But mainly threats, to get what he wanted.
He said to Tao Zhi, “Won’t your parents feel ashamed?”
Tao Zhi: “…”
He’d almost forgotten about him.
Hearing this, Tao Zhi felt complicated. “You’re so young—how can you be so vicious?”
“Ha.” Shang Xuan laughed. “Then how are you so naive?”
Tao Zhi: “…”
Now he was calling him naive. Tao Zhi turned to look at Fu Si Heng.
Fu Si Heng was right beside him and had heard the whole exchange clearly. “You’re Shang Xuan?”
“And who are you?” A stranger appeared, and Shang Xuan frowned, sizing him up.
“It’s him.” Fu Si Heng asked.
Tao Zhi nodded.
Shang Xuan: “Hey, you two…”
“I’m Tao Zhi’s manager.” Identities were whatever you made them when out and about.
“I heard about it. How do you want to settle this? Come on, let’s talk.” There was a small alley right next to them, perfect for what he had in mind.
Fu Si Heng hadn’t done something like this in a while and felt a bit rusty.
In recent years, the only person he’d beaten was Fu Zheng.
Beating Fu Zheng didn’t require holding back, but this punk looked fragile.
Shang Xuan sized up Fu Si Heng, who was doing the same to him.
“You probably want more than just a phone.” Fu Si Heng’s words piqued Shang Xuan’s interest. “A secret this big can’t be worth only a phone. Let’s negotiate a price that satisfies us both.”
Shang Xuan: “?”
Right.
They should negotiate properly.
Shang Xuan, bold as a young calf unafraid of tigers, actually followed Fu Si Heng.
As he walked, he was cocky, sneering disdainfully. “Tao Zhi’s gotten cocky, huh? Hiring a manager now.”
Tao Zhi instinctively wanted to follow, but Fu Si Heng gestured at him, and his steps stopped abruptly.
He could guess Fu Si Heng’s method.
As expected of Fu Zheng’s brother—but was fighting violence with violence right?
Tao Zhi pondered for several minutes before hesitantly walking toward the alley entrance.
He was startled.
Shang Xuan was pinned face-first against the rough wall, arms twisted behind his back, his face full of terror.
“Two hundred thousand to buy your silence? You really dare to ask. You’re not that old, but your appetite’s huge. Who taught you?”
“Do you think Tao Zhi’s money comes easy?”
Shang Xuan was sweating profusely. “I didn’t—I, I didn’t…”
“Didn’t what?”
“I’m not joking, though.” Fu Si Heng’s voice was flat, not sounding like a threat but casual.
To Shang Xuan, who’d just been beaten, it sounded like a demon’s whisper, making his legs tremble.
“I won’t give you a single cent, but you have to keep this secret for him. Not only can’t you tell, you have to make sure no one else finds out.”
“Because if anything leaks, it’ll be on you. I’ll come straight for you.”
“Got it?”
“Be smart. Go home, finish your homework, and stop bothering Tao Zhi.”
“G-Got it, bro.” Shang Xuan endured the pain, his voice trembling.
He was as pathetic now as he’d been arrogant before.
Right after he’d smugly stated his demands, the man beat him without a word.
No, it was just one hit.
But that one hit nearly brought him down.
Fu Si Heng had struck a precise spot—no visible wounds, but excruciating pain.
From the first move, Shang Xuan knew what kind of person he was.
Not every suit-wearer was refined; some were like the black-suited bodyguards on TV.
This guy definitely wasn’t Tao Zhi’s manager.
He was a bodyguard, a thug, a gang boss.
Cold sweat poured out.
Yeah, he should’ve realized earlier—with that face, that aura…
Only after the beating did the man talk business.
Seeking profit and avoiding harm was human instinct. At that moment, Shang Xuan didn’t dare say anything else. He could only nod.
“Be smart.” Fu Si Heng said.
Tao Zhi: “…”
Tao Zhi quietly backed away from the alley entrance.
Soon, the two emerged together.
Shang Xuan had no visible injuries, just a dusty, disheveled face. He didn’t look too badly beaten.
At least not as bad as Fu Zheng.
Fu Zheng had bled from the nose back then.
“Want to get rice noodles?” Tao Zhi asked after a moment of silence.
“N-No, no thanks. I need to go home and do homework.” Shang Xuan refused frantically, his face pale with fear. “I’ll finish all my homework today—no more wasting your time!”
Tao Zhi: “…”
He was even using polite language now.
“Cousin, I’m sorry for before.” Shang Xuan suddenly became polite and respectful. He even bowed in apology. “Really sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I won’t do it again. Please forgive me.”
“And thank you for giving me a second chance.” Shang Xuan sniffled. “I know you were going to call the police. The amount I was blackmailing for was enough for jail time. You’re magnanimous, giving me this chance. Thank you for not doing it. I’m really grateful.”
“I was too vicious. After the holiday, I’ll study morals and ethics properly. Sorry, I won’t dare again. I truly repent—please don’t hold it against me.”
His words were jumbled, but the sincerity was full.
Tao Zhi listened, stunned.
He glanced at Shang Xuan, then at Fu Si Heng.
Fu Si Heng approached elegantly, as if nothing had happened.
