Lin Hai would never allow anyone to insult Liu Xinyue. So when he struck, he did so without mercy.
Huang Shan opened his mouth and spat out two teeth. Blood trickled down from the corner of his lips.
“The hell—you dare hit me—”
“SMACK!”
Lin Hai slapped him again.
“Enough.”
Suddenly, a young man behind Huang Shan stepped forward, positioning himself in front of him with a cold expression.
“That’s a bit excessive, don’t you think, friend?” His tone was icy, and there was an unmistakable intensity radiating from him.
“Second Brother, this guy’s asking for it! Teach him a lesson for me!” Huang Shan shouted viciously from behind—though with his missing teeth, every word came out with a lisp, making the whole thing sound absurd.
Huang Yu raised a hand, cutting him off.
“My brother was out of line just now. On his behalf, I apologize.” He bowed to Lin Hai.
Whoa. Not the script I was expecting.
Huang Yu’s move actually threw Lin Hai off.
“Second Brother, what are you…” Huang Shan was getting anxious.
Normally, he wouldn’t dare challenge Lin Hai even if you paid him. Hu Wei’s fate was still fresh in everyone’s mind.
But today was different—his second brother was back. With him around, what did he have to fear?
But no one expected this: instead of defending him, his brother was apologizing.
Now Huang Shan was the one looking like a fool.
“Hmph. Tell him to keep his mouth in check. Otherwise, one day someone’s gonna slap it clean off.”
It’s hard to hit a man who won’t fight back. Since Huang Yu had gone this far, Lin Hai figured it was best to let it go.
“Alright. Then this matter is settled.” Huang Yu said.
“Fine.” Lin Hai nodded and turned to leave with Liu Xinyue.
“Who said you could go?” Huang Yu suddenly stretched out his arm, blocking the way.
“Since it’s settled—how do we settle the matter of you hitting my brother?” His tone was cold.
“Ha! I knew it! I knew Second Brother wouldn’t just let Lin Hai off that easy!”
Lin Hai’s face darkened.
So that’s how it is. I almost took this guy for a decent man. Turns out he was just waiting for the right moment.
Lin Hai suddenly felt like he’d been played.
“Hmph. You think you can just hit me and walk away? Today, you’re finished.” Huang Shan stepped forward, his arrogance fully restored.
“SMACK!”
Before anyone could react, Lin Hai struck again. Another slap sent Huang Shan stumbling.
“How about that? That settle things for you?” Lin Hai’s voice was cold.
“You’re asking to die.” Huang Yu hadn’t expected Lin Hai to be so brazen—attacking right in front of him like that.
His temper flared.
He stepped in, going straight for Lin Hai’s throat, aiming to take him down.
Lin Hai dodged, tilting his head.
“Oh?” But Huang Yu shifted mid-motion, his hand dropping to seize Lin Hai’s shoulder instead.
“SLAP.” His grip locked onto Lin Hai’s shoulder and arm.
Lin Hai’s eyes narrowed. He was caught, but he wasn’t rattled.
That move—fast, precise, efficient—felt like military training. A single-strike takedown technique.
Huang Yu, confident now that he had Lin Hai locked in, let out a cold smirk.
He threw his weight into it, bracing for a clean shoulder throw.
“DOWN YOU GO!” Huang Yu roared.
Huang Shan’s eyes lit up. A vicious grin twisted his face.
Once Second Brother slams him to the ground, I’m gonna stomp him a few times myself. That’ll teach him.
“Mm?” His thoughts came to a halt. Something wasn’t right.
Why isn’t this going the way I imagined?
There was Huang Yu, Lin Hai’s arm slung over his shoulder, body twisted sideways, face scrunched up like he was squeezing out every ounce of strength he had.
And Lin Hai? Calm as still water. His feet might as well have been rooted in the concrete. No matter how Huang Yu strained, he didn’t budge an inch.
Huang Yu’s heart sank. He realized it then: he was up against a real master.
A flicker of desperation flashed in his eyes. He thought about changing tactics.
But Lin Hai wasn’t giving him the chance.
He lifted his leg and planted his foot squarely on Huang Yu’s backside.
Huang Yu lost his grip. His balance went with it. He hit the ground—face-first, mouthful of floor.
Lin Hai shook his head.
“Not an ounce of strength. Just like your brother—weak as a girl.”
“Come on, Xinyue. Let’s not waste any more time with these two.” He took her hand and started walking.
“Second Brother—we can’t just let them go!” Huang Shan scrambled to help his brother up, his voice dripping with spite.
“You think I don’t know that?” Huang Yu’s pride was battered.
He pulled out his phone.
“First Platoon. Walmart entrance. Ten minutes. On standby.”
Lin Hai and Liu Xinyue finished their shopping, paid, and headed toward the exit.
“Hm?” The moment they reached the door, Lin Hai sensed something off.
Two soldiers in camouflage and combat boots stood guard at the entrance. Farther off, a dozen more soldiers kept watch, eyes locked on the door.
And standing among them, hands behind his back, was Huang Yu—wearing a look of cold pride.
“There he is!” Huang Shan pointed, face lighting up.
“Hmph. Move out.” Huang Yu strode forward. The soldiers followed.
The two guards at the door raised their arms, blocking Lin Hai.
“What’s this about?” Lin Hai’s voice was flat.
“Military operation.” Huang Yu stepped closer, glaring.
Shoppers halted. Whispers spread. A crowd began to gather.
“Who is that kid? Why are they sending soldiers after him?”
“Think he’s a terrorist?”
“Doesn’t look like it. Looks like a student. But crossing the military? That never ends well.”
“Move aside—police coming through.”
“What’s going on here?” A middle-aged cop swaggered over, face full of authority.
“Military affairs. Civilians stay clear.” A young soldier stepped forward, palm flat against the officer’s chest. His tone was ice.
“Uh—right. Carry on, then.” The cop’s swagger evaporated. Without another word, he turned and left.
Military business wasn’t something a beat cop was about to touch.
Huang Shan puffed up. Man, this is what military power looks like.
He swaggered up to Lin Hai, lips practically curled to his ears.
“What’s the matter? Lost that big mouth of yours? That tough act? The hell you gonna do now, huh? You wanna hit me again? Come on, let’s see you try—”
“SMACK.”
Huang Shan didn’t even finish. Lin Hai sent him spinning sideways with a clean slap.
“Never seen someone beg to be hit like that.” Lin Hai shook his head in disgust.
“You son of a bitch—you hit me again? You’re dead! Take him out!” Huang Shan cupped his face, screaming at the soldiers.
Not a single one moved. They didn’t even glance at him.
“You—!” Huang Shan stomped his foot, whirling toward his brother.
“Brother! Give the order!”
Huang Yu’s face was stone. His glare fixed on Lin Hai.
“Lin Hai. You think your little bit of skill lets you push my brother around without consequences. Fine. Don’t blame me for what happens next.”
“Spare me the righteous speech. If you’ve got a problem, bring it. Today, I’ll beat you until you submit.”
Huang Yu’s brow twitched.
“You asked for this.”
He raised his hand.
“Move in.”
