Chapter 57

ps: Sorry, I was working overtime at the company yesterday, which delayed the time for writing and uploading. I'll make up for it today!

Chapter 55: A Small Trouble

"Master, everything is ready, they can act at any time!" At this moment, Han Zhong, who had been serving as Han Lei's bodyguard, walked over with a phone in his hand.

"Hmm, that kid is leaving alone, which makes it convenient for them to act..."

Before he could finish, Han Zhong interrupted, "Master, there's a small issue. The Black Tiger Gang has doubled their price!"

"What? Do they think we're suckers? Just for beating up that guy, they want a hundred thousand yuan? They must be crazy for money!" After hearing Han Zhong's words, Han Lei suddenly turned around and shouted in a fit of rage.

"Master, why don't we handle it ourselves?" After finding out that Liu Dong had no background, Han Zhong was no longer hesitant. Moreover, Han Lei only planned to teach the other party a lesson, not to kill him, which was too easy for Han Zhong, a former special forces soldier.

After hearing his words, although Han Lei was somewhat tempted, he finally shook his head, "You and Wang Lin have already met this kid at the mall this afternoon, so you can't act!" The most important thing was that he was afraid it would affect his position in Wang Qiang's heart. If he ended up making Wang Qiang angry and pushed her into Zhong Zhen's arms, it would be a loss.

"A hundred thousand is a hundred thousand, that amount of money is not a big deal. If the Black Tiger Gang wants it, I'll give it to them, but on the condition that they do a good job and don't implicate us!"

"I understand, Master!" Han Zhong replied.

"Hmm, go ahead!"

However, just as Han Zhong was about to reach the door, Han Lei, after a moment of contemplation, suddenly said, "Wait a moment!"

"Master, do you have any other instructions?" Han Zhong retracted his right hand, which was about to open the door, and turned to look at Han Lei.

"Break that kid's leg, make him a cripple, and see if he dares to compete with me for a woman!" He paused, "And Han Zhong, you go with the Black Tiger Gang this time. If they can't handle him, you step in personally!" Thinking of Liu Dong's tall and strong build, he was afraid that ordinary gang members might not be able to beat him, so he sent Han Zhong along.

"Understood, Master! Is there anything else you need to tell me?"

"Hmm, call me immediately after the job is done, understood?"

"Understood, Master!"

"Hmm, that's all, go ahead!" Han Lei waved his hand, indicating that Han Zhong could leave.

"Kid, this time I'll give you a lesson to make you understand that a beauty like Wang Qiang is not for a poor guy like you!" Watching Liu Dong's lone figure leave, Han Lei crossed his arms, a self-satisfied smile on his face, and muttered to himself.

The Sofitel Ginza Hotel, located on Shuyuan Street, is only three streets away from the Dijingyuan residential area where Liu Dong now lives. In fact, it's not far at all. If he took a shortcut through Zhongshan Park, it would take less than half an hour to get there. So, after leaving the hotel's hustle and bustle, Liu Dong very much enjoyed the tranquility of the night, with a gentle breeze and a full moon in the starry sky. Therefore, he didn't take a taxi home as he had told Wang Qiang, but instead decided to walk through Zhongshan Park.

To be honest, the name "Zhongshan Park" is quite common in China, with almost every major city having one. The one in Quancheng has a relatively longer history. According to the inscriptions on the stone tablets in the park, Zhongshan Park was built in the 30th year of the Qing Guangxu era, which is 1904, after the completion of the Jiaozhou-Jinan Railway. However, it was not called "Zhongshan Park" at the time. Its predecessor was the earliest park established in the commercial district, also known as "Shangbu Park."

Later, during the Republic of China and up to the liberation, the park's area changed several times, and its name was changed several times. In 1986, on the 120th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's birth, it was renamed "Zhongshan Park" again. It is now famous for its scenic spots such as "Liu Yin Shuixie," "Shen You Ting," "Yi Feng Ting," and "Ting Bu Bridge." Of course, it is also an ideal place for residents of Quancheng to cool off in the evening. Liu Dong had spent some time sleeping here before, so he was very familiar with the terrain and attractions.

It was already past ten o'clock at night, and the elderly, who usually come to cool off, had mostly gone home to sleep. Therefore, apart from a few couples still cuddling, there were almost no people left in the park. The dense trees in the moonlight looked somewhat eerie, but Liu Dong, who was confident in his abilities, was not bothered by it.

However, just as he was about to cross a bamboo path about 1.2 meters wide to reach a small sunken square of about twenty square meters, he suddenly stopped.

"Alright, come out! You've been following me all the way, and I'm getting annoyed!" Liu Dong stopped in the center of the square and said loudly with a calm expression.

"Hehe, not bad, brother, you figured out our trail!" A tall young man in a black tank top, with a snarling wolf head tattooed on each shoulder, stepped out from the shadows of the trees in front of him. His face wore a playful smile as he looked down at Liu Dong from the steps.

As he spoke, eight young men of various shapes, with dyed hair and tattoos, holding steel pipes, slowly emerged from the shadows of the trees, surrounding Liu Dong with mocking expressions.

"It seems you're here specifically to deal with me!" After looking around, Liu Dong raised his head and asked the young man who seemed to be the leader.

"Right, you're not stupid!" The young man with the wolf tattoos lightly tapped the steel pipe in his hand and smiled.

"Is that so? But I want to know who sent you, Zhong Zhen or Han Lei?"

After hearing Liu Dong's words, the young man's pupils contracted, and his face changed, but he quickly returned to normal. "Hehe, we don't know either of those two people, but no matter what you say, you're going to get a beating today!"

"Hehe, is that so? I was thinking the same thing!" Liu Dong smiled calmly. From the young man's change in expression, he had already gotten the answer he wanted. The person who sent them to cause trouble today was either Zhong Zhen or Han Lei, but he couldn't tell which one. However, he would find out soon.

"Why, aren't you going to make a move?"

Looking at the calm expression on the man in front of him, Qi Qiang felt an uneasy feeling. If it were anyone else, they would probably be terrified and begging for mercy when surrounded by nine people. But this man showed no fear, and even in the dim light, Qi Qiang could see a hint of contempt in his occasional glances. He didn't know if the man was bluffing or if he was truly confident. If it was the latter, they were in trouble.

Thinking this, Qi Qiang frowned tightly, and the relaxed expression on his face disappeared. His eyes were fixed on Liu Dong, as if trying to read something from him.

However, his subordinates didn't understand what their leader was thinking. Seeing Liu Dong's calm demeanor, as if he didn't take them seriously, the Black Tiger Gang members, who were used to being feared, couldn't help but speak up, "Kid, what are you being so arrogant about...!"

Before he could finish, Liu Dong's eyes suddenly turned sharp, like a blade, startling him and making him stop speaking involuntarily. However, he quickly recovered from Liu Dong's intimidation. Seeing the surprised looks of his companions, he felt a bit embarrassed. Without waiting for Qi Qiang's instructions, he jumped down the steps and swung his steel pipe at Liu Dong, who was standing in the center of the square.