Chapter Twenty-Seven: It Turns Out Ma Yue Is the Real Big Shot

Just as everyone began to breathe a sigh of relief, the calm was shattered once more by a dozen cars speeding toward them from the distance.

A thug respectfully opened the door for the lead vehicle, and a middle-aged man stepped out. His face was marked by several deep scars, and his expression radiated a chilling murderous intent.

[Danger Assessment (3/5)] warned Du Yu that this man had blood on his hands.

Watching Wang Er and the Village Chief emerge from the cars one after another, Du Yu became even more certain that Old Li’s warnings were correct, which explained why things had reached this point today.

"Third Master! This little animal injured over a dozen of our brothers; you must step in and seek justice for them!" Zhao Qiang, like a stray dog finding its master, stumbled toward Zhao San and cried out.

"Oh? Du Yu, are these people all injured by you?" Zhao San asked Du Yu, sounding somewhat surprised.

"What if they were? As for you, Third Master Zhao, I suppose losing your seafood business to me hasn't been very comfortable, has it?" Du Yu was not at all surprised that Third Master Zhao knew his name; instead, he retorted sharply, "So what if I took your business? If your own product quality can't compete with mine, is that my problem?"

As for the Village Chief, Du Yu couldn't be bothered to pay him any mind. He was nothing more than a pathetic clown, jealous of his business success and unworthy of notice.

"Heh, Old Li, I hope you've been well!" Stifled by Du Yu’s words, Zhao San suppressed his anger, forced a smile, and turned to address the elderly man.

"Hmph, Third Master Zhao, you certainly carry yourself with quite the airs!" Old Li sneered.

"Hahahaha, of course I do. But don't you worry about that, Old Li. By the way, remember to give my regards to Old Shi!" Third Master Zhao laughed loudly, his tone dripping with mockery.

Du Yu’s brows lifted slightly as he listened; it seemed Third Master Zhao held the upper hand for the moment.

"I won't trouble you with delivering my regards. Instead, you, Third Master, should focus on managing your own subordinates!" Old Li said, his tone icy.

"How I manage my men is certainly not for Old Li to worry about. Officer Lu will be here to account for that!" Zhao San declared arrogantly.

Old Li’s expression stiffened, and he said nothing more.

By now, no one in the surrounding crowd dared to make a sound. Everyone knew this was a clash between giants; no one dared to intervene or seek justice.

"Du Yu, you brat, you’ve used sweet talk to hoodwink your fellow villagers, leaving your Village Chief quite dissatisfied with you. Furthermore, you sold my lackeys so many razor clams at an exorbitant price, causing me a massive loss, and now you’ve injured my men. Tell me, how do you think we should settle these debts?"

Du Yu paused, then smiled. This Third Master Zhao might look unremarkable, but he certainly had a silver tongue.

Finally, an interesting character had appeared.

"I don't understand, Third Master Zhao. Every razor clam I sold you was of top quality, each one thicker than a finger. I found jobs for the villagers so they could make a living and put food on the table. My seafood is high-quality and guaranteed, which is why Mr. Han sought me out, reached a partnership, and signed a formal contract. Your lackeys, without rhyme or reason, charged at us with clubs. I don't understand what right you have to come looking for a settlement. I haven't even finished calculating what you owe me!"

Du Yu’s counterattack was razor-sharp and aggressive.

This left Third Master Zhao speechless; for a moment, he didn't know how to respond.

"You brat! ...Hmph! You’re good, very good indeed!" Zhao San’s face flushed red, and after a long silence, that was all he could muster.

"Pfft... you’re too kind, Third Master. I know I’m good," Du Yu chuckled, hitting back.

Zhao San nearly choked on his own rage.

"Hmph, you sharp-tongued brat. If you don't give me an explanation today, you won't be walking out of this City Hotel! And those two beauties behind you—heh, they won't be leaving either!" Zhao San threw down the threat, taking the opportunity to leer at Ma Yue and her companion.

The two women’s faces darkened instantly.

Old Li, standing to the side, spoke with a grim expression: "Zhao San, don't go too far!"

"Old Li, this isn't a matter you can interfere with! I am going to go too far with Du Yu, so what will you do? Old Shi can't protect him anymore, can he?" Zhao San said with a sinister, casual air.

"It’s fine, Old Li. Leave it to me. I want to see what this so-called Third Master Zhao can actually do to me." Du Yu signaled for Old Li to calm down, his eagle-like eyes locked onto Zhao San.

"Hmph! You ignorant brat, you won't leave this hotel today! Get him—hello? Who is this? Why are you calling me at a time like this? I’m busy, do you have a death wish?"

Just as Zhao San waved his hand to order his thugs to attack, his phone rang, infuriating him. He had told everyone not to disturb him—which idiot was this?

"Zhao San, you’ve really grown bold, haven't you? Yelling at anyone you please?" An authoritative voice came from the other end of the line.

Zhao San stumbled, nearly falling over in fright.

"Officer Lu, please calm your anger! How would I dare yell at you? I’m busy teaching an ignorant brat a lesson, so I didn't know it was you! My deepest apologies, Officer Lu! I will personally come to apologize later!" Zhao San’s hand holding the phone trembled.

The entire scene fell silent. Du Yu stared at Zhao San with curiosity. Who could command such fear from him? Could it be this man surnamed Lu?

"An ignorant brat? ...You’re teaching him a lesson? Zhao San, answer me: is this brat’s name Du Yu?"

Zhao San jumped in terror. "Offi... Officer Lu, how did you know?"

"Is there a girl named Ma Yue with him?" The voice on the other end ignored his question and continued.

Zhao San cautiously walked toward Ma Yue, but Du Yu blocked his path.

"What do you want?" Du Yu asked, his expression stern.

"You... are you called Ma Yue?" Zhao San asked, his voice trembling.

"I am," Ma Yue replied calmly.

"She says she is," Zhao San reported to the person on the phone.

"Oh, she is, is she? Then, Zhao San, you—right now, immediately, at this very second—get on your knees before her!"

Du Yu, standing closest to Zhao San, was shocked by what he heard. Who exactly was Ma Yue?

"Ah?! Officer Lu, how can I kneel to..." Zhao San’s face twisted in agony.

"I said kneel, damn it! Kneel and apologize to her! If you keep dragging your feet, even I can't save you! I’ll tell you the truth: this girl is the eldest daughter of the Ma family. The Commissioner himself has already called me! Handle it yourself!"

Zhao San froze.

"Officer Lu, which Ma family?"

"Which Ma family?! The Ma family of Ma Hao!"

Everything went black before Zhao San’s eyes, and his legs buckled, dropping him straight to the floor in front of Ma Yue.

Du Yu watched Zhao San kneeling before Ma Yue and couldn't help but scratch his head.

So, you were the real boss all along?