Chapter 1
In the house, there were dozens of people, but none engaged in proper conversation. The sound of shuffling cards, spitting phlegm, and cursing amidst cigarette smoke filled the air with vulgar, low-grade noise. Among them, a child who did not belong was tightly gripping his father’s worn linen pants.
"Manager Yang, I’m begging you like this!"
"Ah, teacher. You haven’t even fully repaid the last bit you borrowed. What audacity to ask again? You’ve nothing left to give."
Manager Yang callously closed the ledger. His remaining eye darted towards the man’s shaking legs. Half-hidden and standing, a young boy met his gaze. Manager Yang grinned, revealing a gold-capped front tooth.
"Bringing a kid to a gambling den, using your own child as a plea? Think that will soften my heart?"
The child, perhaps eight years old, was skinny and small, clearly unkempt. If the man cared for his son, he wouldn’t squander money in gambling dens. Manager Yang, zipping up a money-filled bag, pulled out a few bills. Then, mimicking the tone used for calling a puppy, he flicked his fingers.
"How old are you?"
The small hand clutching the man’s hem trembled. The child’s frightened eyes scanned the room. The adults around the tables all bore weary expressions. The large room was clouded like fog from incessant smoking, filled with a stale, foul stench. Curses and loud voices echoed, causing the child’s breath to quiver. His palms began to sweat.
"Answer when an adult speaks to you, will you? Huh? Didn’t your father teach you any manners, too absorbed in gambling?"
Manager Yang chuckled while tapping the child's head with the bills. With each tap, the boy’s skinny shoulders flinched.
"Fine, I'll take him too!"
"Huh?"