Chapter 15: Night Market Horror (2)

  The night market had an eerie atmosphere, Zheng Yuxin and a few classmates stood in the middle, with boys and girls among them, totaling 5 people. Zheng Yuxin was in the center, wiping away tears, her face filled with hopelessness and despair, looking pitiful. Around them were four tables, each surrounded by four people. The most striking one was a bald man, who had not yet reached middle age but was bare-chested, with a scorpion tattoo on his left arm and a snake tattoo on his right arm, which looked ferocious under the light. Xu Shaojie knew that this person was a typical thug, with the scorpion tattoo indicating that he didn't care about anyone, and the snake representing a local gangster. Having a scorpion tattoo required careful consideration, as Xu Shaojie had once heard Zhang Shaocai say that a young man who didn't understand the meaning of tattoos thought it was fun to get a scorpion tattoo, only to be beaten badly in a conflict later on. After recovering from his injuries and investigating further, the young man changed his tattoo to a fish, which represented that he was in the underworld for money and wouldn't be an enemy to anyone. Everyone was staring at the students in the middle with lewd smiles, the implication of which was clear without needing to be said.

  Witnessing this scene, Xu Shaojie couldn't help but think of some movies that portrayed Hong Kong's underworld. These people were obviously trying to emulate them and had some ability in their daily lives. Ordinary students wouldn't be like Xu Shaojie, who understood a bit about everything in society.

  The momentum of the 20 or so people was not small, and the thugs sitting around had already discovered them. The reason they didn't take action was that the boss ordered them not to move, as the other party were students, and it was completely possible to intimidate them without using force, making these students surrender. Moreover, Zheng Yuxin was indeed beautiful, and everyone didn't want to ruin a flower with rough hands either. One thug ran to the bald and muscular thug's side.

  "Big brother, a group of people has arrived, about 20 or so, probably helpers for those student kids."

  "Oh, go take a look, what's going on."

  The hoodlum came back soon.

  "Big brother, I've taken a closer look, they're all students, probably from Xilin University."

  The bald rascal smiled and opened his mouth.

  "Little girl, have you thought it through? My patience has its limits. Your helper is here, haha, watch me take care of these people. Little girl, then you'll know how formidable your brother is."

  Zheng Yuxin had already seen Xu Shaojie walking in the front, at this moment, something happened that no one expected. Zheng Yuxin quickly ran to the front of Xu Shaojie, threw herself into Xu Shaojie's arms and burst into tears.

  "Oh, so it's the boyfriend who's arrived, haha, not simple at all. I've been itching for a fight these days, and someone actually dares to compete with me for my girlfriend? Are they tired of living?"

  After the bald-headed gangster spoke up, all the gangsters around stood up, and one of them walked in front of Xu Shaojie.

  "Listen up, kid. Our big brother said that if you're not tired of living, dare to compete with me for a girlfriend, be sensible and take your people away from here. Leave the girl behind. Big brother is in a good mood today and doesn't want to use force."

  Xu Shaojie looked at these people, smiled coldly, and Zheng Yuxin's soft body was in his arms. Xu Shaojie didn't feel anything, and these thugs had to be dealt with immediately.

  "Tell your leader, we are students of Xiling University, if he wants to come over, think about the consequences."

  Perhaps it was the icy tone of Xu Shaojie that had an effect, this group of thugs hadn't seen a university student speak like this before. University students are usually reckless and when they encounter such things, they rush up in a swarm without any organization, easy to deal with. But the young man in front of him seemed not so simple.

  One of the thugs went over to Lao Da's side and whispered a few words in his ear, whereupon Baldy stood up and walked over to Xu Shaojie.

  "Listen up, kid. I can see you've got some guts. I'm not going to make a big deal out of today's business. The little girl stays, the rest of you get lost. Remember, my name is Xiao Lao San, and I just found myself a girlfriend, so I'm in a good mood and don't want any trouble."

  Xu Shaojie was calculating the time, at this moment, some thugs under Xiao Lao San's indication had already taken out sticks and knives, some people were holding bricks, Xu Shaojie's momentum behind him was clearly suppressed. The other side was a group of thugs who didn't care about their lives, how could university students be their match? Xu Shaojie's calculated time was almost up, Zhang Shaocai's men would arrive soon, at this moment, he had to maneuver, couldn't fight back, and couldn't let his classmates suffer.

  "Xiao Lao San, we don't interfere with each other's business, you shouldn't go too far. Everyone knows how to get along in society, at least we should follow some basic moral principles. Bullying the weak is not something to be proud of. If you want to continue to make a living in this society, it's best to let go today, otherwise, who knows what will happen."

  "Haha, someone actually came to teach me a lesson? Bullshit! How I do things is none of your business. Who the hell are you to tell me what to do? You're just a student, I don't want to use force, but if you don't know how to behave, I'll try it out and see whose bones are harder, yours or my fist."

  The situation has reached an irreconcilable point, several girls are already trembling with fear, Zheng Yuxin is in Xu Shaojie's arms, and all the words can be heard, her body is also slightly shaking.

  "Xiao Lao San, I'm telling you for the last time, it's still not too late to back down now."

  Xu Shaojie's attitude made Xiao Lao San furious, a few yellow-haired students, Xiao Lao San was not afraid of them at all, he didn't believe that students could have much ability, the students in front of him were numerous but couldn't become a force to be reckoned with, even if they fought it wouldn't matter, now it's not just a woman problem, but also a face problem, if he backed down, he wouldn't be able to mix here anymore, at most he would have to stay in the police station for a few days, fighting and brawling, the punishment wouldn't be severe, as long as no one was beaten to death or disabled, it wouldn't be a big deal. The younger brothers behind him had been ready for a long time, waiting for Xiao Lao San's order to take action, the night market boss had already run far away, today several tables would have to be lost.

  Xiao Lao San looked at Xu Shao Jie and burst out laughing, even tears streaming down his face.

  "Listen up, kid. Today, I'm going to break your arms and legs, so you know how to respect your elders. Everyone else will be knocked down too. And as for your girlfriend, she's mine now."

  Xiao Lao San's words were not yet finished, when a sharp screeching sound came from afar. Many people jumped off the car, and by the sound of it, there were at least several dozen people. In the darkness, the clashing sound of steel pipes was heard, and soon, the sound of uniform footsteps rose up, heading towards the night market. Xu Shao Jie hugged Zheng Yu Xin tightly and spoke out loudly.

  "Classmates, move aside, nobody should intervene."

  Xiao Lao San was stunned, he never thought that such a thing would happen. Judging from the footsteps, these people were well-trained and his side was no match for them. Xiao Lao San's face changed color, he knew that today he had run into trouble.

  "Little brother, whoever dares to touch you, I'll kill him."

  Ma Jianhua, Du Yuxin and Sun Yong knew that Xu Shaojie was calm and would handle things properly. At this moment, they quickly organized the students at the scene to move aside.

  More than 50 people appeared in the night market, all wearing blue uniforms and safety helmets, each holding a one-meter-long iron pipe. The faces of these people were almost expressionless. They quickly separated Xu Shaojie and Zheng Yuxin to their rear, surrounding Xiao Lao San and others in the middle.

  Xiao Lao San felt a breath of death, these expressionless people were the most terrifying, when they took action, they wouldn't care about any part of the body, if they caught you, they would beat you up. If these people took action, he and his brother would either be dead or injured. He never thought that among the students of Xilin University, there were hidden dragons and tigers, and such a character existed. Today was thoroughly defeated, if not recognizing one's place, this lifetime might not be able to get up again.

  "You son of a turtle, are you going to move against my brother? Kneel down for me."

  Xu Yijie's aura made Xiao Lao San feel a sense of danger, it was an air that had been through the world, or rather, had eaten prison food. Xiao Lao San didn't hesitate, preserving his life was important, he immediately knelt down, and as for the rest of the thugs, they all knelt down without exception.

  Xu Yijie turned to look at Xu Shaojie, he understood that things here needed Shaojie to speak up, and whatever Shaojie said, he would do. Now everything of his own was thanks to Shaojie's credit, Shaojie had brains and knew how to handle things, as long as he listened to Shaojie or Zhang Shaocai, nothing would go wrong. Just now, Zhang Shaocai was also going to come, but upon hearing that Xu Shaojie was at the scene, Zhang Shaocai didn't come, telling him to listen to Shaojie instead.

  Xu Shaojie let go of Zheng Yuxin, preparing to send her to Ma Jianhua's side. However, Zheng Yuxin tightly grasped Xu Shaojie's hand and wouldn't let go. Xu Shaojie pulled Zheng Yuxin's hand and walked in together.

  "Xiao Lao San, do you remember how many times I reminded you to think carefully? You didn't listen. It's fine if you insult me, but you insulted my mother and my girlfriend. Do you think I'll just let it go? You have your own rules, no need for me to say anything. Remember, my name is Xu Shaojie, a student of the Chinese Department at Xilin University. My girlfriend Zheng Yuxin is a student of the Journalism Department at Xilin University. If in the future Zheng Yuxin has even a slight mishap, do you believe I can destroy your entire family?"

  Xu Shaojie's gloomy tone made Xiao Lao San not dare to lift his head. He knew that today, he had lost not only face but also substance. After this incident, he would have to leave Xilin City. He couldn't stay here anymore. Xu Shaojie must be a man of his word, and the consequences would affect his family too. Xiao Lao San didn't say anything; now was the time for action.

  Xiao Lao San gritted his teeth, pulled out a knife from his body, and took out a handkerchief from his pants pocket. As Xiao Lao San raised the knife, Xu Shaojie quickly covered Zheng Yuxin's eyes. In an instant, a small finger was wriggling on the ground. Xiao Lao San was drenched in sweat, pale-faced, bandaging the wound with the handkerchief, yet he didn't make a sound.

  Xu Shaojie nodded, and Xu Yijie began to speak.

  "There are a few good men, but you shouldn't mess with my brother. Today's matter is settled like this. My name is Xu Yijie, you can go ask around. When I was still in the underworld, you hadn't even started yet. You all leave now."

  A path was cleared in the crowd, and Xiao Lao San took his younger brother and quickly left.

  When Xujiaojie covered Zheng Yuxin's eyes, Zheng Yuxin leaned on Xujiaojie's shoulder. At this moment, Xujiaojie was a perfect man in her heart, with an aura that even the graduating seniors couldn't match. After Xiaolao San left, Zheng Yuxin saw a severed little finger on the ground from between Xujiaojie's fingers. She found it strange that she wasn't afraid because with Xujiaojie by her side, she felt safe and fearless.

  "Little sister, hello, I am Xu Yijie, Shaojie's older brother. From now on, if you need to do anything, just find me directly and I'll take care of it."

  Xu Yijie's expression had changed long ago, and he smiled at Zheng Yuxin with a smile on his face.

  "Hello, older brother."

  Zheng Yuxin's voice was like a mosquito buzzing, her face had already turned red, however, Xu Yijie heard it very clearly, he held back his smile, girls' faces are very thin, and she is Shaojie's girlfriend.

  "Shao Jie, do you want me to arrange for a few people to keep watch here?"

  "Never mind, bro, take the guys and go back, hurry up, the police station is probably coming, to avoid trouble. Xiao Lao San won't dare come again, I reckon he'll leave Xilin City soon, he can't mix in here anymore."

  "Alright, take care of yourself, if anything happens, give me a call, see you later little sister."

  Xu Shaojie quickly greeted the crowd, and saw Liu Fugui and Song Guangming, who winked at him. The car started and drove away, and Xu Shaojie led the crowd to leave. The police from the station did not appear, no one fought, and nothing happened, they would not look for trouble.

  As they left, the crowd surrounded Xu Shaojie and Zheng Yuxin in the middle. Xu Shaojie repeatedly told everyone that today's events must be kept secret and not spread around, as it would have a bad influence and people would say that university students and social thugs were fighting. Everyone saw the scene where Xiao Lao San cut off his left thumb, and they all trembled with fear, especially the girls who turned pale. No one expected Xu Shaojie to have such abilities and make such detailed arrangements. At this moment, Tan Lingli finally understood everything - why Xu Shaojie went to make that phone call, why he said there were too many people, and why everyone should follow his arrangement. Tan Lingli looked at Xu Shaojie and Zheng Yuxin in the middle with a sense of loss, wondering why she wasn't born more beautiful. Zheng Yuxin had been holding Xu Shaojie's hand tightly all along, and now it didn't matter anymore - she was already Xu Shaojie's girlfriend, and now it was clear.

  The news spread quickly, and Xu Shaojie became a celebrity overnight. Xiao Lao San, the notorious gangster, cut off his own finger in front of Xu Shaojie and left Xilin City. The senior students knew about Xiao Lao San's reputation as a bully, but he was taken down by freshman Xu Shaojie. Even the teachers at school secretly admired Xu Shaojie.