"Bang!"
A loud noise suddenly erupted ahead, as if a fight was breaking out.
Zhang Qi, his mood spoiled, cursed drunkenly, "Damn it, who is it?"
His companions, their faces flushed red from drinking and their senses hazy, also slurred, "...Hiccup! Whoever dares to ruin our Brother Zhang's mood, I'll go check it out!"
"I'm going too!"
"Brother Zhang, you go rest on the sofa. I'll get you a bottle of fine red wine."
Zhang Qi patted the man's face with satisfaction. "Go on!"
The commotion perfectly drew away the people around Zhang Qi.
He leaned back on the sofa, utterly drunk, and recalled Duan Xiu's expression on the basketball court that day. Zhang Qi felt a surge of vindication, laughing maniacally like a lunatic.
"Hahaha, idiot!"
He didn't notice the chandelier above him swaying precariously.
And not far away, Duan Xiu, wearing a baseball cap, clenched his fists. He stared at Zhang Qi, his eyes as dark and cold as an abyss.
What happened next was swift and sudden.
The moment the chandelier fell, Zhang Qi's brothers turned around, their drunkenness instantly sobering them. They shouted in panic, "Zhang Qi—!"
A glimmer of victory appeared in Duan Xiu's eyes. But by sheer coincidence, a bodyguard seemingly materialized from nowhere and rushed towards Zhang Qi with lightning speed.
CRASH—!
The chandelier shattered. Although Zhang Qi's life was spared, his lower leg was unfortunately struck by the falling fixture, and blood poured onto the floor.
"Ahhh—!"
He cried out in agony.
Others immediately gathered around, some calling the police, others dialing 120.
Duan Xiu, who had witnessed the entire scene, had a grim expression. He gritted his teeth and clicked his tongue.
In that instant, Duan Xiu was furious. Why such a coincidence! Why would someone save him!
He wanted to rush forward without regard for the consequences, but his reason told him he couldn't.
Zhang Qi's leg required surgery. While not life-threatening, doctors warned of potential permanent disability.
Upon hearing this news, the Zhang family was enraged. Old Madam Zhang fainted, but before she lost consciousness, she ordered Lou Yu Ming to thoroughly investigate the matter.
Lou Yu Ming outwardly agreed, but in reality, he delayed any action, for he knew the truth all too well.
During that period, various rumors circulated in their social circle.
Some said Zhang Qi had offended someone in the past, leading to retaliation. Others suggested it was simply due to the lamp's age and disrepair, an accident.
Opinions were divided, but surprisingly, no one connected the incident to Duan Xiu.
If it were retaliation, Duan Xiu's mother's miscarriage due to Zhang Qi was a deep-seated hatred! It would have been perfectly logical for the Duan family to seek revenge!
But the reality was bizarre; as people discussed the event, no one mentioned the Duan family.
Initially, Duan Xiu was worried about implicating his parents.
However, after a week passed with no repercussions, he finally relaxed.
But one day, on his way to visit his mother at the hospital, Duan Xiu was intercepted by a car.
It was a black Cayenne. Duan Xiu recognized it; Uncle Lou had driven this car when he visited their home.
He stopped, but Lou Yu Ming did not emerge from the car. Instead, his assistant, Yao Yifan, got out of the driver's seat.
"Young Master Duan, please get in."
Duan Xiu hesitated for only a second before complying.
A powerful aura emanated from within the car. As Duan Xiu looked up, he saw him.
Lou Yu Ming glanced at him. "Get in."
Duan Xiu felt extremely nervous, especially in Lou Yu Ming's presence.
He felt that even if he did nothing and said nothing, Lou Yu Ming could see right through him.
He sat stiffly, quietly awaiting his judgment.
But as seconds ticked by and the buildings outside blurred past, Duan Xiu finally sensed something was amiss.
"This isn't the way to the Zhang family's house!"
Lou Yu Ming cast him a glance, his eyes slightly cold.
"Why would we be going to the Zhang family's house?"
Duan Xiu realized he had been exposed and nervously shut his mouth.
Lou Yu Ming's expression was as frigid as water, and he said in a chilling tone, "The more you speak, the more mistakes you make."
Duan Xiu lowered his head, twisting his fingers together.
Lou Yu Ming noticed his fidgeting and cleared his throat, not too loudly, "Why so many fidgety movements?"
Duan Xiu immediately withdrew his hands.