Before they even got home, Qin Junlan saw a group of unexpected visitors crowding the narrow alleyway.
There were three groups of people. The first was made up of curious onlookers. The second group was her own crew. A few were missing, likely out on surveillance, but Rock, the Dong and Tao brothers, and Xiao Ling were there.
The third group was clearly trouble.
Among them, Qin Junlan spotted Rongzai and a few familiar faces. These were the same people who had followed Tie Hu into her home the last time.
She raised an eyebrow and said with a calm tone, “What kind of wind is blowing today? My little alley sure is popular.”
Rongzai grinned, his mouth full of crooked yellow teeth. “Well, look who’s back. Our boss Tie Hu is looking for you. Come along.”
Though his words were directed at Qin Junlan, his eyes lingered on Bai Lansheng in the passenger seat with an unsettling look. He clearly didn’t take Qin Junlan seriously. This time, he had come with a mission.
The group behind Rongzai started to laugh and point at the two women with mocking smiles.
Qin Junlan’s expression turned cold. This was not the first time people had barged in like they owned the place. Did they really think this was a public playground?
She calmly stepped out of the car, her long legs moving with confidence. After closing the door behind her, she reached in to help Bai Lansheng out as well and gently smoothed the silver strands of her hair.
Rongzai’s smug expression faded when he was ignored. His face darkened with frustration.
But Qin Junlan didn’t even spare him a glance. She was already thinking about why they had come. Last time, Tie Hu had backed off the moment Brother Su was mentioned. There was no reason for them to show up again, unless something had changed.
Her crew quickly moved to her side. They lined up across from Rongzai’s group, ready to defend her while also trying to explain what had happened.
Too many voices were speaking at once. Qin Junlan raised her hand for silence. Once everyone quieted down, she looked at Rock, who appeared the most composed, and signaled for him to speak.
The others fell silent and turned toward Rock.
Rock scratched the back of his neck, clearly feeling the pressure.
Bai Lansheng noticed something strange. Qin Junlan had only lifted her hand, yet everyone obeyed her at once. When did this shameless thug become so commanding?
She looked down quickly, hiding the surprise in her eyes.
“Don’t rush,” Qin Junlan said gently. “Take your time.”
Her calm attitude helped ease the tension. Rock took a breath and began explaining. He told her in detail what Rongzai and his group had done and said. During his explanation, the other group continued making noise and trying to provoke them, but no one on Qin Junlan’s side reacted.
Now she understood why so many people were standing around watching. Rongzai had made a big show on the way here, drawing attention to their arrival. Then, at the entrance of the alley, he loudly called out her name, demanding she come out to see Tie Hu.
Even when Rock told them she wasn’t home, Rongzai refused to believe it. He claimed she was hiding inside because she was too scared to show her face. When Rock blocked their attempt to enter, it only made her seem more cowardly in the eyes of the crowd.
Green Hair wasn’t around. Da Hai, the calmest among them, was also gone. And with a few others missing, Rock and the rest hadn’t known how to handle the situation. They had managed to stay calm, but the tension had been building.
If Qin Junlan had returned just a bit later, the two sides probably would have started fighting.
Now that she had heard the full story, she began to form a plan in her mind.
The commotion stirred up by Rongzai and his gang was intentional. His goal was to provoke someone from her side into making a move. Beyond that, this whole incident was hiding Tie Hu’s deeper ambitions.
Tie Hu likely had more in mind than just meeting her once.
At first, Tie Hu didn’t take her seriously. Right in front of her, he openly showed his desire for Bai Lansheng. But after he found out that Plastique had met with her, he chose to back off. That meant he still had some concerns about Plastique.
However, after she met Plastique and her status improved, Tie Hu still sent people to cause trouble. That was clearly to suppress her rise.
He stirred up attention to achieve two things. First, to show off how many people Tie Hu had. Second, to let the onlookers witness how weak her side appeared in comparison and to warn those close to her.
If she showed up, it would seem like she was lowering herself. That would raise Tie Hu’s position in everyone’s eyes.
If she didn’t show up, it would still fall into Tie Hu’s plan.
In the minds of those who didn’t know the full story, it would look like she was afraid of Tie Hu.
For small-time gang members who come from the bottom, the main reason to join a group is strength. And the best way to judge a group’s strength is through two things: the number of people and the power of the leader.
Qin Junlan let out a cold laugh. Tie Hu looked like a brainless brute with muscles and fat everywhere. Who would have thought he could be this calculating?
Using her as a stepping stone? Then he shouldn’t blame her for breaking that leg.
Qin Junlan pushed Bai Lansheng behind Yan Shi and the others, blocking Rongzai and his gang from looking at her.
She told Bai Lansheng, “If things get out of hand, I may not be able to look after you. If they come at us, follow Yan Shi and the others and run to the grocery store to find Old Wu.”
Then she turned to Yan Shi and said, “If they make a move, take her and get out of here first.”
With Bai Lansheng safely arranged, Qin Junlan picked up the bag leaning against the car that held her fishing rod. She pulled out the brand-new rod. She hadn’t expected to use it so soon.
She calmly started assembling the rod and even spoke to Rongzai without any urgency. “You’re our guest. I didn’t treat you properly last time, and that was my mistake. This time, I’ll make sure to be a proper host.”
Rongzai felt uneasy under her gaze, but quickly comforted himself. They had more people than she did. What was there to be afraid of? Qin Sisi was just a cornered animal pretending to be tough. Once he brought her to Tie Hu and completed the task, Tie Hu would value him even more.
As he pictured himself rising in power, Rongzai beamed and proudly said, “Good that you know your place. No need for cheap hospitality. That broken-down house of yours doesn’t interest me. Come with us. Don’t keep Boss Tie Hu waiting.”
“I’m afraid he’ll have to wait a little longer,” Qin Junlan replied with a smile.
She flicked her wrist, and the rod whipped forward. The hook landed squarely on Rongzai’s arm.
Rongzai only saw a flash before sharp pain tore through his arm. As his body jerked from the force, he fell forward into the mud, landing face first. Mud smeared all over him, and his clothes were soaked and filthy.
Qin Junlan thought the filthy alley wasn’t completely useless. At least it was good for embarrassing people.
While she turned the reel slowly, tightening the line, her hands never stopped moving.
The fishing line went taut, and the hook dug deeper into Rongzai’s flesh.
He screamed in pain. He tried to pull the hook out, but it had pierced deeply into his muscle. The more he struggled, the deeper it went. Staring at the swollen skin stretched around the hook, he didn’t know what to do. All he could do was cry out for help.
“It hurts. Help me. Get it out.”
His friends tried to help, but he struggled too much. Qin Junlan kept pulling the line tight. The thin line was hard to grab, and they couldn’t do much to assist.
Qin Junlan said coldly, “If you don’t want him to lose the use of his arm, stay out of it.”
The moment she said that, everyone froze. They could only watch as Rongzai screamed in agony. The narrow alley made his cries echo, sounding even more terrifying.
Rongzai was crying uncontrollably.
Some of the men began to think, even if it really hurt, he was screaming so loudly it made them look like fools for picking this fight.
Some of them took a few steps back. They didn’t want to end up like Rongzai, humiliated and dirty.
Others started seeing Qin Junlan in a new light. They thought to themselves, this Qin Sisi is really bold, daring enough to go head-to-head with Tie Hu’s people.
Rongzai’s eyes were filled with fear. If his arm was ruined, he’d be crippled. How could he survive in this world then?
The image of his proud and powerful future faded completely. All he could focus on was the blood flowing from his arm. It was bright red and terrifying. He was truly scared now.
“Please stop. I’m begging you. Let me go. It hurts so much.”
In contrast, Qin Junlan was completely calm. “Are you satisfied with my hospitality?”
“Yes. I’m satisfied. Please let go.” Rongzai didn’t even register what she said.
“No. That won’t do.” Qin Junlan kept the line tight. She wanted to teach them a proper lesson.
To save his arm, Rongzai began crawling forward, dragged along by the hook.
He didn’t stop until he realized he was in her shadow. He looked up and saw that he had crawled right to her feet. He didn’t dare raise his head. Her presence was overwhelming. A chill ran down his back. He deeply regretted trying to stand out.
Now he had lost all face. When he went back, who knew how badly his brothers would mock him?
So when her foot pressed down on his head, he simply closed his eyes and played dead.
Qin Junlan looked around at the others. “If anyone else dares to make trouble, next time it won’t end so simply.”
She loosened the line and kicked Rongzai aside. Just as she was about to remove the hook, she heard the system’s voice.
System: You’re being too harsh. Sure, you scared the troublemakers, but what if you frightened Bai Lansheng too?
Qin Junlan: She’s scared?
Qin Junlan glanced back. Yan Shi and the others were still stunned from what had happened. They swallowed hard.
“Boss,” Yan Shi muttered, clearly shaken by her presence.
Qin Junlan noticed how they avoided her gaze and thought maybe she had gone too far.
She took a step back, handed the rod to Yan Shi, and walked behind them to check on Bai Lansheng.
What she saw was the top of her head.
Her bangs covered her face, and her head was lowered.
Qin Junlan was not pleased. She tucked Bai Lansheng’s hair behind her ear and lifted her chin to look at her face.
Qin Junlan: She seems calm. She was standing behind Yan Shi earlier, so maybe she didn’t see anything.
System: Her ears still work. And she’s wearing a mask. How can you tell if she’s calm or not?
Qin Junlan: Right. Good point.
Just as the system thought Qin Junlan had realized her mistake and would try to comfort Bai Lansheng, Qin Junlan suddenly pushed her forward.
Then she handed the fishing rod to her.
“He has a filthy mouth. So whether you want to forgive him or not is your choice,” Qin Junlan said, patting her shoulder in encouragement.
Bai Lansheng stood frozen under everyone’s gaze.
This was the second time.
The first time had been with Ke Nian. Now it was with these people who had insulted her.
Was this troublemaker standing up for her?
Bai Lansheng stared blankly at the rod in her hands.
System: What are you doing? Stop it. Don’t let her witness something so brutal.
Qin Junlan: They didn’t all rush us. Things are under control. I want to see something.
System: See what?
Qin Junlan: Do you think she’ll take action?
System: No way. Bai Lansheng would never do that.
Qin Junlan: But you said she could destroy the world.
System: That was under certain conditions.
Qin Junlan: Because of her past?
System: That’s not exactly it.
Qin Junlan: So that is part of it.
System: You’re being reckless. Bai Lansheng used to be very innocent. You just need to treat her well so she’ll give up those destructive thoughts.
Bai Lansheng began turning the reel, tightening the loosened fishing line.
Qin Junlan: And you said she wouldn’t make a move?
The system had no response.
Rongzai felt the line pulling on his arm again. Realizing he couldn’t keep pretending to be unconscious, he rushed to remove the hook before the line went taut again. But it was already too late.
Bai Lansheng spun the reel rapidly. The line tightened once more, pulling harshly on Rongzai’s arm.
Rongzai lunged at her, trying to grab the rod.
Qin Junlan stepped in to block him. She looked toward Bai Lansheng and saw that she didn’t stop.
The fishing line snapped under the strain.
At the same moment, Rongzai got what he wanted. He passed out from the pain.
The onlookers stared at his limp body on the ground and all gasped. The torn wound looked agonizing. And the one who did it had such an innocent face. She was nothing like the sweet and gentle Omega everyone had heard about.
Qin Junlan removed Bai Lansheng’s mask, revealing her disguised face. Many people were startled.
A lot of them had come because they had heard that Bai Lansheng was beautiful. None of them expected her to look so unpleasant.
It was not just her appearance. She looked fierce. People started whispering that it was no wonder Qin Sisi dared to go against Tie Hu. Of course she would choose an Omega this fierce.
Qin Junlan took off the mask at that moment on purpose. She wanted to create confusion. Even if it did not last long, it did not matter. She would rise to power soon enough.
The second reason was that she wanted to see Bai Lansheng’s expression.
Maybe it was because of the disguise, but her eyes seemed to carry a coldness.
Qin Junlan gently rubbed her hair and said, “You did well. Never let anyone who hurts you get away with it.”
Bai Lansheng’s eyelashes moved slightly.
The system spoke in a worried tone. “Are you encouraging her to take revenge? Be careful. You might end up getting burned.”
Qin Junlan responded calmly. “She needs a way to let it out. Keeping it all inside will only suffocate her.”
She looked at the men across from her and said clearly, “Go back and tell Tie Hu, if he wants to see me, he should come in person. He has legs. He can walk here himself.”
The group Rongzai brought looked unsure about how to leave. When they heard Qin Junlan’s words, they finally relaxed. She was letting them go.
“Wait a moment,” Qin Junlan added.
They all froze at once and turned to look at her, their faces stiff and uneasy.
Qin Junlan had always left room for negotiation. But now, her situation had changed. Her way of dealing with people had to change too. Just like Old Wu said, in a place like this, strength was everything.
She changed her mind and said, “Tell your boss that one week from today, same time and place, I challenge him to a fight. If he does not show up, then from now on, he had better walk the other way when he sees me.”