Leopard turned around, startled for a moment, then broke into a grin, hastening over with quick steps while Prince Ming followed suit, trailing behind. "Guang, what brings you here?" Leopard nodded and bowed courteously.
A bald, burly man emerged from the opposite direction, leading a group of people, each holding objects resembling paper rolls, emitting a fierce and threatening aura.
Any discerning eye could identify those as weapons like steel pipes or machetes. The crowd in the hall dispersed, scuttling to the corners, their legs tingling with fear. What was happening? Was there going to be a brawl?
Leopard was associated with Zhao Guang, one of Zhao Guang's underlings. However, he had been away on business in another city yesterday morning and only returned this afternoon, unaware of the prior day's events. Prince Ming, his younger brother, informed him of an assault on him, which prompted this confrontation.
Surveying the room, Zhao Guang spotted Lin Yu, who was smiling in their direction. His heart skipped a beat. Glancing at the men surrounding Lin Yu and a remarkably beautiful girl, he grasped the situation instantly. Furious and trembling, he cursed internally, "Leopard, damn you! How could you embarrass me like this? Why provoke someone of such stature? No wonder he called me specifically! You dim-witted fool, this is courting disaster!"
But Zhao Guang was wise enough not to acknowledge Lin Yu immediately. He was well aware of Lin Yu's intent in summoning him - to settle this matter - so, he decided to deal with it first.
Biting his lip, maintaining composure, he nodded. "No problem. Just dropping by. Leopard, why have you brought this many people?"
"My little brother, Prince Ming, was bullied. I'm here to deal with this lad, to teach him a lesson. Join us, Guang." Unfazed by the fiery look in the boss's eyes, Leopard pointed nonchalantly towards Lin Yu.
"Ah, I see." Zhao Guang's faint hope dissolved instantly. He squinted, without another word, seized a beer bottle from the nearby table and swiftly smashed it down upon Leopard's head.
A sharp crack echoed as the bottle shattered, and blood gushed like a fountain from a gash, over two inches long, on Leopard's head. There were screams all around. Holding his bleeding head, Leopard stood there, dazed and bewildered.
"You damn fool, Leopard! Are you blind? You dared provoke my big brother? You intended to harm him? I'll beat you to a pulp! Beat them all, every single one over there, don't leave a trace of them!" Zhao Guang roared, losing control.
Swiftly, he kicked Leopard in the abdomen, knocking him down, and grabbed another bottle, ready to strike him. Meanwhile, his men brandished their knives, yelling as they surrounded the group of thugs encircling Lin Yu and Liu Xiaoyan, who looked dumbstruck.
Witnessing this, Prince Ming, who had been bowing and nodding, was dumbfounded. What was happening? Had Zhao Guang gone insane? Why was he attacking his own people? What's more, Zhao Guang claimed Lin Yu as his big brother? Good heavens, just thinking about this title and Zhao Guang's current rage left Prince Ming thunderstruck. Even a fool could probably deduce the situation by now.
Chaos reigned. Zhao Guang was about to commence a gang execution right there in the restaurant when Lin Yu began clanging the brass basin used for skewering meats. Zhao Guang, somewhat reasonable, gestured to pause to his men. They brought the dozen thugs over, forcing them to kneel, faces pale, trembling, the earlier bravado having vanished.
"Enough, Zhao Boss. If you want to enforce your own discipline, do it at home. This is a dining place, a public area. Do you find it amusing to make a bloodbath here? Disperse," Lin Yu put down his chopsticks, lazily waving them away.
"Yes, yes, Big Brother. I'm sorry to disturb you. I'm terribly sorry. What would you like to eat today? I'll cover the bill. No, no, I'll treat you and your wife to a seafood feast at Dragon Palace. It's my way to apologize," Zhao Guang approached, bowing and scraping, even more obedient than a servant.
"No need. Just go. Make sure to manage your people in the future," Lin Yu impatiently waved him off. Meanwhile, Liu Xiaoyan, despite being confused, blushed upon hearing the word "wife," yet her small hands unconsciously and quietly grasped Lin Yu's arm.
"Yes, yes, Big Brother. Let's go. You enjoy your meal," Zhao Guang dared not make a sound, nodding and bowing as he led his men out. He also took Leopard and the gang of thugs along.
"Ming, don't rush off. Sit down and have a drink." Lin Yu lounged casually, sipping his beer.
Prince Ming, attempting to slip out quietly along the wall, shook uncontrollably, standing there like he had caught a severe chill, afraid to move.
"Come on, come on, sit down and have a drink. We're neighbors after all, and it's been so long since we met. Let's catch up," Lin Yu said with a pleasant smile, a harmless look on his face.
Prince Ming's face contorted, but he dared not refuse. He cautiously approached Lin Yu, tearfully pleading, "Lin Yu, no, no, I was wrong. I really was. Spare me this time. I won't trouble Xiaoyan again, won't provoke you again. Just forget about me. Please..." If it weren't for the surrounding crowd, Prince Ming would've kneeled and begged.
Was this a joke? That damned Lin Yu not only knew Zhao Guang but Zhao Guang called him "Big Brother." What was even more ridiculous? He had called Zhao Guang's men to hurt him! Just thinking about it, Prince Ming wished he could die—just keel over and end the devastation to his psyche quickly and directly.
"It's not that serious. Sit and talk." Lin Yu frowned at the crowd, which kept gawking in their direction, tapping the table to draw attention.
"I'll stand." Prince Ming spoke softly.
"Did I ask you to sit because I'm deaf?" Lin Yu didn't want any more unnecessary attention, issuing a sharp command.
Startled, Prince Ming hurried to sit but forgot there was no chair beneath him. With a thud, he plopped on the floor, triggering stifled laughter from the surrounding onlookers.