Chapter 72

Cai Weidong, although usually quite arrogant, now appeared very restrained and cautious.

The sudden appearance of Cai Hengping and Cai Weidong made Qin Lang almost certain about Wu Wenxiang's purpose for inviting him to dinner. However, this was Wu Wenxiang's home, and Qin Lang waited for Wu Wenxiang to make his next move.

"Old Cai, you and your son wait in the living room. I'll talk to you after I finish eating with my guest." Wu Wenxiang directly left Cai Hengping and Cai Weidong aside, clearly giving them a warning.

About half an hour later, Qin Lang and Wu Wenxiang finished their meal. Then Wu Wenxiang pushed the old lady back to her room and finally came to the living room with Qin Lang.

"Mayor Wu, I know you're busy, so I'll get straight to the point. I've brought my son to apologize to you." Cai Hengping said humbly. As the mayor, Wu Wenxiang naturally had the upper hand, and Cai Hengping had to lower himself.

"Old Cai, what are you talking about? You haven't offended me, so why are you apologizing to me?" Wu Wenxiang smiled faintly. "By the way, this is Qin Lang, my nephew, who just transferred to No. 7 High School a few days ago. Oh, your son is also at No. 7 High School, right? Maybe they should know each other."

"Uncle Wu, we are in the same class," Cai Weidong interjected.

"Don't be so disrespectful! Who asked you to speak!" Cai Hengping glared at his son fiercely and then said to Wu Wenxiang, "Mayor Wu, this child is impolite. Please don't take it to heart."

"Old Cai, you're too serious. Why would I take it to heart with a child?" Wu Wenxiang smiled, then changed his tone, "However, since the child is impolite, you as a parent should teach him better. If a child is impolite, does that mean you are also impolite? My nephew has just come to No. 7 High School, and I heard he was bullied today. I don't know what happened. Xiao Cai, do you know what happened?"

"I..." Cai Weidong, seeing Wu Wenxiang ask him, stammered, not knowing how to answer. He was not used to Wu Wenxiang's indirect way of speaking. Although Cai Weidong was not very smart, he was sure that Wu Wenxiang already knew about the incident. But if he knew, why was he asking?

Slap!

Before Cai Weidong could speak, he received another slap from his father. The slap was loud but not very forceful, just for show. However, since Cai Weidong already had a bruise on his face, it still hurt a lot.

"Old Cai, why are you so angry with a child?" Wu Wenxiang said calmly, "I was just asking a question. If the child did something wrong, you can discipline him at home."

"Yes, Mayor Wu, you're right," Cai Hengping nodded repeatedly.

Today's events made Cai Hengping very angry. His son had caused trouble and offended Wu Wenxiang, and his wife had offended Zhao Zhiwei. Offending two members of the Standing Committee, one of whom was the second-in-command of Xiangyang City, was truly a bad year. If today's incident couldn't be smoothed over, Cai Hengping would have a hard time in Xiangyang City in the future.

Therefore, despite his concern for his son, Cai Hengping still had to slap Cai Weidong.

Although Cai Weidong was tall and strong, half a head taller than his father, he dared not speak up after being slapped. His father had already told him that if Wu Wenxiang didn't forgive him today, he would likely have to spend a year or two in a labor camp. After all, Cai Weidong had used a knife and accidentally injured Sun Bo. If it went through the legal system, he might be charged with intentional injury. A few slaps were a small price to pay.

"Qin Lang, I'm sorry!" At this moment, Cai Weidong suddenly stood in front of Qin Lang, bowed his head to apologize, but clearly still had some reluctance.

"Alright, Cai Weidong." Qin Lang didn't bother to watch their performance, "I don't like to speak indirectly like Mayor Wu, so I'll be straightforward. I slapped you today because you used to incite Zhao Guang against me, spread rumors to defame me, and tried to stab me today. Those two slaps were well-deserved. Since you're sincerely apologizing, I'll let the past be. But if anything like this happens again, don't blame me for being harsh!"

Qin Lang's words were harsh and direct, but Cai Weidong understood and nodded repeatedly.

"Qin, you should be friendly with your classmates. Why speak like that?" Wu Wenxiang seemed to be scolding Qin Lang but was actually smiling.

"It's fine. Qin is straightforward, which means he won't hold a grudge," Cai Hengping quickly said, then added, "Qin, rest assured, I will discipline this good-for-nothing properly!"

"Alright, it's getting late. You two should go home early," Wu Wenxiang saw that Cai Hengping and Cai Weidong had bowed their heads and achieved his purpose, so he didn't intend to waste more time with them.

"Alright, Mayor Wu, we'll take our leave." Cai Hengping got up to say goodbye and exchanged a few polite words with Qin Lang.

After leaving, Cai Hengping wanted to slap Cai Weidong again but held back when he saw his son's bruised face. He scolded, "Didn't I tell you to apologize to Qin Lang sincerely? Didn't you hear me?"

"I did apologize, didn't I?" Cai Weidong was still somewhat defiant.

Slap!

Cai Hengping finally slapped him, saying coldly, "Damn it, if you and your mother want to die, don't drag me down! Didn't you see how Mayor Wu protected that kid? You must be sincere! If you dare to do anything to him again, I'll be the first to deal with you!"

Seeing his father so angry, Cai Weidong didn't dare to argue and said softly, "Then... I'll go back and study."

"Study your ass! You still need to go to Secretary Zhao's house to apologize—this is all your fault!" Cai Hengping snorted.

As Cai Hengping and Cai Weidong hurried to Zhao Zhiwei's house, Wu Wenxiang and Qin Lang began another conversation.

"Qin, they came to apologize. Do you feel better now?" Wu Wenxiang smiled at Qin Lang.

"Mayor Wu, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?" Qin Lang asked.

"We are old acquaintances, so of course, I want to hear the truth."

"The truth is—compared to their apology, I actually felt better when I slapped Cai Weidong."

"Ha ha, that's the truth! You are indeed a young man," Wu Wenxiang laughed, "However, that slap caused a lot of trouble, but their apology today means they won't dare to cause you any more trouble. Do you understand? Cai Hengping is a local official in Xiangyang City. Although his father-in-law has retired, he was once a provincial official, and I have to give him some face."

"Of course, I understand. Mayor Wu's way of handling things is indeed flawless," Qin Lang smiled slightly, then took out his phone, removed the memory card in front of Wu Wenxiang, and handed it to him, "Since Mayor Wu has helped me so much, it must be for the sake of this memory card. Since it has been causing you sleepless nights, I'll hand it over to you. And rest assured, the content on this card has not been forwarded or copied."

{Piaotian Literature}