Outside the entrance of Chengguan Experimental Middle School.
A handsome young man in his mid-twenties, impeccably dressed in a suit, held a bouquet of flowers and kept looking into the school grounds. Behind him was a brand-new BMW sedan with a Han City license plate.
When a beautiful figure appeared within his sight, the man quickly raised the flowers he was holding and waved them.
"Yaoyao, over here."
"Luo Ming, you drive so fast! You got here from Han City in just an hour."
Lu Yao hurried out of the school gate and approached the man.
Luo Ming was Lu Yao's senior from university and her admirer. He came from a well-off family, was a second-generation rich kid, and was also very accomplished, now working as a teacher at a normal university.
Lu Yao had a good impression of him, but during university, she focused on her studies and didn't put much thought into dating, so their relationship didn't progress further. However, they had remained in contact.
She had originally planned to accept Luo Ming's pursuit after starting her career. But then her brother got into trouble, and her parents' condition wasn't good. Lu Yao had to take care of her parents, so she wasn't in the mood to consider personal matters.
Two days ago, her brother surrendered himself. According to the family's arrangements, he was unlikely to receive the death penalty, and her parents were discharged from the hospital. Under Luo Ming's incessant calls, Lu Yao finally agreed to meet him and solidify their relationship.
"Yaoyao, an hour isn't fast. I wish I could fly to your side in a minute."
Luo Ming handed the flowers to Lu Yao and then opened the car door for her.
"Stop joking. Hurry up and drive, I'll take you to try our local specialties in Xinhe."
"Aren't you going to see Uncle and Aunt first? I bought quite a few gifts for them."
"No, I haven't told my parents about us yet. They're in a bad mood because of my brother's situation. It's too soon to meet the parents."
Luo Ming said somewhat dejectedly as he drove, "Yaoyao, my parents hope we get married soon, preferably next year."
"That won't work. My family has gone through such a big ordeal with my brother in jail, and I need to take care of my parents. Marriage is impossible in the short term. Luo Ming, there's also a practical issue between us: I just started working and can't quit just to get married."
"That's fine. After we get married, you can live with us, and work isn't important at all. My dad said that after marriage, you can either participate in managing the family business or stay home and raise children."
Lu Yao shook her head. "Luo Ming, my personality isn't suited for business. Being a teacher is my favorite profession, and I won't give it up."
"Then let my dad pull some strings and get you transferred to Han City."
"Let's talk about it in a couple of years. Luo Ming, be careful."
Before Lu Yao could finish speaking, the BMW collided with a motorcycle that suddenly appeared. Fortunately, it was within the city, and it was the end of the workday, with many vehicles on the street. The BMW wasn't going fast, it only knocked over the motorcycle. However, the motorcyclist was certainly injured, as the rider was thrown three to four meters away due to inertia.
Luo Ming pulled the handbrake and frowned. "These uncivilized country bumpkins, riding a broken motorcycle and charging around recklessly, with no awareness of traffic laws. Yaoyao, I really don't see the point of you living in such a small place."
"Stop complaining. Get out and see how the person is injured."
Lu Yao was quite scared. The rider was lying on the ground motionless. If he died, it would be a disaster.
"It's fine. He violated the lane change rules, so it's not entirely my fault. The insurance company will handle it. You help me report it to the traffic police. I'll go down and take a look. If he's seriously injured, we'll just compensate him with some money. It won't take much time."
Luo Ming appeared indifferent, as if there was nothing in the world that couldn't be solved with money.
Lu Yao quickly took out her phone to call the police.
As Luo Ming opened the car door, before his feet even touched the ground, he was grabbed and pulled out, followed by a slap across his face.
"You, you, why are you hitting me?"
Luo Ming was stunned. When he came to his senses, he realized he was surrounded by four or five young men.
No one paid him any attention. Another two slaps landed on his face, and he received a kick to his backside, falling to the ground.
"Stop hitting me, it's a traffic accident, I'll pay!"
"Pay your mom!"
The young men didn't give him a chance to speak and swarmed him with punches and kicks.
Lu Yao hadn't finished her call to the police when she saw Luo Ming being beaten. She quickly got out of the car to stop them but was blocked by a large man.
Wu Laizi. Lu Yao immediately recognized the man blocking her as Wu Laizi, and instantly understood this was another meticulously planned scam.
"Wu Laizi, tell your men to stop. I've already called the police."
"Go ahead and call the police. I don't know these people. The one you hit is my brother. You should go check on his injuries."
Lu Yao was on the verge of tears. Luo Ming was being beaten badly, with blood flowing from his nose and mouth. Many people were watching, but no one stepped forward to intervene.
"Please, stop hitting him."
Lu Yao frantically tried to rush forward, but Wu Laizi held her arm tightly.
Seeing Luo Ming curled up and motionless, the young men finally stopped and surrounded him.
"Kneel down, or we'll break your legs."
One of the young men grabbed Luo Ming's hair and pulled him up.
Luo Ming fell to his knees. "Please, don't hit me anymore. I can't take it. I'll give you as much money as you want."
"Kid, listen up. Paying money is a small matter, but you having ideas about my boss's woman is a big deal. Today, we'll give you a little lesson. Remember, don't pester Lu Yao anymore. She's not someone you can touch."
The young man squatted beside him and patted his face.
Luo Ming nodded vigorously. "I was wrong. I won't pester Lu Yao anymore, and I won't come to Xinhe again. Please let me go."
At these words, Lu Yao was stunned. She never imagined that the man she admired so much would be so cowardly, lacking any backbone, and willing to give her up just for a dispute.
"Good, you're smart. Remember, don't appear in Chengguan again, or we'll beat you every time we see you."
"No, no, I'll never come here again in my life."
"You're wise. Let's go."
The young men rode their motorcycles away as police sirens could be heard in the distance.
"Wu Laizi, you're despicable."
Lu Yao suddenly slapped Wu Laizi across the face and broke free from his grasp.
Wu Laizi touched his face and said mockingly, "Despicable? Lu Yao, let me tell you, your brother Lu Feng stabbed me three times. He ran away, and you have to pay for it."
"You're talking nonsense. When did my brother stab you?"
"Am I talking nonsense? You can ask Lu Feng if I'm lying."
"Then what do you want? I'll pay. How much do you want?"
"I don't want money. I only want you to marry me, and then this debt will be settled. We'll be husband and wife, and no one will dare bully you."
"You."
Lu Yao was so angry she couldn't speak.