87 The Slums
However, Simon didnât dare to let Leon go up by himself. He knew that as long as Leon went out of his sight, he would definitely run away.
Simon glanced at the convenience store next to him and had an idea. He pushed Leon and took out two coins to make an agreement with an employee inside to help him watch his car.
After Simon left the convenience store, he cast a glance at Leon and said, âLetâs go. Take me to your place.â
Leon dawdled forward with Simon and saw a dozen children playing in the street.
When he was two to three meters away from the crowd, Leon reached behind him and felt for the hilt of his knife. He quickly pulled out the knife from behind his waist and stabbed Simonâs waist. Then, he turned around and ran.
Because Simon was caught off guard, he was hit by Leonâs attack. However, Simon had long arms and legs. He ran a few steps while holding his waist and grabbed onto Leonâs arm. âBrat! Rebel! You even dared to stab your old man in the street!â
Leon turned around with his knife and slashed at Simonâs arm that was grabbing onto his arm. Simonâs reaction was still considered fast as he quickly released his grip on Leon. In that instant, he gave Leon a chance to escape.
As Leon ran, he pulled out a dozen coins. When he was in the middle of the children, he threw the coins at Simon and shouted, âPicked the money!â
The dozen children immediately cheered and pounced on Simon. Without turning back, Leon ran madly and turned into a small alley in front of him. After another ten minutes of jogging, he came out of the alley and arrived at the main road.
Fortunately, he was lucky enough to run into a taxi.
Leon scuttled into the car and reported the name of the hotel he was staying at. He then turned around and looked around through the rear window. He only heaved a sigh of relief when he didnât see Simon.
Leon lowered his head and found that he was still holding the bloody fruit knife tightly in his hand. He pulled out the scabbard from behind his waist, put the fruit knife back on, and stuffed it back.
When the car stopped in front of the hotel, Leon remembered the reason why he had come out. In order not to arouse Vivianâs suspicion, Leon asked the driver to send him to the bookstore.
After buying some books, Leon jogged back to the hotel. When he got back, Vivian was already in the guest room.
Vivian looked at the slightly breathless Leon and thought that he was worried she would be worried if he came back late. She poured a glass of orange juice and placed it on the table, smiling. âWhy are you in such a hurry? I know youâre going to buy books. As long as I can contact you, you donât need to be in a rush. Donât be in a hurry to sit down. Stand and rest for a while before drinking.â
After panting for a while, Leon obediently drank the orange juice on the table. He put down the empty glass and said to Vivian, âMom, Iâm going back to my room to rest.â
Leon took the book and prepared to go back to his room to think about what to do next.
Vivian saw a few dark red dots on Leonâs gray t-shirt. âWait a moment. Stand still.â
Vivian quickly stepped forward to take a closer look. She frowned and asked, âWhat did you get on your clothes? Is this blood?â
Leon panicked for a moment, but he quickly calmed down. âWhen I paid the bill, the boss was writing in red ink. At that time, he flung the pen and might have accidentally splashed it.â
Vivian looked at him from head to toe. After realizing that he wasnât injured, she didnât think too much about it. âItâs good that youâre fine. Then, go back to your room and sleep for a while. Iâll take you to the nearby snack street later.â
As he recalled his experience of domestic violence, he couldnât help but ask Vivian, âMom, why did you leave home in the first place?â
Vivian was stunned. What did the original book say? Was it domestic violence?
Vivianâs thoughts were pulled back to the plot of the book. She remembered Leon seemed to have been abused by her biological father since he was young and thought he had just seen something touching outside.
âLeon, why are you suddenly asking this? I didnât have the ability to take you with me back then. Iâm sorry.â
Leon quickly shook his head. âIâm already very satisfied that I can live with Mom now.â
Vivian touched Leonâs little head and said jokingly, âThank you for giving me a chance to make it up to you. If anyone dares to bully you in the future, just tell me. Weâll beat them up together!â
When Leon heard this, he felt a surge of energy enters his body. He smiled and nodded hard.
Thatâs right. He wasnât alone anymore. He still had his Mother and his unborn sibling to protect!
For the sake of this family, he had to find a way to become stronger!