Chapter 255: Car-Smashing Warning

The next noon, Zhou Ming went to pick up Tang Ran for lunch. As soon as she got into the car, she asked anxiously, "Ming Ge, I heard something happened at your nightclub last night? Is everything alright?"

Zhou Ming was a bit surprised. "Ran Ran, are you a secret agent or something? How did you find out about such a small incident?"

"I'm no secret agent!" Tang Ran replied. "But it's not a small matter. Someone from our unit saw it. It seems like dozens of soldiers came and smashed up the whole bar!"

"What are you talking about?" Zhou Ming said, both amused and speechless. "Ran Ran, that's just a rumor from your unit. There was a bit of trouble at the bar last night—someone caused some disturbances and smashed a few things. But it was just around ten people, not nearly as exaggerated as your unit is saying. In the end, we settled it with a bit of compensation. How big of a deal could it be?"

Zhou Ming thought for a moment and continued, "Moreover, this nightclub hasn't been open for just one day. You know the situation inside—it's a mixed crowd. Plus, Nanjiang is a newly developed special zone with a lot of outsiders and significant pressure. It's normal for incidents like this to occur from time to time."

"But this time feels different. After hearing about it, I'm really anxious. It feels like something big is about to happen," Tang Ran insisted.

Zhou Ming was surprised by Tang Ran's intuition. Considering Nanjiang is not as large as in the future, and since the nightclub is one of the earliest and best in Nanjiang, news of such incidents usually spreads quickly. Tang Ran, who cares a lot, should know that previous incidents were trivial compared to today's. 

It seemed to be just a woman's intuition.

Despite his thoughts, Zhou Ming ruffled Tang Ran's hair and said, "Ran Ran, are you a monk at a temple? Don't overthink it. You're just scaring yourself. The nightclub is fine."

Tang Ran nodded, though still somewhat unsure.

Zhou Ming took Tang Ran to a restaurant for lunch. In Nanjiang, this was quite normal. However, after they had just ordered, someone approached Zhou Ming and said, "Are you Mr. Zhou Ming? Is it alright for your car to be parked here like this?"

Zhou Ming was puzzled. "Is this parking lot not allowed?"

The person smiled, "Of course, you can park here. But if your car is left here, it might not be very safe."

Zhou Ming didn't understand the implication. The person left without saying more. Zhou Ming was still puzzled, but when he and Tang Ran finished their meal and went to the parking lot, he understood.

About forty minutes later, when Zhou Ming and Tang Ran arrived at the parking lot, they saw a crowd gathered around Zhou Ming's car. Zhou Ming frowned and pushed through the crowd. Tang Ran gasped, "Oh my God! What happened?"

The car windows were smashed, and the car lights were flashing on and off, resembling a crime scene.

Seeing the parking lot's management present, Zhou Ming hurried over and asked, "What happened here?"

The manager replied, "Boss, I don't know. When I got here, your car was already like this."

"Did you call the police? Did you see who did it?" Zhou Ming asked.

The manager shook his head. "I saw a few people running away but couldn't identify them. I've already called the police."

"That's good," Zhou Ming said. Tang Ran clutched his sleeve and asked, "Ming Ge, who did this? Why would they do such a thing?"

Before Zhou Ming could answer, a voice from the side said, "Oh, Mr. Zhou, what's going on? How did your car get smashed? Have you offended someone you shouldn't have?"

Zhou Ming recognized the voice without turning. "Hua Shao, what a coincidence that you're here to see this."

"No choice, it's fate," Hua Shao said, approaching Zhou Ming. "I was inside eating when I heard someone's car was smashed outside. I wondered which unlucky boss it was. Now that I see you here, I'm relieved. I remember you said any incident involving you is normal, right? Looks like you should reflect on what you did wrong."

Seeing Hua Shao approach with a mocking smile, Tang Ran instinctively hid behind Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming patted Tang Ran to comfort her and smiled at Hua Shao. "Hua Shao is right. I do have some issues. I'm too kind-hearted and didn't expect some people would be more despicable than dogs, enjoying creating trouble behind my back."

Hua Shao's expression darkened. He said to Zhou Ming, "Mr. Zhou, your mouth is quite sharp. No wonder you can fool so many investors and even get a position as a government consultant. But you seem to have forgotten, there are many things that can't be resolved just with your mouth."

Hua Shao laughed, "I always thought you were impressive, but it turns out you're just a loudmouth. Don't you think it's too late to show off how fearless you are now?"

"Does that mean you're the one who smashed my car?" Tang Ran suddenly asked Hua Shao.

Hua Shao smiled at Tang Ran. "Little sister, you can't make such baseless accusations. Did you see me smash Mr. Zhou's car? If not, be careful with your words. Otherwise, I'll have to remind you about the legal consequences of defamation."

Tang Ran was frustrated but didn't know what to say. Zhou Ming squeezed her hand and asked Hua Shao, "Is this how you scare little girls?"

Hua Shao shrugged. "I don't want to scare anyone, but Mr. Zhou, you should manage your woman. Or maybe you can't control your own bird or your woman?"

"Damn you!"

Zhou Ming cursed Hua Shao and was about to take action when his pager suddenly rang. He checked it and saw a message from Du Peng saying that his car had also been smashed.

Before Zhou Ming could think further, another message came, advising him to be cautious and not to be stubborn.

Hua Shao, having guessed the situation, added, "Mr. Zhou, I see Du Shao's car was also smashed, and there's a threat message. I said young people like you always act impulsively, offending people you can't afford to offend. Now you're getting your revenge. Sometimes, you need to think twice before acting recklessly."

Zhou Ming understood that the incident was a direct consequence of his discussion with Cao Jianning the previous day after Tao Guoling left. 

Zhou Ming looked at Hua Shao and said, "Did someone tell you to say that? You seem quite concerned about me. The retaliation came quickly. But I don't think I've offended anyone I can't handle. I'm just too soft-hearted. I never finish off troublemakers, and they end up coming back to bite me."

Hua Shao clicked his tongue. "Mr. Zhou, you're really only good at talking big."

Hua Shao then turned to Tang Ran. "Little sister, look at him—just a big talker. He'll eventually get taken care of. You'd be better off with me. I promise I won't just talk but will make sure you're thoroughly satisfied every day."

"Using your own words, some things shouldn't be said lightly to avoid trouble," Zhou Ming said.

Hua Shao exaggeratedly said, "Mr. Zhou, now you're showing off. What can you do to me? I smashed your car today. Tomorrow, I'll go after your woman. What can you do about it?"

Before Hua Shao could finish, Zhou Ming slapped him hard, knocking him onto the car. Hua Shao lay on the car, furious and incredulous. "Zhou Ming… how dare you hit me? Do you know what the consequences will be?"

"Consequences? Sorry, that's not my concern," Zhou Ming said.

"Zhou Ming, I'm warning you, I'll make you pay for this double in the future!" Hua Shao said.

Zhou Ming shook his head and said, "Hua Shao, you're from a distinguished family in Lingnan, so can you at least speak with some sophistication? Such threats are old news to me."

"Stop being arrogant now. I'll teach you a lesson the day after tomorrow, not tomorrow. I won't forgive you, even if you beg. I'll also make sure to have my way with your woman!" Hua Shao shouted.

"That threat is somewhat better than before," Zhou Ming said, his gaze growing sharper. "But it seems like you didn't quite balance things out."

"Balance out what?"

Hua Shao didn't immediately understand, but Zhou Ming quickly clarified. He raised his hand and slapped Hua Shao on the other side of his face. "There, now it's balanced."

Hua Shao was shaking with anger, pointing at Zhou Ming and gritting his teeth. "Alright, Zhou Ming, you wait for me. I won't let you off!"

Zhou Ming looked up. "Do you want me to balance it out some more?"

Seeing Zhou Ming's raised hand, Hua Shao, clearly in pain, turned and ran, fleeing the crowd. The onlookers burst into laughter.

Zhou Ming shook his head and called Hua Shao a useless person. He then reassured Tang Ran, "Don't worry, Ran Ran. I'll be fine. Anyone who goes against me will end up worse off."

Tang Ran looked at Zhou Ming with concern but nodded. Zhou Ming led her out of the parking lot, and they both headed back to the restaurant to retrieve their car. As they left, Zhou Ming's phone buzzed with a series of messages, indicating that things were getting more complicated. 

Despite the trouble, Zhou Ming remained calm and collected, showing his resilience and determination. He understood that the situation was far from over and that Hua Shao's actions were just the beginning of more to come. But with his experience and strong will, Zhou Ming was prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.