Chapter 18: They’ve Caught Up

“Great Benefactor.” The woman nodded and bowed, awkwardly calling out to the two men.

“You were tracking us?” Xiao Fen said playfully.

The hotel they had found was not far from the casino. Back then, he had been dragging the groggy Ou Yu along; if anyone had wanted to tail them, he wouldn’t have noticed easily.

“How about it, want to rob the money back?” Xiao Fen patted his double-shoulder backpack and sneered.

Big Sister Li said, “I’m just a woman—how could I be a match for two young, strapping lads? Besides, losing just means I don’t know how to gamble. I know full well what kind of place a casino is. If I hadn’t been desperate to pay off debts, I never would have gone there.”

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes. “I’m just a country girl. Where am I supposed to find ways to make city money?”

“What exactly do you want from us?” Xiao Fen asked warily, shielding his backpack.

“Great Benefactor, half an hour ago, some people found me. They said they were vice squad officers.” Big Sister Li leaned in and said, “Just now, my little brother spotted a team of vice squad officers at the hotel entrance. They charged in aggressively, but left in their car not long after.”

“What did you tell the vice squad officers?”

“Nothing! He just asked if I’d seen you tonight. I said no, and they didn’t ask anything else.”

A wicked curve crept onto Xiao Fen’s lips as he slowly closed in on her. “You know we’ve done bad things, and you still dare come looking for death?”

Big Sister Li saw the killing intent in his eyes and slowly backed away, forcing a smile. “L-Listen to me. You two are wanted now—you’ve got nowhere to crash. How about staying at my place for a few days?”

Xiao Fen and Ou Yu exchanged a glance.

“In a few days, Great Benefactor was planning to kindly donate to our whole family anyway. Consider this me repaying the favor early. Otherwise, carrying such a huge debt of gratitude would weigh on my heart.”

“Then we’ll impose on you,” Ou Yu said.

“It’s only right to do a little something for the Great Benefactor in return.”

Big Sister Li’s home was also in an urban village near downtown, in a fairly new neighborhood that looked pretty decent. As soon as she opened the door, a strong medicinal smell hit them.

She led the two inside. “Xiaojun, we’ve got guests at home.”

A boy of fifteen or sixteen emerged from a room. He was skinny and gaunt, his face sallow—he looked like he’d been sick for a long time.

“This is my son,” Big Sister Li introduced. “Xiaojun, where’s your dad?”

“He went out tonight, lost a few thousand gambling, got drunk, and now he’s passed out sleeping in the room.” Wang Xiaojun’s words carried coldness and irritation. “Mom, the school needs to collect…”

“Okay, whatever it is, just tell Mom. I’ll get the money to you tomorrow.” Big Sister Li smiled. “Don’t stay up too late with homework. You haven’t had dinner yet, right? I brought you a midnight snack. These are Mom’s friends—be polite.”

Surprise flashed across the boy’s face. A smile appeared on his obedient features as he took the snack. He called out “Uncle” twice to Xiao Fen and the others, referred to the man who had returned with the woman as “Uncle,” served tea to everyone, and then retreated to the bedroom.

“My son’s a good kid, isn’t he? Never given us a lick of trouble since he was little. He’s already in his senior year of high school. He used to say that once he got to university, he’d win scholarships for us… The hospital’s got a kidney ready for him already—we’re just short on cash. If not for that, my man never would’ve taken the risk to gamble.” As she spoke, Big Sister Li started crying again. “Who would’ve thought he’d lose every penny we had—and even touch other people’s wages? We can’t keep living like this anymore.”

The live stream chat filled with sighs.

【Those who believed Xiao Fen before and didn’t trust Big Sister Li’s words must feel pretty silly now, huh? She’s genuinely pitiful, but you all went sympathizing with a celebrity.】

【Not only did Xiao Fen cheat her out of her family savings, but after she kindly saved Wu Hao, she gets slandered as his accomplice. Talk about a thankless job.】

【Stars make money so easily—even an 18th-tier celeb like him can pocket a million from one drama gig. You sympathize with them? Who sympathizes with the real bottom rung of society?】

【They took pity on Xiao Fen and took him in despite everything—otherwise, he’d be sleeping on the streets. Now that’s true, simple kindness.】

Xiao Fen and Ou Yu reviewed the medical records for Big Sister Li’s son and got a rough idea of the situation from casual chat. By the time it grew late, they headed to the guest room and made do for the night.

Ou Yu noticed Xiao Fen had forgotten to close the door. He went to shut it himself, only to see Big Sister Li approaching. “It’s autumn now, but the buildings here are packed so tight together it gets stuffy. We sold the AC and fans already, so just sleep with the door open tonight. It’ll be cooler that way.”

Xiao Fen hugged his backpack onto the bed and unzipped it, revealing a corner. He casually grabbed a stack of hundred-yuan bills and stuffed them into Big Sister Li’s hands. “No worries—we sleep like the dead. Sorry for imposing on your family tonight.”

Big Sister Li couldn’t refuse and finally accepted them before heading into the room across the hall.

Ou Yu went along with her words on the surface but locked all the doors and windows tight, wedging a chair against them before lying down.

He didn’t sleep well that night—tossing and turning, waking and drifting off again and again. Finally, at around ten in the morning, he glanced at Xiao Fen beside him, who was sleeping soundly.

With a soft chuckle, he tucked in the corner of the blanket for him, got up, and freshened up. He saw Xiao Fen clutching his messy hair with a dazed look on his face, mumbling that he’d head downstairs first to buy some breakfast.

“Wait for me.” Xiao Fen shuffled into the bathroom, washed up quickly, and they headed out together. Ou Yu had already asked Big Sister Li about the best breakfast spot nearby.

The neighborhood was densely packed with residents. Shops and streets crammed the ground level, bustling with people buying groceries and shopping.

They had just gone downstairs when they noticed people glancing their way now and then, watching their movements.

“Looks like Inspector Fang’s gotten a lot more cautious,” Xiao Fen said with a laugh.

“You’ve slipped away from him several times now. Of course he’d be more careful,” Ou Yu replied.

It took them half an hour of searching before they found the breakfast shop. They were only halfway through eating when Big Sister Li showed up.

“I saw a bunch of unfamiliar faces in the neighborhood. Come with me quick—I’ll get you out of here first.”

They wolfed down the rest of their breakfast and followed Big Sister Li.

“I’ve lived in this area for over a decade. Nobody knows it better than me. Don’t worry.”

“Aren’t you afraid we really are vicious criminals?” Ou Yu asked.

“I don’t know if you’re suspects or not. But you’re the only hope for saving my son,” Big Sister Li said calmly.

In that moment, Ou Yu couldn’t help but waver. Had he and Xiao Fen harbored too many prejudices and malicious assumptions about Big Sister Li?

She was just a mother desperate to save her child.

As he thought that, he noticed Xiao Fen walking quietly just behind his side. His fingers flexed at his hip, as if gathering strength.