Crimson Instinct

Chapter 4: Shitty principles

*Xin Lei*

The first notion that came in my mind when I bumped into this guy was 'savior.' Then it soon changed to 'dangerous' when he suddenly strangled me. His grip had just that perfect pressure to stop someone from attacking yet give him the room to talk.

He asked me who I was, but I was mute. I couldn't say anything. But, even the distress on my face failed to get me any reaction from him.

I didn't understand why.

Then he suddenly jumped to the side, pushing me with him. And then how he fought was simply remarkable. My notion changed to 'strong.'

I realized he wasn't any ordinary man. He knew how to fight. He had done this before. I knew because I had seen this before as well.

He did the job beautifully, and he left. I snapped out of my stupor and chased after him. But then he pointed the gun at my forehead.

"Are you the woman from before?"

It caught me by surprise. I waved my hand in front of him, but he said nothing. Then it struck me.

He couldn't see.

Then the fight replayed in my mind. And the notion changed to 'admirable.' I started to respect him.

I took out my phone, typed out my message and hit the speaker button. Maybe he knew sign language? But personally, I thought this method was faster. This was the only way I could communicate with him as I wanted to ask him questions.

He said, "Life in an army has its advantages."

I knew it! He belonged to either the police or military forces. He was an officer, just the kind of help I needed.

"I need your help."

The man nodded. "I understand that very well. You are their target. They either want something from you, or they assume that you know something that can potentially harm them. In the first case, they will keep you alive until they get that something, and in the second case, they will simply shoot you. Either case, you are dead, which is not a very favorable outcome for you, I suppose."

I must say he had a peculiar way of saying things, which wasn't necessarily bad. The more fitting word was blunt.

I typed on my phone and hit the speaker button again.

"It is neither. I don't have anything they might want from me, nor I know anything about these people."

"Which makes it interesting, doesn't it?" He smiled. "Is it a case of mistaken identity? Or is it that you 'think' you know nothing? Because obviously, those goons didn't share your sentiments."

"That is why I need your help." I typed it out.

"I think the more fitting people to help you in this situation will be the police."

"I cannot ask for their help."

"Why not?"

I typed a long message. "Because before my brother disappeared, he sent a message to me. It said, 'Don't contact the police.'"

He squinted his eyes and went quiet. "...I see."

"Will you help me?" I hoped that he would agree.

"What do you need my help with? To fend off the goons chasing you or to find your brother?"

Would asking him to help me with both be too much? I wondered.

I once again typed a string of words. "For now, the goons."

He tilted his head. "For now?" 

I didn't know why, but the way he tilted his head looked damn attractive to me.

No. Focus!

"I might need your help in finding my brother too."

"Hmm."

"And my father too."

"Your story is getting interesting."

"So, will you help me?"

"How much are you going to pay me?"

The corner of my mouth twitched involuntarily.

"You are going to charge me?" I typed, hoping to express my dismay.

"Why do you think anything should be for free?"

"You said you don't want a job."

"No. Think again. I said I wasn't interested in your job. That doesn't mean that I don't want a job. I need money to live by."

"I'm low on cash."

"Card or Alipay works for me too."

"No, I meant I'm short of money."

"So, why should I help you?"

"Moral obligation as an ex-army officer?"

"You see, that was my old job. So, officially my moral obligation ended since I'm not an officer anymore. Now I prefer to stay out of messy things."

No, please

I typed. "Can't you be a little kind and give a leeway?"

"I prefer to be practical and realistic, not kind. That word is not in my dictionary."

"But you saved me from the goons."

"You dragged me in the middle of gunfire. I want to live a little longer, so I saved my ass. You are a collateral who got saved in the process. There is a difference."

Somehow, I found talking to him both interesting and frustrating. I couldn't help but smile.

I sighed. I typed. "Alright. I will be on my way then. Thank you again for helping me."

Well, he was a stranger so I had no right to force him. I walked away, thinking what to do next.

*Bai Li*

I sensed the woman's footsteps growing farther.

Then I heard someone running towards me, and he pounced on me. Cocoa was biting my shirt and I sensed his dismay.

"How will I feed you if I don't have money?" I shrugged.

He growled. "Grrrr."

"Like I said, I'm not kind." He licked my cheeks and rubbed his head against it.

I snorted and felt a headache coming.

*Xin Lei*

I was still thinking of that man whom I met just now. I couldn't seem to take him out of my mind. In my daze, I crashed into someone.

"Hey, are you blind!" A chubby man snarled.

I bowed as an apology. "Are you dumb too? Say your sorry!"

I moved my fingers in sign language.

That man grew furious. He raised his hand to slap me. "You bitch!"

I got in the position, but somebody grabbed his hand and twisted it. He screamed in pain.

I saw the same man who saved me.

The chubby man got scared, seeing his tall stature and cold gaze and said, "I'm sorry! It was my fault!"

"Even if someone is impaired, talk and behave with respect, you bastard."

"Y-yes!"

My savior released him, and the chubby man ran away.

I smiled and typed. "You said you are not kind."

"Cocoa has some shitty principles."

"Cocoa?"

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a large body jumped on me.