Back then, I only glanced at the newspaper. The matter was too significant: Hu Yaohui had murdered his village chief's entire family, brutally dismembering them. The atrocity was appalling.
Later, he colluded with several ex-convicts to rob a post office and fled, killing their way as they went. It took a full two years to bring them to justice.
By then, Xie Sui had accumulated some wealth and was living a semblance of a normal life, thus having the leisure to read newspapers and catch up on local news.
Opening the paper, he was met by a ferocious face with eyes like a starved wolf. The sight sent a cold sweat down Xie Sui's back. Truly, the man was savage.
If this person were to act in a crime film, he wouldn't need makeup to play a bandit; he'd have to tone down his aura.
Therefore, Xie Sui recognized him instantly.
Why were they in the city? What did they want?
Certainly nothing good – either robbery or murder. But since it didn't concern him, Xie Sui pushed it out of his mind and went to dinner with Lin Wanwan.
The city was livelier, with buildings already over ten stories tall. People rode bicycles everywhere, and occasional cars zoomed past. Buses ran one after another, packed with people squeezed in like sardines. Xie Sui felt a pang of embarrassment for them.
Lin Wanwan was also wide-eyed, having not seen such a bustling street in a long time.
Xie Sui, however, was immersed in a nostalgic atmosphere. The satisfaction of walking through different scenery with his wife filled him with joy.
"Let's have a bowl of noodles. This place isn't crowded, so we won't have to wait," suggested Lin Wanwan.
Deep down, Lin Wanwan still clung to her frugal ways. If she were alone with Xie Sui, she could make do with two sesame cakes and hot water for a meal.
"Not crowded means the taste isn't good. There's a stir-fry restaurant over there. Let's have rice and braised pork. We've come all this way, it's been hard work. If we don't eat something good and lose weight, Doudou and Dingding will blame me for not taking good care of you."
Lin Wanwan smiled. "What do those two children know?"
"It's me doting on my wife, alright? Listen to me. Eating out doesn't cost much."
Xie Sui pulled her into the restaurant. Not paying attention, he bumped into a young man coming out. The man cursed, "Damn it, you blind or something!"
Xie Sui retorted immediately, "You have eyes, but they're in the wrong place, on your butt. No wonder you can't see the road!"
The young man's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Xie Sui to be so hot-tempered, even more arrogant than himself. Instead of getting angry, he laughed. "You little brat, you've got guts!"
Xie Sui: "Let me borrow some of yours. If your son calls me dad, I'll give him a red envelope."
Lin Wanwan tugged at him. They were out and she didn't want trouble.
The young man scratched his head in frustration, not knowing what to say. Finally, he pointed at Xie Sui and said, "You wait. I've been around for so many years, and you're the first person I've met who's this much of a troublemaker."
Xie Sui chuckled. "Then you haven't been around much. How dare you claim to be experienced? Go home and drink milk!"
The young man couldn't take it anymore. He had been about to call for backup, but now he attacked directly. As soon as he raised his fist, Xie Sui kicked him in the stomach and landed a punch on the back of his head. "You wanna fight? I've been fighting since I was three, and I've never been afraid of anyone!"
Xie Sui wasn't boasting. In his past life, he had trained extensively in Sanda, and he was inherently restless. He never shied away from a fight.
Lin Wanwan was speechless. It was a minor conflict, and it had escalated into a real fight.
However, the other man was also impolite. If Xie Sui had cowered and said nothing, he would have been looked down upon.
The sudden fight startled everyone in the restaurant. Several people came out, and among them was Hu Yaohui. Xie Sui's heart skipped a beat, and he almost turned to flee.
Could they be that unlucky?
As fate would have it, what he feared most happened. Hu Yaohui stopped the young man. "Don't cause trouble. Go back."
The young man wiped his bloody nose, his eyes darkening with anger. "Big brother, you don't know how infuriating this kid is. If I don't teach him a lesson, I won't be able to sleep tonight."
Xie Sui's eyes darted around as he quickly analyzed the situation. He couldn't escape. Hu Yaohui didn't know he recognized him. Fleeing out of guilt would only make Hu Yaohui suspicious.
He decided to maintain his persona. "Whether you sleep or not is your business. You're his older brother, so you tell me, he bumped into me and then cursed at me. Any man would be provoked. Let's have a fight, and the loser apologizes."
There's nothing that a fight can't solve between men. If there is, then fight twice.
Hu Yaohui looked at Xie Sui deeply. Xie Sui met his gaze without flinching. In his past life, Mr. Xie had weathered countless storms. If not for his wife, he would have directly reported these desperate criminals to the police.
Hu Yaohui suddenly smiled. "My apologies. It was my brother's fault. We apologize."
Xie Sui was stunned.
He had mistaken him. Hu Yaohui, the murderer and arsonist, was actually apologizing?
Lin Wanwan quickly said, "He has a bit of a temper too, and it's partly his fault. Actually, it's not a big deal. Let's go, we'll find another place to eat. I'm starving."
"Fine. It's not that we're afraid of him, it's just that we don't want trouble. Remember, I'm not afraid of you. Stop being so arrogant!"
Lin Wanwan pulled him away, still feeling Hu Yaohui's meaningful gaze behind them.
Finding another restaurant, Xie Sui ate without relish, quickly finishing two bowls of rice. After paying, they headed back. On the way, he said, "Let's find a different place to stay."
"Why?"
"Those guys from earlier are staying at the same hotel as us. I'm afraid they'll retaliate."
Lin Wanwan sighed. "Knowing that, why did you fight with them?"
Xie Sui also sighed. "By the time I knew, it was too late. Out in the world, it's not always about peace. The more you're meek and afraid of trouble, the more people will bully you. I'm with you, and I don't want you to look down on me."
"So it's my fault?"
"No, it's my fault."
The two returned to pack their things. They had all their money on them. They grabbed their clothes bags and left. Xie Sui was clearly having an unlucky day. As they passed Hu Yaohui's room, the group was also coming out, carrying their luggage.
"Well, well, it's you, kid. Where are you off to?"
"None of your business!"
Xie Sui's voice was laced with a feigned ferocity. Truly, it was a case of encountering enemies on a narrow road.
Hu Yaohui's dark eyes swept over them and he asked, "What's your name? We didn't fight to no avail. I quite admire you. Let's be friends."
Xie Sui was helpless. He had to say, "My name is Zhao Youliang, and this is my sister Zhao Xuefei. We're here to get some goods for our small business."
Lin Wanwan feigned brief surprise and called out to Xie Sui, "Brother, let's go. They don't look like good people. We won't be friends with them. There are rats here, I'm scared."
"Alright, let's find another place. What kind of lousy hotel scares my sister."
Xie Sui was inwardly thrilled. What a good wife, she cooperated so well.
The two bypassed them, not bothering to get their deposit back, and hurried off to find new lodgings. It wasn't like his past life where hotels were everywhere. Now, there were only state-run inns or dodgy establishments. Who knew what trouble they might encounter.