The private room fell silent.
No one had expected such an outcome.
The screams of ten burly men echoed in their ears, reminding everyone that this was not a dream, but something truly happening before their eyes.
Zhen Hai's mouth hung open, and he looked at the six people beside him.
He couldn't utter a single word.
Shi Chengzhi and Wang Xiaoli were stunned, not knowing what to say.
Chen Jinzhao brushed the dust off his clothes and said to the two, "I'll give you a choice: kneel down to my friend, then slap him a few times, and pay thirty thousand in medical expenses. This matter can be dropped."
Zhen Hai came back to his senses and looked at Chen Jinzhao gratefully.
However, he also knew it was unlikely. Shi Chengzhi was under Master Shui, and Master Shui was the underground emperor of the Jiangnan region.
As long as his backing was strong, Shi Chengzhi would not back down.
As expected.
Shi Chengzhi gradually recovered from his initial shock. After comforting Wang Xiaoli, he looked at Chen Jinzhao with a dark expression. "I admit you have some skill, but not much. Do you think you can run roughshod over the city just because you're good at fighting? I don't want trouble, but I'm not afraid of it. If you know what's good for you and apologize, I can let this go."
Chen Jinzhao couldn't help but sneer. "Haven't you realized the situation?"
Wang Xiaoli mustered her courage and said to Chen Jinzhao, "What do you know, you country bumpkin? My Brother Shi is one of Master Shui's men. Haven't you heard outside? Who is Master Shui?"
"I'm sorry, even if Qian Deshui stood before me today, I wouldn't let you off," Chen Jinzhao said calmly, stating the facts to the two.
He truly didn't care about the mere Qian Deshui.
If Chen Jinzhao revealed his true identity, Qian Deshui would probably be so scared he'd tremble on his knees and beg for mercy.
Shi Chengzhi and Wang Xiaoli burst into laughter.
They had met arrogant people before, but this was the first time they encountered someone as arrogant as Chen Jinzhao.
"Kid!" Shi Chengzhi narrowed his eyes.
He said coldly, "I was giving you a way out just now. I didn't expect you to refuse a toast and insist on a fine. Don't blame me for what happens next. I'll sit here. If you dare to lay a hand on me, I guarantee you'll disappear from this world."
This was a blatant personal threat.
Zhen Hai and the others gradually calmed down and also urged Chen Jinzhao to let it go.
"Why don't we just drop it?"
"I'm already very satisfied with beating these guys to the ground. There's no need to go head-to-head with Master Shui's people."
"Yes, yes, Xiao Chen, please reconsider."
"..."
Wang Xiaoli's eyes glinted with mockery.
She thought that Zhen Hai and his group were truly pathetic. They had been bullied but didn't dare to make a sound, and instead advised their own man not to act rashly.
However—
Their actions were correct.
Chen Jinzhao raised his hand, stopping Zhen Hai and the others from speaking, and said forcefully, "There's nothing to discuss. For people like Shi Chengzhi, if you show them kindness, they'll take advantage of it. Besides, they're in the wrong this time. If the matter escalates, I believe someone will punish them. If not, I will personally handle it."
Shi Chengzhi laughed again.
He said mockingly, "No, do you really see yourself as a vigilante? Who do you think you are? Master Shui can just make a few calls and have you locked up for years."
"Why don't you try?"
Chen Jinzhao suddenly smiled. "Let's try."
He ignored Zhen Hai's pleas and strode in front of Shi Chengzhi and Wang Xiaoli.
The two couldn't sit still. Wang Xiaoli even cursed loudly, "What do you think you're doing? I'm warning you, if anything happens to me, I'll make sure you pay dearly."
Shi Chengzhi also feigned composure and sternly warned Chen Jinzhao not to act rashly.
*Slap!*
A slap landed precisely on Shi Chengzhi's face.
Shi Chengzhi's cheek burned with pain, and he immediately flew into a rage, shouting, "Damn it, I'll fight you!"
After a loud roar, Shi Chengzhi got up and swung his fist at Chen Jinzhao.
However, Shi Chengzhi's body was no longer as good as it was in his youth, and with years of indulgence in alcohol and women, his abilities were inferior to his subordinates, let alone going head-to-head with Chen Jinzhao.
*Crack!*
Chen Jinzhao caught Shi Chengzhi's fist and then squeezed it hard.
Shi Chengzhi screamed in pain, covered in sweat!
"You are no match for me," Chen Jinzhao calmly stated the facts.
Cold sweat dripped from Shi Chengzhi's forehead. Then, Chen Jinzhao slapped him a few more times. The injuries on his cheek were already more severe than those Zhen Hai had sustained.
Wang Xiaoli was terrified, wilting like a defeated rooster.
In just a few moves, Shi Chengzhi was beaten up and bruised. His bravado was also gone, and he showed signs of relenting.
"Stop hitting..."
"I admit defeat, I'll apologize. Stop hitting."
"If you hit any harder, someone will die."
Only then did Chen Jinzhao stop.
His gaze fell on Wang Xiaoli. This woman was the instigator, but Chen Jinzhao had no habit of hitting women. He turned to Zhen Hai and the others. "Director Zhen, do you want to take revenge yourself?"
Zhen Hai shook his head repeatedly.
Are you kidding? This was Shi Chengzhi's woman. How could he dare to hit her?
If he had known from the start, Zhen Hai wouldn't have even retaliated with those two slaps, opting to act like a coward instead.
Chen Jinzhao didn't force Zhen Hai. He then gestured towards Shi Chengzhi, who was lying on the ground. "Help me slap this woman nine times. If you miss one, I'll make up for it on you."
"Oh, and,"
"Don't think about holding back. I'll be watching."
"Brother Shi..." Wang Xiaoli panicked, starting to cry pitifully.
Resentment also rose in Shi Chengzhi's eyes. If people outside found out that he hit his own woman, how could he maintain his reputation in the underworld in the future? But if he didn't, Chen Jinzhao would absolutely not let him off.
So—
For now, he had to bow his head.
Shi Chengzhi gritted his teeth and said to Wang Xiaoli, "Xiaoli, I can only inconvenience you. I'll compensate you."
*Slap slap slap!*
Wang Xiaoli cried out in pain, and Shi Chengzhi's slaps became increasingly forceful.
Zhen Hai and the others, who were standing at the door in a daze, were dumbfounded. Everything that happened tonight was more surreal than the last, leaving them overwhelmed.
After nine slaps, Shi Chengzhi looked at Chen Jinzhao. Chen Jinzhao nodded. "Good. You didn't hold back. You're quite ruthless to your own woman. Next, you will kneel down to my friend, kowtow nine times, and pay the medical expenses. Then this matter will be over. Of course, if you are not satisfied, you can call the police. I'll be happy to accompany you."
Shi Chengzhi naturally dared not call the police.
No matter how unwilling he was, he could only transfer thirty thousand yuan to Zhen Hai's bank card.
Then, he quickly knelt down to Zhen Hai and respectfully kowtowed nine times.
"This should be enough, right?"