Volume One, Chapter 15: The Social Dynamo

I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth, demanding, “You were the one who hired someone to kidnap me, weren’t you?”

“Yeah! I arranged it. So what are you gonna do about it?” Qin Shaohu sneered arrogantly, pointing at me as he barked, “Zhou Yan, come here and kneel. I always keep my word. Every time I see you, I’ll beat you until you’re tailing off out of Dong’an County.”

“I’ll fight you to the death!” I shot up, eyes blazing with fury.

But my body was still bent over, weak from several days without food. My legs trembled, barely able to support me.

Seeing me like this, Qin Shaohu nearly burst out laughing. He called out, “Brothers, hold this stubborn coward down and make him kneel. Beat him hard. Tonight, I’ll take you all out to celebrate.”

Three of his cronies rubbed their hands together eagerly and charged at me, ready to tear me apart.

Just as I braced myself for a brutal beating, bam!

Han Feng suddenly swung his guitar and smashed it over Monkey’s head.

Monkey froze!

Qin Shaohu and his gang were stunned as well.

“You bunch of little bastards, always making noise. Damn, you really kill the vibe,” Han Feng said with a scowl, carefully checking the guitar for damage before setting it aside.

“You crippled bastard, you’re cursing me?” Qin Shaohu pointed at his nose in disbelief.

“Consider it an honor to be cursed by me. When I was running the streets, you little punks didn’t even have a single hair on your heads. You dare to act tough in front of me without checking who the hell I am?” Han Feng sneered, shaking his intact leg.

“Damn it, Dogshit Feng, who the hell cares what you are!” Qin Shaohu’s anger flared. Clenching his fists, he ordered, “Brothers, break the cripple’s other leg too, and while you’re at it, beat Zhou Yan into a cripple!”

“Is that all you got?” Han Feng snorted disdainfully, pulling a gleaming dagger from his pocket and brandishing it a few times.

What happened next left everyone dumbfounded, myself included.

Snap!

Han Feng plunged the dagger into his own left leg, and fresh blood quickly welled up.

He showed no change in expression, his cold eyes fixed on Qin Shaohu’s group.

To hurt himself so brutally!

What a ruthless man.

Fear flickered in Qin Shaohu’s eyes. Gritting his teeth, he finally ordered, “Brothers, retreat!”

His three underlings, even more afraid of Han Feng, scrambled onto their motorcycles.

Within less than half a minute, Qin Shaohu and his gang vanished without a trace.

I exhaled deeply—today I was lucky to escape a savage beating.

It was Han Feng who protected me.

Grateful, I hurriedly asked, “Feng, are you alright? Do you need to go to the hospital?”

“Haha, I’m fine. Just a bunch of idiots,” Han Feng laughed heartily and sheathed the dagger. Only then did I notice his pants were stained with blood but had no holes or wounds.

What was going on?

Seeing my puzzled look, Han Feng pressed the dagger’s tip against his hand, pulling back instantly.

It was a magic trick.

I couldn’t help but laugh foolishly, feeling happier than ever.

“Thanks, Feng,” I said sincerely.

Han Feng coughed twice and spat out three words: “Out of smokes!”

I dashed to a nearby grocery store and bought him two packs of his favorite cigarettes.

He accepted without thanks, lit one, and shook his leg as he asked, “Zhou Yan, now that those guys have you in their sights, your days won’t be easy.”

I fell silent.

Fighting back takes not only courage but strength.

Those thugs rolled in packs; I was utterly alone.

Rejected at home by my stepmother, friendless outside, what chance did I have to battle Qin Shaohu to the end?

“Come with me. I guarantee that soon, no one in all of Dong’an County will dare lay a finger on you,” Han Feng said confidently, exhaling a long plume of smoke.

His words sounded grand, but I found it hard to believe.

He was not only disabled but poor too. Still, he played the guitar beautifully, carrying the worn soul of an artist.

“Alright, fine,” I replied half-heartedly.

“What’s your family situation?” Han Feng asked.

I sighed and told him everything.

My parents divorced, my stepmother was vicious, and every day was a struggle to survive.

I had hoped that getting into college would help me escape it all, but thanks to my stepmother and Qin Shaohu’s schemes, that dream was shattered.

I didn’t really trust Han Feng—I just needed someone to confide in.

After hearing my story, Han Feng didn’t seem overly moved.

Instead, he shared his own past, which surprised and impressed me greatly.

I hadn’t expected it—he was so formidable!

At my age, he was already out on the streets, and with sheer ruthlessness, he rose to become a top figure in Dong’an County in just a few years—a true legend.

His gang of loyal followers was countless; no one had ever tallied them.

If he set his sights on a girl, there was no way he wouldn’t get her.

His most trusted aide was named Chu Hailong, always at his beck and call, obedient to the core.

Chu Hailong?

Isn’t that Dragon Brother now?

I couldn’t believe it—he had once been Han Feng’s right-hand man.

Han Feng went on to say he was framed and sent to prison, where he served eight years before being released.

The price he paid inside was his left leg.

Due to bone necrosis, it had been amputated.

“Brother, I’m confident I’ll make a comeback. Are you confident enough to take on the streets with me?” Han Feng challenged with a grin.

“Yes!” I shouted, tears welling up with excitement.

I had been bullied, humiliated, and schemed against, living like a dog.

I had long since had enough.

I, Zhou Yan, had finally found someone to rely on.

“Brother, how much money do you have?” Han Feng asked again.

I knew the custom of giving a gift to join a gang, so the leader could decide whether to accept you.

I felt awkward and said, “My dad was mad I didn’t do well on my exams. He beat me and cut off my allowance. I’ve got less than two hundred yuan left.”

Han Feng took a deep breath, looking regretful.

My heart sank, but I didn’t want to miss this chance. I hesitantly offered, “Feng, maybe I can find a way to get some money from my mom. She might give me a little.”

Han Feng scratched his head, hesitated for a moment, then waved his hand.

“Forget it. I’ll take you out to make some money. You need cash to do big things. But everything must follow my plan.”

“Alright, I’ll follow your lead,” I quickly agreed.

“Come find me here at nine tomorrow morning.”

“Okay!”

Han Feng slung his guitar on his back and hobbled away on his crutches. I walked home feeling lighter.

The house was empty; Xu Li wasn’t home, so there was no dinner.

I enjoyed the peace, boiled some hot water, and found a pack of Huafeng instant noodles to fill my long-empty stomach.

Just as I finished, the door opened.

Xu Li came in, dressed in a way that surprised me—something I hadn’t seen for a long time.