Chapter 36: Keep Your Dogs in Check
Little Ma wore an expression of defiance. “Brother Hui, what… what are you saying?”
“Inviting him to a meal and giving him two arcades?”
“If word gets out, won’t people think we got scared by some snot-nosed brat?”
“How are the brothers supposed to keep their heads up after this?”
Zhou Jing Hui shot Little Ma a glare. “Heads up? You dumbass, is your brain filled with shit? All you think about is acting tough!”
“How many times have I told you, we’re businessmen now! You still think you’re just some street thug?”
Little Ma scratched his head awkwardly. “Brother Hui, what I mean is, if we bow our heads to this punk today, won’t that make everyone think they can just step on us?”
“These bastards are just a bunch of low-life punks. If you’re really worried about revenge, take a trip for a few days. I swear I’ll handle them for you!”
Zhou Jing Hui smirked coldly. “Who said I’m afraid of them?”
“I just want you to understand that we’re businessmen now. It’s not always about fights and bloodshed—we need to use our heads!”
He stood up, walked over to the window, and sneered. “Chen Xue Wen is a mad dog. Taking him out isn’t hard.”
“But tell me, what do we gain by crippling or killing him?”
Little Ma looked puzzled. “But giving him two arcades… That’s even worse for us, isn’t it?”
Zhou Jing Hui chuckled. “Who said it’s a loss?”
“The two arcades I’m giving him are at Old Square.”
Little Ma froze for a moment, then his eyes lit up, elated. “Brother Hui, you mean…”
Zhou Jing Hui laughed heartily and waved his hand. “Since he’s a mad dog, I’ll just find another mad dog to play with him.”
“Whoever survives in the end, I won’t be the one losing out.”
Little Ma burst into laughter as well, quickly nodding. “Brother Hui, you really are sharp!”
“That brat Chen, if he takes those two arcades, let’s see how he dies later!”
“Don’t worry, I’ll set it up right now. We’ll treat him to dinner tonight!”
…
At six in the evening, in the private room of Happy Guest Grand Hotel.
Chen Xue Wen arrived as promised, with Lai Hou trailing behind him.
Lai Hou’s body trembled slightly as they walked in. “Brother Wen, could this be a death trap?”
“After what we pulled last night, Zhou Jing Hui inviting us to dinner instead of dealing with us feels off.”
Chen Xue Wen smirked. “Relax, it’s fine.”
Lai Hou was surprised. “How do you know?”
“Zhou Jing Hui isn’t some saint.”
Chen Xue Wen chuckled. “If he wanted to deal with us, he would’ve done it already. Why go through all the trouble of setting up a meal?”
“And look at the venue.”
“This hotel is right across from the Law Enforcement Squad.”
“If he really wanted to move against us, would he dare do it here?”
Lai Hou glanced at the squad’s building and exhaled slightly in relief.
They swaggered towards the private room Zhou Jing Hui had arranged. Waiting at the entrance was Little Ma, flanked by a group of lackeys.
As soon as Little Ma saw them, a cold glint flashed in his eyes. He immediately led his men forward, surrounding Chen Xue Wen and Lai Hou, eyes full of menace.
Lai Hou tensed up, but Chen Xue Wen remained unfazed, hands in his pockets as he walked straight ahead.
Little Ma and his men puffed up their chests, blocking his path, making it clear they weren’t letting him in.
Chen Xue Wen shot Little Ma a cold look. “What’s this?”
“Zhou Jing Hui invites me to dinner, but leaves a few dogs at the door?”
“Is he too poor to host guests, or just can’t control his mutts?”
His words made Little Ma’s men explode with rage.
One of them jabbed a finger at Chen Xue Wen and cursed, “Fuck you! Who are you calling a dog?”
Chen Xue Wen smiled. “Isn’t it obvious?”
“I meant you guys.”
Fury erupted among them. Little Ma’s face turned red with anger.
Originally, he just wanted to give Chen Xue Wen a scare, but he never expected the guy to be completely fearless, even turning the insult back on them.
Humiliated, Little Ma signaled one of his lackeys. The goon instantly lifted his hand, aiming a slap at Chen Xue Wen.
But Chen Xue Wen was already prepared. The moment the man moved, Chen Xue Wen sprang forward, closing the distance instantly.
He caught the attacker’s wrist with his left hand, then lashed out with his right fist, striking the man squarely in the chest.
The punch landed directly on a weak spot between the ribs.
With a single blow, the man’s ribs snapped. He collapsed to the ground, clutching his chest, screaming in agony.
The others froze.
Little Ma’s face twisted. “You dare hit my brother? I’ll—”
Before he could finish, Chen Xue Wen moved again. He grabbed Little Ma by the throat and pressed a Bone Cutting Knife against his skin.
The cold blade bit into his flesh, just a hair’s breadth from his artery.
Little Ma instantly fell silent, his face going pale.
He never expected Chen Xue Wen to be this insane—striking without hesitation and going straight for the kill.
Just then, the private room door opened, and Zhou Jing Hui stepped out.
“Little Ma, what are you doing?”
“Chen, my friend, is my guest. Is this how you treat my guests?”
He clasped his hands toward Chen Xue Wen apologetically, smiling. “Chen, my apologies.”
“These boys don’t know the rules. Please forgive their rudeness.”
Chen Xue Wen glanced at him and smirked. “Brother Hui, didn’t I already tell you? Keep your dogs in check.”
“If you can’t handle them, just say the word.”
“I may not be good at much…”
“But training dogs? That, I’m quite skilled at.”
The words carried a double meaning.
One, they reminded Zhou Jing Hui of the two vicious dogs he had lost.
Two, they made it clear that Little Ma and his men were no better than mongrels in his eyes.
The men behind Zhou Jing Hui looked livid, but he forced a smile. “You jest, Brother Chen.”
“Come, please, take a seat inside.”
He shot Little Ma a look, then stepped forward in an act of camaraderie, taking Chen Xue Wen’s arm as he led him inside.
Chen Xue Wen sneered at Little Ma before striding into the private room with Lai Hou at his side.
Little Ma stood there, face dark as iron, but he dared not say another word.
He was genuinely afraid of provoking this madman any further.
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation