The little beggar was able to escape danger thanks to his clever disguise. He deliberately made himself dirty to cover up his handsome face which was too eye-catching.

The old tramp with a mouth full of yellow teeth grinned and said, "If a little fellow like you falls into the hands of Boss Ding, I'm afraid you will be sold to who knows where in the world soon."

Those past fragments came flooding back like a tide, and the little beggar's heart couldn't help but tighten. The image of Boss Ding emerged clearly again, his ruthlessness and cunningness reminding him that this was not a person who could be easily provoked.

I thought it was better to have less trouble than more. After all, my life was already precarious. I was busy struggling to make ends meet every day, so how could I have the energy to care about others?

But the hunger and coldness in his memory were like fine needles, constantly piercing his heart.

Those were days when we could only rely on sneaking around and walking on the edge of the law, and every day seemed like we were hovering on the brink of life and death.

In such a desperate situation, Xiao Youniang was like a ray of gentle sunshine that penetrated the dark clouds. With a bag of hot buns, she not only warmed his cold stomach, but also ignited a glimmer of hope in his world.

It was not just a chance to survive, but also a feeling of being treated kindly by the world. How could he forget such a kindness?

Therefore, when he learned that Xiao Youniang was in danger, he did not hesitate at all. Even if it meant risking all his strength, he was determined to rescue her from the tiger's mouth.

The goddess of luck seemed to smile at him, allowing him to accidentally discover Boss Ding’s secret lair. After some twists and turns, Xiao Youniang finally returned to him safely.

In addition to his daily task of collecting firewood, he also secretly observed the changes in Lantern Street.

The news was getting more intense, and the government was stepping up its crackdown on human trafficking. As a result, Boss Ding's gang also became more restrained, and an atmosphere of unease filled the streets.

Despite this, Xiao Youniang's brother still disappeared without a trace, which cast a shadow on his heart.

Looking at Xiao Youniang's eyes that were full of expectation yet slightly disappointed, he could only tell the truth and promised to send her to the county government office tomorrow.

But all this tranquility was broken by Fan Yunfu's sudden outburst.

His anger was like a volcano about to erupt, and he almost kicked over the weak campfire. Fortunately, he was stopped by the little beggar.

"If you want to put out my fire, get ready to go out and get some cold wind!"

There was unquestionable authority in his words. Here, at least here, he was the master.

The little girl waved her hands hastily, trying to ease the tense atmosphere: "Don't be like this, angry brother, we will get sick if the fire goes out."

Her voice was full of childish concern, but also revealed an indescribable helplessness.

Fan Yunfu's anger reached its peak due to Xiao Youniang's favoritism. He felt that he was completely ignored. A surge of blood rushed to his head. He threw down a few angry words and rushed into the night without looking back.

The little girl's worried gaze and cries were quickly swallowed up by the darkness.

Looking at Fan Yunfu's disappearing back, Xiao Youniang frowned. Everything in the dark night seemed so uncertain. She was afraid of losing her support again.

"Is he really gone?" His tone was filled with worry about the unknown.

The little beggar seemed calmer and consoled him, "Don't worry about him. It's so chaotic out there right now, those people won't act rashly for now. As long as his luck isn't too bad, he should be fine."

Although she said so, the mixed feelings in Xiao Youniang's heart did not diminish at all. She asked softly: "If I get caught on the street, would it be considered lucky or unlucky?"

This question stunned the little beggar, and he couldn't find a suitable answer for a while.

Finally, they returned to the campfire. Although the winter night wind was biting, the warmth of the campfire and the shelter of the ruined temple became their little happiness for survival in the long night, allowing the two lonely children to depend on each other and wait for the dawn.

On the other side, as soon as Fan Yunfu slipped out of the small circle that bound him, his heart felt as if it was attacked by a cold wind, and regret surged like a tide.

He was surrounded by an unknown and unfamiliar environment. The pitch-black night seemed to open its huge mouth to swallow him up. He could not help but shrink back, not daring to rashly step into the deep darkness again.

Deep in his heart, an indescribable desire arose, and he secretly hoped that Xiao Youniang and the other friends would realize his absence and come looking for him day and night.

Time passed minute by minute, and it seemed as long as the passage of centuries, but the expected rescue was nowhere to be found.

Fan Yunfu's mood was a mixture of anxiety and anger. Those two seemingly ordinary boys actually forgot about him in this world full of dangers!

He secretly swore that when they met again, he would make them know the price of despising him.

With no other choice, Fan Yunfu suppressed the panic in his heart, mustered up his courage, and took every step as if he were walking on thin ice, with every step being frightening.

It seemed that fate still had a trace of mercy and did not let him linger in the abyss of despair for too long. Not long after, voices and lights of fire were faintly heard in front of him. They were the detectives on night patrol.

Their appearance was like the brightest stars in the night sky, giving him hope and guidance.

This group of detectives was tasked with finding abducted children. One of them had a sharp eye and spotted Fan Yunfu's lonely figure in the silence. He immediately walked over quickly, his concern evident in words.

By a coincidence of fate, they unexpectedly found one of the missing children, and the detectives quickly surrounded him to ensure his safety.

"Little boy, did you meet other children when you were running away?"

The constable asked casually, but he didn't expect that this question almost revealed the whereabouts of another child.

Fan Yunfu's lips moved slightly, and he was about to mention Xiao Youniang, but the scene in the dilapidated temple suddenly appeared in his mind, where Xiao Youniang defended the little beggar and confronted him.

An inexplicable resentment arose spontaneously. He hardened his heart and shook his head at the constable: "I escaped alone, and I didn't see anyone else. You don't need to waste time looking for me. Take me back to the county government first."

The constable saw that he was sincere in his words and did not seem to be lying. Besides, how could a child who had just escaped from danger have the heart to fabricate lies?

So, without much hesitation, I believed it.

The little girl in the dilapidated temple was completely unaware of this.

Just because Fan Yunfu was angry for a moment, she missed the rescue that was so close to her.

At this moment, she was exploring this old and dilapidated temple with a pair of curious eyes. Every brick and tile was new to her.

When her eyes fell on the dusty statue of the City God, she couldn't help but reach out and gently touch the rough surface that had weathered the wind and rain, her heart filled with awe and curiosity.

At this moment, her eyes inadvertently swept across the back of the City God statue, and she seemed to sense that some unknown secret was hidden there.

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