35: What in the World Happened to You?

Zhang Wenzhi’s previous disastrous display at the Western restaurant had left a rather sour impression on Su Muqing, perhaps even instilling in her a certain prejudice against men of questionable virility.

Zhang Wenzhi was desperate to prove himself to Su Muqing, to show her that he, unlike that effeminate pretty boy Shen Yifei, was a true man. His Taekwondo skills, he believed, were quite formidable.

“Hah!” Zhang Wenzhi bellowed, his body suddenly whipping into a full 360-degree spin. His right leg followed, rotating at high speed as he leaped into the air, completing a dazzling aerial pirouette. Then, his left leg shot out in a rapid, spinning kick—a fierce left roundhouse aimed straight for the tattooed young man’s face!

A faint sneer touched Shen Yifei’s lips. He genuinely wondered if Zhang Wenzhi was an imbecile.

An aerial spinning kick required immense power, but with Zhang Wenzhi’s utterly depleted body, how much force could he possibly muster? Did he truly dare to show off with such paltry skill?

The consequence was that while Zhang Wenzhi’s spectacular move was executed, his entire body was riddled with openings, not to mention the question of whether he’d even connect.

Yet, as Zhang Wenzhi saw himself perform the aerial spinning kick, a smug grin spread across his face. He didn't care about the kick’s actual potency; he only cared about pulling off the flashy maneuver.

But to Zhang Wenzhi's utter astonishment, the tattooed young man opposite him didn't feign being knocked flying. Instead, he took a step forward, snatched up a loose brick, and slammed it viciously into Zhang Wenzhi's groin.

*Thwack!* A sickening thud.

“Agh!”

Zhang Wenzhi’s face contorted in agony as he let out a bloodcurdling shriek, as if struck by some horrific terror, his voice piercingly sharp.

In that instant, Zhang Wenzhi had felt a sudden gust of wind between his legs. Before he could react, his nether regions were struck with a devastating blow.

*CRASH!*

Zhang Wenzhi crashed heavily to the ground, wracked with unbearable pain. He truly wondered if he’d been rendered utterly infertile.

“Damn it, I can’t stand a show-off! Lads, beat him to a pulp!”

The other three rushed forward as well, surrounding Zhang Wenzhi and subjecting him to a brutal pummeling.

Zhang Wenzhi wished he could die. What kind of men had that bastard Liu Meng hired?!

“I’m Zhang Wenzhi! Are you insane? I told you to beat that other guy! Why are you hitting me?!” Zhang Wenzhi roared, pointing at Shen Yifei.

But Zhang Wenzhi’s response was a furious storm of blows.

“Ow, argh… you’ve got the wrong man! Argh!”

Zhang Wenzhi wailed piteously, but the young thugs were only spurred on, their blows growing fiercer with every strike.

Shen Yifei had initially thought Zhang Wenzhi was trying to scheme against him in some new way, but it didn't seem to be playing out that way, did it?

He couldn’t be bothered to ponder it further and simply settled in to watch the show.

Su Muqing’s face was etched with worry. She quickly opened the car door and exclaimed in alarm, “Calm down, all of you! Don’t resort to violence!”

Shen Yifei calmly stepped forward, a light chuckle in his voice as he addressed Su Muqing, “Ms. Su, it’s dangerous out here. You should stay in the car.”

Su Muqing was a little speechless. At a time like this, how could this fellow still be smiling?

“But Zhang Wenzhi…”

“Alright, alright, get in the car. I’ll take care of this.” Shen Yifei gently nudged Su Muqing into the vehicle and closed the door.

“Shen Yifei, don’t just stand there foolishly!”

Her heart pounded with urgency. She wanted to tell Shen Yifei to go help, but the words caught in her throat. She had no right to demand that he act as a hero.

Shen Yifei already disliked Zhang Wenzhi. He certainly wasn’t going to help. Serves the idiot right for trying to show off with that aerial spinning kick.

The vicious beating lasted a full three minutes before the group of thugs finally sauntered off.

“Ow… I’m in agony!”

Zhang Wenzhi’s nose was gushing blood, and his body was covered in an array of painful bruises, a truly pathetic sight. His wallet had even been stolen.

“Zhang Wenzhi, are… are you alright?” Su Muqing hastily ran out of the car and helped Zhang Wenzhi up.

Zhang Wenzhi wished he could die. *Do I look like I’m alright?* he thought.

“My, Mr. Zhang,” Shen Yifei said with a smile, “how could you be so careless?”

At Shen Yifei’s cold sarcasm, Zhang Wenzhi became incandescent with rage. “Shen Yifei, you bastard! Just you wait! If I don’t utterly destroy you, I’ll disown my own name!”

“Zhang Wenzhi, calm down. I’m taking you to the hospital now.” Su Muqing immediately pulled out her phone, ready to dial the emergency services.

Just then, a battered old Wuling Hongguang van roared into view and screeched to a halt at the side of the alley.

The doors slid open, and four or five heavily muscled men, their bodies covered in garish tattoos, piled out. One of them wore a black tank top.

The driver was none other than Liu Meng. A slight hitch had occurred with the task Zhang Wenzhi had assigned him.

The thugs Liu Meng had summoned were unfamiliar with the labyrinthine alleyways and had only just realized they had taken a wrong turn.

Now, as Liu Meng raced over, he saw Zhang Wenzhi sprawled on the ground, his face a mess of blood. He was utterly stunned and quickly scrambled out of the van to run to him.

Liu Meng sprinted over, seeing Zhang Wenzhi bruised and swollen, his face caked with blood. He gasped in shock, “Boss, what in the world happened to you?”

“Screw you!” Zhang Wenzhi was so furious he felt smoke might erupt from his ears, wishing he could skin Liu Meng alive and devour him whole.

“What the hell is wrong with you? Didn’t I tell you to bring these men to beat up Shen Yifei? Why are you beating *me*?!” Zhang Wenzhi had no patience left for pretense, roaring at Liu Meng.

Liu Meng’s face twitched with a hint of embarrassment. “Boss, these friends I brought are unfamiliar with this alley. We… we took a wrong turn.”

Zhang Wenzhi realized with a jolt. No wonder none of the four men earlier had been wearing a black tank top.

So, those four men just now weren't the hired experts and actors? He had just been randomly and brutally beaten like this?

His fury knew no bounds. He screamed at Liu Meng, “Liu Meng, you absolute disgrace! Look at this mess you’ve made! Now help me up!”

“Yes…” Liu Meng stammered a trembling assent, hurrying forward to help Zhang Wenzhi to his feet. He still had no clue how Zhang Wenzhi had gotten beaten.

The five thugs behind them exchanged confused glances, equally baffled by the situation.

Su Muqing stood up, subtly moving closer to Shen Yifei, and asked, a hint of suspicion in her tone, “Zhang Wenzhi… what’s going on here?”

“Hmph!” Zhang Wenzhi’s face darkened ominously. He glanced at the five thugs behind Liu Meng, then pointed at Shen Yifei, roaring, “What the hell are you lot still gawking at? It’s *this* brat! Get him! Now!”

The five thugs exchanged quick glances, then snapped into action, circling Shen Yifei with malevolent intent.

“What are you trying to do?!” A flicker of panic crossed Su Muqing’s delicate features. She turned to Zhang Wenzhi. “Zhang Wenzhi, calm down!”

“No pointless chatter, Ms. Su. Stand behind me.” Shen Yifei stepped forward, speaking softly to Su Muqing.

Her face paled slightly, her heart pounding with trepidation, and she obediently positioned herself behind Shen Yifei.

Shen Yifei had already pieced it together. The sudden commotion just now was supposed to have been a staged act orchestrated by Zhang Wenzhi, but for some unknown reason, it had gone horribly wrong.

Now, infuriated by his humiliation, Zhang Wenzhi was simply calling in men to deal with him directly. Shen Yifei recognized Liu Meng; he had beaten him before, confirming Liu Meng was one of Zhang Wenzhi’s subordinates.

Zhang Wenzhi had clearly never had good intentions when he first invited him.

In any case, Shen Yifei detested unnecessary trouble. The sooner he could resolve this annoying business, the better.

“Beat that brat to death! Don’t hold back!” Zhang Wenzhi roared furiously.