The cash Gu Lei and his associates paid was settled immediately. This money, along with the earnings from selling scorpions and cicada shells, was enough to keep things running for now.
Xie Sui hummed a tune, in high spirits, as he cycled towards the rented courtyard. Suddenly, someone leaped out and landed a punch square on his face. Caught off guard, Xie Sui fell to the ground.
A barrage of fists followed. Xie Sui used his arms to shield his face and lifted his knees, striking the attacker squarely in the groin. With a muffled groan, the man recoiled in pain. Xie Sui seized the opportunity, counter-attacking with blows aimed at the man's stomach and groin.
It was a brutal, vicious counterattack. "You dare to hit my face? I'll make sure you never have children!"
Xie Sui cherished his face above all else, second only to Lin Wanwan. In his past life, he could have been a leading man in films. Hitting his face was an unforgivable offense.
"Stop fighting! Break it up!"
Kind bystanders separated them. Xie Sui finally got a clear look at his attacker – it was Zhao Xuefei's second brother, Zhao Youliang!
"He started it! I was just riding my bike along the road, and he suddenly rushed me and hit me! Just hit me! Look at my face, it's ruined! He has to pay me!"
Zhao Youliang was in too much pain to speak, his body hunched like a cooked shrimp. He glared fiercely at Xie Sui. "You almost crippled my precious parts, and you're complaining? You have the nerve?"
"I saw it all," said an old man out for a stroll. "This young man didn't do anything. He attacked first."
Xie Sui grasped the old man's hand, deeply moved. "Sir, you're a good person! Luckily you saw, otherwise, all my grievances would be washed away."
The old man blushed. "It's my duty. I'm just saying what I saw. Young man, do you have a grudge against him?"
"I don't know him. He's crazy! Sir, please come with me to the police station and be a witness. I'd be eternally grateful. I need the officers to help me!"
"Of course. Fighting crime is everyone's responsibility. I'll go with you."
"We'll help too! Young man, don't be afraid. The eyes of the masses are sharp. We'll definitely make him pay!"
Xie Sui was touched to tears. There were still so many good people in the world!
A group of people solemnly marched to the police station. Zhao Youliang had recovered slightly and glared at Xie Sui. Before he could utter a threat, the old man slapped him on the back of the head. "You're still not convinced? So many of us saw you, and you still refuse to repent? He must be punished! Letting this kind of person run loose is a social cancer, bringing endless harm."
Xie Sui chuckled. People in this era were so eloquent, they could give speeches on stage.
The police understood the situation. The concerned bystanders left, leaving only Xie Sui and Zhao Youliang to give their statements.
The police primarily questioned Zhao Youliang. "Why did you assault him? Disturbing the peace and engaging in a brawl can lead to jail time. The victim's injuries are serious, which could result in a prison sentence. Do you understand the law?"
Zhao Youliang had recovered somewhat, clutching his groin. "He bullied my sister!"
Xie Sui's eyes widened. "You can't just say things like that! I have a wife and child, and I'm a model citizen who acts for justice. You're slandering me! I'll sue you for defamation."
The police asked him, "Do you know each other?"
Xie Sui replied, "He attacked me as soon as he saw me, and I didn't get a good look at his face. Now I recognize him. We're from the same village. His sister was seeing multiple men and got caught. For some reason, he came to retaliate against me. I'm completely innocent! You should be retaliating against your sister's boyfriends!"
Even the experienced police officers were stunned by his words. "What do you mean by 'seeing multiple men'?"
"It means dating several men at the same time, deceiving them for their feelings and money. It's all over our town. You can investigate."
Zhao Youliang, enraged, shouted, "Those men were clearly the ones you found! Xie Sui, if you're a man, admit what you've done!"
Xie Sui sneered, "Do I need to prove to you whether I'm a man? If your sister wasn't doing that, would those men have come looking for her? Zhao Youliang, in front of the police, in this sacred place, I don't even want to mention your family's dirty laundry, as it would taint the officers' ears. Don't push your luck!"
The police said, "You can tell us. We don't fear being tainted."
Zhao Youliang couldn't control himself and stood up, lunging at Xie Sui. "I'll kill you!"
Xie Sui quickly dodged. "You're too arrogant, even threatening to kill! Officers, he has anti-social personality disorder and poses a threat to public safety. You must interrogate him thoroughly and protect the personal safety of good citizens like us. Oh, you've scared me to death! His eyes are terrifying!"
The police officer: "..."
It was a serious matter, but he managed to make it sound so amusing.
"You can get your injuries appraised. If they constitute actual harm, you can sue him. You can leave. He will be detained. We will investigate the full details."
Zhao Youliang was furious. "Why are you arresting me? He deserves to die! Xie Sui, you scoundrel!"
"Behave yourself! Put the handcuffs on him!"
The police officer hadn't intended to handcuff him, but his arrogance demanded some discipline.
Xie Sui grinned. "I'm a scoundrel, so what? What business is it of yours? Come bite me, nya nya nya..."
The police officer was speechless. How could this person be so obnoxious!
"Go get your injuries examined. By the time your injuries heal, how will you sue him!"
"Alright, I'll go right away. Officer, what grade of disability is a disfigurement?"
The police officer was annoyed. "You're not a woman, so who cares if you're disfigured? Scars are a man's medals. Go quickly."
"Don't say that! This medal shouldn't be on my face, anywhere else is fine. On my butt would be okay too. Well, I'm leaving. Goodbye!"
Xie Sui quickly slipped away as he saw the officer about to lose his temper.
Honestly, they had no sense of humor at all.
The injury appraisal was at the county hospital. Xie Sui slipped some money to a young nurse. He smeared purple medicine all over his face and nose, even making it bleed. He badgered the doctor into issuing him a third-degree minor injury report, and left with a smug smile.
Zhao Youliang, let's see how you'll die this time!
Xie Sui returned to the slaughterhouse. Zhang Wenfeng and the others were getting impatient. It would be dark soon if he didn't come home.
They were shocked at Xie Sui's appearance. "Brother Xie, what happened? Who beat you up?"
"How can you speak like that? You should ask, 'Where did Brother Xie go to eliminate a pest, sacrificing himself for the benefit of the masses?'"
"Alright then, Brother Xie, who are you sacrificing yourself for so greatly?"
Zhang Wenfeng was used to his sarcastic remarks and quipped back, but Xie Sui felt something was off.
Gu Lei and the others also gathered around, pledging their loyalty. "Brother Xie, why didn't you call us when you were fighting? We have so many brothers, we wouldn't let Brother Xie suffer such a loss!"