Chapter 2:Garvin'sRevenge
A few days prior, Kelly and Kevin were out riding their bikes around the village, enjoying each other's company. They were suddenly stopped by Garvin, the village bully and his gang. They were trying to intimidate Kelly into to paying "protection fees." Garvin, Kelly and Kevin were all around the same age, seventeen going on eighteen. As Garvin and his crew blocked their path, Garvin shouted, "You two get off those bikes! Give them to me and pay me to pass!" He smirked enjoying the intimidation. Observing the situation, Kevin stepped off his bike. He gave Kelly a reassuring look that told her not to worry, then turned and confronted Garvin and his crew. "Get out of our way" he said, an air of authority and no trace of fear. Garvin and his crew of delinquents doubled over in laughter; the odds was stacked against Kevin, four against one. Kelly watched the scene unfold, her expression filled with worry.
While Garvin and his crew were caught up in their laughter, Kevin took that as his initiative and struck quickly, catching them off guard. A struggle ensued, four against one but Kevin was in "protection mode." He dashed forward kicking Garvin squarely in his chest, then pivoted to punch one of the lackeys in the abdomen. The last boy remained standing in front of Kevin, his legs shaking like and earthquake. Without his crew backing him up, he was just a weakling. With a quick round house kick, Kevin sent him stumbling straight into Garvin. The fight ended in seconds. Kelly stood there in shock at what had just taken place, only brought back to reality by the wailing of Garvin and his crew. She looked in Kevin's direction; he stood there smiling, standing tall like an action movie star. He then gestured toward her and said, "Come on let's leave."
After vacating the area and putting some distance between themselves and Garvin's crew, Kelly's initial shock faded. "How did you do that?" she asked. Kevin shrugged and smiled. "I don't really know, but everything seems to be etched into my muscle memory." He then turn to Kelly, finding her very cute, and teased, "what's wrong? Do you think I look handsome fighting for you?" Kelly turned her face away and huffed, her face flushing pink in embarrassment. She jumped back on her bike and pedalled off, quickly leaving Kevin behind as he headed towards Wang Xian Valley River.
As her silhouette shrank in the distance, Kevin hopped on his bike and gave chase. While riding toward her, he found the motivation to finally confess his feelings, he liked her very much.
Upon arriving a breath taking view came into sight. Lush green grass spread for miles along the riverbank, dotted with benches and tables under thatched huts. Beautiful flower beds full of peony, chrysanthemum, lotus, orchid and plum blossoms line the shore. These banks led to a blue Lagoon of crystal clear water, fed by a cascading waterfall that run all the way through the village. By the time Kevin reached her, Kelly had already taken off her shoes and place her feet in the water, where fish wewre darting around her ankles. Kevin placed his bike down and joined in fun. Kelly noticed Kevin and turned away, her ears still a little pink. After composing herself she faced him and said, "What took you so long?" He watched her and burst out laughing. "you are truly an amazing individual," he said. She patted him on his back and said, "What are you laughing at Mister Annoying".
The two stayed at the river's end until the sun started setting. Kelly got up and prepared to head home. Noticing this, Kevin stood up quickly and said, "Let me take you home." She smiled like an angel falling from heaven and said, "Okay, I will have to inconvenience you then." Kevin said, "No inconvenience." He got up and they made their way towards the Wang Villas. At Wang Villa's security booth, Kevin stopped, turned to Kelly and said, "We've arrived at your destination." She thanked him for the day and slowly turned to leave. Kevin clench his fists, mustered his courage and said, "Wait! I have something to say to you." Kelly paused as gentle breeze blew her hair across her shoulders. She softly said, "What it is Kevin? Tell me." Kevin's breathing became laboured, and his heart raced in his chest as he mumbled, "I like you...… I would really like to be your boyfriend." Kelly stood frozen, not knowing how to answer.
Kelly stood frozen in time like a statue, her emotions were swirling as she struggled to process his words. "How am I to answer him?" she wondered. Kevin also felt trapped between a rock and a hard place. Kelly had been his friend for years, but she came from a much prestigious back ground than he did. He knew it wasn't a simple "yes." While her Grandfather, Old Mr Wang really liked him, Kevin had never met her parents. Kelly snapped out of her daze and met Kevin's expectant gaze. His eyes was filled with love and anticipation, yet she remained lost on how to respond. On one hand, she shared his feelings; on the other, she felt the heavy weight of her parent's expectations. Sometimes a childhood simply isn't enough. She was the top student in her class, destined for a first Tier University, while Kevin, who grades were slightly above average, risk being left behind in Wang Xian Valley if he didn't work harder. Her family's back ground was another massive obstacle.
Kelly bit her lips, trying to steady her emotions. She looked at Kevin and said, "I can't give you that answer today, not because I don't want to, but because of my parents...….. I hope you can understand." She turned, jumped on her bike and pedalled towards her house with tears streaming down her face. Having to admit that to Kevin shattered her heart, she felt broken. As Kevin watched her ride away, his heart crush by her words but, at the same time, those same words motivated him to be better. Clenching his fist he turned around and made his way home back to his part of town. His shoulders slouched in sadness, yet his heart brimmed with confidence for a better day to come. From that day, Kelly's silent rejection made him acutely aware of his standing in society, and he vowed to do better for his love ones and himself.
Ring, ring, ring!
The bell rang for lunch break, and everyone began heading toward the canteen. A hissing sound echoed through the corridor, followed by a rhythmic drumming and heavy vibrations that shook the floor. With a thunderous roar, the rain had begun pouring down heavily. Looking out at the storm, Leroy and Nathan exchange concerned glances, their friend Kevin still not arrived at school, which was deeply confusing to them both.
As the dark clouds blanketed the sky, a small patch of wet, green grass began to move. It was the same grass that Kevin had fallen into after fainting. Awaken by the rain, he sat up and checked himself for injuries or any missing items. Every inch of him was soaked from head to toe yet his hand still clung to the lunch box which his mother provided. He stood up in the tall grass, checked his watch, and realized several hours had passed. It was now lunch time. He began parting the bushes and making a path back to the road.
After clearing a patch around him, Kevin's eyes fell on a shining object stuck in the ground. He bent down, clearing the silt around the object with his fingers until the heavy rain made it more visible. He dug it out and placed it in his pocket for safe keeping, deciding he would check it thoroughly when he got home later. Kevin finally made his way towards the Mines with his father's lunch box in hand. At the guard booth, he informed the guards that who he was there for. One of the guards sent a message through the intercom system, shortly after Kevin's father was seen walking out one of the Mines. Mr. Lu made his way toward the entrance, and a guard greeted him and jokingly, saying, "Your little rascal is here for you." Mr. Lu smiled warmly to the guards, then gestured for Kevin to bring his lunch. When Mr. Lu questioned him about why he took so long, Kevin simply nodded and said, "Sorry, I will tell you the story later when you get home."
Kevin decided to return home after leaving the Mines, it was already past lunch, and his clothes were soaking wet. On the way back, however, Kevin couldn't shake the eerie feeling that he was being watched. He quicken his pace, trying to lose whoever was pursuing him. Entering the alleyway just before reaching his house, Kevin felt as though he had finally escaped, unaware that he was still in their sights. The moment he let his guard down, he was ambushed by a crew of mask individuals. He had on time to counter attack before they rush him with long pipes and irons rods. He was beaten thoroughly; blood flowed from his wounds as he lay on the ground, wondering whom he had offended. In his last ounce of consciousness before he pass out, he heard someone ask "Garvin what should we do with him?" Garvin reply, "Dump him in the trash. That's where lowlifes should meet their end." A round of laughter followed as Kevin body was picked up and toast in the garbage bin like a dead dog.
Garvin and his crew felt satisfied after defeating Kevin. Unconcerned about his life, they headed off to celebrate their victory. Lin, Garvin's older cousin, was the one who had helped him take his revenge. He was a low level henchman who worked under the underworld boss of Jiangxi Province; Draco. Draco was also known as Mr. Ken. Although he was young, he had a fierce aura that command respect. Ruthless and cunning, he force most businesses in the Province to pay him a monthly "tax" for his protection services. Lin looked at Garvin and asked, "Cousin how you feel now that you've avenged yourself?" Garvin replied, "Great! It felt good getting my revenge on that bastard. He had beaten me and my crew a few days ago because of that girl from the Wang family, Kelly. I couldn't live with myself if I had let that go. You have to let me and my crew treat you to some drinks, big cousin."
Lin accompanied by Garvin and his crew went to the Jinn Street Bar, which he managed. It served as his base of operations and the place where he and his lackeys stayed. Being their first time entering a Bar setting, Garvin and his crew were ecstatic, they were all smiles and full of praises for Lin. Garvin said to Lin, "we really look up to Big Brother Lin. Can I call you 'big brother,' cousin?" Lin nodded to confirm his answer, clearly enjoying the praise; rarely did he receive that type of attention. He ask one of his attendants, a sultry looking lady named Mrs. Debra, to organize a private room on the second floor for them. Reeling from their resent success, Garvin and his crew began treating Lin. For the first time since he started working for Draco, Lin felt like a big boss, a godfather. Upon entering the private room above the dance floor, a waiter arrived with a tray of drinks, followed by a few young women in revealing outfits to keep them company during their celebration.