Chapter 974

Zhou Andong patted Zhou Anlei’s hand gripping his collar again: “Let go.”

Zhou Anlei released his grip but still stared nervously at the Chang Brother, stepping back and hiding behind Zhou Andong.

Zhou Andong sighed helplessly—where had that old fire of his gone?

“Sigh!”

Zhou Andong patted his shoulder, not even glancing at the men behind him: “Come with me.”

“Damn it!”

The Chang Brother cursed, and two men darted forward, blocking Zhou Andong’s path.

A crowd had gathered by now; Jian Qiu, Wu Hongkang, and Zhang Shenghui were all among them.

Seeing Zhou Andong surrounded, Zhang Shenghui turned pale and exclaimed anxiously:

“Old Wu, call the police fast—I’m going to help Old Zhou.”

Wu Hongkang said: “Even with you, you can’t beat them.”

Zhang Shenghui gritted his teeth: “We still have to go—otherwise Old Zhou’s in deeper trouble.”

Wu Hongkang said: “I’ll go with you. Jian Dong, you call the police.”

Jian Qiu grabbed them both: “Don’t rush—wait.”

Zhou Anlei shrank his neck, pressing closer to Zhou Andong; the sour, stinking odor made Zhou Andong frown.

“Sigh!”

Zhou Andong sighed again, slowly turning around: “So what? I’m taking him. What’s your problem?”

The Chang Brother, cigarette dangling from his lips, openly sized up Zhou Andong: “You’re Zhou Andong, he’s Zhou Anlei—you’re brothers, right?”

Zhou Andong nodded: “Yes.”

One of the men beside the Chang Brother had been staring at Zhou Andong; now he suddenly grew excited, tugged the Chang Brother’s sleeve, and whispered something in his ear.

The Chang Brother’s eyes lit up: “Really?”

“No doubt about it.” The man stared at Zhou Andong again, like a naked woman, his greed utterly unmasked.

“Didn’t expect to run into such a big shot today.” The Chang Brother grinned broadly, extending his hand: “Mr. Zhou, what an honor.”

Zhou Andong acted as if he hadn’t seen the outstretched hand, pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, and lit it.

A flash of malice crossed You Wenchang’s eyes; he retracted his hand: “I’m You Wenchang. The brothers on the street call me...”

“Cut the crap.” Zhou Andong waved his hand impatiently, cutting him off: “Get to the point. My time is precious.”

“Damn your mother!”

One of the men cursed and pulled out a knife from his body.

“What the hell are you doing?” You Wenchang glared: “Mr. Zhou is a man of high status—do you want to scare him? Put that knife away!”

The man sheathed the knife but still threatened Zhou Andong: “Watch your tongue when speaking to Brother Chang—or I’ll slit your throat.”

You Wenchang raised his hand, as if to pat Zhou Anlei’s shoulder; Zhou Anlei flinched and pulled away.

You Wenchang didn’t mind; his smile looked genuinely kind.

“Lei, you’re Mr. Zhou’s brother—why didn’t you say so earlier? If you had, you wouldn’t have suffered so much.”

Zhou Andong was genuinely irritated—this guy was even better at putting on airs than he was. How could he tolerate it?

“Listen, Mr. Chang—what’s your name again? If you’ve got nothing else, we’re leaving.”

“I’ve got plenty.” You Wenchang had no intention of letting Zhou Andong go: “Lei owes me fifty thousand. Since you’re his brother, you can pay for him.”

“Wasn’t it twenty thousand?” Zhou Anlei panicked: “Why’s it fifty now?”

You Wenchang smiled faintly: “All the food and drink I’ve provided all this time—free? Add interest, and I’ve already given you a discount. Full amount would be eighty thousand.”

“You...”

Zhou Anlei tried to argue, but Zhou Andong patted his arm and smiled: “Fifty thousand? No big deal. I don’t have it on me—come with me to get it.”

You Wenchang hadn’t expected Zhou Andong to agree so easily; he hesitated suddenly.

Then he straightened his chest—debt must be paid, that’s the law. I’ve got the IOU right here.

Worst case, I’ll knock off another twenty thousand—what’s there to fear?

Still, he warned Zhou Andong: “Mr. Zhou, I’m a tile, you’re porcelain—don’t try any tricks.”

“Fifty thousand? Not worth it.” Zhou Andong smiled faintly, turned, and said: “Let’s go!”

“Where to get it?” You Wenchang still wasn’t convinced.

Zhou Andong said: “Of course to the hotel for my bank card, then to the bank to withdraw cash—who carries fifty thousand in cash?”

You Wenchang thought it made sense, then signaled to the four men beside him.

The four men quickened their pace, catching up to Zhou Andong and Zhou Anlei, flanking them two on each side to prevent escape.

The crowd continued murmuring, many recognizing Zhou Andong.

“That’s Zhou Andong?”

“That’s him—I recognized him right away.”

“Never thought that beggar who’s always begging here is Zhou Andong’s brother.”

“Brother? I bet they’re not close—if they were, why’s he begging?”

“Didn’t you see? That guy owes triad money—fifty thousand, I bet he’s paying it off with his begging.”

“That guy’s You Wenchang—he works for Commander Tang of Yuexiu.”

Commander Tang?

Hearing the murmurs, Jian Qiu nodded to Wu Hongkang and Zhang Shenghui; the three of them trailed far behind Zhou Andong and the others.

Wu Hongkang and Zhang Shenghui exchanged glances—Zhou Andong never took losses. Not even five thousand yuan—he wouldn’t hand it over easily.

But this time, Zhou Andong agreed so readily—they knew You Wenchang was in for trouble. Big trouble.

They just didn’t know how Zhou Andong planned to deal with those men.

Because they agreed with You Wenchang’s logic: porcelain shouldn’t clash with tiles.

Zhou Andong glanced at Zhou Anlei, limping as he walked; his eyes grew colder.

He could tell Zhou Anlei’s leg was ruined—definitely because of You Wenchang.

Outside the hotel, Zhou Andong’s pace quickened; You Wenchang and the others hurried to keep up.

At the hotel entrance, Zhou Andong pushed open the door and pulled Zhou Anlei inside.

“Hurry up—don’t let them run!”

You Wenchang shouted; the five men rushed into the hotel—only to see Zhou Andong standing still.

You Wenchang exhaled in relief—this hotel had dozens of floors; if Zhou Andong ran, where would they find him?

You Wenchang sauntered over, standing beside Zhou Andong: “Mr. Zhou, why stop?”

Zhou Andong tilted his head, smiling sweetly: “Brother Chang—if I shout ‘I’ve been kidnapped,’ what happens?”

You Wenchang froze, then turned pale and tried to flee.

Zhou Andong grabbed his arm, twisted it around his neck: “I’m Zhou Andong, Chairman of Yugong Group. I’ve been kidnapped—call the police immediately.”