The evening.
Chen Jin Zhao had originally planned to wait and have dinner with Xu Nian Qing before leaving. However, Xu Nian Qing, in an unusual turn of events, rejected Chen Jin Zhao’s invitation and stated that she would be conducting experiments until late into the night.
Regarding this.
Chen Jin Zhao naturally had nothing to say, and hoped that Xu Nian Qing would take care of her health.
Xu Nian Qing had already promised Wen Fu Lai that she would not reveal his medical condition to anyone and would work even harder to overcome the difficulties.
She was even planning to move her residence to the staff dormitory provided by the university.
With no one to accompany him, Chen Jin Zhao decided to grab something casual to eat.
"Xiao Chen, have you eaten?" Zhen Hai asked obsequiously.
Chen Jin Zhao shook his head. Seeing this, Zhen Hai was delighted and then said, "Why don't I treat you to a meal in my personal capacity? It would be a good opportunity for everyone to gather and get to know each other. You can't refuse me this favor, can you?"
With things put that way, Chen Jin Zhao did not refuse.
Besides, fostering good relationships with these security guards would also help him understand the situation at Ninghai University.
The gathering was held at a hotel three kilometers away from Ninghai University.
Zhen Hai had initially planned to invite Chen Jin Zhao to a place of entertainment, but felt it was not appropriate, so he changed it to a banquet at a hotel.
Including Chen Jin Zhao, there were eight people in total.
Apart from Zhen Hai, the other six were his direct subordinates, who obeyed his every word.
Zhen Hai started by toasting Chen Jin Zhao, laughing heartily, "Xiao Chen, from the day you arrived in Ninghai, I felt you were no ordinary person. If I have offended you in the past, please forgive me. Be magnanimous and don't hold a grudge. In the future, you should offer more suggestions in the Ninghai University security department so that we can all improve."
Chen Jin Zhao immediately recognized Zhen Hai as an experienced hand.
His words neither exposed Chen Jin Zhao’s special identity nor did they make Chen Jin Zhao lose face.
"Brother Zhen is joking. It's only right that we help each other." Chen Jin Zhao clinked glasses with Zhen Hai and finished the baijiu in his cup in one gulp.
The clinking of glasses and the sounds of laughter filled the air.
Chen Jin Zhao also asked Zhen Hai not to treat him specially, and to speak directly if there was anything to say. He disliked people who flattered others the most.
Zhen Hai quickly agreed.
Halfway through the meal, Zhen Hai, nearing fifty, had had a bit to drink and went to the restroom.
While washing his hands at the entrance of the restroom, a woman dressed provocatively accidentally bumped into Zhen Hai. Zhen Hai's temper flared, but seeing that she was a woman, he did not pursue the matter.
Zhen Hai did not look for trouble, but trouble found him instead.
The woman slapped Zhen Hai across the face, yelling, "Damn you, are you blind? You broke the line I just set!"
The woman pointed at her eyes.
Zhen Hai glared at the woman angrily. Seeing her eyelids droop, his anger subsided considerably. With a desire to resolve the issue peacefully, he said, "It wasn't me who bumped into you; you bumped into me. How can you blame me? Here's a thousand yuan. Take it or leave it."
The woman was enraged upon hearing this.
She slapped him twice more, showing no regard for reason.
"Do you think I care about your paltry sum of money?!" the woman shrieked.
Zhen Hai was utterly furious.
It was clear that this woman was being unreasonable, and his tolerance had not earned him understanding but instead made the woman even more arrogant.
He decided not to tolerate it any longer!
Slap, slap, slap!
Zhen Hai retaliated with several slaps, sending the woman to the ground.
The woman burst into tears, but Zhen Hai continued to curse, "Damn it, you ungrateful bitch, get lost."
Zhen Hai clapped his hands and prepared to leave.
Before he had taken a few steps, the woman behind him shrieked, "It's that person up ahead, catch him!"
Zhen Hai instinctively looked back. He was shocked by what he saw. Behind the woman stood four or five burly men. Before Zhen Hai could make a run for it, they had already caught up.
"You guys..."
Before he could finish speaking, a fist slammed into Zhen Hai's face, interrupting him.
Following that.
Four burly men punched and kicked Zhen Hai until he spat blood.
The woman walked up to the bruised and battered Zhen Hai, her face still contorted with rage, "Do you know who my man is? How dare you lay a hand on me, are you tired of living?"
Zhen Hai was grabbed by his hair and forced to kneel on the ground.
The woman, not satisfied with slapping Zhen Hai's face a few times, even took off her high-heeled shoe and hit him on the head, "Let me tell you, my man is Shi Cheng Zhi. You should go out and ask around."
Zhen Hai's anger was instantly extinguished.
He had heard the name Shi Cheng Zhi. Shi Cheng Zhi was a well-known figure in the underworld, controlling several establishments.
Offending his woman meant he deserved whatever beating he received.
"Kowtow nine times for me, and I'll let you go," the woman sneered.
Zhen Hai knew he was like an ant before Shi Cheng Zhi, so he readily kowtowed nine times to the woman. "I've kowtowed and taken a beating. Can I go now?"
The woman said venomously, "Go? Not yet!"
"You used your right hand earlier, right?"
"Break his right leg, otherwise these dogs will never learn their lesson."
Zhen Hai was terrified.
If his right leg were broken, he would be crippled. So, he kowtowed again, begging for mercy.
The woman, accustomed to being arrogant, was not about to let Zhen Hai off easily.
At her command, the four bodyguards took turns stomping on Zhen Hai's leg, indeed breaking his tibia. Zhen Hai let out a piercing roar, followed by deep despair.
"Alright, you can get lost now!" The woman spat on Zhen Hai and turned to leave.
Zhen Hai, who had been cautious his entire life, had unexpectedly fallen victim to a woman.
He suppressed the pain and got up, cleaned his wounds at the washbasin, and then dragged his injured body back to the private room. Zhen Hai's appearance instantly drew everyone's attention, including Chen Jin Zhao.
They all rose and inquired what had happened.
Some of them appeared very angry and claimed they would avenge Zhen Hai. Zhen Hai said bitterly, "Forget about revenge, I've offended Shi Cheng Zhi. You all shouldn't get involved."
Upon hearing the name, those who had been clamoring for revenge immediately quieted down, their faces showing embarrassment.
That was Shi Cheng Zhi!
Several bars and KTVs near Ninghai University were his establishments. In the eyes of these people, he was already someone not to be trifled with. What made them even more fearful was that Shi Cheng Zhi was one of Shui Ye’s men.
Everyone knew that Qian De Shui was the underground king of Jiangnan.
As a formidable general under Qian De Shui, Shi Cheng Zhi was deeply trusted by Qian De Shui. Offending Shi Cheng Zhi was tantamount to offending Qian De Shui.
Zhen Hai gave a wry smile, "We all have our difficulties. Let's just let this matter go."
Then.
He looked at Chen Jin Zhao again, his face filled with guilt.
"Xiao Chen, I'm truly sorry."
"I've ruined today's dinner banquet. I'll treat you again next time."
Chen Jin Zhao had not spoken until then. Only when Zhen Hai spoke to him did he frown and ask, "This matter cannot just be let go. Tell me what happened."
"I will stand up for you."