If only Tian Botao had seen the Hummer by the roadside. And if only he had known that Ling Yun and Ning Lingyu had returned home in that Hummer, he might have thought twice before making such a threat.
Unfortunately, he had flown out faced down.
Furthermore, he was now surrounded by a crowd of onlookers that had formed a semicircle around the entrance of the clinic. Needless to say, it was now impossible for him to see the Hummer. Moreover, even if there was no one blocking his view, Tian Botao was in no mood to observe his surroundings since his eyes were seeing stars after suffering the series of slaps unleashed by Ling Yun. His head was spinning and the dizziness prevented his mind from focusing.
“Haha… so you are the deputy director of the residential agency huh. What a high position. Oh, I’m so scared right now. Now how about telling me your level? Administrative or Executive?” Tang Meng asked with his right hand supporting his cheek as he squatted beside Tian Botao. He seemed engrossed as he looked at Tian Botao’s swollen pig face while giving him a cold smile.
Authority is indeed a magnificent thing. Ever since it came into existence, it has held a certain form of attraction in the eyes of men. And as though trying to respond to it, humanity has been chasing and fighting over it throughout the passage of time.
Yet, as powerful as it may seem, those with authority always fear two things. Firstly, the presence of another with a greater level of authority. Secondly, the presence of a person or a group with the power to resist or even erase one’s authority.
As for the pitiful Tian Botao, with his minuscule level of authority, he was unlucky enough to have met both things!
For a small deputy director of a road residential agency to reveal his position in hopes of threatening the son of the deputy director in charge of Qingshui city’s Public Security Bureau. What kind of bad joke was that?
“Administrative.” Tian Botao replied in a daze. The blows had really gotten to his mind, for him to answer obediently to Tang Meng’s question. When was the last time he had gotten hit? Was it fifteen or twenty years ago? He had long forgotten the sensation of getting hit.
At that moment, a soft laughter could be heard from the crowd.
“Administrative? Oh, what have I done? So, for my disrespectful actions, how do you intend to punish me?” Tang Meng replied.
As usual, he was behaving like a true bully, feigning shock and regret as he played along with Tian Botao to shame him.
“Ha! Now you’re scared, huh? Let me tell you, it’s too late! I’m going to call the police right now and send both of you straight to jail!”
Tian Botao was already under the false impression that Tang Meng was scared of him. Rejoicing in his heart, the usual arrogance and vigor had returned to his voice. Puffing out his chest as he glared at the two boys, he attempted to show his dominance.
“How about reporting you for disturbing the neighbors?”
Just as Tian Botao swiped out his mobile phone, it was snatched away by Tang Meng. Without a single glance, Tang Meng then threw it hard onto the floor. With a *Pa!*, the phone smashed onto the ground. Tang Meng’s legs followed soon after as he stomped on the phone a good number of times.
*shattering sounds*
Tang Meng’s facial expression changed instantly from feigned shock and fear to a cold and merciless smile. He then proceeded to grab Tian Botao by the collar. In a flash, Tang Meng dished out another series of seven to eight slaps across his face!
The crowd was silent as the clear sound of palm hitting face echoed throughout the neighborhood.
Now, ‘Mr. deputy director’ was really stupefied. For the first series of slaps, Ling Yun had been too sudden and fast. Thus, being hit before he could reveal his position was unavoidable. Yet, now that he had revealed his position, why was he still being beaten? Were these brats not afraid of revenge?
Now, his mind was finally somewhat clearing up. He was slowly but surely analyzing the situation.
Among the crowd was Li Hongmei. Since the moment Tian Botao had been sent flying out of the clinic, she had been observing everything. Even though she was shocked by Ling Yun’s sudden change in character, she was also beginning to worry about Qin Qiuyue.
Li Hongmei had a fine eye for people. Hence, she could tell that Tang Meng, who had such an expensive car, was no doubt from a wealthy family with influence. From Tang Meng’s looks, she knew that he was about the same age as Ling Yun. They were young and reckless, thinking that they were strong and healthy they feared nothing. To make things worse, they did not know who Tian Botao was and actually beat the sh*t out of him without worries. Such a sight was bread and butter to her!
This was because she, too, had a son. She knew that the kids nowadays were spoiled and bad-tempered. Whenever these kids got into a fight, they would not even stop to consider the consequences.
What exactly had happened in the house? Why did they beat up Tian Botao right after they returned home?
What confused Li Hongmei the most was why Qin Qiuyue did not come out to stop the two of them? She was not the type to ignore such a big incident. For her to leave these two kids unrestrained, was she not afraid of a backlash from Tian Botao?
Could it be that…Qin Qiuyue was really…by Tian Botao…?
Otherwise, there was no proper explanation for the sudden change in Ling Yun. To turn from a spineless wimp to such a fiery and violent person was just too drastic. Ending her thoughts there, Li Hongmei calmed herself with a breath of cold air. She had to go and see for herself exactly what happened. Qin Qiuyue, please be safe!
Taking advantage of the commotion, she secretly exited the crowd and sneaked frantically into the clinic.
The People’s Clinic was only less than a hundred square meters in size. It was the front room of the building. Behind the room, there was a backdoor that opened into a small courtyard. This area was where the family stayed. As the lobster was extremely big, even with its two large pincers bounded, it was still as lively and wild as ever.
As per Ling Yun’s instruction, Ning Lingyu had placed the lobster in the sink right below the tap. However, not even waiting for her to leave, the lobster had already climbed its way out of the sink. It was now strutting aimlessly as if trying to show itself off. With its body alone, it was already one foot long. Adding its pincers, it added up to two feet long. Its shell was multicolored but mainly bright red. Looking at this big lobster crawling around, unacclimatized to its new environment, Ning Lingyu was in anguish. She did not dare to use her bare hands to pick it up. Thus, she had no choice but to use a wooden stick to push the lobster back into the sink.
Just as she was giving her all against the big lobster, she heard the clear echoes of slaps from outside the clinic. Her expression changed as she left the wooden stick and ran outside. This was not the time to be bothering with the lobster.
Just as Ning Lingyu reached Qin Qiuyue’s side, she saw the sight of Tian Botao being aggressively kicked out of the clinic.
“Mum, what happened? Why are they fighting? Are you okay?” Ning Lingyu asked in a panicky tone.
Seeing the smashed glasses on the floor, the first thing Ning Lingyu was worried about was her mother’s safety.
“That fella deserves it, mummy’s okay.”
When Qin Qiuyue saw Ling Yun slapping Tian Botao across the face, she remained silent. Her face was calm and indifferent. It was the same expression she had held before her children returned, when she had been listening to Tian Botao’s endless ranting and sweet talking.
The only difference was that upon seeing her son dish out such a heavy slap without hesitation, a hint of agitation flashed across her pupils.
“Who’s that child?” Qin Qiuyue asked with a slight movement of her chin in Tang Meng’s direction as she remained motionless.
Hearing that her mother was fine, Ning Lingyu finally relaxed. Her pale face also managed to regain a bit of its color.
“His name is Tang Meng, he belongs to the same grade as Big Brother and is from class two. He was the one that sent us home.”
Qin Qiuyue nodded her head slightly in reply before standing up. Her face was calm and her movement elegant. She was just slightly taller than her daughter. Her body was mature and beautiful, so much so that even the baggy lab coat was not able to hide her flawless figure.
“Come, mummy’s going to steam that lobster,” Qin Qiuyue spoke softly to Ning Lingyu as she took off her lab coat.
“Erm…but Mum, Big Brother and Tang Meng are still fighting outside, what should we do?”
Ning Lingyu was puzzled as to why her mother was still in the mood for making dinner. They were fighting outside, for god’s sake!
Qin Qiuyue gave a faint smile before replying, “Let them fight then! Didn’t you hear what mummy said? He deserves it! Your brother will be fine so what’s there to worry about?”
“But…but the one they are beating is Tian Botao…” Ning Lingyu said as she scratched her head worriedly. Indeed, this was the main reason Ning Lingyu was always able to top her grade at Qingshui high. Even though her hard work was part of it, the main reason was still her high IQ. Thus, she was already thinking ahead about the aftermath of this fight. She was worried about her mother’s wellbeing if Tian Botao decided to take revenge later.
Being Ning Lingyu’s mother, Qin Qiuyue knew what her worries were. Her expression was firm as she looked at her daughter and spoke.
“Lingyu, I want you to remember this. In the future, when anyone tries to bully you, you must stand up for yourself just like Ling Yun. You must use everything you have and do what’s right to repel them. Understood?”
Taking what her mother said to heart, Ning Lingyu stood motionless as she gave it serious thought. As if finally understanding what she meant, another question popped up in her mind. Thus, she answered Qin Qiuyue with a similar question.
“If that’s what you wish, then why is it that you did not say such things to Big Brother these past years? He was bullied all those years.”
Truth be told, this was indeed a question even Qin Qiuyue had trouble answering. Since she was able to educate her daughter about such matters, why had she left Ling Yun alone all those years? Why had she taken such a loose attitude towards her son even though he had been weak-willed and bullied all those years?
Hearing such a question from her daughter, Qin Qiuyue involuntarily looked towards Ling Yun who was standing outside the clinic. Next, she gave a soft laughter before answering.
“Lingyu, your brother’s a man, so sometimes, there are certain things that he has to experience and understand himself. It is something that he has to overcome alone. Now look, isn’t he a fine man now?”
“To be honest, your brother has always been bright as a child. It’s just that sometimes, he’s just too bright and ends up understanding too much, thus worrying too much about different things. Actually…”
Qin Qiuyue paused abruptly, frowning to herself before deciding to stop discussing the matter. She hurriedly grabbed her daughter’s arm before smiling and exclaiming, “Come, mommy’s gonna cook a delicious lobster meal for you tonight.”
“But…”
Ning Lingyu could not stop worrying about her brother as she repeatedly turned back to look at him.
“No more ‘but’s, I’m sure your brother will settle this matter properly. Now, give me a hand with the cooking.”
“Mummy, seeing such a big lobster, aren’t you curious? About where big brother got the money from?”
It was not the lobster alone that she should have been curious about. Ling Yun had brought back a weird wooden box, an iPhone 5, and was even wearing a full Nike outfit. With the allowance of five hundred dollars that Qin Qiuyue provided every month, how could it have been enough? Despite all these, Qin Qiuyue acted as if she did not see any of it. She did not even show a trace of curiosity as she merely replied, “As long as he doesn’t commit any wrongdoings, it’s fine”.
“Hey, what’s the lobster doing all the way over there?!” Qin Qiuyue shouted as mother and daughter reached the courtyard.
The large lobster had already crawled its way to the back door! Qin Qiuyue bent down and in a single swing, she grabbed the lobster by its body and lifted it up.
“Look at this fat lobster. Looks like your brother has an eye for seafood.”
Qin Qiuyue praised as her pretty eyes were momentarily filled with memories from the past. Ever since Ning Tianya had disappeared, it had been eighteen years since she had gotten to eat such a big lobster.
Of course! After all, Ling Yun has bought the most expensive one back home! Ning Lingyu thought.
At that moment.
“Qiuyue! Qiuyue! Are you alright? Your son’s beating the crap out of Tian Botao outside! What exactly happened?” Li Hongmei shouted as she entered the courtyard through the backdoor
Comments