The crowd showed shock.
Did Li Chonglou have no regard for his life?
If he hadn't known Zhao Hongbo was wealthy, influential, and had henchmen, it would have been understandable. Everyone had pride, and a few stubborn words could be excused.
But to be so arrogant when Zhao Hongbo's people had already arrived and the situation was so unbalanced was asking for death.
Even though it was a society governed by laws, it was incredibly simple for wealthy individuals to ruin someone.
"Louzi, you run! I, I have nothing left anyway. Living is meaningless. I'm not afraid of them!" Chen Liuqi's voice trembled, but his words were exceptionally resolute. "Back in school, you always told me to run. Now, I'm returning the favor!"
He had the demeanor of a desperate, unyielding scoundrel.
This was a complete transformation from the timid, bullied individual who dared not speak up.
Indeed, extremes could cause qualitative changes.
Even a rabbit would bite when cornered.
For this alone, Li Chonglou felt losing his girlfriend was worth it.
He said calmly, "No one needs to run. I actually hope he makes a move."
"Do you think I wouldn't dare?" Zhao Hongbo's pupils contracted, his eyes chilling.
Initially, he had no qualms. He would hit them, pay some medical fees, and that would be it. But Li Chonglou's words made him feel something was amiss.
These two timid fellows looked like paupers.
Could they be trying to extort him?
It was fine to show off in front of a beautiful woman, but if he overplayed his hand and got himself into trouble, it wouldn't be worth it.
Therefore, he couldn't act rashly.
"Brother Zhao, why are you scared? Teach them a lesson," Lin Fei added fuel to the fire from the side.
Women truly were the most cold-blooded and heartless beings. One moment they might love someone to death, and the next they would turn their backs.
To have a lover teach a lesson to an ex-boyfriend, she was shamelessly unrestrained.
Seeing Lin Fei like that made Li Chonglou feel disgusted. He admonished, "Xiao Liu, remember this in the future. When you find another girlfriend, keep your eyes peeled. Sluts only deserve dogs; they are never worthy of being girlfriends."
"It's still like this, and you're still in the mood for jokes? Are you really Louzi?" Chen Liuqi was dumbfounded.
His impression of Li Chonglou was that he wasn't much better than himself, both being remarkably timid.
Anyone in school could bully them a bit.
After graduation, he went abroad for a while. Upon his return, he heard that Li Chonglou had married the campus belle Jiang Yuxin as a live-in son-in-law.
While offering his sincere blessings, the difference in their status meant they hadn't contacted each other.
He never expected that after a few years apart, Li Chonglou's personality would have undergone such a drastic transformation.
It gave him an oppressive feeling, making him unable to meet his gaze directly.
"Brother Zhao, he dared to insult me," Lin Fei said with feigned grievance, coyly shaking Zhao Hongbo's arm.
Zhao Hongbo, who had some reservations, couldn't resist the gentle urging.
His heart warmed, and his eyes flared with fierceness. "The three of you, escort them to our car. I want to have a good chat with them."
Hitting someone here would leave evidence, a risk he couldn't take.
But in the car, there would be no problem. By then, these two losers could be molded as he pleased.
The three subordinates responded, their faces malicious as they approached Li Chonglou.
Chen Liuqi, standing behind him, felt his scalp tingle, his legs trembling nervously. He almost couldn't resist turning and fleeing.
Looking at Li Chonglou, however, he was calm and composed, completely fearless.
But Li Chonglou's eyes were gradually sharpening. If these three dared to touch him, he would make them kneel first.
As for scum like Zhao Hongbo, it would be better to let Chen Liuqi handle him personally.
"What are you all doing!" Just then, a resonant voice sounded from the entrance.
A middle-aged man in a suit and tie strode into the hall with his hands behind his back, his eyes deep.
His expression was impassive, exuding an imposing aura without anger.
The surrounding staff showed fear and quickly dispersed, returning to their posts and pretending to be diligently working.
Li Chonglou's eyelids twitched, a playful expression appearing on his face.
The arrival was none other than his junior nephew, Zhou Sanping.
He was the owner of the antique city, so why was he at the Hongqi 4S store?
Could this also be one of his businesses?
Judging by the staff's demeanor, it seemed likely.
At this moment, the store manager hurried out and greeted him at the entrance with a fawning smile, "Boss, why have you come at this hour?"
"Do I need to notify you when I come?" Zhou Sanping frowned slightly, his voice not loud but enough to make the store manager hold his breath.
Zhao Hongbo saw Zhou Sanping and chuckled awkwardly, "Uncle Zhou, you're early."
He had called Zhou Sanping. His intention was to buy a car for his girlfriend's friend and have him assist with the interior decoration.
Unexpectedly, he ran into Chen Liuqi and Li Chonglou.
The matter hadn't been resolved before Zhou Sanping arrived, leaving him somewhat caught off guard.
As he spoke, he signaled his subordinates to quickly take Li Chonglou and the others away.
However, Zhou Sanping ignored him and walked directly towards Li Chonglou.
Under his gaze, the three subordinates, being watched, dared not move.
This scene made Zhao Hongbo wonder, "What is Uncle Zhou doing? Is he standing up for me?"
That's right. He and Zhou Yacheng, Zhou Sanping's son, were good brothers. His father was also Zhou Sanping's capable assistant.
The store manager must have reported the situation here to Uncle Zhou, which was why he immediately went for these two losers.
It seemed he wouldn't have to lift a finger now. With Uncle Zhou's influence, dealing with these two trash would be effortless.
While fantasizing about the fate of Li Chonglou and Chen Liuqi,
Zhou Sanping quickly approached Li Chonglou, waved away the three burly men, and said with a smile, "Junior Uncle, why have you come to visit my store?"
"Yesterday, I heard Yacheng mention he met you at a banquet. What a coincidence."
Hiss.
With those words, a collective gasp of cold air echoed through the entire venue.
The expressions of the staff were incredibly vivid.
No one could have imagined that the big boss, Zhou Sanping, would call this unassuming young man "Uncle."
And with such respect.
After all, the boss rarely showed a smile and was intimidatingly serious.
Even the young master, Zhou Yacheng, a playboy, was respectful and dared not act presumptuously in front of his father.
This...
What was this young man's background?
The store manager and Lin Fei's faces instantly turned extremely ugly, as if they had eaten something unpleasant, their complexions turning pale.
Chen Liuqi was completely bewildered, not understanding what was happening, like watching a brain-burning movie.
Zhao Hongbo's eyes bulged, his jaw dropping. "Unc Uncle Zhou, you must have the wrong person. How could this loser..."
Before he could finish, Zhou Sanping sharply interrupted him, "Shut up!"
"Zhao Hongbo, you've become quite something. Who do you think you are? Causing trouble without looking at the occasion!"
"If your father didn't teach you manners, I can teach you on his behalf."
"You ignorant, self-important brat who relies on others' power, kneel down!"
"Apologize to my Junior Uncle and his friend!"
On his way here, he had already received a video sent by a store employee.
Not only did Zhao Hongbo snatch his girlfriend, but he also bullied them with his influence, becoming increasingly arrogant. He had even dared to demand Li Chonglou kneel to him and threatened violence.
Enraged, he had run three red lights to get here.
This sharp reprimand startled Zhao Hongbo, causing him to tremble and fall to his knees with a thud.
Zhou Sanping had a long-standing authority. His entire family depended on Zhou Sanping for their livelihood.
He had never seen Zhou Sanping so stern in all these years, and he was terrified, his scalp tingling.
If he offended him, he might not even have food to eat in the future.
He immediately begged for mercy, "Unc Uncle Zhou, I didn't know about your relationship with him."
"If I had known, I wouldn't have dared even with a hundred times my courage. You are magnanimous, please spare me."
At this moment, Zhao Hongbo was no longer the image of a successful person. He was completely like a domestic servant, stripped of all dignity.
Lin Fei's face turned ashen, her spirit departed.
Zhao Hongbo, whom she saw as lofty and unyielding, was now cowering. How powerful must this boss named Zhou be?
Why hadn't she been discerning and offended such a person? She regretted it immensely.
"What's the use of begging me? Beg my Uncle!" Zhou Sanping said with a cold snort.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Hongbo quickly turned towards Li Chonglou and kowtowed three times. "Uncle, no, Grand Uncle, you are magnanimous, don't bother with a dog like me."
"I am a dog with eyes but failed to recognize a true dragon. If you want to hit or scold me, I won't complain."
As expected of a playboy, he was arrogant when he had the advantage.
In adversity, he was just a lapdog.
"This... is this high society? Successful people?" Chen Liuqi stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what he was witnessing.
The boss who could make him lose everything was now kowtowing and begging for mercy from his only friend.
This world was too ironic.
Li Chonglou shook his head and said, "He's just a guard dog."
Then, he glanced at the store manager, who was trembling in fear, and said, "I brought a friend to buy a car today. I didn't expect the store to be yours."
"Your store is good, and the brands are good, but the store manager you hired doesn't have good character."
"As for this Zhao fellow, I'm too lazy to bother with a dog."
"However, he broke my friend's bracelet. Twenty thousand is not one cent less."
Hearing this, the store manager's legs went weak, and he almost collapsed.
It was over!
Completely over!
Li Chonglou had witnessed his earlier actions. Now, if the big boss reported him, how would he explain?
"You, go to finance, settle your wages. You are fired from now on!" The next moment, Zhou Sanping's cold voice exploded in his ear.
It struck him so hard that he slumped to the ground, his face pale and his spirit gone.
Years of effort to climb up, finally becoming a store manager, he thought his future was limitless.
But due to a moment of carelessness, it was all lost.
He wished he could slap himself hard.
Zhao Hongbo, however, felt as if he had been granted a great pardon, nodding repeatedly. "I'll pay, I'll pay immediately!"
As he spoke, he took out his phone and transferred the money to Chen Liuqi. Even after the money arrived, Chen Liuqi was still in a daze.
"Take your mistress and get out. If you dare to have any further contact with Xiao Liu, it won't just be about money," Li Chonglou said with a cold snort, scaring Zhao Hongbo into quickly pulling the stunned Lin Fei out of the store.
This Zhao Hongbo indeed had some of Zhou Yacheng's playboy traits.
Since he was Zhou Sanping's man, Li Chonglou was too lazy to interfere too much.
He had knelt, and he had paid. Such a person was not worth getting angry over. It was a good opportunity to save Zhou Sanping some face.
His greater interest now was to have a good chat with Chen Liuqi.