"Boss Kang, be honest, isn't this Boss Zhang your nephew?" someone asked, probing him quietly upon seeing Kang DaFu's diligent behavior.
"I wish I had a nephew like him, but I don't!" Kang DaFu replied with a smile.
"If Brother Kang is willing, I can be too," Zhang Liunian chimed in with a smile upon hearing this.
However, Kang DaFu detected the intention to become brothers with him, as Zhang Liunian had consistently called him "Brother Kang" since they first met, not "Uncle Kang."
"I still prefer you calling me Brother Kang," Kang DaFu chuckled, patting Zhang Liunian's shoulder.
"The Gu and Sun families have arrived," someone suddenly announced amidst their playful banter.
Both Zhang Liunian and Kang DaFu turned to look, then saw two groups of people crowding the staircase, neither yielding to the other.
The area was quite spacious, and two people could easily enter side by side. However, because the Gu and Sun families were at odds, neither wanted to appear behind the other, resulting in the pushing and shoving.
The onlookers watched, unperturbed, as if accustomed to such a scene.
Only Zhang Liunian's eyes flickered when he saw the Gu and Sun families; they were indeed old acquaintances, familiar faces.
"Sun, let us pass. We're going in first," Gu Changqing said, his neck cranched as he saw the Sun family members pushing them, trying to get ahead.
The eldest son of the Sun family, amidst the crowd, calmly replied, "Just let our Sun family go first, wouldn't that be fine?"
"Why should we let your Sun family go first?" Gu Changqing immediately objected upon hearing this. Why should their Gu family be outshone by the Sun family's entrance?
Wouldn't that allow the Sun family to steal the spotlight?
Seeing that Gu Changqing wouldn't yield, the eldest son of the Sun family naturally refused as well. "Then why should our Sun family let you go first? We don't want to be the ones left behind either."
As they crowded the entrance and began to argue, Zhang Liunian walked forward first and addressed them, "You are the Gu and Sun families, correct? I've heard much about you."
Zhang Liunian's appearance immediately caught Gu Changqing's attention.
"It's you, you country bumpkin, you scoundrel?" Upon seeing Zhang Liunian, Gu Changqing instantly forgot his dispute with the Sun family and rushed out of the crowd, coming face to face with Zhang Liunian, pointing at his nose and shouting curses.
"You scoundrel, I've been looking for you. You were quick to escape after hitting me yesterday, and now you dare show your face again. Today, I'll make you crawl at my feet and call me 'Dad'!"
As Gu Changqing spoke, he waved his hand, and a group of thugs appeared behind him. He said smugly, "These aren't just clueless construction workers; they are highly professional thugs. Let's see how you escape this time!"
The people present listened to their conversation, completely bewildered. They couldn't understand how Zhang Liunian had become involved with the Gu family, and for a moment, they didn't know whether to step forward and help anyone. Only Kang DaFu stepped out without hesitation, speaking for Zhang Liunian, "Young Master Gu, could there be a misunderstanding? Comrade Zhang only arrived here yesterday; how could he have had time to offend you?"
"Pah! What misunderstanding? He beat me up yesterday and landed me in jail. If I don't get revenge today, I'm not Gu Changqing," Gu Changqing spat at Kang DaFu impolitely, then motioned for his men to attack Zhang Liunian.
Zhang Liunian pushed Kang DaFu behind him. "It's okay; I can handle this."
"You..." How could you possibly handle over a dozen professional thugs by yourself? Kang DaFu wanted to ask this, but he didn't get the chance. Zhang Liunian had already unbuttoned his jacket, then raised his leg and charged towards the men. With a sweep of his leg and a flurry of punches, he landed blows on the faces of the more than ten professional thugs.
"Ah!"
"Bang!"
The more than ten professional thugs fell into Zhang Liunian's hands like sheep into a tiger's mouth. They were no different from the workers yesterday, crying out in pain and having no chance to retaliate. The final result was, as expected, Zhang Liunian achieving victory without suspense.
The eldest son of the Sun family watched with amusement. This person truly suited his taste; he dared to confront the Gu family in such a manner, rivaling their own Sun family.
No, he was even braver than them. At least they had the Sun family as a backup. But Zhang Liunian was just a newcomer to Pengcheng. Where did he get the confidence to face the Gu family without a trace of fear?
Unlike the Sun family's schadenfreude and admiration, Gu's father's face turned grim. So, it was this person who had beaten his son, who had disgraced their Gu family.
"You useless lot, get up there! Charge! Quickly strike down this bumpkin!" Gu Changqing, seeing that his men were no match for Zhang Liunian even for a few moves, was so angry he was jumping with rage.
His demeanor made Gu's father feel even more humiliated. What was worse was that that old man from the Sun family was openly mocking him.
"Look at our Young Master Gu getting angry; his face has turned the color of liver, so appetizing," said the Sun family patriarch, then burst into laughter.
Hearing this, Gu's father turned and glared at him. "What are you laughing at?"
"Of course, I'm laughing because it's funny! Hahaha..." The Sun family patriarch laughed even louder upon seeing the elder from the Gu family agitated.
"..." Gu's father clenched his fists, wanting to beat the old man opposite him to death. However, the other party had also brought several thugs behind him, making it impossible to act.
"Old man, don't get cocky. If I find an opportunity, I'll deal with you," Gu's father said through gritted teeth, issuing a fierce threat.
The Sun family patriarch fearlessly retorted, "Come on then! Who's afraid of an old fellow like you?"
"..."
As they were locked in a hostile confrontation behind the crowd, Gu Changqing, seeing that all his men had been taken down by Zhang Liunian, quickly drew a small knife and charged forward. "You damn scoundrel, I'll take your life!"
Zhang Liunian heard the commotion, turned to look at Gu Changqing charging at him, spread his long legs, and directly kicked him to the ground, spitting blood.
"..."
A deathly silence fell around them. No one had expected Zhang Liunian to do this. Not only had he easily defeated the Gu family's professional thugs, but he had also beaten up the eldest young master of the Gu family.
This made the Gu family's faces look extremely unsightly. Especially Gu's father; yesterday, he hadn't thought much of it, but now he had personally witnessed his son being beaten to the ground and spitting blood. Even if he disliked his son, he couldn't stand by and watch him be humiliated like this in front of him.
"Are you the one who beat my Changqing yesterday?" Gu's father pushed aside the Sun family patriarch and stepped in front of Zhang Liunian, his face exceedingly grim.
"It was me," Zhang Liunian straightened his clothes, calmed his breathing, and answered frankly.
Seeing his demeanor, he showed no fear of retaliation from the Gu family for beating their eldest young master. His confidence was inexplicable.
Kang DaFu immediately stepped forward upon seeing this and said, "Boss Gu, there must be some misunderstanding. Comrade Zhang has just arrived and would not cause trouble."
Before he could finish speaking, Gu's father coldly snorted and interrupted, "So, you're implying that my Changqing was looking for trouble and brought it upon himself to be beaten?"
"..."
Wasn't it obvious? It was definitely the elder young master Gu looking for trouble. Wasn't he always like this? Arrogant wherever he went, always causing trouble?
This was the sentiment of everyone present, including Kang DaFu.