Chapter 12: Beating the Stick

Bai Hua Bing had been curiously hiding in the corner, observing, but unexpectedly, she became Park’s target. Caught off guard, she hadn’t even had time to react before Park seized her in one swift move. He locked her neck tightly with his arm, then pulled a scalpel from his pocket, pressing it against her back.

“Don’t come any closer! Drop your guns on the ground! Or I’ll kill her.”

Yang Dianfeng’s face was as dark as iron, his voice low and hoarse as he forced out a warning through gritted teeth, “If you so much as lay a finger on her, I’ll bury your whole family with you!”

A thrill of triumph surged through Park’s heart—he had found Yang Dianfeng’s weakness. Hiding behind Bai Hua Bing, he brazenly taunted Yang.

“Let me go immediately! Or you’ll be collecting her corpse!”

Yang Dianfeng’s eyes were as deep and unreadable as ink. After a moment’s thought, he gestured with his hand to calm those around him.

“Brothers, do as he says. Not a single hair on my sister-in-law’s head is to be harmed!”

Reluctantly, the men tossed their guns to the floor.

“Let me go. No one follows,” Park barked, using Bai Hua Bing as his shield as he edged toward the villa’s entrance.

They moved slowly to the threshold. When they finally reached the doorway, Park glanced around and saw that, just as he’d hoped, no one dared move. A smug smile curled at his lips, his eyes gleaming with scorn and provocation.

“I told you, you people from Huaguo are idiots—can’t even protect your own women.” He sneered, “Boss Yang, look at your woman—she’s actually quite pretty. Let me have a feel, get a taste of what Huaguo women are like.”

At these words, Bai Hua Bing began struggling with all her strength, but Park’s grip was too strong—she couldn’t break free. With one hand, he held the scalpel to her throat, while the other reached toward her chest.

Yang Dianfeng’s eyes nearly burst with rage as he lunged forward, but he was too far away—he wouldn’t make it in time.

Suddenly, Gu Xiangnan sprang into action, leaping through the air like an arrow released from a bow. His body seemed to pause midair, his legs flashing like lightning as they traced a dazzling arc. In that fleeting instant, he landed over a dozen kicks—every one striking Park squarely on the head.

Park saw stars, his ears ringing, searing pain crashing over him as his world went black and he collapsed heavily to the ground. He hadn’t even seen what moves his opponent had used before he was utterly defeated.

Gu Xiangnan landed lightly, wiped his nose with his thumb, then let out a triumphant cry and struck a classic Bruce Lee pose.

“This move is called the ‘Shadowless Kick.’ It was invented by us in Huaguo. Oh, I hope you guys haven’t stolen it, too?” he said with mock fear, feigning timidity.

Beside him, Yang Dianfeng’s face was a thundercloud, his teeth grinding audibly with fury.

“Goddamn it—get him!” he bellowed, charging forward and viciously kicking Park in the gut. “Lay your hands on my wife, will you?” Another savage kick followed. “Look down on Huaguo, will you?” And another: “Steal from us, will you?”

With their boss joining in, the underlings rushed in as well, afraid of being left out if they were too slow.

“Beat that bastard to death!”

“How dare he touch our sister-in-law!”

“Look down on us Huaguo men? We’ll show you what we’re made of!”

Even Wang Jinquan joined the fray.

Ten minutes later, at Yang Dianfeng’s command, they stopped. Park now lay unconscious on the ground, foam at his mouth, utterly spent.

“Garbage should be thrown out,” Yang snapped.

A few men immediately dragged Park’s limp body away.

Still seething, Yang glared at Wang Jinquan, who shrank back under the icy stare, trembling.

“F-Feng, Master Feng, it was my oversight…I failed to keep watch! He caused all this trouble…I— I deserve death!”

“Someone, teach him a lesson,” Yang ordered, his rage rekindled by the thought of what had almost happened to his beloved wife.

His men, still not satisfied after the earlier brawl, dragged Wang Jinquan outside.

“Master Feng, have mercy! I really didn’t know this would happen…”

Yang ignored him, draping an arm around Bai Hua Bing’s shoulders and soothing her softly.

Bai Hua Bing sobbed quietly—her neck bore angry red marks, burning with pain.

Gu Xiangnan rummaged in his pocket, producing a small porcelain vial.

“Sis, try this. Apply it to the wound and the swelling will go down in half an hour.”

Yang Dianfeng took the vial, opened it for a sniff, and asked, “Bro, did you make this yourself?”

“Yes, I mixed it myself. It works wonders—this bottle is yours.”

“You really are good to me,” Bai Hua Bing said, her tears subsiding. She lifted her hair, exposing her delicate, slender neck.

Gu Xiangnan scooped out a bit of ointment and gently applied it to the wound. The medicine was quickly absorbed, and the red marks faded visibly.

Yang Dianfeng cradled the ointment, delighted. “Bro, this stuff is amazing! Could you make more? We’re always getting hurt—having your medicine would be a godsend!”

Gu Xiangnan nodded. “Of course, brother-in-law. Anything for you.”

Yang Dianfeng, elated, took Bai Hua Bing’s hand. “Bingbing, our little brother is our lucky star. We must treat him well from now on.”

Bai Hua Bing smiled and nodded. “Yes, not only is Xiaonan my benefactor, he’s now our family’s benefactor, too. I’ll be sure to repay this kindness.”

Yang checked his watch. “Little brother, why don’t we have dinner together tonight? I’d like to take the opportunity to thank you properly.”

Gu Xiangnan hesitated—his senior sister had warned him against wandering about too much. He was about to decline politely, but the couple wouldn’t hear of it, warmly ushering him along.

Jiangning Grand Hotel.

As the city’s most luxurious establishment, its opulence and prestige were beyond question. The hotel always kept a private suite reserved for Yang Dianfeng.

At dinner, the table was laden with delicacies and rare dishes. During the meal, Yang sat up straight, speaking earnestly to Gu Xiangnan.

“Bro, that Park fellow—he may have gotten what he deserved, but be careful. I’ve dealt with Koreans before; they’re petty and vengeful. He’s sure to look for a way to get back at us. He wanted to challenge you in taekwondo—judging by his stance, he’s trained. For your safety, I want to assign two brothers to watch over you.”

Gu Xiangnan shrugged it off. “If he comes again, I’ll beat him until he calls me daddy.”

Yang grinned. “You’re the man, bro!”

But what if Park brings reinforcements? Yang knew that there were a hundred thousand Koreans living in Jiangning alone, and they were fiercely loyal to each other. How could Gu Xiangnan fend them all off by himself?

Not wanting to hurt Gu Xiangnan’s pride, Yang tactfully suggested that, since he was new in town, two brothers should show him around and help him get to know the city. Phrased this way, Gu Xiangnan readily agreed.

After dinner, Yang, a bit drunk, headed home early.

Gu Xiangnan went to the restroom, and when he emerged, he found two of Yang’s men waiting for him at the door.

“Good evening, Brother Nan!” they greeted cheerfully, quick-witted and polite.

Gu Xiangnan felt a bit awkward—on the mountain, he’d always been the youngest, and no one had ever called him “Brother” before.

Yang had also left him a car to use as he pleased.

Bang!

While one of the men went to fetch the car, Gu Xiangnan waited outside with the other. Suddenly, a man in a baseball cap bumped into him.

“Watch where you’re going! You just ran into Brother Nan!” the underling barked.

“Sorry,” mumbled the man in the cap, barely glancing up before hurrying away. He strode quickly to an empty lot beside the hotel, where he pulled two slips of paper from his pocket.

They were checks.