Chapter 62: Running into Trouble at the Skating Rink

Sunlight blazed down like fire, scorching the slate pavement of the old street, making even the air appear warped by the heat.

Liu Siyao, Lin Junsheng, and Liu Jingjing were strolling through this old street steeped in the traces of time when, before long, they found the intense summer heat unbearable and felt an urgent need to find an indoor venue for both cooling off and recreation.

Right at that moment, Liu Siyao's eyes lit up as she pointed toward a skating rink at the end of the old street and said, "Look, there's a skating rink over there. How about we go inside and check it out?"

Hearing this, Lin Junsheng frowned slightly and said with some hesitation, "But my foot was injured before, so I can't skate."

Liu Jingjing nodded along, a trace of unease showing in her eyes, "I don't really know how to skate either. I'm afraid of falling."

Seeming entirely unfazed by difficulties, Liu Siyao patted her chest with complete confidence, "It's fine, skating is very simple, and I can teach you. Besides, look over there—there aren't actually many people who know how to play. There probably aren't even 10 people on the rink. This is the perfect opportunity for us to have a good time and try something new!"

Lin Junsheng looked at his foot, then at Liu Siyao's expectant gaze, and felt his resolve waver.

Liu Jingjing also wore a conflicted expression, longing to try something new yet afraid she wouldn't be up to the task.

Seeing this, Liu Siyao pressed her persuasion even harder, "Xiaosheng, just watch us skate, and you can keep an eye on our bags. And Jingjing, don't worry either. With me here, I guarantee you won't fall!"

After pondering for a moment, Lin Junsheng finally nodded, "Go ahead. I'll watch you skate, and you can leave your bags with me. But you two need to be careful."

Liu Siyao smiled and patted Lin Junsheng on the shoulder, "Xiaosheng, now that's the right attitude! Jingjing, you heard what Xiaosheng said, what are we waiting for?"

Liu Jingjing looked at Lin Junsheng, then at Liu Siyao, and finally made up her mind, "Alright then, let's go."

She figured that since they were already out, they should have a good time and experience something new, which would make the trip worthwhile.

The three of them headed toward the skating rink with high spirits, discussing skating techniques all the way there.

Upon arriving at the skating rink, Lin Junsheng looked around.

The facilities of this skating rink indeed appeared rather crude, presenting a stark contrast to the luxuriously decorated and advanced professional skating rinks in the big cities of his past life.

The perimeter of the rink was enclosed by simple wooden boards, which had taken on a mottled appearance after weathering the years. The paint had peeled in places, revealing the rough timber underneath.

The center of the venue was made of solid wooden floorboards, which, although looking somewhat aged, had been polished quite smooth.

In the gaps between the wooden boards, tiny wood shavings could occasionally be seen, as if recounting the trials and tribulations this skating rink had endured.

On the floor, faint scratches like the lines of time recorded the footprints and laughter countless skaters had left behind.

The lighting in the rink also appeared somewhat dim, with a few old-fashioned incandescent bulbs hanging from the ceiling, casting a yellowish and warm glow.

Though not bright enough, this lighting added a touch of warmth and nostalgia to the crude skating rink.

Some simple benches were placed along the edge of the rink for skaters to use when resting.

The wood of the benches had been polished until it gleamed.

Next to the benches sat several battered skating boot chests, containing all sorts of roller skates. Some of the shoes were worn beyond recognition, yet they still found their purpose here.

Liu Siyao quickly bought the tickets and enthusiastically handed one to Liu Jingjing, smiling as she said, "Fifty cents an hour is indeed a bit pricey. But since we're out to have fun, let's splurge a little and enjoy ourselves!"

Liu Jingjing took the ticket, feeling both excited and nervous.

She changed into the roller skates and stepped onto the rink with cautious steps, feeling as though her feet had lost all obedience, wobbling unsteadily.

Liu Siyao, acting like an old hand, expertly put on her skates and then glided a circle around the rink to show off her skills.

What else could Lin Junsheng do? He sat on the small bench on the sidelines and watched them, though at least he could admire their figures.

"Jingjing, don't be afraid. I'll teach you."

Liu Siyao skated over to Liu Jingjing, took her hand, and began teaching her the basic movements of skating.

With Liu Siyao's help, Liu Jingjing gradually found her footing and began to stand steadily on the rink, even managing to glide forward a few tentative steps.

Just at that moment, a group of hoodlum-like men suddenly entered the skating rink.

They were dressed sloppily with cigarettes dangling from their mouths, making it clear at a glance that they were no good.

As soon as they entered the rink, they began looking around, searching for targets.

Both Liu Siyao and Liu Jingjing noticed this group and felt a sense of fear in their hearts.

Liu Siyao whispered to Liu Jingjing, "Jingjing, let's be careful. These people don't look like friendly company."

Liu Jingjing nodded, feeling even more nervous inside.

Just as she was about to pull Liu Siyao away from the skating rink, the gang of hoodlums walked straight toward them.

One of the hoodlums looked at Liu Jingjing lewdly and smiled, "Little sister, you're quite pretty. How about keeping us brothers company for a while?"

Seeing this, Liu Siyao immediately stepped in front of Liu Jingjing and glared angrily at the hoodlum, "What are you doing? We don't know you, and we don't want to keep you company!"

The hoodlum, completely unbothered by Liu Siyao's anger, became even more arrogant and said, "Hmph, little girls, don't toast only to be forced to drink forfeit! Today, whether you want to or not, you're going to keep us company!"

With that, he reached out to grab Liu Jingjing's hand.

Quick as lightning, Liu Siyao shoved the hoodlum away.

Having been pushed, the hoodlum flew into a rage and swung his fist directly at Liu Siyao.

Right at that moment, a figure suddenly rushed forward and interposed himself between Liu Siyao, Liu Jingjing, and the hoodlums.

It was Lin Junsheng. Having watched Liu Siyao and the others from the edge of the rink all along, he immediately sprinted over when he saw the hoodlums harassing them.

Lin Junsheng and the hoodlums began to scuffle, creating utter chaos.

Both Liu Siyao and Liu Jingjing were terrified. Wanting to help but not knowing how, they could only watch anxiously from the side.

During the melee, Lin Junsheng accidentally took a kick to the foot from one of the hoodlums, causing him to gasp sharply in pain.

Yet, he gritted his teeth and continued to fight the hoodlum.

Finally, amidst Liu Siyao's cries of shock and incomprehension, and Liu Jingjing's sharp and hurried screams, the skating rink staff arrived upon hearing the commotion and intervened to stop the hoodlums.

"What the fuck, you guys are here again? Get the hell out of here right now."

"You fucking lame bastard, just wait and see."

Knowing that things might escalate, those hoodlums immediately fled.

By now, the skaters on the sidelines had instinctively stopped moving and cast curious gazes over.

"These hoodlums are really too arrogant, daring to cause trouble like this in broad daylight," a stylish young girl said, shaking her head as she spoke to her friend.

"Ain't that the truth? Someone reported them for stirring up trouble here just last week, and I heard they beat up several people. The management of this skating rink is something else too—how have they not kicked them out yet?" another boy wearing a colorful woolen hat chimed in indignantly.

The surrounding people nodded in agreement, pointing at the gang of hooligans while murmurs of discussion rose and fell in waves.

The moment the chaos began to subside, driven by immense anxiety and worry, Liu Siyao and Liu Jingjing cut through the crowd and rushed to Lin Junsheng's side like two bolts of lightning.

Lin Junsheng was currently sitting on the ground, holding his knee with one hand. A look of agonizing pain twisted his features, and fine beads of sweat oozed across his forehead, making it clear he had suffered a significant injury.

"Junsheng, are you alright? Is there any place that hurts terribly?" Liu Siyao's voice carried a trace of a tremble. She squatted down, gently grasped Lin Junsheng's hand, and looked at him with eyes full of concern.

Liu Jingjing followed right behind. Bending down to carefully examine Lin Junsheng's injury with furrowed brows, she muttered incessantly, "What should we do? What on earth should we do..."

Lin Junsheng took a deep breath through the pain and then cried out in agony, "It hurts so much. My knee feels like it's sprained."

His voice, mixed with helplessness and distress, clenched the hearts of the two girls standing before him.

Seeing this, the corners of Liu Siyao's eyes instantly reddened. Fighting back her tears, she said firmly, "We need to get you to the hospital right away; we can't delay."

With that, she tried to help Lin Junsheng up, but because his knee was injured, he found it difficult to stand for the moment.

Liu Siyao had no choice but to go make a phone call to summon an ambulance.

Naturally, she also informed Liu Zhiyu of the matter so he could hunt down that gang of hooligans.