The night wind at West River Beach carried the river's moisture. In the dry Northwest, the damp, fishy smell of water was a rarity.
Lu Xiao found his way to the abandoned brickyard, relying on memory.
Broken adobe bricks and rubble were scattered all around, and the area was overgrown with weeds.
It was much quieter here than in town. Forget people—he didn't even see a single stray cat or dog.
Lu Xiao didn't rush in. He hid behind a half-collapsed low wall, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
After waiting a moment, he saw a small, thin figure emerge from a gap deep within the brickyard, limping. The boy looked around warily, a tattered cloth bag in his hand.
'This must be the "Little Cripple" Geng mentioned.'
Lu Xiao stepped out from the shadows, making his footsteps a little heavier.
The boy jumped, spinning around like a startled rabbit, and nearly fell over.
"Who's there?!"
His voice was shrill, with a boy's forced ferocity.
