Tall-and-Skinny walked to the front of the car, knocking on the hood for them to get out.

Ding Hanbai said decisively, yet reluctantly, "I'll get out. You two don't move." He didn't turn off the engine and quickly adjusted his seat backward, making it easier for Ding Erhe to move from the back to the driver's seat if the situation allowed.

It was freezing cold. Ding Hanbai left the car door ajar, raised his hands, and waited for instructions. However, the other party was clearly experienced. The two burly men walked straight over and crudely dragged Ji Shenyu and Ding Erhe out of the car.

Ji Shenyu hesitated, wanting desperately to get closer to Ding Hanbai, but with the car's hood between them and three robbers in front of him, he could only watch quietly. Ding Hanbai took out his wallet, tossed it deftly onto the hood, and said, "It's our first day here to look at goods and negotiate prices. We didn't bring much cash."

A car door opened and closed. One of them checked inside and said to Tall-and-Skinny, "Just one piece of Jadeite Rough Stone."

The sky was gradually darkening. Tall-and-Skinny pocketed Ding Hanbai's wallet without a word, his gaze sweeping over the three of them. Ding Hanbai's heart tightened. The two thousand yuan would never satisfy them. Who comes here to buy things without money? This meant they were going to take a hostage. The carjacking was turning into a kidnapping!

Tall-and-Skinny asked, "Which of you is the boss?"

Ding Hanbai said, "I am. They're my assistants."

The burly man holding Ji Shenyu said, "An assistant dressed this well? That one's got leather shoes and a watch, and what can this young one even do?"

Ji Shenyu's arm ached from the grip. He understood they were picking a hostage, and he also understood that Ding Hanbai wanted to protect him and Ding Erhe. Unexpectedly, Tall-and-Skinny gave a slight signal, and the big man holding him dragged him to the side of their car.

Ding Hanbai said urgently, "It's useless to take him. He's a young assistant from the south with no family or friends here. I have no reason to pay a ransom for him." He took a step forward, and the muzzle of a pistol was immediately pressed against his back, but he was fearless. "I'm the boss. If you want a hostage, take me."

The muzzle jabbed hard into his spine. The big man behind him said, "What if we take you and your assistants abandon you? That kid looks spoiled. I think he's your brother!"

Tall-and-Skinny stated the ransom amount, issuing a string of warnings, and as darkness fell, he twisted Ji Shenyu's arm and forced him towards the car. The gun at Ding Hanbai's back moved to his front. The moment he moved slightly closer, a bullet was fired at his feet.

Ding Erhe shouted in a low voice, "Hanbai! Don't be rash!"

Seeing Ji Shenyu about to be pushed into the car, Ding Hanbai suddenly roared, "I'll fucking fight you bastards!"

The snow wasn't packed down, so rolling on the ground was relatively easy. Curses erupted all around, mixed with the chaotic sound of gunfire. He wasn't sure where he had rolled, but he lunged, tripping one of them from behind, wrapped an arm around the man's neck, and pressed the short blade he held against his artery.

Three against three. If they fought for their lives, they might not lose.

He turned. The gunfire stopped. The man he held was a human shield, choking in Ding Hanbai's grip with tears streaming down his face. Unable to fire his gun, the man swung the butt backward forcefully. Ding Hanbai gritted his teeth and took the blow, simultaneously stabbing his knife through the man's cotton-padded coat and into his shoulder.

Roars of anger and wails of pain echoed through the dark, silent countryside.

Ji Shenyu had thought he would be scared out of his wits, but at this dangerous juncture, he found a bottomless well of courage. He grappled with Tall-and-Skinny, picked up the piece of Jadeite Rough Stone, and smashed it into the man's face. Hot blood splattered, turning the jadeite into agate.

A faint light appeared in the distance. It was impossible to tell if it was a passerby or an accomplice. Ding Hanbai, fighting as if his life depended on it, disarmed his opponent and used the gun as a club, swinging it back and forth.

Ji Shenyu fell to the ground in a daze, unable to open his eyes, which were blurred with hot blood. The beam of light swayed as it came closer. He saw Ding Hanbai running toward him and called out "Senior Brother" as he inched forward.

The car approached menacingly, its front end swerving sharply towards the robbers, its engine roaring with a murderous intensity.

The robbers fled, screaming, and fell into snowdrifts. The car screeched to a halt. A man got out, picked up a handgun, and dismantled it into pieces with practiced ease. Ding Hanbai got up, grabbed the rope used for tying goods, and quickly bound the three bastards.

He endured the sharp pain in his shoulder and neck, knelt down, and gathered Ji Shenyu into his arms. It was now very dark all around. Ji Shenyu asked weakly, "Senior Brother, are you hurt?"

Ding Hanbai said, "Don't worry about me. Where are you hurt?!"

The pain slowly faded. Ji Shenyu said, "I'm fine... just took a few punches and kicks."

All three were injured. Huddled in the headlights, the man who had helped them revealed his face. It was the boss who sold the expensive Chicken-Blood Stone. Ding Hanbai forced a pained smile. "It would be wrong not to buy your Chicken-Blood Stone now. Thank you."

The man said, "I saw a light from far away. My friend told me to come and have a look."

Ding Hanbai glanced into the car and saw a person sitting there, though he couldn't make out their features. Learning that they were also heading back to Chifeng, which meant they could travel together, he said, "Brother, my name is Ding Hanbai. These are my two younger brothers. How should I address you?"

The man said, "My name is Tong Peifan."

...Tong Peifan?!

Ji Shenyu's eyes flew open. Liang Hecheng had told him to find a friend at the porcelain kiln, and that man's name was Tong Peifan. He no longer felt any pain, his mind in turmoil, and he kept staring at the man even after getting into the car.

Ding Erhe drove, while Ding Hanbai sat in the back clutching his shoulder, following the car in front of them back to Chifeng. The bumpy ride, reporting to the police, tending to their wounds—in a flash, they were busy until the early morning. Boss Wu was filled with guilt and apologized profusely.

In the hospital corridor, Ding Hanbai said, "You closed up shop and left late, while we left first. How could we blame you?" He had few external injuries and stood tall. "There was more than one car heading that way at the time. They were probably trying to lead people down the wrong path. It was premeditated."

The incident had occurred and been resolved. It was both unlucky and fortunate. Dwelling on it further would be a waste of time. Ding Hanbai entered the consultation room, pushing aside the curtain, and watched the doctor apply medicine to Ji Shenyu. That handsome face, now mottled with purple and blue bruises, truly made his heart ache.

Ji Shenyu reached out his hand, wanting him.

He approached with a nonchalant air, tapped the blood-stained tip of Ji Shenyu's nose with his fingertip, and then took his hand. Ji Shenyu said in a low voice, "Senior Brother, Tong Peifan is Master Liang's friend. He's the one who opened that porcelain kiln in Tong Village."

Ding Hanbai didn't react at first. "Master Liang's friend?" A few seconds later, his focus shifted from Inner Mongolia to Yangzhou City. "So you went to Tong Village to find him? Not to meet a female classmate at all?!"

Ji Shenyu was stunned. What female classmate?

Ding Hanbai feigned a cough. "He saved us, so we must thank him. I'll treat him to a meal tomorrow, and we can talk things out openly?"

Ji Shenyu nodded and went home with Ding Hanbai. Perhaps the feeling of being unaccustomed to the new environment had passed. Cold, hungry, and frightened, he ate two bowls of lamb stewed noodles before he felt full.

The suitcase was still in the other bedroom. Ji Shenyu went to get his clothes for a shower and ran into Ding Erhe. Ding Erhe was also injured and listlessly beckoned him to come back and sleep in their room. Ji Shenyu gave a noncommittal answer and followed his heart to find Ding Hanbai. As soon as he opened the door, he found Ding Hanbai shirtless and yelling.

"Senior Brother?" He went over and touched the swelling on his shoulder. "Let me rub some medicinal wine for you."

This was much more serious than the time he'd crashed the car into a tree. Ji Shenyu didn't dare use much force. He would rub a few times, then blow on it. Ding Hanbai was visibly trembling. He didn't want to tremble, but the warm breath brushing against the painful area created a tingling, itchy sensation that made him unable to control it.

He should have kept his mouth shut and endured it, but he was too wicked. "You ate two bowls of lamb noodles, and now you reek of it."

Ji Shenyu paused his movements. "Do I? What smell?"

Ding Hanbai said, "The gamey smell of lamb." He turned around. Ji Shenyu was lowering his head to sniff himself. He moved closer and sniffed along with him, brushing against Ji Shenyu's damp hair and the tip of his ear, which was red from the shower.

Ji Shenyu raised a hand to push him away, but stopped it mid-air.

He asked, "Why didn't you push?"

Ji Shenyu said, "Your shoulder is injured."

Ding Hanbai drew out his words, "Does having an injured shoulder mean I can do whatever I want?" He embraced him with his uninjured arm, then quickly let go, staring without blinking. He said bluntly, "When they were about to take you, I was scared to death."

He added, "You were pretty brave, though. Daring to fight back even when you were being held."

Ji Shenyu looked up. He didn't have boundless courage; it was just that Ding Hanbai had stood up for him, so he was willing to face the executioner's blade with him. He said nothing at that moment. Ding Hanbai's scorching yet restrained gaze made him timid. The boiling blood in his chest was stuck at his heart, like a lump in his throat.

That night, the two lay back-to-back, listening to the snow fall with their eyes open, taking a long time to fall asleep.

When they woke the next day, the half-arm's distance between them had turned into face-to-face.

For now, everything was put aside. They didn't go to the Annual Stone Market that day. At noon, they headed straight for the Chifeng White Horse. The surrounding area was quite prosperous. The two of them entered a restaurant to treat their saviors as a thank you.

The last dish had been served when Tong Peifan finally arrived, his friend following behind him.

Ding Hanbai sized them up, guessing one was around forty and the other in his thirties. Tong Peifan took off his cotton-padded jacket, revealing a tall and sturdy frame. The other man, however, seemed very cold. Not only did he not take off his coat, but his hands were also tightly withdrawn into his sleeves.

Tong Peifan said, "This is my friend. We're partners in the stone business."

He didn't reveal his name, which Ding Hanbai and Ji Shenyu understood. It was just a heroic act; their connection was even less than that of casual acquaintances. They first toasted them, thanking them for last night's help, then made small talk, ate, and chatted a bit about Chicken-Blood Stone.

After three rounds of drinks, they became a bit more familiar. Ding Hanbai declared that he would buy Tong Peifan's stones. Smiling, he glanced at Ji Shenyu. Ji Shenyu understood and said, "Brother Tong, forgive me for asking, but do you know Liang Hecheng?"

Tong Peifan's friend instantly looked up, on guard. From the beginning, he hadn't had a drink or picked up his chopsticks. His hands remained hidden in his sleeves, his head bowed and eyes lowered, as if detached from everything. This blatantly hostile glance was so obvious it startled Ji Shenyu. Seeing this, Tong Peifan replied, "He's an old friend. You know Master Liang too?"

Ding Hanbai asked, "Brother Tong, did you used to live in Tong Village?"

The question was subtle yet frank. Tong Peifan met his gaze and said, "I used to have a porcelain kiln there. It closed down the year before last." He had thought the two brothers were just businessmen here to purchase goods but didn't expect such a deep connection. "Then let me also be so bold as to ask, since you know Master Liang and you know I had a porcelain kiln, what is your relationship with Master Liang?"

Ji Shenyu replied, "I am his apprentice."

Tong Peifan glanced at his friend, then turned back. Ji Shenyu decided to be clear and explained everything: Liang Hecheng's illness, being sent to Tong Village to find him, every last detail. After he finished, Tong Peifan was also direct. "The porcelain kiln had a large output, and my cooperation with Master Liang was purely because I was in awe of his craftsmanship. But later, Master Liang disappeared for a long time, and during that period, my kiln also closed down."

The industry developed quickly. Small, mass-production kilns couldn't keep up. They were either absorbed by larger kilns or had to shut down. Tong Peifan wasn't regretful. "After that, I started trading stones, running all over the country. It has its own flavor."

"It's just that..." He glanced at the person beside him and swallowed some words. "Please send my regards to Master Liang."

They chatted back and forth. Ding Hanbai didn't participate, eating silently and listening quietly, observing him out of the corner of his eye for a long time. Suddenly, he reached across Tong Peifan to pour a drink for the friend, making a gesture to toast him.

The man froze, not moving. After a long moment, he said, "Brother Tong, help me." Tong Peifan picked up the wine cup and brought it to his lips. He took a sip and drank it all, his eyes meeting Ding Hanbai's.

He said again, "Brother Tong, I'm hot. Help me take off my jacket."

Ding Hanbai and Ji Shenyu watched without blinking as the thick jacket was pulled off. Underneath, his sweater and shirt were clean, the cuffs neatly folded. But below his forearms, there was nothing. The healed stumps were circled by two scars. He had no hands.

The man said, "My surname is Fang. Fang Huaiqing." He looked at Ji Shenyu, a chill emanating from him, his tone naturally devoid of warmth. "Junior Brother, Master smokes heavily and coughs all night. It must be very annoying, right?"

Ji Shenyu was dumbfounded. This man was also Liang Hecheng's apprentice?! Liang Hecheng had said that his former apprentice's skill couldn't overcome his greed, speaking of him with contempt. Could he have been talking about Fang Huaiqing?!

Ding Hanbai was equally shocked, stunned by the two severed hands. He disregarded politeness and asked urgently, "Brother Fang, you were also apprenticed to Master Liang? Forgive my rudeness, but do your hands have anything to do with your craft?"

Fang Huaiqing said, "I made forgeries for profit and provoked a powerful figure. I nearly lost my life." His words were light, as if he were talking about something trivial. "Fortunately, I escaped with my life. They only chopped off my hands."

A sharp pain shot through Ji Shenyu's right hand. Ding Hanbai had suddenly seized it, gripping it so tightly he couldn't struggle, his bones creaking. "Senior Brother... it hurts," he said in a low voice, but Ding Hanbai only squeezed harder, as if afraid that if he let go, this hand would be chopped off.

The food and wine had gone cold. Fang Huaiqing spoke slowly, telling of the hardships he endured learning his craft, the high price his proudest work had fetched, and what it was like when he had a falling out with Liang Hecheng. He had worn gold and silver, fled like a stray dog, collapsed in a pool of his own blood, and begged for death as his hands were mangled before his eyes.

Luckily, he sought refuge with Tong Peifan and managed to save his worthless life.

After listening, Ding Hanbai said, "You were too greedy. When greed reaches a certain point, no matter what line of work you're in, the outcome might be the same."

Fang Huaiqing didn't deny it. "I reaped what I sowed. My only regret is letting Master down." He gave a smile that didn't reach his eyes and looked at Ji Shenyu. "Junior Brother, be a good, filial son to the old man for me. Thank you."

Ji Shenyu was in a daze. Even after leaving the restaurant, his freed right hand still ached faintly. Tong Peifan and Fang Huaiqing's car drove off; they would see each other again tomorrow in Balin. He turned his face to meet Ding Hanbai's gaze, then quickly looked away.

Ding Hanbai's attitude shifted. "What are you hiding from?"

Ji Shenyu was speechless. Ding Hanbai continued, "You heard him just now. It's horrifying even if you didn't see it. Both hands chopped off, just like that. For the rest of his life, he won't even be able to feed himself."

"I know," Ji Shenyu replied. "I know..."

Ding Hanbai suddenly flared up. "You know jack shit!" He grabbed Ji Shenyu's arm, walked him to the car, and pushed him against it, cursing him on the bright street. "And don't give me any platitudes. We're all just flesh and blood. Who doesn't have some dark thoughts? You might not be greedy now, but give it time, once you've mastered an ultimate skill, can you still resist temptation? If you ever provoke someone powerful, you'll end up just like that senior brother of yours!"

Ji Shenyu said, aggrieved, "I won't. I don't want to do anything like that."

Ding Hanbai wouldn't let him argue back. "I'll say it again: you may not be thinking it now, but who can guarantee the future? This has been a wake-up call for me. When you get back, you might as well ask that Liang Hecheng what he went through to end up in such a sorry state! Maybe his experiences are no less dramatic than Fang Huaiqing's!"

Ji Shenyu had always been gentle, but he was also strong. Now, he was about to be scolded to tears by Ding Hanbai in the middle of the street. He leaned against the car, unsteady on his feet, and asked, "Then what do you want me to do? You can only catch a thief with the stolen goods, but I haven't done anything yet."

Ding Hanbai roared, "By the time there are stolen goods, it'll be too late! Do you know I broke out in a cold sweat? Chopping off hands! I can't even stand it when you scrape your fingers. This risk is hard to avoid. If anything happens in the future, it'll be useless even if I fucking risk my life to fight for you!"

Ji Shenyu looked up. "Senior Brother..."

He hadn't started crying yet, but Ding Hanbai's eyes had already turned red.

He asked, frightened, "Why can't you even stand it when I scrape my fingers? Am I worth all this to you?"

A mix of emotions washed over Ding Hanbai. "...I've got nothing better to do! I'm just asking for it!"

The worst thing is an unexpected change of plans, and meeting Tong Peifan and Fang Huaiqing was a sudden accident for Ji Shenyu. Those bloody stories, told by Fang Huaiqing, were terrifying and disheartening, like a long, blaring alarm bell.

Then he was viciously scolded by Ding Hanbai. Since they had met and gotten to know each other, it was the first time Ding Hanbai had spoken to him so harshly. His mind went blank, and he remained in a daze until dark. Suddenly, he felt very homesick. He wanted Ding Yanshou to pat his shoulder and say something. He wanted to see if Liang Hecheng was secretly smoking.