32: Chapter 32 Paving the Way with Bricks, Kneeling Down to Acknowledge Brother

Lin Chen gripped his phone tightly and dashed toward the alley entrance.

On the screen was the last intermittent message sent by Li Wei, consisting of only a few words and chaotic symbols, clearly sent in haste during a crisis. Lin Chen's heart tightened as he rounded two corners piled with clutter, and the narrow alleyway came into view.

The alley was dim, flanked by old buildings with peeling walls, and the ground was littered with gravel and trash. Deep in the alley, three figures were surrounding a man on the ground, raining punches and kicks upon him.

It was Li Wei. He was pinned to the ground, his face and body covered in bruises and bloodstains. His clothes were torn and messy, yet he gritted his teeth and didn't make a sound.

"Damn, you're quite tough, aren't you?" spat the blond-haired thug stepping on him, grinding his foot down. "You dare owe Brother Ma money? If I don't skin you alive today, I'll take your last name!"

The two others beside him joined in the jeering, raising their feet to kick again.

"Get lost!"

A cold shout pierced through the noise of the alley like an icicle.

The three thugs froze and turned their heads in unison.

Lin Chen stood at the alley entrance, his expression obscured against the blurred light of the distant streetlamps, leaving only a tall, sharp silhouette. In his hand, a heavy red brick with rough edges had appeared at some point.

Blondie squinted at him. Seeing his ordinary clothes and that he was alone, he sneered, "Where did this greenhorn come from? Looking for death at your grandpa's doorstep?"

"I'll count to three," Lin Chen's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, carrying an unquestionable chill. "Let him go, then get lost. One."

"Fuck! Get him!" Enraged by his attitude, Blondie didn't bother with more words. With a wave of his hand, the three of them lunged forward simultaneously, their punches and kicks whistling through the air, aimed at Lin Chen's vitals.

Lin Chen didn't move.

Not until the foremost fist was less than half a foot from his face did he suddenly sidestep, narrowly avoiding it. At the same time, with a flick of his wrist, the red brick traced a short arc and struck the side of Blondie's right elbow joint with unerring precision.

*Crack!*

The faint sound of bone fracturing was exceptionally clear in the silent alley.

"Aaaaah!!" Blondie let out a subhuman howl. His entire arm instantly went limp, his face turned as pale as paper, and cold sweat poured down.

The other two thugs stopped in horror, their gaze toward Lin Chen changing instantly.

Lin Chen tossed aside the blood-stained brick. His gaze swept over them and finally landed on Li Wei, who was struggling to get up. After confirming that he was battered but had no fatal injuries, Lin Chen looked back at the three thugs, who had lost their will to fight.

"Still not getting lost?"

His voice remained flat, yet it was more terrifying than any threat.

Supported by his companions and trembling with pain, Blondie didn't dare look at Lin Chen again. He squeezed out a few words through his teeth: "Go... let's go!"

The three of them supported each other, stumbling away in a panic and disappearing at the other end of the alley in an instant.

Silence returned to the alley, leaving only heavy breathing.

Li Wei leaned against the mottled wall, barely managing to stand. Blood mixed with dust on his face, making him look miserable, yet he forced a strained smile at Lin Chen. "Brother Chen... I've... I've caused you trouble again."

"Can you stand?" Lin Chen approached and quickly checked his injuries. They were mostly skin contusions; his bones seemed fine.

"I can!" Li Wei gritted his teeth and nodded, trying to move his limbs. Though he grimaced in pain, he could indeed move. Looking at Lin Chen, his guilt deepened. "I... I just went to scout the way. I didn't expect them to be lying in wait there..."

"It's David's people," Lin Chen interrupted him with certainty. "They moved fast. It seems that after we beat up two of his lackeys, he immediately sent people to block you here. He wanted to give me a warning and cut off one of my arms."

Hearing this, a flash of resentment crossed Li Wei's face, quickly replaced by worry. "Brother Chen, what do we do now? They definitely won't let this go. About the housing sources..."

"We must seize the housing sources all the more." Lin Chen's eyes were cold as he helped him walk out slowly. "The more he acts like this, the more it shows he's anxious and afraid we'll actually beat him to it. Five houses—we must secure at least one tonight to establish a foothold. Can you hold on?"

Li Wei took a deep breath and straightened his back. Despite the sweat on his forehead from the pain, his gaze was exceptionally firm. "I can! Brother Chen, I'm with you!"

Lin Chen glanced at him and said no more, simply giving his uninjured shoulder a firm pat.

Supporting each other, the two walked out of the dim alley. In the distance, the lights of Chinatown remained warm, but nearby, the cold confrontation had just torn away the veil of tenderness.