Hao Meng and Zeng Nan had always been sworn enemies, yet after a certain someone burst onto the scene, the two unexpectedly joined forces. Now, whether there was a reason or not, they were inseparable, much to the shock of their classmates, who, well-versed in the pair's history of animosity, were left picking up their metaphorical shattered glasses.
The two offered no explanations, continuing to do as they pleased, always seen together. Their favorite pastime was to head to a bar after dinner, specifically the infamous "Indulgence Bar." For the first two days, they enjoyed themselves immensely, basking in the flattery of Brother Teacher's lackeys, a gang led by Monkey. Their egos were greatly stroked, and they reaped no small number of tangible benefits.
However, as days passed, the incessant fawning became unbearable. The lackeys clung to them like glue, doling out endless, sycophantic flattery that grated on their nerves. Unable to endure the endless prattle, the two switched to another bar nearby, still within reach of assistance if needed.
Today, however, their plan to evade trouble was foiled. Their pursuers refused to let them leave, cutting off any chance of summoning reinforcements. The hours dragged on, and by the time the clock approached 11 PM, panic began to set in. Their parents had already called multiple times, but they deflected the inquiries with excuses about a classmate's party.
They dared not reveal the truth; if their families found out, they'd face severe consequences, likely house arrest, and an indefinite loss of freedom. In desperation, an idea struck Hao Meng. She thought of her aunt. Naturally, she couldn't tell her aunt the truth but instead pleaded for the contact details of their teacher, who was on leave. Strangely, the aunt who had refused earlier handed over the number without hesitation this time.
Hao Meng immediately called the martial arts expert teacher. But before she could say much, chaos erupted—her best friend was being attacked. Furious, she ended the call and confronted the assailants. "What right do you have to hit people?" she demanded, stepping in front of Zeng Nan to shield her.
The aggressor was a youth of seventeen or eighteen, with dyed blue hair, clad in leather from head to toe, and adorned with chains and rings. Behind him stood a group of similarly dressed lackeys, grinning lewdly and whistling mockingly.
"What right? The right that comes with not knowing your place!" the blue-haired youth sneered.
"Just wait until my teacher arrives. You'll regret this!" Hao Meng spat, her voice trembling with anger. Behind her, Zeng Nan, emboldened by Hao Meng's words, stopped struggling, glaring at their tormentors with burning hatred.
"Teacher?" The blue-haired youth turned to his cronies, bursting into laughter. Mocking fear, he exclaimed, "Oh no, a teacher! I'm so scared! Please don't tell the teacher—I'm actually a good student, I swear! Hahaha."
His laughter echoed as he turned back, his gaze dark and sinister. "By the way, is your teacher a man or a woman? If they're as pretty as you two, I wouldn't mind adding them to my collection, hahaha!"
By now, it was past 11 PM. Although there were still a few patrons in the bar, they were seasoned drinkers who had seen it all. Unwilling to get involved, they refrained from calling the police, instead whispering comments about the two girls, lamenting their fate at the hands of these thugs.
Hao Meng glared at the gang, silently praying for her teacher to arrive and teach these scoundrels a lesson.
After a bout of laughter, the blue-haired youth's patience seemed to wear thin. He turned to Zeng Nan, who had already suffered a slap from him. "Well, little beauty, have you made up your mind? Agree to my terms, and I'll make you a star."
"Dream on!" Zeng Nan snarled, her teeth clenched.
"Still so stubborn," he sneered, raising his hand to strike again.
Hao Meng quickly stepped in front of Zeng Nan, shielding her as she shouted, "What are you doing? If you have something to say, say it! Why resort to violence?"
"Oh?" The blue-haired youth paused for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Ah, I nearly forgot. When you were tattling on me to your teacher over the phone, you missed what I said earlier. Fine, let me repeat it—little girl, do you want to be a star?"
Hao Meng replied ambiguously, "And if I do? And if I don't?"
"Well, if you do, then things are simple." The blue-haired youth rubbed his hands together, his eyes gleaming. "Take off your clothes, let me snap a few photos, then record a little video with me. I guarantee you'll become a star overnight."
"You're disgusting!" Hao Meng finally grasped his intent, her fury erupting.
"Disgusting? You're right, I am disgusting!" the youth retorted with a lewd grin.
"Let me tell you, tonight you'll comply whether you want to or not. If you don't, don't blame me for using force!" He rolled up his sleeves as he spoke.
"Using force? On whom?" a voice, dripping with contempt, rang out.
Hao Meng and Zeng Nan's eyes lit up as they turned toward the source of the voice. "Big Brother Teacher!"
"Who's the bastard? Step forward!" The blue-haired youth glared at the direction of the voice.
"Who are you calling a bastard?" A peculiar-looking young man strolled in. The sight made the blue-haired youth pause, but soon he and his lackeys erupted into laughter. This guy? Surely this was a joke!
To be fair, Xiang Ri's current appearance was far from impressive. A plain white tank top, flip-flops, outdated black-rimmed glasses, and, to top it off, his heavily bandaged right hand made him look like a relic from a bygone era.
But to the two girls, this was their savior. They rushed to him, throwing their arms around him.
Xiang Ri, already on edge during his journey here, had called Monkey for help. However, Monkey was already home asleep. Upon learning that the sister of his boss was in trouble, he vowed to rally his gang and deal with the scoundrels swiftly.
Seeing the girls unharmed and fully clothed, Xiang Ri exhaled in relief. But his rage reignited the moment he noticed the large, glaring handprint on Zeng Nan's left cheek, a testament to the force of the slap she had endured.
His eyes turned cold, a murderous intent rising within him. For someone to dare harm such an innocent girl, mere retaliation wouldn't suffice.
"Little Nan, what happened to your face?" Xiang Ri asked, his voice low and chilling.
At this, Zeng Nan, who hadn't shed a tear even when struck, began to cry. Pointing to the blue-haired youth, she sobbed, "Big Brother, he hit me!"
Xiang Ri turned his gaze to the youth, who sneered, "That's right, cripple! I'm the one who hit her. What are you going to do about—"
"Smack!" Before he could finish, Xiang Ri's palm struck him with such force that he was sent flying, blood spraying mid-air along with fragments of teeth. Crashing into his lackeys, he lay unconscious.
The thugs were stunned into silence, none daring to make the first move. They'd seen fierce fighters, but never one who could knock someone out with a single slap. The onlookers, too, were shocked; the timid quickly paid their tabs and left, while the bolder ones stayed, eager to see how the scene would unfold.
The two girls, having witnessed Xiang Ri's prowess before, were unfazed. Last time, he had taken down dozens singlehandedly.
"Little Nan, is there anyone else?" Xiang Ri asked, his tone calm yet menacing.
"Yes!" Zeng Nan replied without hesitation, pointing to the group. "All of them bullied me!"
Xiang Ri sneered, then suddenly launched a kick at the nearest thug, sending him flying and coughing up blood. A punch felled another, and soon he was a whirlwind of fists and kicks, tearing through the gang. Cries of pain and terror echoed as the thugs scrambled to escape, wishing for extra legs to flee this living nightmare.
But escape was not in their fate. One by one, they joined the others on the ground, groaning in agony.
The remaining onlookers crouched low, terrified of getting caught in the crossfire. Yet they couldn't help but marvel—stories of one man defeating dozens had always seemed exaggerated, but today, they had witnessed it firsthand.
Xiang Ri, his fury not yet sated, strode toward the unconscious blue-haired youth. In his heart, he had already decided: someone who dared to strike such an innocent girl deserved more than a beating. Without breaking the youth's hand, he'd never learn his lesson.
Just as Xiang Ri prepared to deliver the punishment, a venomous voice cut through the air: "Who's the bastard causing trouble in my place?"