Ren Ping turned her head, her eyes filled with panic and fear, utterly at a loss.
She never imagined that because of her, the entire situation would escalate to this point.
“Call the police,” Li Chonglou said quietly, sitting back on the sofa after confirming Wu Zhijie couldn't stand up. The murderous aura on his body had completely receded.
He knew he had been impulsive.
But so what?
Wu Hao was like a brother to him. When he was bullied at school, Wu Hao never hesitated to stand up for him.
Decades of experience hadn't led to apathy; it had only made him cherish the people around him more.
If a person had no compassion, what difference would they be from an animal?
“Louzi, today has nothing to do with you. I was the one who hit him, I'll take responsibility…” Wu Hao said, his voice hoarse, his hand covering his head, his eyes full of emotion.
“Shut up, it's self-defense, what are you taking responsibility for!” Li Chonglou glared at him.
Seeing that no one was calling, he dialed 110 himself.
Soon, the police arrived and took everyone to the police station to record their statements.
Wu Zhijie and Wu Hao were sent to the hospital for treatment.
Li Chonglou insisted it was self-defense.
The others also testified that Wu Zhijie had continued to assault Ren Ping after hitting Wu Hao.
However, they were still informed of the possibility of being charged with excessive self-defense.
Li Chonglou knew that the line for such matters was blurred, and a slight misstep could lead to a long prison sentence.
Even if he were acquitted of excessive self-defense, it would take time.
And time was what he lacked the most. His mother's surgery was in two days, and he couldn't stay.
He immediately called Lv Yunxu, but her phone was turned off.
The only person capable of getting him out of this situation now was his senior sister, Lin Ying.
Li Chonglou dialed Lin Ying's number: “Senior sister, I’m at the South City Police Station…”
“Wait, I’ll be right there,” Lin Ying replied decisively.
Less than an hour later, Lin Ying, dressed in an evening gown, appeared before Li Chonglou.
Seeing that he was unharmed, she breathed a sigh of relief: “On my way here, I had my disciple Xiao Zhou talk to the other party.”
“There are two options now.”
“One, they can sue, and the case will go through the judicial process. You might have to stay in the detention center before the trial.”
“The second is to settle it privately with compensation. They were asking for four million, and I’ve managed to negotiate it down to two million for you.”
“It’s your decision.”
She had learned that Wu Zhijie’s parents held some power in Qin Zhou.
They were accustomed to being arrogant and overbearing, but they never expected to encounter someone as resolute as Li Chonglou.
With one kick, the man might not need a razor for the rest of his life.
Li Chonglou sneered, “Two million, they really have the nerve to ask.”
“Mainly because my junior brother’s attack was so severe. That guy isn’t married yet, and he probably won’t be able to have children in the future,” Lin Ying said with a mischievous smile, and asked, “How much money do you have?”
“One million.” Li Chonglou had initially intended to pay nothing.
But he had experience with court judgments, which could take anywhere from a few days to several months.
He couldn’t afford to delay.
Money could be earned, and staying here an extra day was a loss.
“The remaining half will be covered by the shop, deducted from your salary,” Lin Ying decided generously.
Li Chonglou’s eyebrows twitched upon hearing this: “Senior sister, my salary is only ten thousand. When will I ever pay it off?”
His senior sister was clearly planning to keep him as a long-term laborer.
He might even have to find a way to buy his freedom later.
Thinking of his senior sister’s usual style, he couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on.
“I believe in your abilities.”
Lin Ying, seemingly knowing what Li Chonglou was thinking, said with a playful smile: “Don’t just stand there. Once the money is paid, I’ll take you back to the hospital.”
On the way back.
Li Chonglou fell into thought.
The one million yuan he had received from Lv Yunxu was intended as startup capital for Wu Hao.
Now it was all gone, and he still owed Lin Ying a million.
He didn’t care about the money; he could earn more. But the entrepreneurial plan couldn't be delayed.
Wu Hao would need money as soon as his injuries healed.
It seemed that in addition to working at Donglin, he needed to quickly find opportunities to pick up some deals and fill his pockets.
“Junior brother, I’ll be away for a few days. I’m giving you the key to Donglin.”
As he was contemplating, Lin Ying’s voice sounded: “On the 26th, a teacher will come to deliver something. Help me receive them.”
“Actually, you don’t need to constantly watch over Donglin. If something comes up, you can leave. I’m not just counting on it to make money.”
“My father said you are a latent dragon, and it’s not good to be confined to one place for too long.”
“I need to give you a chance to spread your wings. Go to the antique market more often. I have a disciple there, the same Xiao Zhou who helped you tonight.”
Li Chonglou naturally knew who she was referring to as Xiao Zhou. He had seen him at the Desheng Grand Hotel a few days ago when attending a class reunion.
Of course, Xiao Zhou didn't know him at that time.
So Li Chonglou found a topic to strike up a conversation with him.
Seeing his senior sister speak so seriously, he couldn’t help but laugh: “Does master think so highly of me?”
“Of course, you’re worth at least a million,” Lin Ying said with a smile, hinting at something: “Practice the Sheepskin Scroll mental technique more. It’s fine if you hit others, but don’t let yourself get hurt.”
Li Chonglou chuckled.
His senior sister’s protective nature was just like their master’s.
“Don’t worry, senior sister, I will never bring shame to our sect!” Li Chonglou replied earnestly.
They chatted all the way to the hospital, and it was almost midnight.
His mother was already fast asleep.
Li Chonglou quietly lay down on the bed, unable to sleep for a long time.
Recalling his senior sister’s instructions, he decided to sit cross-legged with his five hearts facing the sky, following the mental technique of the Sheepskin Scroll.
Pain!
After a few seconds, his leg joints felt as if they were being torn apart.
His mind couldn’t calm down, and scattered thoughts arose.
Fortunately, his willpower was strong, and he forcefully suppressed them with sheer determination.
The continuous pain stimulated his brain, and his attention gradually focused, causing the scattered thoughts to recede.
This posture actually helped him calm his mind!
At this moment, his entire body’s blood felt like a scorching torrent compressed by a high-pressure pump, flowing throughout his body.
The usual worn-out and blocked areas in his body were being cleared out inch by inch.
The pain also slowly shifted.
When the flow is unobstructed, there is no pain; when there is pain, the flow is blocked.
Everything mentioned in the mental technique was being validated.
The longer he practiced, the calmer and clearer his thoughts became.
He didn’t feel the slightest bit of fatigue.
Unknowingly, an entire night passed.
When he dispersed the meditation at dawn, his legs felt as if they had been electrocuted, so numb he could barely move them, almost falling off the bed.
He could clearly feel the heat brought by the blood rushing into his legs.
However, his body felt an unprecedented lightness, his spirit was high, and even his vision and hearing had improved.
Internal strengthening!
This was clearly the initial sign mentioned in the mental technique.
Li Chonglou was overjoyed.
It was indeed good stuff passed down from Daoist sword immortals!
In just one night, it had such an effect that it could be called a divine skill.
With diligent practice, it would undoubtedly bring great benefits to his body.
After his usual morning routine with his mother, he made a call to inquire about Wu Hao’s injuries.
The kid had turned misfortune into fortune. The ice had been broken between him and Ren Ping last night, and she had taken care of him all night, their relationship essentially established.
Li Chonglou didn't tell him about the compensation, to avoid him feeling guilty.
He told him to rest well. Just as he hung up, Wang Dehai called.
His voice was urgent: “Brother, are you at Donglin? I’m coming to find you!”
He had countless expenses at the moment and was relying on his family’s antiques to save him.
Li Chonglou was his lifeline.
“I’m at the Central Hospital’s inpatient department. I was planning to take the bus there,” Li Chonglou replied.
“Don’t take the bus, wait for me at the hospital, I’ll pick you up right away!” Wang Dehai’s tone was even more urgent: “You must wait for me.”
Without waiting for Li Chonglou to respond, he hung up the phone hastily.
Li Chonglou then walked out of the inpatient building to wait.
Wang Dehai hadn’t arrived yet, but Jiang Yuxin’s WeChat message came: “Li Chonglou, my mom was persuaded by her闺蜜 to go to the hospital!”
“Stop her, I’ll be there soon.”
Seeing these words, Li Chonglou’s expression became serious.
His mother’s surgery was imminent, and her heart couldn’t handle any shock.
If Liu Zhiru came to the hospital at this time, and his mother found out that she was being forced to divorce, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Fortunately, Jiang Yuxin’s reminder came in time; otherwise, he would have left already.
The next second, he saw Liu Zhiru, carrying a handbag and accompanied by a middle-aged beauty with heavy makeup and wavy hair, walking towards the entrance.
Liu Zhiru also saw him.
Her face darkened, and she walked up to him imperiously, saying: “Li Chonglou, take me to see your mother!”