Chapter 443: Old Friend
Wang Qiang roared furiously.
Zhao Dong, however, just laughed. He took out his phone and tossed it at Wang Qiang's face, sneering, "Call your backer. I'm giving you the opportunity."
"For real?" Wang Qiang was stunned.
"Are you going to call or not?" Zhao Dong was getting impatient.
"Fine! You just wait!" Wang Qiang hurriedly took out his phone and made a call.
At that moment, Mimi quickly stepped forward and tugged at Zhao Dong's arm, imploring, "Zhao Dong, you better leave now! Wang Qiang's boss is incredibly influential; you can't afford to offend her!"
"Heh, so what if she's influential?" Zhao Dong said indifferently. "If I hadn't gotten involved, that would be one thing. But since I have, I'm going to solve this problem for you, once and for all."
"You..." Tears welled up in Mimi's eyes, and her heart was touched all over again. Why would this man, whom she had only just met, be so good to her?
Before long, Wang Qiang finished the call and spouted a few standard threats. To Zhao Dong, however, it was all just hot air. He couldn't be bothered to pay him any mind. All he wanted was to deal with this trash's backer and go back to sleep.
「Ten minutes later.」
The doors to the bar were pushed open. A trio of people strode inside. The crowd watched as a tall, beautiful woman entered, flanked by two men in black with extraordinary demeanors.
"Boss!" Upon seeing the woman, Wang Qiang ran over excitedly.
When the surrounding crowd got a clear look at her, they broke out in a cold sweat.
"Oh, hell! This guy's backer is the Young Mistress of the Huo Family?"
"It's over! He's completely done for now!"
"In Provincial City, anyone who dares to offend one of the five major families is as good as dead!"
The crowd erupted in alarmed cries. Wang Qiang immediately added fuel to the fire, "Boss, I was just having a drink when this kid attacked me for no reason. You have to stand up for me!"
The woman's gaze followed Wang Qiang's pointed finger. When her eyes landed on Zhao Dong, she was taken aback for a moment before pure rage erupted from their depths.
It was over. Mimi, He Xiao, and the others were scared stiff. Miss Huo was furious! Zhao Dong was in deep trouble.
Mimi rushed forward, eager to explain, but Zhao Dong pulled her back.
Wang Qiang was still rambling on. Miss Huo's expression grew darker and darker. Just as she walked up to Zhao Dong, and everyone thought she was about to make a scene, she suddenly swung her hand back.
SLAP!
A crisp sound echoed as Wang Qiang was sent flying.
"Boss! Why did you hit me?" Wang Qiang staggered to his feet, his mind in a complete daze.
Miss Huo snapped, "You bastard, are you blind? How dare you offend Mr. Zhao!?"
Mr. Zhao!? Those two words struck Wang Qiang like a bolt of lightning, and the surrounding crowd was stunned speechless.
The next moment, Miss Huo turned to Zhao Dong with a wry smile. "Mr. Zhao, we meet again."
"Well, well, Huo Hongyan," Zhao Dong sneered. "Your subordinates are certainly arrogant and overbearing! To think this is the second time we're meeting because one of your people decided to pick a fight."
Indeed. Wang Qiang's boss was none other than Huo Hongyan.
Huo Hongyan said bitterly, "I'm truly sorry. I've failed to manage my people properly. Can you tell me what exactly this kid did?"
Zhao Dong nodded slightly and recounted Wang Qiang's actions.
Upon hearing this, Huo Hongyan flew into a rage. She stormed up to Wang Qiang, grabbed him by the head, and slapped him several times across the face. "Bastard! You've completely disgraced the Huo Family!"
Wang Qiang was already scared stiff, lacking even the courage to beg for mercy.
After slapping him a few more times until his teeth were knocked out, Huo Hongyan finally rose and bowed to Zhao Dong. "Mr. Zhao, he was indeed in the wrong this time. But though he was disrespectful toward women, he didn't do anything too outrageous. I hope you can spare his life for my sake. How about it?"
Huo Hongyan was ultimately soft-hearted. She had let the shop assistant go last time, and now she was asking for mercy for this subordinate as well. While Zhao Dong disapproved of her tender-hearted nature, Huo Hongyan's humble attitude gave him no reason to refuse.
He waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "Fine. Since Miss Huo has asked, I will honor your request. But while he can be spared death, he can't escape punishment. Have him kneel and apologize to Mimi, and we'll consider this matter settled."
"Get over here, now!" Huo Hongyan shouted at Wang Qiang.
Wang Qiang was already scared out of his wits. How could he possibly dare to refuse? He scrambled over to Mimi's feet and immediately dropped to his knees.
"Mimi, I was wrong! I'll never dare to harass you again! Please, just forget you ever saw me! Let me go! Spare me, please spare me!" Wang Qiang pleaded, slapping his own face as he spoke.
Seeing this, Mimi was completely stunned. Her face went blank as she looked at Zhao Dong, a feeling of love beginning to well up in her eyes. This man is incredible! He's handsome, he can fight, and he even made Miss Huo bow and apologize! He's simply the perfect man!
"What are you spacing out for?" Zhao Dong waved a hand in front of Mimi's starry eyes, snapping her out of her daydream. "Do you accept his apology or not? If not, how about I break his arm?"
Zhao Dong spoke casually as if Wang Qiang's arm were a mere toy.
Wang Qiang was petrified. He began to wail and beg for mercy, even kowtowing to Mimi.
Mimi came back to her senses and took a step back with a look of pure disgust. What kind of trash is this? Kowtowing and begging a woman for mercy? Compared to Zhao Dong, he's a million miles away!
Mimi waved her hand dismissively. "I can't be bothered with him. Just make him leave. I feel sick just looking at him!"
"Did you hear that? Now scram!" Zhao Dong said coldly.
"I'm going! I'll leave right now! I'm gone!"
As if granted amnesty, Wang Qiang scrambled away and fled.
The onlookers sighed and murmured amongst themselves as the farce came to a close. Meanwhile, the eyes of He Xiao, Mimi, and Bingbing were practically overflowing with adoration. This was especially true for Mimi, who was at the center of the incident, and He Xiao, who was already Zhao Dong's woman. Their worshipful gazes were so intense it seemed they wanted to throw themselves into his arms that very moment.
Huo Hongyan watched the three excited women, a hint of envy flashing through her guilty eyes. Her gaze then fell on Zhao Dong's handsome profile, and she felt her heart begin to race. She quickly looked away, only to see the dozen or so henchmen sprawled on the floor.
He beat all of them? Is he really that powerful?
At that thought, a blush crept across Huo Hongyan's pretty face.
So, Zhao Dong is truly no ordinary man. He cares so deeply for his friends, and he's so powerful... If I could become his woman, wouldn't that mean... No, no! Huo Hongyan, what are you thinking?
Huo Hongyan quickly collected herself and said to Zhao Dong in a low voice, "Mr. Zhao, now that things are settled here, are you free? I'd like to have a word with you alone."