Chapter 108: If You Win, I'll Tell You

Chapter 108: I’ll Tell You If You Win

The Tuoshan District police station was unusually lively that night. Qi Yishan hadn’t expected his maternal uncle, Jin Biao, to show up here.

Originally, he had been pondering how to manage the tangled relationships among these people, but to his surprise, his uncle humbly approached Xu Yun and Qin Wan’er to greet them. “Brother Yun, Officer Qin, if you’re handling a case out in the eastern suburbs, you should have told me. I would have done everything in my power to help.”

“I’m afraid you’d help the criminals,” Xu Yun retorted sharply. “Jin Biao, I’m making this clear today—I know the relationship between you and Director Qi. I don’t want Director Qi to rig this case like you’d rig someone else.”

Qi Yishan’s face flushed red and then white from embarrassment. Qin Wan’er found the exchange amusing but paid no mind to them, instead taking the frightened Su Xiaoran to record her statement.

Jin Biao, thick-skinned, felt no shame. “If it weren’t for Yishan helping us clear up that misunderstanding, I wouldn’t have met Brother Yun, right? Haha. How’s Sister Shuang these days? My wife keeps saying she wants to visit her.”

Seeing his uncle’s reverent demeanor, Qi Yishan half-wondered if he’d bumped into a ghost. “Uncle, what’s going on here?!”

“Yishan, you have to be more respectful to Brother Yun from now on,” Jin Biao said. “Sooner or later, Hedong City will be Brother Yun’s domain—you get what I mean?”

Qi Yishan gasped inwardly. His uncle, who had long been a regional strongman, was now tamed? Xu Yun was truly no ordinary person.

Several policemen who had clashed with Xu Yun earlier dared not say a word. They had been wary of him ever since that powerful punch left them reeling.

Though Qi Yishan didn’t fully understand the situation, seeing his uncle personally come confirmed Xu Yun’s impressive ability.

After Su Xiaoran recounted the entire incident, Qin Wan’er insisted they leave first.

Watching Xu Yun drive away, Qi Yishan asked, “Uncle, is this guy really that extraordinary?”

“Of course,” Jin Biao nodded with respect. “Come, take me to see who dares to offend that Buddha’s statue—he must have no fear of death.”

But when Jin Biao saw the man arrested was Liu Tianyi, he nearly lost it. “How could it be him?!”

Jin Biao had ties with Liu Sheng, Liu Tianyi’s father. Five years ago, when Liu Sheng entered Hedong City, Jin Biao wanted to eliminate him outright. But Liu Sheng’s overwhelming strength suppressed Jin Biao, and upon realizing he was a formidable force, they struck a gentleman’s agreement: Liu Sheng wouldn’t interfere with Jin Biao’s operations, and Jin Biao wouldn’t obstruct Liu Sheng’s earnings.

Over five years, their relationship had grown from strangers to respected acquaintances.

Now, seeing Liu Sheng’s son roughed up by Xu Yun, Jin Biao refused to stand idly by.

“How should we handle him? Give Xu Yun a little face and punish him severely?” Qi Yishan frowned, the man looked familiar.

“Severely punish him? Do you even know who he is?” Jin Biao sneered. “You deal with this mess. Take this guy to the car—he’s Liu Sheng’s son. If you punish him, he won’t live to regret it!”

Qi Yishan was stunned. No wonder he looked so familiar—he really resembled his father. “Qin Wan’er and that Xu Yun are way too arrogant, daring to touch even Liu Sheng’s son.”

Jin Biao took a deep breath. “We can’t afford to offend any of these people. Yishan, figure out a way to muddy the waters. I’ll find someone to shoulder the fallout.”

Qi Yishan nodded—he had to save face for Jin Biao.

“I’ll take this kid back first. The rest is up to you.” Jin Biao had his own agenda in wading into this mess. Liu Sheng had always been an untouchable figure; he knew this man’s power far surpassed the major forces in Hedong City. Now, with the Xu family’s youth offending Liu Sheng’s son, perhaps this would spark a conflict.

If Xu Yun could truly defeat Liu Sheng, Jin Biao would quietly stay out of the spotlight. If Liu Sheng won, then Jin Biao’s intervention would earn him considerable credit, allowing him to continue his reign in Hedong.

Of course, the best outcome would be both sides weakening each other, leaving the entire Hedong City under Jin Biao’s control.

...

Xu Yun drove Qin Wan’er and Su Xiaoran back to Su’s residence in the Yupeng community. As they arrived, the security guard who had been scolded by the captain earlier hurried out and shouted angrily, “You say you’re police—where’s your badge? What if you were a thief? What would I do?”

Before Xu Yun could explain, Qin Wan’er rolled down her window and glared coldly, producing her credentials. “See? Would a thief come back?”

Su Xiaoran was still trembling from the shock. Qin Wan’er’s mood was at its worst, so any idle chatter was naturally unwelcome.

“Uh… sorry, officer… I’m just not too bright,” the guard muttered, wishing he’d kept quiet.

Like Qin Wan’er, Su Xiaoran was born and raised in Jinnan City. This apartment belonged to her grandmother’s family. Since the elders had passed, she moved here after starting work at the Hedong International Bilingual School and lived alone.

After Xu Yun and Qin Wan’er left Su Xiaoran’s home, she finally began to emerge from the shadows of her trauma. Grateful beyond words, she now regarded Xu Yun as her savior.

Xu Yun looked at the time—it was already eight o’clock. He called Ruan Qingshuang to update her on the situation. Only then did she relax. Guoguo, upon learning that Teacher Su was in trouble, disregarded her homework and even reminded Xu Yun to comfort her well.

“Are you hungry?” Xu Yun was, having skipped dinner. “Want me to go buy something?”

Qin Wan’er’s stomach growled in perfect coordination, her cheeks flushing. “Is that even a question? It’s so late, I’m starving.”

“What do you want to eat?” Xu Yun smiled faintly.

“Xiaoran, don’t be shy,” Qin Wan’er said generously. “Say whatever you want; he’ll buy it.”

Su Xiaoran felt embarrassed. “I should be the one treating you. Even without today’s events, you’re my guests.”

Qin Wan’er rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Still so formal? Like I’m a stranger. It’s a special occasion—he can afford one meal.”

“Teacher Su, please don’t be so polite. Let Qin Wan’er chat with you. Tell me what you want; I’ll handle it,” Xu Yun urged.

“Oh, that’s too much trouble…” Su Xiaoran hesitated.

“No more nonsense. I want the supreme seafood pizza, French escargot, shrimp tails...” Qin Wan’er rattled off.

“Enough, I got it.” Xu Yun cut her off, knowing the menu by heart if she kept talking. “Teacher Su, these are your favorites, right? No objections?”

Su Xiaoran smiled softly. “None.”

Qin Wan’er waved dismissively. “Stop being so formal. These were her high school favorites—we used to feast monthly.”

With a clear idea, Xu Yun quickly bought the food and shared a sumptuous dinner with the two beauties. He practically bought everything the store had. Food was an excellent way to erase unpleasant memories.

By eleven o’clock, Su Xiaoran’s spirit had mostly recovered.

“You should go home. I’ll stay with her tonight,” Qin Wan’er ordered Xu Yun. “It’s late; the herbal restaurant is probably closed. Don’t disturb Guoguo when you get back—she’ll ask all sorts of questions.”

Xu Yun had been ready to leave, but every time he tried to speak, Su Xiaoran would pour tea or cut fruit, making him lose all desire to go. Such a hospitable hostess—it would be rude to leave.

“It’s so late—why not stay for some late-night snacks?” Su Xiaoran pleaded again.

Qin Wan’er shut down the suggestion instantly. “No way! If you stay any longer, you might as well sleep here.”

Su Xiaoran blushed deeply and stopped being so formal with Xu Yun.

Xu Yun’s dream of a late-night snack was dashed by Qin Wan’er, so he obediently left.

Autumn had arrived; the night breeze was growing chilly. Xu Yun walked straight back to the herbal restaurant, thinking he should buy a few new clothes. If he kept wearing shorts for a few more days, people would surely mock him.

Unconsciously, Xu Yun arrived outside the herbal restaurant.

Just as he was about to open the door, a chilling aura swept over him.

He turned toward the figure standing beneath the streetlamp across the road. The aura was piercing but not murderous—so he was certain it wasn’t the Scarlet Scorpion.

After all, the Scarlet Scorpion knew Xu Yun had already reached the pinnacle of mastery and wouldn’t act rashly.

Under the lamplight, the figure’s curves were graceful and alluring.

“I thought you sensed something and had already left,” the ponytailed woman said.

Xu Yun quickly recognized her voice—it was the one skilled in the purple lightning cloud-piercing dart technique.

“I did sense something, but not enough to leave. Who are you?” he asked.

From his keen perception of her aura, Xu Yun was sure she was neither the Scarlet Scorpion nor the Violent Fox Lord. She lacked the seasoned presence of an underground expert. Though imposing, there was a hint of youthful innocence beneath her intensity.

“You don’t need to know who I am. Why don’t you tell me about yourself?” the ponytailed woman said coolly. “You’re not ordinary, are you? Why hide away in such a humble herbal restaurant? What’s your real intention?”

“Why should I care?” Xu Yun thought to himself. “Typical busybody meddling in others’ affairs.” Out loud, he said, “Do I really have to have an intention?”

The ponytailed woman’s aura intensified. “Of course! Everyone has a motive for what they do! What’s yours?”

Xu Yun smiled wryly. His motive? Simply that the owner here was beautiful, the waitresses elegant, the beauties all breathtaking. He felt happy and proud to hang out here.

But if he said that, would the woman opposite believe him?

“Want to know?” Xu Yun chuckled softly. “Ha, beat me, and I’ll tell you.”