The young man climbed up from the ground, his body swaying a few times, somewhat unsteady on his feet.
He lifted his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth and sneered with disdain, "That’s all you’ve got? If you’re capable, fight me one-on-one."
"One-on-one? Sure, but that seems a bit unfair too."
"Then I’ll let you use one hand, haha," the young man laughed out loud.
His words directly turned the oily man’s face dark, and he gritted his teeth and said, "One-on-one, is it? Fine, I’ll chop off one of your hands first, then we’ll have a one-on-one. Would that be fair?"
The oily man, having said that, ordered his subordinates, "Pin him down for me."
Two men immediately stepped forward, grabbed the young man, and shoved him against the wall, one of them pinning one of his hands firmly to the wall.
The oily man, brandishing a knife and laughing arrogantly, stretched the blade towards the hand that was pinned immovably to the wall.
"Don’t worry, I’m quick with my hands."
Just as the oily man was about to make his move, a sudden blare of police sirens startled everyone.
"The police are here."
"What do we do, the police are here."
"Let’s get out of here quickly."
Alarm bells went off among the group, throwing them into disarray.
"Kid, you’re lucky. I’ll keep your hand for now; I’ll come to take it next time," he said and dropped the young man. In a few seconds, they all ran off without a trace.
The young man slumped to the ground, looking somewhat disheveled.
Gu Yao quickly pocketed her phone and ran over.
The young man, hearing footsteps, immediately lifted his head and, seeing a woman, paid no attention.
He supported himself with one hand on the ground, attempting to stand, but his injuries were severe, making it difficult to rise.
Gu Yao quickly went over to help him up.
"No need, thank you," he said, seemingly not wanting others to see him in this sorry state.
"Are you okay?" Gu Yao asked with concern.
Ais ignored her, pulling back his arm and began to walk away, ready to leave.
Gu Yao stepped forward again and supported him, "Let me help you."
"I said no need," Ais replied with impatience, trying to shake off Gu Yao’s hand again.
But he was not successful in shaking it off.
Gu Yao knew he had been beaten and nearly had his hand chopped off; he surely wasn’t feeling good inside.
"Let’s leave this place first," she said, guiding him forward.
After leaving the dark, narrow alley and rounding two buildings, they arrived at the main street.
"I’ll call a car to take you to the hospital," she said. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel⚑fire.net
"I’m not going to the hospital," Ais said, again shaking off her hand and turning to leave.
Gu Yao followed him, "You’re badly hurt; you need to go to the hospital for treatment."
"Can’t you just not meddle..."
Ais turned around angrily, but when he clearly saw Gu Yao’s face, he was surprised and uncertainly called out.
Gu Yao nodded slightly, "It’s me."
"I happened to be passing by and saw those people taking you away, so I..."
"Well, thank you for that," Ais said his thanks, not saying much else, and was about to continue on his way when Gu Yao called out to him again, "Hey..."
"I’m not going to the hospital."
He was really being somewhat childishly stubborn.
"I didn’t say we’re going to the hospital," she said.
Gu Yao stepped forward to support him again and took him to the nearest small park, stopping at a pharmacy along the way.
They sat down on a bench in the park, and Gu Yao cleaned the split wound at the corner of his mouth with a cotton swab.
"You and your older brother really don’t resemble each other," Ais suddenly said with a smile.
"You’re familiar with my older brother?"