Chapter Twenty-Four: The Savage Beating

Zhang Ye was not afraid of this day coming; on the contrary, he looked forward to it. Waiting like this, as if a blade were suspended over his head, ready to fall at any moment, was unbearably uncomfortable. Yet he couldn’t tell Wang Mengzi—someone as strong-willed as her would never believe without evidence; it would only breed resentment.

Inside the Liudong Restaurant, Zhang Ye hid in a corner, so when Wang Mengzi and the others left, they didn’t notice him. Then, Zhang Ye quietly followed them, trailing behind at a safe distance.

“Fortunately, Aunt Wang is still sober and hasn’t completely passed out.” The direction they were heading was Wang Mengzi’s home, which greatly relieved Zhang Ye. If Wang Mengzi were truly drunk, he had no doubt Gao Ming would take her to a hotel.

Suddenly, Gao Ming tried to grab Wang Mengzi’s hand, but she dodged him and fell a few steps behind. Clearly, she was on guard against Gao Ming’s predatory advances.

Seeing this, Zhang Ye felt a surge of joy, and his steps became lighter.

“Zhang Ye, I finally see you! Otherwise, I wouldn’t know how to repay you for saving me.” A cheerful voice sounded behind him. Zhang Ye turned around quickly and saw it was Yuan Yuqing, the female bureau chief who had been kidnapped on the bus. She wore black trousers and a white shirt, the contrasting colors accentuating her fine figure. With a delighted expression, she briskly walked toward Zhang Ye.

Zhang Ye felt awkward and stammered, “Busy… I’ve been a bit busy lately.”

When they parted back then, they had agreed to keep in touch, and Yuan Yuqing had given him her phone number. Zhang Ye had thought it was just a polite gesture and hadn’t called. Now, being approached unexpectedly, he was at a loss for words.

“What’s there to be busy about? Have you eaten yet? If not, that’s perfect—I have a dinner at Liudong Restaurant. Come and join us.” She took Zhang Ye’s hand without a trace of unfamiliarity.

“I’ve already eaten,” Zhang Ye replied quickly, feeling anxious—Gao Ming and the others were already far ahead, almost out of sight.

“It doesn’t matter if you’ve eaten. Just keep me company. Can you drink? You can help me block some drinks. After dinner, I’ll take you to a great place,” Yuan Yuqing said with a smile.

“No, I really have something to do today.” Zhang Ye freed his hand from hers.

Seeing that Zhang Ye wasn’t pretending, Yuan Yuqing realized he genuinely had business to attend to and could only agree reluctantly. Then she said, “Alright, but at least tell me your phone number…” She looked up, only to see Zhang Ye darting away like the wind, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Yuan Yuqing stood stunned. “Is it really that urgent?” She hadn’t gotten his number last time, and now she missed her chance again.

Racing like the wind, Zhang Ye finally arrived near home five minutes later.

“Gao Ming, what are you doing… stop… don’t come any closer…”

“Don’t? After all I’ve done for you? You dare reject me, tell me to stop? I insist…”

Suddenly, a heated exchange came through the earpiece, and Zhang Ye’s heart raced. No longer caring about any shock, he pushed his speed to the limit, bounding up the stairs in just a few steps and crashing straight into Wang Mengzi’s door.

Bang! Bang!

Two fierce strikes and the wooden door flew open. Zhang Ye’s eyes blazed, terrifying to behold, and he launched a vicious kick at Gao Ming, who was still entangling Wang Mengzi.

Crash!

This time, Zhang Ye kicked with fury, unleashing his full strength. Gao Ming’s tall frame was sent flying, crashing onto the sofa with such force that it slid more than half a meter. Not satisfied, Zhang Ye darted forward and pummeled Gao Ming’s face and stomach with a flurry of wild punches.

These past days, Zhang Ye had been practicing the Five Animal Frolics, his strength growing tremendously. Each punch left a bruise, and soon Gao Ming was battered beyond recognition.

“Zhang Ye, stop it! Please stop!” Wang Mengzi, startled, finally came to her senses and hurriedly grabbed Zhang Ye.

Still seething, Zhang Ye delivered two more vicious kicks, one particularly cruel, landing squarely between Gao Ming’s legs. Gao Ming howled, doubled over, and writhed in agony.

Wang Mengzi’s hair was disheveled, her face pale. “Enough, stop! If you keep going, someone’s going to die.” Though she hated Gao Ming, she feared causing a fatal incident.

“Get out!” Zhang Ye roared.

This beating was only interest paid. The dragon has its reverse scales; touch them and wrath follows. Zhang Ye’s reverse scale was the people around him—Gao Ming had dared to lay hands on Wang Mengzi, and Zhang Ye would not let him off so easily.

In his previous life, he had ruined Gao Ming’s reputation and banished him from Lihua County. Now, living life anew, he was determined to make him pay even more dearly for his actions.

“You…” Gao Ming struggled to his feet, pointing at Zhang Ye, ready to issue threats, but when he met Zhang Ye’s bloodshot eyes, his heart quivered and words failed him. He hunched over, enduring the pain, and crawled toward the exit.

“Wait.” Suddenly, Zhang Ye spoke, his gaze sharp as a blade.

At this moment, the tall chief editor was battered and bruised, his glasses shattered, his face a pitiful mess. He froze, timidly watching Zhang Ye, not daring to move.

“Pay up before you leave,” Zhang Ye demanded.

Wang Mengzi said nothing, her body trembling slightly—she was still frightened. Had Zhang Ye not arrived in time, she had no idea what might have happened.

Zhang Ye embraced her, his eyes full of pity and remorse.

Gao Ming wordlessly took five hundred yuan from his wallet and placed it on the table. He didn’t care about the loss, only wishing to escape.

“Not enough!” Zhang Ye’s voice was authoritative, not of a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, but of someone imbued with overwhelming command.

Gao Ming did not protest. He emptied his wallet, adding another five or six hundred yuan, and glanced weakly at Zhang Ye.

A wise man does not suffer unnecessary losses—between pain and money, he wisely chose the latter.

“You may leave now,” Zhang Ye nodded. He no longer pressed the matter.

With permission, Gao Ming staggered out, not daring to utter a word or linger a moment longer.

Watching Gao Ming leave, Zhang Ye strode forward, propped up the broken door, then handed the money to Wang Mengzi. “I’m sorry I was late and let you suffer,” Zhang Ye’s eyes were red with regret.

Even though he had anticipated this outcome, Zhang Ye had been delayed and didn’t make it in time, which filled him with guilt.

PS: It seems the direction of my writing has been off lately. I struggled for a long time to get this chapter out. I need to carefully consider the plot and direction from here. The next chapter will likely be late.