Chapter 27: Encircled and Attacked

Xiaoxiao nestled quietly in Chen Lan’s arms, unflinching in the face of such a scene—she had witnessed it all before. In the past, when the Lianhong Society came to her home to collect debts, they were always fearsome and menacing. She loathed these people, for every time they arrived, they would smash things; every time they snatched away money, she would hear her mother sobbing alone in her room.

Sometimes, she would try to fend them off with a broom, but her mother always pulled her back, clutching her tightly. More than resentment, what she truly felt was fear. Each time, she cried until she fell asleep in her mother’s embrace.

At her young age, Xiaoxiao didn’t really understand what debt collection meant. To her, it was simply robbery—men who not only stole but also destroyed and hurt, which seemed even more hateful than mere theft.

But this time, Xiaoxiao sensed something different. These villains weren’t the ones beating and screaming at them anymore; instead, the big brother she’d just met had turned the tables, beating and scolding the debt collectors, even reclaiming the money.

Indeed, Lu Feng handed thirty thousand yuan back to Chen Lan. Xiaoxiao knew it was money, though she didn’t know how much; what mattered was that the big brother had helped them get their money back.

Shan Wei felt a certain apprehension toward Lu Feng. After all, Lu Feng had crippled Crazy Xi with just one punch and one kick. If things escalated, no one here could stop Lu Feng, and even sleep would become uneasy.

Yet Shan Wei wasn’t entirely powerless—it all depended on what Lu Feng truly wanted. After Lu Feng reclaimed the thirty thousand, his finger pointed at Da Wei. Shan Wei’s eyes grew cold as he waited for Lu Feng to speak.

Pointing at Da Wei, Lu Feng said, “This man tried to set me up with a honey trap. I was planning to break his hand, but I’ve changed my mind. I won’t take back the money he swiped from my card, nor will I pursue what he did. But as for Chen Lan’s debt, it ends here.”

Before Shan Wei could reply, Da Wei couldn’t hold back. Chen Lan’s debt amounted to half a million—a sum that had ballooned through relentless interest, but meat in one’s mouth is not so easily surrendered. For these thugs, who’d kill for a mere hundred thousand, how could they let it go?

“Nonsense! She owes half a million. You think you can just wipe it clean? Dream on!” Da Wei spat, clearly incensed.

“It was only two hundred thousand at first…” Chen Lan couldn’t help but murmur. She’d borne this far too long. The debt with the Lianhong Society was usurious; no matter how hard she worked, she could never pay it off. The more she repaid, the more she owed—two hundred thousand became three, then four, then five…

In truth, Chen Lan was meek and resigned to her fate. If she’d seen any hope of repaying it all, she might never have chosen to run.

“Interest isn’t money?” Da Wei shot back immediately.

Throughout, Lu Feng kept his gaze fixed on Shan Wei, ignoring Da Wei entirely. Seeing Da Wei’s outburst, Lu Feng asked, “Who’s really in charge here?”

“Of course, it’s me,” Shan Wei replied.

“Then tie him up and make him shut up!”

“You—!” Da Wei pointed at Lu Feng, ready to curse.

Shan Wei glared at his brother, and seeing the look in his elder brother’s eyes, Da Wei could only retreat, disgruntled and silent.

“Business isn’t done this way. Banks charge interest too. If she owes half a million, she pays half a million,” Shan Wei declared firmly.

“Fine, half a million is nothing—I can pay it. But I want your brother to answer for his actions.” Lu Feng’s tone was unconcerned.

In the business of deception and trickery, the rules of the underworld allowed for retribution if the victim caught the swindler—provided, of course, the victim had the strength.

Clearly, Lu Feng had that strength.

“Fine—a honey trap is no big deal, a few thousand at most. I’m generous; I’ll give you another thirty thousand,” Shan Wei said.

“That’s not how it’s settled. The money doesn’t matter. What does is that he called seven or eight men to hack at me. I won’t ask for much—just let me return the favor with seven or eight cuts,” Lu Feng replied.

“Nonsense! My men never even touched you!” Da Wei blurted out again.

“If I hack at you, you can always dodge,” Lu Feng sneered.

“Don’t push your luck!” Da Wei shouted.

Shan Wei turned and barked, “Enough! Shut up!” Then, after silencing his brother, Shan Wei tapped the table and said, “You want an answer? Fine. Whoever tried to hack you, I’ll make them answer for it. But unless this woman settles every cent she owes, she’s not leaving this restaurant.”

Lu Feng could never accept such terms. If Chen Lan were kept here tonight, her life by tomorrow would be far from guaranteed.

“So there’s nothing left to discuss?” Lu Feng’s face darkened.

“You were the one who made outrageous demands first,” Shan Wei replied.

With Lu Feng still refusing to reveal any gang backing, Shan Wei began to suspect Lu Feng had no one behind him and regained his bravado.

“Fine, then negotiations are over!” Lu Feng said, rising to his feet and pulling Chen Lan with him toward the exit.

Da Wei immediately shouted, “Shut the doors! Stop them!”

The men at the entrance quickly slammed the main doors shut and even rolled down the security shutters.

With talks broken down, dozens of thugs drew their machetes from behind the counters, surrounding Lu Feng’s group in the restaurant’s main hall.

The atmosphere instantly became charged with hostility.

Though Lu Feng could fight, no one man could fend off dozens of blades.

Shan Wei had hesitated to attack, fearing Lu Feng might have been sent by a rival gang to stir up trouble. If violence erupted, others might take advantage of the chaos. Besides, if word got out that Lu Feng had come alone and been hacked to death by dozens from the Lianhong Society, it would look bad for their reputation.

But now that he’d given the order, Shan Wei had no intention of letting Lu Feng leave. With the dead unable to testify, any rumors could be dismissed as hearsay.

Still, killing someone meant police involvement. The last thing any gang wanted was the cops sniffing around—another reason Shan Wei hadn’t ordered the attack right away.

“Big brother, what are you waiting for? Kill him!” Da Wei, having restrained himself for too long, was finally emboldened with his men and their blades surrounding Lu Feng.

Shan Wei ignored his brother, looking at Lu Feng instead. “Are you sure you’ve never pledged allegiance to a gang?”

Protecting Chen Lan and Xiaoxiao, Lu Feng slowly backed up until they were pressed against the door, with nowhere left to retreat. Casually, he replied, “Never!”

“Why not join me? I can open a hall for you, take you in as my disciple. If you can make a name for yourself in Baiyun District, I’ll give you a Red Pole position straight away!” Shan Wei offered.

He’d seen Lu Feng’s prowess and confirmed he wasn’t from a rival gang. With talent like this, he could truly bring the rundown Hongqiao area to prominence.

Lu Feng spat on the ground. “You think a bottom-feeder gang like yours could recruit me? What a joke.”

If he ever joined such a low-rung gang, his old man back in Yunshan would have a fit—he’d be dragging Yunshan’s name through the mud.