Cao Cheng originally wanted to speak up and remind them not to offend the protagonist’s beautiful mother.
However, as he watched the group of subordinates in black suits already marching off in a grand formation, his lips parted slightly… yet the words were swallowed back down.
Forget it.
This was a good chance to test them.
If those two idiots really dared to kidnap the protagonist’s beautiful mother in broad daylight… then they truly deserved it.
If they were that incompetent, he would send them straight to Africa.
…
Meanwhile, on the other side.
The brothers Wang Hu and Wang Long strode forward aggressively with their group of subordinates toward the confrontation.
On the way, Wang Hu turned his head and glanced at his younger brother. “Xiao Long, when things get rough later, stay behind. Just watch your brother handle it.”
Wang Long scratched his head, confused. “What are you talking about? Who are we fighting?”
Wang Hu frowned. “Isn’t Young Master asking us to cripple these people?”
“No, he told us to bring that… that woman over first.”
Following his brother’s pointing finger, Wang Hu suddenly understood. “Oh, so Young Master wants a change of taste. That’s easy. But judging by the situation, we’ll probably still have to act…”
“Brother, don’t rush to fight yet,” Wang Long interrupted, then explained after seeing his confusion, “I think Young Master is acting a bit strange today. He probably doesn’t want to use force like before. I’ll go talk to them first. If it doesn’t work, we’ll ask Young Master again.”
“What about the villagers causing trouble?”
Wang Long glanced at the villagers, then shifted his gaze to Xu Qingrou. His brows furrowed. “Leave them for now. Bring this woman to Young Master first.”
Wang Hu nodded, agreeing.
The two brothers had no idea they had just walked along the edge of a cliff again. After deciding on their approach, they led their men quickly toward the group of thugs.
The two opposing sides reacted immediately.
The villagers took two uneasy steps back but tightened their grip on their tools.
The thugs, however, grew excited.
After all, the legendary big shot was right behind them. This was their chance to perform and rise through the ranks.
Even the thug leader, who had just been groveling before Cao Cheng, now straightened his back and regained his domineering presence. Standing alone before the armed villagers, he issued a final warning.
“Did you see the people coming over there?! Let me tell you, Young Master Cao is here today! I’m giving you one last chance—leave now while you still can. Once they get here, don’t blame me when you end up crippled!”
After he finished, his underlings began shouting as well, ready to attack at any moment.
The villagers, seeing these thugs acting like madmen and noticing the approaching group of suited men, began to hesitate.
After all, the Cao Group had already paid them sufficient compensation. Moreover, there were only a dozen or so families here. If a fight broke out, they might truly be crippled.
They had all heard of Cao Cheng’s ruthless reputation.
Breaking limbs was considered lenient.
Worse cases meant being thrown into a river to feed the fish…
As for why they had come to block the demolition—
It all started a few days ago when the compensation hadn’t fully been distributed. They had gathered to discuss what to do, but before they could even organize properly, the Cao Group suddenly paid the full compensation.
Most villagers took the money and left, starting new lives.
But this small group thought differently.
If they could get money without even causing trouble… wouldn’t they get even more if they did?
Driven by greed—and pushed by certain instigators—they stood here today.
The biggest problem was that they had no legal grounds. They didn’t even dare report to the authorities.
So if a fight really broke out…
Money was good, but only if they were alive to spend it.
Just as the villagers began wavering, ready to leave—
A voice suddenly rang out from the crowd. “Everyone, don’t panic! I don’t believe they dare to touch us!”
Some villagers regained their courage and chose to continue the standoff.
But the thug leader exploded in anger. “Sun Er! You damn bachelor, are you tired of living?! Don’t think I can’t recognize you just because you’re hiding! If you’ve got guts, come out and say that again!”
Though afraid, Sun Er gritted his teeth and stepped forward for the sake of money. “I’m right here. What can you do to me?!”
“Fine, fine! You won’t listen when I speak nicely? Then just wait for death!”
“I don’t believe you dare! If you’ve got the guts, kill me!”
The two exchanged a barrage of insults, spitting in each other’s faces, yet neither dared to strike first.
Only when Wang Long and Wang Hu arrived with their men did they stop.
Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Sun Er immediately retreated into the crowd.
Life was more important.
Meanwhile, the thug leader hurried over to the brothers and bowed respectfully. “Brother Long, Brother Hu, what should we do next?”
Wang Long glanced at him, then nodded to Wang Hu before walking straight toward the villagers, bringing two bodyguards with him.
The thug leader asked cautiously, “Brother Hu, what is Brother Long doing?”
Wang Hu shot him a look. “Don’t ask what you shouldn’t. Just follow orders.”
Then he kept his gaze on Wang Long, ready for any unexpected situation.
The thug leader could only nod repeatedly and observe.
Among the villagers, people nudged Sun Er, urging him to step up again.
Sun Er felt miserable.
He was terrified of Wang Long, but he had accepted money to lead this group. If he backed down now, the villagers would disperse, and if he failed his employer…
Returning the money would be the least of his worries.
He clenched his teeth.
All or nothing.
“You… who are you? What do you want?” he stammered, stepping forward again.
But Wang Long ignored him completely.
He walked straight up to Xu Qingrou.
Smiling, he extended his hand. “Hello, miss.”
Xu Qingrou tightened her grip on the broom in her hand, instinctively wary of the smiling man who clearly didn’t look like a good person. She ignored his hand but still replied politely, “Hello.”
Wang Long nodded and casually withdrew his hand, secretly admiring Cao Cheng.
Young Master really had sharp eyes.
To spot such a stunning woman from that far away.
“It’s like this, miss. Our Young Master would like to speak with you.”
Xu Qingrou’s delicate face grew tense, mixed with confusion. “Speak… about what?”
“I’m not sure, probably about why you’re here.”
A trace of understanding flashed in her eyes, quickly replaced by firmness. She raised the broom in front of her defensively. “Then there’s nothing to talk about.”
Wang Long’s expression turned cold. “Miss, don’t make things difficult for me.”
“What… what are you trying to do?!” Xu Qingrou stepped back in fear as two burly men approached, clutching the broom tightly.
“What are you doing?!” Sun Er shouted, forcing himself to step forward again.
He had coveted Xu Qingrou for years. Though she always ignored him, he couldn’t resist her charm. In fact, gathering the villagers this time wasn’t just about money—it was mainly for her.
Now that Wang Long was targeting her, how could he stay silent?
Wang Long was startled by the shout and turned sharply. “Damn it! Are you tired of living?!”
Without waiting for a response, he signaled his two bodyguards.
They immediately moved toward Sun Er.
The villagers gripped their tools nervously, ready to act at any moment.
But the two seasoned, well-built bodyguards showed no fear.
They stared the villagers down and walked straight through them.
No one dared to move.
Soon, they stood before Sun Er.
Terrified to the core, he still forced himself to raise his shovel and shouted, “What do you want? Don’t tell me you want to—”
Bang!
“Aah—!”
One punch landed squarely on his face.
His already unpleasant features twisted grotesquely as he collapsed to the ground.
Yet even then, he kept cursing loudly.
The bodyguards showed no mercy, kicking and beating him relentlessly.
His screams echoed through the area.
“Ah! Ah—! Ah!!!…”
Some villagers wanted to help, but another bodyguard blocked their path. “If you want to end up like him, go ahead.”
They hesitated.
They already had enough compensation. They were only here to gain more.
Risking their lives for this?
Not worth it.
Especially with Wang Hu and more men approaching.
In the end, they chose to stay out of it.
Wang Long watched the scene with satisfaction before turning back to Xu Qingrou. “Miss, have you decided?”
Her body trembled.
She looked at him, then at the battered Sun Er.
After a moment of struggle, she made her decision.
“I… tell them to stop, and I’ll go with you.”
“You should’ve agreed earlier,” Wang Long said, though he still gestured for the bodyguards to stop.
After one last glance at Sun Er, he said, “Come with me.”
Then he turned and signaled Wang Hu before heading back toward Cao Cheng.
He didn’t even bother checking if Xu Qingrou would follow.
Behind him, she hesitated briefly before finally stepping forward, just as he expected.
…
Meanwhile, inside the car.
Cao Cheng had seen everything.
At first, he had already taken out his phone, ready to book flights to Africa for the two brothers.
But the system’s timely reminder revealed the true cause of this incident.
Especially after learning that the man being beaten was one of the instigators, Cao Cheng even felt like dragging the bodyguard away and kicking him personally.
Damn it.
This bastard was the reason he had to wake up so early.
If he didn’t deal with him properly, it would disgrace his title as a great villain.
However, seeing Xu Qingrou approaching, he suppressed the urge.
There would be time to settle accounts later.
For now, he simply sat quietly, waiting.
Soon, Wang Long arrived with her.
Unaware that he had once again brushed past disaster, he smiled ingratiatingly. “Young Master, I’ve brought her.”
Cao Cheng waved his hand and stepped out of the car with slight support from Wang Long.
Then, he walked straight toward Xu Qingrou.