Chapter Fifty-Five: Going Against Jin Biao

Chapter Fifty-Five: Going Head-to-Head with Jin Biao

“If we don’t move, what can you do?” Xu Yun strode out from the kitchen, bluntly rejecting the landlady’s opportunistic demand. “You’re not young anymore, Auntie. Surely you know the importance of integrity. Accumulate some virtue for yourself, leave blessings for your descendants.”

A true tough guy—his words left everyone stunned. After all, Wen Qing was Jin Biao’s wife, one of the few people in Hedong City who could walk wherever she pleased without fear.

Among the crowd, the Three Tigers of South City were considered the best connected, but only in Wenhui and Hongnan Districts. Compared to the fallen Wang Shunxi and Fan Nanjie, they were still lacking. Yet even those two weren’t worth Wen Qing’s attention.

Now, Xu Yun had openly called her an old aunt and implied she lacked virtue… clearly showing he had no intention of giving her any face.

Wen Qing’s usually impassive face slowly flushed red and she nearly gritted her teeth. “You brat, no one born yet dares to speak to me like this…”

“Aunt Wen, please give me a chance to explain,” Ruan Qingshuang pleaded, not wanting to offend the landlady. The rent had been fair when she signed the lease, and she truly couldn’t bear to move—especially after spending so much on renovations.

“Explain? There’s nothing you can say that’ll change my mind.” Wen Qing’s voice was cold. “Tomorrow, if you’re still here, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

Ruan Qingshuang, usually gentle and soft-spoken, suddenly raised her voice in desperation. “Can’t you just listen to my explanation before making up your mind?”

Her outburst startled Wen Qing, and everyone except Xu Yun and Qiu Yan felt a jolt. Guoguo had never seen her mother like this—she hurried to hide in Qin Wan’er’s arms, making Xu Yun a little envious.

Wen Qing sneered. “Losing your temper with me? When I rented you this place, you weren’t so fiery. Looks like you’ve grown some wings now.”

“That’s not true…” Ruan Qingshuang realized how loud she’d been, a little shocked at herself.

“No need to explain. She’s not here to listen, she’s here to reclaim her property,” Xu Yun stepped forward, shielding the timid Ruan Qingshuang behind him. “Even if it wasn’t this excuse, she’d find another.”

Xu Yun glanced at Wen Qing, “Am I wrong, Auntie?”

“Let’s see if you’re still so bold tomorrow,” Wen Qing snapped, hating Xu Yun to the bone. She couldn’t stand being called old by a man. With a heavy snort, she turned and strode out, climbing into a white Lexus at the door and speeding away.

The once lively atmosphere in the health food restaurant became oppressive and gloomy. Ruan Qingshuang took a long time to calm herself, her face full of grievance as she finally looked at Xu Yun through tearful eyes. “Xu Yun, what should I do? Help me…”

“Of course. You’re my boss—who else would I help?” Xu Yun’s smile was easy as ever. He shot a glance at Guoguo and Qin Wan’er.

Qin Wan’er hurried over, “Sister Shuang, you must be exhausted these days. Let’s go upstairs.”

“That’s right, Mom, you haven’t checked Guoguo’s homework yet,” Guoguo chimed in, being extra considerate.

Once Qin Wan’er and Ruan Qingshuang went upstairs, the Three Tigers and the others couldn’t sit still.

“Brother Yun, she’s Jin Biao’s woman from the East—she’s trouble,” Shan Hongning frowned. “Can’t believe this is her property.”

Lu Feng cursed, “Damn, looks like Jin Biao and Wen Qing have been eyeing our southern territory for a while!”

“Exactly,” Kong Zhong took a sharp breath. “With Wang Shunxi and Fan Nanjie both toppled, everyone thinks our South District is leaderless. Sister Shuang’s name carries some weight now, but she’s still new—those big shots won’t care. Wen Qing probably came because she heard about the changes here.”

Qiangzi finally found his voice, “So she really came just to stir up trouble?”

Xu Yun smirked, “She came prepared, and she wasn’t surprised to see all of you here. Clearly she already knew.”

“She dared come alone?” Qiangzi gritted his teeth—what a slap in the face.

“If she came alone, would you dare lay a hand on her?” Xu Yun’s question was simple.

Everyone paused, swallowing hard and lowering their heads. Indeed, no matter how arrogant Wen Qing was, none of them dared touch her—she was Jin Biao’s wife, and nobody wanted to make an enemy of the East Big Boss…

Qiangzi stayed silent for a long while; Brother Yun’s words were blunt and left him feeling embarrassed.

Kong Zhong timidly asked, “Brother Yun, what should we do? Are we really going to move out right after opening?”

It was a brutal question. If they didn’t want to offend Jin Biao, moving out was the only option.

“I’m not moving,” Xu Yun replied decisively.

“Brother, that really means going head-to-head with Jin Biao,” Lu Feng formed an ‘eight’ with his thumb and forefinger, uneasy. “Jin Biao has real guns—he’s shot quite a few people.”

Shan Hongning wilted at this, “In all of Hedong, our southern district is the weakest. If it comes to a fight, we’ll suffer.”

“I’ve got two shotguns, but if we use them, what about the police…” Kong Zhong glanced at the stairs. “Can Officer Qin protect us?”

“If you fire, she’ll arrest you. Better hand over those junk guns,” Xu Yun waved a hand. “What happens later is later. Go eat, go play—this isn’t your concern.”

He paused, then continued, “And tomorrow, nobody needs to bring backup. Understand?”

Such resolve!

It won everyone’s admiration. Wen Qing had already come to threaten them, and tomorrow she’d return to finish the job, yet Xu Yun still spoke so boldly. How could these hardened men not be convinced? The person they didn’t dare provoke was nothing to Xu Yun.

Sometimes, one man’s courage can inspire many. Someone brought out the wine, and a hundred people gathered around Xu Yun, toasting him for hours, as if they’d forgotten Wen Qing’s threats.

After ensuring the area was safe, Qiu Yan returned to the health food restaurant. By then, Xu Yun was already tipsy—after all, a hundred people had toasted him! Even a wine god has limits, and Xu Yun was no exception.

“That’s enough!” Qiu Yan suddenly barked, “If you’re not afraid to die young, keep letting him drink!”

When the Fox Lord was angry, it was intimidating. The Three Tigers exchanged glances and announced, “Let’s call it a night. Everyone’s eaten and drunk their fill, Sister Shuang needs to rest, and Brother Yun is done for. Time to clear out!”

Everyone dispersed, and peace returned to the health food restaurant.

“Sister Yan, let’s help Brother Yun upstairs,” Kong Zhong and Shan Hongning hoisted Xu Yun, surprised at how heavy he was despite his modest build. Lu Feng had to help as well.

Qiu Yan said coldly, “No need.” She walked over and, with one hand, steadied the drunken Xu Yun. “You all can leave now.”

The three men didn’t waste any more words and quickly left.

Qiu Yan led Xu Yun upstairs. Ruan Qingshuang and Qin Wan’er, still worried, hadn’t slept. Guoguo was already in bed, arguing with the king of dreams.

Ruan Qingshuang was both angry and concerned seeing Xu Yun so drunk. Qin Wan’er, exasperated, kicked him lightly. “Pathetic, how could you drink so much?”

“Enough, I’ll make some hot honey tea to sober him up,” Ruan Qingshuang got up to help.

“No need,” Qiu Yan said. “I have a faster way.”

With that, Qiu Yan marched to the bathroom, opened the door, dumped Xu Yun under the shower, turned on the cold water, and left, slamming the door behind her.

Damn! Xu Yun shivered under the icy water, realizing Qiu Yan had seen through his act. He sighed—he’d only pretended to be drunk to avoid being forced to drink more.

When Qiu Yan came out, she told Ruan Qingshuang and Qin Wan’er, “Go to bed. He’ll be fine soon.”

The two nodded, half believing her.

Xu Yun adjusted the water temperature, stripped, and enjoyed a comfortable shower. He wasn’t worried about the landlady’s threats; he’d never back down. If she came at him hard, he’d respond in kind.

After showering, Xu Yun realized Qiu Yan had dumped him in there without giving him clean clothes. Was he supposed to go out naked?

He dried off, relieved that everyone was asleep. Otherwise, how would he get out?

Wearing nothing, Xu Yun quickly opened the bathroom door and tiptoed back to his room, smooth as silk.

He couldn’t have known that Ruan Qingshuang, worried, had kept her door slightly open, watching the hallway. Every movement of Xu Yun, every expression and step, was etched in her eyes.

Only when Xu Yun disappeared into his room did Ruan Qingshuang snap out of it and hurriedly close her door. Her heart thumped wildly, like a startled deer.

She’d just seen Xu Yun naked and stared at him until he vanished—when had she become so… so… Ruan Qingshuang was utterly dazed.

“Mom,” Guoguo suddenly spoke, startling her.

“Guoguo, why aren’t you asleep yet?” Ruan Qingshuang was still unsettled, then her eyes widened, “You… you didn’t see anything just now, did you?”

Guoguo looked puzzled, “Huh? What’s wrong, Mom?”

Hearing this, Ruan Qingshuang relaxed. “Nothing, just go to sleep, you have to get up early for school tomorrow.”

Guoguo rolled over, unconcerned, “It’s just Dad coming out after a shower without clothes. What’s the big deal? It was dark anyway…”

A thunderbolt struck Ruan Qingshuang, her body stiffening. Her accidental peeking had been discovered by this little rascal… How could she face herself as a mother?