"Brother, kissy-kissy~"

Su Qing clung to Su Shui's arm, puckering her little lips.

"Stop messing around~" Su Shui stayed bent over, peeking furtively down the alley. "I still don't know if they've left yet!"

"What a coward~" Su Qing planted a loud *smack* on his cheek.

"Ugh, you got spit all over my face!" Su Shui wiped his cheek disdainfully. "I was just scared I'd hurt them if I fought back. They're young—I didn't want to end their lives like that~"

Dramatically, he covered one eye with his hand, posing as if suppressing immense power.

Su Qing glanced at the silent group of thugs behind him and patted his shoulder.

"Quit it—I'm posing! Don't I look cool?"

"*Ahem* *ahem*"

"Xiao Qing, are you sick? Your voice sounds so deep."

Su Shui looked up, placing his hand on her forehead. "Good, no fever~"

Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder and slapped it away.

"Stop it!" he continued scolding his sister. "You never wear enough at night..."

Mid-sentence, he froze. Slowly, he turned around to face the crowd.

"H-hi, everyone~"

The group slowly raised their bricks and steel pipes.

Seeing this, Su Shui grabbed Su Qing to run.

But Su Qing stood rooted to the spot, unmoving.

As the weapons swung toward her, Su Shui squeezed his eyes shut, gritted his teeth, and threw his arms wide to shield her.

*Whoosh... thud.*

No pain came.

Cautiously, Su Shui peeked through his fingers.

The once-fierce thugs now lay sprawled at Su Qing's feet, hissing in pain, unable to speak.

"Ugh, I really didn't want to fight today~" Su Qing gently rubbed her wrist. "But you just had to start trouble!"

Watching the groaning pile of bodies, Su Shui puffed up with pride.

He yanked a thug from the heap and twisted his ear hard.

"Brat, you still dare to mess with me? My sister alone can wipe the floor with you!"

The kid was a mess—bruised and swollen, his face puffed like a pig's head.

"Don't get cocky!" the thug spat, neck stiff with defiance. "I called my brother—you're both done for!"

"Oh? Backup?"

Su Shui folded his arms behind Su Qing, fearless now that his sister was so strong.

"Bring him out then~" Su Shui tilted his chin up, looking down his nose.

Just then, another group entered the alley—all in Chengguan uniforms.

"Kid, let him go," said a bald, fat man at the front, twirling a police baton with a fake-friendly smile. "I run things around here."

"And if I don't?" Su Shui slowly stepped in front of Su Qing.

Before the fat man could reply, the thug in Su Shui's grip yelled, "Bro! Arrest them both! I'll teach them a lesson!"

"Shut it!" Su Shui punched his gut. The kid wilted instantly.

"You're provoking me?!" The fat man glared, his crew closing in.

"Actually, I—" Su Shui started to release the thug, then spotted a familiar figure at the alley entrance.

"Actually, I'm your daddy!"

Su Shui shouted at the fat man, landing two more punches on the thug.

"Oh yeah? I'll show you how the real world works today!"

The fat man swung his fist—but a strong hand seized his wrist from behind.

He turned to see a tall man standing there.

"Piggy! He's bullying me!" Su Shui jumped up, waving at Zhu Chang. "Think you're the only one with backup?"

"You little—" Zhu Chang squeezed harder, making the fat man wince. "I'm Zhu Chang! Not 'Pig Intestine'!"

"Which crew you run with, kid?" the fat man whispered to Zhu Chang. "Don't meddle!"

His men edged closer.

"I don't run with any crew. My dad's the police chief."

"*Whoa!*" The fat man bowed deeply. "It's like family fighting family—we're all law enforcement! I'm Chengguan here!"

He beamed at Zhu Chang, suddenly docile as a puppy.

"No need. You and your crew are coming to the station for a long stay."

"You're spitting on my kindness!" The fat man's face twisted, plotting how to make Zhu Chang vanish.

A small gun barrel pressed against his temple. The *click-click* of the hammer echoed clearly.

"What... did you just say?" Zhu Chang cleaned his ear with his pinky, staring coldly.

Cold sweat dripped down the fat man's cheeks. His legs trembled violently.

"Big bro! Please hold that steady—it's no joke!"

"So. What did you say?" Zhu Chang slammed the gun butt on his head.

"I—I'm sorry!" Blood streamed down the fat man's scalp as he nearly sobbed.

"Take them all!" Zhu Chang waved. People in mixed outfits flooded the alley, cuffing each thug and leading them away from the amusement park.

"You okay?" Zhu Chang crouched beside Su Shui, offering a cigarette.

"Ugh, so cheap—Red Plum?" Su Shui took it grudgingly. Zhu Chang lit it for him.

Before Su Shui could put it to his lips, Su Qing snatched it away.

She stomped it out fiercely.

"You dare smoke?!"

"N-no! It's lit—such a waste not to smoke it!"

Su Shui eyed Zhu Chang's cigarette longingly. He'd quit long ago, but the craving lingered.

He snatched Zhu Chang's cigarette and crushed it underfoot too.

"Don't tempt my cravings!"

"Hey! What the hell?" Zhu Chang glared. "Next time you're in trouble, don't call me!"

"Fine, I'll treat you to dinner later~"

Su Shui waved him off, shooing Zhu Chang away.

"Bad friends, man~" Zhu Chang shook his head, walking off with his cigarette butt still glowing.

"Don't let them out too soon!" Su Shui shouted after him.

"Don't worry!" Zhu Chang waved without turning. "They won't see daylight for two years!"

…………

……

"Bro, stay away from him from now on," Su Qing whispered in Su Shui's ear, arm around his shoulders.

"Why?"

"He's probably gay and has ulterior motives for you!" Su Qing said seriously.

"Why would you think that?" Su Shui looked utterly confused.

"Not telling. Just trust me, okay?"

……

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