Chapter 112: Deterioration

Chapter 112: Deterioration

Xia Zheng paid no attention to the gangsters and quietly listened to the news. His indifferent attitude immediately drew ridicule from the young man with purple dreadlocks across from him, provoking the youth’s humiliation and anger. Without hesitation, the boy viciously slashed a folding knife across Xia Zheng’s cheek.

The gangster suddenly felt his body lighten, then was sent flying backward. Only then did the pain surge, as if an elephant had trampled his chest and abdomen. He cried out in agony.

The others stared in disbelief. They had barely seen how the attack was countered—only a blur before their companion collapsed to the ground. The folding knife dropped into Xia Zheng’s hand, who toyed with it casually.

“This isn’t our fight, big brother…” The rest scattered like frightened birds, abandoning their comrade.

Xia Zheng slowly approached the young man, who looked no older than a high school student. Though Xia Zheng was only a couple of years older, the past year of hardships had transformed his appearance and demeanor into that of a streetwise man, far more mature than most of his peers.

“Carl...” A hurried call from Aili made Xia Zheng stop and turn in surprise.

Aili, now tense and anxious, rushed over and helped the crying gangster to his feet, wiping his face. It was clear the boy was her relative—perhaps her younger brother?

Carl hesitated, then, seeing Aili’s expression, grew uneasy and denied, “You… sister? No… you’ve got the wrong person, I’m not Carl…”

Aili grabbed his head firmly, pressing it against her chest, scolding, “You brat, I’d recognize you even if you turned to ashes. You don’t even recognize your own sister?”

“You… you really are my sister?” Carl finally admitted.

Aili nodded and asked, “What happened? Why are you lying on the ground?”

Carl’s face flushed with shame and anger as he glared at Xia Zheng. Unexpectedly, Xia Zheng pointed at him and accused, “He slashed my face with a knife. I was just defending myself.”

“I…” Carl found himself unable to deny the truth. Despite his rough nature, he wasn’t one to twist facts.

Aili immediately slapped Carl several times, scolding, “Why can’t you behave? You dress like a thug. Didn’t Mom say you were supposed to be attending tutoring classes? You still have to take the college entrance exam next year!”

Annoyed, Carl shoved Aili away, but Xia Zheng caught her gently.

“Dad’s practically gambled away everything. We can barely afford meals. Mom’s taken a man on the side and left us to fend for ourselves. She took all the money. What tutoring? What college? I’ve already chosen to let myself sink or swim,” Carl bitterly vented before running off. Aili wanted to stop him but gave up in helpless resignation.

She turned back and embraced Xia Zheng, asking, “Brother, why is this world so hateful? So many live happily, yet I am trapped in hell.”

Xia Zheng held her close and comforted her as best he could. “You’ve tried your best. It’s not your fault. Maybe the fault lies with this world.”

The dazzling metropolis of Eternal Night City remained full of misery—no less than before, perhaps even more.

Now aware of Aili’s family situation, she had no intention of returning home; no one there would welcome her. She planned to follow Xia Zheng back to District Seven. He encouraged her to find a job to stabilize her life first.

When they arrived at the station by taxi, security had tightened drastically. Armed police were deployed. Had something serious happened in Eternal Night City?

A quick online search revealed numerous unofficial reports and rumors. Some claimed violent gangs from Peijier had flooded the city, attacking residents and causing a terrifying infection.

This infection was dreadful, capable of rapid onset with “human-to-human” biting transmission. The entire city was now under emergency inspection. Anyone from Peijier was being detained. The net widened to include all outsiders, especially those from satellite cities—even if not from Peijier, they faced restrictions. Rumors even suggested rewards for reporting Peijier natives, with exaggerated claims of bounties reaching ten thousand yuan.

Xia Zheng immediately pulled Aili away from the station, abandoning the subway plan and opting to rent a car to return.

However, after renting a vehicle, they found all exits from District One to other districts heavily blocked. Leaving the city peacefully was nearly impossible. Eternal Night City had become a locked cage, riddled with checkpoints, restricting movement severely.

“Why not come to my place, Brother Benson?” Aili suggested.

Xia Zheng was driving into an alley, contemplating the situation when he heard her proposal.

He didn’t think it was a good idea and declined.

At that moment, Aili’s phone rang—a call from home.

She soon hung up, explaining that her parents had learned of the emergency and worried for her safety. They wanted her to return home and wait it out until things calmed.

Unable to resist Aili’s persistent pleading, Xia Zheng accompanied her back to her parents’ residential complex.

Though security guards stood at the gate, Xia Zheng easily slipped past the blockade and led Aili to an apartment building. The elevator was old and rattled loudly. The hallways were dirty and cluttered, hinting at the neighborhood’s overall decline.

Aili’s home was on the 17th floor, with only two households per floor, opposite each other across the corridor.

At her doorstep, Xia Zheng distinctly felt a watchful gaze from the peephole across the hall.

“We can’t linger here,” Xia Zheng warned, worried about nosy neighbors, especially since both he and Aili were known to have returned from Peijier.

The door opened, revealing a middle-aged couple and the dreadlocked youth he had met earlier—Carl.

The man appeared around fifty; the woman looked younger, in her thirties, clearly attentive to her appearance. A faint scent of high-quality cosmetics lingered—better than the mainstream brands Xia Zheng had bought for Aili.

“Aili…” the parents called.

“Mom, Dad…” Aili replied.

Once inside, the family collapsed into tears, embracing each other. Xia Zheng and Carl exchanged awkward glances.

“Ahem… Hello, Carl. I’m Benson,” Xia Zheng introduced himself proactively.

Carl hesitated but replied, “I’m Carl. Actually… you didn’t have to come back… because…”

“Enough, Carl. Go back to your room and study. I have matters to discuss with your sister’s boyfriend,” Aili’s mother interrupted, sending Carl away.

Xia Zheng glanced at Carl, noticing deep concern in his eyes. This boy’s true nature wasn’t bad; he had simply been led astray by his circumstances and friends.

Aili’s parents inquired about Xia Zheng’s background. He didn’t disclose his police status—since he was suspended, he fabricated another identity, and Aili didn’t contradict him.

Upon learning Xia Zheng earned about 300,000 yuan annually, her parents treated him with newfound respect. They repeatedly hinted at how outstanding and beautiful their daughter was, emphasizing she had never seriously dated anyone—implying Xia Zheng would be fortunate to marry her.

After some casual conversation, Xia Zheng followed Aili to her room. Though small, it was well-kept. Aili said it hadn’t changed much, just dustier, so he tidied it up and brewed her a cup of coffee.

After finishing their drinks, they lay on the bed. Aili snuggled into his embrace. Their lips met in a passionate kiss before Xia Zheng, drowsy, closed his eyes, succumbing to sleep.