Pleading for His Forgiveness

Lina and Talon were separated, swept away by the crowd, stumbling towards the exit.

She was afraid of being caught by the police too. If these boys were caught, they'd probably be held overnight at most. But if she was caught without identification, who knows where she'd be sent.

The stench of sweat and body odor from the men around her was overwhelming, making her dizzy. She missed a step and fell to the ground.

Someone stepped on Lina's left hand. She cried out, "Ah! Don't step on me!"

But in the chaos, who would hear her? Just as the stampeding crowd was about to trample her, a tall figure suddenly appeared, shielding her, pressing her head to his chest.

Lifting her trembling eyes, she saw Kairo's well-defined neck.

Looking up, the young man's features were strikingly chiseled, with a hint of stubble on his jawline.

Kairo's hands were on either side of her, his checkered shirt hanging beside her, which she clutched tightly.

Pressed against his chest, she could hear his steady heartbeat. She detected a faint scent of tobacco from him, mixed with a hint of medicinal bitterness.

As the wave of people passed, Kairo stood up, grabbed Lina's wrist, and pulled her towards the back door.

Her slender wrist was gripped tightly in his strong hand. She followed him instinctively, forgetting all about her father.

Kairo led her to the backyard, unlocked a tightly secured iron gate, and they emerged into a narrow, damp alley.

He zigzagged through the alley with her for over ten minutes until the noisy crowd faded in the distance.

As night deepened, darkness spread like a tide.

Kairo stopped and released her wrist.

The girl's wrist was as delicate as bamboo, matching her slender frame. Her long, dark hair brushed her shoulders, lightly touching her beautiful collarbone.

When she looked at him, there was fear in her eyes.

Kairo, with his sharp instincts, naturally sensed her wariness.

Every girl's first reaction upon seeing him was fear.

He was not the kind of guy who was naturally likable.

Lina had good reason to fear Kairo. When he had targeted her father's company, he had been so aggressive and domineering, almost crushing Talon's dignity.

How could she not be afraid of him?

Kairo played with his lighter, shielding the flame from the wind, and lit a cigarette with a hint of arrogance.

Without looking directly at her, he casually asked, "Talon's girlfriend?"

"No, not his girlfriend... I'm his... sister."

"Sister," Kairo murmured, then turned to leave without much thought.

"Wait, Mr. Shen, or rather, Kairo," Lina called out, approaching him. She took out several bills that Talon had given her earlier, counted a few, and handed him three, keeping two for herself. After hesitating for a few seconds, she gave him the remaining two, including a rare red bill.

"My brother caused trouble in your place. This money is to apologize. He shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry on his behalf."

Kairo was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Talon to have such a reasonable sister.

Her eyes were clear, and she had an open and upright demeanor. She seemed like a girl who lived genuinely.

Kairo, on the other hand, had long lost that genuine quality. He was used to saying whatever was expected, depending on the company.

Not everyone in this world has the privilege to live genuinely.

At least, he didn't.

There was a certain comfort Kairo felt around her.

"I didn't understand why you targeted him before, but now I do. It was all his fault. He was too overbearing. Please... don't hold a grudge."

Lina stuffed the money into Kairo's pocket, pleading for his forgiveness.

Kairo looked at the money with a hint of irony in his eyes.

After this incident, he probably wouldn't be able to keep his job at the pool hall.

Lina knew Kairo was proud, ruthless, and vengeful. Thinking a bit of money would appease him was probably unrealistic.

She was even prepared for him to throw the money back in her face. However...

Kairo chuckled, neatly folding the bills and placing them in his shirt pocket.

Times were tough. After struggling for years at the bottom, who would turn down money?

Watching his retreating figure disappear into the shadows of the alley, Lina waved at him, though he couldn't see.