Chapter 9: Night WalkTwelve years ago, Green Grass Street was not as it is now.Back then, the underground boss who controlled Green Grass Street was called Snakehead. Shan Xiaoxi could no longer recall his exact appearance, only remembering that his gaze felt like a cold, slimy snake's tongue—disgusting and nauseating.Dirty streets, beggars, prostitutes, thugs, and stray dogs were everywhere.The orphanage was like a small, pitiful presence squeezed among these people. The older children had to stand up to the threats of thugs' fists to protect the younger ones. Shan Xiaoxi had followed behind her brother more than once, brandishing sticks to fight off the thugs.Lin Ting was the oldest child in the orphanage. Not yet twenty, she had already blossomed into a graceful young woman. Her boyfriend was a boy from an ordinary family, young and innocent.In Green Grass Street at that time, beauty and innocence were deadly.The old widower Snakehead took a liking to Lin Ting. He killed her boyfriend, drove away his family, and threatened Lin Ting into marrying him by using the orphanage as leverage.Shan Xiaoxi still remembered the scene that night.The older brother who often came to help at the orphanage was thrown at the entrance like a piece of ragged cloth. Sister Ting threw herself onto his body, crying until she fainted. When she woke up, it was as if she had become a different person.Because Shan Xiaoxi was born with memories—one could say she had crossed over into this world—she always felt that Lin Ting that night seemed like she had been reborn.The gentle sister had turned into a blade. This blade tore open the gray sky of Green Grass Street.Shan Xiaoxi didn’t know how they managed it, only remembering that in three days, Green Grass Street had changed.Snakehead was dead. His gang disintegrated, and a new gang took over all his operations.Shan Xiaoxi knew that Lin Ting was not the only one involved in that incident. Behind her stood many people who had endured Snakehead to their limits. Shan Xiaoxi’s brother was one of them. Only because Shan Xiaoxi was young, everyone refused to tell her the details.A few months later, Shan Xiaoxi’s brother’s biological father found the orphanage. Her brother agreed to leave with his father on the condition that his father’s family protect Green Grass Street.Not long after her brother left, official attention toward Green Grass Street increased.For example, police patrols in Green Grass Street became noticeably more frequent. The number of unsavory characters on the streets dwindled, and public order improved. The aid office also paid more attention to the orphanage, even adding some electrical appliances. Lin Ting gradually became the spokesperson for Green Grass Street and obtained official permission to open Patra Restaurant. Due to the value of Patra as food, securing a supply channel was extremely difficult.All of this was the invisible support from her brother’s family for Green Grass Street. Under these changes, Green Grass Street became what it is today, and the orphanage became a sanctuary.Because of this, Shan Xiaoxi held a slight fondness for her brother’s biological family—until two years ago, when her brother suddenly lost contact. After a long time without any news from her brother, Shan Xiaoxi tried every means to contact his family but found no help.She finally realized that those so-called wealthy families of the Inner Ring were not as humane as she had thought. When you were invisible in their eyes, you truly meant nothing.After hitting walls everywhere, Shan Xiaoxi made up her mind to rely on her own efforts to find her brother.Even if she had lost her job, she could not give up like this.Beyond the thick curtains, the Crimson Moon had risen, and the dangerous night had arrived.Shan Xiaoxi wore a set of homemade black athletic clothes, a black mask and gloves, and carried a homemade black backpack, tiptoeing quietly to the first-floor entrance.Xiao Bei was already waiting here, responsible for locking the door after Shan Xiaoxi left and opening it upon her return.Xiao Bei, full name Lu Bei, fourteen years old, was currently the oldest child at the Green Grass Street Orphanage."Xiao Bei, thank you for your trouble.""Sis, be careful on the road, come back early."Shan Xiaoxi tightened her hood, wrapping her entire body within it. Then she pulled out that bottle of Patra Bone Wine and drank it down in one go.Patra Bone Wine, a medicinal liquor brewed from Patra bones and herbs, has the effect of temporarily enhancing the human body's resistance to Red Moon radiation. The longer it is aged, the longer its duration.The unique fishy sweetness of Patra Bone Wine spread through her mouth, making Shan Xiaoxi nearly vomit. She could only hold her breath and force herself to endure it. The slightly thick liquid was swallowed into her stomach and quickly absorbed by her intestines and stomach.The nausea faded, and a gradual warmth spread through her body, with a tingling itchiness at her fingertips. This was the wine's "kick" taking effect, also the characteristic sign of Patra Bone Wine working.Shan Xiaoxi nodded to Xiao Bei.Xiao Bei hid behind the door and pulled it open. Shan Xiaoxi slipped out of the building in a flash, and then the door closed behind her and was locked.The Fourth Ring's night required no streetlights. The Crimson Moon's radiance bathed the earth, as if the streets were hung with red lanterns.The overwhelming red light was uncomfortable. Shan Xiaoxi blinked, allowing herself to adapt to the environment as quickly as possible. Under the influence of Patra Bone Wine, her eyes took on a faint blue hue. With green night-vision goggles added, the scenery in her vision seemed draped in a light mist.Time was limited. Shan Xiaoxi began to run nimbly through the streets.Green Grass Street at night was rarely traveled. Running with head down, there was no worry of bumping into anyone, but Shan Xiaoxi still chose a fixed route. This was a habit formed from going out at night with her brother when she was young.Most of these routes were under the shadows of buildings, allowing more avoidance of the Crimson Moon's radiant light.In just over ten minutes, Shan Xiaoxi arrived at Patra Eatery. Along the way, she encountered only two workers hurrying home.Patra Eatery at night was livelier than during the day. The dinner menu included not only Patra cuisine but also ordinary meals and drinks.After all, Lin Ting's Patra Eatery was the only establishment open at night on the east bank of the Fallen River.Workers, busy all day, came here after receiving their wages to eat something good and nourish their bodies. Others simply came for dinner, or a few friends gathered to drink together.Shan Xiaoxi pushed aside the heavy curtain and entered the shop, catching her breath while scanning the room.Tonight, there were far fewer customers in the shop than usual. Probably still because of the recent Aberrant Attack Incidents—people dared not go out during the day, let alone at night.There were always those seeking to drown their sorrows. At one table, seven or eight empty ordinary wine bottles were scattered, and a drunken man lay sprawled across it, muttering nonsense.Patra Bone Wine was not cheap; even the cheapest bottle cost ten times that of ordinary liquor. So, for getting drunk, ordinary wine was more cost-effective.The shop assistant spotted Shan Xiaoxi and waved her over."Sister Ting is waiting for you in the upstairs room. She said for you to go find her yourself when you arrive."The second floor of the eatery served as Lin Ting and her staff's bedrooms. Shan Xiaoxi, familiar with the layout, knocked on her door."You're here," Lin Ting's tone carried a hint of resignation.Shan Xiaoxi nodded. "I am.""Are you absolutely certain?" Lin Ting reminded her once more. "Once you cross the river, even I won't be able to protect you. Once you get involved with them, it's hard to shake them off.""I know," Shan Xiaoxi was resolute. "I must find my brother, no matter what it takes.""You and your brother really are cut from the same cloth, even though you haven't seen each other in over a decade."As she spoke, Lin Ting changed into a set of black form-fitting clothes. The tight outfit clung to her body, accentuating her curves even more.Compared to her attire, Shan Xiaoxi's tracksuit seemed rather plain. Fortunately, she had a delicate, lovely face and large, watery eyes, preventing anyone from mistaking her for a boy.Lin Ting then took out a cloak and draped it over herself, handing another to Shan Xiaoxi.These cloaks were crafted from whole pieces of Patra Hide, offering superior protection against Red Moon radiation and were considered priceless treasures.Shan Xiaoxi was slightly taller than Lin Ting, but she wore sneakers while Lin Ting wore high heels, making them appear similar in height from behind.The two descended via the side staircase on the second floor, exited the eatery through the back door, and hurried toward the alloy bridge.They walked at a steady, unhurried pace. In the darkness of the night, Lin Ting was clearly more accustomed and at ease than Shan Xiaoxi."Is this your first time going to the West Bank?""Yes, I heard there's a toll to cross the bridge?""Not if you're with me.""Why charge a fee? Don't they want more customers?""It's like how the red-light district doesn't charge streetwalkers—they don't need bottom-tier clients." Streetwalkers were the lowest class of sex workers. Twelve years ago, Grass Street had its share of them.Stepping onto the alloy bridge and heading from east to west, halfway across they could see several figures standing at the far end. They were the bridge guards, responsible for collecting the crossing toll.Shan Xiaoxi and Lin Ting shifted from walking side by side to one behind the other.The bridge guards were gathered together smoking. Seeing two people approaching on the bridge, they showed slight surprise. One of them recognized Lin Ting and bowed respectfully to her.Lin Ting greeted him, took out a token, and handed it to another guard for inspection before asking for information."Have many people been crossing the bridge these past few days?""Hardly anyone's come from the East Bank lately. Those cowards are all scared off."Lin Ting said no more. After retrieving her token and putting it away, she took out a box and handed it to the guard. "You've all been working hard. Here are some snacks to help pass the time."The box contained Patra Dried Meat cured with special ingredients. Chewy, flavorful, and reputed to boost virility, it was highly favored by men and came at no small price.Unlike the desolate East Bank, the West Bank at night was still bustling with noise and activity.It was Shan Xiaoxi's first time on the West Bank, and she couldn't help but look around curiously.The streets of the West Bank were covered overhead by a large canopy.This canopy was stitched together from pieces of Patra Hide, blocking most of the Crimson Moon's light and allowing people to walk the streets at night as usual.Of course, this barrier wasn't complete. Red Moon radiation was far from something a mere beast hide could fully block. Especially at the edges of the canopy, the moonlight still poured down mercilessly.Without moonlight, the streets here were illuminated by streetlights. These lights were solar-powered, allowing them to expend energy freely.Shan Xiaoxi had already taken off her night-vision goggles and stored them away. She wanted to put away her cloak as well, but seeing that Lin Ting hadn’t done so, she decided against it.The architectural style of the buildings on the west bank leaned toward European-style mansions. Some structures even resembled religious buildings, appearing even more luxurious than they had from across the river.Such buildings were costly to construct and seemed out of place in the Fourth Ring, an area inhabited by ordinary civilians.The wealth of the west bank exceeded Shan Xiaoxi’s expectations, leaving her puzzled.

The Fashion Rookie and The Mysterious Gentleman