Seeing that Crazy Dog Brother seemed unmoved by his proposal—or at least not thoroughly convinced—Zhang Laoliu rolled his eyes and sweetened the deal.
"Brother, I heard you’ve got some beef with an outside crew. If you need it, I can help you settle it."
Wushui County wasn’t big to begin with. A ride on a three-wheeler from the south to the north of the old district took barely ten minutes.
Word on the streets never stayed hidden from those who paid attention.
The incident at Caesar KTV, where Crazy Dog Brother took a heavy loss, was common knowledge.
Of course, no one doubted Niu Ben’s ability to handle those outsiders. It was just that the demolition work in the southern district kept him too busy to deal with them immediately.
Crazy Dog Brother scoffed. "You think you can handle them? Don’t tell me you actually believe they’re pushovers?"
Zhang Laoliu thumped his chest. "Crazy Dog Brother, ask around. I’ve been in Wushui County for years—when have I ever talked big? Those outsiders might be fierce, but they’re just passing dragons. A strong dragon still won’t crush a local snake."
"Don’t worry, Crazy Dog Brother. When Zhang Laoliu gets things done, he never lets his brothers down."
Here, a sleazy grin crept onto his face. "Oh, and I heard their leader’s a real looker. Once I nab her, we can... heh..."
"I—"
Before Crazy Dog Brother could speak—
BANG!
The noodle shop’s door was flung open.
A chubby young man swaggered in, followed by five or six thugs with bleached hair.
"Crazy Dog, you’re a hard man to find. Out and about without even saying hi to your big bro? What, plotting against the young miss?"
Crazy Dog Brother’s face paled as he shot to his feet. "Brother Ma, it’s a misunderstanding! I’d never dare cross Sister Tong!"
Zhang Laoliu, seeing this, slammed the table and stood. "The hell’s your problem? Who do you think you’re talking to like that? You wanna die?"
Though he only had seven or eight lackeys with him, he played up his bravado to impress Crazy Dog Brother.
Ma Da smirked, his tone dripping with mockery. "Just now, you were discussing how to deal with the young miss and us. Now you’re asking where I’m from? Pathetic."
Zhang Laoliu blinked, then realized. "So you’re the guys from Bright Pearl City! Should’ve stayed in heaven instead of barging into hell!"
He turned to Crazy Dog Brother. "Watch me handle this, bro! Today, I’ll teach this punk a lesson!"
With that, he waved at his men. "Boys, get ready!"
His lackeys scrambled up, chairs scraping.
Ma Da’s expression darkened, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "You wanna teach me a lesson? Got guts."
He snapped his fingers.
In the next second, a flood of people—over thirty—poured into the shop, surrounding Zhang Laoliu and his men in an instant.
Zhang Laoliu’s face went white.
He hadn’t expected them to bring so many. They were hopelessly outnumbered.
Crazy Dog Brother’s stomach dropped.
"Brother Ji!" he shouted.
Ji Yu, who’d been hunched over his noodles, stood up.
His massive frame loomed like a mountain, instantly drawing every eye in the room.
The crowd froze, staring in shock at the giant.
In real life, they’d never seen anyone so tall, so broad—just standing there, he radiated an oppressive aura.
Even Ma Da frowned, tension flickering across his face.
Crazy Dog Brother knew Ma Da had dirt on him. Even with Ji Yu here, he couldn’t risk a fight.
"Brother Ma—"
But before he could explain, Zhang Laoliu—suddenly emboldened—spat out,
"With Brother Ji and Crazy Dog Brother here, let’s see you try anything!"
At Ji Yu’s size, he could probably take on twenty men single-handedly, right?
Ma Da’s cold gaze swept over Zhang Laoliu before settling on Crazy Dog Brother. "Crazy Dog, seems you need a lesson in consequences."
Crazy Dog Brother’s heart lurched. He waved his hands frantically. "Brother Ma, it’s all a mistake—"
Zhang Laoliu, oblivious, kept running his mouth. "Crazy Dog Brother, don’t back down! I’ll call in more guys, we’ll crush them!"
Crazy Dog Brother nearly choked on his rage. He slapped Zhang Laoliu hard across the face. "Shut the hell up!"
Zhang Laoliu clutched his cheek, bewildered. "Crazy Dog Brother, why hit me? I’m on your side! Weren’t we gonna deal with that little—"
Damn it!
Damn it all!
Just shut up already!
As Ma Da’s expression turned stormier, Crazy Dog Brother roared, "When did I ever say that? Get on your knees!"
Zhang Laoliu: "???"
Kneel?
What?
Ji Yu stepped forward. "Where?"
"In front of Brother Ma," Crazy Dog Brother said.
Before Zhang Laoliu could react, Ji Yu was behind him—one hand gripping his neck, the other kicking the back of his knees.
THUD.
Zhang Laoliu hit the floor, utterly helpless, his descent eerily smooth.
Tears welled up. "Crazy Dog Brother, fine, you can have the girl—"
He still didn’t get why Crazy Dog Brother had turned on him.
"Shut up!" Crazy Dog Brother was losing it, especially when Ma Da’s men pulled out telescopic batons. "Make him shut up!"
Ji Yu scratched his head, pondering how to silence Zhang Laoliu.
Then he spotted the noodle shop owner peeking from the kitchen, clutching a thick rolling pin.
His eyes lit up.
He strode over, snatched the pin, returned, pried Zhang Laoliu’s mouth open, and shoved it in.
"MMPH—!" Zhang Laoliu’s eyes bulged before he passed out cold.
Ji Yu crouched, inspected him, then nodded solemnly.
"Tight fit. He’s shut up."
