Chapter 74

Today at 8 PM, the film "Young Offender" is showing at Xinhua Cinema.

This is the first domestic film to depict the life of juvenile delinquents in prison, and it features eighteen juvenile offenders as actors, making the film extremely realistic and touching.

Entertainment options are limited now, and the cinema is packed with people, many of them young couples.

Wei Xiangxiu was going to the cinema with a male companion for the first time, and she was extremely worried, fearing she might run into someone she knew. Not until the bell rang and the lights in the theater dimmed, with a beam of light from the projection booth shining on the screen, did she breathe a sigh of relief.

In fact, she didn't know why she had agreed to accompany Lu Zheng to the cinema, perhaps deep down, she still felt a bit afraid of him, and also somewhat guilty.

Sitting next to Lu Zheng, she felt uneasy, always feeling a sense of embarrassment as if she were doing something illicit.

Wei Xiangxiu knew that she was destined not to divorce again, otherwise, everything she had gained would turn to nothing.

Lu Zheng didn't have so many thoughts; he came to the cinema to relax. After a while, he even forgot about Wei Xiangxiu and became fully engrossed in the movie.

Just as he was deeply engrossed, his sleeve was tugged. Lu Zheng didn't pay much attention, but after a few more tugs, he suddenly remembered that there was a lady sitting next to him. Turning his head, he saw Wei Xiangxiu looking at him with a helpless expression.

"What's wrong?" Lu Zheng asked.

Wei Xiangxiu leaned closer, bringing a particularly pleasant fragrance that he couldn't get enough of, wishing he could swallow it.

"The person next to me keeps staring at me, it's really uncomfortable."

Lu Zheng glanced at the person next to Wei Xiangxiu, who seemed to be a young man.

"Being beautiful is for people to look at, what are you afraid of?" Lu Zheng thought women were really troublesome. This was the first time he had watched a movie with a woman, and he had always known that shopping with women was troublesome. It turned out that watching a movie was even more troublesome. In the future, he should avoid this activity.

Seeing Wei Xiangxiu pouting with a look of委屈 (grievance), Lu Zheng nodded, "Then let's switch seats."

Wei Xiangxiu felt as if she had been granted a great pardon and quickly switched seats with Lu Zheng. Just as Lu Zheng had sat down, someone patted his shoulder, "Hey, what's wrong, treating me like a hooligan?"

Lu Zheng turned his head to see the young man next to him, the one Wei Xiangxiu had said was staring at her.

The young man had a trendy long hairstyle, a thin face, and triangular eyes, giving off a sinister vibe. His strength was considerable, and his pat on Lu Zheng's shoulder caused a dull pain, clearly intentional.

"Take your hand off!" Lu Zheng frowned.

"Hey, you're pretty tough, I just like to put my arm around you, what's the problem?" As he spoke, the young man squeezed Lu Zheng's shoulder even harder.

The girl sitting next to the young man was dressed flamboyantly, with a big hairdo and blood-red lips, exuding a wild allure. She chimed in, "What's the matter, you want to put your arm around his girlfriend?"

A few other young men in the front and back rows laughed, clearly part of the same group.

Lu Zheng reached out to shake off his arm, but the young man grabbed it again. Lu Zheng immediately became furious and, without further restraint, quickly grabbed the young man by the neck, lifting him from his seat as if he were a chicken. Amidst the girl's screams, the long-haired youth was thrown to the ground.

Then, Lu Zheng kicked him in the face and, grabbing Wei Xiangxiu's hand, said, "Run!"

Lu Zheng had already observed the surroundings. Wei Xiangxiu's seat was close to the left aisle, and the two of them squeezed past a few seats and rushed into the aisle, running out of the cinema.

The incident happened suddenly, and in the chaos, the long-haired youth, coughing and gasping for breath, stood up with a bloody face. His companions finally reacted, shouting and pushing their way out to chase them, but by the time they got out of the theater, there was no sign of the two.

In the car, Lu Zheng had already let go of Wei Xiangxiu's hand, but the soft, smooth feeling seemed to linger in his palm.

Wei Xiangxiu's face was slightly red, and she stared at her hand, silent.

"There were too many of them, and it wouldn't be good for either of us if things got out of hand, so we had to run. Is your foot okay?" Lu Zheng turned to ask.

In the chaos, Wei Xiangxiu, wearing high heels, seemed to have twisted her foot.

Wei Xiangxiu suddenly came to her senses and said, "I'm fine." Looking at Lu Zheng, she suddenly felt a bit heartache. In the past, the bandit king feared no one. A few hooligans would have been taken to the police station with a single phone call. Now, they were chased away by these ruffians. Although the bandit king was a true tough guy who never showed his feelings, how bitter he must be inside, and who would know?

"Are you okay?" Wei Xiangxiu asked softly.

As if not knowing what she was asking, Lu Zheng shrugged indifferently, "What could happen to me? One punch and he's down!" He chuckled.

Wei Xiangxiu's heart tightened even more.

"I'll come to your place and take a look." Wei Xiangxiu said suddenly.

Lu Zheng was taken aback but nodded slightly.

Wei Xiangxiu had intended to help Lu Zheng tidy up his room, but she didn't expect that he lived alone and had the house, including the kitchen, meticulously organized, almost spotless.

It was completely unlike the style of a single man's home.

Carrying two cups of hot coffee over, she saw the envelope Wei Xiangxiu had placed on the coffee table. Lu Zheng was taken aback and said, "Don't tell me it's old money inside."

Wei Xiangxiu blushed slightly, "I know you don't lack money, but the clothes you bought for me, I sold them..." In fact, it also included a bonus she had received. She had come to see if she could help Lu Zheng in any way, but she didn't expect that his living conditions were even better than before. After much thought, she decided to give him the money, as she owed him.

Lu Zheng laughed, "Is that so? From now on, we'll be completely separate, no debts owed?"

"No! That's not what I mean! I'll come to see you when I have time!" Wei Xiangxiu paused, then quickly stood up, "It's too late, I'll go first. No need to see me off, I'll take a taxi."

Watching her graceful figure leave, Lu Zheng shook his head and looked at the envelope on the coffee table. Why did all the women he knew like to give him money? Did he look like a kept man?

...

On Monday morning, Lu Zheng arrived early at the building where Huang Lao lived.

Huang Lao lived in the municipal party committee's family compound. Since last year, the compound had a gate, but the checks were not very strict. Lu Zheng drove in without any hindrance.

Lu Zheng parked the car at the building entrance. From the stairs, he could see Huang Lao's old and broken bicycle.

But as time passed, it was almost 7:30, and Huang Lao still hadn't come down. Normally, Huang Lao was always in the office by 7:30, rain or shine.

Lu Zheng thought for a moment and then got out of the car and went upstairs. Huang Lao lived alone, and there was only a small maid at home. Something might have happened.

As soon as he entered the building, he heard a fierce argument from the second floor, including Huang Lao's voice, which was very agitated, angry, and high-pitched.

Lu Zheng was startled and quickly went upstairs. He heard Huang Lao shout, "Get out! Don't ever come back!"

"I'm not leaving, you're my father, I have the right to come back!" A lazy male voice, somewhat familiar.

By this time, Lu Zheng had reached the second floor. Huang Lao's door was wide open, and suddenly he heard a "slam" as something hit the ground. Then, a long-haired youth stumbled out of Huang Lao's house, holding his forehead and shouting, "You throw, you throw, try to kill me!"

Lu Zheng was taken aback. Wasn't this the same person he had kicked in the cinema yesterday?

The long-haired youth's forehead was bleeding, and he shouted as he passed by Lu Zheng, seemingly not noticing him.

"Still not leaving?!" Huang Lao shouted angrily from inside.

Lu Zheng quickly entered the house and saw broken porcelain on the floor, a blue-and-white porcelain vase shattered into pieces, clearly thrown by Huang Lao at the young man.

"You still..." Huang Lao roared, turning around, but then saw Lu Zheng and paused, slowly lowering his hand.

"Huang Lao, I came to pick you up." Lu Zheng felt a bit awkward at the scene.

Huang Lao's face gradually relaxed, but he was still breathing heavily. He waved his hand, "I won't go today. Tell Xiao Pei to reschedule my appointments."

"Is everything okay, Huang Lao?" Lu Zheng asked, concerned, walking over and helping Huang Lao sit on the sofa.

The small maid, who had been hiding, now came out to clean up the mess, speaking to Huang Lao in Sichuanese.

"I'm fine, you can go," Huang Lao pulled his arm away from Lu Zheng.

Lu Zheng knew it wasn't good to stay too long at such a time, so he stood up and said, "If you need anything, call the office. I'll be available all day."

Huang Lao nodded slightly. As Lu Zheng was about to leave, Huang Lao suddenly said, "Take Xiao Si to the hospital and check his injuries."

Lu Zheng agreed and quickly went downstairs.