Chapter 55: One... Two... Down

“Hey kid, what are you doing holding that envelope? Writing an apology letter, are you? Hmph, if that thing worked, why would my brothers even need to be here?”
With anger simmering, the bald man darted forward and snatched the envelope from Li Sicheng, intending to toss it to the ground. Yet as he grabbed it, he suddenly realized that the contents felt all too familiar. He paused, then tore the seal open with both hands.
Immediately, a stack of bills spilled out. He didn’t need to count to know it was tens of thousands worth!
“So what’s this supposed to mean? You think you can buy us off with cash?” The bald man was stunned for a moment, then broke into a laugh.
Now he understood why Li Sicheng was so calm—he thought he could buy his way out!
Not only did he believe this, but across the street in the milk tea shop, Cheng Haoyu was thinking exactly the same thing.
“Trying to bribe Baldy? Ha... Li Sicheng, you’re so naive! Baldy’s my cousin’s right-hand man; if he could be bribed, my cousin would punish him personally!” Cheng Haoyu laughed, thoroughly entertained, as if he could already see Li Sicheng losing everything.
And indeed, events unfolded just as Cheng Haoyu had anticipated.
Baldy waved the bills, sneering, “Kid, if it were any other matter, I might let you off since you’re being so sensible. But this time, you’ve offended my boss’s cousin—it’s not something money can fix. Still, since you’re so understanding, when we rough you up later, we’ll make it quick. Won’t torture you too much.”
With that, he stuffed the cash into his pocket.
Zeng Yi, crouching with his hands over his head, saw this and fell into utter despair, murmuring, “So much money, all gone, and it didn’t help at all…”

Li Sicheng smiled, patted his shoulder, and comforted him, “Don’t worry, I had to give them the money first. In a moment, I’ll get it all back, and then some.”
Instead of reassuring Zeng Yi, his words only infuriated Baldy. “Damn, you’re really cocky! Money’s already in my pocket, and you still want it back? With interest? Watch me slap you till you’re dead!”
He raised his hand for a slap.
Li Sicheng, the intended target, didn’t react. But Zeng Yi, crouching nearby, was terrified by the sight, shrieked, and tried to dash out of the gang’s encirclement.
Baldy’s hand was about to strike Li Sicheng’s face, but at the last moment, he pivoted, grabbed Zeng Yi by the collar, dragged him back, and smacked his head while cursing, “Damn, surrounded by us and still trying to run? If you escape, where do we put our face?”
Li Sicheng scolded him too: “Didn’t I tell you to stick close and not run? If you hadn’t tried to bolt, you wouldn’t have gotten hit. Look, I stayed put and nothing happened to me!”
“You’re safe because I took the slap for you!” Zeng Yi was utterly frustrated. Not only did he get beaten, but he had to endure sarcasm—his mood couldn’t be worse.
Li Sicheng shook his head. “Even if you hadn’t run, I wouldn’t have been slapped. Listen, if you don’t want another beating, stay close from now on. Whatever happens, don’t move or run!”
His tone was so stern that Zeng Yi nodded involuntarily.
“These two are so timid—just a scare and they’re both dumbstruck!” Baldy overheard their exchange but paid it no mind. He shook his head and said, “I’m not interested in beating idiots. Er Biao, here’s your chance to redeem yourself. Go give those two a good thrashing! Make it quick; if the cops come before we’re done, you’re screwed!”
“Don’t worry, Baldy, I’ll do it cleanly!” The thug who had been beaten for screaming earlier stepped forward, drew a dagger from his pocket, and strode toward Li Sicheng and Zeng Yi, intent on spilling their blood.

“It’s over...” Zeng Yi shut his eyes in despair.
“Run! Don’t just stand there!” Lin Siyu shouted, her voice urgent. If her ankle weren’t injured, she might have rushed in to help.
Others were panicking, but Li Sicheng, at the center of it all, was calm. He squinted at Er Biao charging at them, and counted softly, “One... Two... Down!”
Bang.
Just as the words left his lips, Er Biao, grinning wickedly, suddenly slipped and fell forward in a most undignified heap, sprawled on the ground.
The change was so abrupt and bizarre that everyone watching was stunned.
In front of the gates of Nanshan High School, silence reigned.

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