VESSEL - Extinction Countdown 965: Warped Kin, Justice Slain

Ye Shisan, head swathed in bandages, stepped from the car just as He Qiang strutted out of A-Qiang’s Game Parlor.

In a suit, hair slicked with thick wax, He Qiang’s squat frame made him look like a neckless spy.

Catching sight of Ye Shisan, guilt—or something—tripped him. He faceplanted on the street.

“Dad! Mom! Bro’s back!” he yelped.

The cry seemed both a plea and a dodge, as if saying: Taking the bakery wasn’t my idea.

At the shout, He Dali and Li Fang barreled out of the shop, one after the other.

He Dali barked first. “Shisan, what’d you do? Turn yourself in—might get off lighter!”

Li Fang, Ye Shisan’s birth mother, shot He Dali a look, her tone softer. “Shisan, where’ve you been half a month? I paid last month’s utilities. If Qiang hadn’t made this an arcade, we’d have no water or power…”

One pushed for prison, the other squatted in his shop, griping about bills. Their message was clear: You’re done, Ye Shisan. Shisan Bakery ain’t yours anymore.

Before Ye Shisan could speak, You Long’er, fiery, leaped in. “What parents are you? Stealing his shop and acting righteous? You’d love him locked up, wouldn’t you?”

He Dali’s eyes bulged. “Girl, watch it! If Shisan didn’t break the law, why’d the cops take him? Family shame stays quiet. He dropped out, killed someone, and he’s got mental issues—you know that?”

He Dali laid bare Ye Shisan’s past. Not his real father, yet what stepdad trashes a kid so viciously?

Yi Qing couldn’t stay silent, her voice icily precise. “Ye Shisan was questioned, not charged. He’s back. Your verdict’s premature. His childhood incident? Manslaughter from mental illness, not intent. Case closed. The victim was injured, not killed—recovered in ten months.”

Yi Qing’s facts, backed by her police badge, left He Dali speechless.

Li Fang, seeing her man falter, raised her voice. “If Shisan hadn’t torched our home, costing us a fortune, we wouldn’t be begging! Have I blamed him? I’m his mother! I just want a place to rest, enjoy my old age. Is that too much? Has Shisan ever shown me respect, a bite to eat, a sip to drink?”

Even Vanilla caught the venom. You ditched him for twenty years, and now you’re settling scores.

Vanilla piped up. “Auntie, Uncle, Shisan built his life from nothing. You’ve had twenty more years—why haven’t you done better?”

The jab choked Li Fang. Her sharp tongue had outtalked loan sharks, but a kid under ten bested her. She wanted to strangle Vanilla.

Fury twisted Li Fang’s face. She coughed, ready to spit phlegm at Vanilla, but He Qiang grabbed her. “Mom, it’s my first day. Don’t forget Mr. Lin!”

The hint was clear: Lin Changrong hired him because of Ye Shisan. Vanilla was his soft spot. Trouble her, and it’s over.

Li Fang spat on the curb.

Ye Shisan stared at this “family.” They’re not family. Even Li Fang, who birthed him, was a stranger now.

He spoke, flatly. “Stop fighting. I’m leaving this city. Take the shop. Vanilla, You Long’er, Yi Qing, let’s go.”

He Dali crowed, gloating. “Knew Shisan couldn’t hack it! Running off? Better not owe money—I ain’t paying your debts!”

Li Fang sneered. “Didn’t see it, but Shisan’s broke and still charms women. So loyal—what’s he got?”

He Qiang sidled up to Yi Qing, leering. “Babe, I’m with Xiehe Medical now, five figures a month. What’s Shisan got? Ditch him for me.”

His hand reached out. Yi Qing’s elbow slammed back. He Qiang retched on the ground.

He Dali panicked, hauling He Qiang up. Li Fang shrieked, “Cop’s attacking him! Cop’s murdering him!”

No neighbor cared. Sweet Potato Street knew this beggar couple’s antics—folks steered clear, wondering who’d stepped in shit today.

Li Fang’s rant fizzled without a crowd. But He Qiang was late for his first day.

He Dali, wincing, hailed a cab, nagging He Qiang not to cross Mr. Lin, to obey every order.

He Qiang shrugged. I’m Lin’s guy. Soon, I’ll climb. Who dares slight me?

Li Fang, savvier, slipped him cash. “Buy tea for colleagues, treat the boss to dinner. It’s not skill—it’s connections.”

Say what you will, Li Fang outshone He Dali in some ways.

Inside the shop, You Long’er slammed the door, slapping up a sign: Owner’s off saving humanity. Shop closed indefinitely.