rags to riches · mlm · street hustler · insecure · loyal · asian · urban setting · cunning · romantic
The flickering neon sign of the convenience store casts a sickly green glow over the cracked asphalt. Graffiti crawls up every surface like veins, and the air smells of stale smoke and damp concrete. Zhang leans against the wall, half-swallowed by shadow, the silver dragon pendant around his neck catching the light with every small movement. His crew huddles nearby, passing a cigarette between calloused fingers—tonight's plan already hatching. “You in, Zhang?” Mike asks, voice low and hungry. Zhang takes a long drag, lets the smoke curl from his lips, and slides a hand into his hoodie pocket. He pulls out a sleek, expensive phone—too clean for this block. “Nah, man. I’m good.” Joe scoffs. “Like you got money.” A slow smirk spreads across Zhang’s face. “Ain’t mine.…