Chapter Twenty-Seven: Scarface Has Fled

The young man who stopped him was someone Chen Hongxu remembered. Although he now appeared quite different from the bold, fearless Shunzi—whose demeanor once seemed to scream “villain”—his facial features hadn’t changed much. Only the scar, crossing his nose like a knife wound, was new.

“Shunzi?” Chen Hongxu asked, pretending not to know.

Shunzi answered respectfully, then glanced around warily and said, “Brother Chen, Scar has been targeted and is already on the run.”

This news wasn’t earth-shattering to Chen Hongxu. He wasn’t close to Scar, and Scar’s profession—street fighter—was inherently dangerous. Who knew when he’d run into someone pretending to be weak only to strike? Yet, since Shunzi had spent so long searching for him, it was clear the matter wasn’t simple.

Chen Hongxu squeezed Xue Xi’s small hand, raising his chin slightly to signal Shunzi to continue.

“Recently, some people from the northeast brought in a batch of knife-wielders. They’re desperate types—not many, just ten or so—but every one of them is a seasoned fighter, fearless and ruthless. Last month, on the tenth, Scar took us out for a late meal. As we were breaking up, those men blocked us. They didn’t start a fight; instead, they pulled out a photo and asked for your information, telling Scar to set up a meeting with you.”

“We’re low-level thugs, not well-liked, but we have our codes. We wouldn’t betray a friend. Scar guessed from their accent they were hired guns from elsewhere. We were all drunk, barely steady, so Scar stalled them, saying he’d set a time tomorrow. We expected a fight, but to our surprise, they agreed.”

Chen Hongxu’s face was expressionless as he considered who might be after him. Xue Xi, attentive as ever, asked, “And then?”

Chen Hongxu interrupted, seeing Shunzi’s sallow face and guessing life had been hard since Scar fled. He glanced at Xue Xi, saying, “Let’s not go home tonight. Let’s find somewhere to sit.”

Shunzi readily agreed, and Xue Xi, always following Chen Hongxu’s lead, had no objections.

The three found a small stir-fry shop nearby. After Xue Xi ordered, Shunzi continued, “Scar traveled far and wide in his youth, so he knew those northeastern mercenaries cared for nothing but money. Still, he thought a local dragon shouldn’t be outdone, so he decided to contact a few local bosses to join forces.”

Shunzi’s face twisted in anger. “Those so-called bosses aren’t even worth the title. They promised to help Scar, but none showed up the next day. After we were targeted, they even hunted us down. Scar, realizing he couldn’t survive in HJ City, split his savings among us and told everyone to disband. He said he’d seen through it at last—brotherhood on the surface, knives in the back underneath. Scar also told us not to go seeking revenge in a fit of passion. We’re no match for these people.”

“Judging by how you’re living now, the others must have left HJ City. Why didn’t you go? Why stay to warn me?” Chen Hongxu asked. Scar had given everyone money and seemed to have fled, but perhaps he was buying loyalty even in defeat. With his followers, he could always survive elsewhere.

“After Scar split the money, no one took it. They said they’d leave with him to seek new fortunes. I was going to go, too, but I can’t leave HJ City. My mother’s nearly sixty, worked hard all her life. If I left her behind, I wouldn’t be human.” Shunzi’s eyes grew moist, his fist clenching tightly. “Loyalty and filial piety rarely coexist. Scar knew my situation and gave me some money, told me to stop mixing with the gang and live properly. He also asked me to pass this news to you. He said with his style, he shouldn’t have attracted such powerful enemies—so the trouble must be aimed at you, Brother Chen.”

Chen Hongxu exchanged a puzzled glance with Xue Xi. Who was so determined to make trouble for him?

Soon, the food arrived. Watching Shunzi devour his meal, Chen Hongxu sighed, “Didn’t Scar leave you money? Why do you look like you’ve been starving?”

Shunzi’s eyes reddened, his face dark with murderous intent. “Scar gave me two hundred thousand. Some for my mother’s medical bills—her eyes are failing. Scar worried I’d struggle after he left, so he gave me enough to care for her and maybe open a small shop. But after Scar left, those local bosses set their sights on me, blocking me every few days. If I hadn’t already paid the hospital, they’d have stolen the money.”

Chen Hongxu gestured for Shunzi to keep eating, then glanced at Xue Xi, who was lost in thought with her chin in her hand. “Eat something. Otherwise, if you’re hungry tonight, I won’t have time to go out for snacks. It’s dangerous nowadays—you heard just now, people are out there looking for me.”

Xue Xi, listening to Chen Hongxu’s nonsense, mouthed silent words at him.

Chen Hongxu nodded, rising to get her some rice.

“Just half a bowl. Or I’ll get fat.”

“Alright, I understand.” Chen Hongxu gave her a knowing look, pressing the rice down in the bowl until he couldn’t compress it further, then handed it to Xue Xi.

Xue Xi pouted—seeing the tightly packed half-bowl, she knew Chen Hongxu was up to mischief. She was about to protest when a discordant voice interrupted, grabbing her attention.

“Well, if it isn’t Scar’s top enforcer—Brother Shunzi. What brings you to a dump like this for dinner?” Four men in black vests crowded around a young man in a sharp suit as they entered.

The young man looked genteel, but the gold chain around his neck—about thumb-sized—and the red cord wrapped around his hand gave him an odd air.

Shunzi seemed nervous at being recognized. He put down his bowl, stood up, and called out to the approaching young man, “Brother Tao, what a coincidence.”

His words were respectful, but Chen Hongxu could see from Shunzi’s tense posture that he was suppressing himself.

Brother Tao gestured for the four vested men to clear the room, then turned his attention to Shunzi, rubbing his forehead as if wronged. “Shunzi, here’s the thing: I heard you paid the hospital a hundred thousand in advance. My finances are tight lately. Let’s go to the hospital and borrow that money. I’ll pay you back in two days, alright?”

“Brother Tao, that’s my mother’s treatment money. I can’t touch it.” Shunzi was anxious.

“Your mother’s not at death’s door yet—no rush.” Brother Tao pulled out a chair and sat down, nodding at Chen Hongxu before staring at Xue Xi in a daze. “Hey, friend, life’s treating you well. The food looks good.”

Shunzi knew this rascal was relentless. The “borrowing” sounded polite, but once handed over, it’d never return. Shunzi’s anger flared. He slammed his clenched fist on the table, making the dishes jump and collide, sending soup and vegetables flying everywhere.

Red-eyed, Shunzi glared at Brother Tao, “Li Tao, don’t act tough just because you’re fat. You used to call me ‘Grandpa Shunzi’—now you want to step on me? I’m down, but if you’ve got guts, kill me today, or I’ll trade my life for yours.”

Li Tao winked at Xue Xi, then laughed wildly, as if amused by something. He shifted his seat, came to Chen Hongxu’s side, and laid a hand on his shoulder in a brotherly gesture. “Friend, let me borrow this girl for two days, and I’ll let Shunzi’s matter slide.”

If Xue Xi could look serious and angry right now, she wouldn’t be herself. Her mischievous heart was always eager for trouble.

She cast Li Tao a shy glance, then bit her lip and pressed against Chen Hongxu, saying softly, “Darling, I pampered you so well last night. You can’t just sell me off like this.” She finished with a flirtatious wink at Li Tao.

Li Tao’s heart fluttered; he was about to pressure the student-looking man before him when Chen Hongxu lifted his hand and flicked Li Tao’s from his shoulder, shooting Xue Xi a resentful glare and gritting his teeth, “Of course…”