Siheyuan: I just came across and wanted to chase me away

Chapter 948 Wang Ran’s Origin

But the object in his palm felt heavy and hard, its shape indescribably odd. Wang Ran instinctively glanced down and was instantly terrified—it wasn't a purse, it was a black pistol! The cold metal felt as it slid through the thin fabric of his clothes and penetrated the cracks between his bones. His hand trembled, and the gun nearly fell to the ground. His mouth was wide open enough to fit an egg, but he couldn't utter a word. He felt a chill running down the back of his neck.

Just as Wang Ran was panicking, his mind a mess, not knowing whether to throw the gun away or quickly put it back into the man's pocket, Xiao Bao slowly turned around, a half-smile on his face, his eyes as cold as ice. "What's wrong? Did you steal something? Looking at you, I'm afraid you don't even know how to set the safety on this thing?"

Wang Ran was so frightened that his legs went weak and he almost fell to his knees with a thud. Fortunately, he managed to hold on to the ground and did not collapse. His voice was shaking like a leaf in the autumn wind: "Master...Master, I know I was wrong! This is yours, I...I didn't touch anything, really!" He hurriedly held the gun in both hands and handed it over, his knuckles clenched white, his palms full of cold sweat, for fear that the other party would be unhappy and point the gun at his head.

He obediently returned the gun to Xiao Bao, his heart pounding like a rabbit with a drum in its chest—this thing wasn't some street toy. If it accidentally went off and injured someone, it could be fatal! The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became. He simply knelt on the ground, his head buried almost to his chest, not daring to even lift his eyelids or breathe.

Xiao Bao took the gun, weighed it twice, and put it back on his waist. He was about to turn around and leave when he heard a "gurgling" sound at his feet. He looked down and saw that it was the child's stomach growling, and the sound was quite loud. It was obvious that he had been hungry for a long time. He was stunned for a moment, then pulled the corner of his mouth, trying to squeeze out a soothing smile: "Okay, get up and follow me."

Wang Ran's face turned pale at this, countless terrifying thoughts flashing through his mind—was this man trying to drag him into a deserted alley to silence him? He cried even harder, tears and snot covering his face and dripping down his chin. "Master, I really know I was wrong! Please forgive me this time, give me a chance, I won't dare to do it again! I promise!" He kowtowed vigorously as he spoke, the "bang bang" sound being particularly clear in the empty alley. His forehead soon turned red and blood seeped out.

Seeing how frightened he was, Xiao Bao realized how frightening he had been. He quickly softened his expression and tried to soften his tone. However, he always kept a straight face, and the smile he forced now looked like the baring of a beast's fangs in Wang Ran's eyes, adding to the fear.

Wang Ran was so frightened that he didn't dare to say a word. His lips were trembling and tears were welling up in his eyes, but he didn't dare to cry out loud. He could only bite his lips tightly and kneel on the ground like a clay statue.

At first, Xiao Bao thought the child's stealing was a bit funny and wanted to tease him. But seeing his terrified expression, he felt a sudden pang of fear—this scene was eerily reminiscent of his own childhood. He was in the same situation back then, starving, caught stealing, beaten half to death, and left with no one to protect him. Later, driven to desperation, he took up a knife and dispatched his bullies one by one, leaving countless scars on his body, some of which still ache.

Thinking of this, Xiao Bao's teasing thoughts gradually faded, and he felt an indescribable feeling. He squatted down, looked at the child on the ground, and said in a softer voice: "What's your name?"

Wang Ran hunched his shoulders like a frightened little animal, his eyes full of fear. He stared straight at Xiao Bao in front of him, his voice trembling like a dead leaf in the autumn wind: "My name is Wang Ran... I really know I was wrong. Please give me a chance. I will never dare to steal anything again." His palms were full of cold sweat as he clutched the corner of his clothes. When Xiao Bao grabbed him just now, his heart was in his throat, thinking that he was bound to be beaten.

Xiao Bao looked at his little face, which had turned purple from the cold, and his obviously deflated stomach. He suddenly curled his lips and softened his tone: "I know why you want to steal things. Okay, come with me. Are you hungry?"

Wang Ran subconsciously wanted to shake his head and say he wasn't hungry, but his stomach growled loudly, the sound particularly clear in the quiet alley. His face flushed immediately, and he quickly lowered his head, not daring to look at Xiao Bao. Even the tips of his ears felt so hot that they felt like they were on fire.

Xiao Bao was amused by his embarrassed look and patted him on the back: "Okay, come with me, I promise to make sure you have enough to eat."

Wang Ran hesitated, but ultimately, his hunger overwhelmed him, so he followed Xiao Bao obediently. Crossing two streets brimming with the aroma of delicious food, Xiao Bao led him to a mutton soup restaurant. He immediately ordered a large bowl of mutton soup and two freshly baked sesame cakes. The steaming hot mutton soup arrived, sprinkled with emerald green cilantro, with oil swirls gently on the surface. The aroma filled Wang Ran's nose, and his eyes widened. That day, he drank from the bowl until sweat fell, breaking up the sesame cakes to dunk in the soup, and finishing it off with not a single crumb. It was the most satisfying and heartwarming meal he could ever remember.

After eating and drinking, Xiao Bao put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth: "Okay, you are full too, you can go now."

Unexpectedly, Wang Ran fell to his knees with a thud, his knees hitting the blue brick floor with a dull thud that startled Xiao Bao. He quickly stood up and tried to help him: "You little brat, I've already given you enough to eat, what are you doing?"

Wang Ran raised his head, his face still stained with soup, but his eyes were extremely serious and stubborn: "I want to be your disciple! I wonder if you can give me this opportunity?" He was homeless and had long been accustomed to being beaten, scolded and driven away. Although Xiao Bao looked fierce just now, he actually gave him a bowl of hot rice. He had never felt that kind of warmth before.

Xiao Bao wanted to refuse outright—he had no intention of accepting an apprentice, let alone a half-grown child. But looking at Wang Ran's cracked hands and those eyes filled with anticipation, his heart softened for some reason, and he sighed, "Alright, come with me."

Wang Ran had no idea what awaited him, but clutching the hem of his shirt tightly, he followed Xiao Bao through several secluded alleys until they reached a locked warehouse. Xiao Bao unlocked it, and a strong stench of blood hit him, making Wang Ran wince. The warehouse was dimly lit, with only a small window letting in a faint glow. In the corner, a wounded man lay huddled on the ground, barely breathing, looking like he was half dead.