The leader hurriedly retreated to the kitchen to handle things, while ordering, "Search! Keep searching!"
One guy angrily said, "Damn it, waiter, why are you taking a dump here? And you didn't even say a word."
The waiter laughed and replied, "I was afraid you might hurt yourselves, didn't you get that? I'm usually too busy, so I can only relieve myself in the backyard."
"Damn, it stinks."
"Who would dare eat or drink here after this? Sooner or later, this place will shut down!"
The two guys saw the boss had slipped away and started cursing. They picked up flashlights, covered their noses, and began rummaging through the debris, tossing things around noisily...
Outside, everything that was said and all the noises reached the people hiding in the cellar.
The four of them held their breath, listening intently, and only relaxed once the footsteps faded away.
A Lai boasted, "I could write a little note, fart, or take a dump, and they'd be scared out of their wits."
"You're so full of yourself. Think about how we're going to get out of here after daybreak if this standoff continues," Fang Fang complained.
"I'm the Thunder God. I can make them retreat anytime I want. I just haven't had enough fun yet," A Lai said confidently.
"A Lai, you're becoming more and more unreasonable. Can't you stop this? It's really scary," Fang Fang said.
"Heh heh, heh heh."
A Lai sneered, "I know you've been brainwashed by that Li Shirong. No matter how I explain, you won't believe me. Even after everything I've done, you still think I'm mentally ill, right?"
Fang Fang, hearing his tone, didn't dare speak and remained silent.
A Lai took out the phone he had found, turned it on, and wrote a text message. Worried about poor signal, he went to the cellar's entrance and sent it.
Sure enough, shortly after, the hall was filled with chaotic noise.
A little while later, everything was quiet again.
About half an hour later.
The waiter opened the back door of the kitchen, shaking his flashlight as he walked toward the cellar. He pried open the broken toilet and called down, "Come on out, they've all left."
The four of them climbed out one by one and headed to the kitchen.
Fang Fang asked curiously, "Are they really gone?"
The waiter explained, "Of course, I've climbed to the rooftop and observed for a long time. I also made several rounds inside and outside the inn. Aren't you reassured yet?"
"So how did they leave?" Fang Fang asked, wanting to get to the bottom of it.
The waiter explained, "The leader got a text message and then a phone call. He sighed, said nothing, and looked very dejected. After a while, he sent out a text message and told everyone around him, 'Let's retreat, the person has already run away!' He wiped the blood off his face and said, 'I still need to go to the hospital.'"
"Just like that?" Fang Fang was still puzzled.
Miyuki, excited, hugged A Lai, spun him around, and then said, "Your dump was like a bomb, and the text message was like a royal decree, amazing!"
Mi Le chuckled and said, "A Lai sent a text ordering them to retreat. Fang Fang, don't you get it yet?"
Fang Fang was completely baffled. She thought, "How is that possible?" She wanted to ask more but was afraid of ruining A Lai's mood, so she held back.
A Lai took out the remaining 300 yuan from his pocket, placed it in the waiter's hand, and held it with both hands, saying gratefully, "Uncle Zhao, we've caused you trouble, sorry about that. I'm short on cash, this is all I have. Please use it to repair the circuit breaker. I'll find a way to make up for the rest of the damages later."
The waiter said, "No need to be so polite. You're the person my cousin Wu respects the most, so you're like family to me. How could I not do my best? As long as you're safe, I'm relieved."
"That's good enough. Let the innkeeper handle the rest of the costs."
He urged, "You should leave before dawn, while my boss is still asleep. Otherwise, it'll really be trouble."
After saying this, he handed over a raincoat and an umbrella, saying, "Sorry, this is all I have in this weather."
No more words were needed. A Lai handed the raincoat to Fang Fang, gathered all their valuables, and had Miyuki carry them. He gave the umbrella to her.
The waiter escorted them to the door.
A Lai turned back and said, "Evil begets evil, good begets good. No need to thank me, Uncle Zhao. We'll meet again someday."
The waiter waved goodbye and closed the heavy iron door.
A Lai led the three others, striding into the rain.
...
The wind was too strong, so Miyuki put away the umbrella and held the bundle tightly.
The four of them braved the wind and rain, marching for several hours, until they finally left the city and reached a highway leading home.
After walking about five miles, they came to a house by the road, where a temporary bus stop was located.
They freshened up and rested. After daybreak, they boarded the first bus and returned victorious.
Miyuki and Mi Le went back to Leiyin Temple to report to the abbot.
A Lai and Fang Fang got off at the entrance of Lei's village and returned to the courtyard.
Fang Fang acted as if she were the mistress of the house. She sternly asked, "A Lai, can you tell me the content of that royal decree now?"
A Lai handed her the phone he had found. "See for yourself."
Fang Fang read the first text message:
"Boss Wu, I'm in trouble. I need your help with something. Write a note with the words: 'What goes around comes around. Good and evil will be repaid. Fate cannot be defied! This is the second note. Please keep it safe. I've been planning this for a long time and put in a lot of effort. Let's see how I continue to cut you down!' Signed: Thunder God Tian Lai!"
"Boss Wu, please take this note to the security office near the Xiongfeng Gym and wait for my next text message."
Fang Fang finally understood and exclaimed, "Boss Wu also joined your plan? He became your stand-in?"
"Keep reading!" A Lai said.
The second text message read:
"Boss Wu, you can act now. Protect yourself and don't let them recognize you. Hand the note to the security guard and leave."
Fang Fang was half skeptical and asked, "Luring the tiger away from the mountain? Was it that simple? Is the other side really that stupid to listen to you?"
"Heh heh."
A Lai sneered, "They've already experienced my power. By this time, when they got the report from the security guard, they were already in a panic. They wouldn't care about damaging the inn since it's not their property. But at this moment, he's worried sick about his newly completed Xiongfeng Gym being in danger. If he doesn't go back, it could be in serious trouble. Wouldn't he be scared?"
"Keep reading the next message. It's from that mysterious boss himself."
"Thunder God Tian Lai, let's talk this out. Don't act recklessly. I admit defeat! Please cancel your plans and don't blow up my building."
Fang Fang finally realized and happily said, "He admitted defeat."
"That's because he already knows I have some solid evidence in my hands."
Fang Fang, overjoyed, hugged A Lai and gave him several kisses.
She then said seriously, "Let's leave the past in the past. The story has come to an end. From now on, you must accept my task."
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