The bald-headed boss who had been clamoring earlier to call in Director Huang from the police station had everyone in the restaurant holding their breath for Zhang Yang. Yet, seeing the unfolding scene, a collective wave of relief washed over the onlookers.
When Huang Ze arrived, he ignored everyone else, first exchanging a greeting with Zhang Yang—the implication of which was perfectly clear.
It turned out he was also a young man with a significant background; no wonder he dared to strike someone so openly, without regard for any repercussions.
Zhang Yang smiled with effortless ease. Facing Huang Ze’s questioning, he simply shrugged, spreading his hands wide. “I brought my wife and a friend here for dinner, but these four Japanese men were completely unreasonable. Especially that younger one, who dared to make suggestive remarks to my wife. So, I taught them a lesson. And then, well, this is what you see now,” he gestured around. “The restaurant owner refuses to let us leave, pins all the blame on us, and demands compensation.”
As soon as Zhang Yang finished speaking, the surrounding diners immediately erupted in clamorous agreement, all unquestionably supporting him.
“Exactly! Those Japanese guys provoked things first!”
“If anyone pays compensation, it should be those Japanese men!”
“Yes, didn't you see? That fellow, his hand was practically reaching for the young lady’s chest!”
...
Huang Ze glanced at Mi Xue beside Zhang Yang and noted that she was indeed a girl of striking beauty and poise; even he felt a flicker of admiration. Hearing everyone confirm the story, he realized the incident had likely unfolded almost exactly as they described.
If that were the case, this was just an ordinary dispute, which made Huang Ze breathe a deep sigh of relief.
Huang Ze was acutely aware of Zhang Yang’s background, especially after the incident involving Deputy Mayor Liang. Furthermore, his own promotion to a full director position, bypassing the deputy rank, was largely thanks to Zhang Yang’s involvement in solving that drug case.
Therefore, Huang Ze certainly wouldn't side against Zhang Yang. At this moment, Huang Ze could only pray silently that the at-fault Japanese men would see reason and back down, not pressing the matter too far, otherwise...
The bald, middle-aged owner had kept his eyes fixed on Huang Ze since his arrival. When he saw Huang Ze enter and immediately ignore everyone to greet the young man first, his heart gave a violent lurch.
This was bad!
When he caught the final glare Huang Ze shot his way, even the bald man, simple as he was, understood the gravity of the situation.
“Oh, Director Huang, this is all a misunderstanding, purely a mistake!”
Before Huang Ze could speak, the bald owner rushed to cut in. At the same time, he subtly moved away from Ishino Kankuro, positioning himself equidistant between Zhang Yang and Ishino Kankuro, and continued with a forced smile, “I clearly misunderstood the situation just now, mistaking this Mr. Zhang. I sincerely apologize. There is absolutely no need for Mr. Zhang to compensate anyone; nothing valuable here has been damaged!”
Owner Chen’s attitude had performed a dramatic one-hundred-and-eighty-degree reversal. He was just a small businessman who had recently scraped together borrowed money to renovate his restaurant in a prime spot on Wuxia Road, and he couldn't afford any real trouble.
His earlier favoritism towards Ishino Kankuro was solely because he assumed Zhang Yang was an ordinary person, not wanting to offend the Japanese clientele who dined there frequently. But now, it was clear this young man was also extraordinary, so he decided to maintain neutrality, offending neither side, wishing only to escape the situation quickly.
Owner Chen’s performance immediately drew a chorus of boos and jeers from the surrounding customers, who clearly recalled how this very owner had blocked Zhang Yang from leaving earlier.
The bodyguards knocked down by Qu Meilan finally managed to get up, returning to stand behind Ishino Kankuro, still grimacing and rubbing the spots where Qu Meilan’s fists had struck.
They simply could not fathom how such a seemingly delicate young girl possessed such potent Neijin (Internal Strength).
“Young Master, the opponent is also a Neijin practitioner. We are no match for them...” Fujii Ichiro, apparently the leader of the three bodyguards, stood slightly behind Ishino Kankuro and murmured quietly.
Ishino Kankuro offered no reply, instead glaring fixedly at Zhang Yang, who had just slapped him soundly. Fire seemed to burn in his eyes. He was certain that if he hadn't known he was outmatched by Zhang Yang, he would have charged forward to teach him a lesson, even with the police present.
But hearing Owner Chen’s words, Ishino Kankuro nearly spat blood. Wasn't Owner Chen’s statement effectively confirming that they were the unreasonable party who had humiliated themselves?
No matter what, Ishino Kankuro could not swallow this insult. Gritting his teeth, ignoring Owner Chen entirely, he addressed Huang Ze sternly. “Officer, I, Ishino Kankuro, am a distinguished guest specially invited for this Sino-Foreign Medical Exchange event in your country! Now, I have been struck by one of your people here—are you planning to ignore this and let this man leave? Is this how you treat guests? I, Ishino Kankuro, demand that you must apprehend this man, or I will report directly to the Japanese Embassy in China!”
Ishino Kankuro angrily leveled a barrage of accusations at Huang Ze, his posture practically suggesting he was about to stand on the officer’s head!
Sino-Foreign Medical Exchange event?
Hearing this, Zhang Yang let out a cold laugh. Just yesterday, Guo Yong had mentioned a Korean doctor specifically seeking out Jinghe Hospital, demanding a spar and exchange with him. Now, here was another Japanese man, also part of this medical exchange, and both were Neijin practitioners. This Sino-Foreign Medical Exchange event was becoming increasingly interesting.
Huang Ze’s face immediately changed color. Since being promoted to Police Station Director, when had he ever been accused like this? If it weren’t for the fact that the man was a foreign guest invited to the event, he would have arrested him long ago!
“Mr. Ishino, regardless of what happened, you were the one who provoked things first…” Huang Ze gritted his teeth, suppressing his temper, and tried to reason gently with Ishino Kankuro.
Unexpectedly, Ishino Kankuro only became more belligerent. “No! He hit me! I am the injured party! Therefore, you must arrest him. If you won't arrest him, fine—as long as he kneels down and kowtows to apologize, then I…”
Slap!
Ishino Kankuro didn't even finish his sentence before another resounding slap landed on his face!
Zhang Yang’s speed was incredible. Before anyone present could react, he was there, striking Ishino Kankuro hard again—right in front of Huang Ze, in front of the three bodyguards behind Ishino Kankuro, and in front of everyone in the restaurant!
Ptooey!!
This time, Ishino Kankuro spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, and a dull, yellowish tooth was knocked loose and fell onto the floor!
“Young Master!!”
The bodyguards, seeing their master slapped in public, were instantly ready to leap forward, but Zhang Yang swept a cold glance over them. The three bodyguards were forced to halt their charge, crowding around Ishino Kankuro and anxiously inquiring about him.
Clutching his mouth, Ishino Kankuro was in so much pain that tears welled up. He stammered for a long time, unable to articulate a single word.
“Remember this,” Zhang Yang said coldly, staring down at Ishino Kankuro, speaking every word with weight. “This is my Huaxia. Here, you must abide by Huaxia’s rules! Only if you follow our rules are you a guest; if you do not, you are an enemy!”
“We are never merciful to our enemies!”
“Well said!!”
The first person to clap and cheer was, surprisingly, Huang Ze. After hearing Zhang Yang’s declaration, Huang Ze completely forgot his official standing and simply shouted his approval!
Zhang Yang’s words successfully vented a torrent of suppressed anger in Huang Ze. He looked at Ishino Kankuro and stated directly, “Mr. Ishino, if this matter is truly to be pursued by the authorities, then I would have no choice but to bring you in myself!”
“Young Master, let’s leave first and report to the Master…” Fujii Ichiro, clearly the leader of the three security men, helped support Ishino Kankuro and whispered something in his ear.
Ishino Kankuro understood that he had truly run into a formidable opponent this time. Helplessly, he allowed Fujii Ichiro to support him as they retreated toward the restaurant entrance.
“Apologize first, then you can leave,” Zhang Yang told Ishino Kankuro calmly.
Ishino Kankuro shot a venomous look at Zhang Yang, then after a long pause, mumbled a single word from his mouth.
“Sorry!”
“Not me, her!” Zhang Yang pointed at Mi Xue, refusing to let it go.
“Sorry!” Ishino Kankuro was forced to apologize again to Mi Xue, then, supported by Fujii Ichiro, the four of them shuffled out of the Western restaurant like a pack of stray dogs.
Seeing Ishino Kankuro and his group flee in disgrace, the restaurant erupted in laughter.
No one noticed that after Ishino Kankuro left, one customer also quietly exited the Western restaurant.
This individual, upon stepping out the restaurant door, watched the retreating figures of Ishino’s party, then took out a mobile phone and dialed a number.
“Hello, is this Mr. Jin?”
“Indeed, it is.”
“It’s like this: just now, Ishino Kankuro from Japan was severely disciplined by a Chinese man.”
“Oh?”
“And the man who disciplined Ishino Kankuro is the Jinghe Hospital intern you asked me to investigate—Zhang Yang.”
“What! It’s really Zhang Yang? Are you sure you aren't mistaken?”
“Rest assured, there’s absolutely no way I’m mistaken; I’ve been following them all day!”
“Good. You did well this time. Don't worry, your payment will be transferred to your bank account shortly!”
“Understood. Thank you, Mr. Jin.”
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