097 Melee

The large delivery depot on Hua'an Street was a hive of activity, with seventy or eighty couriers coming and going every day.

The place itself was spacious too: two courtyards, a four-story building, and everything from rest rooms to charging rooms and battery-swap rooms.

The station manager, surnamed Zhu and nicknamed the Skinflayer, was notoriously harsh with the couriers, docking wages and bonuses at the slightest excuse. Everyone resented him, but no one dared say a word.

It was a little after four in the afternoon, which was working time for others but rest time for them.

The couriers were chatting and idling in the courtyard when Zhu the Skinflayer, sitting in his office, answered a phone call.

It was from his superiors, and they gave him an order: make trouble for Crimson Jade, then drive her out.

At that command, Zhu was nearly beside himself with excitement.

Ever since Crimson Jade had come to serve as deputy station manager, she had treated the couriers well, warm as spring itself. Watching them grow more and more fond of her, more and more willing to support her, it would have been impossible for Zhu not to feel anxious.

Was that woman trying to push him out?

He had long wanted to force her away, but never dared, after all her appointment had come from above.

Only now, after receiving this call, did he finally have the confidence to act.

If the higher-ups wanted her gone, then he would not be courteous about it.

Zhu swaggered out, just in time to see Crimson Jade coming in with Little Blossom.

Little Blossom had just finished school, and as usual Crimson Jade had brought her here to do her homework.

An idea struck Zhu at once. Frowning, he said, "Crimson Jade, this is not your home. You can't keep bringing the child here. There are so many couriers coming and going. If someone bumps into her, who is going to take responsibility for that?"

Crimson Jade said, "It's all right. I'll make sure Little Blossom is careful. Even if something does happen, I won't blame anyone."

Crimson Jade then took Little Blossom to a corner, where there was a simple wooden desk.

Little Blossom, sensible as ever, took off her backpack and pulled out her books and pencil case.

Zhu grew more impatient and stepped forward again. "Crimson Jade, you cannot bring a child here!"

Crimson Jade looked at him in confusion. "Why not?"

"Because this is a place of work!"

"Station Manager Zhu, I'm a single mother. I have no choice but to bring her here. I hope you can understand."

"I don't care!" Zhu waved a hand. "Anyway, children are not allowed at a workplace!"

Crimson Jade was both angry and anxious. "Then where am I supposed to send her?"

Zhu gave a cold snort. "That's none of my concern. Send her anywhere you like, just not here."

Little Blossom was also very sensible and immediately said, "Mom, I can go home by myself."

As deputy station manager, Crimson Jade usually got off work later than the ordinary couriers, often not until after eleven at night. Just thinking of her daughter staying alone at home for so long made her heart tighten. Loneliness was one thing, but if something happened...

Clenching her teeth, Crimson Jade took Little Blossom's hand and said, "Let's go home. I'm done with this job."

The mother and daughter turned to leave.

Da'an and the others had been watching from the side the whole time. Now they swarmed over at once.

"Sister Jade, you can't leave!"

"Sister Jade, if you go, we go too!"

They were couriers who had come over from Construction Street, and they shared a deep bond with Crimson Jade.

If more than twenty of them left at once, it would be a tremendous loss for the delivery depot, and Zhu the Skinflayer, as the station manager, would never be able to wash his hands of it.

Seeing this, Zhu flared with rage. "Let's see who dares leave! If you walk out now, you won't get a single cent in wages!"

"I don't give a damn about wages today. I'm still going to beat the hell out of you, you bastard!" Da'an roared and charged at him, smashing a heavy fist straight into Zhu's chin.

Zhu yowled, "Get them! All of you, get them!"

Though Zhu was unpopular at the station, he did have a few lackeys, and several couriers rushed forward to gang up on Da'an.

The couriers on Crimson Jade's side were certainly not going to stand by, and they surged in as well.

Furious, Zhu shouted, "Beat them! Beat them to death! Two hundred yuan bonus for each person!"

A hefty reward brings brave men forward. Two hundred yuan was not a fortune, but it was enough to tempt a great many people.

More couriers joined the mêlée.

Zhu's side still outnumbered them, and before long Da'an and the others were being pounded senseless. Several heads were split open and blood began to flow. Crimson Jade kept trying to separate them and talk them down, but she was only a frail woman and simply could not stop it. Little Blossom burst into sobs.

It was at that moment that Lin Qi came rushing in.

He had heard the uproar from far away, along with the sound of a child crying.

When he burst into the courtyard and saw Crimson Jade, Da'an, and the others being besieged, and Little Blossom standing in the middle with tears and snot streaming down her face, in danger of being kicked over and trampled at any moment, he could not possibly stand by and watch.

Lin Qi stormed in at once, scooped Little Blossom into his arms, then struck out left and right with fists and kicks. The thudding blows came one after another, and the couriers on the opposite side were sent flying in all directions, their cries of pain rising and falling in a chaotic chorus.