammed it onto his head. “Follow me. Don’t run around, and don’t speak.”

Chi Aibei looked up, peering at Lin Xiu from under the brim of the hat. “I’m not even allowed to talk?”

Shen Yicheng walked over, wrapping an arm around each of them to lead them inside. “Alright, don’t be so tense, you’ll scare him.”

The moment they entered, Chi Aibei’s ears were assaulted by raucous music. Several burly men came over to block them. Whatever Shen Yicheng said to them seemed to work; one of the men looked them over, confiscated their phones, and then led them inside.

Chi Aibei couldn’t help but let out a “Wow.”

He hadn’t expected that a place looking so tacky on the outside would have a completely different world inside. Aside from the boxing ring illuminated by direct spotlights, the surrounding seats were arranged in tiered rows, like a miniature stadium.

A man who looked even more refined than Shen Yicheng walked over, a smile on his face that didn’t reach his eyes. “Brother Cheng is here. The boss has been waiting for you for a long time.”

The man glanced at Lin Xiu and Chi Aibei. “These two are…”

This place was members-only to prevent unexpected trouble, so ordinary people couldn’t get in. Shen Yicheng said, “My brother.”

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The man sized up Lin Xiu, his gaze not lingering too long, before turning to Chi Aibei. Even with the baseball cap blocking his face, it couldn’t hide his youthful air. “Both are your brothers?”

Shen Yicheng could hold a grudge quite effectively. He glanced at Lin Xiu, raised an eyebrow, and smiled wickedly. “That one is his partner. He’s young and hasn’t seen much of the world, so he brought him along to have some fun.”

Hearing Shen Yicheng’s words, Chi Aibei was just about to look up when Lin Xiu suddenly pressed down on the brim of his hat, followed by a heavy weight on his shoulder.

Chi Aibei’s gaze fell on Lin Xiu’s hand, which was draped over his chest. Before he could react, he heard Lin Xiu lean in and whisper in his ear, “Play along. Minors aren’t allowed in here.”

The hot breath against his ear tickled a bit. Chi Aibei flinched, and Lin Xiu folded the arm resting on his shoulder, locking him into his embrace in a half-hug.

To outsiders, their movements looked like nothing more than a young couple being affectionate. Seeing this, Feng Qiu just smiled and didn’t ask further. “Brother Cheng, this way.”

Feng Qiu led the way. Shen Yicheng looked at Lin Xiu and clicked his tongue. “Doesn’t this count as abuse of power for personal gain?”

Lin Xiu glared at him. “And this counts as the bad taste of an old bachelor?”

Shen Yicheng did have a bit of bad taste. He particularly loved watching young people circle each other, especially when they hadn’t started dating yet but didn’t shy away from all sorts of ambiguity—that was the most exciting part.

Shen Yicheng didn’t deny it and continued to tease, “Watch your partner closely. Don’t let the people here eat him up.”

Chi Aibei heard it clearly this time. Shen Yicheng said “partner,” and he was referring to him.

Lin Xiu led Chi Aibei inside, his hand never leaving Chi Aibei’s shoulder. Whenever someone passed by, he would tighten his arm, causing Chi Aibei to bump into his chest several times.

Feng Qiu arranged for Lin Xiu and Chi Aibei to sit in the second row. Before leaving, Feng Qiu said, “You can find me if you want to place a bet.”

The music was loud, so Chi Aibei didn’t hear clearly. “Brother, what did he say?”

Lin Xiu: “Nothing.”

It was Chi Aibei’s first time in a place like this. He looked around curiously and saw Shen Yicheng sitting in the first row. He pointed a finger. “Why is Brother Cheng over there?”

Next to Shen Yicheng sat a somewhat overweight middle-aged man holding a cigar. They were talking about something, and he seemed quite familiar with Shen Yicheng.

Chi Aibei: “Brother, is that Brother Cheng’s friend?”

In the social interactions of adults, there were rarely true friends, only shared interests. Lin Xiu didn’t want him to understand too much about the world of transactional relationships. “Not really.”

Someone who looked like a staff member came over and handed them a roster for tonight’s matches, which listed the betting odds.

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Chi Aibei didn’t understand most of it, but he recognized the words “Lose,” “Win,” and “Bet” on the card. He looked around and noticed everyone held a similar card.

Chi Aibei glanced at Lin Xiu… So this is why Lin Xiu didn’t want to bring me?

Chi Aibei couldn’t smile anymore. “Brother, are they gambling?”

Underground boxing was, to put it plainly, a casino where someone was the banker and others placed bets. Shen Yicheng was originally one of the invited bankers. At this moment, the middle-aged man sitting with him in the first row said regretfully, “Brother Shen, you really missed out on a big sum this time.”

Shen Yicheng smiled. “Can’t be helped. I’ve been busy with some small business recently and money is a bit tight. Next time something this good comes along, don’t forget me, Brother Xu.”

Lin Xiu looked at Chi Aibei. Although he didn’t speak, Chi Aibei understood. He was now personally witnessing a large-scale gambling scene. If someone reported this, would the police arrest him along with everyone else?

Chi Aibei couldn’t help but ask, “Isn’t this illegal?”

It was illegal. But Lin Xiu wasn’t a savior, nor did he want to be a hero. Regardless, after tonight, this venue would disband, and people would be arrested. He didn’t want to interfere too much. As for why he was here today, it was merely to repay Shen Yicheng for the favor of helping him in the past.

Back in prison, if not for Shen Yicheng, he might have died much earlier. Although he ultimately didn’t survive, he remembered that kindness.

The lights in the stands suddenly went out. Spotlights hit the boxing ring, and the people below erupted in cheers.

Chi Aibei jumped in fright and quickly leaned close to Lin Xiu. As the stands plunged into darkness, the crimson glow of a lighter flashed between Lin Xiu’s fingers. Chi Aibei looked up and shouted loudly, “Where did the cigarette come from?”

Although the surrounding noise was loud, Chi Aibei screaming at the top of his lungs was still quite startling to Lin Xiu. He glanced at Chi Aibei and leaned into his ear. “Just one. I won’t smoke anymore after this.”

Chi Aibei mimicked Lin Xiu’s posture and leaned in, but didn’t mimic Lin Xiu’s volume, shouting loudly, “Don’t forget you’re still a student!”

Lin Xiu hissed; his eardrum was nearly shattered.

Lin Xiu stubbed out the cigarette and muttered something. Chi Aibei didn’t catch it. “What did you say?”

Lin Xiu sighed. “I said you’re like a nagging housekeeper.”

Chi Aibei corrected him. “I’m not a housekeeper. I’m your partner, did you forget?”

Lin Xiu hadn’t expected him to pop out with that. He paused, then turned to look at Chi Aibei.

The cheering around them suddenly doubled in volume. Chi Aibei’s attention was drawn to the ring by the noise. He shook Lin Xiu’s arm and shouted, “They’re here, they’re here! Brother, look quickly!”

I am looking, Lin Xiu thought. Looking at a little fool who casually agrees to be someone’s partner.

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Lin Xiu suddenly felt a bit worried. Being this silly, would he get kidnapped by someone one day?

Chi Aibei was excited when the matches first started, but after two rounds, he couldn’t muster the enthusiasm anymore. In the third match, a rather lean man entered the ring to fight the hulk who had won the previous round.

Chi Aibei was initially worried the skinny guy would be flattened by a single punch. Unexpectedly, after taking two hits, the skinny guy started attacking the hulk like a madman.

Shen Yicheng turned back to glance at Lin Xiu. Noticing his gaze, Lin Xiu gave a slight nod. If he guessed correctly, this was the one. This man had used drugs and was already starting to lose his rationality.

In the next second, the man suddenly opened his mouth and bit down on the hulk’s throat. The moment blood sprayed out, the surrounding cheers turned into screams. Chi Aibei’s vision went dark; all he could hear were screams. The most brutal scene was blocked by Lin Xiu’s hand, sparing him from seeing it with his own eyes.

Amidst the chaos, Chi Aibei sat there motionless. He could clearly hear his own heartbeat; the sound was even louder than the screaming around him.

The people around them were busy fleeing. Most of these people were prominent figures; they came to gamble on fights, but none wanted to be involved in a scandal or end up on the news.

In the second row, only Chi Aibei and Lin Xiu remained seated. Chi Aibei moved his lips slightly. “Is it over?”

Lin Xiu frowned at the bloody scene on the stage. “Yeah, it’s over.”

Lin Xiu didn’t know exactly what had happened on this day in his past life. Shen Yicheng had only told him that during this match, someone took a banned substance and died in the ring. As one of the bankers, Shen Yicheng was pushed forward to take the fall, which was why he went to prison.

Now, it was all over. He had repaid Shen Yicheng’s favor and saved him from a prison sentence.

Lin Xiu had expected the scene to be unsightly, but he hadn’t expected it to be this horrific.

He had been careless. He shouldn’t have brought the kid.

Lin Xiu and Chi Aibei were called away by Shen Yicheng. The car drove to a desolate place and stopped. Shen Yicheng really couldn’t hold it back anymore; he needed a cigarette to calm down.

He turned and offered one to Lin Xiu. Lin Xiu shook his head.

Shen Yicheng opened the window, lit the cigarette, and leaned back against the seat, taking a deep drag. “Thanks.”

Thinking back to when Lin Xiu first came to find him and told him straight up not to buy shares in this match, Shen Yicheng was glad he hadn’t kicked him out for being a lunatic. Compared to him, the other shareholders had status and background. If he had really gotten involved, he would definitely have been the scapegoat.

The feeling of surviving a disaster made Shen Yicheng’s head buzz a little. After finishing a cigarette, his emotions had mostly recovered. He looked back at Chi Aibei. “Is he okay?”

Chi Aibei hadn’t spoken since getting in the car. He had been chattering away when they came. Shen Yicheng was a bit worried this might leave a shadow on the child.

Lin Xiu didn’t know if Chi Aibei was okay either. He was definitely frightened. Although he hadn’t let him see the final scene, the chaos at the time was enough for him to guess what happened.

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Chi Aibei kept holding Lin Xiu’s hand. Lin Xiu tried to pull his hand away, but Chi Aibei suddenly gripped it tighter.

Lin Xiu: “Your palm is sweaty. Wipe it.”

Chi Aibei neither let go nor spoke.

Shen Yicheng: ” told you not to bring him.”

If Lin Xiu had known it would be such a scene, he wouldn’t have brought Chi Aibei no matter what. He looked at Shen Yicheng with blame. The guy was clearly a blabbermouth, so how did he become so tight-lipped after a few years in prison? If Shen Yicheng had told him exactly what happened, he definitely wouldn’t have brought Chi Aibei.

Shen Yicheng didn’t know Lin Xiu was currently blaming his “future” self in his heart. Being glared at made him feel baffled. “Why are you looking at me like that? It’s not like I was the one who wanted to bring him.”

Lin Xiu didn’t make a sound, thinking, What’s the difference? It’s you either way.

Shen Yicheng drove them home. “Call me if anything happens.”

Lin Xiu nodded.

As soon as Shen Yicheng’s car drove away, the surroundings slowly darkened.

Lin Xiu took Chi Aibei’s hand. “Let’s go.”

Chi Aibei asked mumblingly, “Did he die?”

Chi Aibei’s voice was hoarse and carried the tremors of lingering shock. He suddenly gripped Lin Xiu tightly. “Brother, you don’t lack money now, right? I’ll give you all the money I have. Can you please not fight in matches like this?”

Lin Xiu hadn’t realized that Chi Aibei staying silent the whole way was because he was thinking about this. His chest felt like something had crushed it. He hadn’t felt this kind of long-lost, genuine concern in a very long time.

Lin Xiu rubbed the boy’s head through the hat. “I won’t.”

Hearing Lin Xiu’s promise, Chi Aibei’s stiff back relaxed. As he squatted down, his hand holding Lin Xiu’s slowly slipped away.

Lin Xiu was startled, thinking he was about to faint, and hurriedly went to support him. But then he saw Chi Aibei squatting there saying, “Brother, my legs are jelly.”

To last until now before turning to jelly was impressive enough. Lin Xiu let out a sigh of relief. He placed the schoolbag on the ground and squatted in front of Chi Aibei, turning his back to him. “Get on. I’ll carry you back.”

Chi Aibei climbed onto Lin Xiu’s back. Lin Xiu stood up and hitched him up a bit higher. “Forget about tonight.”

Chi Aibei felt he probably couldn’t forget. “Brother, swear to it.”

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Lin Xiu: “Swear what?”

Chi Aibei tightened his arms around Lin Xiu’s neck. “Swear not to fight in these kinds of matches, or else you won’t find a partner in the future.”

Lin Xiu tilted his head back from the chokehold. While walking, he said, “Pick another oath. Don’t I already have a partner?”

Chi Aibei was dazed for a moment, and his anxious thoughts were indeed diverted. “I don’t count. I’m Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage; I’m gone after twelve o’clock.”

Seeing the kid’s shallow thought process, Lin Xiu smiled with relief. “I actually didn’t know you disappear on the dot. It’s almost twelve; disappear for me to see.”

Chi Aibei suddenly perked up on Lin Xiu’s back. “It’s twelve?”

Afraid he would fall, Lin Xiu quickly lowered his body. “Don’t move around.”

Chi Aibei patted Lin Xiu anxiously. “What do I do, Brother? I haven’t done my homework yet!”

Lin Xiu: “…”

To still remember homework at a time like this, you really are invincible.

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