From Xiang Yu's perspective, these people were merely some small-time thugs or street punks; some might even have been students. Therefore, he took a lighter approach, knocking them down to the ground without causing any significant injuries.
With opponents like these, even a large group was no match for Xiang Yu. It took him only a few minutes to take them down, leaving only Blondie and his so-called "big brother."
"Devil," "pervert," they said simultaneously.
Xiang Yu walked toward the two, who were so frightened that they knelt down. "Big brother, I was blind to the true mountain, I offended you,, please forgive me. Ten thousand yuan, we will bring it tomorrow to pay our respects," Blondie pleaded from his knees.
"Won't remember unless taught a lesson, will you?" Xiang Yu stepped on Blondie's hand and drew a military knife from his leg. Once the knife appeared, Blondie chilled, unsure if it was due to the knife itself or the aura of Xiang Yu.
"Big brother, big brother, please spare me, I'll never dare again, never..." At this point, Blondie was truly terrified and incessantly kowtowed, begging bitterly.
"Really won't dare anymore?"
"Really, I will never do this kind of thing again," Blondie cried miserably, losing all traces of his previous demeanor as a thug.
Seeing that the other party was genuinely petrified, Xiang Yu then sheathed his military knife.
"Xiang Yu, Xiang Yu," Shi Jian hurried over with a few people. Seeing the twenty or so youths sitting on the ground, bruised and swollen, he first looked at Xiang Yu in surprise but did not comment further.
"Why did you run over here? I've been looking for you for a long time, and couldn't find you. Let's go, Boss Fang is looking for us," Shi Jian said anxiously.
"If you couldn't find me, why didn't you call me?" Xiang Yu, seeing Shi Jian looking anxious, did not stay but turned and walked away.
"Who knows your phone number, kid? You never said," Shi Jian replied.
"That's true…"
...
"So he's in the underworld." Blondie, seeing Xiang Yu walking away, sat on the ground weakly and gasped for air.
"No wonder he's so bold. From now on, we brothers should probably avoid causing trouble around here; getting involved with the underworld is no joke," another said.
Xiang Yu and Shi Jian returned to Jianghu Bar and went up to the second floor office.
"Boss Fang, is there something urgent you needed from us?" Xiang Yu asked.
"Indeed, there is. There's a meeting tonight that you both need to attend with me. Get ready," Fang Kuohai said, his tone intensifying with a flash of sternness in his eyes, which both Xiang Yu and Shi Jian could clearly perceive. "And Xiang Yu, dress decently, don't always look so shabby."
"I understand," Xiang Yu said, then he and Shi Jian went downstairs. Seeing Fang Kuohai's serious expression, Xiang Yu faintly felt that something might happen tonight.
"Hey kid, do you know what's happening tonight?" Xiang Yu asked Shi Jian.
Shi Jian snorted at Xiang Yu: "Why should I tell you." After saying this, he walked away with his head held high.
Seeing Shi Jian act this way, Xiang Yu wasn't upset. He went downstairs, ordered a beer, and thought about what he should prepare.
"What's the matter, why the frown?" Lan Tingting chuckled.
"Tonight, the boss said he's taking that stinky kid and me to a meeting, but I don't have the clothes," Xiang Yu lamented.
Lan Tingting helplessly smiled and shook her head, "How can I not have money? Here, I'll lend you some, and you can pay me back when you get your paycheck." Having said that, she pulled a bank card out of her pocket and gave it to Xiang Yu.
Looking at Lan Tingting, Xiang Yu felt a warmth in his heart. He pushed the card back, chuckled, and said, "I don't want to be a kept man, I have money. I just don't know what clothes to buy, or how to buy them. Hey, why don't you come shopping with me?" Xiang Yu looked at Lan Tingting as if she was a savior.
Lan Tingting had never seen someone who didn't know how to shop for clothes; she thought Xiang Yu was playing a joke, but only agreed after seeing his serious expression.
Lan Tingting took a day off, and the two of them took a cab to the mall.
"Tingting, do you think we look like a couple?" Xiang Yu grinned.
"No."
"Then like husband and wife."
"Stop talking nonsense, or I won't go with you," Lan Tingting shot Xiang Yu a glare.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop," Xiang Yu just laid back in the backseat then continued, "Then we look like siblings."
"Hmm, that's more like it," Lan Tingting smiled satisfactorily.
Driver: "..."
Upon entering the mall, Lan Tingting led Xiang Yu directly to the clothing section. She often came here, and though she hardly ever brought anything, it was still worth it just for the window-shopping.
"We're going to buy a suit," Lan Tingting said excitedly, then briskly walked ahead.
"Xiang Yu, come quick, the clothes here are lovely," Lan Tingting said joyfully. At that moment, she was like a happy little princess. Perhaps there's a natural allure to mall shopping for women.
Xiang Yu was uplifted by her mood as well.
"Look at that shirt, Xiang Yu, it's so beautiful, it would definitely suit you," Lan Tingting said cheerfully.
"Then let's go for that one," Xiang Yu said directly.
"No, the clothes here are too expensive, we can only look but can't afford," Lan Tingting's eyes dimmed a bit but quickly perked up again.
"No worries, money is not a problem," Xiang Yu said, pulling her along into the store.
Lan Tingting steeled herself and followed. After all, looking was free, so there was nothing to fear.
The salesperson measured Xiang Yu and Lan Tingting with her eyes as they walked in, then frowned and came over, forcing a smile and said, "Hello, we only sell genuine Armani suits here."
"Oh, I got it," Xiang Yu replied dismissively, then grinned at Lan Tingting, "What do you think, which one suits me best?"
"I think they all suit you," Lan Tingting said somewhat awkwardly. After all, the clothes here were outrageously expensive, beyond what they could afford.
"Salesperson, I'll take this suit," a flamboyantly dressed wealthy woman glanced disdainfully at Lan Tingting and snorted, "Ah, the times really are different. People who are nobodies think they can just come in here and don't even consider their place." Clearly, the wealthy woman felt demeaned by people like Lan Tingting browsing in the store.
"Here she is, Mrs. Huang, please don't be upset," the salesperson also gave Xiang Yu and Lan Tingting a disdainful look.
Lan Tingting stood there, her face flush with embarrassment, unsure of what to do. "Shall we go?" she whispered to Xiang Yu, tugging at his sleeve.