Chapter 4 Take Action When the Time Comes

"What do you want from us?" Xu Jie'er glanced anxiously at the people surrounding them, her heart pounding in her chest.

The man with long hair curled his lips into a wicked smile. "What do we want? Don't you know? Xu Jie'er, either pay back the money your father owed us before he died, or come with us and keep our Dragon Boss company. Two choices—pick one."

"You’re nothing but thugs! The debt was paid off long ago." Xu Jie'er, though frightened, met their eyes with a stubborn resilience that spoke of her character.

"Paid off? You say it's paid, so it's paid? Let me tell you, what you gave only covered the interest." The long-haired man sneered, continuing, "Enough nonsense. Today, the money must be paid. If you don't have it, then come with us to serve our Dragon Boss. If you please him, maybe you’ll be rewarded."

His eyes shamelessly roamed over Xu Jie'er. He had coveted this girl for a long time; pure beauties like her were rare. Not only was she tall, but her figure was exquisite. Even if he tired of her, tossing her into a nightclub would still turn a hefty profit.

"You... you’re nothing but robbers!" Xu Jie'er’s face flushed crimson with anger, her eyes brimming with tears.

Suddenly, a large hand landed gently on her shoulder, followed by Yang Changfeng’s steady voice: "Leave this to me. Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, no one can bully you."

Yang Changfeng’s words seemed to have a magical effect, instantly calming Xu Jie'er's frantic heart. She looked at him—his sword-like brows, star-bright eyes, and sharply carved features—and instinctively nodded.

"Well, well, where did this fool crawl out from, trying to play the hero? You’re out of your league," the long-haired man jeered, prompting his cronies to burst into laughter.

He eyed Yang Changfeng with disdain, noting his plain clothes and unfamiliar face—clearly another hapless man trying to play savior.

Despite their arrogance, Yang Changfeng remained impassive; such petty thugs were beneath his notice.

"If the debt is settled, why are you still harassing her?" Yang Changfeng asked, his face devoid of expression.

The long-haired man snorted coldly. "Who the hell are you? If you know what's good for you, get lost, or I’ll show you what happens to fools who meddle."

"Brother Yang... They won’t listen to reason. We... we should call the police," Xu Jie'er said, nervously clinging to Yang Changfeng’s arm.

She knew these hoodlums' reputation; on this street, their word was law, and most avoided them. Normally, she would never dare return to this bar, but her mother needed money for medicine.

"Haha, call the police? Go ahead, try it!" The long-haired man's gaze suddenly turned icy, locking onto the pair. "Tonight, neither of you is leaving."

The thugs closed in, trapping them in the center. Those who had been watching the spectacle quickly backed away, afraid of getting caught up in the trouble.

"Brother Yang, what should we do..." Xu Jie'er's arm trembled, her face pale.

Yang Changfeng gently patted her arm in reassurance. "Don’t be afraid. With me here, nothing will happen."

The long-haired man was surprised that, even now, Yang Changfeng maintained his composure. If he didn’t teach this man a lesson in front of the crowd, how could he uphold his reputation?

"You’ve got guts, boy. Still acting tough at a time like this," he grinned. "How about this—since I’m in a good mood, if you kneel and bark like a dog, then crawl under my legs, maybe I'll let you go."

As Zhang Hao finished speaking, his cronies erupted in laughter. To them, this guy was just putting on airs; with their numbers, he was no match.

Yang Changfeng smiled coldly, his gaze suddenly sharp, like twin blades aimed at Zhang Hao.

Zhang Hao instinctively stepped back, startled by the chilling glare. "Damn! Still daring to glare at me? Brothers, get him! Whoever takes him down tonight, all drinks are on me!"

With a shout, the hoodlums advanced aggressively on Yang Changfeng. The remaining bar patrons instinctively retreated; they were thrill-seeking youths, and seeing Zhang Hao—the infamous gang leader of Riverside Road—get involved only heightened their excitement. Most believed Yang Changfeng was doomed.

As the thugs approached menacingly, Xu Jie'er's heart raced, her grip tightening on Yang Changfeng’s arm, her body trembling.

"Stand behind me," Yang Changfeng said calmly, his eyes razor-sharp. To him, these hoodlums were nothing more than barely dangerous animals.

"Brother Yang, please be careful," Xu Jie'er whimpered.

Yang Changfeng glanced back and nodded. Just then, one of the thugs shouted and lunged, fist swinging. Thinking he could take Yang Changfeng by surprise, he was stunned when Yang Changfeng, swift as lightning, seized his fist before it could land.

Yang Changfeng moved with electric speed, gripping the thug’s fist and immediately kicking him in the chest, sending him flying several meters into a nearby table.

With a crack, the table splintered. The thug had no time to react before he collapsed, unconscious.

"Damn it! All of you, get him! Beat him to death!" Zhang Hao roared.

The command unleashed the pack, who grabbed bottles and charged. Yang Changfeng swept his cold gaze over them, a fierce aura emanating from him as he launched himself like a leopard.

A bottle shattered with a thud, and a thug collapsed, clutching his head. Another tried to ambush Yang Changfeng, but before he could swing his bottle, he was kicked into a table.

"Useless idiots," Zhang Hao cursed, snatching a bottle from a nearby table and charging in anger.

"Brother Yang, look out!" Xu Jie'er screamed.

Yang Changfeng spun and punched, meeting Zhang Hao’s swinging bottle. The bottle exploded. Zhang Hao was momentarily stunned before Yang Changfeng’s fist struck his nose like lightning—a crack echoed with a scream, and Zhang Hao flew back, crashing into the wall like a broken kite.

Seeing their boss felled, the remaining four thugs lost their bravado and retreated in terror. Yang Changfeng fixed them with a cold stare, pulling Xu Jie'er to his side, then turned to glare at three bartenders who had tried to sneak up on him.

The bartenders met Yang Changfeng’s gaze and, terrified, bolted like frightened dogs.

"Damn it, my... my nose... Get him! If I don’t kill this bastard tonight, I’m not Zhang Hao!" Zhang Hao staggered to his feet, clutching his nose, glaring fiercely at Yang Changfeng, and howled.