Rina delivered a sharp slap across Joanna's cheek, so forceful that it caused Joanna to lose her balance and tumble off the Dance Revolution platform. Everyone in the arcade turned to stare at Rina.

Shocked by the sudden blow, Joanna quickly regained her footing, one hand pressed against her face. She spat onto the floor and pointed at Rina, warning her to watch out before disappearing into the crowd, and sprinting out of the arcade.

Rina realized she had gotten herself into deep trouble; Joanna was not someone to mess with. She was a notorious ah lian, backed by her boyfriend, who was affiliated with a gang. Rina knew Joanna would surely come back for her, and she would need someone to support her in facing this challenge.

She immediately called her cousin to explain what had just happened. There was only one solution: to seek protection under her cousin's gang and settle things the Pai Kia way. Rina was a typical teenager studying at a neighborhood secondary school. She was above average in looks, with very pale skin.

Standing at 1.55 meters, she had 33B breasts supported by a 23-inch waist. Petite in size but fiery in temperament, she was rebellious but had never officially joined a gang. Her confidence stemmed from the fact that her older cousin, Apple and her godbrother were part of the gang known as 19-1.

She knew that whenever she got into trouble, she had the upper hand because of her connections. However, this time was different; Joanna was not the typical xiao mei mei that she could easily push around.

It was 4am, and Rina was still tossing and turning in her bed, worrying about the consequences of slapping Joanna earlier in the arcade. The thought of being ambushed by Joanna or facing her and her gang sent chills down her spine. Unable to bear the mental stress any longer, she picked up her phone and began messaging her godbrother.

Rina: Hey kor, remember that time you asked me to chup (join the gang) so you wouldn’t have to worry about me and could protect me?

Adrain: Yeah, but you insisted you didn’t want to. You’re so tee kee; what can I do?

Rina: What if I say I want to join under you now?

Adrain: Seriously? Under me? No way, I’m not taking in any more girls. Too many problems; my side is already filled with crazy people

Rina: But I’m serious

Adrain: Hmm... if you really want it, I can arrange it for you

Rina: Okay, thank you, kor! Muacks!

For the next few days, Rina did her best to stay under the radar, avoiding all the places where Joanna and her gang might hang out. Even after school, she went straight home instead of lingering at the shopping malls. The mental stress of being ambushed and confronted by Joanna drove Rina crazy every time she made her way home.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated. It was Adrain.

Adrain: Ehh, kann sian leh now, wanna take 5?

Rina: You treating, is it? My one just finished

Adrain: I treat you 2 packs, enough bo?

Rina: Okay, I want Dunhill

Adrain: I only have Next Chill. You want? Then I come to fetch you

Rina: Okay lo. 2 packs ar!

Adrain: Where are you?

Rina: Reaching home soon

Adrain: Okay, I’ll wait for you at the multi-story carpark in 5 mins

Rina: See ya

As Rina walked toward her neighborhood, a motorbike suddenly honked at her from behind. It was Adrain. He signaled for Rina to hop onto his bike, and without a helmet for her, they drove off to a multi-story carpark a few blocks away, settling at the familiar staircase where they had smoked and chilled many times before.

Rina stretched out her palm and asked, Where's my 2 packs?

Adrain pulled up his T-shirt and walked closer to her, replying, "Nar! Lim peh 6 packs for you la. 2 where got enough?"

Rina slapped Adrain's arm and said, "Eeek! Er xing. Quick la."

Pulling out from his jeans, Adrain finally tossed the 2 packs of cigarettes to her.

Rina: Wa liao, why is this pack already opened?

Adrain: Wa liao, si pei kp leh you. I just now smoke 1 stick buay sai ar? You want later I let you smoke 1 bigger stick lo

Rina: Eek, bu yao. Er xing leh you

They both laughed and lit their cigarettes, puffing away while engaging in small talk like a couple on the staircase. Their conversation mainly revolved around gossip and some gang-related topics, which led to Adrain telling Rina that she would be accepted as a part of them, but she would need to go through a traditional ceremony on the coming Monday.

Rina: What ceremony? For what one?

Adrain: Ai ya, it's a tradition la. All gang members must follow one. You just give a joss-stick offering to ancestors, and then Ah San (the head) will brief you about some rules lo

Rina: Orrhh. Okay

Adrain: So on ar? Monday 10am go down to the clubhouse, then after that, you officially siao eh lang (gang member) liao

Rina finally felt relief, not knowing what she was getting herself into.

---

It was 8.30am when the school bell rang, signaling the end of the first lesson. School time was just getting started, and Rina's phone vibrated. It was a message from Adrain with the address of the clubhouse, ending with "Don't be late ar!"

Rina suddenly remembered her appointment. She knew she had to skip school again. She packed her bag and swiftly disappeared from her class before the next teacher arrived. She was skilled at skipping class, and within minutes, she was already out of her school's back fence, lighting up her first cigarette of the day.

Rina was skilled at skipping class, and within minutes, she had already slipped through her school’s back fence. At 10am sharp, Rina arrived at the address she had been given. It was a mobile phone shop in the neighborhood. Behind the counter, a blonde-haired girl was engrossed in texting on her phone. Rina walked in and asked to see Ah San.

The blonde girl, Chanel, looked up and asked, "What do you need him for?"

Rina replied, "Err... I’m Rina. Adrian sent me."

Chanel responded, "Oh, okay, I’ll message him."

Five minutes later, a tanned-looking man in his thirties, sporting a full tattoo sleeve on both arms, walked into the shop. "Ehhh, who is Rina?" he asked Chanel. Chanel didn’t respond but simply pointed at Rina while continuing to text.

He scanned Rina from head to toe and then signaled for her to follow him to the car park. They got into a Subaru WRX and drove a few blocks to another HDB flat. Rina remained silent the entire time, slightly afraid of offending Ah San. After all, it was her first day joining the gang.

They exited the car and proceeded to the eighth floor, entering one of the three-room flats. Inside, a teenage girl was sitting in the living room. The flat was typical, featuring a mahjong table and a sofa. Most of the living room was occupied by a praying altar adorned with statues of Kuang Kong and others.

This was a flat the gang rented for their regular meetings and other activities. There were two rooms in the flat. Ah San instructed Rina to sit on the sofa and wait. He then stepped out into the corridor to make a phone call.

"Eh, where the fuck are you? Kin leh! The two new girls are here already," he said.

Shortly after he hung up, he returned to speak with the girls. It was during Ah San's phone conversation that Rina realized the young girl sitting next to her was also preparing to join the gang.

They exchanged smiles and chatted for over twenty minutes until the man Ah San had yelled at over the phone arrived. He was the gang leader from the Bugis area, and together with Ah San, the two seniors would conduct the initiation ceremony.

The new girl was named Candy, and unlike Rina, she was slightly on the plump side. Rina was undeniably more attractive than her. Candy was three years older than Rina, with flawless fair skin and shoulder-length hair accentuated by thick makeup.

Although both girls were the same height, Candy had a larger waist, around 29 inches, which was significantly bigger than Rina's. However, due to her fuller figure, Candy's breasts were twice the size of Rina's.

Since Candy was no longer a student like Rina, she wore white denim shorts cinched with a red belt and a body-hugging black spaghetti top that barely covered her cleavage, exposing her red bra straps. Through their small talk, the two girls got to know each other better. Candy mentioned that she had a boyfriend who was also in the gang.