Ma Da couldn't help but gape when he saw Ji Yu knock Zhang Laoliu unconscious with a rolling pin.
This was just too brutal.
He couldn’t even imagine how it would feel if that rolling pin were shoved into his own mouth.
Still, he couldn’t help but feel a flicker of admiration for the giant that was Ji Yu.
This guy got things done—clean and efficient. Sure, he seemed a little slow in the head, but he was obedient, and his combat skills were undoubtedly top-notch.
Right now, the Wanlong Society was in desperate need of someone like him—someone who could fight.
Just as Ma Da was scheming about how to poach Ji Yu from Feng Gou, the latter scurried over with an ingratiating smile.
"Brother Ma, this is all a huge misunderstanding! How would I ever dare to go against Sister Tong—or you? This was all Zhang Laoliu’s doing, acting on his own! I’ve always despised these kinds of snakes. Even if you hadn’t shown up, I would’ve dealt with him myself!"
Ma Da narrowed his eyes. "But what I just heard from him didn’t sound like that."
Feng Gou clasped his hands together. "Brother Ma, I swear I’m the victim here! We were just here to eat noodles when this guy showed up with his crew to collect protection money. The moment he saw us, he tried bribing me, even tried dragging me into his scheme against you!"
"The second I heard that, I shut him down! My respect for Sister Tong and you, Brother Ma, is as boundless as the endless river! You’ve got to believe me!"
His tone was dripping with deference.
Such was the fate of a man with no leverage.
If not for the dirt they had on him—and Ji Yu’s presence—he would’ve already thrown down with Ma Da and his men.
Ma Da deliberately feigned skepticism. "Really?"
Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t have bought a word of Feng Gou’s nonsense.
But after seeing Ji Yu, he’d changed his mind.
This man—he had to have him.
Feng Gou nodded frantically. "Really, absolutely true! Just say the word, and I’ll chop Zhang Laoliu up myself, then personally beg Sister Tong for forgiveness!"
Ma Da waved him off. "The young miss is busy. She doesn’t have time for your theatrics."
Feng Gou hurriedly agreed. "Yes, yes, of course! Sister Tong is destined to be a big shot in Wushui County. Why would she bother with a nobody like me?"
"Brother Ma, have you and the boys eaten yet? If not, let me treat you all to some noodles—authentic Iron Ox beef noodles! No scallions, no cilantro, just how you like it!"
"Not hungry." Ma Da turned his gaze to Ji Yu, who stood silently nearby. "What’s this brother’s name again? I’m quite interested in him."
Feng Gou quickly introduced him. "This is Ji Yu, my boss’s personal bodyguard. He’s just temporarily assigned to me."
Ma Da walked straight up to Ji Yu and cut to the chase. "Brother, how about joining the Wanlong Society?"
Ji Yu didn’t react, as if he hadn’t heard a word. He just stood there, motionless, beside Feng Gou.
Feng Gou seemed to realize what Ma Da was plotting. He quickly pulled him aside and whispered, "Brother Ma, if you’re thinking of recruiting Ji Yu, you’re barking up the wrong tree. He’s Niu Ben’s personal bodyguard. He only takes orders from Niu Ben—no one else."
Then, he tapped his own temple meaningfully. "And, well… he’s not all there upstairs."
"Feng Gou, you got out on bail without notifying Sister Tong, then conspired with these scumbags against her. You think a few sweet words will make this go away?" Ma Da said coldly.
Feng Gou nearly dropped to his knees. "Brother Ma—"
Ma Da cut him off impatiently. "Save it! I don’t care how you do it, but Ji Yu is coming with me. Otherwise, you know what’ll happen."
Feng Gou wiped sweat from his brow. "Brother Ma, I really can’t! Ji Yu is Niu Ben’s favorite—he only listens to the boss! I can’t command him!"
Ma Da smirked. "Didn’t you just say he only listens to your boss? Use your brain."
Feng Gou froze, then gritted his teeth. "Fine… I’ll try?"
Ma Da nodded. "Hurry up. I’m not waiting around."
Feng Gou immediately pulled out his phone and dialed Niu Ben.
Of course, he didn’t tell the truth. Instead, he spun a dramatic tale—claiming he’d found the perfect opportunity to strike against Liu Yutong and her people, but Ji Yu’s refusal to cooperate had ruined everything.
On the other end, Niu Ben fell silent for a few seconds before growling, "Put Ji Yu on."
Feng Gou hastily handed the phone to Ji Yu.
Niu Ben’s voice crackled through the speaker. "Ji Yu, from now on, Feng Gou speaks for me. His words are my words. Got it? Whatever he tells you to do, you do it."
Ji Yu gripped the phone and nodded. "Yes… big brother."
Something felt off, though. He wasn’t deaf—he’d heard Feng Gou offering to hand him over to these strangers. But his mind worked in straight lines, so he didn’t question it.
After hanging up, Ji Yu wordlessly stepped beside Ma Da.
Feng Gou forced a smile. "Brother Ma, about today’s incident—"
"I never saw you today." With that, Ma Da led Ji Yu and his men out of the noodle shop.
Feng Gou exhaled in relief. "That was too damn close."
He knew he had no power to resist Ma Da now.
Even if Ji Yu could wipe them all out, so what?
If Ma Da so much as whispered a word to Niu Ben, he’d be dead before sunrise.
Time to run.
The more he thought about it, the clearer it became—Wushui County’s waters were getting murkier by the day. If he stayed, he’d drown.
And he was still out on bail. If he got convicted later, it was back to prison.
Better to flee now than wait for disaster.
With Ji Yu off his hands, no one was watching him anymore.
Mind made up, Feng Gou flagged down a motorized rickshaw and sped toward the bus station.
But the moment he reached the entrance, just steps from escape, several figures blocked his path.
Nightclub.
After hanging up, Niu Ben couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.
But then he thought of Ji Yu—his most loyal enforcer—and dismissed his doubts.
Ji Yu would never betray him.
What he didn’t realize was that Ji Yu’s loyalty was exactly why he’d been sold out.
Just as he was about to call Feng Gou back for an update, his phone rang.
He answered—and within seconds, his face turned ashen.
"Useless! Every last one of you!"
