Chapter 80: Call the Viper If You Dare
After the awards ceremony, Chen Xue Wen gathered the top eight fighters and took them to a well-known hotel in Peaceful City for a celebratory feast.
Most of these fighters were not well-off, so stepping into such a luxurious hotel left them visibly excited and immensely grateful to Chen Xue Wen.
Since Chen Xue Wen had dined here a few times before, the hotel manager recognized him immediately. Seeing him enter, the manager hurried over, bowing and greeting him respectfully.
There was no helping it—Chen Xue Wen’s reputation had grown too loud lately, and his high-profile actions meant few in Peaceful City dared to cross him.
Watching the well-dressed hotel manager fawning over Chen Xue Wen, the top eight fighters were filled with envy.
Without much reaction, Chen Xue Wen gave a simple nod and instructed the manager to prepare a private room for them. Once seated, he ensured the table was filled with food and drink.
Though Chen Xue Wen did not drink, Lai Hou and Wang Zhen Dong had a decent tolerance, so they clinked glasses with the other fighters a few times.
As the alcohol flowed, Wang Zhen Dong excused himself to the restroom. Moments later, a commotion erupted outside.
Sensing trouble, Chen Xue Wen walked out to find Wang Zhen Dong locked in a scuffle with a man at the restroom entrance.
Seeing Chen Xue Wen emerge, Wang Zhen Dong grabbed a nearby bottle and swung it at the man’s head.
But the man was quick—he caught Wang Zhen Dong’s wrist and tried to snatch the bottle.
After struggling for a moment, Wang Zhen Dong feigned weakness and let go. The bottle ended up in the other man’s hand. In the heat of the moment, the man, now holding the bottle, swung it—accidentally smashing it onto Wang Zhen Dong’s head.
Realizing what he’d done, the man froze in shock. He had only meant to intimidate Wang Zhen Dong, not actually hit him.
Before he could react further, Chen Xue Wen strode over, grabbed the man by the collar, and without hesitation, lifted a bottle and smashed it over his head.
The man instinctively tried to resist, but with Wang Zhen Dong gripping one arm and Chen Xue Wen forcing him against the sink, he stood no chance. Chen Xue Wen smashed two more bottles on his head, leaving him powerless, though he still managed to curse through gritted teeth, “Just wait! Just you wait… my brother will kill you!”
Chen Xue Wen sneered and spat on the floor. “Oh yeah? Which room is your ‘brother’ in?”
“Take me there. I’d love to meet him.”
Seething, the man gave up the private room number. Without another word, Chen Xue Wen grabbed him by the neck and dragged him toward the room.
This was the most luxurious private room in the hotel.
Reaching the door, Chen Xue Wen kicked it open without warning.
Inside, seven or eight people were seated around a grand dining table.
At the head of the table sat a large, middle-aged man, overweight yet with graying hair. Beside him was a seductive woman with an alluring gaze.
Chen Xue Wen recognized her instantly—she was Boss Hu’s Little Wife, the same woman who had been seen with Snake before.
As the room’s occupants turned to face him, their eyes widened in outrage at the sight of their battered companion.
“You motherf—! Who the hell are you? Let go of Second Brother!”
“You got a death wish? Do you even know who our boss is?”
“Listen up! This is Boss Hu, the infamous name in Peaceful City! You’re playing with fire coming here looking for trouble!”
The threats and shouts filled the air, the group ready to pounce.
Finally, Chen Xue Wen turned his gaze to the overweight man, smirking. “So, you’re Boss Hu?”
“Well then, that makes things much easier.”
Without another word, he shoved the injured man forward and declared loudly, “Listen up, all of you!”
“My name is Chen Xue Wen.”
The moment those three words left his mouth, the room fell into a stunned silence. One by one, the men who had been shouting moments ago slumped back into their seats, no longer daring to utter a word.
Chen Xue Wen’s name had spread far and wide. These men were nothing more than opportunists, good at bullying the weak—but none of them had the guts to go against Chen Xue Wen.
Even Boss Hu’s face darkened at the realization.
Taking a deep breath, Boss Hu forced a calm tone. “So, it’s Brother Chen. What… what’s going on?”
“How did my brother offend you?”
Chen Xue Wen pointed at Wang Zhen Dong, who was still clutching his bleeding head. “My brother got his head bashed open by your brother.”
“Tell me, Boss Hu, how do you plan to settle this?”
Before Boss Hu could answer, the injured man quickly spoke up, “Cousin, I swear I was framed! That guy was being arrogant, telling me to get lost while I was using the restroom! We argued a little, and then he attacked me with a bottle! I fought back, and somehow, the bottle ended up breaking on his head instead.”
He clutched his head dramatically. “But I only hit him once! Chen Xue Wen… he hit me three times already!”
Chen Xue Wen tilted his head and chuckled. “Brother, your math seems off.”
“Was it three times?”
The man shouted, “Yes! Three times!”
Chen Xue Wen smirked. “Funny. I remember it being four.”
“Does that mean I haven’t hit you enough?”
Without waiting for a response, he picked up another bottle from the table and, before the stunned crowd, smashed it over the man’s head again.
A shriek filled the room. The other men flinched, their faces paling.
This Chen Xue Wen was utterly ruthless!
But no one dared to protest. Who would be foolish enough to provoke him?
Dusting off his hands, Chen Xue Wen glanced at the broken bottle. “Oh? Maotai?”
“No wonder it smashes so smoothly.”
Turning to Boss Hu, he added with a grin, “When I leave, have someone send me a few crates. I might need more empty bottles later.”
Boss Hu’s expression turned grim. His cousin had just been beaten in front of him—an absolute humiliation. But even so, he didn’t dare act recklessly.
“Brother Chen… my cousin is already beaten like this.”
“Can we just leave it at that?”
In response, Chen Xue Wen casually grabbed another bottle, pointing it at Boss Hu. “What do you mean by that?”
“Does your cousin compare to my brother?”
Boss Hu’s face stiffened, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Then… what does Brother Chen want?”
Chen Xue Wen chuckled. “You’re a wealthy man, Boss Hu. Settling this shouldn’t be hard for you.”
As Boss Hu hesitated, his little wife glared at Chen Xue Wen and snapped, “What? Are you trying to extort us?”
Chen Xue Wen didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped up to her, and without warning, backhanded her across the face.
“Men are talking. Who told you to interrupt?”
Then he turned back to Boss Hu, smirking. “Boss Hu, don’t you have any discipline in your house?”
Chen Xue Wen’s voice was cold as steel.
Boss Hu froze, his face darkened, but his little wife erupted in fury. “You… you dare hit me!?”
“Do you really think I’m afraid of you?” Chen Xue Wen sneered.
“Believe it or not, I’ll call Snake right now and have him come kill you!”
Boss Hu’s expression turned ashen at those words. He had long been aware of the affair between his wife and Snake, but for her to openly declare it in front of him was a blatant slap to his face.
Without hesitation, Chen Xue Wen struck her across the face again. “Go on, call him right now!”
“I’ll wait right here! Let’s see if he dares to come!”
Seething with rage, the woman stormed out to make the call.
Inside the room, the atmosphere grew heavy with dread. Everyone knew what this meant—Chen Xue Wen was outright challenging Snake.
Ignoring their anxious faces, Chen Xue Wen grabbed Boss Hu by the collar and smirked. “Now that your woman is gone, let’s talk compensation, Boss Hu.”
Boss Hu’s face remained livid, his silence thick with suppressed anger.
Seeing this, Chen Xue Wen chuckled. “What’s wrong? Worried about losing face in front of your men?”
“Fine, no problem.”
“Dong, clear the room! I want a private conversation with Boss Hu.”
Wang Zhen Dong clapped his hands. “You heard him! Get out!”
No one dared protest. They quickly filed out, leaving only Boss Hu and Chen Xue Wen.
As the last man shut the door, Boss Hu paled. His fingers trembled as he faced Chen Xue Wen, forcing out a weak chuckle. “Brother Chen, this… this is all just a misunderstanding.”
“No need to be so angry.”
“Look, name a price… I’ll pay whatever you want!”
With the door securely shut, Chen Xue Wen’s expression changed. The menace in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a calm smile. “No need for compensation.”
“I have a proposal, something I’d like to discuss with you privately.”
Boss Hu frowned. “What… what kind of proposal?”
Chen Xue Wen’s smile widened. “I need to borrow three million from you.”
“And on the third of the twelfth lunar month, I need you to be in the Provincial City for a full-body checkup.”
“Preferably, a gastroscopy under general anesthesia. You won’t be able to answer calls or handle any business for a whole day.”
Boss Hu was stunned. “You… what exactly are you planning?”
His voice trembled with suspicion.
Chen Xue Wen remained unfazed. Slowly, he laid out his plan.
By the time he finished, Boss Hu was dumbfounded, unable to utter a single word for a long moment.
Chen Xue Wen clapped him on the shoulder. “Boss Hu, think of this as a favor.”
“If it works, you get your revenge and reclaim lost assets.”
“If it fails, you only lose three million—hardly a dent in your fortune, right?”
Boss Hu stared at him intently. “So all of this… you caused this mess just to get a private meeting with me?”
Chen Xue Wen grinned. “That’s right.”
“If I had come to you directly, Snake would have been suspicious.”
“But by making a scene, it changes the game. Now, everyone—including Snake—thinks I’m just here to extort you.”
“For the past few days, I’ve been making waves, acting like a man drunk on newfound power.”
“But in reality, that’s exactly the image I want them to believe.”
“That way, even meeting you alone won’t raise suspicion.”
Boss Hu inhaled deeply, acknowledging the brilliance of the ploy. Even he had to admit, Chen Xue Wen’s mind was terrifyingly sharp.
Suddenly, noise erupted from outside.
Chen Xue Wen smirked. “Sounds like Snake is here.”
“Think it over, Boss Hu.”
“Of course, you could tell Snake everything.”
His gaze turned sharp once more. “But since I dared to go this far, I’m not afraid to go all the way.”
“The real question is—what do you gain by siding with him?”
“Your woman just called her lover to stand up for her in front of you.”
“Boss Hu, can you really swallow this humiliation?”
Boss Hu’s face twisted with anger. His hands clenched into fists as his eyes filled with venomous intent.
Finally, he exhaled sharply and gritted his teeth. “Alright. I’ll help you!”
Chen Xue Wen burst into laughter and raised his voice. “Many thanks for your generosity, Boss Hu!”
He strode toward the door and threw it open. Outside, Boss Hu’s little wife was clinging to Snake, crying hysterically.
At the sight of Chen Xue Wen, she immediately pointed and wailed, “It’s him! Brother Snake, you have to avenge me!”
Behind her, inside the room, Boss Hu’s face contorted with rage, his eyes dark and full of malice.
But he said nothing. He simply watched in silence, waiting to see how Chen Xue Wen would handle the storm that was about to erupt.
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation