Jiang Chen was a little stunned. Forty thousand yuan! In the blink of an eye, everything was solved: his sister's tuition, her living expenses, and even part of the debt could be repaid. Was this really possible? But it was indeed true.
"Jiang Chen," Wu Feng said, "This medicinal wine of yours will definitely sell well. Just go all in and produce more—I'll help you sell it with Zheng Qiang."
As Wu Feng spoke, he noticed Jiang Chen's face suddenly change. Following his gaze, he saw two people walking in from the front entrance—a man and a woman. The man wore name-brand clothes, exuding the air of a rich playboy. The woman, heavily made-up and dressed to kill, clung tightly to the man's arm. The two of them swaggered in and sat at a table diagonally across from theirs.
Wu Feng whispered, "You know them? Who are they?" Jiang Chen's voice trembled, "The woman is my ex-girlfriend, Ren Li. The man is the one who stole her from me—Xu Peng, Xu Wenbin's son."
Xu Peng looked smug and triumphant, holding Ren Li tightly by the waist. Jiang Chen hadn't seen Ren Li for a month or two, but she had changed dramatically: She now carried an LV bag, wore a gleaming sapphire necklace, and looked like a glamorous heiress—completely different from the simple rural student she used to be.
The two clearly hadn't noticed Jiang Chen. Xu Peng snapped his fingers and shouted, "Waiter!"
Jiang Chen's emotions surged. He had dated Ren Li since freshman year and worked hard to support her, delivering flyers and hauling bricks after class to pay her tuition and living costs. Every time he handed her money, she was deeply moved.
But before graduation, she ran into Xu Peng's arms—and even stole Jiang Chen's thesis to give to him.
Now, she nestled in Xu Peng's arms, looking up at him with adoring eyes full of flattery and sensuality.
Although Jiang Chen had fallen in love with Wen-xian and no longer cared for Ren Li, the betrayal still burned. He wanted to punch someone just to vent his frustration.
The anger boiled up—he slammed his fist onto the table with a loud bang. Xu Peng and Ren Li turned around sharply and spotted him.
Six eyes met. The initial surprise passed, and Xu Peng regained his arrogant demeanor. He deliberately tightened his grip around Ren Li's waist and said loudly:
"Ren Li, your ex is here."
Ren Li giggled, slapped Xu Peng lightly, and kissed his cheek. "If you don't shut up, I'll sell you off as a mute."
Xu Peng released her waist, stepped forward with exaggerated calm, and sneered:
"Old classmate Jiang Chen, you have the nerve to come to a high-end restaurant like this? Can you even afford it? I heard from my dad that you were fired from the hospital for incompetence. What a pity."
Ren Li also stood up and walked over, her gaze complex as she looked at Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen studied her carefully. During their three years of dating, she had always remained pure and reserved. But now, in just over a month, her body had changed dramatically—her curves were more pronounced, clearly a woman now.
Jiang Chen regretted it. She had refused to let him touch her, and he had respected that—only holding her hand. But in the end, she kicked him away and gave her virginity to Xu Peng.
Seeing Jiang Chen's look, Xu Peng sneered: "What's the matter? Regretting giving a flower to me? You can ask her—if she wants to come back, I won't stop her. But you? You don't even have a job. You'll die poor and alone. Hahaha..."
Xu Peng's arrogance showed he didn't know Jiang Chen had broken his father's bones—he underestimated him.
He pulled out a cigarette and held it between two fingers, offering it to Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen didn't take it. Who knew if it was drugged?
"Old classmate, heard you've fallen to selling on the streets. Tough break. Let me give you some advice—get out of Jiang City and go back to your hometown. Maybe you can still farm. Accept your fate."
"Leave Jiang City?" Jiang Chen shook his head. "That idea never crossed my mind."
"Well, it should. I'll be honest with you—our Xu family holds serious power here. My dad might just be a doctor, but my fourth uncle has ties to both the legal and illegal sides. Crushing you would be easier than stepping on an ant. Leave now. Don't let me see you here again."
Ren Li saw Jiang Chen clenching his fists. She shook Xu Peng's shoulder and scolded, "Xu Peng, that's enough. Let's go."
Xu Peng shoved her aside and kicked her in the rear. "You stupid woman, feeling sorry for him?"
"You hit me?" Ren Li shrieked.
"So what? You getting uppity now? Don't forget, your job at the education bureau is still in probation. If you don't behave, we'll make sure you're kicked out."
Ren Li fell silent. Then she stepped forward, smiling sweetly:
"Xu Peng, don't say things like that."
Turning to Jiang Chen, she said: "Jiang Chen, out of respect for our past, Xu Peng is letting it slide. Be smart—leave Jiang City. If our family turns on you, you're done for."
She tried to pull Xu Peng away. But Xu Peng pushed her aside and pointed at Jiang Chen:
"You've got three days to get out of Jiang City, or else—" As he spoke, he threw a punch.
Thud! It landed on Jiang Chen's shoulder. Jiang Chen didn't move.
Wu Feng, who had been watching quietly, finally spoke:
"Kid, did you ask me before hitting my friend?"
Xu Peng turned and recognized Wu Feng. He frowned. "President Wu… it's you."
"You really don't respect me at all."
Xu Peng snorted, "Don't talk to me like some boss. The Xu family fears no one in Jiang City."
Slap! Slap! Two loud slaps rang out as Wu Feng struck Xu Peng.
"Let's see if you fear me now!" Wu Feng shouted, grabbing Xu Peng and slamming him to the ground.
Zheng Qiang yelled, "Wu-ge, my turn!"
He rushed up and began kicking and punching Xu Peng. Xu Peng couldn't fight back. He screamed in pain.
Seeing him half-dead, Jiang Chen smiled, "Brother Zheng, that's enough. If he dies, we'll be in trouble."
Zheng Qiang finally stopped.
Lying on the ground, Xu Peng caught his breath and pulled out his phone:
"Uncle Four! I'm at Sihai Restaurant. They beat me up… bring people, bring machetes!"