Chapter 48: Chapter Forty-One: A Closed Door

Hu LianGou obviously knew the internet cafe owner too—he and Chen Yan had been classmates in college, not in the same dorm but often skipping class together to stay overnight at the internet cafe. They’d even been caught during dorm inspections and written confessions together.

Back then, when Hu LianGou first saw the owner, he was utterly stunned—she was like a goddess to him, and he’d actually fawned over her for days.

But the owner had zero interest in someone like Hu LianGou, so he eventually gave up.

Chen Yan thought for a moment: “I don’t have her number. Give me her phone number.”

“Huh?” Hu LianGou blinked. “You’re the one closest to her—you don’t even have her number?”

“Stop talking. Just send it to me.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll send it right after I hang up.”

After the call ended, Hu LianGou sent a number—he’d gotten her number years ago under the pretense of reserving an all-night computer slot. Many students had her number.

But Chen Yan had never thought to add her.

With the number in hand, Chen Yan dialed once.

She hung up immediately.

Not surprising—she was dealing with something serious, probably didn’t want to answer unknown calls. These days, spam calls were everywhere.

Chen Yan dialed again.

This time, she answered.

Chen Yan spoke quickly: “Miss, it’s Chen Yan.”

“...” There was a pause on the other end, then a familiar, slightly hoarse female voice: “Xiao Yan?”

Chen Yan replied calmly: “I heard you’re having some trouble.”

At that, the owner fell silent again, then burst into tears: “My brothers were taken away!”

“Which brothers? The second, third, or fourth?”

“All of them. All taken.”

What the hell?

Chen Yan froze, then asked: “What exactly happened?”

“F-fought someone.”

Chen Yan exhaled slightly—he was relieved at least it wasn’t murder.

In one minute, the owner gave him a fragmented account.

Her three brothers—the ones who stood like door gods at the entrance—had beaten someone outside.

And apparently, it was tied to some revenge.

Luckily, the victim wasn’t seriously hurt—just some bruises and scrapes.

But her three brothers... well, they weren’t exactly sharp.

If you’re going to do something illegal, at least pick a secluded spot.

Instead, they just went straight up and started fighting in the middle of a mall.

Didn’t they know malls are full of cameras?

They ran off that night, but the police showed up at their home the next evening.

Now, the owner was about to go meet the victim.

She planned to apologize, negotiate compensation—and most importantly, get a letter of forgiveness.

With that letter, she could secure a lighter sentence.

Hearing this, Chen Yan said directly: “Send me the address. I’m coming with you.”

“Huh? Xiao Yan? You...”

“Enough talk, Miss.” Chen Yan cut in quickly. “You’re a woman going alone to apologize. What if the victim’s still angry and yells or threatens you? You need a man standing in front of you to shield you.”

The owner fell silent, as if hesitating. After a few seconds, she whispered: “Xiao Yan, really, you don’t need to— I can handle this myself...”

“Stop dithering. Send me the address. We’ll talk when we meet.”

Saying that, Chen Yan hung up.

A few seconds later, the owner sent the victim’s address.

Chen Yan looked at the address—and his expression turned strange.

“Luo Yun Zhai?”

Seriously?

Who the hell did the owner’s three brothers beat up?

·

Chen Yan arrived first at the commercial street where Luo Yun Zhai was located. He stood by the roadside waiting, and from afar, he saw the owner walking toward him, asking passersby for directions.

She looked worn out—dark circles under her eyes, clearly hadn’t slept well in two days.

She wore a hastily thrown-on coat that didn’t match her shoes, her hair hastily tied up without any care.

Chen Yan walked up and grabbed her arm, pulling her to the side. She startled, then recognized him and looked frantic: “Xiao Yan, it’s just ahead—let’s hurry...”

“No rush.” Chen Yan pointed toward Luo Yun Zhai. “I’ve already checked the place. But before we go in, tell me everything that happened.”

The owner looked anxious, but Chen Yan led her to the tea house across from Luo Yun Zhai—the same one he’d visited when scouting the place before.

He pulled her inside, found a window seat, and ordered a pot of tea.

The owner had no interest in tea. She fretted: “Xiao Yan, I know you want to help, but this isn’t something a young kid like you can handle. Listen to me—either go home now, or just stay quiet beside me when we go in.”

“Huh?”

The owner sighed: “My three brothers are troublemakers. Over the years, I’ve handled this kind of thing for them countless times.

They beat someone, cause trouble—I always go to the victim’s house to apologize, beg for mercy, pay compensation. If I get a letter of forgiveness, the punishment gets reduced—I know how this works.

I’ve checked: the victim’s injuries aren’t serious. He’s just still angry.

When we meet him, if he yells or insults you, don’t defend me. My brothers beat him—I deserve to be scolded. Do you understand?”

The owner had deeper thoughts she didn’t voice clearly—she didn’t want to hurt the pride of this young boy.

In her eyes, Chen Yan was just a child—a naive, fresh-out-of-college boy with no clue about the real world. What did he know? What could he do?

She appreciated his willingness to come along, but deep down, she didn’t believe he could help at all. She’d have to handle this herself.

Chen Yan could guess her thoughts, but he didn’t say anything—anyone would think the same. Her mindset was normal.

He didn’t have a sign on his forehead saying: I’m a cultivated master.

Why should she trust him blindly over something this big?

“We’re already here. A few more minutes won’t hurt. Tell me everything in detail. I don’t know if I can help—but maybe I can offer some advice.” Chen Yan’s tone was patient.

“...Alright.” The owner looked at his youthful face and finally nodded.

·

The story was roughly the same as what she’d told him on the phone.

But according to the owner’s guess, her three brothers had taken a job—probably paid to do something.

They were violent and had no real skills. They’d been doing this kind of thing regularly—no major crimes, but constant small trouble.

Otherwise, how would they have even crossed paths with Luo Yun Zhai people, let alone beaten them?

Knowing her brothers, they’d been hired by some shady friends to do this dirty work.

·

“That’s why a few days ago, they suddenly gave me a few thousand yuan, saying they earned it doing some job outside. They told me to save it for New Year’s shopping. That money was probably the payment.”

Chen Yan nodded: “What’s the victim’s name?”

“...Luo Qing.”

Chen Yan’s lips curled.

Sure enough—it was that [Uncle Qing].

He wasn’t surprised at all.

What a ridiculous coincidence.

·

The incident went like this: in the mall, Uncle Qing was casually strolling with someone when the owner’s three brothers suddenly rushed out and punched him in the face, knocking him dazed, then kicked and beat him.

What angered Luo Qing most wasn’t the injuries—it was the humiliation.

His carefully groomed white hair, always perfectly combed, was his trademark—he used it to project an aura of wisdom and dignity.

But the owner’s brothers were cruel.

Someone had brought a hair clipper and pinned Luo Qing to the ground, then buzzed his head with a loud, relentless buzz.

They turned his noble white hair into a shaggy, balding mess—like a shorn dog’s backside.

·

Chen Yan wasn’t surprised Luo Qing got beaten—he was a despicable man.

Given his behavior, this wasn’t his first time cheating someone—he’d probably offended countless people.

Getting revenge wasn’t surprising.

But Chen Yan wondered: could this have been Master Fang’s doing?

If Master Fang hired them, then Chen Yan was now entangled in this—he’d been the one to expose Luo Yun Zhai’s fraud to Master Fang.

The incense laced with bone powder of resentment had caused Master Fang to suffer for nearly a month—illness, broken bones, and financial loss.

Master Fang was no saint. Once he found out, how could he not retaliate?

Chen Yan wasn’t blindly loyal to friends. If the brothers had beaten an innocent person, he’d help with compensation or arrangements.

But beating someone like Luo Qing? He deserved it.

His worldview was that of a simple, ordinary commoner:

Hitting someone is wrong.

But if the one being hit is a villain, that’s another matter.

·

“Don’t be too anxious,” Chen Yan said slowly. “Whether or not they give you the letter of forgiveness, your three younger brothers will still have to stay inside for some days. All the letter does is shorten their stay. Your brothers are no longer children—they can’t keep doing this. Letting them suffer a little now and learn a lesson isn’t a bad thing.”

The shopkeeper looked at him and sighed. “That’s true, but… I still can’t help but worry. It’s almost the New Year—can’t they at least spend it at home…”

Chen Yan said nothing, but in his heart he wondered: So what if it’s the New Year?

Many Chinese beliefs Chen Yan did not agree with—things like “It’s the New Year, so we must…”

They always insist on going to great lengths to accommodate things that clearly don’t matter.

But he didn’t say it aloud. Though he got along well with the shopkeeper, the ones involved were her own brothers.

“Let’s go. I’ll accompany you to meet the man who was beaten.”

Now that he knew the full story, Chen Yan rose and pulled the shopkeeper along. They left the teahouse and headed straight across to Luo Yun Zhai. Inside, he found a shop assistant; the shopkeeper stated her purpose…

The result…

·

“Not seeing anyone?”

The shopkeeper froze, her face anxious. “I—”

The shop assistant, as if already instructed, shook his head. “Uncle Qing said he won’t receive visitors. He specifically ordered that if the assailant’s family comes, he won’t see them at all.”

·

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