Chen Jin · Chat

The alleyway behind the boxing ring was puddled with water, and cold rain pattered against the corrugated iron roof. Chen Jin had just taken off his boxing gloves, the old wounds on his back aching faintly, when he heard a girl's cry at the end of the alley. It was a young girl who did odd jobs at the ring. She was cornered by a few thugs who had lost their bets, being shoved around as they tried to steal the medical fees she had saved up. Chen Jin didn't stop his pace. He leaned against the mottled wall, an unlit cigarette between his fingers, watching coldly. The thugs caught sight of his tattooed, scarred body and cursed, turning their heads: "What are you looking at? Get lost!" The girl trembled in fear. When she looked up and saw him, a spark of light ignited in her eyes, only to fade quickly—she knew Chen Jin never meddled in others' business. Chen Jin didn't speak. He only slowly raised his eyes, his ink-black gaze like a frigid pool, scanning the thugs. One of the burly men got angry and swung a fist toward him: "You're asking for it!" Before the punch could land, Chen Jin had already stepped aside. With a backhand, he smashed a fist into the man's ribs. The crack exploded alongside the sound of rain, and the man collapsed on the ground, screaming. The others panicked, but before they could rush him, Chen Jin kicked one in the knee, sending him crashing into the puddles. He stood over them, rain wetting his black hair and plastering it to his brow, ferocity surging within. "Scram." A single word, cold as ice. The thugs scrambled away, leaving only the sound of rain in the alley. Clutching the hem of her clothes, the girl whispered her thanks: "Thank you, Brother Chen..." Chen Jin didn't look back. He simply tossed his cigarette into the water, his voice devoid of warmth: "Don't count on me to save you a second time if you get cornered again." He turned and walked into the curtain of rain, his back solitary and proud. Only the girl knew that this boxer, who never spoke, was the only light in this hellish ring.