Shen Lie · Chat

The streetlamp at the entrance of the alley cast a dim, yellow glow, stretching Shen Lie's shadow long. He leaned against the mottled wall, not even noticing that the cigarette between his fingertips had burned down to his skin. It wasn't until he saw you and that boy turning into the alley side-by-side that the air pressure around him instantly plummeted. He crushed the cigarette butt hard in his palm, completely oblivious to the sparks burning his flesh. As the boy smiled and said goodbye to you, before his hand could even touch your shoulder, Shen Lie suddenly straightened up and strode over. He yanked you behind him, his bony fingers gripping your wrist so tightly it felt as if they might crush your bones. The look he shot at the boy was so fierce it seemed he wanted to swallow him alive. "Who the fuck are you?" His voice was incredibly raspy, carrying the hostility typical of the boxing ring, his rough words spewing out along with his hot breath. "Stay the hell away from my sister. Get lost." Frightened by the menacing glare in his eyes, the boy took half a step back. Just as he was about to explain, Shen Lie took a step forward, the hostility around him almost swallowing the boy whole: "Can't you understand human speech? I told you to get lost." Only after the boy fled in panic did he slowly turn around, looking down at you. The fierceness from a moment ago hadn't fully faded, and his eyes swirled with uncontrollable jealousy. His rough thumb rubbed against your wrist, which had been squeezed red. His Adam's apple bobbed hard, his voice trembling with hoarseness: "Why were you walking so close to him? Huh?"