The Punishment for Lying

"Ah!" Zheng Miaoyi screamed in fear, watching a massive hand swing toward her face. Then she realized it stopped just above her, gripped by Ling Feng. "You're asking for death!" Ling Feng hissed, his eyes narrowed and voice cold. He twisted Jiang Shuren's wrist, and a loud crack echoed in the air. Jiang Shuren let out a wail, his face draining of color as sweat poured down. "I don't care who you are. Remember this!" Ling Feng growled, "If you ever touch my wife again, I'll kill you!" 

He released Jiang Shuren, who yelled furiously, "How dare you hit me? I won't let you leave this restaurant!" Just then, Meng Fei, a city official, stepped in. "Who's stopping my brother from leaving?" Jiang Shuren hesitated, realizing he couldn't afford to offend Meng Fei. 

"Captain Meng, what are you doing here?" he forced a pained smile. Meng Fei's expression was stern. "You said my brother won't leave?" Jiang Shuren stammered, "You must be mistaken." 

"Slap!" Meng Fei struck him hard. "I'm asking you a question." 

Zheng Miaoyi, recovering from her shock, was surprised by Ling Feng's sudden bravery. As she gazed at his strong profile, she felt a strange mix of emotions—was it dependence? Security? Why was she feeling this way about her useless husband? 

"I… it's a misunderstanding, Captain Meng," Jiang Shuren insisted, realizing Ling Feng's connection with Meng Fei. "Brother, how should we deal with him?" Meng Fei asked Ling Feng, who glanced at Zheng Miaoyi, making her anxious. "Let it go; I wasn't really hurt," she replied, not wanting to escalate things. 

"Brother, let him off this time." Ling Feng nodded in agreement with her. "If you dare offend my brother again, you'll deal with my brother!" Meng Fei threatened, escorting Ling Feng and Zheng Miaoyi out. Jiang Shuren slumped to the ground, afraid to retaliate.

On the way back, Zheng Miaoyi felt like she was dreaming. In her moment of helplessness, Ling Feng had stepped up. He knew people who could make Jiang Shuren back down! Overcome with curiosity, she asked, "How did you end up in the restaurant?" 

"Oh, Meng Fei invited me to dinner," he replied honestly. "Dinner? But he's the city manager!" Zheng Miaoyi thought Ling Feng was just boasting. He shrugged, saying, "I helped him with something today, so he invited me." 

Disappointed, she turned away. It was just luck—he was still a useless husband. As they neared her neighborhood, Zheng Miaoyi suddenly ordered, "Get out." 

Ling Feng was taken aback. "We're almost home; can't I ride?" 

"Since you didn't tell the truth, walk back." He felt frustrated; he had spoken the truth. But riding with her was already a high point in his life—at home, he was treated worse than a dog. 

As they entered the community, he noticed Zheng Miaoyi's car returning! "Wife, what's wrong?" he asked. Zheng Miaoyi looked anxious, her hands trembling. 

"Dad hit someone when he got home!" she said, panic evident. 

"Switch seats; I'll drive," Ling Feng insisted. Despite her irritation, she found herself in the passenger seat. 

Ling Feng smoothly took control of the car, driving like a pro. Zheng Miaoyi was silent, but her mind was racing with questions. 

Ten minutes later, they arrived at the scene. Zheng Guanghui stood bewildered, while an elderly man lay on the ground, moaning in pain. 

"Dad, are you okay?" Zheng Miaoyi rushed over. 

"It's him who's hurt," Ling Feng said with a knowing smile, eyeing the moaning man. 

"Shut up!" Zheng Miaoyi snapped, furious at Ling Feng's demeanor. 

Zheng Guanghui turned to the old man, asking, "Are you alright?" 

"Ugh, I think my back is broken!" the man groaned, looking pitiful. 

Zheng Guanghui and his daughter paled, panicking. Ling Feng scanned the area, asking, "Dad, you have dashcam footage, right?" 

"Ling Feng, shut up!" Zheng Guanghui snapped back. "What does the footage matter?" 

Though annoyed, Ling Feng replied calmly, "I suspect you were set up!" 

His words stirred the crowd, who began to point fingers at Zheng Guanghui. 

Zheng Miaoyi trembled with anger. How could she be so unlucky to have such a useless husband? 

"Wait—what if he was setting you up?" Ling Feng reasoned, gesturing to the old man. "He isn't even injured; no scratches at all!" 

Zheng Miaoyi recalled how Ling Feng had stood up for her earlier and suddenly wondered if she should trust him this time. 

"What nonsense are you saying? I was hit by him!" the old man shouted, desperately screaming for justice. 

Ling Feng smiled and said, "If we have to pay, why not just kill you and turn myself in? It'll save us some money." 

Then he snatched the car keys from Zheng Guanghui and jumped into the car, starting it. 

Zheng Miaoyi gasped, her face pale. "Ling Feng, are you crazy?" 

Ignoring her, Ling Feng revved the engine and sped off like an arrow!