Chapter 129: Uncle Zhao’s Request

The residents of Frost Street were naturally well aware of the situation in the Third District.

They had walked through other streets and visited the clinic, knowing how miserable the casualties were in other districts, which were no different from a living hell. They were lucky; they had no missing limbs, no life-threatening injuries, and even most families were unscathed... All of this was thanks to Chen Ling.

They wanted to thank Chen Ling, but they were a bit afraid. After all, the impression Chen Ling had left on them was too deep; even if he just looked at them, their hearts would tremble.

This scene was also seen by Chen Ling. He looked at these neighbors with tangled expressions and dodging eyes, and couldn't help but find it a bit funny.

Of course, he had no interest in going up to claim credit. He just kept a straight face and continued his patrol, acting as if he didn't see anyone around him. His black trench coat fluttered alone on the deserted street.

But in the end, someone bold finally stepped out first and walked straight toward Chen Ling... Seeing the person’s face clearly, Chen Ling felt a bit surprised.

The one who first gathered the courage to walk over was none other than Boss Xu from the funeral shop, who had been scared unconscious by him in the back mountains earlier.

Boss Xu was carrying a plastic bag, walking toward Chen Ling with a complex expression. The latter raised an eyebrow and stopped naturally.

"Boss Xu, is something the matter?" Chen Ling asked calmly.

"Officer Chen, this time, on behalf of my whole family, I thank you for saving our lives." Boss Xu said solemnly. "This is a small token of our appreciation. Please accept it."

As he spoke, Boss Xu handed the plastic bag to Chen Ling. The corner of the latter’s mouth twitched imperceptibly. Even without opening it, he could guess what was inside.

"I understand."

Chen Ling sighed in his heart but bit the bullet and accepted the bag of chicken hearts. He estimated that his food reserves at home were enough to last until the year after next.

With Boss Xu taking the lead, more and more residents gathered the courage to come forward. Some held bags of chicken or duck hearts, others held some bloody animal meat, and even more absurdly, some held IOUs that read, "Owe Officer Chen Ling three catties of animal hearts, to be repaid within five days"...

Before he had walked even a few meters, Chen Ling’s hands were already full. He had no choice but to go home and drop things off before continuing his patrol. But when he reached the adjacent Cold Snow Street, another group of people came up to give gifts.

If nothing else, it must have been those people from Frost Street gossiping and exposing his "preferences."

Chen Ling felt a bit helpless. After he finished collecting everything and finished patrolling all the districts, night had fallen. He dragged his exhausted body to his doorstep and found that across the quiet street, only one breakfast shop still had its lights on.

He hesitated for a moment but still walked toward the shop. Just as he reached the entrance, he heard a scream coming from inside:

"You brat! I told you to bear with it!"

"Ahhhhh... it hurts, Dad, it really hurts! Are you sure you didn't take the wrong medicine?"

"Your old man here taught himself medicine when he was young. How could I take the wrong iodine? Bear with it, disinfection is supposed to hurt."

"Gently, gently, gently... Ahhhhhhh!!"

“……”

Chen Ling pushed the door open and saw Zhao Yi lying on the table with his upper body bare, a hideous knife wound on his body that was shocking to see.

At this moment, Zhao Yi was pale, wailing incessantly. Uncle Zhao, sweating profusely, was holding iodine and disinfecting him while showing heartache, but even so, he gritted his teeth and scolded:

"Now you know it hurts?! How much nerve did you have to dare to fight an Executor? It hurts! It’d be better if it hurt you to death!!"

Hearing the door being pushed open, Zhao Yi saw who it was, and his wailing stopped abruptly.

He stared at Chen Ling, enduring the pain, and refused to make a sound, like a stubborn duck with its head held high.

"Ah Ling! How are you?" Uncle Zhao saw Chen Ling and immediately asked with concern, "Did you get hurt fighting those monsters? Is it serious?"

"I’m fine."

Chen Ling’s gaze fell on Zhao Yi again. The latter was clearly struggling to hold on, letting out muffled groans of pain.

"Didn't you go to the clinic?"

"Sigh... the clinic is full. I saw that those people were more seriously injured, so I didn't go." Uncle Zhao wiped the sweat from his forehead. He finally finished disinfecting and began to carefully bandage Zhao Yi. "It just so happens I know a little medicine, so I can handle simple wounds."

It was clear that Uncle Zhao did have a foundation in medicine. The bandaging process went smoothly. Zhao Yi, wrapped up like half a rice dumpling, lay on the table like a corpse that had lost its dreams.

Uncle Zhao let out a long sigh. He looked at his son, a complex look appearing in his eyes... He walked up to Chen Ling,

"Ah Ling, Uncle Zhao wants to go out and say a few words to you."

Although Chen Ling was surprised, he didn't refuse and followed Uncle Zhao out to the street.

Uncle Zhao looked back at the room and closed the door behind him. On the dead, dim street, only a few faint glimmers of kerosene lamps shone from behind the frosted door, swaying silently.

"What’s wrong?" Chen Ling asked.

"Ah Ling... Uncle only has Xiao Yi as his child." Uncle Zhao spoke with a bitter tone. "Xiao Yi has been stubborn since he was a child, and he's reckless in everything he does. I had hoped to find him a steady job and just keep him out of any major trouble... but this time, he really scared me to death.

I'm still shaking with fear now. I keep thinking, if that Enforcer's blade hadn't missed his heart earlier... then this child would be just like those corpses on the road, never to return..."

Chen Ling lowered his head slightly to look at Uncle Zhao. His eyes were visibly red. After taking a few deep breaths, he managed to calm his emotions enough to continue:

"Ah Ling, I've lived long enough in this life. I don't have any other wishes; I just hope Xiao Yi can live in peace... You've been smart and steady since you were little, and now you're an Enforcer of the Third District—someone whose mere stomp can shake the entire district. I was wondering... could you use your connections to arrange for Xiao Yi to work by your side?

You can order him around however you like on a daily basis. He doesn't need a rank, or even an official title as an Enforcer. Even if you just put him in your department as a gatekeeper or a clerk... I just want him to stay under your protection, to have some shelter."

Uncle Zhao’s back bent lower and lower. He looked into Chen Ling’s eyes, his wrinkled face full of sincerity and pleading. This was an elder setting aside all his dignity to beg a younger generation.

"...If this puts you in a difficult position, just pretend I never mentioned it." Seeing Chen Ling’s prolonged silence, Uncle Zhao forced a smile onto his lips. "Uncle was just... just speaking off the cuff."

Chen Ling turned his head slightly. Behind the frosted glass door, he saw a shadow crouching in the corner, seemingly eavesdropping with great caution.

He pretended not to see it, withdrew his gaze, and nodded calmly.

"...Alright."