Chapter 1

Chapter 1: A Night in Warsaw

The city of Warsaw, located in the heart of Europe, boasted a mild climate that drew tourists from all corners of the world. Visitors flocked to its shores to bask in the tranquil beauty of the waves, the sight of seagulls and various seabirds soaring in the sky, and the feeling of the sand beneath their feet. However, amidst this picturesque scene, the ever-present bird droppings served as a less-than-pleasant reminder of reality.

Amidst this idyllic backdrop, a striking figure could be seen laboring under the relentless sun. Standing at nearly 187cm tall, Tang Dao, an Asian man, was pushing a popsicle cart along the coastline. The sun's scorching rays caused sweat to bead on his brow, and his bronze skin exuded a rugged, masculine charm. His long black hair cascaded down to his shoulders, giving him an almost artistic appearance.

Suddenly, the tranquility of the scene was shattered as a young black child appeared, his accusing finger pointing at Tang Dao. The child was upset, claiming that Tang Dao had ruined his carefully crafted sandcastle. With an air of petulance, he complained loudly, "Dad, someone bullied me!"

The commotion didn't go unnoticed by a group of four or five black men who were engrossed in a game of beach volleyball nearby. Their leader, bare-chested and adorned with a tattoo bearing a famous quote from "The Godfather," responded by placing a hand on the child's head. He looked at Tang Dao with a hint of suspicion in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean it," Tang Dao's voice quivered slightly as he spoke, his lips parched from the sun's scorching heat. "I'll treat you to a popsicle." The tension in the air seemed to ease as he made this offer, extending an olive branch of reconciliation.

However, what came next was unexpected. The black man demanded an exorbitant sum of 50 zlotys in exchange for his forgiveness. In 1991 Poland, 50 zlotys was a substantial amount of money, roughly equivalent to 100 RMB.

The atmosphere grew tense once more, with the demand for 50 zlotys hanging like a dark cloud over the situation. Tang Dao, struggling to comprehend the blackmail, met the gaze of the black man with resolve and replied, "NO!"

The refusal to comply with the demand was met with aggression as several of the black men closed in, their intentions clear. Tang Dao, his nerves on edge, clenched his fists, ready to defend himself should the situation escalate. On the beaches of Warsaw, altercations were as common as the ebb and flow of the tide, and Tang Dao was determined not to back down.

"Hey!" A nonchalant whistle cut through the tension like a knife, dispelling the imminent confrontation. All eyes turned toward the source of the sound, revealing a middle-aged policeman named Officer Smith approaching. With his left hand casually resting on his hat and his right hand giving a casual wave, he revealed the pistol holstered at his side. "Gentlemen, do you want to go in and pick up soap?"

The sudden intervention by Officer Smith averted the impending clash. The men who had confronted Tang Dao quickly retreated, their expressions filled with uncertainty. The prospect of facing the consequences of their actions within a police station and the possibility of deportation weighed heavily on their minds.

"Thank you, Officer Smith," Tang Dao expressed his gratitude as the tension in the air dissipated. He watched as the black men walked away, their bravado gone.

Officer Smith, offering a reassuring smile, replied, "You're welcome, Don. Do you need any assistance?" He extended a supportive hand to Tang Dao.

Tang Dao shook his head and cast a glance at the old-fashioned watch on his wrist, its second hand frozen in time. "Today is the anniversary of my parents' death. I'll be visiting the cemetery later."

Officer Smith nodded understandingly and offered to accompany Tang Dao. However, Tang Dao declined the offer and left Smith alone by the beach.

After concluding the incident at the beach, Tang Dao found himself at a local bar. He ordered a glass of whiskey and began to drown his sorrows. As he downed the fiery liquid, he gradually lost himself in its numbing embrace.

Tang Dao's thoughts drifted to his existence in this new life, rife with regrets and what-ifs. He pondered the purpose of being given a second chance, only for it to be marked by pain and hardship.

Amidst the haze of alcohol, a sudden commotion erupted. Two men burst into the bar, causing chaos as they rudely shoved aside patrons. Moments later, four or five others, dressed in suits and sunglasses, followed them, brandishing pistols. A chaotic shootout ensued, terrifying Tang Dao and the other patrons in the bar.

In his panic, Tang Dao sought refuge under the counter, clutching the revolver he had found during the commotion. From his hiding place, he watched the intense confrontation unfold, witnessing the attackers' swift escape.

Soon, the Polish police arrived at the scene, and everyone in the bar was subjected to questioning. Tang Dao, due to his Asian ethnicity, faced particularly intense scrutiny from the authorities. However, he complied with their orders, aware of the dire consequences that could befall him if he resisted arrest in Poland.

Just as the situation seemed dire for Tang Dao, Officer Smith arrived at the scene. He intervened on Tang Dao's behalf, revealing his identity and preventing his arrest. Tang Dao's anxiety was temporarily alleviated by this turn of events.

Upon leaving the bar, Tang Dao made his way to his apartment on Conway Street. However, the night was far from over, as he would soon confront his own haunting past and the harsh realities of his second life in Warsaw.