He Saved the Heir, Then Won His Heart novel · Chapter 19 of 56

Chapter 19: The Van

Shen Yan went back to Lantern Lane because he owed an old woman an apology.

He said so in the car, and Xiao Chen did not argue.

"I'll walk with you," he said. "I'll stand at the end of the row."

"You'll stand where you like. I'm not going to hide from a stall."

The Red Lantern was already lit, though it was only four in the afternoon.

Auntie looked up from the coals, dropped her tongs, and came around the counter with both arms out.

"You stupid child," she said, and crushed him against her apron. "You vanish in the night and send a note with another man's name on it. I thought you were dead in a river."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Auntie."

"Look how clean you are. Look at that shirt." She held him at arm's length and glared at Xiao Chen over his shoulder. "Is that him? He's too thin as well."

"Everybody is too thin," said Shen Yan. "I brought your money."

He held out an envelope.

She pushed it back into his hand without looking at it.

"Eat first."

He ate three skewers standing up, while she told the whole lane he was home.

She wrapped a dozen more in paper and put them into Xiao Chen's hands, and told him in a hard voice to bring the boy back on Sunday.

They left with the sun low and orange over the rooftops.

Bridge Road was the shortest way to the car.

Xiao Chen slowed at the corner, and Shen Yan felt him slow.

"Not the main junction," Xiao Chen said. "We'll go around by the tunnel."

"He said Bridge Road."

"Yes. Which is why we aren't going."

They turned.

They were halfway along the side street, past a shuttered tailor's shop, when Shen Yan heard the engine.

It started low behind them, and then climbed.

He looked back.

A white van had pulled out of an alley and was coming along the narrow street, much too fast.

No plates.

A single shape sat behind the windscreen, hunched over the wheel.

"Xiao Chen."

"Run."

Shen Yan froze for half a heartbeat.

Then a hand struck his chest, hard, and he was flying sideways into a recessed doorway, with the skewers scattering across the road.

He landed on his side and the breath left him.

He saw the van go by in a rush of heat and noise.

He saw it clip something with a sickening crunch.

He saw Xiao Chen spin in the air, once, and hit the pavement and roll.

The van did not slow.

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