Chapter Forty-One: Out of the Woods

  Zhao Siqing was motivated by a desire to intimidate the fatty, so he didn't stop laughing.

  When Hou Gang was waving his fist to intimidate Qiao, Song Qingguan suddenly appeared and smiled awkwardly: "Miss Ding, hello, I'm Song Qingguan. We've had drinks together at the Hui Huang bar before. My father is Song Tian Tian from the real estate industry, you should know him."

  He pointed at Qiao Pangzi and added: "This is my roommate."

  "Song Qingguan?"

  When Tu Honggang slightly frowned, Ding Lingling narrowed her eyes and tried to recall: "Oh, so you're the son of that real estate developer, the legendary computer genius? Have we had a drink together before? Let's just say we have. What, do you want to take someone's place today? I heard your dad met God, and your stepmom is waiting to slaughter you."

  "You can't even handle your own affairs, yet you want to stick up for Fatso?"

  Song Qingguan's expression was slightly stunned, obviously not pleased that the other party was making fun of his deceased father, but then he recovered and smiled calmly: "Yes, I am Song Qingguan of the Song family, genius is not my style, Fourth Miss has a good heart." He made his smile even brighter: "Huang Zi is my roommate, please give him some face."

  "Face? Hehe."

  Ding Lingling stood up with a bright smile, then reached out and pinched Song Qingguan's cheek: "Give you face? Why should I give you face? What kind of person are you, Song Qingguan? Just because we've had a drink together, you think we're friends? Am I, Ding Lingling, not busy enough? And your Song family is almost changing its surname to Zhang."

  "I wouldn't even give you face if I wanted to."

  She pinched and played with Song Qingyuan's face like a toy, her smile sinister. For anyone, this rough and rude behavior would be an insult, but Song Qingyuan didn't dare to dodge or fight back, allowing Ding Lingling to humiliate him, just like a poor and helpless weak child, even more helpless than when he was being chased by the Qing Bang that night.

  To prevent Qiao from going to the police station, Song Qingyuan decided to endure.

  Ding Lingling pushed Song Qingguan away: "Trash! Get out!"

  Tu Honggang and a few others also remembered or thought of who the young man in front of them was. If it were in the past, they would have to give him some face, after all, the Song family also had tens of billions. But now Song Qingguan is a fallen noble son, and may not even be as good as a beggar in a few days, so Tu Honggang didn't show any mercy either, and similarly stretched out his hand to slap his cheek:

  "Didn't you hear? Scram! Otherwise I'll take you to the police station too."

  Zhao Siqing also remembered Song Qingguan's shadow, and after a moment of contemplation, he opened his mouth: "Is it you? I remember now, you're also Fatzi's accomplice. I saw you at the wine tower yesterday, obviously coming with Fatzi. Who would have thought that you're a member of the Song family? It seems that you're indeed a useless rich kid, no wonder the Song family has declined."

  Qiao Pangzi suddenly sat up straight, with a burst of light in his eyes:

  "If you have something to say, come at me! It has nothing to do with the young master!"

  Zhao Si Qing coldly opened his mouth: "No big deal? You're all in cahoots!"

  "Are you deaf? Take you down with me!"

  Tu Honggang burst out laughing wildly, the asset that surpassed the Tu family's Song family's young master now being cautious and humble in appearance greatly satisfied his vanity. Thinking that he would trample Song Qingyuan underfoot tonight, he felt that he was probably also one of the top figures in Huahai. Thinking of this, he felt comfortable all over and floated up lightly.

  Song Qing retreated hastily, just then, a hand grasped his shoulder from behind:

  "Don't treat my friend like that, or I'll get angry!"

  When everyone was shocked at who was so ungrateful, Qiao Baozi and Song Qingguan were startled, turned their heads to see Zhao Heng standing behind them with a cold face. Ding Lingling and Tu Honggang also showed slight surprise, and then the two people's smiles became more radiant, while Zhao Siqing even stared wide-eyed with a hint of excitement.

  "Zhao Heng, it's you again!"

  Before anyone else could speak, Ding Lingling sneered coldly: "Angry? What's the use of you being angry? Let me tell you, the Hua Hai bar has shares from the Ding family. I can take care of you without even lifting a finger, just by moving my little finger, countless security guards will knock you down. Believe it or not, you won't be able to leave this bar tonight?"

  Since getting to know Zhao Heng, Ding Lingling has always been despised by him, and several times he ridiculed her, making her lose face. Moreover, Zhao Heng never left Du Ziyuan's side, the intimacy and hugs in the library cafe even more stimulated her, so she had already made up her mind to provoke trouble and then teach Zhao Heng a lesson.

  Although solving problems with force is not elegant, it is often the most direct and effective way.

  "Scare me?"

  Chiao P'ang-tzu, with a look of shame on his face, had already risen to give up his seat. Chao Heng sat down without hesitation: "I am the kind of person who dislikes being intimidated most, but I came here today to solve problems. Whatever it is, let's talk about it openly and I'll take responsibility for everything." Then he looked at Chao Ssu-ch'ing and said: "Officer Chao, we meet again."

  Zhao Heng, who was already aware of the situation, leaned against the sofa and spoke in a calm tone: "My brother just played a few rounds of chess, you don't have to shout and scream and use your official power, do you? He indeed did something wrong, hurting your feelings, but putting him in handcuffs is a bit too much. How about I let him punish himself with three cups of wine and then apologize to you publicly?"

  Qiao Baozi and everyone else were shocked, never expecting that Zhao Heng and Zhao Siqing knew each other. Moreover, from their tone, it seemed like they had some unpleasant history between them. Thinking of this, Qiao Yuncai and Song Qingguan's faces changed slightly; while Ding Lingling and the others became even more excited, completely not needing to stir up trouble themselves to get Zhao Heng locked up in the police station.

  "Is my feelings worth only three cups?"

  Zhao Siqing's eyes lit up with interest as soon as she saw Zhao Heng appear, and she finally had a chance to vent her frustrations from the hospital. She snorted coldly: "On the surface, it seems like he's just playing chess, but in reality, it's quite despicable. If I hadn't discovered it in time, or if it were any other girl, that fatty would have probably succeeded already."

  "And wasted my time."

  Ding Lingling and others echoed: "Yes, swindlers must be severely punished."

  "Alright, you accuse him of being a swindler, then I'll tell you the truth."

  Zhao Heng, who had figured out Zhao Siqing's thoughts, decided to take the matter upon himself, otherwise these people would not let up: "Actually, it was I, Zhao Heng, who played chess with you online, not him. As for meeting you in person, it was Qiao Baozi, I was afraid of being bothered by the dinosaur, so I had him and Song Qingguan help me deal with it."

  This remark was a veiled attack, clearly implying that Zhao Siqing might be a dinosaur, so Zhao Heng left one hand. When Ding Lingling and others were about to get angry, Zhao Siqing stretched out his hand to stop them, with a sneer at the corner of his mouth: "Are you the ones who are good at chess online? You little rascals still want to quibble? One lie covers another."

  "I don't bother about your cat's affairs either."

  Zhao Siqing swept the wine bottles off the table, pointing to a delicate Xiangqi chessboard and said: "If you can win three games in a row against me like online matches, no, two out of three is fine. I promise not to pursue anything, nor will I accuse Baozi of being a liar again. I'll even invite you to dinner as an apology."

  "But if you lose, I'll have you cuffed and taken back to the police station for trial."

  Zhao Siqing was obviously looking down on Zhao Heng, and Ding Lingling also had a complacent smile.

  She is well aware of Zhao Siqing's chess skills!

  After all, he was the president of Huada Chess Society back then, how could his chess skills be on the same level as Zhao Heng's?

  Qiao Pangzi pulled Zhao Heng's sleeve and shook his head, advising: "Heng Ge, don't agree to it, this woman's chess skills are too overbearing. I was the one who cheated her online, so I should take responsibility myself. Don't get yourself involved, if things don't work out at Huahai University, I can always go back to Huaxi to sell vinegar and coal."

  Song Qing shook his head slightly: "Boss, don't gamble."

  "Little one, dare you?"

  Tu Honggang shouted in a fierce tone: "If you don't dare, kneel down and apologize, then take the handcuffs to the police station."

  Zhao Heng ignored Tu Honggang and directly set up the chess pieces on the board. Zhao Siqing knew this was a challenge, and her eyes flashed with undisguised surprise, wondering where Zhao Heng got the nerve to play against her. She also set up her pieces, and just as she finished placing the last one, Zhao Heng calmly spoke:

  "Are you driving?"

  The people around began to be stunned, and after reacting, they were all stunned. They only felt Zhao Heng's arrogance at this point, and the whole scene was filled with a sense of suffocation and silence. The spectators who were close to the game became even more excited, obviously infected by Zhao Heng's domineering aura. Song Qingguan and Qiao Baozi were also stunned.

  The boss is too arrogant, right? You should know that Zhao Siqing's chess skills are not bad.

  "No need!"

  "Hope you can win!"

  Ding Lingling also snorted: "Pretentious!"

  Everything is ready.

  Both sides deployed their troops and horses, drawing up battle lines with the river as the boundary.