Both Yang Chen and Rose were puzzled by Old Li's sudden change in deanor, as if he had seen a ghost. Curious, they naturally turned around to look in the direction Old Li was staring.
"Well, well, look who it is. No wonder we haven't seen you at the West Market, Old Li. So, you've moved your stand to this street," a sharp male voice rang out.
The speaker was a tall, slender man with a fair complexion, wearing a waist-length leather jacket and a bright red shirt underneath, making him hard to miss.
Beside him were several young n of varying heights and builds. As they approached Old Li's stand, many passersby chose to avoid them, not wanting to provoke these street thugs.
Yang Chen frowned, understanding the situation sowhat. The reason Old Li had moved his stand wasn't due to business issues but because he was being extorted by these people. A year ago, when Zhonghai was still contested between the Red Thorn Society and the West Alliance, Old Li had been oppressed by Chen's father and son. Even though Zhonghai was now solely under the control of the Red Thorn Society, such things were still happening.
Yang Chen found it puzzling. Under Rose's managent, the Red Thorn Society was supposed to avoid such unscrupulous ways of making money. Rose had been working hard to legalize their businesses, and the Red Thorn Society was not short of money. Why would they allow their subordinates to collect protection fees everywhere?
Noticing Yang Chen's displeased expression, Rose quickly explained, "Honey, don't misunderstand. I never allow our people to oppress ordinary citizens. Let handle this."
Yang Chen nodded, trusting his woman.
By then, the tall, slender man had already reached the stand. His companions arrogantly shoved Yang Chen and Rose aside.
"Old Li, don't you know that these streets are my territory? Did you really think that moving your stand would solve anything?" Old Li's face was filled with distress as he stamred, "Boss Xipi, it's not that I don't want to pay. Business has been bad lately. I moved here hoping to do better. Once I make so money, I'll pay the protection fee I owe you. Please give a few more days."
Xipi sneered, "You said the sa thing last week, but you didn't pay up. Instead, you ran here. Old Li, I've been lenient, ensuring your safety while you do business. If you don't appreciate it, don't bla for being rude."
The other thugs crowded around, with two of them casually taking the skewers Old Li had grilled and chomping on them.
Old Li broke out in a cold sweat. He looked at Yang Chen with a pleading expression. He was desperate; otherwise, he wouldn't have sought help from Yang Chen.
Due to his daughter Li Jingjing's situation, Old Li had wanted to distance himself from Yang Chen. But now, fate had brought them together on the street when he needed help the most.
Yang Chen sighed. Even in his desperation, Old Li couldn't bring himself to ask for help, showing how deep his prejudice against Yang Chen was. He was worried that Li Jingjing might get involved with Yang Chen again. The selflessness of parents is touching; they'd rather suffer than jeopardize their children's future.
Just as Yang Chen was about to step forward and resolve the issue, Rose tugged at his hand and shook her head, signaling that she would handle it.
Rose walked up to Xipi, her expression calm. "Who gave you permission to collect protection fees?"
Xipi had noticed Yang Chen and Rose earlier, assuming they were just a couple looking to buy so grilled snacks. Now that Rose was standing in front of him, Xipi's eyes lit up.
With a lecherous grin, Xipi laughed, "Hey, beauty, what's this? Are you trying to play the hero? Have you been watching too many movies or looking for a way to get close to ?"
Rose's expression turned cold. "I'll ask you one more ti: who gave you permission to collect protection fees?"
At this point, one of Xipi's more aggressive underlings got angry and threw the half-eaten octopus skewer to the ground. He walked up, shouting, "Damn it, you slut! Don't think you can talk to Brother Xipi like that. Do you want to get stripped and raped?"
"Hey, don't be rude to the lady," Xipi pulled his subordinate back and looked at Rose with a mocking expression. "Miss, can't you see that we're part of an organized and disciplined gang? Collecting protection fees is our job and duty. Does that satisfy you?"
Rose continued, "As far as I know, the only gang in Zhonghai now is the Red Thorn Society, and they have a rule against collecting protection fees."
Hearing this, Xipi and his gang mbers were a bit surprised. Xipi laughed, "So, the lady knows about the Red Thorn Society. That's right, I'm Xipi, the person in charge of these streets. As for the no protection fee rule, you must be mistaken. But it's understandable; ordinary people wouldn't know what we do. So, how about joining for a drink, and I can explain more about the Red Thorn Society?"
With a sly grin, Xipi reached out to touch Rose's face. But before he could extend his hand, Rose swiftly kicked his leg, causing him to fall to his knees with a scream.
"Ahh!"
Xipi fell to the ground, the sudden turn of events leaving his subordinates in shock for a mont before they realized their boss had been attacked.
"You bitch! How dare you sneak attack our boss! You're asking for it!" they yelled, rushing at Rose with fists and kicks aid at her neck, abdon, and waist.
These thugs were no match for Rose. With a few swift movents, she effortlessly dodged their attacks, using only her feet to kick them away. It was as easy as beating immobile targets.
In just a few seconds, the thugs who had looked so fierce were all writhing on the ground, groaning in pain and too afraid to get up, fearing another blow from the quick and powerful woman.
Xipi, gritting his teeth, finally managed to get up and glared at Rose with hatred. "You bitch, I underestimated you. You're a martial artist. Just wait here while I call my boss. I'll bring a hundred n, and we'll see if you can still fight!"
"I'll be right here. I'd like to see who your boss is," Rose replied coldly.
Seeing Rose's confidence, Xipi hesitated but couldn't back down after making such a statent. After all, who in Zhonghai would dare challenge the Red Thorn Society? No matter how good this woman was at fighting, she couldn't take on the entire gang.
With that thought, Xipi grew bolder and took out his phone, dialing a number.
As soon as the call connected, Xipi shouted urgently, "Hey, brother, where are you? What? Drinking? Your little brother has been beaten up! Yeah, on your turf! At the south entrance of the food street. Hurry and bring the guys. This woman is tough; I'm hurt!"
While making the call, Xipi kept his eyes on Rose, as if afraid she might run away.
Old Li, watching in horror, turned pale and hurried to Yang Chen's side, whispering urgently, "Yang Chen, take the lady and leave now. Don't worry about ! Xipi's brother, Lei Zhen, is a hall master in the Red Thorn Society. He's very powerful! We ordinary people can't provoke him!" Although Yang Chen had helped Old Li before with the Chen father and son, Old Li didn't know that it was all Yang Chen's doing. He just saw Yang Chen as a capable man who had married a wealthy wife. To Old Li, expecting Yang Chen to fight Lei Zhen, who commanded hundreds of n, seed impossible.
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