Chapter Sixty-Nine: Will You Bear It for Him?

At five fifty-five, Li Mu received a call from Song Liang—he had already arrived at the entrance of the driving school.

Li Mu turned to Zhao Kang and Su Yingxue. “The friend I called is here,” he told them.

“How many did you bring?” Zhao Kang blurted out.

“I didn’t ask.”

Zhao Kang was momentarily speechless. Su Yingxue sidled forward, positioning herself squarely in front of Li Mu, her voice earnest. “Li Mu, listen to me for once. I’ll call the police right now, have them take you home.”

Seeing her resolute expression, Li Mu replied coolly, “Even if you found me the toughest shell to hide in, I couldn’t crawl inside and never come out. Don’t worry about it.”

Usually calm and collected, Su Yingxue was suddenly anxious. “What’s the point in playing the hero now?”

Li Mu, eyes narrowed, answered honestly, “It matters to me.”

With that, he twisted away from her and headed straight for the entrance.

Su Yingxue’s first instinct was to chase after him and block his way, but Li Mu waved dismissively without looking back. Frustrated, she stamped her foot but didn’t pursue him, instead following closely behind with Zhao Kang.

Inside the Honda Accord, Zou Hua and Guo Yuhang watched the entrance. Zou Hua’s gaze lingered on the S500 Mercedes with provincial plates parked out front—a genuine luxury car that made him envious. Guo Yuhang, meanwhile, scrutinized every face in the crowd, searching for Li Mu.

He worried that the guy might have escaped early. But even if he ran, he couldn’t hide forever.

Just as he was thinking this, Li Mu appeared at the entrance. Guo Yuhang grew excited, pointing from a distance. “Hua, that’s the guy!”

“Good!” Zou Hua tore his eyes from the Mercedes, followed Guo Yuhang’s finger to Li Mu, and pushed open the car door. Turning to his men outside, he said, “There he is. Let’s take care of business.”

The smoking cronies immediately stubbed out their cigarettes, signaled their counterparts at the entrance, and trailed after Zou Hua toward Li Mu.

Song Liang stood waiting at the entrance. When he saw Li Mu, he waved him over.

Li Mu approached and greeted him politely. “Liang, I’m really sorry for today, having you come all the way.”

“It’s nothing,” Song Liang smiled. “I’ve got everything arranged.”

Li Mu nodded. If Song Liang said it was settled, it was sure to be fine.

Just then, Zhao Kang and Su Yingxue arrived. Neither knew Song Liang, but seeing that Li Mu’s “friend” was only one person, both grew uneasy. Su Yingxue was prepared; if things looked bad, she’d call her father immediately—calling emergency services might take too long.

Song Liang noticed Zhao Kang and Su Yingxue and asked Li Mu, “Are those two your friends?”

“Yes.”

Song Liang nodded, chuckling quietly. “Your girlfriend is quite beautiful. You’ve got good taste.”

“We’re just classmates,” Li Mu replied.

Song Liang said, “A man has to dare to dream before he dares to act. Don’t you have that kind of courage?”

Li Mu smiled, saying nothing.

Zhao Kang and Su Yingxue were dumbfounded as they watched the two chatting cheerfully just a few meters away, seemingly unfazed by the dozen or so men converging from both sides of the street. What was going on?

Song Liang turned and noticed the two groups, Zou Hua leading Guo Yuhang—whose face was still swollen—along with a dozen henchmen, approaching Li Mu.

Zhao Kang stepped forward to stand beside Li Mu, and Su Yingxue did the same.

Su Yingxue, a bit anxious, asked Li Mu, “Should I call my dad?”

“No need, it’s fine,” Li Mu reassured her, though he couldn’t explain why. He instinctively reached out and gently squeezed her soft hand, giving it a reassuring press.

Su Yingxue’s hand jolted at first, reflexively wanting to pull away, but after a slight withdrawal, she relented.

Li Mu’s fingertips tapped gently in her palm, as if conveying a message, and Su Yingxue felt her anxiety ease.

“Li Mu!”

With the support of over a dozen men, Guo Yuhang’s arrogance was unchecked. He confronted Li Mu, pointing and cursing, “Weren’t you acting tough this morning? I gave you a day and you only brought one person?”

Li Mu grinned, “Your face is still swollen and you’re talking nonsense. Just tell me how you want to settle this.”

Guo Yuhang cursed him, “Damn you, you came here to die!”

He turned to Zou Hua, “Hua, he’s too cocky. Let’s take him down!”

Zou Hua was furious. This kid was still acting tough, even after he’d shown up himself. Only bringing one person and still mouthing off—it was a clear sign of disrespect. He shouted, “Damn it, beat him!”

Just then, Song Liang stepped between Li Mu and Zou Hua, calmly saying, “Let’s talk properly. No need for violence yet.”

“And who the hell are you? You think you can protect him today?”

Song Liang remained unperturbed, pointing at the Accord across the street. “That car’s pretty flashy—is it yours?”

“Are you even worthy to point at my car? Get out of the way, or I’ll beat you too!”

Song Liang laughed instead of getting angry. “Fighting is for kids. Let’s talk like adults. So many people watching—you don’t want trouble. Why don’t my brother and I go to your car, and we can talk there? If we can’t reach an agreement, you can resort to violence then.”

Zou Hua had been around long enough, but this was the first time he’d met someone so composed. He scrutinized Song Liang. The man wasn’t familiar, but that put him at ease—Haizhou was small, and he knew most of the local toughs, especially the big names like Zhang Wanjun, but he had no recollection of Song Liang. That meant he wasn’t one of the local gangsters.

While Zou Hua hesitated, Song Liang added, “You have so many people—are you afraid of just the two of us?”

“Fine!” Zou Hua, provoked by Li Mu’s words, nodded. “Let’s talk in my car.”

Zou Hua’s men surrounded Li Mu and Song Liang. As they crossed the street, Li Mu saw Zhao Kang and Su Yingxue following and quickly said, “You two stay put.”

Zhao Kang was about to protest when Li Mu said, “Kang, help me keep Su Yingxue back.”

Zhao Kang was stunned; he’d just been about to argue, but now Li Mu wanted him to restrain Su Yingxue. He didn’t know how to respond.

But then he thought, Li Mu and the middle-aged man he’d brought were so calm—they must have a plan. There was nothing he or Su Yingxue could do to help, especially since she was a girl. So he said to her, “Let’s just stay here.”

Su Yingxue recalled Li Mu’s reassuring gesture and sensed his confidence. He must have a solution. She nodded at Zhao Kang, and the two stood across the street, watching intently as Li Mu and Song Liang climbed into the back of Zou Hua’s Accord.

Zou Hua signaled to Guo Yuhang to get in the front passenger seat, and took the driver’s seat himself, while his cronies surrounded the car, wary that the seemingly amiable Song Liang might suddenly pull a knife.

From the driver’s seat, Zou Hua twisted around, his gaze fierce upon Song Liang. “Your brother hit mine. How do you plan to settle this?”

Song Liang pointed at Guo Yuhang in the passenger seat. “Your brother is this young man, right?”

“Exactly,” Zou Hua confirmed.

Song Liang continued, “So you’re saying you’ll take responsibility for your brother’s actions?”

Zou Hua frowned. “What’s with the pointless questions? Of course I’ll stand up for my brother. If he’s been wronged, I’ll get him justice!”

Song Liang nodded, looking reassured, and smiled. “That’s good. Now I can rest easy.”

Zou Hua couldn’t figure out what Song Liang was up to, but with Guo Yuhang present, he had to back him up. He sneered, “Let me tell you, my patience is limited. My brother has made it clear there are conditions: first, you must kneel and apologize—”

Song Liang’s demeanor shifted. The previous gentle expression vanished, replaced by a cold seriousness. “Shut up. I won’t negotiate with people like you. I’m calling someone else to handle this.” He pulled out his phone and dialed.

“Don’t push your luck. If you’re not here to talk, get lost, or I’ll beat you too!” Zou Hua, catching the contempt in Song Liang’s tone, exploded. He was about to lash out when suddenly, outside, tires screeched in quick succession.

Then a harsh, commanding voice rang out, “Brother Jun is handling this. If you idiots don’t want to die, get out of the way!”