The rain outside grew heavier, pedestrians hurrying past.

People dashed under eaves along the street. Inside the quiet café, Lin Ran stared at Su Nisheng. Su Nisheng stared back.

Doubt filled Su Nisheng’s eyes.

Innocence filled Lin Ran’s.

They’d never reach a conclusion. Years ago, right after high school graduation, Su Nisheng had dragged Lin Ran to The Alliance for special testing. The results were definitive: he was just an ordinary person—maybe *slightly* fitter than average.

Hard proof.

Lin Ran couldn’t understand why Su Nisheng clung to him so stubbornly. They’d broken up. Why not part ways cleanly and move on? They still kept in touch, barely friends now. Nothing more.

Under the table, Lin Ran caught Su Nisheng’s right foot as it tried to kick him again.

Her ankle was slender, clad in white lace-trimmed socks. The fabric felt smooth, her skin soft and springy beneath his fingers. He gave it a light squeeze, watching Su Nisheng’s cheeks flush faintly, then let go.

Su Nisheng leaned forward like a cat about to hiss, breathing quickening. She glared at Lin Ran as if she’d devour him whole unless he spilled the truth she wanted.

“Drop the wild theories. Seriously, Su Nisheng—can you help me?”

“Xu Zhi’s mother?” Su Nisheng crossed her legs beneath her skirt.

“If you keep digging into my life, I *will* get angry,” Lin Ran said firmly.

“I just checked the women around you… no one else,” Su Nisheng muttered, lips pursed.

“Why bother? Still hung up after all these years?” Lin Ran’s voice turned teasing. Su Nisheng just rolled her eyes.

They both knew the past was gone.

“I can’t help you.” Su Nisheng’s tone was casual. Final.

She stole glances at Lin Ran’s reaction, but he only looked unsurprised.

A flicker of disappointment crossed her face.

He stood, grabbing his long umbrella. “Okay. No problem.”

“You’re leaving?”

“Yeah. Rain’s coming down. Gotta go collect my laundry.”

“Always with these flimsy excuses. Are you that desperate to avoid me? Like I’m some monster?” Su Nisheng rose too, pulling her hair tie off her wrist. She gathered her shoulder-length pink hair into a single ponytail and followed Lin Ran to the café door.

“Let me walk you out?”

Outside the door sat a sleek coupe—a car utterly out of place in this southern district. Its price tag could buy half the block.

Yes, Su Nisheng was rich. Her wealth matched her beauty.

Fifty thousand yuan was pocket change for her handbag shopping. But she had no reason to lend Lin Ran money. He couldn’t repay it—he’d admitted that himself. Lin Ran understood.

“I biked here.” Lin Ran pointed to his small bicycle parked at the café’s edge.

“Three years, and it’s still running?” Su Nisheng sounded faintly surprised.

He’d cycled her to school back then. She’d sit behind him, arms lightly circling his waist. If she didn’t hold on, he’d deliberately hit every bump in the road.

That sly bastard.

“Replaced a few broken parts. It still works.”

“Then give me a ride?” Su Nisheng tilted her head.

“Where do you live now?”

“North District.”

“Too far. You want me dead?”

“Just felt like it.”

“No.” Lin Ran refused flatly, leaving no room for her pouting. He swung onto his bike. Even holding an umbrella in one hand, he pedaled away without hesitation. Su Nisheng watched from the eaves, a nameless fire flaring in her chest.

He used to be so agreeable. After the breakup, his hundred percent warmth had dwindled to ten. No one was at fault—they’d parted peacefully.

Su Nisheng felt a sudden daze. She slid into her car, scrolled through her contacts, then slammed the steering wheel in frustration.

“I’m *not* helping you chase girls!”

………………………………

Rainy days were made for sleeping in.

Lin Ran got home near lunchtime. Not hungry—he rarely kept regular meals. He sat by the window, lighting a cigarette. His cat curled up on his quilt, seemingly asleep.

He planned to rest well. He had a match tonight. The winnings were small, but the bosses backing him placed heavy bets. If they were pleased, they might toss him a cut.

So he slept soundly.

………………………………

At five PM, his alarm woke him. He played two rounds of a mobile game. By six, he’d refilled his cat’s food and water bowl before heading out.

The southern district’s streets were lawless. His workplace stood on Sin Street—a lavish building. The first floor held a restaurant; the second, a lounge; the third, a nightclub; the fourth, an underground fight club; the fifth, a casino; the sixth, guest rooms.

The sixth floor sounded the most respectable. But its girls were always on call.

He rode his four-year-old bicycle again. The pace was slow, letting him watch the streets blur past. He liked this life. After half an hour’s ride, he reached the building. Xu Zhi was already waiting.

At night, Xu Zhi wore a white tube top and athletic shorts. Barefoot, she still looked tall and slender—especially her long, pale legs glowing faintly in the dim evening light.

Lin Ran and Xu Zhi headed upstairs. He wasn’t the main event tonight. The openers and finals featured fighters rated D or E-class physical enhancers. Even the sickliest-looking ones could unleash strength far beyond his reach.

Thankfully, he wouldn’t face such monsters.

He took his seat ringside. The first match began. Neither fighter looked particularly muscular, yet the crowd roared wildly. Lin Ran checked the betting board—millions were pinned on these two alone.

Something was off.

Their speed defied normal human limits. The broadcast replayed their punches in slow motion. Fists slammed into flesh, yet both fighters shrugged off the blows like nothing. The violence was thrilling. Addictive.

Lin Ran wasn’t impressed.

Blood Wolf won. That was his alias. Everyone saw his eyes flash crimson with each punch. No one batted an eye.

This was the world of enhancers.

Blood Wolf’s opponent—a well-known fighter here—lay gasping on the mat. At least two ribs were broken. His calf was swollen grotesquely, likely shattered. His face was a mess of blood and pulp, body twitching weakly.

He was begging for help. The crowd only cheered and cursed.

Medics quickly carried him off on a stretcher. Lin Ran didn’t know if he’d survive. People had died here before.

From the lowest row, Lin Ran spotted a man descending from the VIP section. Early twenties, cigarette dangling from his lips, radiating casual confidence. He waved at Lin Ran.

Lin Ran waved back. This was Qin You.

“Winning big today, Young Master Qin?” Lin Ran took the cigarette offered to him, flattering him lightly.

Qin You’s grin was wide—he’d clearly raked in winnings. “Took a few dozen off that Lin guy. His face looked like his dog died.”

Lin Ran chuckled. “Sharp eye, Young Master.”

After two pleasantries, Qin You clapped his shoulder and headed to the restroom. Lin Ran stayed ringside. The next match was Blood Wolf again—against another undefeated enhancer from this arena.

Lin Ran watched intently. No rules governed their brawl. Every punch aimed to knock the other unconscious. Only eye-gouging and groin strikes were banned.

Elbows were fair game.

Blood Wolf’s elbow shattered his opponent’s shoulder—a spray of blood and vomit followed. Before the man could block, a knee slammed into his gut.

He collapsed. Xu Zhi stepped onto the ring, counting aloud from one to ten. Her timing was precise—professional duty.

But fear still flickered in her eyes. She’d seen too much, yet never grown used to it.

The two matches ignited the crowd. Lin Ran prepared to enter. He slowly unbuttoned his white shirt—stains would be a hassle to clean.

His opponent, Blood Tiger, was also new here. He resembled Blood Wolf, muscles thick and defined. Not an enhancer. Lin Ran wasn’t worried.

At worst, he’d fake a knockout. No big deal.

As he stepped into the ring, cheers erupted—mostly from older women. Sugar mommas. They liked his youth and looks. Betting on him never lost money. His odds were low, but betting *against* him paid eight times over.

Many dreamed of getting rich quick. No one dared approach Lin Ran for a fixed match. He wouldn’t dare either. The building’s owner held terrifying power. Anyone caught rigging fights under her watch…

The last offender had his eyes gouged out live. Forced to eat them—nerves still twitching.

Lin Ran exhaled, clearing his mind. He focused on Blood Tiger across the ring, fists tightening, settling into his guard.