Chapter 299: The Seven Deadly Sins

The companion who had come with Wang Wang Yajuan felt helpless seeing Accountant Zhou so clumsy with words that he didn't even know how to compliment someone.

Since today was the song and dance troupe's day off, and thinking to play matchmaker for a relative, she had invited out the several most beautiful women from the troupe.

She hadn't expected her own cousin to be so incapable of holding his own in polite society.

Zhou Zhou Miaomiao smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "Wang Yajuan, this is just how Accountant Zhou is; he's extremely honest."

Wang Wang Yajuan also understood what Zhou Zhou Miaomiao meant, as this had been discussed before leaving the song and dance troupe.

At the time, Wang Wang Yajuan had been unwilling to come, but she couldn't resist the persuasion of Zhou Zhou Miaomiao and the others, plus her family was urging her regarding her marriage.

Wang Wang Yajuan's parents, seeing their daughter was nearly of age, were pressing her to find someone within her work unit.

People in this era had very simple thoughts, believing that if a husband and wife worked in the same unit, they could look out for each other.

In later generations, a husband and wife working in the same unit would be a disaster.

It was not only a matter of personal avoidance; even some companies would impose restrictions.

Zhou Zhou Miaomiao had persuaded Wang Wang Yajuan to come out and take a look precisely because Wang Wang Yajuan had a good family background, a good upbringing, and was good-looking.

This was what blind dating looked like in this era.

"Mm, quite nice."

Seeing that Wang Wang Yajuan was merely being polite and said nothing more, Zhou Zhou Miaomiao knew Wang Wang Yajuan had not taken a liking to her cousin.

Beautiful women were always proud; that was normal. Zhou Zhou Miaomiao feared today would not succeed, so she had even brought someone along to provide cover.

Han Lu, sitting beside Wang Wang Yajuan, received the signal from Zhou Zhou Miaomiao and said with a smile, "It's better for a man to be a bit more honest; that makes him reliable."

"Exactly, exactly."

On the other side, Zhou Zhou Miaomiao nodded and said, "Moreover, Accountant Zhou is educated, talented, and has good family conditions."

Wang Wang Yajuan glanced at Zhou Zhou Delu, whose eyes were fixed on her, then casually flicked her gaze toward the scoundrel at a nearby table who was lowering his head to avoid her.

Who said it's better for a man to be a bit more honest?

Since ancient times, if a man isn't bad, a woman won't love him.

The Zhou Zhou Delu before her was superior in every way compared to that person, so why couldn't she muster any interest in the man right in front of her?

Wang Wang Yajuan also knew the purpose behind Zhou Zhou Miaomiao bringing Li Dan along today, but marriage wasn't about forcing two people together like a mismatched pair.

Wang Wang Yajuan, who was born with an artistic air, had read many romantic love novels.

It wasn't that she envied the tortuous love stories in those books; Wang Wang Yajuan simply wanted someone she liked.

"Zhou Miaomiao, let's go wander around the Temple of Heaven in a while; I haven't properly gone there to play yet."

Seeing Wang Wang Yajuan change the subject, Zhou Zhou Miaomiao understood her intent, and recalling her mother's and second aunt's exhortations, she felt somewhat discouraged.

"What is there to see in winter? That place is already dilapidated."

Because Zhou Zhou Miaomiao had failed to complete her mission, her tone became somewhat downcast.

Wang Wang Yajuan didn't truly want to go to the Temple of Heaven to look around, so seeing Zhou Zhou Miaomiao refuse, she lowered her brows and focused on eating the dishes before her.

"If you want to go, just go; it's right nearby. Once we finish eating, we'll head over. Whatever you want to play, we'll go play."

Zhou Zhou Delu eagerly pushed a plate of meat toward Wang Wang Yajuan's side, then asked, "Is there anything else you want to eat? If you want something, we can order more."

This move angered Zhou Zhou Miaomiao greatly, because the four of them had only ordered one plate of meat in total, with everything else being side dishes.

Now, in order to curry favor with Wang Wang Yajuan, Zhou Zhou Delu had moved all the meat in front of her, leaving Zhou Zhou Miaomiao and Han Lu able only to stare at the side dishes and fume.

"You're too polite; this is plenty. I don't eat much; it's enough for all of us to share."

As she spoke, Wang Wang Yajuan pushed the plate of meat back to its original position.

Feeling her cousin valued beauty over loyalty, Zhou Zhou Miaomiao retaliated by saying, "Accountant Zhou, why not order another plate? This isn't quite enough to eat."

Han Lu, who was there to provide cover, instantly transformed into a supporter; seeing Zhou Zhou Miaomiao speak up, she opened her mouth and said, "That's right, Accountant Zhou, you have the highest salary among us; if you're treating us, shouldn't we eat our fill?"

Facing his sister's betrayal from behind and Han Lu's provocation, Zhou Zhou Delu found himself in a dilemma, like riding a tiger with no way to dismount.

It was originally just a polite remark; now they wanted another plate and to eat their fill? This single plate was worth nearly two days of his wages; who dared to eat like that? Did they have a mine at home?

"Um... look, Comrade Wang Yajuan herself said it's enough to eat."

With a slightly reddened face, Zhou Zhou Delu pushed the meat in front of Zhou Zhou Miaomiao and the other two, saying, "Well, you guys eat; I eat this often at home and don't really like it."

Good heavens, he had never seen such blatant boasting; eating it often and not liking it?

In this day and age, was there anyone who didn't like meat?

Seeing her cousin being stingy, Zhou Zhou Miaomiao could do nothing about it; she pouted, picked up a piece of meat, and placed it on the grill, muttering to herself, "With such a stingy appearance, he still wants to find a girl from the song and dance troupe? Keep dreaming."

Han Lu's mission for the day was already accomplished, so now she ate boldly and freely; as for whether there was more or less meat, since she wasn't paying the bill anyway, she would eat as much as she could.

Zhou Zhou Delu watched his sister and the helper she had brought devouring the meat in large bites, while Wang Wang Yajuan had only moved her chopsticks once before stopping.

Looking at the slices of meat sizzling with fragrant aroma, Zhou Zhou Delu swallowed his saliva and said to Wang Wang Yajuan, "You should eat too; do you want me to grill some for you?"

"No need, no need; my appetite is small, and I'm already full."

Wang Wang Yajuan waved her hand to indicate she had finished eating, then immediately set down her chopsticks.

"Oh, bringing three young ladies out to eat barbecue and only ordering one plate of meat?"

Zhou Zhou Delu was just about to speak when he heard a mocking voice come from behind him.

At first, he thought it was the person Wang Wang Yajuan had been secretly watching; he wasn't stupid, of course he had noticed Wang Wang Yajuan's unusual behavior.

Today, Zhou Zhou Delu was already filled with anger; earlier, when he went to his sister's work unit to find her, he had encountered Wang Wang Yajuan, who was practicing her skills at the time.

Her blue tight-fitting practice suit stretched over her figure, accentuating her curves, while a pair of blue cotton high-waisted socks made the beauty before him appear exceptionally elegant.

At that moment, Zhou Zhou Delu had decided he must win this woman over; upon returning home, he had begged his mother to intervene and ask Zhou Zhou Miaomiao, hoping to win the beauty's heart through an indirect route.

Everything had been proceeding smoothly; today, Zhou Zhou Delu had even spent a fortune to treat them to a meal at a restaurant and a stroll in the park.

But never in his wildest dreams did he expect that the object of his affection would keep secretly looking at another person.

What made him even angrier was Zhou Zhou Miaomiao; after only saying two words, she immediately asked for more food. Was she here to help or just to eat?

As if that wasn't enough, she even brought someone else along to eat as well.

This bellyful of anger remained trapped in his heart, unvented, because his upbringing did not permit him to act so.

Yet if he could tolerate the three women before him, could he not also tolerate others? After all, as an accountant, he was somewhat of a figure within the factory.

"You damn..."

Zhou Zhou Delu rose to his feet, ready to unleash his fury upon the loose-tongued individual, intending to teach a lesson to the person his blind-date companion had been staring at.

But the moment he stood and turned, he saw a young man dangling a cigarette between his lips, lounging casually as he watched him.

Meanwhile, the very person he had intended to curse sat perfectly fine over there, continuing to eat his meal.

"Oh ho, so you've got a temper, do you?"

"Hahahaha!"

As soon as the young man finished speaking, the seven or eight followers behind him burst into loud laughter together.

Zhou Zhou Delu stared at the crowd before him, stunned and dumbfounded with fear.

What situation was this? Had he encountered thugs?

Just look at what sort of people these were—ruffianly and rogue-ish; at a glance, they were clearly bad men.

"Bastard, speak the words you left unfinished just now."

The leading young thug drew a metal pipe from his sleeve and pressed it against Zhou Zhou Delu's chest.

Zhou Zhou Delu's legs had gone soft with terror; speaking the words was out of the question—he could barely speak at all now.

"Th-th-this is a misunderstanding, I-I-I..."

Seeing Zhou Zhou Delu stuttering from fright, the young man grinned wickedly and mimicked him: "I-I-I-I, I what?"

"Hahahahahaha!"

These young thugs seemed to have an exceptionally low threshold for humor; a casual remark from their leader was enough to provoke their laughter.

This display of intimidation thoroughly frightened Zhou Zhou Delu.

In all the years from his education through his employment, where had he ever encountered such a scene? This was no occasion for civilized and progressive people to participate in.

"Brother, let's go."

Zhou Zhou Miaomiao, frightened by these people as well, knew they were no good; they were certainly not here for her cousin, but definitely targeting her and the others.

Zhou Zhou Delu wished to leave, but the metal pipe pressed against his chest would not allow it.

"Little sister, you're quite pretty."

The young thug shoved Zhou Zhou Delu, pushing him back onto his chair, then walked to the table and smiled at Zhou Zhou Miaomiao and the others, saying, "Does a coward like this even deserve to bring such beautiful misses out to dine?"

As he spoke, he flicked his finger to overturn the plate of meat, spilling the remaining bloody juices across the entire table.

"Tsk tsk tsk."

Seeing the expressions of fear and indignation on the three young women's faces, the young thug grew even more excited.

"Look at your wretched, poverty-stricken appearance; you can't even afford to let us finish one plate of meat. Follow me instead, little sisters, and I guarantee you'll have enough meat to eat—provided you let me eat the meat on your chests."

"Hahahahahaha!"

The seven or eight underlings stationed behind for the purpose of laughing erupted again upon hearing this risqué jest.

"Waiter, bring me ten plates of meat; let my little sisters eat their fill!"

This young man was remarkably generous, ordering ten plates of meat in one breath, which caused both Zhou Zhou Miaomiao and Han Lu to display expressions of astonishment.

Han Lu, whose mouth watered with craving, involuntarily swallowed; the meat just now had been truly delicious, yet there had been too little of it—like Zhu Zhu Bajie eating the ginseng fruit, the flavor barely tasted before it was gone.

Now, seeing someone invite them to eat ten plates of meat at once, both women found their stomachs unconsciously influencing their minds.

This was not unusual; women sometimes possess such lines of thought.

Similar incidents occurred in later generations as well: a ten-yuan bowl of spicy hot pot once led to seven instances of sexual relations.

Did these women not understand men's intentions?

Wang Wang Yajuan, however, remained perfectly clear-headed, for she had seen plenty of such hooligans.

Just like a certain someone sitting over there, pretending to be an ostrich.

And thinking back to Han Lu's earlier words about the reliable, honest man Zhou Zhou Delu, he was now bowing his head as well, imitating an ostrich to hide himself.

Heh, who said honest men were reliable?

Wang Wang Yajuan was not afraid of these people before her, for she knew Li Li Xuewu's identity; he would certainly not sit idly by while she faced threats.

This held true whether from a personal standpoint or from the obligations of his position.

Yet these young thugs had gathered around them, their hands even touching Han Lu's, while Li Sir over there still made no move.

This caused Wang Wang Yajuan to become utterly disappointed in Li Li Xuewu.

To think that a guardian of the people could one day fear dark and evil forces; she must have been blind to judge him otherwise.

What Wang Wang Yajuan likely thought was that Li Li Xuewu feared this incident would delay his "blind date," and thus ignored them.

When she saw Han Han Yating glancing this way, Wang Wang Yajuan became convinced that Li Li Xuewu had come here also for a blind date.

Watching the young thugs grow increasingly brazen while the person they awaited failed to appear, Wang Wang Yajuan felt tears ready to fall.

But instead of Li Li Xuewu, what arrived was a handsome young gentleman coming to the rescue of beauties in distress.

"Hehehe."

Prompted by Zhu Zhu Laoba, Fu Changhua walked to this table and shouted at the young thug harassing the three beautiful women.

"Take your hands off! In broad daylight, who gave you the audacity?"

"Damn it!"

The young thug curled his lips and cursed, then lifted his head to sneer at Fu Changhua: "Whose fly was left undone to let you slip out?"

Fu Changhua stepped before the young thug and slapped him hard across the face; a sharp crack sounded, knocking the thug's head askew.

This time, he had truly exerted force; without force, no effect would be visible.

From the Wu Zhi Yin that swiftly swelled on the young thug's face, to Han Lu and Zhou Zhou Miaomiao gazing at Fu Changhua with eyes full of sparkling admiration.

This slap was truly effective, very effective indeed.

"This is still a country where the people are masters; how dare you little hooligans run wild here? Get out!"

Fu Changhua's eyebrows bristled with anger as he scolded these little hooligans, his face full of righteousness.

Knowing the play was over and it was time to withdraw, the young man covered his face, cast a grief-stricken glance at the righteous Fu Changhua, and then fled in panic with his underlings.

"Wow! So amazing!"

"Yes, yes, thank you so much for your help; we were truly terrified."

Han Lu and Zhou Zhou Miaomiao both looked at Fu Changhua with eyes full of admiration, especially when contrasting him with Zhou Zhou Delu, who had been pretending to be an ostrich all along.

Fu Changhua waved his hand casually and said, "These little hooligans just bully the weak and fear the strong; they are not worth mentioning."

"Seeing your aura of righteousness, I knew you were a good person."

Zhou Zhou Miaomiao looked at Fu Changhua with a slightly flushed face; the man before her matched all her fantasies about a partner.

From his attire, one could see this person possessed extraordinary bearing and came from a wealthy family; from his behavior and demeanor, one could see he was righteous and compassionate.

Fu Changhua also spoke politely to Zhou Zhou Miaomiao and the others: "Although the skybridge market here has been dismantled, all sorts of dubious characters still linger around; it is somewhat inconvenient for a Miss to come here, especially for beautiful Misses like yourselves."

Hearing the praise from her "benefactor," Zhou Zhou Miaomiao's heart nearly leaped out of her throat.

Could it be that he is interested in me?

It was not only Zhou Zhou Miaomiao who thought this; Han Lu thought the same.

Fu Changhua knew his performance had succeeded, so following up on his previous words, he invited them: "A few friends have come today for a meal; why don't you join us? That way it will be safe, and no one will dare to cause trouble."

Wang Wang Yajuan, standing aside and observing everything, had already sensed something amiss.

Since when were little hooligans so easily dismissed?

Recalling times past when she went out with Li Li Xuewu, and seeing how those bad men would not stop until they achieved their goals, she knew matters were not this simple.

Looking again at the location where this person was inviting them, those sitting there looked even less like good people than the little hooligans from earlier.

She had originally intended to refuse and then go home.

But before the words could leave her mouth, she heard Han Lu beside her agree first: "Okay, okay, thank you; the roasted meat here is delicious."

Zhou Zhou Miaomiao shook off her cousin's pulling, disregarding Zhou Zhou Delu's warning, and smiled at Fu Changhua, saying, "We should be the ones treating you; thank you for saving us, but we are all from a dance troupe and our allowances are very meager."

Upon hearing that the three beauties were from a dance troupe, Fu Changhua's interest grew even greater; imagining watching the three of them dance for him in a room, what a thrilling enjoyment that would be.

If they wore very little clothing, it would be even more thrilling.

"Meeting is fate; why stand on ceremony? Let's go, let's sit together; we have more meat than we can finish over there."

"Okay."

Zhou Zhou Miaomiao and Han Lu agreed with a delicate laugh and were about to follow Fu Changhua.

However, Zhou Zhou Delu sat awkwardly to the side without moving, because Fu Changhua had not issued an invitation to him from start to finish.

The other one who did not move was Wang Wang Yajuan, because she had already realized this person was not a good man.

"Wang Yajuan, let's go."

Seeing Wang Wang Yajuan sitting motionless, Zhou Zhou Miaomiao pulled her and offered a reminder.

Han Lu, eager to eat meat, also persuaded her: "Wang Yajuan, this big brother saved us; isn't it impolite for you to act this way?"

Wang Wang Yajuan looked at her companions, one lost to food and the other to lust, both having abandoned reason.

If she made things clear now, she would never be allowed to leave.

But if she did not make things clear, who knew how much these two would come to hate her.

Out of helplessness, Wang Wang Yajuan could only stand up and follow Zhou Zhou Miaomiao toward the table where Fu Changhua had come from.

Seeing the three Misses move, Fu Changhua smiled and followed after them.

As for the remaining Zhou Zhou Delu, none of the three Misses looked at him, nor did Fu Changhua.

What could such a coward accomplish?

He could accomplish nothing, because after the three Misses followed Fu Changhua away, Zhou Zhou Delu quietly slipped out the door and ran.

Wang Wang Yajuan walked inward with a stern face; passing by Li Li Xuewu, she saw that he did not even look in her direction, which made her angry.

Are you pretending not to see me?

Fine, then I will make you see.

Wang Wang Yajuan changed from her earlier coldness to a smile and sat in the spot that Zhu Zhu Laoba and the others had shifted to make room for her.

After Fu Changhua took his seat, she even proactively picked up a fruit wine cup, spoke words of gratitude as a toast, and offered a drink to Fu Changhua.

This delighted Fu Changhua immensely; he had not expected the most beautiful of the girls to be so eloquent.

Just like Zhou Zhou Delu, Fu Changhua had also set his sights on Wang Wang Yajuan.

Wang Wang Yajuan's display made Fu Changhua happy, but it displeased Zhou Zhou Miaomiao.

Just moments ago she needed persuading to come, yet now she was acting flirtatiously at the table.

Hmph, a slut is just affected.

Feeling instinctively that Fu Changhua had come for her, only to have her spotlight stolen by Wang Wang Yajuan, how could Zhou Zhou Miaomiao bear it?

Having studied at a dance school since childhood, Zhou Zhou Miaomiao's understanding of society was limited to matters related to dance, so neither her intelligence nor her emotional quotient was particularly high.

Seeing Wang Wang Yajuan's performance at this moment, she too thought of attracting Fu Changhua's attention.

"We still don't know your name?"

Hearing Zhou Zhou Miaomiao's coquettish voice, Fu Changhua's heart itched directly; he really wanted to take these three Misses to Goldfish Alley right now to wrestle.

"No need to address me as 'you'; we are all peers. My name is Fu Changhua, I work at the Xidan Market, and these are all my colleagues."

"Ai, we dare not call ourselves colleagues."

Zhu Zhu Laoba sat to the side and smiled flattering, saying, "This is our leader."

Assisted by Zhu Zhu Laoba's remark, Fu Changhua smiled with reserved modesty and said, "We are all comrades; this is a private gathering, so there is no distinction of rank; we are all comrades."

"You are so approachable."

Zhou Zhou Miaomiao looked at Fu Changhua with eyes full of little stars, and hearing the person beside her refer to Fu Changhua as a leader made her even more satisfied.

Just, compassionate, young and wealthy, a promising youth—how could this not make Zhou Zhou Miaomiao's heart flutter? Wasn't this exactly the ideal husband she had been looking for?

"Hahahaha!"

Looking at Wang Wang Yajuan sitting aside smiling without speaking, Zhou Zhou Miaomiao with eyes full of admiration, and Han Lu who was greedy for food and drink, Fu Changhua knew he already held the key to opening the doors to these three Misses' hearts.

Since he could open the doors to these Misses' hearts, then he could also open these Misses' clothes.

"My family is quite well-off; when you have time, I'll take you to my home to play. There's a phonograph, dancing—I love dancing most of all."

"Is that so? We all dance ballet, you..."

Before Zhou Zhou Miaomiao could finish her sentence, the group at the table Wang Wang Yajuan had just been looking at stood up, especially that scar-faced man, who was walking over with a beaming smile.

"What a coincidence, isn't it? Is this brother named Fu Changhua?"

Li Li Xuewu smiled as he walked to Fu Changhua's table and stood behind Wang Wang Yajuan.

Seeing this ugly man who had made him lose face at the entrance earlier approaching to strike up a conversation, Fu Changhua immediately frowned.

Without Fu Changhua needing to speak, someone naturally stepped forward to stand up for him.

"Who are you? What does my name have to do with you?"

"Looking for a beating, are you?"

As soon as Li Li Xuewu finished speaking, several people sitting at this table stood up simultaneously and began shouting threats at Li Li Xuewu.

Li Li Xuewu, however, paid no heed; instead, he placed his hand on Wang Wang Yajuan's shoulder from behind and said, "Really sorry, but hearing you all discussing dancing here, I simply couldn't resist chiming in."

Facing Li Li Xuewu directly, Zhou Zhou Miaomiao watched this scar-faced man say with a wicked smile: "To be honest, I am also a dance enthusiast; I wonder if Brother Fu's home is convenient? Seeing this sparked my interest, and I'd like to go dancing with you all as well."

"Pfft~!"

Upon hearing the voice from behind just now, she knew that villain had arrived.

When that villain placed his hand on her shoulder, Wang Wang Yajuan knew she was safe.

Hearing Li Li Xuewu spout nonsense with such a serious demeanor, Wang Wang Yajuan could no longer hold back and let out a "pfft" laugh.

Those who did not know Li Li Xuewu naturally could not understand what Wang Wang Yajuan was laughing at.

Back when the two of them were dating, Wang Wang Yajuan had taught Li Li Xuewu how to dance, but Li Li Xuewu was naturally devoid of any dance cells; as soon as music played, his body would stiffen up, and no matter how Wang Wang Yajuan's small hands guided him, it was no use.

Wang Wang Yajuan taught him again and again, yet Li Li Xuewu never learned; Wang Wang Yajuan became angry and annoyed, and Li Li Xuewu gradually grew to hate dancing with a passion.

Now hearing Li Li Xuewu claim he was a dance enthusiast and wanted to go to Fu Changhua's home to dance, Wang Wang Yajuan recalled the frowning expression Li Li Xuewu had worn when she invited him home to dance.

Zhou Zhou Miaomiao and the others did not know what Wang Wang Yajuan was laughing at; they assumed she was mocking Li Li Xuewu for coming uninvited, overestimating his abilities, and having no shame.

"Someone this ugly can dance? Tsk."

This ugly man was provoking her benefactor, so Zhou Zhou Miaomiao naturally would not let Li Li Xuewu off, and thus her mouth began voicing support for Fu Changhua.

Fu Changhua narrowed his eyes at Li Li Xuewu and said, "Did you hear that? My companions do not welcome you, so I have no intention of inviting you to my home to dance."

"Hehehe, that might not be up to you."

Li Li Xuewu patted Wang Wang Yajuan's shoulder and said, "Excuse me, please take your friends out first; I need to discuss the art of dance and life with Mr. Fu Changhua."

Knowing Li Li Xuewu was about to act badly, Wang Wang Yajuan obediently stood up and said to Zhou Zhou Miaomiao and Han Lu, who was still eating, "Let's go."

With meat stuffed in her mouth, Han Lu's eyes nevertheless turned toward Zhou Zhou Miaomiao, as she was closer to Zhou Zhou Miaomiao.

Zhou Zhou Miaomiao, meanwhile, looked at Fu Changhua.

Fu Changhua now had absolutely no mind for the dancers of the song-and-dance troupe; his eyes were entirely fixed on this man who had suddenly appeared.

Seeing Fu Changhua ignore her, Zhou Zhou Miaomiao directed all her anger and blame onto Li Li Xuewu.

"Who are you to order me around? I want to stay here myself!"

Li Li Xuewu's expression instantly turned sinister and fierce; he lowered his voice and roared at the tsundere Zhou Zhou Miaomiao: "Scram, or if you don't scram, you'll die right here!"

Hearing Li Li Xuewu's words, not only did Fu Changhua and Zhu Zhu Laoba and the others change color, all wondering which ruthless figure from which underworld path they had encountered coming for revenge.

Even the tsundere Zhou Zhou Miaomiao was frightened pale.

Han Lu now also realized something was wrong and quickly pulled Zhou Zhou Miaomiao, who was still stubbornly refusing to leave, toward the exit.

As Zhou Zhou Miaomiao passed Li Li Xuewu, her eyes were filled with resentment and hostility.

Watching her two companions head out, Wang Wang Yajuan glanced at Li Li Xuewu and also headed out.

At this moment, all the underlings brought by Zhu Zhu Laoba and the others stood up, preparing to stop the duck that Master Fu had within his grasp.

But as soon as these people moved, the scar-faced man beside the main table shouted: "I dare anyone to try moving!"

Li Li Xuewu told these people to try, and these people truly dared not try, because to try was to die.

The few people remaining in the barbecue shop all glared furiously at Li Li Xuewu.

Because this bastard couldn't handle losing; while talking, he had pulled out a gun.

If one were to ask what these hooligans and good-for-nothings were best at?

It wasn't stealing, wasn't robbing, wasn't whoring, wasn't gambling, but running.

Especially those old ruffians who had survived until now.

As soon as Li Li Xuewu pulled out his gun here, Zhu Zhu Laoba and the others truly scattered instantly.

Their bodies were at the door, their shadows still in the hall.

Just that fast; when things went bad, they fled for their lives.

This was the way of survival for Zhu Zhu Laoba and his kind.

Li Li Xuewu stood holding his gun beside Fu Changhua, eyes tightly fixed on Fu Changhua, letting those small fries run out.

Li Li Xuewu's purpose in coming here today was precisely for Fu Changhua.

As for Zhu Zhu Laoba, who had run out first, he looked at the two cars blocking the entrance before him and the circle of men in black surrounding them, so frightened his legs turned soft.

Right behind him, Huhu Sihai and the rest along with a crowd of underlings, seeing the men in black aiming guns in their direction, immediately raised their hands.

"Kneel!"

"Kneel!"

"Kneel!"

With Shen Fang, standing before the vehicle and gripping his gun, letting out a furious roar, the twenty-plus young men surrounding him with their weapons raised shouted in unison: "Kneel."

In front of the barbecue shop, those hooligans who usually lorded it over others and ruled one corner of the underworld all bent their knees and knelt on the ground.

Shen Fang waved his hand; five members from the gun-wielding team stepped forward and, from left to right, proceeded to kick the men down, search their bodies, handcuff them, cover their heads, and lift their shirts.

The bystanders standing nearby and the three Misses whom Li Li Xuewu had just chased out were all dumbfounded.

What a swift and decisive manner of action this was.

Zhou Zhou Miaomiao watched Brother Zhu, who had just been chatting and laughing with her, now kneeling on the ground in a wretched state, waiting to be trussed up like a pig, and then she thought of Fu Changhua, their benefactor from the same table...

Han Lu, meanwhile, was so choked by the mouthful of meat she hadn't yet swallowed that her eyes rolled back.

There had simply been too much stimulation today.

Just as they were being detained, Zheng Zheng Lanjun, who was kneeling in a corner, quietly shuffled sideways; seeing that Shen Fang and the others were not watching this side, he suddenly leaped up and bolted outward.

And when Yu Yu Taiheng saw his "co-brother-in-law" run, he too scrambled to his feet, preparing to flee.

But before his body had even risen, several gunshots rang out; looking again at Zheng Zheng Lanjun, he found that the big man had already collapsed in a pool of blood.

No one knew where the bullet had struck, but after Zheng Zheng Lanjun was hit, the blood flowed exceptionally fast and in exceptionally large quantities.

Those few gunshots naturally intimidated all thirty-plus people, especially Yu Yu Taiheng, who had just been about to run.

He no longer dared to flee; instead, he threw himself flat on the ground to save himself from being kicked later.

From this angle on the ground, looking toward Zheng Zheng Lanjun, one could clearly see a pair of eyes that refused to close even in death.

Zheng Zheng Lanjun had not yet breathed his last; in his final moments, he chose to turn his head and look at his enemy.

Yu Yu Taiheng saw too many things in Zheng Zheng Lanjun's eyes; what he did not see was any kindness.

When a man is about to die, his words are kind.

Let the past drift away with the wind.

Yu Yu Taiheng, lying prone on the ground, conveyed a message with his eyes to the dying Zheng Zheng Lanjun: "I will take care of Xiaojuan for you."

"Uh... cough... cough..."

Shen Fang walked over to the struck Zheng Zheng Lanjun and looked at Yu Yu Taiheng, whose eyes were wide open and fixed ahead, especially noting that from the mouth foaming with blood, there still remained an unwillingness to say something.

Having spent a long time alongside Li Li Xuewu, Shen Fang had also learned the method of the Vajra and the heart of the Bodhisattva.

Everyone knew Li Li Xuewu was exceptionally benevolent and righteous, treating everyone like family, and even when dealing with enemies, he chose to transform them with love.

Shen Fang most admired Li Li Xuewu's swift and decisive Vajra methods in handling cases; therefore, when he saw Zheng Zheng Lanjun attempt to escape just now, he chose to shoot without hesitation.

And after Zheng Zheng Lanjun was felled, Shen Fang recalled Li Li Xuewu's Bodhisattva heart toward criminals, so he walked over to Zheng Zheng Lanjun's side.

He looked at Zheng Zheng Lanjun lying prone on the ground; three bullets had struck the heart, and one had struck the leg.

Shen Fang lifted his foot and stepped on Zheng Zheng Lanjun's lower back, continuously bouncing his leg.

The human heart is a compression pump; the fluid compressed and transmitted by this pump is blood.

Now Shen Fang was continuously pressurizing this compression pump; one can imagine that the blood in Zheng Zheng Lanjun's body would be lost rapidly within a short time.

In truth, Shen Fang did not hear that just now, upon seeing Yu Yu Taiheng's gaze, Zheng Zheng Lanjun had erupted with intense vitality.

What he was unwillingly trying to say with his mouth was: "I can still be saved."

But Shen Fang did not hear him and gave him no such chance; instead, he helped him quickly return to the embrace of Mother Earth.

Those kneeling at the entrance of the barbecue shop, witnessing Shen Fang's actions, all felt a chill in their hearts.

This man truly dared to open fire, and he regarded people like them as livestock, caring nothing for their lives or deaths; thus, although they knew capture surely meant death, no one now dared to flee.

Because to flee now was to die immediately.

"Ugh! ~~~"

In this deathly silence, a sound of dry retching suddenly erupted.

It turned out that Han Lu could not endure the stench of blood; recalling the meat on the plate just now, soaked in bloody juices, and how much of it she had eaten...

Added to the choking sensation from earlier, she was now leaning against a large tree, vomiting.

The more greedily she had eaten before, the more wretchedly she vomited now.

Meanwhile, Zhou Zhou Miaomiao, standing aside in a daze, stared blankly as Zheng Zheng Lanjun, who had just been pouring wine for her at the table, was shot full of holes right before her eyes.

In all her life, Zhou Zhou Miaomiao had never witnessed such a stimulating scene.

Catholicism divides human immoral behaviors or habits into seven categories: pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, and lust.

Catholicism calls these the Seven Deadly Sins, or the Seven Capital Sins, or the Seven Original Sins.

Han Lu had committed the sin of gluttony, while Zhou Zhou Miaomiao had committed the sins of pride, envy, and lust.

Therefore, both received their due punishment.

As for Fu Changhua, sitting in front of Li Li Xuewu, he had evidently committed far more sins; mere spiritual punishment would no longer suffice to make him repent.

Li Li Xuewu had heard the gunshots just now, and Fu Changhua had heard them too, yet neither of the two, sitting face to face, showed any reaction.

Just as the two were locked in mutual standoff, Han Han Yating entered, holding a pistol, and took her position behind Li Li Xuewu.

"Li Kezhang, Zheng Zheng Lanjun is dead."

Han Han Yating's report caused Fu Changhua, who had maintained an expressionless demeanor until now, to furrow his brows and examine Li Li Xuewu once again.

"Dead is dead; sooner or later, everyone must die."

Li Li Xuewu seemed utterly indifferent to the content of Han Han Yating's report just now, as if he had merely heard that a mouse had died.

Fu Changhua felt no aversion to Li Li Xuewu's disregard for human life, because the lives of Zheng Zheng Lanjun and the others were likewise insignificant in his eyes.

What made Fu Changhua furrow his brows was Han Han Yating's utterance of "Li Kezhang."

Those coming to arrest him should have been a Captain, a Station Chief, or a Bureau Chief; it should not have been a Li Kezhang.

"Who are you?"

"Me?"

Li Li Xuewu chuckled, pulled out a cigarette, and gestured with it toward Fu Changhua.

Fu Changhua frowned, glanced at the Great Front Gate cigarettes in Li Li Xuewu's hand, accepted one, and let Li Li Xuewu light it for him.

"Click."

After lighting one for himself, Li Li Xuewu casually snapped the lighter shut.

"Even I don't quite understand who I am anymore."

Flicking ash into the rice bowl before him, Li Li Xuewu narrowed his eyes and said to Fu Changhua, "Sometimes I'm an administrator, sometimes a lecher, sometimes I betray the masses and provide intelligence to lawbreakers, and sometimes I'm a demon..."

"Enough."

As Li Li Xuewu recounted his tale, Fu Changhua felt worse and worse with every word; damn it, wasn't he just describing himself?

No wonder it sounded more and more like him; turns out this bastard was just beating around the bush with him.

Fu Changhua let out a low growl to interrupt Li Li Xuewu, then glared furiously at him and said, "Since we've reached this point, there's no need to play these ghostly tricks, is there?"

"Indeed."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said, "I never expected that Director Fu, who has always kept himself unblemished, would have a scoundrel of a son like you."

"Heh heh heh."

Fu Changhua chuckled lightly, then said, "You must be Li Li Xuewu, then?"

Seeing that Li Li Xuewu neither nodded nor shook his head,

Fu Changhua pursed his lips and said, "So much for the Tiger of the Security Division."

Li Li Xuewu, however, was amused by Fu Changhua's remark.

"I have never admitted to being any 'tiger' or 'wolf' or the like; why refuse to be a proper human and insist on being a beast? Even your father doesn't like being called 'Old Fox,' does he?"

Fu Changhua exhaled a puff of smoke, then said to Li Li Xuewu, "My father is just muddled with age; he was so bent on helping my eldest brother that greed clouded his judgment, ruining his reputation in his twilight years."

"Oh?"

Li Li Xuewu, now quite interested, waved to Han Han Yating beside him, signaling her to prepare to take notes; the interrogation phase was now beginning.

Even if Li Li Xuewu wasn't conducting the interrogation and it was the criminal speaking voluntarily, it still counted as an interrogation.

"I, for one, have always maintained due respect for Director Fu."

"Heh heh heh."

Fu Changhua chuckled lightly and said to Li Li Xuewu, "My father also thought very highly of you, saying how wonderful it would be if you were his son."

"Hahaha!"

Seeing Fu Changhua laugh with a sense of relief, Li Li Xuewu joined in with an easy, hearty laugh.

Smoking all the while, Fu Changhua explained the situation to Li Li Xuewu as if they were chatting about everyday matters.

"My father had two brothers; Fu Fu Haibo is my eldest uncle's son. Due to my father's work, I grew up living with my eldest uncle and was raised alongside my eldest brother."

"Even in childhood, he was superior to me; he was first in the class, while I was last. My eldest uncle felt he had failed my father by not raising me to be successful, so he always harbored guilt toward me."

"When I was in middle school, I went swimming in the river, got a cramp, and sank; it was my eldest uncle who traded his life for mine."

"My father felt he owed my eldest uncle's family, so he took great care of my eldest brother, always intending for him to take over my father's position."

Speaking to this point, Fu Changhua glanced at Li Li Xuewu and said, "Don't blame my father; you were simply too outstanding, so outstanding that it frightened him, which is why he resorted to underhanded tactics against you."

Li Li Xuewu, however, didn't mind and smiled, gesturing for Fu Changhua to continue.

Fu Changhua extinguished his cigarette butt in the vegetable soup, then pulled a pack of Huazi cigarettes from his pocket, handed one to Li Li Xuewu, and once again let Li Li Xuewu light it for him.

The two of them just smoked on like that.

"My father didn't expect you to advance so quickly; everything had already been arranged for my eldest brother to take over Dong Wenxue's position, and for you to eventually take over my eldest brother's position later on."

"Mm-hmm, Director Fu certainly thought of everything."

Li Li Xuewu offered a word of praise, then raised the pack of Huazi in his hand to indicate that the cigarettes were good.

"Heh."

Fu Changhua shook his head with a smile and said, "These weren't given to me by my father; I earned these myself."

"Ever since my eldest uncle died, my father stopped caring for me and focused all his attention on grooming my eldest brother."

"As for me, I became the little Hunchumingtang whom no one in the family cared for."

"It was only after my eldest brother became the Deputy Director of the Steel City Branch Factory's Security Division that I managed to make something of myself as a Hunchumingtang."

"He secretly pulled some strings for me behind my father's back and got me appointed as an administrator at the Xidan Market."

"Actually, my father knew about this too; how could he not? You must have been to the vegetable market, right?"

"Mm-hmm."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said, "I went there this morning and just came back from there. Oh, right."

As if suddenly remembering something, Li Li Xuewu added with a smile, "I even swindled a watermelon from that watermelon stall you set up—a big watermelon."