1173 The Weak (1/2)
Gong Wan'er hesitated and then asked, ”Are you going to fetch the people from the Buddhist Sect?”
”That's right.” Tang Xiu nodded.
”I chose to follow you, so I believe you won't harm me,” said Gong Wan'er. ”But some people will recognize me if I leave with you like this. We can expect lots of troubles should it happen.”
Tang Xiu smiled and manipulated the changes to his facial muscles. Soon after, his appearance was different from his previous look. Unless those who saw him were his close people, it was impossible to recognize him. Afterward, Tang Xiu taught this facial morphing technique to Gong Wan'er.
A few minutes later, the two people left the courtyard with completely changed appearances. The duo, however, wore masks and caps so as not to alert Kuwako's people in the courtyard.
”Where's Tang An?” Tang Xiu asked while looking at Tang Guang who approached him.
”She's afraid that Xue Sha and Hei Xiong would run into some mishaps, so she tagged along,” answered Tang Guang.
****
In the nearby alley, 7 tattooed youths with baseball bats surrounded and beat a man and a woman, whereas a red-bleached young man in black leather coat and wearing earrings stood still, staring at the sky, unaware that a lit cigarette between his fingers was about to burn out.
”Don't beat us, I beg you. I'll pay back the money, please give me another 3 days. I'll give the cash and interest to you. Please.” The beaten man desperately hugged the woman, using her body to block the beatings from the baseball bat for him.
”Very well.”
The red-haired youth flicked the cigarette butt. As the other seven youths made way for him, he slowly walked over to the beaten couple. He kicked the woman to the side and then spoke apathetically, ”Paying debt is just a natural principle, but this is the fourth time you ask for a three-day extension. Do you think I still have to believe in you or what?”
The man with a bruised face struggled to stand up. He knelt before the red-haired youth and hurriedly pleaded. ”It was just necessary. I had to. I already paid a part of the loan before, but the interest you set was too high. I… I just can't… afford that much at once!”
”That's your business, not mine.” The red-haired youth sneered.
The man knelt on the ground with a struggling look on his face. After seeing the young man drew a sharp dagger from his waist, he finally cried, ”Hidari Zujun, please give me three more days and I'll make sure to get your money. I… I… I'll give you my wife as collateral. She can serve you for three days and I'll have the money in three days to give you even if I must resort to robbing and stealing. W-what… do you think?”
Despair was evident on the slumped woman's face. The beatings were severe and caused her serious injuries, and the words of her own husband made it worse, causing her to spurt out a mouthful of blood.
The red-haired youth shot her a look and apathetically said, ”Given how determined you are, you got another three days, but I won't touch your woman even though I want this celebrity to serve me. But if you don't give me back my money three days later, I'll f**k your wife and then sell her to the red-light district. She can make money by serving the guests for me. Of course, I can still permit her to continue her filming career. Either way, I got my own way for a lucrative business that can make money for me.”
”Okay, okay, okay. I'll do as you say.”
The man stopped weeping and desperately nodded numerous times.
Tens of meters away from the alleyway, Tang Xiu and Gong Wan'er quietly stood there. They had seen everything from the moment the couple was beaten until the conclusion of the negotiation between that red-haired youth and the man. Despite being an experienced man, killing intent birthed in Tang Xiu's heart, yet it was not aimed at the red-haired youth, but the man.
He just used his wife to pay off his own debt?! This creature doesn't deserve to call himself a man. He's not worthy of being one and shouldn't even live in this world.
There was no need to guess more for Tang Xiu as he could tell that this man would never take care of his wife's well-being, whether she was alive or death later. He would never come back with the money he owed three days later, either.
”What do you think?”
Tang Xiu shot a look at Gong Wan'er and indifferently probed.
Looking unperturbed, Gong Wan'er shook her head and said, ”I just think that woman is a bit pitiful to have such a poor life and marry such a man. An ending that is already doomed to happen. Certainly, those who live in this world must keep reminding themselves that they must adapt to the society where the weak will stand as easy prey to the strong. It's just the rule, either in the bustling cities or in the wilderness.”
”….”
Somehow, a pang of regret struck Tang Xiu for asking Gong Wan'er the question. Her answer was like asking to some inhuman swine. But then again, he also inwardly sighed after recalling the living environment she had been through. He now realized he couldn't regard this woman as a trusted confidante in the future even if she followed and worked for him.
”Let's just go.” Tang Xiu paced to the front.
Gong Wan'er followed him behind and whispered, ”You wanna help them?”
”Not them, only the woman,” said Tang Xiu faintly.
”This is just your everyday occurrence, mind you. You can bump into poor women literally everywhere. You can't just help everyone.”