Chapter Thirteen: The Plan

The lighting inside the bar was dim, and the people in the dance floor swayed desperately, all wishing to be closer to those around them, their skin touching. Ouyang Zhuo and Shu Yiming sat in a corner, watching the colorful spectacle before them, having drunk several glasses.

In the ambiguous glow of the bar, a woman seemed to have lost her mind, swinging wildly, tossing her hair, laughing recklessly—then, as she laughed, tears suddenly streamed down her face. She dropped to her knees with a thud, crying hysterically.

A few thuggish blondes nearby exchanged glances, then grinned as they made their way over to her. "Hey, miss, you don’t look too well. How about we go outside and have some fun? My skills are really something," one of them whispered into Ji Xiaoxiao’s ear, grinning.

Ji Xiaoxiao couldn’t hear him clearly—she only saw a face approaching, staring blankly for a moment before suddenly coming to her senses. She shoved him away forcefully, shouting, "Get away from me!"

"Well, well, this little lady’s got some fire! Guess I won’t hold back, then," the blond sneered, licking his lips and laughing to the fat man beside him, "Why don’t we both go for her? You take one side, I take the other, ha!"

"Ha, you wish! But she is a real catch. I’ll go first, you follow," the fat man said, reaching out to grab Ji Xiaoxiao and pulling her into his arms.

Ji Xiaoxiao struggled desperately, crying out for help, but the bar was a den of chaos—many heard her but pretended not to notice.

Ouyang Zhuo and Shu Yiming were seated just across from the dance floor and suddenly caught sight of the fat man carrying Ji Xiaoxiao toward the exit.

"No way, is it really her?" Ouyang Zhuo’s mouth twitched, watching the scene unfold as though it were a show.

"Let’s go," Shu Yiming’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he rose to leave.

"Where are you headed? Should I call someone to take you home? You seem pretty drunk," Ouyang Zhuo followed, hooking his arm around Shu Yiming’s shoulder as they staggered out together.

But—

Ouyang Zhuo never expected that, just as they stepped out of the bar, Shu Yiming suddenly dashed toward the fat man at lightning speed, planting a fierce kick into his back.

The fat man stumbled forward, his grip loosened, and Ji Xiaoxiao tumbled from his shoulder onto the ground.

Ji Xiaoxiao had been yelling for help from the start, but no one paid her any mind; she was nearly hopeless when, out of nowhere, Shu Yiming appeared like a savior descending from the heavens.

Though her fall was hard, Ji Xiaoxiao was profoundly grateful. She scrambled to her feet and thanked him.

The fat man, having been kicked, lay dazed for a moment before slowly pulling himself up. Meanwhile, the blond thug who had just exited the bar saw what happened and exploded with rage. He grabbed a stick nearby and swung it at Shu Yiming’s head.

"Ah Ming!" Ouyang Zhuo reacted just in time, delivering a swift kick to the blond’s waist, sending him crashing to the ground with a cry.

"Well done, Ouyang! Remember back in school, when I was surrounded and you came to my rescue?" Shu Yiming recalled the past, feeling a rush of emotion.

"Heh, who’d have thought? The weakling from back then has turned out like this! Not bad, not bad! Tonight, let’s teach these scoundrels a lesson," Ouyang Zhuo’s blood was pumping.

The two exchanged smiles, stepped forward, and quickly engaged the fat man and the blond. Shu Yiming, having neglected his training in his past life, was fierce but lacked skill. Ouyang Zhuo, a seasoned fighter, worked seamlessly with him, driving their opponents backward until both thugs lay helpless on the ground.

Ji Xiaoxiao was worried at first, but seeing their decisive victory, she forgot all about her troubles and cheered them on enthusiastically.

Shu Yiming and Ouyang Zhuo had never felt so exhilarated. After venting their energy, they turned and left, feeling thoroughly satisfied.

Ji Xiaoxiao hesitated as she watched them depart, then hurried after them, calling out, "Thank you for saving me! Let me treat you to a meal as thanks."

Thinking of Wan Chaoyang, Shu Yiming shook his head, about to leave.

Ouyang Zhuo, however, felt a sudden urge and smiled, "Sure, we’ve got time now!"

Shu Yiming rolled his eyes, but unable to resist Ouyang Zhuo, he awkwardly joined for a meal before hurrying home.

Early the next morning, just as Shu Yiming stepped out of his car, someone blocked his path.

Wan Chaoyang’s lips were blackened, his eyes bruised, half his face swollen, his gaze full of hatred.

"Hey, cousin, what happened to you? Something must’ve happened—weren’t you fine yesterday?"

Shu Yiming changed his tone, saying, "But you got out so quickly—it’s impressive!"

Shu Yiming was bold, unafraid of Wan Chaoyang’s revenge, willing to face the consequences for his actions.

Wan Chaoyang had only been suspicious, but hearing this, he was furious, nearly collapsing, his mind spinning.

"Well, well, I underestimated you! Who’d have thought the hunter would get pecked in the eye by his prey?" Wan Chaoyang spat, swinging a fist at Shu Yiming.

Shu Yiming sidestepped, caught Wan Chaoyang’s fist, and said coldly, "Cousin, if you hadn’t bullied me as a child, maybe you could have stayed in the Shu family peacefully. How many years has it been—haven’t you learned?"

"Now that we’re grown, you still plot against me. We haven’t seen each other in years—what did I ever do to you? Why must you scheme against me?"

Wan Chaoyang paused, then suddenly laughed bitterly, "Ha! You ask why? I should be asking you—why?"

"Why is it that my mother and your father, both members of the Shu family, are treated so differently? Why is there such a gap between our lives?"

"That’s a matter for the elders. If you have the guts, take it up with them, not me! Do you understand? If anyone has wronged you, it’s Shu Zucheng! It’s those old men in the Shu family! What have I ever done to you?"

"When we were kids, any good food I had, I shared with you. Any fun thing I found, you were the first I thought of! To spare you punishment, I took the blame, told the adults I had fallen myself! How did I treat you? Wan Chaoyang, search your conscience and answer me!"

Wan Chaoyang said nothing, his gaze darkened, fists clenched tightly. With a cold snort, he cursed, "Shu Yiming, just you wait!"

With that, he shot Shu Yiming a vicious glare and hurried away.

Upstairs, Lin Peishi watched everything unfold from her window, her eyes narrowed, her pale face tinged with shadow.

She had seen yesterday’s news; Wan Chaoyang’s affairs were the talk of the town now—Lin Peishi couldn’t avoid hearing about it, try as she might.