Chapter 68: Break One of His Legs!

Chapter Sixty-Eight: Break His Leg!

Su Shan walked ahead, carrying her sports bag and sipping apple juice as she went. Her ponytail, tied with a black ribbon, swayed with each step, stirring the hearts and desires of every man she passed—each unable to resist glancing back at her.

Tang Zhong kept a distance of about a meter behind her, neither too close nor too far, sipping his orange juice in small mouthfuls.

Perhaps it was some kind of sibling telepathy, but Tang Zhong also enjoyed these sweet and tangy drinks immensely. The orange juice Su Shan had bought was even more sour than any he’d had before—so sour it made him shiver, every hair on his body standing on end.

Su Shan said nothing, and Tang Zhong found nothing to say either. She was too clever, her aura too commanding; it seemed that any topic he might broach would only reveal the poverty of his own thoughts. Since that was the case, he decided it was better to keep quiet.

Unfortunately, this peaceful atmosphere was soon shattered by a harsh, grating sound.

A black Audi A8 screeched to a halt at the street corner ahead, coming to a stop with a flashy drift. The rear door swung open, and a young man wearing glasses crawled out, grinning.

Though he tried to stand as straight as possible, Tang Zhong saw at a glance that the young man was hunchbacked.

Young people these days were often a little slouched, but this guy was much more so. His lower body was straight, but his back bent sharply from the waist, his head jutting forward like a pecking chicken.

He stood by the car door, waiting for Su Shan to approach.

Su Shan looked a little surprised, but still walked over as usual.

“Are you here to tell me your decision?” Su Shan asked.

“I already told you my answer. The moment you refused my second condition, my intentions were clear,” You Mu replied, adjusting his glasses as he sized her up. Her face was flawless, but it was her poise and composure that captivated him most. She had a graceful figure, a slender waist, and long legs—perfect to be the little mistress of the You family. No wonder his grandmother had mentioned her to him several times. “I’m here to remind you of something.”

“What is it?” Su Shan asked calmly.

“It seems you’ve forgotten what I told you,” You Mu said with a smile. When his gaze shifted to Tang Zhong, his expression grew mocking. “I told you I wanted you to be my woman.”

“I remember,” Su Shan replied. “But I didn't agree.”

“Whether you agree or not is your concern,” You Mu said. “Since I’ve said it, your business is my business now.”

His eyes roved over Tang Zhong with unabashed boldness. “And you are?”

“Tang Zhong. The ‘Tang’ from the Tang dynasty, and ‘Zhong’ as in weight,” Tang Zhong replied with a smile, thinking, Why is it that everyone I meet is either a fool or a lunatic? I just left the madhouse at Hengshan Prison, only to arrive at an even larger and more terrifying asylum.

“Ah, good name,” You Mu nodded, feigning approval. “You—like in ‘game,’ and Mu, as in ‘herdsman’—compared to yours, my name is much more low-key.”

“Your appearance is even more low-key than your name,” Tang Zhong quipped.

Su Shan looked back at him in surprise, then lifted the corners of her mouth in a gentle smile.

Everyone knew You Mu was a psychopath, so no one ever dared speak to him like this—not even Lu Junzhuo, whose family was of similar standing. This was precisely why You Mu was so notorious in his small circle.

Did this guy even know whom he was provoking?

Appearance was You Mu’s Achilles’ heel—no one ever brought it up in front of him. No one dared praise another person’s looks in his presence. Only this guy did.

His mocking tone and playful words cut deeply, wounding You Mu’s fierce yet fragile pride.

He grinned, but the smile split his face unnaturally, turning cruel and sinister—like a toad suddenly grinning in your face, as terrifying as it gets.

“You must be very confident and pleased with yourself,” You Mu said, sizing Tang Zhong up with a smile.

“I suppose so,” Tang Zhong replied. “Actually, I used to be even better looking than I am now.”

“I saw what you did earlier,” You Mu said. “From when you started fighting those losers, to when you carried one into the restroom—I saw it all. Ruthless, direct, no hesitation. I have to say, I appreciate your style. You and I, we’re the same kind of people.”

“We’re not the same,” Tang Zhong shook his head, glancing at the Audi. “You travel by car, I go on foot.”

You Mu laughed heartily. “Interesting. I’m starting to like you.”

Tang Zhong hesitated, then decided against saying more. “I really envy you—but in your presence, I just can't bring myself to say it.”

You Mu’s ‘smile’ grew even more twisted at Tang Zhong’s words. Pointing at Su Shan, he asked, “Do you know who she is?”

“I do,” Tang Zhong answered. “In fact, I’d say every male student at our school knows who she is.”

“True enough,” You Mu nodded. “Three years in a row, she’s been the undisputed campus beauty at South University. Three years, she’s been crowned the number one beauty among all the universities in Mingzhu—eclipsing both Cai Sirong from the Conservatory of Music and Zhang Jing from the Academy of Fine Arts. Oh, I suppose this is the fourth year now. She’s quite famous.”

Tang Zhong smiled. “Seems you know her even better than I do.”

“I won’t deny that. Besides, we know different things,” You Mu replied with a sly grin. He knew her family background, her origins, her preferences, her aspirations—things outsiders could never know.

“Yes, we know different things,” Tang Zhong agreed. He had Tang Xin’s diary, full of Su Shan’s secrets—things no outsider could possibly know.

You Mu pointed at Su Shan, “Are you trying to pursue her?”

Tang Zhong nodded, “But she told me I’m not her type.”

“I can understand that,” You Mu said, suddenly feeling much better. Although Su Shan had rejected his own advances, at least she hadn’t accepted anyone else’s. “Still, I must remind you—she’s the woman I’ve set my sights on. In the future, she will be mine.”

“And then?” Tang Zhong asked.

“And then?” You Mu’s eyes grew cold. “Judging by your methods earlier, I think you’re a smart man. Must I really spell things out and ruin both my dignity and your pride?”

“So, because she’s the woman you want, I should stay as far away from her as possible?” Tang Zhong couldn’t help but laugh. He always thought of himself as a proud person, but compared to this guy, he was practically the embodiment of humility, kindness, and charm.

“I’m glad you’re able to reach that conclusion on your own,” You Mu replied, not caring that Su Shan was right there—or what she thought. He said whatever he wanted, did whatever he pleased. His birth had made him a figure of ridicule, but at least it granted him certain compensations.

He savored the feeling. Only at times like this did he feel above others, his spine straight and proud.

“If you take my advice, there’ll be no conflict between us,” You Mu continued. “Interested in working for me? I don’t know if Su Shan has invited you to join Red Eagle, but I can assure you, I can offer you a platform much broader than Red Eagle—”

“I don’t know what Red Eagle is,” Tang Zhong admitted. He and Su Shan had only really met today; she certainly hadn’t invited him to join anything, and he had no idea what sort of organization Red Eagle was. “I don’t know if I’d join—if she asked, maybe I would, maybe not. But what I do know is, I won’t accept your suggestion.”

He glanced at Su Shan, squinting with a smile. “Though we haven’t known each other long, it feels like we’ve been friends for years. I value this friendship—and besides, she bought me a juice. I see no reason to give up a friend just because you said so. If I did, I wouldn’t deserve to be her friend. She’d never look at me again—which is exactly what you want, isn’t it?”

A glimmer of surprise flashed in Su Shan’s eyes, but it quickly faded into composure.

She was not someone who liked to show her emotions, believing it made her too easy to read. She disliked feeling exposed, just as she disliked wearing clothes that were too revealing.

“You’re sure?” You Mu asked.

“Absolutely,” Tang Zhong replied firmly.

“Very well,” You Mu nodded. “Break his leg.”

“My pleasure,” said a young man in casual clothes with a close-cropped haircut, who had been standing behind You Mu. His face was strikingly handsome, all sharp lines, but his eyes were as cold and predatory as a vulture’s, sending a chill through anyone who met his gaze. He cracked his knuckles, eyeing Tang Zhong as if he were a delicious meal.

He stepped forward, positioning himself just between You Mu and Tang Zhong—both protecting You Mu and maintaining the upper hand. Most importantly, he was ready to attack at any moment.

A true expert reveals himself in a single move.

Though he’d only nonchalantly taken a step, his posture alone spoke volumes.

“He’s a master!” Tang Zhong thought.

(P.S.: That’s the promised third update. How about giving Old Liu a red ticket and making him number one? If you do, Old Liu will write five updates and fifteen thousand words tomorrow! Imperial Guards, charge!)