Standing Up for Justice

"Damn it, what are you looking at? Looking at your mother? You deaf old man, didn't you hear me? If you want to set up a stall here, you have to pay!" The blond thug kicked out randomly, scattering the old man's goods.

"Young man, I have no quarrel with you. I sell my things, and you go your way. We don't interfere with each other. Why do you still trouble an old man like me?" The old man sighed.

"Do you think quoting some classical Chinese makes you Confucius?" The long-haired youth next to him got impatient, flipping over the old man's stall and cursing, "Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit. I don't want to beat up an old man and be accused of not respecting the elderly. I'll give you a chance. Kneel down, kowtow, and call me Brother Bright, and I'll waive the protection fee. Otherwise, don't let me see you here again!"

"People have no moral compass anymore," the old man said, shaking his head as he picked up his scattered goods.

"Fuck!" Ethan Parker, seeing the old man being bullied, was instantly enraged. An old man struggling to make a living deserved sympathy, yet these two were demanding protection money from him!

Ethan Parker jumped off his bike and rushed to the old man's side, glaring at the two thugs.

"Yo, isn't this Ethan?" The long-haired youth was stunned at first, then recognized him.

"Since you know me, why don't you scram!" Ethan hoped to resolve this without violence. His name was once well-known. Everyone knew about "Crazy Ethan" who fought recklessly and viciously. Back then, Ethan vented all his suppressed emotions and his longing for Sophia Turner through violence. Over time, his reputation grew. But in high school, Ethan matured and realized that adults faced criminal charges for serious injuries, so he rarely fought anymore.

"Ha, just because I call you 'Ethan' you think you're my elder? I respect you as a former big shot, but without that respect, you're nothing! Your era is over. Now, it's Aiden Cole's turn!" The long-haired youth spat at Ethan's feet, disdainfully saying, "Fuck off, this has nothing to do with you!"

Ethan's face turned ashen. This Aiden Cole was from their junior high, two grades below him. He used to follow Ethan around, calling him "brother." Now, he dared to challenge him!

"Didn't you hear Brother Bright? Are you deaf or just defiant? Do you want a beating?" The blond thug pushed Ethan.

"I haven't been the big brother for years..." Aiden Cole saw Ethan getting angry but thought he was no longer a threat. He mockingly sang, "Big Brother," in a falsetto, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Ethan stepped forward and grabbed Aiden Cole by the throat, pushing him against the wall, "You're right, I'm nothing now, but I can still beat you. Believe it?"

"Gah... let go of me!" Aiden choked.

The blond thug grabbed a brick and swung it at Ethan. Hearing the whoosh, Ethan let go of Aiden and sidestepped, but he was too close. The brick hit his waist with a "crack," splitting in two.

The blond thug was stunned. Did this guy practice iron body kung fu? How did his waist break the brick?

Ethan was furious. This thug was ruthless. If the brick had hit his head, he might have died.

Ethan was truly angry now. He showed no mercy, kicking the blond thug to the ground and then stomping on his stomach. The thug nearly passed out, vomiting his lunch.

Aiden Cole suffered worse. Ethan, knowing he was the ringleader and had insulted his mother, showed no mercy. He punched Aiden's nose, breaking it, then twisted his arms behind his back and dislocated them. Aiden fainted from the pain.

Ethan calmed down and remembered the old man. He turned and said, "Old man, don't set up your stall here. There are too many thugs around the schools. Go to the market instead."

"Thank you, young man!" The old man smiled at Ethan.

Ethan felt uncomfortable under his gaze, "Why are you staring at me, old man?"

"Are you a lay disciple of the Shaolin Temple? How else could you have such iron body kung fu?" The old man asked.

"Iron body? Old man, have you read too many martial arts novels?" Ethan was puzzled.

"Heh, young man, I know there are many hidden masters in the world. Don't hide it from me. Without iron body kung fu, how could your waist break a brick?" The old man seemed to understand.

"Ah!" Ethan remembered the brick, quickly reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out a cracked glasses case.

"..." The old man was speechless.

"My glasses!" Ethan wailed at the sight of the broken glasses inside the case. He didn't usually wear glasses but used them in school to see the blackboard. His father had bought them, saving up for days. He put them in his pocket for convenience while playing pool, and now they were ruined.

"Young man, don't be sad..." The old man felt guilty.

"How can I not be? They cost over a hundred!" Ethan was distressed. It wasn't just about the money; his father's hard-earned wages made the loss feel worse.

"..." The old man sighed, "Alright, young man, I'll compensate you for the glasses. Don't be sad."