Chapter 77: The Wealthy Young Man Bows His Head in Admission of Guilt

Only Sun Peng and the young waitress remained by Li Chao’s side. In this now mostly empty space, their figures stood out with striking clarity.

Li Chao’s words, though carrying an unquestionable resolve, could not entirely conceal the turmoil within him. “You should head back now. There’s nothing more for you here.” He spoke to the waitress, his voice tinged with a subtle warmth and helplessness.

The waitress merely shook her head gently, her determination as unyielding as a wildflower in spring, refusing to bow even beneath wind and rain. “This matter began with me. How can I simply walk away?” Her eyes shone with unwavering resolve, as though she was ready to face whatever lay ahead. “No matter the outcome, I will walk this path with you, embarking together on this unknown journey.”

Li Chao’s lips twitched at her words, an involuntary wry smile surfacing in his heart. Her frankness and tenacity left him both touched and helpless. “Miss, your words could really lead one’s mind astray,” he sighed softly, his tone a blend of jest, resignation, and a barely perceptible tenderness.

Collecting himself, he turned his attention to Sun Peng at his side. Sun Peng stood there, his honest smile unwavering—a simplicity and sincerity that instantly endeared him to others.

“What are you still doing here?” Li Chao’s question was tinged with concern.

Sun Peng’s smile broadened, his eyes reflecting the deep bond between brothers. “We’re all family here. How could I leave you alone like this?” His words, simple and direct, rang with the weight of genuine camaraderie. “I may not have great talents, but I am strong enough. Handling a few thugs is no problem for me.”

He leaned in, lowering his voice, “If things really get rough, I’ll cover your retreat. You go first. Your brother here has thick skin—nothing scares me.”

These unembellished words, free of florid rhetoric, flowed into Li Chao’s heart like a warm current, filling him with an unprecedented sense of comfort and strength.

Meanwhile, Zhou Shaofeng sat in a distant chair, silently observing everything. Lighting a cigarette, he inhaled deeply, smoke curling around him as his gaze grew sharp and penetrating.

“To hear Dragon’s name and remain so calm—you really are the first,” he said slowly, his tone laced with admiration and respect. “I quite like that about you. I’ll tell Dragon to take it easy on you later!” Zhou Shaofeng’s words carried a hint of mockery and self-assurance, as though he cared little for the storm about to descend. He shook his head, chuckling, his smile a mix of brotherly banter and confidence in his own strength.

Sun Peng was momentarily taken aback, then returned Li Chao’s knowing smile, recognizing his friend’s attempt to ease the tension.

“Brother, you might not believe this,” Li Chao continued, a note of mystery and pride in his voice, “but when Xie Long arrives, even he’ll have to kneel and call me big brother!”

His words left both Sun Peng and the waitress behind him utterly stunned; even Zhou Shaofeng, seated afar, cast a look of astonishment. Yet Li Chao’s gaze remained firm, as if stating the most mundane fact.

Time seemed to slow, flowing like a frozen river. After about twenty minutes, the sharp screech of brakes shattered the stillness, and more than a dozen burly, menacing men surged in, brandishing steel pipes and machetes. Their strides were powerful and resolute, exuding an intimidating presence with every step.

At their head was none other than the notorious Xie Long, a name that sent chills down many spines. His arrival instantly pushed the already tense atmosphere to its breaking point. Chewing on betel nut, a playful smile at his lips, his eyes radiated an undeniable dominance.

Zhou Shaofeng quickly rose to greet him, beaming. “Dragon! Sorry to trouble you again!” His tone was both respectful and expectant.

Xie Long waved him off with a laugh. “We’re all brothers here, no need for such formality.” His voice was low and powerful, carrying straight to the heart. “Tell me, who do you want me to cripple this time?” The casual words were laced with chilling brutality.

From a distant corner, Jiang Shiren quietly rejoiced at his timely escape—otherwise, he too might have been swept up in this turmoil. The waitress behind Li Chao paled, her long legs trembling as if she might collapse at any moment. Even the usually bold Sun Peng found his mouth dry, anxiously weighing his options.

Most would have been cowed by the fierce aura radiating from Xie Long’s group. Li Chao, however, proved the exception.

He did not shrink back—instead, he stepped forward and calmly declared, “The one he wants you to cripple is me.”

For a moment, time seemed to stop, all eyes fixed on Li Chao.

Zhou Shaofeng’s lips curled into a cold smile, inwardly scoffing, “Quite the guts you have! Let’s see you cry in perfect rhythm soon enough!” He had no idea he was about to be proven utterly wrong.

Xie Long, on hearing those words, shuddered violently. That voice, that tone—how familiar they sounded! A wave of unease surged through him, as though something incredible was about to happen.

He strode forward, finally getting a clear look at Li Chao standing nearby.

“Damn it!” Xie Long cursed inwardly, his expression twisting with complex emotions. Never had he imagined encountering this fearsome figure here today. His breathing grew rapid, his heart a tangle of shock, fear, and a hint of inexplicable fury.

Oblivious to Xie Long’s transformation, Zhou Shaofeng continued smugly, “Dragon, break his leg for me! I’ll make sure you’re well rewarded!” But before he could finish, Xie Long turned, delivering a resounding slap that left Zhou Shaofeng dazed.

The unexpected scene stunned everyone—Zhou Shaofeng included.

Immediately, Xie Long and his men bowed in unison, shouting as one, “Greetings, Big Brother!”

The ripple this caused was like a boulder cast into a still lake, sending shockwaves through the crowd. Zhou Shaofeng, Jiang Shiren, Sun Peng, the waitress, and all others stared in disbelief.

“What’s going on?” The question echoed in every heart.

Zhou Shaofeng was utterly dumbfounded—how could the Xie Long he called for help show such deference to Li Chao? And this seemingly ordinary young man was actually Xie Long’s revered elder brother?

“Is he really Xie Long’s big brother?” whispered someone in the crowd, voices brimming with amazement and confusion.

Xie Long’s reputation in Kaiyuan County was well-known; no one expected he would bow to a man who appeared no older than themselves.

“He doesn’t look that old either,” someone murmured.

Indeed, Li Chao’s appearance belied his age, yet his presence and Xie Long’s attitude made it impossible to disregard him.

“When did someone so formidable emerge in Kaiyuan County?” The crowd’s curiosity and wonder grew, and they began to scrutinize Li Chao, searching for the extraordinary in the ordinary.

But Li Chao seemed unfazed by their stares and whispers; he only spoke calmly, “So it really is you.”

The words confirmed Xie Long’s identity—a hint of nostalgia for a shared past.

Xie Long’s voice quavered with emotion as he nodded rapidly, full of anxiety and fear. “Big Brother, it’s me! If I’d known it was you, nothing could have made me come here!”

His sincerity was absolute, all former bravado vanished.

Li Chao’s lips curled into a teasing smile as he shook his head. “So if it were someone else, you’d have come? And crippled them as well?”

A chill crept into his tone, making Xie Long shiver. Realizing his mistake, Xie Long slapped himself soundly twice, the crisp sound ringing out, his regret and determination evident.

“I was wrong!” he shouted. “In a harmonious society, no matter who it is, we can’t just use violence!”

Every onlooker was deeply shaken. The once-untouchable Xie Long, who had survived being stabbed three times without flinching, now cowered in humility before Li Chao.

Even Jiang Shiren felt his heart ripple with emotion. He had believed avoiding Xie Long would spare him trouble, but now realized not only had he missed a chance to draw closer, but he also looked foolish for it. He sighed inwardly, filled with regret. But, with things as they were, regret was useless. All he could do was accept the reality and vow to be more prudent and wise in future dealings.

Li Chao, meanwhile, remained composed—neither smug at Xie Long’s reverence nor moved by Jiang Shiren’s remorse. His gaze, sharp as a blade, locked onto Zhou Shaofeng’s astonished face.

His voice was calm yet carried an undeniable force: “Are you still planning to cripple me?”

The words struck Zhou Shaofeng like a hammer blow. He felt unprecedented pressure, his Adam’s apple bobbing involuntarily before he forced composure and bit out, “I didn’t expect Dragon to be your man. I admit defeat this time!” He attempted to ease the tension by offering to host a meal as an apology.

But Li Chao was unmoved by his concession. He smiled faintly, as if Zhou Shaofeng’s offer was of no consequence. “Is your memory that bad?” His tone was laced with mockery and impatience. “Let me remind you one last time: kneel, and apologize! Or don’t blame me for what happens next.”

The demand struck Zhou Shaofeng like a bolt from the blue, and his face immediately darkened. He had never imagined Li Chao would insist on such a humiliating act. In his view, admitting fault was already giving the man enough face—making him kneel was an intolerable insult.

“Brother! Isn’t this going too far?” Zhou Shaofeng’s voice trembled with anger and indignation. He looked around, hoping for support, but the crowd remained silent—no one dared intervene now.

Tension thickened in the air. Zhou Shaofeng, relying on his powerful family’s influence in Kaiyuan County, believed this would force Li Chao to relent. But he gravely underestimated Li Chao’s resolve.

“Spare others when possible, isn’t that the way?” Li Chao shook his head, a cold smile playing at his lips. “You still don’t understand. This isn’t about mercy—it’s about owning up to your mistakes and accepting the consequences.”

Zhou Shaofeng’s face grew even darker. Straightening his back, he tried to invoke his family’s prestige. “The Zhou family is one of the top clans here—even Xie Long gives my father respect! How many people in Kaiyuan County could make me kneel and apologize?”

No sooner had he finished than the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from outside. A group strode in, their leader advancing briskly and, without hesitation, delivered a stinging slap to Zhou Shaofeng’s face, nearly knocking him off his feet.

“You little bastard!” the man thundered, his voice full of authority and rage. “Kneel! Apologize!”

Stunned, Zhou Shaofeng clutched his cheek, staring in disbelief at the new arrival. The crowd, too, threw questioning glances, speculating about the man’s identity and purpose.

But the man’s actions made his anger and disapproval plain, regardless of who he was. As expected, this was Zhou Shaofeng’s father—around fifty, dressed impeccably in shirt and slacks, his hair meticulously combed, exuding an aura of natural authority.

His presence made everyone’s hearts skip a beat; Zhou Shaofeng, shocked back to his senses, now wore a look of genuine fear.

Without giving his son a chance to protest, Zhou’s father landed another heavy slap, swelling Zhou Shaofeng’s face. His voice was cold and severe, brooking no argument. “No more nonsense! If you don’t kneel and apologize right now, I’ll break your legs myself!”

Under his father’s stern gaze, Zhou Shaofeng finally abandoned his resistance, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he knelt and muttered, “I’m sorry, I was wrong!” Though his words held a trace of contrition, his face betrayed lingering defiance—suppressed only by his father’s presence.

Zhou’s father then bent respectfully to Li Chao. “I failed in my duties as a parent, and my son has offended you. I hope you, sir, can be magnanimous and not hold this against him.”

With utmost sincerity, he produced a business card and offered it with both hands. “This is my card. If you ever need anything, please call—I will never refuse.”

His tone was earnest and resolute, expressing his goodwill and determination beyond doubt.