"Don't stay silent," the buzz-cut thug growled, slamming his foot onto the stool beside me. "You really gonna disrespect us like this?"

Xu Wei's face went deathly pale. She stammered, "I... we don't have money. No money at all."

I squeezed my eyes shut. *We're done for.* Xu Wei had just handed them the perfect opening.

"No money? No problem," the punk-haired guy sneered, stepping forward. "Big brothers'll treat you."

The snack street was chaotic—sprawling, noisy, understaffed. The racket drowned everything out. Few even noticed what was happening.

Even if someone saw? Unlikely anyone would step in. Not just "mind your own business" instinct—these guys looked rough. What if they had knives?

So I relied on myself. I slipped a toothpick from the holder, clutched it tight, and gripped my chopsticks hard.

Su Xiaoxi's body held barely a fraction of my former strength—almost no fight left. But humans wield tools. Enough sting, and even weak hands work.

"Come on, little sister," the bald thug said, grabbing Xu Wei. The little rabbit struggled fiercely but was slowly yanked upright.

The other two thugs turned to me—the silent one.

"Why so quiet, little sister? Don't be scared. Big brother'll protect you."

His grimy hand lunged for my wrist—I snatched it mid-air and slammed it flat on the table.

"Huh?" The buzz-cut thug froze, palm limp. I didn't hesitate. Clenched the toothpick. Stabbed down hard.

"Aaah—!!"

While his scream snagged the others' attention, I yanked Xu Wei close and whispered in her ear: "Run!"

My other hand gripped the table edge—*heaved*.

Crash!

Flimsy fold-up stall tables—just a wooden slab on metal legs. Cheap. Light. Even my frail strength flipped it easy.

Clatter! Two noodle bowls shattered. Scalding broth splashed onto their flip-flop feet. More yelps. I dragged Xu Wei several steps away.

The commotion drew stares—but just stares. Gasps. No one moved closer.

Enraged, the thugs ignored the bleeding hole in their buddy's hand and charged.

"Damn it, you little bitches—after them!"

"Run faster! Think you'll escape? Wait till I catch you!"

"Good! Struggle harder—it's more fun!"

Threats chased us. Xu Wei trembled in my arms, legs wobbly. Without me pulling her, she'd have frozen solid. Fear does that. Can't blame horror-movie victims.

But the crowd helped us. Our small frames slipped through gaps. Their bulky bodies shoved clumsily, wasting time. I ducked and weaved—reached the stall's edge.

I knew Century City blindfolded. Escape here, blend into the crowd, loop back to our shop. Lock the door. Safe.

Then—*thud*.

I slammed into a sweaty, protruding belly. The noodle shop owner in a chef's hat stood there. The impact sent us both tumbling down. Xu Wei fell with me.

"Why run? You haven't paid!" the portly owner bellowed. "You owe for the table, the bowls—pay up!"

My heart sank. *Doomed.*

Onlookers formed a silent ring. The thugs caught up. Hearing the owner, they smirked—*perfect setup*.

"This girl! I just asked directions—she stabs me with a toothpick!" The buzz-cut thug thrust his bleeding hand forward. "Look! Blood everywhere!"

"Yeah! Threw bowls, scalded my feet—blisters!" The bald one lifted his foot. The crowd recoiled, noses covered.

"No running," the buzz-cut thug said, voice sharp. "Police station. You pay my medical bills. Look—can't even lift it. Must've hit a vein. Come. Now."

His grimy hand shot toward my shoulder. Ice flooded my chest. No escape. Xu Wei was too terrified to move alone.

*Slap!*

The hand never landed. Mid-air, a slender, fair hand intercepted it.

A sharp wrist twist—

"Aaaahhh!!!"