Chapter Fifty-Four: The Queenpin, Han Xuefang

A few people were eating and chatting, and just as their conversation was reaching its peak, the door to the private room suddenly swung open. Chu Feng looked up and saw several tattooed men entering from outside.

"Are you sure you’re not in the wrong place? This is our private room," Li Zeming stood up and asked calmly.

Holding a high position most days, Li Zeming seldom encountered street thugs. He assumed these men had simply entered the wrong room, so he didn't immediately associate them with troublemakers.

"No mistake here. This room was reserved for us, but you’ve taken it over. We’re asking you to leave. If you cooperate, we can discuss things peacefully. If not, we’ll make you leave, but our methods might be a bit… forceful," said one of the tattooed men, wearing a gold chain around his neck. As he spoke, he made a show of flashing the chain in front of Li Zeming.

"Then let’s see just how forceful you can be. I don’t believe you can do anything illegal here," Li Zeming replied, anger rising. He hadn’t expected that, after finally inviting Teacher Chen for a meal, they would run into such inconsiderate people.

"Sorry, but brothers, let’s escort these folks out. If they resist, break an arm," the tattooed man waved his hand, and seven or eight more men marched in, each with a rebellious air.

Suddenly, Han Xuefang burst out laughing at the sight, startling Chu Feng, who was baffled by her amusement.

"Tiger, after all these years, you haven’t changed at all. Do you want me to teach you a lesson again?" Han Xuefang greeted the tattooed man, clearly familiar with him, her tone friendly and teasing.

"Big Sis, what are you doing here? I didn’t notice you just now—please don’t be angry," the tattooed man’s demeanor changed instantly upon seeing Han Xuefang, becoming submissive and respectful.

This series of reactions stunned Old Chen and the others, who stared at Han Xuefang in disbelief, unable to fathom how this well-behaved girl could be connected to street thugs.

"This is my boyfriend, and these are all his elders. We’ve eaten together before. So, do you still want this private room?"

Han Xuefang introduced Chu Feng to Tiger, whose gaze shifted upon hearing the introduction. Chu Feng could sense a hint of pity in Tiger’s eyes, as if Chu Feng had ended up with an iron-fisted girlfriend.

"Big Sis, I had no idea you were dining here. Please don’t hold it against me. This meal’s on me, but I have some business to attend to, so I’ll leave you to it. Enjoy your meal," Tiger said, quickly exiting the room. The others followed him out, closing the door behind them and giving Han Xuefang no chance to speak.

"Why do I get the feeling he’s terrified of you? Did you do something to him that left him traumatized?" After Tiger left, Chu Feng looked at Han Xuefang with astonishment, as if he’d discovered a new continent.

"Tiger was my classmate in middle school. In our third year, he chased after me for two whole semesters, but I saw he was a bit of a hooligan so I never agreed. One night after evening study, as I was heading home, he tried to drag me to a hotel. In a panic, I kicked him below the belt—almost crippled him with that kick. Since then, he’s had a shadow—every time he sees me, it’s like a mouse spotting a cat," Han Xuefang explained with some embarrassment, fearing Chu Feng might be angry, since it wasn’t exactly a respectable story.

Everyone laughed heartily at Han Xuefang’s tale, especially Chu Feng, who laughed the hardest.

"Let me ask you, despite his hooligan image, he never actually did anything bad, right? Sometimes he even helped others?" Chu Feng managed to suppress his laughter and asked.

"That’s right. When students from other classes came to bully ours, he stood up for the boys in our class—got into dozens of fights," Han Xuefang replied, now surprised by Chu Feng’s insight. She couldn’t understand how he knew these things.

"How do you know all this? Were you like that back then?" Han Xuefang suddenly grabbed Chu Feng’s arm, pressing for an answer.

"I was pretty similar, but I never chased after girls. I just helped classmates out in fights. In fact, it was girls who chased me," Chu Feng said, recalling those days.

"If you ever try chasing, I’ll let you feel just how strong my kick is," Han Xuefang threatened playfully, pressing her foot down on Chu Feng’s.

Hearing Han Xuefang’s words, Chu Feng instinctively squeezed his legs together. Though he was skilled in martial arts, that particular area wasn’t trained to withstand a kick—no one could.

Everyone burst into laughter again at Han Xuefang’s comment. Realizing her slip, Han Xuefang quickly covered her face, lowering her head until her cheeks nearly touched her chest, looking just like an ostrich.

They spent about an hour eating. Afterward, Li Zeming paid the bill as promised. Once they finished, Li Zeming and his wife drove Old Chen back to the hospital, while Chu Feng took another car to escort Han Xuefang home.

"Chu Feng, come upstairs with me. My mom and dad want to meet you," Han Xuefang invited him up once they arrived beneath her building, hoping he’d meet her parents.

Chu Feng hesitated; they had only just started dating, and he wondered if things were moving too fast.

"If it’s inconvenient, then let’s leave it for another time," Han Xuefang said, sensing his reluctance, and didn’t press further. Still, there was a trace of disappointment in her voice.

"Xuefang, why are you only just getting home? Your dad and I have been waiting ages," Just as Chu Feng was about to leave, a woman approached.

"Mom, I was out dining with friends and forgot to call you. Did you and Dad eat?" Han Xuefang blushed upon seeing her mother. She’d wanted Chu Feng to come inside, but hadn’t expected her mother to show up so suddenly.

"This young man must be the boyfriend you told me about. Come on, young man, follow Auntie upstairs for a bit," Han Xuefang’s mother didn’t wait for Chu Feng’s reply, grabbing his arm and leading him forward.

Chu Feng looked at Han Xuefang in bewilderment. He hadn’t expected to run into her mother here, and now there was no way to escape.