Chapter 83: Breaking Yi Zhonghai's Four Limbs

After coming out, everyone in the Siheyuan kept their distance from him, and even Yan Bugui, who usually fawned over him, avoided him.

The former "First Elder" now didn't even have anyone to talk to; he could only huddle in this assigned small room, like an abandoned old dog.

"It's all because of that Li Mingyuan," Yi Zhonghai gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with a venomous light, "If it weren't for him, how could I have fallen into this state!"

He clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails digging deep into his palms, yet he felt no pain at all.

Over the past half month, his hair seemed to have turned white all at once, the wrinkles on his face had deepened, and he looked at least ten years older.

Just as he was immersed in his hatred, the door was gently pushed open, and a hunched figure snuck in stealthily.

"Who?" Yi Zhonghai asked alertly.

"It's me," the person replied softly; it was none other than Long Laotai.

Long Laotai usually pretended to be deaf and dumb, but in reality, her hearing was very sharp. She carefully closed the door, looked around to confirm no one was following, and then walked up to Yi Zhonghai.

"Old Yi," Long Laotai lowered her voice, her eyes flashing with a sinister light, "You've been ruined by Li Mingyuan."

Yi Zhonghai narrowed his eyes: "What are you here for?"

Long Laotai grinned, a smile that made one's blood run cold: "I'm here to help you take revenge."

"Revenge?" Yi Zhonghai gave a bitter laugh, "In my current state, what do I have to take revenge with?"

Long Laotai leaned in closer, her voice even lower: "Li Mingyuan passes by that small path behind the back door every evening. That path is remote, has no streetlights, and very few people pass by..."

Yi Zhonghai's eyes suddenly lit up, and he stared at Long Laotai: "You mean..."

Long Laotai gave a sinister smile: "One strike with a rod, and even if he doesn't die, he'll be crippled."

Yi Zhonghai was silent for a moment, a trace of hesitation flashing in his eyes: "This... this isn't very good. What if something goes wrong..."

"What are you afraid of!" Long Laotai sneered, "You're already like this, what else is there to fear? Besides, if no evidence is left behind, who would know you did it?"

She took something out from her bosom; it was an iron rod wrapped in cloth strips: "I prepared this specially; just throw it into the river after you're done."

Yi Zhonghai took the iron rod, feeling its weight, and the hatred in his heart gradually overcame his fear.

Yes, he had already lost everything; what was there to fear?

"Fine, I'll do it," Yi Zhonghai made up his mind, his eyes flashing with a resolute light.

Long Laotai nodded with satisfaction: "Li Mingyuan is working overtime again tonight and will definitely take that path. Go set your ambush at eight-thirty, and you won't miss."

The two conspired for a long time, and only after ensuring there would be no slip-ups did Long Laotai sneak away.

Yi Zhonghai gripped the iron rod, the hatred in his heart boiling like a volcano.

This strike would be for all his humiliation and suffering!

That night, the Rolling Mill was brightly lit, and Li Mingyuan was in his office reviewing the blueprints for the anti-aircraft weapon.

It was nearly nine o'clock, and it was pitch black outside.

"Chief Engineer Li, why don't you go back and rest first? You can look at these tomorrow," a technician said with concern.

Li Mingyuan rubbed his sore eyes: "I'll look a little longer. The samples have to be sent to the Military Industry Department tomorrow; there can't be the slightest mistake."

After working for nearly another hour, Li Mingyuan finally put down his pen and let out a long sigh of relief. He checked his watch; it was nearly ten o'clock.

"It's so late, is your official car still waiting?" the technician asked.

Li Mingyuan shook his head: "Xiao Liu had something to take care of at home, so I told him to go back first. The Siheyuan is nearby; walking is fine, it clears the head."

The technician said worriedly: "It's so late, be careful on the road."

Li Mingyuan smiled: "Don't worry, it's fine."

Walking out of the factory gate, the night was like ink, and the surroundings were in total Silence. Li Mingyuan habitually chose the shortcut—a path through a small grove that could shorten the journey home by half.

The path was pitch black, with only sporadic moonlight spilling through the gaps in the leaves.

Li Mingyuan was not walking fast, his mind still pondering the design details of the anti-aircraft rocket.

Walking to a particularly dark corner, an inexplicable sense of danger suddenly struck his heart. Li Mingyuan paused his steps and pricked up his ears to listen carefully.

Faint breathing... the slight rustling of bushes...

Li Mingyuan narrowed his eyes, deliberately slowing his pace, and continued forward, pretending to be completely off guard.

Just as he passed a large tree, a black shadow suddenly lunged from behind, the iron rod in its hand heading straight for Li Mingyuan's head!

"Bang!"

The iron rod smashed into the ground, splashing up a small puff of dust. Li Mingyuan had been prepared; at the critical moment, he dodged to the side and immediately delivered a beautiful roundhouse kick, hitting the attacker square in the chest.

"Ow!" Yi Zhonghai let out a cry of pain, stumbling back a few steps.

Under the moonlight, Li Mingyuan saw the attacker's face clearly; it was Yi Zhonghai!

"So it was you," Li Mingyuan sneered, "I knew you wouldn't let it go."

Yi Zhonghai gritted his teeth, his eyes full of venom: "It's all your fault! If it weren't for you, how could I have fallen into this state! Today I'm going to take your life!"

As he spoke, he swung the iron rod and rushed up again.

But how could he be a match for Li Mingyuan? Li Mingyuan was agile, easily avoiding the attack, and followed up with a heavy uppercut to Yi Zhonghai's chin.

Yi Zhonghai's head tilted, nearly losing consciousness, but hatred sustained him to continue the attack.

"Go to hell!" Yi Zhonghai roared, sweeping the iron rod horizontally.

Li Mingyuan ducked to avoid it, and at the same time, delivered a sweep kick, hitting Yi Zhonghai's knee.

With a crisp "crack," the kneecap of Yi Zhonghai's left leg shattered, and he screamed, falling to the ground.

But Yi Zhonghai still wouldn't give up, struggling to crawl up. Li Mingyuan sneered and stepped on his right hand.

"Crack," another crisp sound of a fracture.

"Ah!" Yi Zhonghai's face twisted in pain, cold sweat streaming down.

"A person like you deserves to be punished," Li Mingyuan looked down at him, his eyes devoid of pity,

"Firing you before was already being very polite. Now that you actually dare to commit murder, don't blame me for being impolite."

After speaking, Li Mingyuan kicked him twice more, breaking Yi Zhonghai's other leg and other arm respectively.

Yi Zhonghai was in such pain he nearly fainted, lying on the ground and groaning incessantly, like an ant that had been crushed.

Li Mingyuan took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the dust off his hands.

"Just right," he muttered to himself, then looked up and shouted toward the bushes, "Comrades, you can come out now."

As soon as he finished speaking, several public security officers in plain clothes walked out from the darkness, with Li leading them.

"Chief Engineer Li, are you alright?" Li asked with concern.

Li Mingyuan shook his head: "I'm fine. Did they really think they could hurt me with such amateur skills?"

It turned out that Li Mingyuan had long ago noticed Yi Zhonghai's recent abnormal behavior, and with Long Laotai frequently entering and leaving his residence, he had guessed that the two might take action. He had notified the public security department in advance and set this trap.