Chapter 2: Dumb Shit

Words : 1827 Updated : Jul 24th, 2025

Levi shouted so loudly it was deafening. Some people nearby couldn't help but cover their ears. But the woman running the stall didn't seem to mind at all. But as soon as she locked eyes with Levi, tears started streaming down her face. "Bro, is that really you?" she said, her face full of disbelief. "Mila, of course it's me! You don't recognize your own brother?" Levi's eyes were red, too. "Bro!" Mila cried and ran over, throwing herself into Levi's arms. She hadn't said a word about what happened in the past three years, but from the way she looked, Levi could tell things had been rough. Three years ago, Mila got into the top music academy in Chiton. If nothing had happened, she'd be studying there now, with a bright future ahead of her. But reality hit hard. Now, Mila was working a stall at the night market just to get by. The autumn wind was chilly, her once-perfect hands now cracked and rough, her face haggard, and there were even a few gray hairs showing. "I'm sorry. It's all my fault for not being there for you," Levi said, his heart twisting at how life had beaten down his little sister. She was his favorite. Back then, Levi went to jail for beating up a drunk rich kid who tried to mess with his sister. "It's not your fault, bro. I'm the one who let you down," Mila bawled, finally letting out all the hurt she'd been bottling up. Just then, a few thugs came over and surrounded Levi. Davis, the ringleader, sneered, "So, the ex-con is back. I heard you got ten years-how are you out in three? Oh, I get it. You must've broken out!" Mila turned pale. "Bro, did you really break out of prison?" she asked, her voice shaking. "Of course not! I got out early for helping catch some criminals," Levi said. "You got out for that?" Even Mila sounded unsure. "You? Early release? What skills do you even have? Tell us, maybe we'll get a laugh," Davis mocked. "Nothing special. Just caught a few wanted guys and saved a couple people," Levi said flatly. Davis and his goons burst out laughing. "You're full of it. If you were that good, how'd you end up behind bars?" Davis scoffed. "He's just been locked up too long and started having delusions." "Imagined his release, so he broke out. Makes sense." "This clown is just here for laughs..." They kept mocking him until Levi suddenly asked, "Do you guys all live in Dunvale?" "What do you mean?" Davis was momentarily confused. "Don't you get it? You guys must live in Dunvale, otherwise why do you have so much dumb shit to say?" Levi said, cold as ice. The crowd cracked up. "You got a death wish, huh?!" Davis yelled, throwing a punch at Levi. Levi quickly pulled his scared sister behind him, grabbed Davis's wrist, and locked him in place. "You touched my sister with this dirty hand? Guess you don't need it anymore." Crack! With a chilling snap, Levi broke Davis's arm. "Ah!" Davis screamed, still defiant. "You're dead! I'm with the Viper Gang-our boss will make you pay!" Levi didn't bother listening. He just kicked Davis so hard that the guy went flying, coughing up blood and not getting back up. "Get him, boys!" The other thugs charged with weapons. In just a few punches and kicks, Levi dropped all of them. The crowd was shocked-he moved so fast, nobody even saw how he did it. Davis finally realized he'd messed with the wrong guy and shut up. "This is just a warning. Touch my sister again and you're dead," Levi said, picking up a leaf and flicking it out. Whoosh! The leaf sliced right past Davis's head, sharp as a knife! Davis reached up and felt his hair was gone, blood on his scalp. He was so scared he nearly pissed himself. If there weren't so many people around, that leaf might've killed him! "I won't do it again, I swear!" Davis blurted, kneeling with his guys and forgetting all about his broken arm. "Get lost!" Levi snapped. Davis and his guys scrambled away, practically tripping over themselves. The crowd, stunned at first, broke into applause for Levi. Especially the local vendors, who'd had enough of being pushed around. Levi grabbed his still-shocked sister and got out of there fast. "Miss, wasn't that the miracle doctor from prison just now?" a woman in green said, pointing after Levi. "Oh?" Michelle looked up, caught a glimpse of Levi's back, and nodded. "Yeah, that's him." Out of curiosity, Michelle asked around about the Casson siblings and soon learned about Levi's prison sentence three years ago and everything the family had been through. "What a tough life. But at least he picked up some skills in prison-maybe a blessing in disguise," Michelle said, a little moved. "Should we help him, miss?" her maid couldn't help but ask, feeling sorry for him. "Let me think about it," Michelle said, lost in thought. For some reason, she was really looking forward to meeting Levi again. ***** Soon, Levi took his sister home-but it wasn't the old hundred-square-meter apartment from three years ago. Now it was just a tiny rental, barely thirty square meters. "Mila, why are you living here? Where's Mom and Dad?" Levi asked while putting ointment on her cracked hands. They were never rich, but they never had to worry about money, either. But now, the place was bare-there was nothing left. "After you went to prison, we sold the house to pay compensation, but it still wasn't enough. We had to borrow money, and we've been paying it back ever since." "A while ago, Dad got sick, and he's been getting worse every day. Mom's been at the hospital with him." "Yesterday, the hospital gave us a critical notice. Bro, now that you're back, you should go see Dad as soon as you can-it might be the last time..."

Chapter 2: Dumb Shit

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