Chapter 76: Domineering, Punishing the Wicked Young Master

Hearing Li Chao’s calm yet resolute words, it was as if an invisible breeze swept through the crowd, leaving them exchanging glances, shaking their heads, and sighing with eyes flickering with emotions too complex to name. Some muttered under their breath, “This country boy must be new here, unaware of how things really work.” Their tone carried a trace of pity and helplessness, for everyone in this town knew of the infamous Young Master Zhou of Kaiyuan County. His tyranny was notorious; even the manager of the restaurant’s main hall would rather keep silent and avoid trouble.

Zhou Shaofeng, the villain so often mentioned, let a playful smile curl at his lips. He strode slowly to Chen Shan’s side, his gaze full of contempt and disdain. As he drew near, the air seemed to thicken with tension and unease. Suddenly, he burst out in sharp, piercing laughter that shattered the quiet like a blade through a tranquil night. “Ha! Are you out of your mind, kid? Daring to talk to me like that!” His laughter ceased, his eyes turned icy, shifting instantly from the warmth of summer to the chill of winter. Word by word, he sneered, “Look at you, dressed so poorly a beggar would be ashamed. Playing hero, are you? What a joke!”

Zhou Shaofeng swept his gaze around, clearly savoring the awe his words provoked. “I don’t care who’s right or wrong in this collision. Today, I will have my compensation—no questions asked!” His tone brooked no argument, as if all rules and reason were null before him. “What now? Trying to show off, kid?” He advanced, eyes flashing menace. “You have two choices: hand over the money and let this go, or I’ll teach you what ‘rules’ mean—and you’ll be lucky to leave with both legs intact!” His words brimmed with provocation and ruthlessness, as if he might act on his threat at any moment.

Behind Li Chao stood the waitress, her face pale as paper, fists clenched, body trembling. Her eyes held both fear and gratitude for Li Chao, her tear-stained cheeks reflecting a swirl of emotion that made his resolve all the stronger. Confronted with Zhou Shaofeng’s arrogant threats, Li Chao showed no sign of fear. Instead, he let a faint, serene smile grace his lips, a smile filled with quiet strength and determination.

“I prefer kindness, but that doesn’t mean I tolerate injustice.” Li Chao’s voice was calm yet powerful, every syllable clear to all present. “Let’s reason it out—after all, there’s always a line between right and wrong.” His eyes blazed as he stared directly at Zhou Shaofeng. “Today’s mistake is yours. Not only did you shirk responsibility, you tried to bully others. That’s no act of a gentleman. I suggest you kneel and apologize to the young lady—then this matter ends, and peace is restored.”

His tone shifted suddenly to cold resolve. “But if you refuse, then I, Chen Shan, though not remarkable, will show you that justice still exists in this world. By then, not only will you apologize, you’ll know what it’s like to be beaten so badly your own father wouldn’t recognize you!”

His words drew gasps from the crowd, awed by his courage and force, and uneasy with the implicit threat. Whispered discussions broke out, speculating how this storm might end.

Zhou Shaofeng’s face darkened, his anger so intense it twisted into a mocking grin, eyes blazing with fury. “You must be tired of living! Who do you think you are, daring to challenge me?” As he spoke, he pulled out his phone and tapped out a message with swift fingers, seemingly ready to call in his network against Li Chao.

Just then, the tension was shattered by hurried footsteps. Two men pushed through the crowd, anxious faces leading the way—Jiang Shiren, tense and serious, followed closely by Sun Peng, equally grave. Seeing Li Chao stand up to power, Sun Peng’s heart filled with worry, fearing he might come to harm. He had run to find Jiang Shiren, who was settling the bill, hoping this respected local figure could mediate.

“Young Master Zhou, please, calm yourself and listen to me,” Jiang Shiren said, forcing a smile but unable to mask the twitch of anxiety at his eye. He knew Zhou Shaofeng’s temper well and that today’s matter was no small affair. For the sake of the situation, he pressed forward despite his misgivings.

Zhou Shaofeng glanced at Jiang Shiren in surprise before turning his attention back to Li Chao, lips curling with amusement. “Oh? So you’ve got Jiang backing you, no wonder you’re so bold.” Yet his words showed no sign of retreat. He looked at Jiang Shiren, his tone taunting. “Are you sure you want to stand up for this kid? Remember, I’m not so easy to deal with.”

Jiang Shiren weighed his options. He knew Zhou Shaofeng’s power and the trouble mishandling this could bring. But he also could not let Li Chao—a man with great potential—be ruined here. After careful consideration, he made his decision. Gritting his teeth, he met Zhou Shaofeng’s gaze, unwavering. “Young Master Zhou, for my sake, let him go today. I’ll personally visit to thank you and show my sincerity.”

Zhou Shaofeng raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised at Jiang Shiren’s stance. In the restaurant bathed in the gentle glow of sunset, he had not expected Jiang to so firmly stand behind the unremarkable country boy, Li Chao. This protection, like an oasis in a desert, was both shocking and heartwarming.

He pondered briefly. Today’s affair was nothing more than a passing breeze, hardly worth fussing over. Money was merely a game of numbers to him; this was just a spice to his idle life, inconsequential. Now, faced with Jiang’s tactful yet resolute mediation, his amusement faded, replaced by a roguish smile and a nod, his tone lightly teasing and relaxed. “Fine, since Jiang asks, I’ll give you face. This matter ends here.”

He turned to leave, intending to forget this minor incident. Yet as he departed, he patted Chen Shan’s thin shoulder twice—an ambiguous gesture, part warning, part encouragement. “Kid, I’m only letting you go because of Jiang. Without him, you’d be in real trouble.” He laughed aloud, his laughter ringing through the restaurant, wild and free, fading into the distance.

Jiang Shiren and the manager exchanged relieved smiles, as if they had just survived a war without smoke. They silently rejoiced that the storm had passed.

Yet just when they thought all was settled, Li Chao’s cold, determined voice rose abruptly, cutting through the warmth like a chill spring. “Stop! Who said you could leave?”

Jiang Shiren’s expression became complex, sweat breaking out on his forehead as he inwardly lamented the coming storm. He prayed Li Chao was only venting, hoping the hard-won peace would not be shattered again.

Brother, I’ve always admired your courage, but in this situation, even your formidable fists and connections may not suffice. The Zhou family is one of the county’s top clans, their foundation deep and formidable. Zhou Shaofeng, even as he turned to leave, carried the pride and authority bestowed by his lineage, not to be underestimated.

“Kid!” Zhou Shaofeng’s voice was like a blast of winter wind—cold and biting. He paused, his posture exuding extreme displeasure at being challenged. Each word was squeezed through clenched teeth, brimming with authority and anger. “Do you have a death wish?” His words radiated murderous intent, as if he could erase everything with a single thought.

He had intended to leave the pointless quarrel behind, unaware that this seemingly insignificant country boy would dare to be so audacious in his presence.

Faced with Zhou Shaofeng’s fury, Li Chao remained unnervingly calm, his gaze unwavering, filled only with resolve and determination. “I said, kneel and apologize.” His voice, though not loud, was strikingly clear—each word a heavy hammer on every heart present. “Otherwise, you’ll be carried out sideways.”

This was not only a challenge to Zhou Shaofeng, but a testament to Li Chao’s own convictions. In his eyes, no matter how lofty one’s status, wrongdoing must bear its consequences.

Jiang Shiren, sweating profusely, knew the escalation would be disastrous. He wiped his brow repeatedly, his eyes full of worry and helplessness, as if he foresaw the storm about to break. The crowd, infected by the sudden tension, shook their heads and sighed, some sympathizing with Li Chao’s courage.

Others worried about the unpredictable outcome. They knew that if Zhou Shaofeng truly lost his temper, the situation would be impossible to control.

“Ah, youth—always so hot-blooded, unable to read the room,” some whispered, their voices tinged with confusion and concern over Li Chao’s actions. To them, his steadfastness seemed reckless.

Sun Peng stood aside, his expression complex, feelings mixed. He admired Li Chao’s courage and persistence, yet feared for his predicament. Sun Peng knew that the resolve and fearlessness Li Chao displayed were qualities he himself lacked. He wondered if, in Li Chao’s place, he would have already been cowed by Zhou Shaofeng’s dominance, let alone provoke him.

Zhou Shaofeng regarded Li Chao, his fury twisting into a mocking smile, both ridiculing Li Chao’s foolishness and thrilled at the prospect of action. “It’s been ages since I met anyone so gutsy!” His words were filled with challenge and disdain, signaling to Li Chao the hardship and trials ahead.

Without hesitation, Zhou Shaofeng pulled out his phone and dialed a number, issuing a brief, forceful command: “Brother Long, bring some men to Jiangnan Spring. I need a little help.” After hanging up, he fixed his gaze on Li Chao, cold and resolute. “Think carefully which leg you’re willing to lose first.” The words, icy as a death sentence, declared the fate awaiting Li Chao.

Yet in the face of Zhou Shaofeng’s threats and taunts, Li Chao showed no panic or fear.

Jiang Shiren’s flabby cheeks quivered with anxiety, his voice trembling as he was clearly terrified by the mention of “Xie Long.” In Kaiyuan County, everyone knew Xie Long—the secret boss of the White Swan Club, a notorious figure with ruthless methods whose name inspired dread.

Zhou Shaofeng chuckled, as if he had expected Jiang Shiren’s reaction. “Yes, I called Feng Hu.” His words carried a hint of gloating, as if he could already envision Li Chao’s imminent suffering.

He turned to Jiang Shiren, warning him, “You know Xie Long’s methods. It’s not too late to leave now; stay and you’ll regret it.”

Jiang Shiren shuddered involuntarily. After a moment’s hesitation, he made his decision. He looked at Li Chao, eyes full of helplessness and bitterness, hands pressed together in a gesture of farewell, his voice low and heavy. “Brother, I’ve done all I can. The rest… you’re on your own.”

His departure added a dramatic twist to the confrontation. Shaking his head, he retreated a dozen steps or more, his back full of resignation and resolve, declaring through his actions that he had chosen to distance himself from Li Chao. This was not cowardice, but a deep fear of Xie Long’s reputation. From a business perspective, Jiang Shiren knew that offending Zhou Shaofeng and Xie Long could spell disaster for his furniture store.

Li Chao watched Jiang Shiren’s retreating figure, his heart full of mixed emotions. He had hoped that after today’s misunderstanding, he might make amends with Jiang Shiren. But reality delivered a harsh lesson: everyone has their path, and none can be forced. He shook his head slightly, lips curling in a bitter smile—one that was both understanding of Jiang Shiren’s choice and self-mocking at his own predicament.

With Jiang Shiren gone, the other onlookers quickly followed suit, moving away lest the impending fight sweep them up. The manager was especially frantic, knowing the gravity of the situation: mishandling it could not only damage the hotel’s reputation but also bring trouble upon himself. He hurried to make a call for help.

Soon, Li Chao was left alone, standing solitary as the space around him emptied. The silence and emptiness seemed to foretell the storm about to break.