After running for half an hour, the town finally came into view. Li Zitao, still catching his breath, looked nervously at his companion, Wang Dagou. "Big Dog, do you think they'll come to the town to search for us?" he asked anxiously.
"Of course," Wang Dagou replied nonchalantly. "But Jerry isn't some big shot. Those white pigs only feel humiliated because we slapped their precious 'white pride.' They're just making a scene. Once it blows over, they'll lose interest. Do you really think they'd launch a massive search for someone like Jerry? Who do you think he is—the sheriff?"
"That's a relief." Li Zitao sighed, reassured by Wang Dagou's confidence.
As they hid on a hillside overlooking the town, the rumble of car engines shattered the quiet. Two vehicles roared into the town, carrying a group of men armed with pistols, shotguns, and even a Thompson submachine gun. They stormed into the local hotels and bars, looking for the two fugitives. Before long, a small scuffle broke out in one of the taverns, but it ended without gunfire. Unable to find their targets, the men cursed loudly, climbed back into their cars, and drove away.
Wang Dagou was ready to descend into the town, but Li Zitao grabbed his shoulder to stop him. "Wait a minute, Big Dog. I think they'll come back," he said firmly.
"What are you talking about? Didn't you see them leave? Why should we keep waiting?" Wang Dagou asked, irritated.
"Better to be cautious than to make a big mistake," Li Zitao insisted. He had learned from books and experience that underestimating opponents could be fatal.
Just as Wang Dagou was about to argue, the sound of engines interrupted him. The jeeps that had just left returned, speeding through the town and stirring up clouds of dust. The men in the vehicles shouted insults before finally leaving for good.
Wang Dagou stared in disbelief. "This fellow countryman of mine isn't as dumb as I thought," he admitted grudgingly.
"Let's go," Li Zitao urged, his excitement rising at the prospect of finally obtaining a real gun.
"How did you know they'd come back?" Wang Dagou asked as they started making their way into the town.
"I just guessed," Li Zitao replied casually. In truth, he had no way of knowing for sure, but caution had served him well.
Before the sun rose, the two men crept through a narrow, foul-smelling alley. The stench of decay made Li Zitao's eyes water, and he marveled at the tramp who lay sleeping peacefully amid the filth. Climbing up slippery, oil-stained stairs, they stopped at a wooden door on the second floor. Wang Dagou knocked firmly.
"Who is it?" a wary voice called from inside, followed by the sound of a gun being cocked.
"It's me, Big Dog," Wang Dagou replied.
The door creaked open to reveal a disheveled room filled with trash, empty bottles, and scraps of who-knew-what. The man inside, Jack Chen, greeted them with a mix of relief and annoyance. "Big Dog, you nearly scared me to death. What are you doing here? The town's been dangerous lately."
Wang Dagou stepped inside and got straight to the point. "I'm here to buy. Two guns, plenty of ammunition. Cash upfront."
Jack Chen's eyes lit up with interest. "How many bullets are we talking?"
"As many as you've got," Wang Dagou replied confidently. "Name your price."
"Two 1911 pistols, ninety percent new, and 180 rounds of ammo. Fifteen dollars," Jack Chen offered.
"That's too steep. Twelve dollars," Wang Dagou countered.
Jack Chen hesitated, then asked, "What kind of trouble are you in, anyway?"
Li Zitao, momentarily letting his guard down, blurted out, "We got into a bit of trouble. Big Dog got involved because of me."
"Shut up," Wang Dagou barked, glaring at him.
Jack Chen's expression shifted as he stood up, subtly increasing the distance between himself and the two men. "Big Dog, you're not being honest with me," he said, his hand moving discreetly toward his back.
Li Zitao's heart sank. He realized Jack Chen had another gun hidden. Tension filled the room as Wang Dagou lunged at Jack Chen, attempting to disarm him. In the ensuing struggle, Li Zitao spotted a tin canister on the floor. Without thinking, he grabbed it and smashed it into Jack Chen's face. Blood splattered, and Jack Chen fell to the ground.
Wang Dagou quickly subdued him and retrieved the hidden pistol. "Where are the guns and bullets?" he demanded, pressing the muzzle against Jack Chen's temple.
Coughing and groaning in pain, Jack Chen pointed to a small tin cabinet buried under a pile of garbage. Wang Dagou began searching the corner while keeping a wary eye on Jack Chen.
As Li Zitao stood guard, he noticed Jack Chen's left hand creeping toward another hidden weapon. Before Jack Chen could act, Li Zitao opened fire, the deafening gunshots echoing in the cramped room. Jack Chen slumped to the floor, lifeless.
Li Zitao stared at the smoking gun in his hands, his expression unreadable. "Did I just… kill someone?" he muttered.
Wang Dagou, unfazed, replied, "In this world, it's kill or be killed. You'll get used to it."
Li Zitao's hands trembled, but a strange calm settled over him. "Killing… it's not as terrifying as I thought."
With their prize secured—two pistols and a stash of bullets—the pair left the room, their guns drawn. The alley was eerily quiet, but they knew they couldn't linger. They slipped out of the town and headed for the hills, disappearing into the desolate countryside.
For Li Zitao, this was only the beginning. In a world ruled by survival, he realized he would have to embrace violence to carve out his place. With each step, the timid factory worker was being replaced by someone more resolute—someone willing to do whatever it took to survive.