159: Chapter 157: Brother Yangzi 159: Chapter 157: Brother Yangzi “Stop!”
Suddenly, a thunderous shout rang out, imbued with a sinister edge that made people shiver uncontrollably and look over involuntarily.
Upon hearing this shout, the four men also stopped in their tracks to look in the direction of the sound.
When they saw several figures walking towards them, their faces betrayed a hint of fear, and they all halted.
They exchanged perplexed and puzzled looks.
Tangyu also looked over, raising his eyebrows slightly.
Of the three men approaching, the leader appeared to be around thirty.
He wasn’t particularly tall or burly, but he was well-built, exuding a sense of power.
The crew cut and tattoos visible on his arm revealed he was someone who mixed in the underworld.
His face bore a cold handsomeness, and his gaze was as sharp as a knife, deterring others from meeting his eyes.
It was clear that he had been involved in the underworld for quite some time, and he must have been a fierce character.
His mere presence indicated he was not someone to be trifled with.
Following him were two underling-looking thugs dressed flamboyantly, with long hair and distinct tattoos on their bodies.
They walked with an air of arrogance, their smirking mouths full of defiance.
The arrival of the three made the onlookers quickly clear a path, keeping their distance.
Tangyu quickly recognized that these three were subordinates of Brother Tiger, and the leader was someone he had met before.
Tangyu smirked lightly, thinking that things were going to be easier to handle than he had anticipated; there was no need for him to go to the trouble himself.
Brother Tiger was a local heavyweight, effectively the king of this territory, and there was nobody in the area who dared disrespect him.
Dealing with people like Wang Laoji required toughness, and with Brother Tiger’s subordinates stepping in, the problem was likely to be resolved thoroughly, probably more effectively than if he had handled it personally.
Wang Laoji also stood up and walked over, greeting the newcomers, “Brother Yangzi, what brings you here?” In his heart, Wang Laoji was puzzled, sensing something off in Brother Yangzi’s expression, and wondering about that earlier roar of anger.
Could it be that Brother Yangzi knew this young man?
That was exactly what Wang Laoji feared the most, so he cautiously observed Brother Yangzi’s expression while discreetly sizing up Tangyu, noting the young man’s indifferent demeanor, which immediately filled him with an ominous premonition.
Brother Yangzi just glared fiercely at Wang Laoji without responding and instead walked straight up to Tangyu, nodding and asking, “Brother Yu, did they hurt you anywhere?”
“Brother Yu?!”
The words of Brother Yangzi struck like a thunderclap in the minds of Wang Laoji and the others, their expressions changing drastically to one of unsightliness.
Especially Wang Laoji, whose facial muscles contorted—not from pain, but from sheer shock.
He knew he was in big trouble now, having offended a Bodhisattva, and instantly regretted it deeply.
The shift in the situation filled Xia Xiaoyu and her family with hope.
Tangyu responded to Brother Yangzi with a light smile, “I’m fine, what brings you guys here?”
Seeing that Tangyu remembered him, Brother Yangzi also smiled, “We were just passing by on business.
What happened, Brother Yu?
I’ll handle it.”
Tangyu nodded without demur, “Alright, it’s just a small matter; I’ll leave it to you.”
“Hey, Brother Yu, don’t talk like that.
You’re Brother Tiger’s brother, which makes you my elder brother too.
I have a lot of respect for you, Brother Yu.
Even Brother Tiger speaks highly of you, and I’ve long admired you.
Leave the matters around this area to me; there’s nothing we can’t handle.
You just relax, on this turf no one dares to bully us.
I’ll make sure today’s perpetrators pay back tenfold,” Brother Yangzi said.
With a smile, Tangyu nodded and said, “I’m not too clear on the specifics; you should ask them.” Tangyu indicated Xia Xiaoyu and her family.
Brother Yangzi turned his attention to Xia Xiaoyu and her family.
As his eyes fell on Xia Xiaoyu, a flicker of interest passed through his gaze.
It wasn’t that he was stunned by her beauty, but he seemed to understand why Brother Yu would stand up for her family—it was another stunning beauty.
Yangzi admired this aspect of Tangyu greatly.
Just the other night he had brought three superstar beauties to have fun, and now here was another.
Such romantic encounters can’t help but inspire envy and admiration.
“Xia Xiaoyu, let your mother explain what exactly happened,” Tangyu instructed.
Deeply moved, Xia Xiaoyu urged her mother, “Mom, hurry and tell what happened?”
Meanwhile, Wang Laoji stood by, his face as cold as ice, woodenly rooted to the spot, as if waiting for judgment to be pronounced.
Xia Xiaoyu’s mother glanced at Tangyu and Yangzi, then at Old Man Wang, a mix of excitement and fear in her eyes.
Shaking her head, she said, “It’s nothing, no problem at all.
Just a small misunderstanding.”
“Big sister, don’t be afraid; just tell us what happened.
As long as I’m here, no one will dare to bully you again, and it will never happen in the future.
Whatever injustices you have suffered, just tell me, and I will stand up for you.
I will make sure you get the compensation and respect you deserve.”
As Yangzi spoke, he gave Old Man Wang a fierce look.
Old Man Wang was a bully in this market, and naturally, he would often interact with people in the underworld.
Old Man Wang used to flatter Yangzi all the time.
If it had been a trivial matter, Yangzi might have sided with Old Man Wang, but this damn fool dared to provoke Brother Hu’s associate, Tangyu, which naturally angered Yangzi immensely.
Tangyu knew that Xia Xiaoyu’s mother didn’t want to cause trouble and would rather swallow the humiliation, hoping simply to retrieve their tricycle.
Tangyu also said, “Auntie, don’t be scared.
We will all help you.
Just tell us what happened, and we will ensure justice for you.
We won’t let uncle suffer injuries and humiliation for nothing.”
Xia Xiaoyu’s mother looked at Tangyu with eyes brimming with tears, a look that was heart-wrenchingly pitiful, and after hesitating for a long while, she finally said, “It’s like this—today, Xiaoyu’s father and I got up early to buy a load of fresh vegetables and sell them here by the roadside, just like always.
We sold out quickly by mid-morning.
And then—”
Xia Xiaoyu’s mother turned back to look at Old Man Wang, her eyes showing a trace of fear, paused, and then continued, “He came out and scolded us, telling us not to set up our stall at his doorstep anymore.
Xiaoyu’s father and I said a few words back, which enraged him, and he started punching and kicking Xiaoyu’s father, injuring him.
Then he kicked our cart, which crashed into his car, and then he seized our cart demanding we pay compensation.”
“Fucking hell, damn it.” Upon hearing this, Yangzi was extremely angry.
He used to roll with Brother Hu, who was very principled in how he operated, never doing things that would outrage heaven and earth.
He never bullied the weak and always targeted those who deserved it.
Yangzi suddenly kicked out at Old Man Wang, who was already looking ugly and stunned on the spot.
He couldn’t react in time to Yangzi’s kick, but even if he had, he wouldn’t have dared to dodge.
Yangzi’s kick landed hard on Old Man Wang’s thigh, sending him tumbling to the ground where he crashed heavily.
Although Old Man Wang was angry inside, he didn’t dare show it on his face.
“To bully such pitiful ordinary folks like this, you’re worse than a fucking animal.
Damn it, hit him!” Yangzi bellowed, and the two underlings behind him immediately rushed at Old Man Wang, pummeling him with their fists and feet.
They were very ruthless in their attack, and soon Old Man Wang was curled up, protecting his head, reduced to a ball.
The other four just watched and didn’t dare to interfere.
Who was Yangzi?
He was one of Brother Hu’s two major lieutenants in this locality.
In this area, everyone knew of Brother Hu’s reputation.
Though they could dominate in this market, they still had to compliantly bow down before Brother Hu—otherwise, their family wouldn’t be able to continue operating here.
Witnessing this burst of violence, the onlookers’ expressions shifted as they looked at Xia Xiaoyu’s family.
They hadn’t realized such a strong backer supported the family.
They all immediately decided never to mess with this family again, or else Old Man Wang’s fate would soon be theirs.
Xia Xiaoyu’s family was tearfully joyous, finally finding someone kind enough to take up their cause.
Xia Xiaoyu felt deeply grateful, and her heart planted a seed of affection for Tangyu.
“Brother Yangzi, stop hitting him.
We were wrong in this matter, we’re willing to compensate for everything, please show mercy,” Old Man Wang’s older brother pleaded.
When the tough meet someone tougher, the tough have to accept their weaker position.
Yangzi snorted coldly and didn’t respond, instead turning to Tangyu and asking, “Brother Tangyu, how would you like to resolve this?”
Tangyu said, “You handle it.
Just make sure they don’t get taken advantage of.”
“Alright, Brother Tangyu, I’ll take care of it.
Don’t worry, I won’t let them suffer the slightest injustice,” Yangzi assured, waving his hand, signaling his underlings to stop.
By then, Old Man Wang was beaten to a pulp, his face swollen and his body covered in bruises, lying on the ground unable to get up.
Yangzi turned to Old Man Wang’s older brother and said, “I always make sure my dealings are fair.
Since Old Man Wang beat someone, I’ve beaten him back—that squares it.
As for the assault, I won’t hold it against you; let’s settle the other debts.
You’ll pay for the medical costs, along with compensation for loss and downtime—five thousand in total.
On top of the five thousand, pay them an additional ten thousand in damages, and we’ll consider the matter closed.
And if you ever dare to bully them again, don’t blame me for not being nice.
Next time I won’t be this easygoing.”
The combined compensation of fifteen thousand was no small sum for Old Man Wang’s family, considering their annual income was just a few hundred thousand.
“Brother Yangzi, we fully accept paying the five thousand for medical expenses, but isn’t the additional ten thousand a bit too much?” asked Old Man Wang’s older brother.
“Hmph, too much?
Don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.
You better open your damn eyes and see who you’ve messed with.
You dared to provoke Brother Hu’s own brother—so paying just ten thousand is me being merciful.
Otherwise, I’ll have Brother Hu come here and see how he wants to settle with you,” Yangzi scoffed.
Old Man Wang’s older brother immediately smacked his lips fiercely and quickly said, “No, no, Brother Yangzi, we’ll pay the fifteen thousand.”