Chapter 8: The Incense Smoke of the Su Shrine

“Mr. Zhang…” Li Huan called out to him. The other man glanced at Li Huan, nodded, but said nothing more, turning his gaze instead to the chubby young man beside him. Suddenly, his eyes grew cold and sharp.

The chubby man felt a chill run down his spine under Mr. Zhang’s gaze. He forced himself to appear composed, his plump cheeks quivering as he assumed a tough, gangster-like stance. Pointing at Li Huan, he shouted, “Zhang Xiaoliu, this has nothing to do with you! Wait until I’ve dealt with this brat, then we’ll talk!”

“Hmph, you’re welcome to try!” Li Huan took a step forward, glaring icily at the chubby man as if he were about to make a move. Just as he shifted, Vice General Manager Zhang Xiaoliu, standing nearby, caught hold of his arm. Li Huan struggled a bit but ultimately restrained himself.

The chubby man was startled by Li Huan’s movement, instinctively retreating a step. When he saw Li Huan didn’t advance, his face flushed with embarrassment, yet he lifted his chin with a stubborn pride.

Zhang Xiaoliu’s expression twitched, then he suddenly broke into a smile. There was a hint of amusement in the way he looked at the chubby man, but his tone turned cold as he said, “It’s been a long time since anyone called me Zhang Xiaoliu. Your Brother Dog is bold indeed—courageous, even. Seems I underestimated you before. Since you dared to cause trouble here tonight, I suppose you’ve already considered the consequences…”

He paused, then reached into his pocket, drew out a cigarette, and lit it. Taking a slow drag, he blew out a smoke ring, his gaze piercing through it to fix on the chubby man’s face. “I may only be the deputy manager here, but even if I’m worthless in your eyes, you should know who stands behind me—a person you can’t afford to cross. Didn’t your father ever tell you that?”

The chubby man’s face changed dramatically; he seemed about to say something, hesitating for a long while before glancing back at the idolized young man, who was still sprawled unconscious on the sofa. Turning back, his eyes flicked to Li Huan, and in their brief exchange he seemed to glimpse a chilling coldness in Li Huan’s gaze, making his own expression grow even uglier.

The atmosphere in the room grew even more austere. All of the chubby man’s followers had already been knocked down by Li Huan alone, and now he was being put in his place by Zhang Xiaoliu—it was hard not to feel resentful. His tone grew defiant as he sneered, “Trying to scare me, Zhang Xiaoliu? In the North District, you don’t even have a say, so what’s with the attitude?”

Zhang Xiaoliu said nothing, only giving a cold smile, pitying the chubby man’s ignorance. After a moment, he flicked his cigarette butt to the ground and ground it out with his shoe. He then tapped his forehead and said, “From now on, let’s draw the line. Bring whatever you’ve got, but let me give you a word of advice: next time your Brother Dog decides to bully someone, maybe check your luck first—you might save yourself some misfortune. Also, pass on a message to your father, Old Dog Number Two: when my boss comes by one of these days, I’ll personally invite him over for tea.”

At this, the chubby man was finally shaken, his whole body trembling. He hadn’t expected this deputy manager to speak with such confidence. His pudgy face scrunched up, but he restrained himself from acting out any further. He glanced at Li Huan and left a final warning: “Remember this, kid. Maybe you’re safe in this bar, but once you step outside, don’t blame me for not recognizing anyone!”

With that, he kicked one of his underlings lying on the floor. The others scrambled to their feet, and at his signal, hurried to help the unconscious idol toward the bar’s exit.

Zhang Xiaoliu walked up to Li Huan, frowning slightly as if deep in thought. After a moment, he finally spoke: “You’re President Su’s junior? Impressive, young man! Well, this matter isn’t for me to handle; President Su will resolve it when she returns. Also, a word of advice—better stay in the bar tonight, don’t go home.”

Having said this, Zhang Xiaoliu hesitated, but ultimately said nothing more. He simply instructed the staff to clean up and resume business. In his eyes, even that final warning to Li Huan was already going above and beyond—no one was obliged to shoulder another’s burdens in this world.

Because the world is just that harsh—no one has the right to judge another’s rights or wrongs.

Li Huan sat in a daze. Only after Zhang Xiaoliu had dispersed the crowd did he realize he was cold all over; his shirt was soaked with sweat on his back. As he relaxed, he began to feel a dull ache in the spots where he’d been struck—his shoulder and thigh—forcing him to collapse onto the sofa, his body limp.

The pain in his abdomen had lessened, but there was still a lingering discomfort he couldn’t quite describe. He massaged the area for a while before feeling slightly better. By now, his gaze had regained its composure, and he began to consider the consequences of everything that had happened tonight.

It was obvious, even to a fool, that this so-called Brother Dog had a significant background, far more than just a petty thug. Judging by his tone, he was likely connected to some criminal syndicate. If that was truly the case, then perhaps there was no place left for Li Huan in this city.

Li Huan gave a bitter laugh, suddenly wanting to call home, but in the end, he held back, his eyes growing moist without him realizing. This sudden upheaval left an icy void in his heart.

He pulled out a cigarette, and as he tried to light it, he noticed his hands trembling so badly he could barely hold the cigarette between his fingers. Footsteps approached, and suddenly a pair of dainty feet appeared before him. Li Huan, head bowed, could only see a slender, alluring calf beneath the blue-hued lights—long and straight, unencumbered by stockings, all the more captivating.

He glanced at it but didn’t linger; he was in no mood for such things. Looking up, he saw Su Ci standing before him. As soon as their eyes met, she bent down abruptly, snatching the cigarette and lighter from his hands.

Li Huan was confused, not understanding what was happening. Su Ci, however, wasted no time—she placed the cigarette between her lips, fumbled with the lighter, and lit it. She was clearly unpracticed; the smoke made her frown slightly. She then handed the lit cigarette to Li Huan.

Behind them, Li Suman and Sun Li stared in shock, unable to believe that Su Ci would light a cigarette for a man—and after lighting it in her own mouth, no less. The gesture carried a trace of intimacy, but Li Huan didn’t pay it any mind. He was only surprised by the girl’s composure; she hadn’t shown a hint of fear, only guilt. Had it been any other girl, she’d have been paralyzed with fright by now.

Heh! Li Huan couldn’t help chuckling. Thinking about the bar’s clientele—most of them people of influence—he realized it was no wonder. After a slight hesitation, he took the cigarette from her, forcing his trembling arm to steady as he placed it between his lips.

Su Ci glanced at him, her expression complicated. After a moment’s hesitation, as if making up her mind, she turned and ran out. Li Huan didn’t pay her any attention; he’d already realized that this whole incident likely began because of Su Ci. He hadn’t expected to become the scapegoat—his once peaceful life suddenly thrown into chaos. Life was truly unpredictable.

Yet what surprised Li Huan was that Su Ci, after a short while, returned, holding a slip of paper which she handed to him. Glancing at it, Li Huan saw a string of numbers.

“This is my number. I’m really sorry about what happened tonight—I never thought it would turn out like this…” Su Ci’s voice was sincere, her large eyes fixed on him.

Li Huan said nothing, only glanced at the note before continuing to smoke. He was too weighed down by gloom to care, but he waved a hand to show he was fine. Yet Su Ci still seemed uneasy, adding, “Those people aren’t to be trifled with. Keep my number—if you run into trouble, you can call me. I’ll also warn them not to bother you.”

“Alright, I understand…” Li Huan hesitated, not intending to accept, but seeing Su Ci’s insistence, he finally took the note and tucked it into his pocket.

Seeing that Li Huan didn’t immediately add her number to his phone, Su Ci sighed, opening her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately remaining silent. She gazed at him deeply, then turned and left.

Li Huan sat for a while longer, then suddenly raised his head and took a deep breath, laughing at himself. Damn it, since it’s already happened, there’s no turning back. If there’s no place for him here, there are other cities in this vast country—surely there’s somewhere he can belong.

With this thought, his mood lightened somewhat. He was just about to stand and change clothes in the dressing room when he heard Xiao Yu’s anxious voice: “Oh my, Huanhuan! Are you hurt? Should we get you to a hospital for a checkup?”

Li Huan turned to see Xiao Yu looking at him with real concern, and he felt only gratitude, no revulsion. He patted Xiao Yu’s arm. It was likely Xiao Yu who had gone to fetch Zhang Xiaoliu earlier, and when she’d disappeared, she must have been asking Zhang Xiaoliu how to handle the situation.

“I’m fine, thanks, Xiao Yu… Wait, the hospital—damn, Brother Gang is still there. He took a bottle to the head!” Li Huan sprang up, having been so preoccupied with his own predicament that he’d forgotten about Li Gang, who’d been knocked out defending him.

“What?!” Xiao Yu had been away fetching Zhang Xiaoliu when Li Gang arrived, so she had no idea what happened. She couldn’t suppress a gasp at Li Huan’s words.

“I need to go to the hospital. Please cover for me!” A ruthless glint flashed in Li Huan’s eyes; this wasn’t a grudge to be taken lightly, though he wasn’t sure he’d be able to settle it.

“Mr. Zhang said you can have the night off, but he also said not to go out—the others will be waiting for you outside!” Xiao Yu’s face changed as she hurried on, “I’ll go check on Brother Gang. You stay here, don’t go out…”

She was cut off by Li Huan, who shook his head. “No, I have to go. Brother Gang got hurt because of me, and besides, they won’t be able to gather their people that quickly—there’s still time.”

“Then I’ll go too!” Xiao Yu declared, her voice resolute despite her nerves. Her sincerity was unmistakable, not an act.

Li Huan did not agree. Even if the others couldn’t organize so quickly, two people together would only complicate things. Besides, Xiao Yu’s slight frame would make even running away a challenge.