"Bro! I was wrong, bro!"
The guy pinned under Evan Lin's foot was deathly pale, staring at Evan with a look like he'd just seen a ghost.
He had no idea what had just happened—one moment he was standing there, and the next he was flying through the air. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that everyone else, including the tattooed guy, was sprawled all over the ground.
"Why are you in such a hurry to apologize? Weren't you acting all tough just now?" Evan sneered, then casually kicked the thug in the stomach.
In the next instant, to everyone's shock, the hundred-plus-pound thug was sent flying like a ball by Evan's kick, slamming into the nearby wall with a loud crash and a string of miserable screams.
The woman on the ground was completely stunned, her heart pounding as she stared blankly at the boy with the backpack beside her.
"Bro, which crew are you with? I didn't realize who you were and totally overstepped—please forgive me!" The tattooed man, sensing things had gone south, forced himself up off the ground. His gaze flickered as he looked at Evan and said, "But bro, could you do me, Wolf, a favor today? We have to take this woman with us!"
Wolf wasn't stupid. The kid in front of him had flattened him and his whole crew in just a few moves—no way he was ordinary. He only regretted not bringing more guys with him.
"Who do you think you are, trying to get respect from me?" Evan shot Wolf a mocking look.
Hearing this, Wolf's expression turned stormy. "Bro, that's a bit harsh. I'm with the Jackal, you know. Even if you won't give me, Wolf, any respect, you should at least give the Jackal some, right?"
"Otherwise, if the Jackal gets pissed off, this won't be easy to settle. You know what the Jackal's temper is like—if he snaps and does something wild, don't blame me for not warning you!"
Wolf sneered, glancing at the woman lying beside Evan's feet. "This woman shot something she shouldn't have, without permission. We're taking back her camera! If you're cool with it, I'll make the call—give you a hundred grand, and I swear the Jackal won't hear a thing."
"Otherwise..."
Wolf paused deliberately, letting the threat hang in the air.
The woman's face went pale—a hundred grand was no small temptation. She was genuinely afraid the boy next to her might just sell her out for the cash.
"Or else, tell your so-called Jackal to crawl over here and beg me himself." Evan said coolly, stepping forward until he was right in front of Wolf.
"You're asking for it!" Wolf's face twisted with rage. A flash of steel flickered from his sleeve—a knife appeared in his hand.
"Watch out!"
The woman shouted, her eyes wide with fear as she saw the knife in Wolf's hand.
"Go to hell!"
Wolf roared with rage, but Evan just looked bored and slapped him across the face, knocking him flat on the ground.
"You're not even worth the effort. Trash."
Evan stood with his hands in his pockets, surrounded by bodies—no one else was left standing.
Without another glance at the woman on the ground, Evan walked out of the alley.
The woman sat stunned on the ground for a long moment, then struggled to her feet and limped after Evan. "Hey!"
She called out to Evan. Only when they reached the main street did she finally relax—a minute ago, if those guys had caught her, things would've turned ugly.
"What's up?"
Evan glanced at her. She looked neat but her face was smudged and she was clearly limping.
"Thank you!"
She followed after Evan, eyes shining.
"No need."
Evan shook his head and turned to leave.
"Where are you going now?"
Seeing Evan about to leave, she got anxious and hurried after him. There was something special about this guy—his moves just now looked straight out of an action movie.
"Looking for a place to rent. Stop following me." Evan shook his head.
Taking care of those punks was nothing to Evan—he hadn't planned to get involved, but since they messed with him, it was just their bad luck.
"Renting? Where are you looking? Are you a student?"
The woman hesitated, unsure what to make of Evan's answer.
"Near Capitalview First High."
"Capitalview First High? Perfect! Come with me!" She nodded enthusiastically and limped ahead.
"It's late, and you just saved me. I happen to be looking for a roommate—my place is at Dragonview Apartments, not far from Capitalview First High. Come check it out; if you like it, you can move in!"
The woman seemed to make a big decision and, not waiting for Evan to refuse, grabbed his sleeve.
"Are you an agent or something?"
Evan eyed her, a bit skeptical.
"Relax, I'm not some shady agent. I won't rip you off. School's been in session for ages—most places nearby are already rented out. I've got a spare room at my place, so just come with me!"
Before Evan could say no, she flagged down a taxi. He hesitated for a second, but finally got in.
Once in the cab, she gave the address, then pulled a small DV camera from her chest and checked it over, finally breathing a sigh of relief.
"What's on that thing?" Evan asked, curious. It was obvious those guys were after it.
"Evidence. That guy was loan-sharking female college students and forcing them into prostitution. The cops have been investigating, but didn't have proof—now they've got it. With this, the police can finally bust them all!"
She was practically glowing with excitement, but when she glanced at Evan's calm face, she suddenly looked apologetic. "Sorry for dragging you into this. The Jackal runs this area, and he's supposed to be tough. He might come after you..."
Thinking of that, she looked troubled again.
Not long after, the cab stopped at Dragonview Apartments.
It was a mid-to-high-end complex with tall buildings and wide views, just three streets from Capitalview First High—not far at all.
"This way!"
She called out, limping in pain as she led Evan upstairs.