Chapter 3: Familiar faces
Chi Lian moped as she walked home. As a soldier, she was trained to be constantly vigilant. She heard the footsteps of someone following her before she saw them.
She turned around and scanned her environment. Most of the houses were locked. The inhabitants of Muyu slum were too afraid of trouble to be outside at ten p.m. There was nowhere for her to hide.
Three thugs were making their way towards her. The leader was the man with a nasty looking scar on his cheek she assumed.
Chi Lian knew they were not planning on letting her leave any time soon. This body was weaker than her last one so she could not fight them. She would have to rely on tricks to escape them.
She recognized the leader from her memory. He was Rong Zhi, a local thug that had been trying to get his hands on her since her family moved here.
He approached her with a sleazy smile on his face. "What do we have here?"
Chi Lian changed her stance. She was poised and ready to attack if he or his men made any sudden moves.
"I am not looking for trouble Rong Zhi." She said.
"Why do you keep rejecting me Chi-Chi? I am just trying to protect you. Everyone knows that I Rong Zhi is the most capable man in Muyu."
Chi Lian was disgusted to hear him call her nick name which only her friends and family were permitted to use.
"Then find someone who desires your protection. I don’t need or want it." She said.