Lu Ming's question, seemingly foolish, carried a profound implication.
Under normal circumstances, one would simply say, "I will protect Xu Shengbiao for a lifetime!"
This would imply that Lu Ming could never harm Xu Shengbiao.
However, the deeper meaning behind the question was far from that. It harbored a more significant intent.
Lu Ming's true intention was: Fan Xiaoyun, you cannot protect Xu Shengbiao forever. No matter how energetic you are, you cannot guard him 24 hours a day. There will be moments when your attention wavers. When you can no longer protect him, Lu Ming will seize the opportunity to eliminate Xu Shengbiao!
Therefore, you must either treat Xu Shengbiao as a prisoner, locking him up 24 hours a day, for his entire life.
Or, Lu Ming will seize an unguarded moment to kill him.
While others might not grasp this subtlety, Fan Xiaoyun, being who she was, immediately understood Lu Ming's meaning.
Her anger surged.
"Lu Ming, how dare you!" Fan Xiaoyun's face flushed with palpable rage, the kind that threatened to erupt at any moment.
Lu Ming, feigning innocence, asked, "What did I do? Sister Yun, I'm just following your instructions, acting according to your wishes. Why are you angry again?"
Fan Xiaoyun said coldly, "You are a hypocrite! Fine, you dare to threaten me? Then don't blame me for being impolite! Guards!"
A group of men raised their machetes, ready to hack Lu Ming into pieces at Fan Xiaoyun's command.
In that moment of extreme tension.
Suddenly, a 'bang' of a gunshot echoed.
A bullet fired from a distant high-rise building grazed Fan Xiaoyun's hair and struck Xu Shengbiao's shoulder directly behind her!
The bullet penetrated Xu Shengbiao's shoulder.
"Ah!!!"
Xu Shengbiao let out a pig-like howl of pain, collapsing to the ground and writhing in agony.
A bullet?
This...
Fan Xiaoyun glanced towards the distant skyscraper. Though she could see nothing, she knew in her heart that a sniper was hidden there.
At this moment.
Lu Ming said, "Oh my, it seems Sister Yun isn't all-powerful. Even with you here, Xu Shengbiao still got hurt."
His words were provocative, laced with the smugness of a petty victor.
Truly infuriating!
Fan Xiaoyun was furious but helpless.
With a sniper present, she dared not move rashly. If she made a move, the sniper's shot could kill her instantly. She couldn't afford to gamble.
Now, Fan Xiaoyun understood why Lu Ming dared to cause trouble at the entrance of Chenghong Tower; it was all meticulously planned.
Hoo...
Fan Xiaoyun took a deep breath, her tone softening considerably.
She asked, "Lu Ming, what exactly do you want? Xu Shengbiao is just a pawn collecting debts for the Fan family. Do you really need to go to such lengths to deal with him?"
Lu Ming smiled, "He's certainly not worth this much effort, but thirty-nine million yuan is."
Lu Ming repeatedly emphasized "thirty-nine million," and everyone understood his implied demand: the Fan family must concede and let the fishermen go!
When had the Fan family ever suffered such a loss?
Fan Xiaoyun clenched her fists.
Behind her, Xu Shengbiao lay on the ground, pleading in pain, "Sister Yun, save me! I'm working for you now. You can't let me die! I'm still very useful to you. You still need me to collect payment for the purple copper fish..."
"Shut up!!!" Fan Xiaoyun roared.
Taking several deep breaths, Fan Xiaoyun calmed herself as much as possible, refusing to let anger or impulsiveness dictate her actions.
Finally.
She looked back at Lu Ming, nodded, and said, "The Fan family's interest rates were indeed somewhat unreasonable. The fishermen's debts are all wiped clean."
Wiped clean?
Heh, not enough!
Lu Ming said, "If the interest rates were wrong, they must be corrected. We'll adjust for any overpayment or underpayment."
This was bordering on bullying. Fan Xiaoyun had agreed to stop pursuing the fishermen's debts, and now he wanted her to return the money already collected?
"No, this is unacceptable..."
Before Fan Xiaoyun could finish, a 'bang' sounded. Another bullet from the distant skyscraper flew, this time passing under Fan Xiaoyun's arm and striking Xu Shengbiao's leg!
Fan Xiaoyun panicked instantly, cold sweat beading on her forehead.
The sniper was clearly sending a message to Fan Xiaoyun, demonstrating his precision and the immediate threat to her life!
Lu Ming dropped his nonchalant demeanor, saying coldly, "Sister Yun, you'd best speak carefully. My sniper friend's patience is far less than mine, and he doesn't take orders from me. If you say one wrong word, I can't guarantee the consequences."
This was overt intimidation.
Fan Xiaoyun had never been so insulted in her life!
But in this situation, she had no choice but to yield.
"Adjust for overpayment or underpayment. I agree," Fan Xiaoyun stated resolutely.
"Okay." Lu Ming immediately took out his phone and opened an Excel spreadsheet. "I've already calculated the refunds for you, Sister Yun. Just transfer the money to me. I don't mind the trouble of making the trip."
Lu Ming would be the one to return the money to the fishermen.
If Fan Xiaoyun sent her men, the fishermen would likely be too terrified to accept it.
Thus, under everyone's gaze, Fan Xiaoyun had people transfer funds to Lu Ming. The money extorted from the fishermen was all returned in one go!
In the Fan family's centuries-long history, this was an unprecedented situation.
This incident quickly spread throughout the entire Fog City!
After collecting the payment.
Lu Ming put away his phone and said with a smile, "Since Sister Yun is following regulations, I naturally cannot be biased. I must also adhere to the rules. My interest calculation was also incorrect. Xu Shengbiao doesn't owe me any money. We are even. So, Sister Yun, I have other matters to attend to and must leave. Next time we meet, I'll treat you to tea."
Lu Ming turned and walked away.
Lu Ming had won this battle spectacularly!
Fan Xiaoyun clenched her fists, her eyes burning with rage, wishing she could flay Lu Ming alive!
Through this incident, Lu Ming had completely regained the face he lost previously.
Last time, Fan Xiaoyun had smashed ten wine bottles on Lu Ming.
This time, Lu Ming forced Fan Xiaoyun to return all the fishermen's money, humiliating the Fan family.
Revenge for every wrong.
This was Lu Ming's code of conduct!
Not long after Lu Ming left, a subordinate, unable to bear seeing Fan Xiaoyun humiliated, couldn't stand it any longer.
Without a second thought, the subordinate charged forward with his machete.
Bang!
The third gunshot rang out.
The subordinate was shot in the knee, collapsing to the ground as his machete flew from his hand.
Lu Ming looked back and said to the subordinate, "Oh my, you've come specifically to kneel and thank me? No need, no need. Sister Yun, your subordinate is too polite. Tell him to get up, no need to kneel, hahahaha."