Hao Zemin's eyes widened in alarm, a strangled sound escaping his lips as he found himself suspended in the air.
"Huh?"
The grip on his neck didn't loosen, and then, with a sudden release, he was dropped unceremoniously to the ground with a resounding *Thud!* He winced in pain, his body absorbing the impact of the fall with a grunt.
"Argh!"
Wincing from the pain in his back, he managed to turn himself around, his voice trembling slightly, "Bast—I-I mean Big b-brother!?" His initial words of anger and defiance quickly morphed into a stammer as he caught sight of a tall, slightly dark-skinned figure standing before him, radiating an aura of controlled fury.
His petrified smile faded as he gulped nervously, realizing that he was now facing someone who clearly held authority over him.
The towering figure's glare was unwavering, and Hao Zemin's bravado evaporated in an instant.
He could only manage a nervous stammer as he tried to rephrase his words, a sweat forming on his forehead.
Before he could react further, a barrage of powerful punches landed on him in rapid succession.
The repeated sound of impacts echoed through the air like rapid drumbeats.
*Boom!*
"A-argh!"
*Boom!*
"Ahhhh!"
Hao Zemin's pained cries resonated as each punch landed on its mark, his body contorting with each hit.
The blows were forceful and unrelenting, turning his once-arrogant expression into a mask of pain and desperation.
His attempts to defend himself proved futile as the strikes continued to rain down upon him.
As Hao Zemin struggled to find his footing amidst the relentless assault, Wang Xiao's voice broke through the chaos. "Don't let him shout!" he reminded Mo Xiang, his tone firm and commanding.
Mo Xiang, fully understanding the gravity of the situation, nodded determinedly.
Without hesitation, he seized Hao Zemin's head and forcefully *slammed* his face into the ground, effectively muffling his cries.
Blood smeared across the surface, and Hao Zemin's lips were left bloodied and swollen as a result of the harsh impact.
The beating continued, with Mo Xiang's blows targeting Hao Zemin's backside and torso.
Each strike was fueled by a mixture of anger and justice, serving as retribution for the pain and fear Hao Zemin had caused others.
As Mo Xiang finally released his grip, Hao Zemin's face was swollen and disfigured—a stark contrast to his earlier arrogance.
"Haha!" Meanwhile, Wang Xiao watched the entire show, his satisfaction evident in his chuckles and laughter. Before long, the scene caught the attention of nearby adults, who quickly rushed over to intervene.
Instantly, both Wang Xiao and Mo Xiang ran away from the scene.
_________
"Hey, bro, you think we're gonna end up in some kind of mess?" Mo Xiang asked, his voice cautious as they made their way back to the bar.
Wang Xiao shook his head, his expression determined. "Nah, that guy used to be a schoolyard bully. If he spills the beans about us, it's gonna blow up, and all his dirty laundry will come tumbling out."
A flicker of relief crossed Mo Xiang's face as he nodded. Memories of the brutal beating they'd given Hao Zemin played in his mind, and now the fear of a potential run-in with the law was gnawing at him.
Little did Mo Xiang know, Wang Xiao was holding back a secret. In the unlikely event that things went south, Mo Xiang would bear the brunt of the punishment, while Wang Xiao would emerge from the chaos unscathed. His age and lack of direct involvement would see to that.
As the duo returned to the dimly lit confines of Shuangxue bar, their attention was drawn to Fu Chao, who sat there with a dreamy, drunken look in his eyes.
"What's up with him?" Wang Xiao asked Tan Weimin, a hint of skepticism in his tone.
Tan Weimin grinned wryly, tilting his head subtly. "Check that out."
Wang Xiao's gaze followed the unspoken cue, leading him to a corner where a mesmerizing sight unfolded.
A woman, perched on the upper deck, had an air of elegance that rivaled the sultry ambiance of the bar.
Her red dress teased a hint of bare skin, while her eyes, as radiant as ripe peaches, held a mysterious allure.
Strands of hair, glossy like moonlight on water, cascaded down her shoulders. She couldn't have been more than 22, and yet she exuded a mature charm that intoxicated the very air around her. With a glass of wine as her only companion, she seemed lost in her own world.
As Wang Xiao's eyes narrowed, he felt a jolt of recognition. He squinted at her face, racking his memory. And then, like a lightning bolt of realization, it hit him – he knew who she was.
"Brother Fu Chao, you're not trying to tell me you've fallen head over heels for that woman, are you?" Wang Xiao chuckled, plopping down right next to Fu Chao.
The other two exchanged knowing glances, their heads shaking almost in unison.
This wasn't the first time they'd witnessed Fu Chao's heart take a tumble at the sight of a beautiful woman.
How could one man claim to be in love with every attractive face that crossed his path?
Little did they know, this time, Fu Chao was in for a surprise!
Fu Chao scratched his head, a touch of awkwardness in his demeanor. "No, no, listen... this time it's different!"
Wang Xiao's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Oh really? And how exactly is it different from the last time?"
Fu Chao took a deep breath, as though mustering the courage to express his feelings. "You see, this woman... she's like a pure goddess in human form! My heart is practically screaming at me to pursue her, no matter what!"
Wang Xiao's composure wavered, his self-control just barely keeping him from spewing out the sip of drink he'd just taken.
Embodiment of goddess!?
Huh?
Oye, this is bar! Not a temple!
Wang Xiao let out a resigned sigh and gave Fu Chao's shoulder an understanding pat. "Let's find out the cost of your dream goddess, then," he muttered, the sigh carrying the weight of his skepticism.
To their surprise, he strode confidently toward the enchanting woman.
"Huh!?"
The unfolding scene left them utterly dumbfounded. Amidst the raucous atmosphere of the bar, Wang Xiao engaged in a conversation with her. And then, shockingly, he took her hand and guided her back towards their group.
"Damn!" Fu Chao's expletive escaped his lips, his nervousness palpable. Tan Weimin and Mo Xiang's expressions shifted to serious concern, sensing that something was awry.
"Hi," the woman greeted them with an endearing wave, her sweet gesture tugging at the strings of their hearts. But what happened next took everyone by surprise.
Wang Xiao settled onto a barstool and invited her to perch on the stool above him. And then, in a bizarre twist that defied all logic, he pinched her breasts over her clothing!
"What the hell!?"
Fu Chao's eyes nearly popped out of his head, his shock mirrored by Tan Weimin and Mo Xiang. Meanwhile, Wang Xiao burst into laughter and deftly extracted several hundred-yuan bills from Fu Chao's pockets, boldly tucking them into the woman's bra.
With a charming smile and a blown kiss directed at Wang Xiao, the woman gracefully retreated back to her spot on the deck.
Amid their stunned expressions, Wang Xiao couldn't contain his laughter. "Guys, she's an worker at Velvet Shadows! ... Fu Chao, your goddess is a prostitute! Hahaha!"
"...."
"Damn it!"
"Hahaha!"
Fu Chao's face flushed a deep shade of red, his embarrassment palpable.
Mo Xiang and Tan Weimin erupted into uproarious laughter, pounding the table in amusement.
They exchanged knowing glances, a mixture of mirth and sympathy directed at Fu Chao.