The Cloud-Rider Coaster rolled into the station and slowly came to a stop.
Many passengers couldn't wait to jump off the ride and immediately started throwing up.
Ten kilometers of track, with all those sharp drops and sudden turns—it was a heart-stopping ride.
Jessica Jiang looked a bit dazed. She turned around, just about to ask Lily Zhong in the back row how she was doing, when she caught sight of Lily still clutching Evan Lin's hand, her eyes full of playful curiosity.
"Ugh!"
Right beside Jessica, Peter Pang stumbled off the ride in a hurry, his face pale as he doubled over and puked.
"Hey, are you okay? Was it really that bad?" Jessica went over and patted Peter's back.
If you can't handle it, you shouldn't have gotten on.
Evan shot Peter a glance and said coolly.
Peter's face twisted with anger as he glared at Evan and Lily.
If it weren't for that kid, he'd probably have had a chance to get close to Lily Zhong. But now, all Lily could see was him.
"Damn it!"
Peter cursed under his breath.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a group of punks waiting not far away.
The guys over there saw Peter too. One of them tossed away his cigarette and strode over quickly.
"Hey, kid, how old are you? Skipping school to hang out here?"
Peter had texted them saying he'd been messed with by a high-schooler. The lead punk instantly spotted Evan standing next to Peter.
After a quick glance at Lily and Jessica, the punk walked straight up to Evan. His gang surrounded Evan, faces full of arrogance.
"Who the hell are you people?"
Seeing these guys, Lily tensed up, especially after hearing their obvious attempt to pick a fight. She got even more nervous.
Lily instinctively stepped in front of Evan.
Jessica frowned. "Hey, looking for trouble? If you are, I swear I'll call the cops right now!"
Jessica had seen plenty of troublemakers working at the bar. She quickly moved to Lily's side, glaring at the gang.
"Jessica, just stay out of this. It's probably because this kid stirred up some mess outside—that's why these guys are after him."
Peter, having recovered a bit after puking, strode over and tried to pull Jessica and Lily aside. "Jessica, Lily, listen to me. In this world, flies don't bite uncracked eggs. That kid must be mixed up in bad stuff, that's why these guys are here for him."
"Let's just stay out of it. It's none of our business."
Peter finished speaking, and the lead thug grinned. "Now this boss gets it. That's right, this kid stole five hundred yuan from us. We've been after him for ages—never thought we'd run into him here!"
So here's the deal, kid—either pay up or take a beating. Your choice!
The lead thug was making it all up, of course. He pretended not to know Peter, and he was a pro at these setups.
"Stole money?"
Jessica's brows furrowed as she shot Evan a doubtful look.
"No way!" Lily's eyes flashed, her tone firm.
Peter forcibly pulled Jessica and Lily aside. "Come on, let's not get involved in this mess. Can't you see? That kid doesn't look like a good guy at all."
Don't be fooled by his age. With all my years of experience, I can guarantee he's not as innocent as he looks!
Peter spoke with absolute certainty, firing off one accusation after another as he looked at Evan, sneering. "Bet you anything, he's just some street punk!"
"Him?" Jessica was confused, glancing at Evan, not quite believing it.
Lily was getting anxious, wanting to defend Evan.
Hearing Peter, the two or three dozen punks eagerly nodded. "That's right, this kid's one of us. We've seen him fighting with his big brother before!"
Last time I beat him up, and this time he stole my money! This boss here sees things clearly—he wasn't fooled by that student act!
The lead punk kept smearing Evan while sneakily buttering up Peter.
The lead punk turned, chin up, and sized Evan up coldly. "Come on, kid, tell everyone—aren't you one of us?"
If you don't remember, I'm gonna make sure you never forget! And that five hundred you stole from me—I haven't forgotten, either!
Kid, you'd better tell the truth!
If you lie, we'll knock your teeth out!
You little punk, stealing money? Tired of living, huh? Don't you know who we are?
The punks behind him puffed up, shouting and acting tough.
Their commotion drew all kinds of attention. People waiting for the Cloud-Rider Coaster turned to watch.
Getting noticed only made the punks prouder, strutting like it was something to brag about.
Lily, worried and upset, tried to step up for Evan, but he gently stopped her with a hand.
Lily froze, confused, but Evan's face stayed perfectly calm.
"Sorry, but I'm not in your line. That kind of low-level stuff is just for trash like you who choose to sink so low."
Evan spoke lightly, leaving everyone stunned.
Peter looked on, gloating—wasn't this kid just asking for trouble?
The punks' faces darkened instantly, eyes blazing with anger. "Trash? Kid, who are you calling trash!"
"Who else but you guys?" Evan raised an eyebrow. "But honestly, my dogs do work in your line."
"But obviously, even my dogs live better than you lot. You really think dragging along a bunch of old, weak, sick, and disabled makes you hotshots?"
"Who the hell are you calling old, weak, sick, and disabled!" the lead punk exploded. "You little brat, you really got a dog working our line? You think I'm an idiot?"
Ever heard of Snake, the old casino enforcer in Minghai? That was my boss! You, a little punk, dare talk big? You're gonna end up crying in the hospital today!
The lead punk finished and was about to signal his crew to rush Evan.
Before he could act, Evan casually raised his hand, tone playful. "Don't believe me?"
"Well, sorry—I'll have my dog bite you right now. He's pretty fierce."
Evan's lips curled into a faint smile as he snapped his fingers.