"Comrade, why are you covered in blood? Are you alright?" the new recruit representative asked as he approached, only then noticing the bloodstains on Zhang Liunian. However, seeing his complexion, he assumed the injuries weren't severe and thus inquired without offering to escort him to the infirmary.
Zhang Liunian glanced at the bloodstains on himself and looked up, replying, "I'm fine."
The new recruit representative gave a noncommittal grunt and then turned his attention to Zhu Laosan, his tone growing colder. "Bringing so many people to bully just two individuals, it's truly a disgrace to our manhood."
"Mind your own business," Zhu Laosan said, utterly disgusted by the newcomer and speaking with considerable annoyance.
This only made the new recruit representative dislike him more. He detested bullying and outnumbered opponents, and Zhu Laosan's rude demeanor further fueled his anger.
"What were your men hiding earlier? Were you using that to bully him?"
"There's nothing. I wasn't bullying anyone. You must have seen it wrong," Zhu Laosan replied. Seeing the newcomer's persistence, he inwardly cursed his bad luck. His plan had been going smoothly, but an unexpected busybody had appeared midway, shattering it instantly.
With that thought, Zhu Laosan's heart sank, but he quickly reassured himself, remembering his contingency plans.
"I don't want to hear from you. I want to hear from him."
The new recruit representative, after speaking, pointed at Zhang Liunian, who was freeing Zhang Qian, and said directly, "Comrade, if you have any trouble, you can tell us. We'll help you get justice."
His demeanor made it clear he intended to stand up for Zhang Liunian, which was unacceptable to Zhu Laosan.
Although Zhu Laosan wasn't afraid of a few new recruits, he feared that with their help, Zhang Liunian might turn the tables and defeat them. He had personally witnessed Zhang Liunian's prowess earlier. If he hadn't brought so many men this time, he would have been killed for the third time.
Therefore, he absolutely could not let these people side with Zhang Liunian, nor could he allow them to find a reason to get off the vehicle and fight. He needed to end this quickly.
Thinking this, Zhu Laosan saw Zhang Liunian push Zhang Qian back into the vehicle and prepare to answer. He immediately seized the opportunity, speaking first to preempt him. "Nothing happened. You saw wrong. We two are friends, old friends. We met unexpectedly and naturally needed to catch up. You don't need to make a fuss. If you still need to be on your way, hurry up and go, don't delay your important business."
Zhu Laosan said this to remind the new recruits that they had important business and should leave quickly without meddling.
Hearing his reminder, the new recruit representative remembered they indeed had pressing matters. However, being passionate young men, they couldn't stand injustice and still wanted to help the unfortunate Comrade Zhang Liunian.
"Contacting friends with weapons in hand? Are you taking us for fools? You shut up. We want to hear from that comrade." The new recruit representative wasn't oblivious to Zhu Laosan's blatant lies, but their opponents were too numerous. Even if they got off the vehicle, they might not be able to apprehend all of them.
After repeated admonishments, Zhu Laosan's face darkened. "This is our freedom."
"Comrade, thank you for appearing. Otherwise, I fear I wouldn't have been able to leave Jiangcheng today." Zhang Liunian had no intention of covering for Zhu Laosan and made a gesture of gratitude with a clasped-fist salute in the style of the martial world.
The new recruit representative scanned Zhang Liunian, his gaze lingering on the iron pipe Zhang Liunian had picked up from the ground.
"Hmph! With us here, they won't dare do anything to you. Hurry and leave. We'll watch. I don't believe they'll dare to make a move here," the new recruit representative shouted at Zhang Liunian, signaling him to leave.
Zhang Liunian smiled, turned to the side of the vehicle, and expressed his thanks. "I will never forget your great kindness. Comrade, may I know your name?"
The new recruit representative waved his hand dismissively. "Go on your way. We'll talk next time we meet." He could tell Zhang Liunian was a formidable individual. To sustain only minor injuries while facing so many people demonstrated his capabilities were no less than theirs. Thinking this, he began to anticipate their next encounter.
Zhang Liunian didn't dawdle. He turned and sat in the passenger seat, telling Zhang Qian to start the car and leave.
Zhang Qian, sweating profusely on his forehead, started the car and slowly drove out of their sight. However, as they passed Zhu Laosan and Wu Gudi, Zhang Liunian gave them a mocking glance. This infuriated Zhu Laosan and Wu Gudi, but due to the presence of the new recruits, they did not react. Once the group of new recruits also departed, Wu Gudi immediately jumped up. "Little Zhu Zhu, look at how they acted just now. It's too detestable, too hateful. We can't let Zhang Liunian get away so easily. He's escaped from us three times already."
"Why are you in such a hurry? This matter isn't over yet. Do you think they can really leave here so easily? You're dreaming too big. Without my permission, no one will escape from my grasp." Zhu Laosan glared sideways at Wu Gudi, his face filled with arrogance.
Hearing this, Wu Gudi became overjoyed. "I knew Little Zhu Zhu was the most capable. He wouldn't let them escape…"
Zhu Laosan felt smug as Wu Gudi began to flatter him. After listening for a moment and realizing her praise was limited to just these two sentences, he grew bored.
"Alright, we should go after them," Zhu Laosan declared with a sweep of his arm, leading his men away to pursue Zhang Liunian and his companions.
Zhang Liunian was unaware that they soon encountered another incident on the road. It wasn't a roadblock, but a frail old man lying on the road, groaning in pain and crying for help.
"Comrades, help! Help me!" the elder's voice was hoarse; no one could hear him unless they were close.
Zhang Liunian, having just changed his clothes, acted as a model citizen and felt obligated to investigate. He asked Zhang Qian to stop the car and approached the old man, asking with concern, "Grandpa, what happened to you?"
Zhang Liunian scanned the old man from head to toe but found no apparent injuries, leaving him unsure of what was wrong.
Upon hearing someone approach, the elder seemed to grasp a lifeline and clung tightly to Zhang Liunian. "Help me, help me! I strained my back just now. Could you trouble yourself, young comrade, to take me to the infirmary? We'd be much obliged."
"Brother Liunian, since you're also injured, why don't you go get checked out too?" Zhang Qian said, recalling Zhang Liunian's own injuries after hearing the elder's words.
"Let's take Grandpa to the infirmary first! We can get checked then." Zhang Liunian did not refuse. Although he had changed his clothes, his wounds still caused discomfort if left untreated. He had originally planned to get them treated upon returning to Nancheng, but with this happening, he had to handle it locally before heading back.
Hearing this, the elder's wrinkled face broke into a smile. "You are truly good people. Good deeds will be rewarded."
Zhang Liunian did not reply. He helped the elder himself and instructed Zhang Qian, "Zhang Qian, go and open the rear door."
Zhang Qian nodded, walked to the back of the car, and opened the door. But as he opened the door to help the elder get in, his eyes widened in shock, and he cried out, "Brother Liunian!"