Chapter 157: New Grievances and Old Grudges

"That bastard is too arrogant. I really want to crush him to pieces," Dazhuang muttered darkly.

Zhang Hao let out a sigh. When you are under someone else's roof, you have to bow your head. Who could blame them for the fact that the guy's father was the head of the factory?

"Dazhuang, you were way too impulsive just now. You shouldn't have confronted him head-on."

Hearing this, Dazhuang felt something was terribly wrong with Zhang Hao's tone. *Did this brat want to betray the revolution and join the enemy camp again?*

"Hey, whose side are you on anyway?"

"Nonsense, of course not his side! It's just that the bastard is riding high right now, and Cui Yue was just kicked out of the workshop. Now is not the time for us to stick our necks out, or we'll be his next targets," Zhang Hao analyzed the current situation calmly.

"I still can't stomach it. Seeing him aggressively pulling Yang Liu's hand just now made me want to smash that scum to pieces," Dazhuang said angrily, unable to let it go.

"Cui Yue has already been exiled to guard the warehouse and his position is hanging by a thread. I've always suspected that this recent accident has some shady connection to that bastard. If we aren't careful now, who knows when we'll fall victim to his schemes too? Do you think we'll even have a chance to guard the warehouse when that happens?" Zhang Hao sighed. Living like this was utterly pathetic.

"What? Are you saying Cui Yue was framed?" Dazhuang's expression changed as he leaned closer.

"I'm just suspecting it; there's no solid evidence right now. We need to be more careful from now on, staying alert both on and off the job. That guy plays very dirty."

"I don't care about all that, I'm not that smart. If he dares to come at me, I'll flatten him!"

Zhang Hao shook his head helplessly. If someone comes at you overtly, can you still call it playing dirty? Sure enough, your intelligence strictly limits your imagination.

"Do you think we should tell Cui Yue about what happened with Yang Liu just now?" Dazhuang asked, scratching his head.

"You'd better keep it to yourself. She didn't suffer any real loss anyway. That guy has the temperament of a stubborn mule; he's bound to stir up trouble again. He's going through a sensitive period right now, so don't pour oil on the fire."

Dazhuang nodded, feeling that it made some sense. *Your mind is always full of crafty schemes, kid.*

"Let's go. Old Cui might be back today, let's go find him. Remember, don't mention today's incident!"

"Got it, got it, you nag!"

In the blink of an eye, the two figures vanished into the stairwell.

Night was deepening over the county town. The night market on Longchang Road had just opened and was already bustling with crowds. All kinds of snacks lined the street—braised lamb offal, barbecued meats, stir-fried seafood—accompanied by the endless sounds of people drinking and playing guessing games.

Feng Tian was riding a brand-new Honda 125, followed by three or four Suzuki Kings. Revving their engines and roaring through the crowd, they came to a screeching halt in front of Xiaoma Barbecue.

"Oh, Master Feng is here? Come on in, there's a table right here."

Upon seeing that the group consisted entirely of local punks, the owner of the barbecue joint hurriedly stepped forward to greet them, terrified of being seen as lacking in hospitality.

Feng Tian wore a look of utter disdain. With a wave of his hand, the eight or nine men from the motorcycles all dismounted.

"We'll start with this round here. Later, we're heading to the Red Lantern Song and Dance Hall."

"Brother Feng, why bother eating here? Let's just go straight there. I know the people there inside out!" Liu Cheng urged, too excited to eat at the mere mention of the dance hall.

"Bulls**t, how am I supposed to have the stamina if I don't get something in my stomach first?" Feng Tian said, deliberately shaking his hips as he flashed an obscene smile.

"Boss, give us ten skewers of grilled lamb tendons, and another ten fat lamb kidneys dripping with oil!" Liu Cheng caught the hint immediately and barked at the owner.

"Coming right up! Take a seat, gentlemen, they'll be ready in a minute, right away!"

The group scattered and sat down around the tables, picking up bottles of beer and swigging straight from them.

"Brother Feng, we really need to build up our stamina tonight. I'm going to be firing on all cylinders," Liu Cheng said, rubbing his hands together.

"Damn it, look at your lack of ambition. Tonight we're playing the whole night through; I didn't get to fully enjoy myself last time."

The men around him nodded repeatedly.

As soon as the skewers were served, the group devoured them like wolves, leaving the plates completely empty.

Before Liu Cheng could even swallow the bite of lamb kidney in his mouth, he suddenly spotted someone pedaling an old Permanent-brand bicycle. The silhouette looked awfully familiar.

"Wait, isn't that the punk?" Liu Cheng hesitated, pointing the retreating figure out to Feng Tian.

"Huh? It's Cui Yue!"

The moment Feng Tian laid eyes on Cui Yue, a surge of burning jealousy flared up in his heart, his eyes filling with a murderous intent!

"Brother Feng, we're not at the factory now. Besides, all the brothers are here tonight. That score from last time..." Liu Cheng narrowed his eyes, deliberately provoking him.

"Damn it, what are we waiting for? Get him!"

Feng Tian sneered, smashed the beer bottle in his hand against the edge of the table, and snapped off the neck, leaving a jagged edge.

"Let's go, let's go, get him!"

Seeing their leader make a move, the men immediately sprang to their feet.

The motorcycles roared to life and sped off once more...

Cui Yue pedaled hard against the night wind, gasping for breath.

Several bags of newly purchased herbal medicine hung from the handlebars. Riding a bike back home from the back mountains took at least an hour.

"That damned duplicitous old fogey Duan! Knowing full well I had to go home today, he insisted on dragging me into a game of chess, and wouldn't let me leave after I lost. How on earth did a guy like that ever become a master player?"

Cui Yue cursed as he pedaled, his legs feeling as though they were about to turn to jelly.

Catching sight of a black Duke Wang sedan roaring past him, Cui Yue wore an expression of intense envy.

*It's not that I don't want to overtake them, it's just that my pedals simply aren't fast enough!*

The moment Cui Yue turned into a narrow alleyway, the ear-splitting roar of motorcycle engines suddenly filled the air, and dazzling headlights flashed directly into his eyes.

Blinded for a second, Cui Yue hurriedly raised his sleeve to shield his face.

Several figures holding clubs stood at the entrance of the alley, walking leisurely toward him.

"What's this?"

Cui Yue's alertness spiked; it was clear these visitors meant trouble. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced back. Several more people were blocking the rear, similarly equipped.

The tall, thin leader whistled, holding half a broken wine bottle in his hand.

"Well, well, well, security guard! What a small world it is today!"

Cui Yue stared at them with a cold, piercing gaze. *I already guessed it would be you.*

"What, it's only been a few days since we last saw each other, and you're already dying to see me again?" Cui Yue sneered.

Feng Tian let out a harsh laugh, gently stroking the jagged edge of the broken bottle with his finger.

"Yeah, a few days have passed, and your mouth is still as tough as ever. I'm truly impressed."

"Feng Tian, aren't you just riding on your old man's coattails? What's there to be so proud of? In my eyes, you're worth less than dirt."

Cui Yue swung his leg over and dismounted, refusing to even spare the group a proper glance.

As if struck at his most painful sore spot, Feng Tian's face flushed red with fury. Pointing the broken bottle directly at Cui Yue, he shrieked, "Cui Yue! You motherfucker are courting death!"

With that, he swung the bottle straight toward Cui Yue's head.

*Bang!*

Cui Yue abandoned his bicycle and blocked the strike with his arm. The bottle shattered instantly into a spray of jagged fragments.

The rest of the thugs rushed forward with clubs in hand. Tonight, this ancient alley would be Cui Yue's burial ground!

Having suffered a covert defeat last time, Liu Cheng didn't dare get too close. He hung back behind the others, throwing in a few sneaky blows when no one was looking.

"Damn it, aren't you acting all high and mighty? This time I'm going to make you suffer properly!"