Chapter 78: Don’t Forge Connections Where There Are None

"Kid, do you realize that in all of Fengyang County, what I say goes?" Brother Tao’s face darkened as several burly security guards approached nearby, each with a fierce look about them. They weren’t here to mediate; instead, they looked at Qin Yang and his companions with mocking smiles.

Qin Ye felt uneasy and whispered in Huang Zequn’s ear, "This supermarket belongs to his mother, and the security guards used to be thugs. Brother Tao has some pull. What about us?"

Huang Zequn glared at him. "Can’t you have a little backbone? I just don’t get it—how did Qin Yang end up with such a useless brother?"

"I, I…" Qin Ye gritted his teeth, standing aside, not daring to say more.

Though Huang Zequn had never stirred up any major trouble in Jianghai City, it was only because he was more prone to mouthing off than to causing real harm, thanks to strict family discipline and fear of being beaten by his father. But anyone who dared send him to the hospital would have to contend with his father, who worked in the city’s military district and would not let matters rest.

Qin Wu nodded in agreement. "Exactly, you’re just too disappointing."

"But this is a big mess. I’m afraid," Qin Ye said helplessly, worry written across his face.

"Afraid?" Liu Fei scoffed. "Qin Ye, if you’re scared, beg for mercy. Maybe Brother Tao will let you off. But that kid—hmph."

Liu Na nodded like a pecking chick. "That’s right, Qin Ye. For old times’ sake, apologize, take Brother Tao out for a meal, and make amends."

"And buy him a gift as a token of apology, right?" Qin Wu mocked. "You’ve got your little plans worked out, huh? Now you’re starting to think Liu Fei isn’t as wealthy as Qin Ye? Don’t you think it’s a bit late? Even if Qin Ye’s money were thrown to the dogs, it wouldn’t go to you. Let it go—you’ll be lucky to get two takeout boxes, sold right outside, five bucks each."

"You—"

Liu Na’s eyes widened, her face livid as she cursed, "You wretch!"

"You’re calling me a wretch?" Qin Wu wasn’t annoyed. Having had her thunder stolen by Huang Zequn earlier, she was unwilling to let it go, so now she seized a bit of verbal advantage to vent her frustration. As for the actual fighting, that was Qin Yang’s job—after all, he was the best fighter among them. Whatever trouble they caused, they could always pat themselves down and head back to Haitian City. The thought energized Qin Wu even more. "Don’t think Liu Fei doesn’t know what you’re after—being with him is just to stroke your vanity. He’s just playing with you, nothing more. You really think you’re that beautiful?"

"Say that again, you wretch!" Liu Na shouted. "Are you looking for trouble?"

A crowd had gathered to watch the spectacle, but most hung back, unwilling to intervene. The security guards were clearly about to use force—what business did anyone else have getting involved?

"Bite me, why don’t you," Qin Wu sneered.

Liu Na’s face flushed red with rage as she stepped forward to slap Qin Wu, but seeing Qin Yang and Huang Zequn’s cold smiles, she hesitated and didn’t dare move further. Brother Tao snorted and stepped forward. "You two—I won’t make it hard for you. Slap each other ten times, and I’ll let you go. How about it?"

"Idiot," Qin Yang rolled his eyes.

"Beat them! If you kill them, I’ll take responsibility!" Brother Tao shouted angrily.

The four security guards behind him couldn’t wait any longer and charged forward. Qin Ye wanted to step in and mediate, but Qin Yang was faster—he stepped forward and delivered a slap to each. The guards groaned and collapsed, lying on the ground. Liu Fei and his companions' faces changed, and Brother Tao looked utterly mortified. This was his territory; if word got out, how could he hold his head up here? He immediately shot a look at Liu Fei, who understood and began dialing four or five phone calls in quick succession.

"Brother, it’s no use. Wang Zhi Tao really is the county mayor’s son. His whole family wields enormous influence in Fengyang County—we can’t beat them," Qin Ye said with a bitter smile. "This isn’t something money can fix. None of them are easy to deal with."

"Take Qin Yao and head back. Leave this to us," Qin Yang said helplessly.

"Leave? Dream on," Liu Na sneered. "Brother Tao’s called for backup—they’ll be here in minutes. Qin Ye, you’re in for a rough time."

Qin Ye and Qin Yao exchanged bitter smiles, their faces pale. As Qin Ye had said, Wang Zhi Tao’s family was extremely powerful in Fengyang County. As locals, they knew this all too well—especially Qin Ye, who had heard plenty about Liu Zhi Tao at school. Anyone who relied on him as a backer was a big player in any school. Once, one of Wang Zhi Tao’s followers was bullied as a freshman by seniors. That follower brought twenty men, blocked their classroom, and beat the offending students in front of the teachers. The culprits didn’t retaliate—instead, they kept apologizing, and now they were worthless in school, untouchable.

Qin Yang and his companion wanted to see just how many people would show up.

They decided to confront the situation head-on. After about ten minutes, suddenly a dozen vehicles pulled up in the plaza outside the supermarket, including the county enforcement team. Plenty of thugs and riffraff—over thirty strong and burly men—poured inside, scattering all customers from the area and surrounding Qin Yang’s group.

"Hit them! If you injure them, I’ll take responsibility. If you kill them, I’ll take responsibility," Wang Zhi Tao said darkly.

Huang Zequn stepped forward and waved his hand. "Hold on—can we make a call first?"

"Fine," Wang Zhi Tao seemed supremely confident in his influence in the county. He was curious to see who would dare help these two.

"Who do I call?" Qin Yang frowned. "Who should I dial?"

"Obviously, you make the call," Huang Zequn replied irritably. "What, you want my dad to show up with a gun and rescue me? If that happens, neither of us will escape alive—we’ll each get a bullet, no doubt."

"Who can I call?" Qin Yang complained.

Qin Ye and Qin Yao could only smile bitterly. Qin Ye stepped forward. "I know Wang Zhi Tao. Maybe I can talk to him and apologize?"

"No," the three replied in unison. Qin Wu, especially indignant, said, "Even if we die, we won’t beg. It’s too humiliating."

"Well said. Can you call for help?" Qin Yang clapped his hands.

Qin Wu’s face fell. "I’m only here to visit my uncle. Do you really want to see a good girl like me turn into a troublemaker? Besides, I’m pretending to be your brother’s girlfriend. If my dad finds out, your brother will get a beating."

"Come on, Old Qin, can we stop playing around?" Huang Zequn grumbled. "Thirty plus thugs—I can take care of myself, you can too, but what about the other three? These guys aren’t the type to show mercy. Look at those uniformed guys with cigarettes—damn, city enforcement officers. It’s almost New Year’s. Do we really want to end up in the hospital? If word gets out that we got mobbed in a little county town, we’ll lose all face in Jianghai City. If we can’t win, my dad will really kill me. I can’t afford that shame. Can you be smart about this?"

Seeing his rant, Qin Ye and Qin Yao grew even more anxious.

"I’ll try. No idea if the Cao family has anyone here," Qin Yang said, pulling out his phone. He dialed, and after three or four rings, a deep voice answered, "Young master, what’s the matter?"

"Uh, I’m surrounded," Qin Yang said gloomily. "At a supermarket in Fengyang County."

"Young master, I have a lot on my plate," Boss Cao paused, then said, "If you want to have fun, go find Guo Tao."

"If he could come, I wouldn’t be calling you," Qin Yang retorted. "Send someone over in ten minutes. If they don’t make it, forget about getting Donghai Star back—I’ll auction it off."

"How many people do you need?" Boss Cao asked.

Helpless, this young man still hadn’t returned Donghai Star. Neither he nor Qin Lie believed Qin Yang had forgotten—they knew he was using it as leverage for favors. This request wasn’t excessive, so Boss Cao wouldn’t miss the chance, lest Qin Yang try something even more outrageous later.

"Ten minutes."

After hanging up, Qin Yang told the others.

Wang Zhi Tao, brimming with confidence, sneered, "Fine, just don’t regret it. The longer I wait, the worse it’ll be for you."

Qin Ye and Qin Yao dared not interrupt. Meanwhile, Huang Zequn and Qin Yang whispered quietly, discussing who knows what, while Qin Wu tried to join but was glared away, leaving her to stomp her foot and curse the two for their lack of loyalty. Ten minutes—neither long nor short—soon passed.

Five Audi cars pulled up at the entrance. Out stepped several men in suits and dark sunglasses. Qin Yang immediately recognized them as Boss Cao’s men—only he dressed his subordinates like this.

"Eh? Brother Yang?"

"Huh? Brother Hao, what brings you here?"

"Third Brother? You? How do you have time to be here?"

Among the thirty or so men Wang Zhi Tao had called, surprised voices rang out, and seven or eight hurried forward to greet the newcomers. "Brothers, what wind brought you here?"

Even Wang Zhi Tao was taken aback. He hesitantly walked over, took out a cigarette, and offered it. "Brother Hai, what brings you here?"

"So it’s you who doesn’t know your place," said Zhao Hai, the leader, who had once besieged Qin Yang at the club in Jianghai City. He’d witnessed firsthand how ruthless Qin Yang could be, and he knew these men were no match—if Qin Yang got hold of a knife, no one would dare approach. The Thirteen Underworld Enforcers were proof of that, and calling in reinforcements was simply to tidy up the mess. For Zhao Hai, this was no real trouble, so he was happy to oblige.

Though Wang Zhi Tao was the son of an official, in Jianghai City he was just a local boss. With Boss Cao backing him, Zhao Hai had no reason to show him any respect. Besides, Wang Zhi Tao dabbled in coal business in the city, and in Fengyang County he didn’t need to curry favor, but elsewhere, he’d need Boss Cao’s men to carry out his business smoothly. So Zhao Hai wasn’t afraid of him at all.

"Wang Zhi Tao, business is business between us, but don’t try to claim more than that. We only know each other from drinking together—that’s the extent of it."