Chapter 46: Chapter 42: Temporary Helper

(Extra update today, remember to keep reading!)

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[9:54 PM, 4 hours and 06 minutes past the deadline]

There is a street in the Binhe District, known to locals as “Trash Street.”

Trash Street isn’t for piling garbage but is a night market for Binhe residents, bustling with food stalls.

It’s nighttime now, the peak time for Trash Street’s liveliness.

Each stall is surrounded by piles of empty wrappers, torn food cartons, and bamboo skewers, with flies buzzing around, barely competing with the stall owners’ zealous cries.

“Grilled fly pancakes! Ugly to look at, delicious to eat! Four moon coins each, buy five get one free!”

“Rats, whole roasted rats! This is genuine animal meat, not factory-made synthetic meat; freshly killed and prepared, limited supply, first come first served!”

“Want to fill your belly? Come to me! Bread made from fast-growing wheat sold cheap, in large quantities to satisfy hunger!”

“Hey, come check out the pizzas shipped from the city! Want to try Inner City People’s food? You’re at the right place!”

People thronged between stalls; some who paid for their food sat eating and drinking, while ragged beggars scavenged leftovers, happily chewing in corners.

In front of stall No. 96, KK was gorging on a bowl of roasted potatoes, with a few greasy synthetic meat hotdogs on the plate and a soda bottle beside him.

The stall owner, arms crossed, chuckled and asked, “Weren’t you just begging for leftovers here last time? Didn’t see you for two days, and now you can afford meals?”

KK took a few gulps of soda, exhaled comfortably, and said, “Isn’t that because of the heroic Master K?”

“Let me tell you, today I ran into a kid who bumped into me without looking. You know K, I’m hot-tempered; I just went up and bam bam, two punches!”

The stall owner played along, “Really? That badass?”

KK got excited, “You didn’t see it! That guy was begging for mercy, crying, offering his wallet for forgiveness. I have a broad mind, so I took the money and let him go, to avoid being accused of bullying.”

The stall owner burst out laughing, “You brat, keep bragging! Don’t I know your ways? Did you just hit the jackpot?”

KK grinned foolishly, “Aiya, must you expose me? Let me tell you, people returning from the Inner City are filthy rich, with thick wads of cash! I cleared up the dining debts tonight!”

The two were happily chatting while cooking and eating potatoes.

In mid-conversation, the stall owner suddenly focused his gaze, “Hey, is that someone you know? He’s been standing behind you for a while.”

KK turned to see Su Mo behind him.

He turned back to the stall owner and said, “Oh, that’s the guy I made cry earlier.”

He continued eating the roasted potatoes.

While eating, he suddenly shuddered as if electrocuted, turned in shock to look at Su Mo, and was so startled the potato fell from his mouth.

Su Mo said calmly, “Go on, tell the boss how Master K made me cry.”

With a loud cry, KK grabbed the bowl of potatoes and ran.

KK was familiar with the area and adept at using his small stature to swiftly weave through the crowd, trying to lose Su Mo.

But Su Mo was like a sticky burr, persistently trailing KK, occasionally kicking him.

After a few minutes of sprinting, KK collapsed in a back alley, exhausted. Yet, he didn’t forget the food, frantically stuffing potatoes into his mouth, fearing Su Mo would snatch them away.

Su Mo stopped before him, “Keep running, I’ll give you a fifty-meter head start.”

KK panted, “Big Brother… huff… do you have blood code or cybernetics? Running this long without panting… huff…”

Su Mo didn’t pick up the conversation, “Where’s my wallet?”

KK shrank his head, “Left it at the stall earlier. Why don’t you go back and check?”

Su Mo lifted him up, “Come on, let’s go back together. If I can’t find it, I’ll kill you on the spot.”

KK, panic-stricken, quickly broke free, “Hey no no no! I-I’ll be honest… I took the money out… and threw the wallet in the river…”

Su Mo, “Then where’s the money?”

KK’s eyes darted around evasively, stammering, “The money… I used it to pay off some debt… the leftover moon coins were used to buy food… it’s all gone…”

Su Mo pretended to be resigned, sighed, “Fine, guess I’m unlucky.”

KK’s eyes widened in joyful surprise, “Big Brother, you’re not making me repay the money? Wow, you’re really kind!”

Su Mo sneered, “Who said you don’t have to repay it?”

KK was stunned, “Then… what do you want to do?”

Su Mo looked KK up and down, his gaze piercing through him, “The human body is a treasure chest. Your liver, kidneys, corneas can all fetch quite a price.”

“I happen to know a few black-market doctors who buy organs. Dismantle and sell you off, should compensate my wallet’s loss.”

KK turned pale with fright, crawling over to hug Su Mo’s leg, crying, “Big Brother, spare me! I’ll do anything, just don’t sell me!”

Su Mo, too lazy to tease him, shifted his tone, “Kid, you just stole a wallet, it’s not fitting for me to cut your kidney with no second thought, right?”

KK quickly nodded, “Not fitting!”

Su Mo, “We haven’t had any grudges, you stealing my wallet for no reason doesn’t fit either, right?”

KK shook his head like a rattle, “Even less fitting!”

Su Mo, “Can I borrow your hands?”

KK was terrified, “Ah?! Big Brother, don’t chop off my hands! I rely on them to make a living!”

Su Mo patted his head, “What are you thinking about? I want you to help me steal something. You spent so much of my money, shouldn’t you make it up to me?”

KK relaxed completely, full of gratitude, “Big Brother, you scared me… What do you want me to steal?”

Su Mo got to the point, “Know the Eagle Claw Association?”

KK immediately responded, “Of course~ They run the Binhe area; their boss often buys me drinks.”

Su Mo raised a fist.

KK hurriedly corrected himself, “Hey no, let me be honest… I know them, they don’t know me. Haha, can’t stop boasting…”

Su Mo pulled him in closer, lowering his voice, “Serious business, I need you to steal something from the Eagle Claw Association. Succeed, and your wallet debts are cleared.”

KK’s eyes lit up, “Cleared? All that money… I won’t need to repay? And I won’t be dismantled and sold?”

Su Mo, “If you do a good job, I might even pay you extra.”

KK was so delighted he almost jumped, “Big Brother, you’re really a good person! Where’s the thing to steal? I’ll do it for you now.”

Su Mo held his shoulder, his tone turning stern, “Don’t celebrate too early, let me make this clear. If you dare trick me, it’s off with your head.”

KK patted Su Mo’s arm, cheerfully said, “Rest assured, Big Brother, you didn’t make things difficult for me, gave me a chance to make it up, and even willing to pay extra, I’m beyond grateful, I won’t cheat you.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep