Chapter 53: Return to Apologize

**Smack!** 

The crisp sound echoed through the room, causing everyone who heard it to wince. Whether it was the waitstaff or Tang Rannian's parents, all were stunned, unable to believe that Zhou Ming would act so decisively, delivering such a heavy slap.

Wei Hua was completely dazed by Zhou Ming's blow. He stood frozen, staring at Zhou Ming with wide eyes, seemingly unable to comprehend what had just happened. However, Zhou Ming didn't care about Wei Hua's feelings at that moment and said, "Hey! I called you here today not to hear you barking like a mad dog. You hit Rannian earlier, and that slap was for her. But you still need to apologize to her."

If Zhou Ming's slap surprised people, his next words were even more shocking.

Tang Jun and Lin Weixiu looked at Zhou Ming in disbelief. They knew that Tang Rannian had been hit by Wei Hua, but because of Wei Hua's influential family and local connections in Nanjiang, they had initially wanted to maintain ties with the Wei family and had even asked Tang Rannian to apologize to Wei Hua. They got so excited about coming to this luxurious hotel for a meal that they had forgotten about it. But they never expected that Zhou Ming would remember and specifically call Wei Hua over to apologize to Tang Rannian! If that was true, Zhou Ming really cared about their daughter!

However, Wei Hua wasn't listening to a word. All he could feel was a burning pain on his face. When he finally snapped out of his daze, he covered his face with his hand, pointed at Zhou Ming, and shouted, "You dared to hit me? You bastard, you actually dared to hit me? Even my father has never hit me, and you dare to? I'm going to kill you!"

As Wei Hua lunged at Zhou Ming, Zhou Ming was already prepared. He kicked Wei Hua to the ground. Wei Hua struggled to get up, but Zhou Ming was quicker, grabbing a glass from the table and smashing it on the edge, pointing the sharp end at Wei Hua. "Try moving again, you bastard!"

"Go ahead, stab me! If you've got the guts, stab me!" Wei Hua taunted Zhou Ming, but his body didn't dare to move an inch.

At that moment, the waitstaff snapped out of their shock and called for security. The hotel security quickly entered, standing between Wei Hua and Zhou Ming, pleading with Zhou Ming, "Sir, please calm down. No matter what happened, we can discuss it."

Tang Rannian also approached Zhou Ming, her voice trembling with tears as she begged, "Ming Ge, please don't do anything rash! If you really hurt him, you'll end up in jail!"

Tang Jun and Lin Weixiu also tried to calm Zhou Ming down, "Yes, Zhou Ming, you're a big boss from Hong Kong. Don't be so impulsive."

Zhou Ming smiled slightly at Tang Rannian, "Don't worry, I'm calm. Hurting this idiot isn't worth going to jail for." He then handed the broken glass to the hotel security.

Wei Hua finally realized that Zhou Ming had only been trying to scare him. He scrambled to his feet, hiding behind the security guards, and threatened Zhou Ming, "Just wait, Zhou Ming! I'm going to make sure you understand that this is Nanjiang, not a place for you to run wild!"

Zhou Ming didn't care about his threats and said to him through the security guards, "I suggest you apologize to Rannian now, or things will be much harder for you later."

"Go to hell!" Wei Hua cursed, "Just wait until I come back! I'll make you kneel and call me 'grandfather'!"

Zhou Ming was about to say something more, but Wei Hua had already run out of the room. Zhou Ming shook his head, "What a coward."

He then turned to Tang Rannian and said, "Rannian, it's a good thing you didn't get involved with him, or he would have ruined you."

"Ming Ge, you're still joking at a time like this! I was so scared earlier that you might do something rash, and then things would have gotten out of control!" Tang Rannian cried.

Zhou Ming rubbed Tang Rannian's head affectionately, "Don't worry, your Ming Ge isn't that impulsive. Besides, that guy won't get away with it. Do you believe that in less than an hour, he'll come back to apologize to you?"

Tang Rannian nodded vigorously, "I believe you, Ming Ge. Whatever you say, I believe."

"Silly girl." Zhou Ming teased, tapping her nose gently. He then called over the waitstaff to clean up the room and invited Tang Rannian's parents to sit down.

Tang Rannian's parents exchanged uneasy glances, and Lin Weixiu cautiously said to Zhou Ming, "Zhou Ming, are we really going to continue eating here? I think Wei Hua might hold a grudge. He's a local in Nanjiang. Maybe we should skip this meal?"

Zhou Ming understood what Lin Weixiu was implying—she was afraid Wei Hua would come back and cause trouble. He reassured her, "Auntie, don't worry. There won't be any trouble. Besides, Wei Hua hasn't apologized to Rannian yet, and I'm going to wait here for him."

Wei Hua will come back to apologize? You must be dreaming, right?

That was the first thought that crossed the minds of Tang Rannian's parents and the waitstaff. However, considering Zhou Ming's status, they didn't say anything. Tang Rannian's parents did try to signal their daughter to persuade Zhou Ming, but to their frustration, Tang Rannian fully trusted Zhou Ming and didn't doubt for a moment that his words would come true.

Time passed slowly as Zhou Ming, Tang Rannian, and her parents continued their meal in the private room. Tang Rannian's parents were on edge, feeling that Wei Hua could return with reinforcements at any moment.

Finally, after about fifteen minutes, the door to the private room opened, and Wei Hua walked in.

Seeing their fears coming true, Tang Rannian's parents immediately stood up, trying to calm the situation, "Wei Hua, what are you doing? This is a high-end hotel; don't cause trouble here. We've already called the police."

The waitstaff also felt anxious, mentally cursing Zhou Ming for showing off and getting them into this mess. They also cursed the hotel's security for not stopping Wei Hua when he returned. Slowly, they began to back away, considering sneaking out to get help from security.

But compared to everyone's anxiety, Zhou Ming remained calm, turning to Wei Hua, "So? Did you come back to apologize?"

Hearing Zhou Ming's words, Wei Hua's face darkened immediately, and the tension in the room rose. But contrary to everyone's expectations, Wei Hua didn't lose control or attack Zhou Ming. He hadn't brought anyone with him either. What happened next shocked everyone even more.

Wei Hua stepped forward and bowed deeply to Zhou Ming, saying, "Boss Zhou, I'm sorry."

The sudden turn of events left everyone in the room stunned, their eyes wide with disbelief. Tang Rannian's parents and the waitstaff couldn't believe what they were seeing—this scene was beyond anything they could have imagined.

Zhou Ming looked at Wei Hua for a moment and then said, "What did I say earlier? If you came back, things wouldn't be so easy."

He paused before continuing, "Your father must be here too, right? Uncle Wei, why don't you come out and say something?"

Zhou Ming called out loudly towards the door, and soon, a middle-aged man with a large build walked in. It was none other than Wei Hua's father.

He approached Zhou Ming with a forced smile, saying, "Boss Zhou, I sincerely apologize. Wei Hua has been spoiled by his mother and has no manners. Please don't take it personally."

Zhou Ming remained silent, simply staring at him.

Seeing Zhou Ming's reaction, Wei Hua's father hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth and kicking Wei Hua to the ground. He then grabbed Wei Hua by the hair and slapped him across the face before turning to Tang Rannian, "You must be Rannian. I heard that this brat hit you today. I'm sorry on his behalf. If you're still angry, feel free to hit him back."

Tang Rannian said nothing, simply looking at Zhou Ming, signaling that she would follow his lead.

Wei Hua's father turned his gaze back to Zhou Ming, "Boss Zhou, Wei Hua has realized his mistake. What would it take for you to forgive him?"

Zhou Ming smiled slightly, "Uncle Wei, you're asking the wrong person. I have no personal grudge against Wei Hua, and I have no intention of making things difficult for you. He just made a mistake by hitting Rannian. But I can understand that young people can be impulsive. So, however he hit Rannian, he should hit himself the same way and apologize to Rannian. Would that be okay?"

Wei Hua's father quickly nodded in agreement and pulled Wei Hua to his feet, "Didn't you hear? Go and apologize to Rannian now!"

He pushed Wei Hua in front of Tang Rannian. Wei Hua, unable to meet her eyes, lowered his head and started slapping himself repeatedly, saying, "Rannian, I'm sorry. It was all my fault. I'm just a scumbag. I was completely wrong to lose my temper and hit you. Please don't hold it against me. Just consider me a nobody and forget about it, okay?"

Tang Rannian blinked her big, round eyes at Wei Hua, remaining

 silent for a while. Zhou Ming then reminded her, "Rannian, he's apologizing to you. You should at least respond."

"Oh," Tang Rannian replied, before telling Wei Hua, "I forgive you."

Her tone was so indifferent that it made her parents both amused and exasperated. They knew their daughter could be a bit naive, but her attitude at this moment seemed almost deliberately designed to make Wei Hua feel even worse. Indeed, Wei Hua looked as if he was about to collapse from frustration.

Zhou Ming, however, found Tang Rannian more adorable than ever. He then turned to Wei Hua's father and said, "Alright, Uncle Wei, I believe Wei Hua has learned his lesson. He'll definitely think twice before acting so rashly in the future."

Wei Hua's father forced a smile and nodded, "Of course. When we get home, I'll make sure he behaves himself."

He paused for a moment, then asked, "But Boss Zhou, what about Director Yang?"

Zhou Ming raised an eyebrow, "Uncle Wei, sometimes things are just a misunderstanding. Once we talk it over, everything will be fine."

Wei Hua's father nodded, "You're absolutely right, Boss Zhou. Once we talk it over, it'll all be fine. Well, I'll leave you to your meal then. Sorry for the disturbance."