One Third Remaining Chapter Twenty-Three: Blondie

Cats have their paths, and dogs have theirs. Thieves, too, have their own ways.

Early the next morning, He Wei brought Zhang Xiaoman to the corner of a quiet alley. Leaning against the wall, He Wei lit a cigarette, and together with Zhang Xiaoman, who held a pipe, they slowly exhaled clouds of smoke, occasionally peering out to glance at a gray electric scooter at the mouth of the alley.

“Waiting for someone?” Zhang Xiaoman let out a puff, his eyelids drooping as he asked in a detached tone.

He Wei nodded slightly. “According to the patrol officers on the street, that bastard's been hanging around these parts lately...” He was about to continue when a shifty-eyed, blond young man appeared at the entrance to the alley. He immediately flicked away his cigarette, pulled a pair of handcuffs from his belt, and, with a cold smile on his lips, strode over, stopping just a step away from the young man.

The blond crouched down, expertly poking at the keyhole beneath the scooter seat with a wire. With a click, his face lit up. He lifted the seat panel, stuffed the wire into his pocket, rubbed his hands together, and was just about to remove the scooter’s battery when he suddenly felt a chill on the back of his neck. Startled, he spun around and found himself face to face with He Wei’s stern visage. Swallowing hard, he glanced at a side lane in the alley, gave a forced chuckle, and bolted.

At the corner, the blond looked over his shoulder, surprised that He Wei had not given chase. Suddenly,