The man was tied to a chair, his head drooping, his hair obscuring his eyes, his clothes stained with blood all over—it was unclear whose blood it was.
Not far away stood two men with guns, engaged in idle chatter over cigarettes.
"Why the hell keep this bastard around if we're not going to deal with him? We're stuck here guarding him, fuck!"
"We can't fathom the thoughts of those above us. We just do as we're told, right?"
The conversation was sporadic.
Suddenly, the chatting ceased, and someone called out, "Brother Li."
"Where's the person?"
"Inside."
Footsteps grew nearer and nearer.
The man bound to the chair slowly lifted his head. His face bore signs of a beating, yet it didn't diminish his appearance.
"Captain Jin."
Brother Li took out a pack of cigarettes, opened it, and pulled one out, tapping it against the pack.
He put the cigarette to his mouth, and immediately one of his underlings stepped forward to give him a light.
"Do you recognize me?"
