The whole process of collecting the IOUs was quite pleasant. The staff saw me off to the company entrance. I smiled and turned to leave. Just as I was about to go, I suddenly saw a familiar face not far away. It was a boy. I hadn't seen him in a long time, but I would never forget his face. It was the little boy who was opposite when I first saw Sū Xiǎo Róu flirting. The boy who hit me with a brick!
He was walking towards me, and it was clear he had also seen me. When he saw my fierce expression, he instinctively stopped. This boosted my arrogance. It was obvious he was nervous when he saw me. Perhaps he regretted hitting me with that brick back then, or perhaps he guessed that I knew about his video chat with Sū Xiǎo Róu, and he was afraid I would deal with him.
Since I was going in that direction to catch the bus anyway, I deliberately stared at the boy, wanting to scare him.
As expected, he took two steps back, warily watching my every move. However, I didn't really intend to cause trouble for him. I just wanted him to know that I still remembered him and to remind him not to have any further contact with Sū Xiǎo Róu.
I felt a sense of accomplishment from his nervousness, so I twitched the corner of my mouth as I passed him.
"Trash!"
I didn't expect him to dare say such a thing. My slight sense of accomplishment was instantly flattened by those two words, and it made me very unhappy!
I had already passed the boy, but I suddenly turned back: "Little brat, what did you say?"
"Trash! What of it?"
Oh, damn it! This kid is too arrogant! I punched the wall behind his head with my clenched fist and said fiercely, "I'm not hitting you now only because you're a child. You'd better not anger me. I still remember that brick you threw at me!"
I thought this would definitely scare him, but he surprisingly looked completely fearless and said, "Then hit me. Don't hold back just because I'm a child. I'll call the police as soon as you make a move. Let's see if you dare."
"What? You're too amazing. It seems I really need to find an opportunity to teach you a good lesson!" This was my thought, but I really couldn't bring myself to bully a child on the street. I gritted my teeth in frustration and turned to leave.
"Come on, coward. Don't you remember I was hit by you with a brick? Why aren't you hitting me?" The little boy was extremely arrogant.
Damn it! These words are so wild. Have all kids become like this now? Is this the generation that likes TFBOYS? Should I really beat him up in front of all these people on the street?
Wait, we'll discuss this question later. Right now, I've discovered something that's bothering me even more...
40. If you can't see society clearly, you're destined to be unlucky
Just as I was hesitating whether to go back and teach the little boy a lesson or pretend I didn't hear him and leave, I suddenly heard the little boy shout loudly: "Dad, this guy insulted me."
I turned to look and saw several people in suits and leather shoes chatting and laughing as they walked out of the debt collection company. One of them, upon hearing the little boy's shout, immediately looked over and asked calmly, "Who?" He was clearly the little boy's father.
"Him!" The little boy pointed directly at me.
What shocked me most was that there was someone I recognized among these people. The moment I saw this person, I felt the pain from my still-healing wounds begin to ache again, because these scars were inflicted by this person with his bare hands. That's right, it was Ge Xiu! The Hall Master of the Azure Dragon Hall of the Blood Wolf Society in the Imperial Garden District!
Before the little boy's father could say anything, Ge Xiu had already rushed forward and walked towards me. This time, it was my turn to nervously take two steps back. My mind was a blank. My only hope was that Ge Xiu and the little boy's father weren't that close.
"He insulted you?" Ge Xiu pointed at me and asked the little boy.
"Yes, Third Uncle. It was him."
It's over. Third Uncle. How close could they be? It's useless for me to explain anything. I simply closed my mouth and stared at Ge Xiu.
"Kid, you've got some nerve to provoke him. Do you know who he is?" Seeing that I remained silent, Ge Xiu smiled and pointed at the little boy's father behind him. "His dad is Hall Master of the Black Tortoise Hall, Páng Fúmin, who is as famous as I am. He's Mín Gē's only son, Páng Yuyu. You dare to insult him? I think you're tired of living!"
I knew Ge Xiu's strength. No matter what he said, I couldn't resist because I couldn't beat him.
However, Ge Xiu smiled and said, "Brother Xiū is in a good mood today, and considering you just paid your debt, I won't hit you. Remember to control your dirty mouth from now on. Know who you're insulting before you curse! Get lost!"
I'm not a coward, but I know the principle of a wise man not fighting when the odds are against him. Only idiots would fight when they know they can't win. As the saying goes, 'As long as the green hills last, there will be wood to burn!'
I turned to leave, but unexpectedly, Páng Yuyu suddenly rushed behind me, grabbed my clothes, and pulled. As I turned to look back, I was slapped across the face. "Slap!"
Páng Yuyu slapped me! I was actually hit by a child on the street! Many passersby stared at me, some with sympathy, others with laughter and mockery.
I felt utterly humiliated. If there had been a crack in the ground, I would have crawled into it. My face was burning, not from the blow, but from embarrassment!
I couldn't care less. Even if Ge Xiu beat me to death, I had to fight back!
I flipped my hand, pushing away Páng Yuyu's hand that was holding my clothes, and suddenly punched him in the face. Páng Yuyu was knocked to the ground, wailing loudly.
Ge Xiu was startled and kicked me away. I rolled on the ground from the impact. As soon as I got up, I turned and ran without a word.
"Catch him!" Ge Xiu ordered. The people who had just come out of the debt collection company with him, except for Páng Fúmin, rushed towards me in a dark mass.
I didn't dare to relax at all and fled as fast as I could. Not long after I got out, I was knocked down by a speeding electric bike. Someone caught up to me and kicked me. After I fell, I rolled over and punched him. Just as I was about to get up and flee again, a group of people caught up and beat me severely.
"Everyone get out of the way!" I heard Páng Yuyu's furious voice. I knew he was kicking me now, but I didn't know which foot was his because so many people were hitting me.
The group of people surrounded and beat me for a good ten minutes. I felt like my bones were falling apart. As they left, they swore and cursed.
But the most hurtful thing for me was still Páng Yuyu. Not only did he kick me heavily several times at the end, but he also spat at me, "Do you know why I call you trash? Your girlfriend was played by me. After she was played, you still cherished her. You thought I still had a crush on her, but unfortunately, I dumped her long ago. She's just the kind of girl you play with and then discard! And you're trash, always trash!"
Damn you! You can hit me, and you can insult me, but you can't insult Sū Xiǎo Róu. If I had any strength left to stand up now, I would punch your stinking mouth to pieces! But I really couldn't get up.
Páng Yuyu and his group of uncles in black clothes left triumphantly, leaving me lying on the ground alone. Looking at the expressions of the passersby, I thought to myself: Damn it, this is so humiliating. If Zhōu Chuān passed by me now, he probably wouldn't recognize me. That little brat Páng Yuyu, I won't let him off just because he's a child anymore. He dared to insult Sū Xiǎo Róu. I want revenge! I'll cripple him!!
A kind person helped me call for an ambulance. I was sent to the hospital. That evening, Zhōu Chuān called me to ask why I hadn't been to the bar these past two days. I said there was something going on at home. I also called Sū Xiǎo Róu and told her I would be working at the bar for two days and asked her to lock the door and be careful.
I didn't tell them the truth because I didn't want them to worry about me. In fact, I was hospitalized for two days because the previous injuries and the new ones combined were quite serious. The doctor said I had to be hospitalized for treatment. On the third day, the doctor still wouldn't let me leave, but I felt much better, and I couldn't wait to get revenge on Páng Yuyu, so I sneaked out when the doctor wasn't paying attention.
I found a motel to stay in. On one hand, I continued to recuperate, and on the other hand, I stayed somewhere very close to where I was beaten last time. I thought, since Páng Yuyu appeared here that day, he would definitely appear again. As long as I could catch him alone, I would smash his legs!
For two consecutive days, I went out early and returned late, trying to catch Páng Yuyu, but I never succeeded. The motel owner probably noticed that my expression was always tense and not quite normal. So, when I returned that evening, he called out to me.
"Little brother, come here."
"What is it, boss?" I asked.
"I see you rushing around every day, with hatred on your face. Do you have a grudge against the people at the debt collection company next door?"
I don't know if the boss's eyesight was good or if I was too obvious. I was just glad it wasn't someone from the Blood Wolf Society who said this to me. If it were, not only would I not get revenge, but I would also suffer new injuries.
I didn't answer and turned to leave, but the boss called out to me again: "Little brother, I advise you not to provoke them, or your fate will be miserable."
Hearing this, I thought the boss seemed to know something about the Blood Wolf Society, so I turned back and asked, "Do you know them well?"
"Of course." The boss nodded. "If you need it, I can provide you with some information."
I didn't know if I should believe him, but my heart was filled with hatred. Every time I thought of Páng Yuyu's insults to Sū Xiǎo Róu, my heart felt like it was being cut.
"Can I trust you?" I was tempted. I wanted to get some clues about Páng Yuyu from the boss.
41. Impulsiveness is the devil, but I won't let it go like this
I didn't ask who this motel owner was, but he gave me some useful information. He told me that neither Páng Fúmin nor Ge Xiu came here very often, so Páng Yuyu came even less frequently. However, he knew that Páng Yuyu attended Yùyuán No. 3 Middle School as a high school freshman.
Damn it, Páng Yuyu is already a high school freshman. No wonder his thoughts are so mature and his mouth is full of foul language. He's already sixteen, so why does he look like he's thirteen or fourteen?
If I had known he was sixteen, I would have beaten him up long ago!
"Little brother, I advise you not to be too impulsive. It's easy to break Páng Yuyu's legs, but doing so means you'll have to live on the run for the rest of your life, and you'll never be able to return to Shànggǎng City. As soon as you come back, you'll face retaliation."
I actually understood all this before, but I was probably blinded by the desire for revenge. Now that the motel owner said it face-to-face, I truly realized the seriousness of the problem. Yes, if such a situation happened, would Sū Xiǎo Róu leave with me? Would I still be able to see Zhōu Chuān and Tíngting? Jīn Fēixī? Fāng Hèyáng, Hú Hǎibīn, Xǔ Jìng?...
But, do I have to endure it? Páng Yuyu insulted Sū Xiǎo Róu, and I should just let it go? No, absolutely not!
The boss seemed to see through my thoughts. He smiled and said, "You're not convinced, are you? If you really want to do something, why not think about it from a different angle? For example, solve this matter using other methods."
I nodded and slowly went upstairs to my room. The boss's words seemed to have poured a basin of cold water on my flames of revenge, making me deflate.
He went downstairs. However, it was very late, and I still hadn't fallen asleep. Those six words kept floating around in my mind all night.
I went downstairs, but my purpose was no longer simply revenge. When the boss saw me, he smiled and said, "It seems my words had some effect. You look much better."
"Really?" I smiled and prepared to go out for breakfast. But just then, I suddenly saw him. It was Páng Yuyu! He was with two girls. No wonder he insulted Sū Xiǎo Róu with such terrible words. It turns out this bastard has a new fancy! But I don't care who he's with. As long as I go up and smash his legs, my goal will be achieved!
The boss tapped me, and my whole body suddenly became numb. I couldn't move.
"What are you doing! Let me move quickly! I'm going to deal with him!" I said anxiously.
The boss ignored me and just quietly watched the three people outside the door.
The opportunity passed in an instant. Páng Yuyu and the two girls got into a black car and gradually disappeared from my sight. I now even had the thought of killing the boss. I roared, "So you're in cahoots with them! No wonder you know them so well and told me to trust you. I really misjudged you! You useless idiot, if you have the guts, release me and let's fight one on one!"
The boss smiled and said, "Oh my, young people really don't know the immensity of heaven and earth. I just saved your life, and instead of thanking me, you're cursing me."
"Bullshit! You saved my life? That's hilarious. He only had two women with him. You tell me you saved me during such a good opportunity for revenge?" I was so angry that I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Do you know who those two women with him are?" the boss asked, glancing at me.
"I don't care who they are! Anyway, they won't stop me from smashing Páng Yuyu's legs!"
The boss smiled and didn't pay attention to me, turning to walk away.
"Hey, boss, don't go, quickly let me move, what am I supposed to do standing here, hey! ..." Despite my strenuous shouts, he acted as if he couldn't understand, reminding me of Teacher Jin Xing.
"Boss, my phone is ringing, let me answer it!" My phone suddenly rang. I thought it might be Sū Xiǎo Róu, calling to ask about me since I hadn't been home for so many days. I urgently called out to the boss.
The boss had just finished cleaning up and returned. He casually tapped me a couple more times, and I could move.
I guessed wrong. The call wasn't from Sū Xiǎo Róu, but from Hú Hǎibīn.
"Brother Hǔzi, you never came to my place for dinner last time we talked about it. Let's meet today?"
"Is there something?" I asked.
"Yes, something important. I'll wait for you at the bar at noon."
I put my phone in my pocket and glared hatefully at the motel boss. The boss didn't look at me, standing behind the counter and doing his accounts. I thought, if I were him, I would definitely be worried that after letting this person go, he would immediately seek revenge. But he wasn't scared at all. This showed he was very confident. And what did his words just mean? What did he mean by 'saved my life'?
The best opportunity had passed, and my money was almost gone. I was angry at the boss and checked out directly. Revenge is important, but brothers are also important. Hú Hǎibīn said it was urgent. I wonder what trouble he's in again. Could he have been expelled from school again?
Thinking this, I got on the bus to the bar.
The motel was quite a distance from the bar. It was almost noon when I arrived. As soon as I entered, I saw Hú Hǎibīn, Xǔ Jìng, and Fāng Hèyáng smiling at me. I suddenly realized I had been tricked.
"Why did you call me back if there's nothing?" I said angrily.
"Why not? Isn't inviting you for a meal something?" Fāng Hèyáng chimed in.
"What kind of a meal is this? I'm busy, don't you know? I'm leaving!" I said and turned to go.
Xǔ Jìng grabbed me. "Oh, Brother Hǔzi, what have you been busy with lately? You don't even care about us younger siblings anymore. We miss you so much. Just have a meal with us!"
Seeing Xǔ Jìng's adorable look, the tight string in my heart relaxed a little, and my brows unfurrowed.
Fāng Hèyáng joked, "See? Women's words are more effective. He doesn't listen to me, but he listens to his sister-in-law."
"Okay, okay, okay, let's go eat quickly. After eating, I need to get back to my important business." I realized my act was too obvious and deliberately put on airs.
The three of them were happy that I agreed to eat with them. They jumped up. Xǔ Jìng suggested going to my favorite Northern Barbecue place. I quite liked this suggestion. Why did Xǔ Jìng always come up with ideas that made me feel comfortable? This little girl really knows how to please people...
Of course, Hú Hǎibīn paid for the meal. As the saying goes, 'He who eats another's food has short speech.' Hú Hǎibīn asked me to have a couple of drinks, and I felt embarrassed to refuse. But my tolerance for alcohol is what it is. After two or three mugs of draft beer, the hatred in my heart was temporarily put aside, replaced by the longing for connection with these three people after not seeing them for so long.
Speaking of Hú Hǎibīn's previous inability to attend school, I had a promise I hadn't kept to him: to get him an autographed photo of Sū Xiǎo Róu. When this matter was brought up again, Hú Hǎibīn smiled slightly and said to me, "Brother Hǔzi, it's probably better not to have it. I was just looking for something new. And recently, I've found another nice female streamer. She's very beautiful, and more importantly, she suits my taste."
I know that these boys who watch live streams pay attention to many female streamers, and their attention can be easily diverted. I used to think Hú Hǎibīn was a little better than other lonely guys, but I didn't expect him to be the same as them.
But there's nothing that can be done. I can't force him to like only Sū Xiǎo Róu. I asked him, "Which streamer have you taken a fancy to now?"
Hú Hǎibīn smiled