These things are not something that can be explained in just a few words. Murong Lianxue had been a studious little girl since childhood, but after following that unscrupulous old man for so many years, she had accumulated quite a few peculiar traits.

And just as they were nearing the end of their meal on their side, a young man suddenly burst in from outside, walking directly toward Wang Xiao'er nearby.

“How is it?” Seeing that his subordinate had already made the call, Wang Xiao’er squinted and asked.

“Brother Qiangzi is already bringing men over here!” the subordinate said after taking a swig of water.

“Hmph, that slut actually rejected me, only to come here chatting and laughing with some other man. Damn it, does she think I’m nothing? Fuck, just you wait, I’ll show you a thing or two later!” Wang Xiao’er seemed incapable of using his brain when it came to acting. Judging by the fact that he was ready to cause trouble just because Liu Qingqing was eating with someone else, he was the textbook example of a spoiled rich kid, though his silhouette held a hint of complexity.

Meanwhile, Yang Yi and his group were also finishing up their meal, seemingly ready to depart. Wang Xiao’er, who had been watching them from a distance, suddenly frowned. “They’re about to leave, why hasn’t Qiangzi arrived yet?”

“He’s here!” a subordinate suddenly exclaimed.

Wang Xiao’er quickly glanced toward the entrance. There stood a man with bare arms, a shaved head, wearing nothing but a tunic and denim shorts, with what looked like a tattoo etched on his shoulder—a truly menacing figure. This was the Qiangzi Wang Xiao’er had mentioned. He led five or six thugs into the hotel. After glancing at Wang Xiao’er, he muttered to himself, “Heh, this business looks interesting. Haven’t had real work in a while.”

“Go tell Qiangzi to give those people over there a thorough harassing session, according to the price we agreed on last time!” Wang Xiao’er instructed his subordinate.

“Yes, Big Brother!” The subordinate rubbed his hands together and approached Qiangzi, grinning as he spoke, “Boss Wang said, according to the last price. Ah, especially that woman over there, Cousin. Can I get a little cut this time? And later, could you put in a good word for me with Boss Wang… hehe!”

Qiangzi certainly understood what this fellow calling him 'Cousin' meant, but seeing as they were related, he chuckled, “When we go back later, we’ll raise the price a bit. Heh, you won’t miss out.”

“Great!” The subordinate responded and walked back to Wang Xiao’er, reporting, “Big Brother, Brother Qiangzi said they have quite a few people, so he’s wondering if we could raise the price a bit…”

“No problem, I don’t care about money.” Wang Xiao’er’s eyes were locked solely on Liu Qingqing, appearing utterly infatuated with the campus beauty.

Nonsense—what scoundrel wouldn’t be captivated? But it had to be said, this subordinate and Qiangzi certainly had their methods. Every time they had 'business,' the two of them would employ a little trickery to squeeze out more money—this was the so-called mid-job price hike. It was just that Wang Xiao’er didn't know his subordinate and Qiangzi were related.

“En!” Seeing his cousin nod, Qiangzi also nodded in return. He looked towards Yang Yi’s table, his chin lifting slightly. “Let’s go. Make a real mess today. Someone will clean up our mess anyway.”

“Heh, Brother Qiangzi, is it that table over there? Looks like there are quite a few beauties. Damn, we’re not losing out on this one!” A thug said, his eyes glinting with lust.

“Ugh! So full!” Fatty Lin patted his stomach contentedly.

“Haha, Brother Fatty, your belly is so big! Are you carrying a baby?”

“Hahahaha!” The entire group burst out laughing at Murong Lianxue’s suddenly adorable question, biting their lips unrestrainedly.

Fatty Lin broke out in a cold sweat, his expression becoming slightly unnatural as he explained to Murong Lianxue, “Lianxue, well… Brother Fatty is a man, so I can’t have a baby!”

“Ah…?” Murong Lianxue tilted her small, cute head in confusion. “Then why did your stomach suddenly get so big? That’s so funny.” After speaking, Murong Lianxue patted Fatty Lin’s protruding stomach. “Oh… stop, stop, Lianxue, don't hit so hard! Otherwise, Brother Fatty will… Damn!” Perhaps because Murong Lianxue patted Fatty Lin, and Fatty Lin instinctively dodged, he lost his balance and tumbled to the floor.

“Hahahaha!” A burst of loud laughter suddenly erupted, and this laughter did not come from Yang Yi’s group, but from elsewhere.

Six or seven burly men were leaning over, clutching their stomachs, roaring with laughter. A cold glint flashed in Fatty Lin’s eyes. He immediately stood up and roared, “Fuck your mother, what the hell are you laughing at? Damn it, who was it? Who the hell moved my chair?”

“Damn it, you’re courting death! How dare you speak so loudly to our Brother Qiangzi?” A thug’s face contorted viciously as he glared menacingly.

“Hmm?” Yang Yi frowned. Apart from him, Liu Qingqing, Li Qian, and the utterly confused group, only the smiling Murong Lianxue remained seated. Everyone else immediately stood up, looking coldly at the sudden intruders.

“Hey—don’t lower yourselves to these ignorant people. Even thugs have standards, you know!” Qiangzi sneered sinisterly.

“Kid, you better remember this day!” the thug said arrogantly, his eyes fixed on them in open challenge.

Fatty Lin didn't speak, only glancing back at Yang Yi. “Yi Ge!”

“Hmph…” Yang Yi suddenly let out a strange laugh. He stood up, his face full of amusement, and approached Qiangzi. “May I ask which faction this brother belongs to?”

“Heh, finally, someone with some manners. Well, regardless of which faction I belong to, that fatty insulted me just now, and my brothers behind me seem quite displeased. It would be regrettable if something were to happen later… My apologies!”

Although Qiangzi appeared outwardly calm, his heart felt a sudden prick of doubt stemming from Yang Yi’s mention of a ‘faction.’ Could he also be from the underworld? No, probably not. The kid is dressed so strangely, does he really think he’s some ancient hero? he thought to himself, his smile growing wider.

“What sort of thing might happen?” Yang Yi smiled faintly. It was obvious these people had come looking for trouble, and his playful expression deepened.

“How about we settle this privately?” Qiangzi extended a hand, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together—a clear gesture.

But Yang Yi pretended not to understand, smiling as he inquired, “I wonder how this brother wishes to settle things privately?”

“Just this… this!” Qiangzi’s hand gestures became more pronounced as he spoke.

“Hahahaha!” Yang Yi suddenly laughed eerily, his gaze turning sharply cold. Swish! Slap! He ruthlessly slapped Qiangzi across the face and swiftly delivered a kick. Ugh! Before Qiangzi could react, he clutched his stomach and knelt down. Yang Yi then casually stepped on Qiangzi’s shoulder with a rogueish air, cursing dismissively, “Fuck your mother, you dare try to extort me? Which gutter did you crawl out of? If you don’t say, none of you are leaving today.”

“Hey, kid, what are you doing? Let go of Brother Qiangzi quickly… You…” The thugs suddenly started yelling, but they were already surrounded by Fatty Lin, Ye Xiaohou, and Xu Ming, who watched them with amused expressions.

“Big Brother, this… this doesn’t look right,” one subordinate suddenly said to Wang Xiao’er.

“Damn it, Qiangzi is so useless! Let’s retreat first. Fuck, we’ll deal with them properly another day.” Wang Xiao’er could be considered slightly shrewd; his decision to leave now was clearly to avoid the trouble shifting onto him later.

“Yes, Big Brother!” The three of them quickly retreated toward the exit.

Meanwhile, the crowd of onlookers around them began to swell. People at a few scattered tables glanced over, but deterred by the fear of getting entangled themselves, they didn't approach closely to watch. After all, it’s none of my business, so why get involved? That was the most genuine sentiment of modern people.

Yang Yi withdrew his foot and asked with a cold sneer, “I know you all came here specifically to cause trouble. Tell me, who sent you?”

“Damn it, I’ll fight you to the death!” Qiangzi seemed rather stubborn. He suddenly stood up and called out to the thugs behind him, “Brothers, charge!”

Just as his shout faded, a smaller figure darted out, leaping onto Yang Yi’s back. Her little face nuzzled against Yang Yi’s, and she asked sweetly, “Brother Yi, this is so much fun! Can Lianxue play too?”

Yang Yi smiled indulgently. He knew Murong Lianxue was playful. “Alright, let Lianxue have a turn, but no killing them, okay?”

“Mmm, can I torture them?” Murong Lianxue revealed an evil smile that sent a chill down the spine.

Fatty Lin and the others saw this, shook their heads, and then paid the scene no more mind, standing aside knowingly. Yang Yi laughed, “As long as they don’t die, you can torture them however you like!”

“Yay! Great!”