Chapter 58

After visiting more than a dozen households, Han Qian had a clearer understanding of the situation: this neighborhood was devoid of any young residents—only elderly folks remained. They were all quite satisfied with the new housing arrangements, and while they had no extravagant demands for the relocation compensation, they were adamant that Glory must cover their moving expenses.

These elderly residents were no fools—they knew full well how costly and cumbersome moving could be. Since Glory had bought up the entire parcel of land, it was clear they intended to make a move soon. The seniors could probably hold out another half year, maybe ten months, but Glory wouldn't wait that long.

As Han Qian left the neighborhood, he spoke with Yan Qingqing on the phone. She snapped that he should come back to the office to discuss things—lunch was waiting for him.

Lunch? Han Qian couldn't help but ask if there was enough for Su Liang and Qian Wan, to which Yan Qingqing replied curtly that the food had been thrown out and not to bother. Han Qian chuckled wryly at her words, then, just as he was about to slip his phone into his pocket, a call from Wen Nuan lit up the screen. She sounded half-asleep, asking if he'd saved her any lunch.

"Just add a bit of water to the rice—about the depth of a finger joint above the grains. Yesterday's leftovers are in the fridge; heat them up in the microwave. I was in a rush this morning."

"Han Qian, come back and cook for me."

"Missy, would you like me to chew it up and feed it to you too?"

"Ew, you're disgusting! I'll just have some snacks. What time will you be back tonight? I'll go downstairs to buy groceries."

"Around six, I'll bring some food back with me."

"Alright, I'll take a stroll then. Bye!"

As he ended the call, Han Qian tilted his head, staring at his reflection in a puddle. He'd always felt like Lin Zongheng had stolen Wen Nuan from him—but the truth was, he'd cuckolded Lin Zongheng first, even if it was a sham marriage. The thought was oddly satisfying. *Lin Zongheng, you bastard—how disgusting it must be for you!*

When Han Qian looked up at the spot where the car had been parked, it was gone. Pulling out his phone to call, he spotted the white Panamera across the street, parked outside an internet café.

A sudden wave of fury washed over him—he felt like he was about to go Super Saiyan.

Those two bastards actually had money to blow on gaming? Weren't they just whining about having none?

He stormed across the street, umbrella tucked under his arm, and pushed open the grimy door of the internet café. The air was thick with cigarette smoke and the pungent scent of sweat and stale instant noodles. A few shady characters playing cards looked up at him as he entered, their gazes suspicious.

Scanning the room, he didn't immediately see Su Liang or Qian Wan. He was about to ask at the counter when a loud, shrill scream pierced the haze.

"Ah! Are you blind?"

It was Qian Wan's voice. Before he could process it, he heard a man's snarling retort: "Bitch, you're asking for it!"

"Try it—I'll smash your damn head in!"

Han Qian turned sharply and saw them—Qian Wan's tall figure and Su Liang's back, surrounded by a group of thugs. Su Liang had already taken a punch and was pinned down. Han Qian charged forward, raising the battered umbrella like a club. A few of the card players dropped their hands and rose to join the fray.

In the chaos, Su Liang was forced to the ground, while Qian Wan clutched an ashtray, her back pressed against the wall. The edge of the ashtray was streaked with fresh blood. One of the thugs, shirtless and tattooed, easily over two hundred pounds, clutched his head and turned on Su Liang with a vicious snarl.

"Bitch, I'll deal with your pretty boy first."

"Fuck you!" Qian Wan's ashtray cracked against the brute's skull, but as Su Liang took another blow, she swung again.

By the time Han Qian reached them, he brought the umbrella down hard on the brute's back. The man grunted in surprise—it barely fazed him, but the umbrella snapped in half. Han Qian didn't pause. He swung the broken shaft at another thug's head and then drove his knee into the brute's gut, following up with a hammering punch to the ribs. He ignored the blows raining down on his own back, wrapping the man's head in his arm and slamming him backward onto the floor with a sickening thud.

The card players were on them then, pulling Han Qian and Su Liang back. Qian Wan, still brandishing the ashtray, screamed shrilly, "Don't you dare hit my Brother Qian—I'll kill you!"

The thin tin of the ashtray was hardly a weapon. One of the goons slapped her so hard she crumpled to the floor. Su Liang rose, grabbing a chair and hurling it into the fray. It never landed—two of the card players snatched it midair. Without missing a beat, Su Liang leapt forward, straddling one of the attackers and pounding his fists into the man's skull.

Han Qian, pulled free for a moment, saw nothing but red. He ignored the blows raining down on him and hammered his fists into the downed brute's face. Beside him, Qian Wan snatched up the broken umbrella, her eyes wild as she prepared to stab.

This was going to end in blood. Sensing it, the internet café's staff intervened, dragging Han Qian and Su Liang back, one of them wrapping Qian Wan in a tight bear hug. Han Qian shook free, lunging forward to snatch Qian Wan from the man's arms and shield her behind him.

Su Liang tore the broken umbrella from her grasp, snapping it in two so the jagged edge gleamed like a shiv. His face was battered, blood trickling down his cheek, but there was murder in his eyes.

The tattooed brute rose, spitting blood and pulling out his phone. "None of you are leaving here. You're dead."

Han Qian pulled out his own phone, his expression chilling. "Liang'er, take Qian Wan outside. Wait for me."

"Don't bullshit me—I'm staying. Let's see how many I can take down before I go."

Han Qian didn't argue. As he dialed, he smiled faintly at Qian Wan, her lip split and face bruised. "Hurts, doesn't it? Let's see if we can make them hurt even more. I'll introduce you to a friend—someone I think you'll get along with."

For the first time, tears welled in Qian Wan's eyes. She choked, head lowered. "Brother Qian… Brother Liang… I'm sorry. This is all my fault. If I hadn't started shit…"

"It's nothing!" Han Qian said lightly. "We can handle this."

The line connected. Before the voice on the other end could speak, Han Qian snapped, "Tianshui Blue Internet Café, left of the Deco Mall. Get over here—I'm about to get hacked to pieces."

The voice on the other end was calm. "Got it. I'm on my way."

The call ended.