Chapter 6: Who Understands Whose World?

Initially, it was a foregone conclusion that Zhao Chuxi would be beaten into a pig's head and end up in the hospital. However, the situation suddenly took a drastic turn. Over a dozen local workers who did heavy labor every day couldn't even get close to him. The simpleton Er Pang, who had been wearing a foolish smile, now wore a kind and innocent grin again. But this time, when the crowd saw his smile, they couldn't help but shiver.

Zhao Chuxi, who had just been beaten to a pulp, suddenly burst into laughter, tears almost streaming down his face. He really wanted to stand up and shout, "Who dares to call Er Pang a fool? Your whole family are fools!" It was as if, in a situation where everyone had written him off, he had taken a bold and unexpected path, and by sheer luck, he had hit the jackpot. This sense of achievement made Zhao Chuxi lose himself in his triumph.

After laughing to his heart's content, Zhao Chuxi sprang up with a fish-like leap, his movements so agile that it seemed nothing had happened. Was this still the Zhao Chuxi who had just been beaten to a pulp? Zhao Chuxi's resilience was indeed remarkable, thanks to his upbringing. Growing up, he had outwitted and outmaneuvered the beasts in the Qilian Mountains and the cunning villagers in Phoenix Village, and had survived the cutthroat environment of Qilian County, which had honed his skills.

Speaking of cunning, Zhao Chuxi was the epitome of it. In Phoenix Village, he had never been at a disadvantage. The old monk and Li Qingyi both said he was strong but easily broken. It was only in the past year in Qilian County that Zhao Chuxi had become more restrained and his temper had been tempered. But he wouldn't let himself be taken advantage of, whether in the mountains or out of them. If he was at a disadvantage and got beaten, he would make sure to get back what he lost, with interest.

Zhao Chuxi, now covered in mud and looking utterly disheveled, grabbed Han Sanqiang, who had just taken advantage of the situation to beat him, and shouted angrily, "Hit me! Why aren't you hitting me now? You think you're so tough, but I'll show you the consequences of messing with me. Don't worry, I know you're all locals with families. I have nothing to lose. As long as you don't kill me, I'll cripple you. I'll run if I have to, damn it!"

While Zhao Chuxi was talking, his hands didn't stop. He punched Han Sanqiang's already bruised face, causing him to gasp in pain, his expression contorted. Then he elbowed Han Sanqiang in the chest, and as Han Sanqiang struggled to escape, Zhao Chuxi kicked him in the back, sending him flying. Han Sanqiang curled up on the ground, too afraid to get up.

What about Han Sanqiang's buddies?

At first, some of them dared to step forward, all of them having taken advantage of Zhao Chuxi before. But the simpleton Er Pang, standing there like a rock, didn't give them a chance. He took down one after another, and soon there were eight or nine of them lying on the ground. No one dared to step forward, and they could only watch as Han Sanqiang was mercilessly beaten by Zhao Chuxi.

The crowd around them couldn't believe that this was the same simpleton they had always teased. The scenes they had just witnessed were like a martial arts movie, deeply shocking them. Those who had bullied the simpleton before were now terrified, thinking that if the simpleton held a grudge, they wouldn't stand a chance against him.

Zhang Dashan, one of the onlookers, cursed in Sichuan dialect, "Damn, is this still the second fool?"

Han Sanqiang, who had been beaten so badly that he didn't even dare to fight back, was now crying and begging for mercy, slapping himself and saying, "Lord Zhao, I was wrong, I really was wrong, I'll never do it again."

Han Sanqiang was just a small-time thug who usually bullied ordinary people by relying on his numbers. The situation had turned from a sure win with over a dozen against one to this. He had never seen anything like it in his life, and he had no intention of seeking revenge. All he could do was beg for mercy.

"Really wrong?" Zhao Chuxi squatted in front of Han Sanqiang, his face full of disdain.

Han Sanqiang quickly replied, "Lord Zhao, I was wrong, really wrong."

"Where did you go wrong?" Zhao Chuxi asked coldly.

"I shouldn't have bullied the simpleton, no, I shouldn't have bullied Lord Lin. I shouldn't have taken his white bun, and I shouldn't have been arrogant in front of you. I was blind and stupid. I'll never do these things again. If you tell me to go east, I won't go west, and if you tell me to go west, I won't go east. I'll be your and Lord Lin's little brother."

Small people are small people, lacking in backbone and always ready to change their stance. Zhao Chuxi couldn't be sure if Han Sanqiang's plea was genuine or if he would seek revenge later. But if he continued to cause trouble, he would probably lose his job and have to find another one. So Zhao Chuxi decided to let him off the hook.

Zhao Chuxi took out two cigarettes from his pocket, lit one for himself, and offered one to Han Sanqiang. These were cigarettes he had saved from others' work, and after giving the two packs of Lanzhou to the old village chief, he hadn't bought any more. Zhao Chuxi's nicotine addiction wasn't strong, and he only smoked when he really needed to or when he was in a bad mood.

After a beating, a treat. Zhao Chuxi remembered what Li Qingyi had said about knowing one's limits.

Squinting his eyes, Zhao Chuxi smiled and shook his head, "Sanqiang, we're all here to make money. No one wants to cause trouble. Be more low-key. There are plenty of tigers in this world. Today, you fell into my hands and got a little hurt, but it's for your own good. One day, you might fall into someone else's hands and lose your life."

When Zhao Chuxi said this, he had the air of the old monk, exuding a commanding presence. Han Sanqiang felt deep down that Zhao Chuxi and the simpleton were like the hidden masters in movies, like the experts in "Kung Fu" who lived in the slums.

Zhao Chuxi stood up, brushed off the dirt, and said, "If you're fine, get up. If you're hurt, go to the hospital. I finally found a job, so don't make me lose it. If you want to play for real, I'm waiting."

Han Sanqiang, even if he lost an arm or a leg, had to get up quickly and said, "Lord Zhao, don't worry. If Old Wang dares to cause trouble, I'll take care of him."

Han Sanqiang meant what he said. He couldn't handle Zhao Chuxi and the simpleton, but he could deal with Old Wang.

"Take your people and get out. Don't delay the work. That's money," Zhao Chuxi said, turning around and cursing.

Han Sanqiang got up and glared at his lackeys, "What are you looking at? If you're hurt, go to the hospital. If you're fine, get back to work. Lord Zhao said, don't mess with money."

Then he shouted at the crowd, "What are you looking at? Get back to work."

In an instant, the crowd that had gathered dispersed, and Zhao Chuxi's impressive aura from a few seconds ago vanished. His back was drenched in sweat. He had been imitating the old monk and Li Qingyi, and only someone with real skills would see through his act. To avoid exposing himself, Zhao Chuxi took out a 65-style knife and played with it, trying not to show any weakness.

As Han Sanqiang left with his lackeys, he glanced back and saw Zhao Chuxi playing with the knife, which scared him even more.

Everyone was gone, leaving only the simpleton Er Pang and Zhao Chuxi, who didn't know how to start a conversation with him.

Just as Zhao Chuxi was struggling, Er Pang suddenly stared at him and broke into a wide, innocent smile, the happiest and most genuine smile Zhao Chuxi had ever seen from him, not the usual mocking grin.

Zhao Chuxi was taken aback and then burst into laughter, a wild and unrestrained laugh. The scene at the construction site was now two "fools" laughing at each other, completely ignoring the world around them.

Many people couldn't help but curse, "Two idiots."

Only Zhao Chuxi knew that from this moment on, he had truly entered the world of the simpleton Er Pang. Whether this world would be full of flowers or covered in snow, he didn't know, but he was looking forward to it.

Suxi Luo, standing next to an Audi A8L and witnessing the entire process, had a complex look in his eyes. What kind of bizarre duo were these? He couldn't help but become interested in Zhao Chuxi and the simpleton.

Suxi Luo's secretary, Qin Yan, a high-achiever from Peking University, lacked Suxi Luo's unique, noble, and cold beauty but had a touch of purity and liveliness.

Qin Yan muttered to herself, "Is he really a simpleton?"

Suxi Luo asked calmly, "Qin Yan, do you know the true meaning of 'one flower, one world; one leaf, one bodhi'?"

Qin Yan pouted and shook her head.

Suxi Luo smiled faintly, "There are many kinds of people in this world. Some strive hard, some entertain themselves, and some observe the world with a detached eye, like passersby."

Qin Yan understood to some extent but was certain that the simpleton Er Pang was not a simpleton. But then she thought, if he wasn't a simpleton, what kind of strong heart would it take to observe the world with such detachment?

Flowers are not flowers, mist is not mist. Who understands whose world?

The incident passed quickly, leaving no lasting effects. When the foreman, Old Wang, returned and heard about the lopsided fight, he couldn't believe that the simpleton who did six thousand yuan worth of work for nine hundred yuan could take on a local gang. Even though the person who told him was detailed, and he asked a few other workers, he still couldn't believe it.

As for Han Sanqiang and his lackeys, most of them only had minor injuries, which healed overnight with some red flower oil. They went back to work the next day. Han Sanqiang didn't dare to cause trouble for Zhao Chuxi and the simpleton again. His lackeys kept urging him to get back at them, but Han Sanqiang wasn't stupid. He knew that if he made a move, he would be the one to take the fall. Those two were not to be messed with, so it was better to be friends than enemies.

So Han Sanqiang changed completely. Every day, he brought good cigarettes and drinks to Zhao Chuxi and the simpleton, calling them "Lord Zhao" and "Lord Lin." Zhao Chuxi couldn't stand it and threatened him to call them "Brother Zhao" and "Brother Lin" instead. Being called "Lord" every day would shorten his lifespan.

The relationship between Zhao Chuxi and the simpleton Er Pang remained the same, with no significant changes. The simpleton still did six thousand yuan worth of work for nine hundred yuan. The only change was that when Zhao Chuxi asked a few questions, the simpleton would respond, which made Zhao Chuxi incredibly excited.

One day, a week later, Zhao Chuxi heard from Han Sanqiang that it was payday. Zhao Chuxi was excited all morning because he knew that after getting paid, he would call her.

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