With Li Yuan on his back, Lin Yu's escape speed naturally slowed down. Fortunately, the pursuing Scorpion Gang members weren’t much faster either, so they couldn’t catch up to the duo anytime soon. However, Lin Yu also couldn’t shake them off in a short time.
And so, Lin Yu ran, and the Scorpion Gang thugs chased.
Along the way, long-range "gifts" were inevitable.
Facing these shameless sneak attacks—bricks, batons, even flip-flops—Lin Yu’s steps became erratic, veering east one moment and twisting left the next.
Yet, despite his efforts, he couldn’t dodge even a third of the projectiles.
Watching a hefty red brick graze his shoulder before smashing into the asphalt road ahead, Lin Yu couldn’t help but sigh in frustration.
What a shame it didn’t hit Li Yuan—that would’ve taught him a lesson!
Meanwhile, slumped over Lin Yu’s back, Li Yuan endured yet another heavy impact. After coughing twice, he finally spoke up weakly.
"Cough! Cough!"
"Hey… Xiao Yu."
"Maybe just put me down. Your old uncle can run on his own."
At this point, he’d rather take a beating from the Scorpion Gang than keep running. At least he could cover his head and avoid serious injury. But if this kept up, one unlucky hit could crack his skull open!
A brick that size? Half his life would be gone!
"No!"
"Just hang on a little longer, Uncle!"
Lin Yu refused without hesitation, his tone righteous and firm.
"We’re almost at our turf!"
"Once we’re there, we’ll call the boys and finish these bastards off!"
Maybe it was the exhaustion from being pelted with bricks, or maybe he really believed they were close to safety—either way, Li Yuan stopped insisting on running alone. Instead, he started barking orders at Lin Yu to hurry up, tossing out empty promises like confetti.
Lin Yu ignored his yapping, maintaining a pace just fast enough to stay ahead but slow enough to keep the Scorpion Gang hooked. All the while, he kept glancing back, playing a twisted game of catch—trying to intercept every brick and rock, hoping one would land squarely on the idiot on his back.
But fate had other plans.
After the long chase, the Scorpion Gang members were gasping for air, barely able to keep up, let alone aim their throws. Their projectiles flew wildly off course, and even if Lin Yu lunged for them, he couldn’t redirect a single one.
With only a few blocks left before reaching the Black Blood Gang’s hideout, Lin Yu grew desperate.
Li Yuan hadn’t shed a drop of blood. His screams when hit were still full of vigor. Letting him off like this…
It was unbearable!!!
Another glance back revealed a pleasant surprise—the Scorpion Gang’s numbers had dwindled. Only about ten were still chasing.
This changed things.
Lin Yu did a quick mental calculation. Ten exhausted thugs, panting from the sprint? He could take them.
In that case…
Li Yuan.
You’re about to get what’s coming to you.
"Ah, shit!"
Lin Yu "tripped"—left foot over right—and crashed face-first into the ground. Li Yuan tumbled off like a sack of rice, rolling through the dirt several times before skidding to a stop.
The Scorpion Gang, ready to give up, suddenly found new energy at the sight of their prey sprawled on the ground. They charged with everything they had.
Lin Yu scrambled up, cutting off Li Yuan’s panicked plea before it left his mouth. He rushed to his uncle’s side, helping him up with a face full of fake concern.
"Don’t worry, Uncle! I’d never leave you behind!"
"G-good kid."
"Knew I could count on you."
Li Yuan’s voice was hoarse, weaker than Lin Yu had expected. He sounded like a martial arts novel character who’d just taken a palm strike to the chest—coughing blood, internal injuries galore.
Clearly, being a human shield hadn’t been kind to him.
"Uncle, can you still run?"
Lin Yu asked the question burning in his mind.
"Cough! Cough!"
Li Yuan shook his head, his face ghostly pale.
"Can’t… run."
"Xiao Yu, hold them off. I’ve already messaged the boys—they’ll be here soon. Just hang on a little longer."
"Don’t worry, Uncle! I won’t let them lay a finger on you!"
Lin Yu’s visible eye (the other hidden under his dyed blond hair) shone with determination, as if swearing an unbreakable oath.
Li Yuan, reassured by this display of loyalty, sighed in relief. But just as he was about to nod in approval, the Scorpion Gang caught up.
"Uncle, look out!"
In a show of "loyalty," Lin Yu shoved Li Yuan sideways—supposedly to dodge the first thug’s swinging machete.
But there were two attackers in the first wave, and the gap between them was tiny.
Lin Yu’s push practically flung Li Yuan into the arms of the second thug.
And to ensure Li Yuan couldn’t react in time, Lin Yu used a little trick—twisting his uncle’s body so his back faced the enemy, leaving him defenseless.
Under the setting sun, a metallic baton gleamed gold before slamming into Li Yuan’s shoulder with full force.
A bloodcurdling scream tore through the quiet alley.
Music to Lin Yu’s ears.
Pure bliss.
"UNCLE!!!"
Lin Yu kicked away the machete-wielding thug and charged toward Li Yuan, eyes wide with "horror."
"Uncle! Are you okay?!"
Li Yuan’s face twisted in agony, but he still had the sense to prioritize survival.
"Don’t—worry about me! Stop them first!"
Lin Yu’s expression was frantic, but inside, he was laughing.
Don’t worry about you?
Oh, I’ll worry about you.
Don’t you fret, old man.
Today, I’m making sure you get exactly what you deserve.