Last Totem Novel - Chapter 304
Chapter 304 Debt
The sun gradually sunk into the boundless sea of sand, retracting all the light and heat. When night fell and starlight appeared, lights lit up the old nine-story buildings. The orange-red light shone through the windows made of iron bars and glass, and it was a peaceful scene. If he stood on the ground and looked up, he could see wisps of smoke rising slowly through the dim light. The air was filled with the fragrance of all kinds of ingredients, reminding people of the warmth of home.
This place was filled with life aura. It was a staff community located in the north of Sand City. Most of the people who live here are factory workers with long-term contracts or have other stable jobs.
After dark, the street lamps in the community lit up one after another. It was now 7:30 p.m. and there was still half an hour left before the early shift of the Sand City Factory. Therefore, the community was quiet and there were few people walking on the road.
At this time, the only lively place in the community is the basketball court. Under a bright spotlight, a group of fifteen or sixteen-year-old youths were chasing after each other, sweating profusely as they engaged in a fierce confrontation. Incandescent lights shone on the slightly cracked cement floor, and from time to time, grey-black sports shoes stepped on it, bringing with them faint smoke and dust.
The basketball court is located in the middle of the community, surrounded by several buildings. At the side of the stadium was a concrete and brick spectator stands. At this moment, there was a figure squatting in the spectator stands, as if he was watching the youth’s match. However, in the eyes of the spectator, these teenagers’ movements seemed to be half a beat slower, as if a group of three-year-olds were snatching balls and playing.
On the court, a handsome youth with a well-proportioned figure was dribbling the ball. He flashed left and right, passing through the encirclement of two people and blocking it. Then, he jumped up and put the ball in his hand into the basket.
“Ye Xinyun, beautiful!” “Alright!” “Fuck them.” The teammates of the youth cheered loudly.
“Foul.” “Stealing.” “Not really.” The youth’s opponents were indignant.
The handsome youth smiled and returned to his original position without saying anything.
“Pa pa pa pa …”
Right at this moment, a scattered round of applause suddenly came from outside the stadium. Looking at the sound, four figures appeared at the edge of the stadium. When the youths saw them, they all stopped and looked over.
“Not bad! Very good!” A few seconds later, four young men walked to the light. The one leading them was a tall and thin young man with raised cheekbones and sharp eyes. The one who had just spoken was precisely him.
The youths didn’t say anything and just looked at them quietly.
“Ye Xinyun, Brother Bao asked me to bring a message. Your family hasn’t paid any interest for half a year …”
The youth beside Ye Xinyun stepped forward and interrupted the tall and thin young man. “Dewey, you traitor, you are a person who grew up here, you” he said excitedly.
However, just as he was halfway through his words, the tall and thin young man suddenly raised his hand and said, “Pa!” With a crisp sound, the youth was actually sent flying.
“Why are you hitting people?” “Dewey, you’re not a thing!” The youths surrounded him.
“Get lost!” “You want to die?” The four youths took a step back and stood sideways.
In an instant, both sides drew their swords and crossbows, as if they could fight at any time.
“Everyone, don’t be impulsive. This is our family matter. It has nothing to do with you.” Ye Xinyun pulled away a few of her companions and said in a deep voice.
“That’s right. It’s only natural that you should pay back your debts.” Dewey said with a fake smile.
“Our family doesn’t owe you money.” Ye Xinyun frowned and said.
“Your sister borrowed it” Dewey was interrupted by Ye Xinyun’s roar halfway through his words.
“My sister hasn’t returned home in three years. Why do you think she borrowed it?”
“The IOU is still here. It’s written in black paper and white. If you don’t accept it, tell Boss Blackstone.” Dewey’s face darkened as he said fiercely.
Ye Xin Yun did not say anything, she just stared at the other party.
“Anyway, your parents admit it. I’m only here to pass on a message. Boss Blackstone said that if your family doesn’t have enough money in half a year, we’ll cripple your legs and let you sit in a wheelchair for the rest of your life.” Dewey said with narrowed eyes.
“My father is ill. He hasn’t got a job yet. We don’t have money to pay him back.” Ye Xinyun said softly.
“If you don’t have any money, go rob it, sell meat, or sell a house. There are many ways.” Dewey said frivolously.
“You” Ye Xin Yun blushed and clenched her fists as she glared at Dewey.
“Alright, I’ve already said it. Originally, I was going to tell your parents, but your floor is too high. I’m too lazy to climb the stairs, so I’ll trouble you to notify them on your behalf.” With that, Dewey waved his hand and left with his men.
After Dewey left, the teenagers lost their mood to play ball and scattered back home. Ye Xin Yun first sent the youth who had just spoken for him and was slapped by Dewey back home. Then, with a heavy heart, she returned to her unit and walked up the stairs step by step.
His family lives on the top floor. It’s going to be a long walk. As he walked, his footsteps grew heavier and heavier. Three years ago, his sister disappeared, and there has been no news of her. Nine months ago, my father was ill and lost his job. Originally, the family was already very difficult. Relying on his mother as a babysitter, he also went out to do odd jobs to barely support his life. But today, the people from the Blackstone Mercenary Group came looking for him. Only then did he know that his parents were still in debt to his sister …
When he climbed to the seventh floor, he looked at the dimly lit corridor and thought of the vast path ahead, unable to lift his feet. In an instant, the pain of losing a loved one, the grief and indignation in the face of reality, the confusion about the future, and the tremendous pressure of life surged into his heart. He could no longer control his emotions and curled up in a corner of the corridor, crying softly. He didn’t dare to speak too loudly. He was afraid of alarming his neighbors and his parents. This family was already in a cold and frosty situation, so they couldn’t bear the pressure anymore.
A few minutes later, he cleaned up his mood, wiped away his tears, and revealed a forced smile. Then, he straightened his back, walked up to the ninth floor, and arrived in front of his house.
Pushing the door open, Mother Ye, whose hair was slightly white, was dozing off at the dining table, waiting for him to come back for dinner.
“Mom” Ye Xinyun shouted softly.
“Xin Yun, you’re back. Hurry up and drink the soup.” Mother Ye woke up and hurriedly greeted her son when she saw that he had returned home.
“Alright” Ye Xinyun took a sip of soup and immediately noticed that her father was not at home, so she asked, “Where’s Dad?”
“The old man has gone to find his old boss to see if he can arrange a job to guard the door …” Mother Ye sighed. “You know, ever since your father twisted his waist, his body has been much weaker than before. He can’t do heavy work now, so he can only do light work.”
“Yes.” Ye Xinyun nodded, thought for a moment, and then said, “Mom, I want to find Uncle Zhao tomorrow …”
“Why are you looking for your Uncle Zhao?” Mother Ye asked.
“I … I want to enter the factory …” Ye Xinyun hesitated.
“No!” Mother Ye slapped the dining table and said seriously, “You haven’t graduated from high school yet. You still want to go to college in the future. You have to find a decent job in the future like your sister.”
“But” Ye Xinyun had just opened her mouth when she was interrupted by Mother Ye.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of. Eat quickly and review your lessons after you finish eating.” Mother Ye said forcefully.
“Oh” Ye Xinyun lowered her head obediently and ate dinner.
However, halfway through the meal, Ye Xinyun suddenly noticed that her mother did not move her chopsticks and raised her head. In an instant, he saw his mother lowered her head, tears rolling down her face …
“Mom” Ye Xinyun quickly got up and hugged Mother Ye’s shoulder.
“It’s been three years … Why … Why hasn’t your sister heard anything … Has she … Has she … been … strong since childhood … She doesn’t listen to our advice … She insists on joining some mercenary group … We are an honest family … How can we mix with those people who lick their blood with knives …” Mother Ye said with tears in her eyes. Said intermittently.
“Mom, sister is beautiful, smart, and definitely fine” Ye Xinyun comforted softly, “Maybe one day, she will bring back a rich and powerful brother-in-law.” His mother gradually regained her composure. After dinner, he helped wash the dishes and returned to his room.
His family had two rooms and one living room. Ever since his sister joined the Blackstone Mercenary Group, he had moved from the living room to his room. In a blink of an eye, seven or eight years had passed.
The moment he turned on the room lights, he was so shocked that he almost shouted out. Because there was a stranger standing in his room. From the looks of it, this stranger was a male. He looked to be in his early twenties. He was wearing a black tarpaulin uniform with a gun and sword behind him. From the looks of it, the other party was a mercenary.
“Not bad, I’m calm.” The mercenary smiled evilly and praised.
Ye Xinyun then turned around and closed the door. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to scream, but that he couldn’t. Judging from the other party’s attire and skill, since the other party could quietly appear in his room, it meant that killing him was as easy as backwards palm. Even if she attracted her mother’s attention, it would only frighten her, and it would not be of any help to the current situation.
“Who are you? Why are you here? How did you get in? Are you from the Blackstone Mercenary? Didn’t Dewey just say that Brother Bao will pay us half a year’s time. I will go to work in the factory right away, and I will be able to repay your interest at that time.” Ye Xinyun said without stopping.
“Friend, I will only answer one question at a time. You can ask again when you have thought about it.” The mercenary said indifferently.
“Why are you here?” Ye Xinyun thought for a while and asked.
“I’m your sister’s friend. She asked me to bring you a message.” Said the mysterious mercenary.
“My sister!” Ye Xin Yun cried out loudly. Then she realized that her voice was too loud. She quickly lowered her voice and asked, “Did my sister really send you here?”
“Yes.” The mercenary nodded.
Ye Xinyun’s face immediately showed joy, and then she asked, “My sister …” He hesitated for a while, then he gathered his courage and continued to ask, “Is she alright?”
“She’s fine. She’s just a little busy, so she asked me to take a look.” The mercenary explained.
“We are all doing well. Tell sister not to worry.” Ye Xinyun hesitated for a moment and said.
“Yes.” The mercenary nodded.
“By the way, big brother, what should I call you?” Ye Xinyun looked at the other party and asked hopefully.
“Tie Zha.” The mercenary replied. The other party’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an indescribable aura.