Courtyard House: First, kill the hypocrites, leave none alive.

Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui.

An unassuming hotel, hidden in a small alley next to Nathan Road.

There was no sign at the entrance, only a dim wall lamp illuminating the mottled wall.

The elevator is old and makes a slight creaking sound when it runs, which is particularly clear in the quiet corridor.

Eighth floor, room 803.

The curtains were drawn, letting in no light.

Only a bedside lamp was lit in the room, casting a dim, yellowish glow over the large bed.

Xie Wanying leaned against Ruan Biao's chest.

She was wearing a newly bought cheongsam—moon white, embroidered with delicate orchids, which she had purchased this afternoon at a tailor shop in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Her hair was loose, draped over her shoulders, and she wore no makeup, but her eyes were still very bright.

Ruan Biao was shirtless, and the long knife scar on his chest gleamed dark red under the light.

He had one arm around Xie Wanying's waist, and a cigarette between his fingers, which he was slowly smoking.

The room was very quiet.

The only sounds were the hum of the air conditioner and the faint noise of the night streets outside the window.

"Brother Biao".

Xie Wanying spoke, her voice very soft.

Ruan Biao hummed in agreement.

"From today onwards, I will follow you."

Ruan Biao looked down and glanced at her.

There was a hint of a smile in those small eyes.

"Mad dog,"

He said, "Simple-minded, only fit to be a dog."

Xie Wanying remained silent.

Ruan Biao continued, "He thought that by taking my goods, he could fight against Uncle Quan. He didn't even consider how many years Uncle Quan had been in Kowloon, how many men he had under his command, and how Yan Tong was backing him. What does this mad dog have? A few broken guns, a few thugs, and a run-down drug stall."

He took a drag of his cigarette and slowly exhaled.

"He died a just death."

Xie Wanying leaned against him, listening to his words.

She remembered how the mad dog looked before it died.

He lay in a pool of blood, his eyes still open.

She remembered what he had said the night before.

"I'll go find Ruan Biao tomorrow and get another batch of goods."

He said this with a smile on his face.

That was the proudest smile he had ever given in his life.

He didn't know that the shipment was his death warrant.

"Brother Biao".

She spoke.

Ruan Biao looked at her.

"What about Uncle Quan..."

Ruan Biao smiled.

The smile was brief, revealing a set of teeth stained black by betel nuts.

"he?"

He said, "He just wants business. Don't worry."

Xie Wanying looked at him and waited.

Ruan Biao stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray on the bedside table.

"Xie Wanying,"

He said, "Do you know why I contacted you?"

Xie Wanying shook her head.

Ruan Biao looked at her, his small eyes holding a hint of scrutiny and a touch of admiration.

"Because you are different from those women."

He said, "Fat Bo died, and you survived. Mad Dog died, and you survived again. You're a woman, in a place like Kowloon, two men died, and you still managed to come here alive—"

He paused.

"It's not easy."

Xie Wanying remained silent.

Ruan Biao continued, "That idiot Mad Dog, with a woman like you, how could he die such a miserable death? He didn't deserve it."

He reached out, pinched her chin, and lifted her face.

"If you stay with me, I won't let you die."

Xie Wanying looked at him.

Those eyes were so calm that they stirred something within Ruan Biao.

"Brother Biao,"

She said, "I believe you."

Ruan Biao smiled.

He released her and pulled her back into his arms.

"What about Uncle Quan?"

He said, "Don't worry. He can't take care of you right now."

Xie Wanying raised her head.

Why?

Ruan Biao looked at the ceiling, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

"Because he's in big trouble now."

He paused.

"I've sent people to negotiate with Tyrannosaurus Rex. I've also been in contact with Uncle Wen. That old fox Snake King Can is still observing, but he'll choose sides sooner or later."

"Uncle Quan thought that killing a mad dog would scare everyone. He was wrong."

Ruan Biao lowered his head and looked at Xie Wanying.

"The more he kills, the more people's hearts scatter. The more ruthless he is, the more people fear him. The more people fear him, the more people hate him. The more people hate him—"

He didn't finish speaking.

But Xie Wanying understood.

The more people hate him, the more people want him dead.

Uncle Quan's path is getting narrower and narrower.

"Brother Biao,"

She said softly, "You're amazing."

Ruan Biao smiled.

That smile held a hint of smugness, but also something else entirely.

"Xie Wanying,"

He said, "Stay with me. I won't treat you badly."

Xie Wanying nodded.

"Um."

She leaned against him, listening to his heartbeat.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Very powerful.

He's stronger than Ah Hao.

More powerful than a mad dog.

She closed her eyes.

She knew she had made the right move.

From that dilapidated shack in the Walled City to this hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui.

From the woman who was a mad dog to the woman who was Ruan Biao's wife.

She climbed up step by step.

She wanted to keep climbing.

Climb higher.

Climb more steadily.

No one can let her die again.

Outside the window, the night was deep.

Faint sounds of ship horns drifted from afar, coming from the direction of Victoria Harbour.

Xie Wanying listened to that sound and slowly fell asleep.

-

At the same time, in Yau Ma Tei.

Golden Princess Ballroom, third-floor office.

Uncle Quan is still awake.

He sat behind his desk, holding a report in his hand, his face so gloomy it looked like it could drip water.

Ah Qiang stood in front of him, with his hands at his sides.

"Uncle Quan,"

He said, "It's all been investigated. Tyrannosaurus Rex did indeed meet with Ruan Biao's men. So did Uncle Wen. Snake King Can hasn't made a move yet, but he's observing."

Uncle Quan didn't say anything.

He put down the report, picked up a cigar, and lit it.

I took a sip.

Slowly expel it.

"Ruan Biao..."

He muttered, "That bastard."

A-Qiang looked at him, not daring to speak.

Uncle Quan took a few puffs of his cigarette, then suddenly asked, "Where's that woman?"

Ah Qiang was stunned for a moment.

Which woman?

"That mad dog's woman," Uncle Quan said, "Xie Wanying."

Ah Qiang's expression changed slightly.

"Not found yet."

Uncle Quan looked at him.

His gaze was calm, so calm that it sent chills down A-Qiang's spine.

"It's been three days."

Uncle Quan said, "A woman, three days have passed, and you still can't find her?"

Ah Qiang lowered his head.

"Uncle Quan, she...she might have left Kowloon."

Uncle Quan gave a cold laugh.

"Leave Kowloon? Where can she go? Back to Chaoshan? Can she even go back?"

Ah Qiang didn't say anything.

Uncle Quan stood up and walked to the window.

He looked out the window at the flashing neon lights and at the perpetually bustling street.

"She didn't leave."

He said, "She's definitely still in Kowloon. Maybe she's somewhere watching us."

A-Qiang felt a chill run down his spine.

"Uncle Quan, you mean...?"

Uncle Quan turned around.

"check."

He said, "Keep investigating. Dig three feet into the ground, we'll find her."

Ah Qiang nodded.

"clear."

He turned to leave.

"etc."

Ah Qiang stopped in his tracks.

Uncle Quan looked at him with deep, unfathomable eyes.

"Over there with the Tyrannosaurus Rex,"

He said, "Keep a close eye on him. If he dares to make a move, eliminate him first."

Ah Qiang nodded.

"clear."

He pushed open the door and went out.

The office fell silent again.

Uncle Quan stood by the window, looking at the lights outside.

He thought of Xie Wanying.

He had seen that woman a few times.

The first time was at Fei Bo's place. She sat in the corner, as quiet as a painting.

The second time, it was in his own office. She knelt on the floor, trembling, but her eyes didn't flinch.

The third time was when Ah-Qiang said, "She ran away."

He didn't pay attention at the time.

She's just a woman.

What kind of waves can it stir up?

Now he knows.

She can stir up trouble.

Very big waves.

Because she might be with Ruan Biao now.

Because Ruan Biao needed locals to do things for him.

Because she understood the Walled City, she understood the people of Fat Po, she understood the people of Mad Dog, she understood—

Uncle Quan gripped the window frame tightly.

He took a deep breath.

It's okay.

No matter how capable Ruan Biao is, he is still an outsider.

He's been here for decades, why would he be afraid of an outsider?

As for that woman—

He will find her sooner or later.

sooner or later.

-

Tsim Sha Tsui, hotel room.

Xie Wanying woke up.

A sliver of light shone through the window; dawn was approaching.

Ruan Biao was still asleep, snoring softly.

She sat up gently and looked at him.

The face appeared softer in the morning light than during the day.

The scar is still there, but it's not as menacing anymore.

Those teeth, stained black by betel nut, were closed and could not be seen.

She looked at him for a few seconds.

Then she quietly got out of bed and walked to the window.

Pull the curtains open a crack.

It was early morning in Tsim Sha Tsui. There weren't many people on the streets yet, only a few taxis and a few people jogging.

In the distance, Victoria Harbour shimmered with a faint light.

She looked at the sea and thought of things from long ago.

The huge waves at the typhoon shelter.

Ah-hao pulled her out of the water.

He said, "I will never let you fall into the sea again in my life."

He doesn't keep his word.

She fell in twice.

The first time, she swam up by herself.

She swam up the second time too.

It won't fall off again.

Because she will no longer rely on others.

She relied on herself.

I rely on this face, this body, and this heart that has been steeped in bitterness.

She turned around and looked at Ruan Biao on the bed.

This man is her new protector.

But it's only temporary.

She won't rely on him forever.

One day—

She didn't think any further.

She simply walked back to the bed and lay down again.

She nestled into his arms.

Close your eyes.

Pretend you haven't thought about anything.

Outside the window, the sky was getting brighter.

A new day begins.