Chapter 483

Some people stay silent out of tolerance.

Some stay silent because they can't be bothered to argue.

And some stay silent simply because they think you're a fool.

But Lin Jinyu believed silence meant surrender.

Humming a cheerful tune, he turned to head back inside to continue playing Plants vs. Zombies.

As he turned, a glint of reflected light caught his eye from the muddy ground. He bent down—it was the rusted nine-linked ring La Long had dropped earlier.

The thing was practically worthless, worth maybe a dollar at most. Yet La Long treasured it, even fearing it might get damaged while skateboarding.

After a brief hesitation, Lin Jinyu picked it up, intending to chase after La Long and return it.

"Where are you going?" Zhang Xinli's voice came from behind.

Ignoring him, Lin Jinyu dashed out the door.

The street was empty—no sign of La Long anywhere. He scanned the surroundings, but there wasn't even anyone to ask for directions.

Just then, an elderly woman wrapped in a headscarf passed by, herding two cows. Lin Jinyu hurried over. "Grandma, did you see some kids pass by? Which way did they go?"

The old woman grinned, revealing sparse teeth. "Rezha, leshi mujulo?"

Lin Jinyu stared blankly.

She patted his shoulder and rattled off more unintelligible words. Frustrated, he raised his voice. "Kids! About this tall!" He gestured wildly.

The woman continued speaking in what sounded like gibberish.

Just as Lin Jinyu was scratching his head in confusion, Zhang Xinli's voice came from behind. "Kashasha."

The old woman chuckled. "Cimogni."

"You speak Yi?" Lin Jinyu asked, surprised.

"Just a few phrases," Zhang Xinli replied. "She said you're handsome."

Lin Jinyu narrowed his eyes skeptically. "Really?"

"Looking for La Long?" Zhang Xinli asked.

Lin Jinyu shook the nine-linked ring. "He dropped this."

Zhang Xinli turned and started walking. "This way. Good thing you found it."

"That important?" Lin Jinyu smirked. "So I just saved the day?"

Zhang Xinli shot him a glance. "Last time he lost it in the sheep pen, he cried for three days searching."

"Seriously?" Lin Jinyu muttered. "It's not even worth anything."

Zhang Xinli paused mid-step. "Maybe not to you."

"Not to anyone."

Zhang Xinli didn't respond, striding ahead. Lin Jinyu hurried after him. "Hey! What did I say wrong?"

Behind them, the old woman waved and called out, "Azazabu!"

......

"This stupid metal ring..." Lin Jinyu grumbled the whole way. "I get the sentimental value, but the material..."

Zhang Xinli ignored him, leading the way in silence.

By 4:30 PM, the village was quiet. As they turned onto a secluded path, Zhang Xinli suddenly stopped.

Lin Jinyu crashed into his back. "Damn it!"

"Shh!" Zhang Xinli signaled for silence.

Ahead, behind a thicket, five or six teenagers stood in a circle, surrounding a small, hunched figure.

"Har wori ni... let go!" A crude curse drifted on the wind.

Lin Jinyu recognized the dirt-streaked face—it was La Long.

Before Zhang Xinli could speak, Lin Jinyu shot forward like an arrow.

"Picking on a kid? Have you no shame?" he barked.

The group froze. One of them swore in dialect.

Lin Jinyu sneered. "Speak properly. I don't understand bird language."

Provoked, one boy lunged to slap him.

At the last second, Zhang Xinli yanked Lin Jinyu back by the collar, barely avoiding the strike.

"Zhang Xinli, stay out of this," the leader threatened.

Lin Jinyu fired back. "You're the bullies, yet you act righteous? Your faces are thicker than a city wall's corner!"

The verbal barrage left them stunned. Zhang Xinli traded curses in dialect while Lin Jinyu switched between languages, hurling insults.

Outmatched, the group began closing in.

Zhang Xinli shielded Lin Jinyu. As tensions peaked, he suddenly grabbed the leader's collar. "Want to fight?" His voice was icy. "Need stitches in your other eye too?"

The leader faltered, then backed down. "Just... a misunderstanding."

La Long whispered, "Let it go..."

Grumbling, the boys dispersed.

Lin Jinyu rushed to La Long. The boy hid behind a tree, face smudged with dirt, a shoe print stamped on his hand—yet not a single tear fell.

"It's okay now," Lin Jinyu said softly.

La Long kept his head down. "Thanks."