Chapter 2236 - 2437: Isn't That a Bit Much???

The few people were all in disbelief when they heard Hao Jian say such words. They had been bullied, and yet the response was to avoid rashness—this was not Hao Jian's usual style. The group looked at him in confusion, with many thinking he was afraid this time.

However, only Liang Xiaohan truly understood what Hao Jian was thinking deep down inside.

The innkeeper heard Hao Jian's words and was visibly pleased, thinking Hao Jian was frightened. So, his tone became even more aggressive as he pointed at the crowd and said, "You hear that? Back off, or face the consequences. Be careful, or I'll call the police to arrest you all!"

Seeing Hao Jian take a stance, the group didn't say anything, acknowledging the authority in his words, and retreated. The innkeeper was overjoyed to see this, thinking that if these students had acted impulsively, his shop would be doomed. Even if the police came, the store might have been trashed by then. So, the sight of them retreating brought him joy.

This way, his shop would be safe, but it also fueled his arrogance. Now that they couldn't do anything and were afraid, they couldn't blame him for pressing further. Thinking this, he abruptly said to Hao Jian, "Not paying, huh? Don't blame me then."

He then turned to his wife and said, "Wife, throw their things out. A bunch of freeloaders with no money staying at the inn, really..."

His wife acted immediately, heading upstairs. The students, due to Hao Jian's words, stayed still for the moment, waiting for what would happen. They knew how formidable Hao Jian was; even someone like Gu Peng had been humiliated by him and forced out of school. They believed if Hao Jian wanted to punish the innkeeper, it would be severe.

However, a few still felt amused in their hearts, thinking Hao Jian was scared this time.

The innkeeper's wife had already started up the stairs, intending to throw their stuff down. However, right then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the inn.

Suddenly, a group of people rushed in.

"Let's see who dares to throw out Brother Hao's stuff!" The voice belonged to Liu Qiangdong, who had overheard outside and stormed in angrily.

The innkeeper was initially arrogant, hoping to force Hao Jian to pay eventually. But upon seeing Liu Qiangdong rush in, his expression momentarily showed surprise. When he noticed the group following Liu Qiangdong, his expression turned fearful.

He... he was speechless for a moment, finally realizing why Hao Jian wore that confident smile. The innkeeper's wife had already gone upstairs, but when she heard Liu Qiangdong's voice, she stopped in her tracks, not daring to continue.

Liu Qiangdong was somewhat known in the Ancient Town, often extorting passing tourists with his gang. Most people in the town avoided provoking him, fearing trouble. So when the innkeeper saw Liu Qiangdong and heard those words, he was immediately shocked.

He didn't understand how Hao Jian knew Liu Qiangdong and could bring him as backup, but one thing was clear. It's said that King Yan is easy to face, but Little Ghost is hard to deal with. He had more power and money than Liu Qiangdong in the Ancient Town, but Liu Qiangdong was a scoundrel.

He could oppress others, but people like Liu Qiangdong were best avoided due to their rogue behavior. He couldn't beat him up, and if he offended him, it would bring endless harassment.

For instance, one day eating free food, then causing trouble the next, scaring off customers. Over time, you'd dread seeing them. So, no matter how wealthy the business, encountering these small-time hooligans was always avoided. Yet Hao Jian had called Liu Qiangdong over.

Liu Qiangdong was somewhat of a figure among the hooligans in Ancient Town. Offending him would ruin future business. So the innkeeper's wife, upon hearing Liu Qiangdong, was too scared to go upstairs, fearing such people as well.

When Hao Jian saw Liu Qiangdong arrive, a smile appeared on his face. Everyone else, still unsure how the matter would resolve, thought their belongings would be thrown out. But seeing Fatty Hu Lai and the others bring in Liu Qiangdong, who looked like a thug and had six or seven followers behind him, and after hearing his words, they immediately understood what was happening.

So this was why Hao Jian told them not to act rashly; everything was under his control. Everyone seemed to have an epiphany while Liang Xiaohan laughed heartily. "Keep being arrogant, huh? My people are here, let's see you keep that up."

She found the innkeeper and his wife's shocked expressions amusing and laughed while covering her mouth.

Li Weiwei didn't know the details but seemed to expect Hao Jian to play this card, having complete faith in him. When Liu Qiangdong appeared, she wasn't surprised in the slightest. In fact, when Hao Jian smiled, she suspected he'd call Liu Qiangdong. Indeed, things happened as she expected. She was confident and secretly admired Hao Jian's power.

Zhang Danlin, seeing Fatty Hu Lai bring such a thug as Liu Qiangdong, felt relieved.

They say all merchants are sly, which proves true. Merchants like the innkeeper are exceptionally cunning. Seeing Liu Qiangdong rush in, he quickly understood. Then he shamelessly put on a flattering smile, approaching Liu Qiangdong.

With a face full of admiration, he said, "Ah... Brother Dong, what brings you here today?"

Ordinarily, Liu Qiangdong would exchange a few words with the innkeeper, being fellow townsmen and a business owner. Making connections was good. But today, his purpose was clear: the innkeeper mistreated Hao Jian, and he came on Hao Jian's orders to stand up for him, so naturally, his attitude towards the innkeeper wouldn't be pleasant.

Stirred up, he angrily said, "Nothing much, just heard you're bullying my big brother, so I'm here for revenge!"

Liu Qiangdong called Hao Jian "big brother" as a sign of respect for what Hao Jian had done for him, moving him to kneel and swear devotion. Now was the time to prove his loyalty, calling him big brother was just part of it.

Upon hearing Liu Qiangdong address Hao Jian as big brother, the innkeeper was shocked and dumbfounded. He wondered how this was possible; Liu Qiangdong was a known figure in Ancient Town, yet called a young man like Hao Jian "big brother"? He had never heard of such a thing before. What was going on here?

Yet Liu Qiangdong didn't care about his thoughts, bluntly saying, "I'm here now, what are you going to do about it?"

The innkeeper, experienced in business, understood that Liu Qiangdong and Hao Jian must have an unusual connection. His expression quickly changed to obsequious, and he looked at Hao Jian, saying, "Ah! It's Brother Hao! I didn't recognize you, please forgive me for not welcoming you properly."

Since Liu Qiangdong called Hao Jian Brother Hao, he mimicked him. Everyone watching the innkeeper's changing attitude felt contempt, but he didn't care, maintaining his fawning demeanor.

Continuing, he said to Liu Qiangdong, "Brother Dong, I didn't know Brother Hao was here, otherwise I wouldn't have made such a mistake."

Liu Qiangdong snorted dismissively, "Stop talking nonsense. We're not that close. Tell me! How are you going to handle this? If you don't, I'll order your place smashed up!"

When saying "smashed up," Liu Qiangdong deliberately raised his voice so everyone, especially the innkeeper and his wife, heard it clearly.

As expected, hearing this, their expressions changed immediately. They never thought Liu Qiangdong would dare threaten to destroy his inn for Hao Jian.

The innkeeper was giving face because he had some reputation in Ancient Town. But if Liu Qiangdong truly intended to break things, he wasn't afraid. He had been in this town for years, having his place destroyed would be laughable.

Liu Qiangdong hadn't already started wrecking things because of this fact.

The innkeeper changed his expression and said to Liu Qiangdong, "No need for that."

No need for that?