"I see!" Lu Fan nodded slightly. "Even your sect leader wouldn't dare to treat me like this. You're quite bold."
"This junior wouldn't dare!"
The bald man was terrified, his legs felt weak. He knew Lu Fan's status in the Azure Dragon Sect. Even Han Yunhai was respectful to Lu Fan, let alone a nobody like him.
Qin Huai'an was baffled. The people he had summoned were being so respectful to Lu Fan. What was going on?
"Never mind, it's just a small matter. I won't hold it against you." Lu Fan waved his hand.
"Thank you, Mr. Lu, thank you, Mr. Lu!" The bald man quickly expressed his gratitude, then glared at Qin Huai'an. "Who do you think you are, daring to lay a hand on Mr. Lu!"
With that, Qin Huai'an received several more punches and was restrained by several men, awaiting Lu Fan's judgment.
"Mr. Lu, how should this be handled?" the bald man asked. "This Qin Huai'an is no good. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have offended you, Mr. Lu."
"Teach him a lesson to make him remember. If he dares to act recklessly again, cripple him permanently!" Lu Fan said coldly. "I'd like to see if anyone else in Qingzhou University dares to challenge me."
Qin Huai'an was beaten severely, constantly begging Lu Fan for mercy. Lu Fan ignored him. If people like him weren't taught a proper lesson, they would likely court disaster again.
Lin Ke'er frowned. "Perhaps we should just let it go? After all, this is Qingzhou University!"
Lu Fan nodded. "Did you hear that? We stop here!"
The bald man quickly nodded, and his subordinates ceased their attack. Qin Huai'an looked quite pathetic but dared not utter a word of complaint. He knew that if he said anything more, he would likely face another brutal beating.
"Granny Guihua is probably waiting. Let's head back!"
Lu Fan said with a smile, then rode his bicycle with Lin Ke'er, leaving everyone else stunned and at a loss.
They were well aware of Qin Huai'an's status at Qingzhou University, but they never expected Lu Fan's arrival to completely put Qin Huai'an in his place.
"Fourth Master, who exactly is he? Why are you so afraid of him?" Qin Huai'an got to his feet, but the pain was unbearable.
"Who is he?" Fourth Master sneered. "You must have a death wish to provoke him!"
With that, Fourth Master kicked him. "You almost got me into trouble today!"
Qin Huai'an was in a sorry state but unwilling to concede. "I'm a rich second generation, and he's just a commoner. What right does he have to fight me!"
"You ignorant brat, you still refuse to repent!" Fourth Master said sternly. "Do you know about the Azure Dragon Sect?"
"Of course I do. Who in the outside world doesn't know the Azure Dragon Sect? They're the bosses of Qingzhou. I heard you're also from the Azure Dragon Sect." Qin Huai'an said with admiration.
"You're right, I am from the Azure Dragon Sect." Fourth Master said coldly. "But that person just now, even the sect leader of the Azure Dragon Sect respectfully calls him 'Mr. Lu'!"
"How is that possible!" Qin Huai'an was filled with disbelief. "What kind of existence is the sect leader of the Azure Dragon Sect!"
"There are things you don't know and don't need to know. You just need to know that this is someone you cannot afford to offend!"
After speaking, Fourth Master led his men away.
Qin Huai'an quickly called out, "What about the one hundred thousand yuan..."
"Screw you!" Another man kicked him, sending Qin Huai'an sprawling on the ground.
Qin Huai'an looked dejected. He had truly lost both the battle and his dignity. Not only did he fail to reclaim his honor, but he also lost face.
"Is this still the Qin Huai'an we know? This is unbelievable!"
"Yeah! The famous Young Master Qin of Qingzhou University, so many people admire him. Today, he was repeatedly thrown to the ground like a dog!"
"Indeed, karma comes full circle. There's always someone better. He probably met a formidable opponent!"
"You can't say that. Although that person was dressed ordinarily, he might be a wealthy hidden tycoon. Otherwise, how could he have remembered Young Master Qin!"
Within Qingzhou University, people chatted in twos and threes, seeming quite gossipy.
In Pingmin Village, Granny Guihua had finished preparing the meal. She looked out the door and, upon seeing Lu Fan and Lin Ke'er, smiled. "Why are you only arriving now? Didn't school end earlier?"
"That..."
Lin Ke'er was about to speak when Lu Fan smiled. "School did end earlier. We were delayed on the way."
"Hurry and wash your hands! I've made delicious food today, and I'm sure you'll both love it!" Granny Guihua smiled.
Lu Fan and Lin Ke'er nodded and went to the table, their faces lighting up at the sight of the spread.
"Business was good today, earned quite a bit of money." Granny Guihua arranged the bowls and chopsticks. "You're both growing, so you need to eat well."
"Granny Guihua, you look so tired. Did you stay up late making Osmanthus cakes yesterday?" Lin Ke'er asked with concern.
"I'm old, so I can't sleep well. It's not staying up late." Granny Guihua smiled. "Try these dishes and see if they suit your taste."
"As long as Granny Guihua made them, I'll love them," Lin Ke'er said coquettishly.
Lu Fan also took out a stack of money from his pocket. "Granny, here's thirty thousand yuan. Please take it. You don't have to work so hard anymore."
"Xiao Fan, where did this money come from?" Granny Guihua frowned. "Although we're poor, we don't steal or rob. We live an honest life. We mustn't do bad things."
"What are you saying, Granny? I'm not a bad person." Lu Fan said sheepishly. "I earned this. Just take it with peace of mind!"
"How could you earn so much money in one day!" Granny Guihua shook her head. "Xiao Fan, what exactly did you do?"
"I went to the antique market today and casually bought something. I didn't expect it to be authentic, so I made a profit." Lu Fan smiled. "I told you before, I would ensure you lived a good life!"
"That's incredibly lucky!" Lin Ke'er exclaimed happily. "Brother Lu Fan, you have to take me next time!"
"No problem. Next time, I'll take you to the auction house." Lu Fan nodded and smiled. "But I can fulfill one wish for you right now. Whatever you want, I can give it to you!"
"Really?" Lin Ke'er's face lit up, then she shook her head. "No, earning money isn't easy. I can't let Brother Lu Fan spend so much!"
"You call me 'brother,' so how can this be considered spending too much!" Lu Fan retorted. "Giving gifts to my own sister seems only natural!"
Lin Ke'er pouted. "The best gift is to always be by my side!"
Lu Fan's heart trembled slightly. These words touched him deeply. He had never had anyone care about him like this on the mountain before.
"Ahem... it seems today's dishes don't taste good. Neither of you has eaten anything." Granny Guihua pretended to laugh.