Chapter 891: Caution

Zhou Xiao slammed a plate of dumplings onto the table, causing the bandaged boss to flinch. Everyone in the room knew exactly what was in those dumplings. The dwarf acting as a mediator said, “Brother Zhou, wasn’t it enough to cut off his ear and make him apologize? Can’t you let it go?”

As he spoke, the dwarf poured a dish of vinegar and pushed it toward the boss, who stared back in surprise.

Tao Yueyue watched the scene unfold with glee. Although Zhou Xiao was no saint, the boss was even more despicable. It was like choosing between cyanide and sewage—one poison combating another.

Zhou Xiao pointed at the boss. “Never do that to kids again.” Then, pointing at the dumplings, he commanded, “Eat them. This ends today.”

The boss looked at the dwarf with a pained expression. “Mr. Qin, could you call Shuke…”

“Stop calling him. Shuke’s going to get fed up with you.”

“Eat!” Zhou Xiao barked.

With a sigh, the boss picked up his chopsticks, dipped a dumpling in vinegar, and put it in his mouth. The first few bites were tolerable, but then his face twisted in pain, and he chewed harder, producing crunching noises.

The dwarf was curious. “What does it taste like?”

“You try one!” the boss snapped, pushing the plate toward him.

“We’re leaving,” Zhou Xiao announced.

As they left, Tao Yueyue glanced back at the boss. She kicked over a large pot at the entrance, spilling hot soup and dumplings everywhere, and mouthed, “Scum.”

Zhou Xiao gave her a look of approval.

Watching them drive away, the boss’s breathing grew heavy. He still had a dumpling in his mouth that he couldn’t swallow. He said to the dwarf, “Mr. Qin, I want to hire an assassin.”

“For this?” The dwarf pointed at the plate. “Forget it. Save your retirement money for ear surgery.”

The boss picked up another dumpling, shaking it in his hand. “This isn’t about an ear. It’s about my dignity. Zhou Xiao has no backers now. I want him dead.”

The dwarf pondered for a moment. “If you want him dead, you’ll need a real pro.”

In the car, Zhou Xiao said, “Do you know why I helped you?”

Tao Yueyue shook her head.

“There was a creepy old man in my village who tried to force me to do… unspeakable things. When I resisted, he got a gang to beat me up. I couldn’t even leave my house. I had to leave town to find work. I was just a kid back then… I’ve held a grudge ever since. I can’t stand people like that.”

“Did you get your revenge?”

“Funny enough, I’ve killed so many people, but I never got back at him. That old man is still living large in my hometown.” Zhou Xiao fished for a lighter for his cigarette but couldn’t find one.

Tao Yueyue picked up the lighter from under the seat, lit it, and held it to his cigarette. “Thank you. If it weren’t for you, this would have haunted me for life.”

“Are you a virgin, Tao Yueyue?” Zhou Xiao asked, his gaze devoid of any lust.

“Y-Yes.”

“The teacher said that sex and killing are the two ultimate experiences for humans. They are like the North and South Poles. Once you’ve experienced both, life becomes vast. Do you understand?”

Tao Yueyue shook her head vigorously.

“Ha, I don’t get it either. But his words have a certain magic.”

“Was Mr. Zhou Tian’s influence that strong?”

“Absolutely. Without him, the underworld in Long’an wouldn’t be what it is today. We don’t deal in drugs or gambling, but everyone respects us because we deal in one thing—killing. We are Long’an’s sharpest blade. Those who crossed Mr. Zhou never had a good end.” Zhou Xiao sighed. “But then he was suddenly gone. I thought about avenging him, but now I think we should start our own legacy, carry on his torch.”

Up ahead, police were checking cars. Zhou Xiao signaled for silence. The officer asked for his license, and Zhou Xiao smiled calmly.

Tao Yueyue was shocked. She thought the police would have distributed Zhou Xiao’s wanted posters. Then she remembered that he had changed his appearance, so the police didn’t know what he looked like now.

“Sir, your license…” The officer examined it closely. “It’s about to expire.”

“Oh, I plan to renew it soon. I’ve just been so busy.”

“Is that your daughter?”

“Yes.”

The officer, still suspicious, turned to Tao Yueyue. “Is he your father?”

After a brief hesitation, she answered, “Yes.”

The officer’s professional suspicion faded, and he saluted. “You can go.”

Zhou Xiao returned the salute and glanced at Tao Yueyue, pleased with her growing compliance.

After a while, Tao Yueyue said, “Uncle Zhou, I’m so bored. Can I get some snacks, drinks, and comics? And you’re out of cigarettes, right?”

“I have no money,” Zhou Xiao said, eyes on the road. “I didn’t bring anything when I ran out last night.”

“Then drive to a busy place, and I’ll steal a wallet,” she suggested with a forced smile.

Zhou Xiao stared at her for a few seconds before shaking his head with a chuckle. “I don’t trust you that much yet.”

Finishing his last cigarette, Zhou Xiao grew restless, yawning and rubbing his face. Tao Yueyue stared out the window, recognizing a street she once walked with Chen Shi and a cinema where she watched movies with “Weizeng.” Nostalgia and sadness filled her heart. Freedom seemed close, yet so far away.

As they passed an elementary school, a group of middle schoolers chattered while familiarizing themselves with the exam venue. Tao Yueyue longed to see her classmates but also feared it.

They drove past a residential area, and Zhou Xiao abruptly reversed the car. Tao Yueyue asked what was wrong. “That’s a police car. My hideout’s been compromised. But don’t worry, I have countless hideouts in Long’an.”

In the afternoon, they reached the outskirts of town. Zhou Xiao’s caution was evident as he frequently changed routes to evade potential tails, circling back and forth until he was sure they were not being followed.

Whenever they passed under traffic cameras, he made Tao Yueyue keep her head down.

Tao Yueyue thought, he is extremely cautious. No wonder the police have had such a hard time catching him.

They arrived at an old three-story building. Tao Yueyue was parched, but Zhou Xiao led her inside without stopping for water. The building, once an office, was littered with old advertisements for a brand of down jackets. Dust covered the furniture.

Zhou Xiao took her to a windowless storage room, pushed her inside, and prepared to lock the door. “I really won’t run. Please don’t lock me in,” she pleaded.

“I told you, I don’t trust you yet.”

“I need water!” she compromised.