Chapter 196: Kneel and Call Me Sir, Then I

In these times, workers' sense of pride is the strongest, but the most proud are the Grand Courtyard kids.

Don't be fooled by the apparent harmony between the blue and green camps at the ice rink now; a few years ago there was a large‑scale melee, with people pulling out boards and bricks, even three‑pronged bayonets were nothing, and some even fired guns.

At that time many were arrested and given strict re‑education, which led to the subsequent harmony, though only a relative harmony.

Although the large‑scale melee never happened again, neither side accepted the other, and minor skirmishes never ceased.

All these frictions were mostly over women, especially beautiful women.

Whoever could take the most beautiful woman from the rink would definitely be the top dog.

Lu Ying and Lin Qingyan attracted many eyes as soon as they entered the Hua Bing Chang.

But the group dressed in work cloths dared not approach, because they recognized her as Lu San'er's sister.

They knew Lu Cheng was fierce in fights, reckless, and would avenge any insult; even Xiao Piqiu, whose nickname was that, only chuckled when Lu Cheng scolded him and dared not retort.

Compared with the relatively united Grand Courtyard kids of the green camp, the blue camp, which includes all sorts from the Three Teachings Nine Streams, is split into many small factions that frequently clash.

Lu Cheng, however, belongs to no small faction and can hang out with anyone.

So when Lu Cheng shouted, a black‑clad crowd rushed toward the opposite corner of the ice rink.

With so many crowding into one spot, the ice surface itself trembled.

The Grand Courtyard kids sensed something wrong and instinctively reached for the green canvas bag on their chest, which held boards and bricks.

When Lu Cheng arrived, someone was about to forcibly grab Lin Qingyan and spin her around, but before making contact, Lu Cheng kicked him more than ten meters away.

That's not an exaggeration; the ice below is freshly polished, and because it's so smooth, he slid that far.

Another person blocked the way, refusing the sister to leave, and Lu Cheng smashed him to the ground with a punch.

The incident happened so suddenly that the Grand Courtyard group was stunned for a moment; once they recovered, they all pulled boards and bricks from their canvas bags.

They intended to surround Lu Cheng and give him a good lesson.

At that moment, a group from the blue camp also arrived, clearly outnumbering the Grand Courtyard side.

Xiao Piqiu stepped forward, pointing at the Grand Courtyard group and shouted, "Everyone stay still, let's see who dares to move. Don't think just because you have boards and bricks that we don't have them too."

As soon as Xiao Piqiu finished speaking, everyone also took boards and bricks from their canvas bags and weighed them in their hands.

Mass brawls are often hard to start, because the more people there are, the higher the chance they know each other.

Without much talk, they gave each other face, and the matter settled.

Thus, when both sides had all drawn boards and bricks and a stalemate formed, a person from the Grand Courtyard stepped forward wearing an officer's coat.

If we talk about the real luxury items of this era, they're not imported watches or televisions; those things have prices and can be bought if you have money and tickets.

The true luxury is the officer's coat; its material is exquisite, and wearing it exudes great elegance—something even the rich can't obtain.

Anyone who can wear such a coat would look extremely imposing.

But such coats are only seen in the Grand Courtyard, and the wearer's father's rank must be high.

Therefore, the officer's coat is a symbol of status and identity.

When that officer stepped forward, the Grand Courtyard kids promptly gave way.

Xiao Piqiu, seeing the other side, changed from a smug expression to a forced smile.

"Wu Zhekun? How come it's you? It's been a while since I last saw you."

Wu Zhekun first gave Xiao Piqiu a glance, then adjusted his officer's coat; his dashing look immediately sparked shy, low‑voice chatter among the nearby girls.

Wu Zhekun, unfazed, said, "Xiao Piqiu, it's been a while. What's up today? I didn't provoke you, did I?"

"No, no, everyone is just doing their own thing…"

"Since I didn't provoke you, what does it mean that your people hit my people?"

Xiao Piqiu was stunned; Wu Zhekun had taken Lu Cheng as his own man.

But he didn't realize that Lu Cheng has always been a free‑spirited person, and he isn't especially close or distant with any of their small factions.

Although their small factions usually don't get along, when the Grand Courtyard kids are involved, those factions instantly unite.

So whether Lu Cheng is his man or not, he belongs to the blue camp.

Hence Xiao Piqiu had to step forward to settle the circle.

"It's just a misunderstanding; the young ones get hot‑tempered and lose control. Give me a little face, okay?"

Wu Zhekun didn't want to make a big fuss; he's about to enlist, and his father keeps warning him to behave, lest he cause trouble at this critical moment.

But saying the whole matter in a few sentences isn't possible.

So many brothers are watching; if they don't restore some face, who will respect him later?

At this point Wu Zhekun looked at Lu Cheng, sized him up, and said, "Your skills are pretty good, but you hit the wrong person today. For Xiao Piqiu's sake, kneel down and call me 'Sir', and I'll forgive you."

The person who was speechless actually laughed; hearing the words, Lu Cheng couldn't hold back a laugh.

Wu Zhekun immediately furrowed his brows.

Seeing this, Xiao Piqiu hurried forward: "Lu San'er, there's really no need. Give me a little face, tell him you're sorry, I'll mediate, and that'll be that."

Lu Cheng tore at his arm: "Xiao Piqiu, if you can't persuade, stop meddling. In my dictionary there's no 'sorry' word. If you're a coward, you can go over there."

Xiao Piqiu was instantly at a loss for words; he's from the blue camp, he can't go to the green camp.

He knew well that the Grand Courtyard kids always think highly of themselves; even if they seem friendly on the surface, they'll never truly regard him.

If he really went to the green camp, later the blue camp wouldn't accept him back.

The most despised are traitors.

Even if you can't win, you must never admit cowardice.

Noticing everyone looking at him oddly, Xiao Piqiu realized his words made him seem cowardly, so he obediently stepped aside.

With the mediator gone, Wu Zhekun was suddenly caught between retreat and advance; retreat would label him a coward.

But if he advanced, a large‑scale brawl would inevitably break out today.

Once a brawl erupts, bloodshed is inevitable, and if his father finds out, his enlistment will be ruined.

There's another crucial matter: compared with the blue camp, fewer kids from the Grand Courtyard showed up today, so even if we want to fight we can't win.

Just as he was at a loss, Qin Shou saw his worry and stepped forward from behind on his own.

Lin Qingyan's body jolted the moment she saw Qin Shou.

How is he also here?