Da Ge

Chapter 13
The interaction pattern between Song Xiaobao and Wei Zhiyuan was more perplexing than the annually changing fashion trends on girls. Typically, they could effortlessly switch between quarreling and reconciling multiple times within five minutes, their dynamics swifter and more unpredictable than lightning, beyond the comprehension of mere mortals.iSRPmBMvpHoKKdeQwWUcUJzLFuBpgN

Song Xiaobao fully utilized her rare linguistic talent in nicknaming Wei Zhiyuan, with favorites such as “Puppy,” “Big Eyes,” “Reed Stick Topped Sheep Dung Ball” (shortened to “Sheep Dung Ball”), “Little Turtle,” and “Turtle Egg,” among others. Wei Zhiyuan, on the other hand, was more concise, usually silencing her with the term “Ugly Girl” in the blink of an eye.QTiHpfgIJAjLIMIRHgQXvQogcMnIoU

However, after a certain day, Song Xiaobao’s variety of nicknames for Wei Zhiyuan ceased, simplifying to just “Second Brother.” Song Xiaobao stopped her one-sided provocations, transforming in Wei Zhiyuan’s presence from an annoying brat to a lovable little girl. In return, Wei Zhiyuan affectionately began to call her “Little Treasure,” evolving their relationship from sworn enemies to that of normal siblings.YnTAYSBkPRqzAnevLUroJGYXohEyxw

Wei Qian, however, remained indifferent to the children’s antics and reconciliations, oblivious to their quarrels and peace-making, as long as it didn’t escalate to physical fights, given his innate ability to ignore what didn’t interest him.FwxqVGZZwWEQJzYpaRrxQGdKQnHHqE

One day, after applying anti-swelling medicine to Wei Zhiyuan’s face without much expression or comment, Wei Qian awkwardly comforted the upset Little Treasure.WCmHJpmOgBroZXefSzNAdVNlTiHXZh

Tearful, Little Treasure looked at him with pitiful eyes that could break hearts, asking, “Brother, are you still mad at me?”cfIwXRODISHCeXszforZptcYkhUSCs

Wei Qian, with a serious and slightly embarrassed demeanor, struggled to respond like a normal person, unable to straightforwardly apologize or reassure her that he wasn’t angry.MWuQgRDTNhffdZHAetrjqHDkEhzSEq

After a tense silence, Wei Qian finally spoke, offering a weekly allowance for ice pops, a treat she loved, as a peace offering. This proposal left an eavesdropping bystander, San Pang, completely flabbergasted by Wei Qian’s unpredictable nature.AbKBMWdWrYDtzRseTSWcjqmhMizarg

After calming Song Xiaobao and sending the children to bed, Wei Qian stepped out to assertively declare his intention to confront a certain individual, his tone and expression remarkably composed, as if discussing a mundane errand.kxDLVmibhgjsdhWCPssLUgMigUFcPD

This moment marked the beginning of Wei Qian’s mastery over concealing his emotions.vYVIeslioMAPaGdMZNatxyoTOObglI

San Pang felt a mixture of loyalty and an indistinct fear, reluctant to voice his concerns in front of others, aware of Wei Qian’s status among their group and the eagerness of others to assist. Despite others taking the lead in the conversation, San Pang’s silence held a deeper meaning, reflecting his growing anxiety.xqrMbQAKeIgvlrlfCRuitlsmVYFcuT

For these youngsters, fights, mischief, and minor thefts were part of their routine—albeit not commendable, they usually didn’t lead to severe consequences. However, Wei Qian’s singular statement, followed by his casual gratitude towards others, stirred a profound worry within San Pang, indicating a turning point towards more serious undertakings.ZSLylFycTcuKzfONifOlDwwTDhIcKh

San Pang was aware of him and knew he was holding back something significant. He felt a kind of desperate, lawless intent to kill, suggesting that Wei Qian was on the verge of madness.PAiEZTbIrlabJtnzVbPkghFQIjEeUp

In that moment, San Pang sincerely hoped that the maniac would stay away, never to be found by Wei Qian.QdoOoyrBojOLMIRMjVkoYZQzoydiLb

Indeed, Wei Qian was about to lose his mind. The next day, he removed his plaster cast and switched to working in a nightclub frequented by demons and ghosts, enabling him to continue picking up his two children during the day.XnpTAamPXMIOxGjXcMBVZtBSWRKNkz

At that time, new drugs like ecstasy were not yet popular, and the regulation was lax. Nightclubs had everything, including early sex workers, drug addicts, young people’s wild dance floors, and rock youth’s late-night revelry theaters.uYGVJqNuiCCSEllCXXwLTNGHUsNfRC

All night long, the air was filled with the smell of alcohol.dAfDkzPwuWlOVujZYkgLeIuAIHSiLI

With two bowls of yellow soup going to one’s head, almost every day saw disturbances.UYsqTVMweecOFJJukNCUZimCvdCFfa

Wei Qian dealt with such people.UbISfkaocRqnAGGOSUiqMzvEjCMReC

His arm had just healed when he started a new phase of intensive fighting life. Almost every day, he had to lead a fight, returning home in the early morning reeking of alcohol and covered in injuries. In just two months, Wei Qian emerged as a renowned fighter with a mad dog’s demeanor, gaining a significant reputation.aUnRyhMPilqpHJkOMUmfuxIfKTXWSH

Le Ge was generous to capable brothers, making Wei Qian’s income quite substantial during that period. Meanwhile, the search for the maniac continued with his brothers keeping him informed.eJHDETdYvJZoQnMsKcSJxAyajevmNS

Perhaps it was San Pang’s prayers that moved the heavens, as they never found the maniac.oqfeCExPSatIhPRjHOFGwAsWWFeuXJ

Wei Qian’s body became sturdy after numerous fierce conflicts, and people started calling him Little Wei Ge. He developed a dangerous aura of a real fighter at an incredible speed, a far cry from the boy who once sneaked out of school at noon to scrounge food at a billiard hall.ibMQkqTVoxNEZJdKNOtGZpYdJbaKin

Violence is a very dangerous behavior. It can continuously reward and reinforce itself, eventually changing a person’s personality.QNNIbtHYhpolCXvMCSOLdjYDjajpMV

Those who have never experienced it can never understand why some are addicted to violence. Like a drug, it can instantly ignite the adrenaline in one’s body, establish a distorted sense of self-esteem, confidence, security, belonging, and even a sense of self-“worth” under the fearful gazes of his brothers.azxdZoSxknEMsvfmgPDlPnJQqKsdVp

It can bring about an experience similar to “success,” and just as “success” can subtly transform a person into a “successful” mindset, “violence” can similarly transform a person into a “violent” mindset.mYuUoyKsPzapQHsGXUzBJmHANuumMx

Those addicted to it begin to inflate their ego uncontrollably, bypassing the normal concerns about “consequences” and other problem-solving approaches.reiUTGjhJyidcfSsXTElDNWIVCiMuN

Fear and guilt disintegrate in the face of self-denial, followed by the collapse of self-control, until finally, all conscience, moral sense, and warmth within a person fade away, leading to an “irredeemable” state.tYoTCEAVFxazUEOyxAyASPNvraGTJH

Some say that so-called “desperados” are mostly people who would give up their lives for money, but that’s not entirely accurate. What they exchange their lives for is much more complex than just the value of “money.”ApuPyVJCpnbiRYuFXCjokWsxgpMKeX

And Wei Qian was clearly walking on this broad road.fFYHKJLkVTePNxkMvOnrDGsczdMJDK

He was oblivious, while San Pang watched in horror and disbelief.ABxKKynopBsbrCLbsFNcANelRdCGFX

Finally, San Pang couldn’t bear it any longer, and privately spoke to Wei Qian for the second time, saying, “Stop doing this, why not manage an internet cafe? It’s much more relaxing, and you can even rest during the day. I can help pick up and drop off your younger siblings for school, okay?”hlKvNfvambvfLCuSLFjtzetuBHEQRK

It was already deep autumn, and Wei Qian, relying on his youthful vigor, carelessly washed his head under a tap with cold water. Hearing this, he just lifted his head.iYlCmofsfbBUzPgPpYXAaDxoJIECdI

He grabbed a towel and roughly wiped his face, then shook his head vigorously, replying, “No need, don’t meddle.”xODHhcUjUazsbYwFoyNusssgmzCOkb

San Pang had no choice but to keep silent again.GICLWiAwzGVZkpvorutjRsliEriOYy

San Ge, who had watched Wei Qian grow up, understood him well. Saying it once was okay; he knew it was well-intentioned and appreciated it. But saying it too much would only provoke his stubbornness to the point where he might turn against anyone.eDHOAPHsTTHmRdsZgWuHAupHcTJBmu

Reluctantly, San Pang changed the subject, “Hey, what’s up with Ma Zi? He’s been elusive. We live in the same neighborhood, and I visit his mother in the hospital every day, yet I haven’t seen him for half a month. What’s going on?”nNFrWJngNFoegORDMDMJKyWXiaTUqj

Ma Zi’s mother had been in the ICU for a long time, and the high hospital bills nearly drove them to bankruptcy. Eventually, Ma Zi mortgaged their house and borrowed money, barely saving his mother’s life. But she was left severely disfigured, losing an arm and a leg, unable to stand again, likely doomed to live a ghostly existence for the rest of her life.teVXXEmBLTBZpEYFuaGgUuyYWmbBeL

They would no longer be able to enjoy the soy milk and dough sticks she made.qevsomiRkJYILRMgUymGVzhIsYlHcV

Wei Qian was startled; he also visited the hospital when he was free to check on the account and contribute what he could, but he hadn’t seen Ma Zi for over half a month—even though they worked at the same nightclub.VEVKJUNtLrbmhWbtMNlCvkfxtEqFBa

San Pang frowned, “You think that fool might have gotten into trouble?”NcSpAfTNwxKQewTBipYXUxmzBqFLuc

When he mentioned him, Wei Qian became concerned. One night, when he was scheduled for the late shift, Wei Qian deliberately lingered around, waiting in the surveillance room until past three in the morning. Almost falling asleep, he saw Ma Zi coming out after cleaning the first batch of vacated private rooms. The surveillance footage was blurry, but Wei Qian noticed another person not far from Ma Zi, maintaining the same distance, though their appearance was unclear. It seemed they were trying hard not to let others notice they were together.rpyVzYCgMZEyIHMrfwUonKoTjClUIg

Wei Qian snapped to attention and left the surveillance room, keeping an eye out to avoid the cameras, and cautiously followed Ma Zi. He didn’t dare get too close, as the person with Ma Zi was very alert, frequently looking back.QUWjuQeHckSUCLfkZNyJcXtUVpnuJr

Ma Zi and the person entered a wind-sheltered alley. It was still dark, and Wei Qian was too far away to see clearly, but he barely made out Ma Zi handing a stack of money to the person. After counting it, the person handed a few notes back to Ma Zi along with a small package.nATyRnYuwQpJxtZrtkXRjLKDjCPLXv

The two parted ways in a hurry, leaving Wei Qian chilled by the early autumn morning breeze.NUxaLBGEoErLDfcvyrFFrZAUMRzIih

After making sure the person had left, Wei Qian followed Ma Zi from a distance until he felt it was safe, then emerged, calling out, “Ma Zi!”xiuLggNfRkIjCjlkIXobBamLOBoYDW

He was ready to thoroughly question Ma Zi about what had just happened, but upon seeing Wei Qian, Ma Zi looked like a startled bird and took off running.rgaasFNKhEMiBUnVNPBLpSZREDiOcZ

Wei Qian immediately gave chase.SJGShACdmfdcvoKtdHCLTWEdqwsjkF

Ma Zi ran like a rabbit, zigzagging through the alleys, and it didn’t take long for Wei Qian to lose sight of him.xiWZeajOCCWQKQPaBVJUcAxQfQHfrN

Frustrated, Wei Qian kicked a stone hard and cursed, “Shit!”vNwWGxChWUrFpiWRwQsQSXAffvskhc

Then he went home, waiting outside Ma Zi’s door, hoping to catch him.DxlRXKvfGIZZPxSYJpIVEvdakLpVDI

But as dawn approached and the lights in his own house turned on, with Xiao Yuan and Xiao Bao getting ready for school, he still hadn’t managed to catch Ma Zi.vJUluiVMDLbOIunFmxzbgnXhfQzFVs