Chapter 0089: I Have Always Been This Arrogant

Zhao Kai followed the direction of Han Ruofei’s pointing finger, and when he saw Zhang Xiaofan’s face, his mouth fell open. His brother Han Ruofei had not gone and offended Brother Fan, had he?

That was right—Zhao Kai had already been utterly won over by Zhang Xiaofan. He had even come to regard Zhang Xiaofan as something of an idol, and lately he had been practicing Zhang Xiaofan’s signature smile. It had to be said, that smile really was devastatingly cocky.

Just as Zhao Kai was about to warn Han Ruofei, Han Ruofei was already striding forward with aggressive confidence, his bodyguards at his back.

“Huh? Dad, why are you here too?” Han Ruofei asked as he drew near, only to find his father there as well. “I get it—you’re here to avenge yourself against this punk too, right? There’s no need to trouble yourself with it. I brought seven or eight bodyguards today, all former special forces. Just watch me beat this guy down.”

“You—” Han Ruming was just about to scold him when Han Ruofei pointed straight at Zhang Xiaofan. “Kid, today we settle this once and for all.”

Zhang Xiaofan smiled. “All right. How do you want to settle it?”

Seeing that smile, Zhao Kai inwardly cried out that things were bad. Ruofei was in for trouble. Without another word, he hurried forward and shouted, “Ruofei, don’t be impulsive!”

Hearing this, Han Ruofei said with utter confidence, “Zhao Kai, why are you so timid all of a sudden? Don’t be afraid. Whatever happens, I’ll take responsibility. Besides, this kid can fight, but what else can he do?”

Zhao Kai was practically frantic. Brother, don’t even talk about seven or eight bodyguards. Even if you brought ten or eight more, it would still be useless.

Besides, could you possibly afford to offend such a towering figure?

“Kid, scared now, are you?” Han Ruofei looked at Zhang Xiaofan and felt immensely impressive.

“Yes, I’m scared,” Zhang Xiaofan said with a smile. “I’m scared I might accidentally send you to the hospital.”

“Damn it, and you’re still this arrogant now? Gotta hand it to you, you’re something else,” Han Ruofei said.

“Yes,” Zhang Xiaofan replied with a faint smile. “I’ve always been this arrogant.”

“Fine. Very well! Get him. Leave him breathing, but don’t kill him.” Han Ruofei waved his hand and ordered the bodyguards to move. He still refused to believe that, with seven or eight skilled men at his side today, he could not pin this punk down. In a moment, he would make him kneel and beg for mercy.

Zhang Xiaofan smiled. And at that very moment, Han Ruming slapped Han Ruofei hard on the head and bellowed, “What kind of way is that to speak? Who told you to come out here and cause trouble?”

Han Ruofei was dumbfounded. What the hell are you doing, old man?

At the same time, Zhao Kai rushed up and said urgently, “Ruofei, this is my big brother. How could you lay a hand on my big brother? If my big brother gets angry, the consequences will be serious.”

Zhang Xiaofan smiled. Zhao Kai was sensible after all.

Han Ruofei looked completely bewildered. What on earth was going on? Had everyone eaten the wrong medicine?

Han Ruming said again, “Hurry up and apologize to Mr. Zhang.”

“Dad, have you lost your mind? Weren’t you the one who told me to go settle the score? Why are you telling me to apologize now?” Han Ruofei said, thoroughly exasperated.

As soon as Han Ruming heard that, he grew anxious and immediately roared, “When did I ever say that? You never amount to anything decent all day long, and you think being my son makes you impressive? I’m telling you, if you don’t apologize, I’m done with you from now on.”

“That’s right, Ruofei, hurry up and apologize,” Zhao Kai added at once. “My big brother is reasonable. As long as you apologize, he won’t hit you.”

Han Ruofei was getting more and more bewildered. What the hell was happening?

Still, he was somewhat afraid of Han Ruming. If his old man stopped backing him in the future, how was he supposed to swagger around, act tough, and flirt with girls?

As he thought about it, Han Ruofei seemed to gradually understand something: Zhang Xiaofan must be incredibly formidable—so formidable that even his father had to be wary of him. And judging from the reverent look on Zhao Kai’s face, Zhao Kai must have already been taught a lesson by this Zhang Xiaofan, and taught so thoroughly that he had been completely subdued.

Then he thought of Lin Siyu’s attitude toward Zhang Xiaofan, and he became even more certain that Zhang Xiaofan was no ordinary man.

A wave of fear washed over him. Thank goodness they hadn’t actually started fighting yet.

“Uh, Brother Fan, I may have offended you. Please forgive me.” Though unwilling in every fiber of his being, Han Ruofei still lowered his head with a very sincere attitude.

“It’s fine,” Zhang Xiaofan said with a smile. “Zhao Kai already said it—I'm a pretty reasonable person. Since you’ve said it like that, let’s just leave it at that.”

“Thank you, Brother.” Han Ruofei said quickly, then added, “Brother Fan, rest assured. Since Brother Fan likes Lin Siyu, I won’t get in the way. Only a hero like you deserves Siyu.”

Zhang Xiaofan froze. A moment ago he had thought this Han Ruofei was dim-witted. How had he suddenly become so clear-headed?

Han Ruming, too, smiled. His son was not quite as stupid as he had feared.

“Brother, you haven’t eaten yet, have you? Let me treat you to a meal as my apology,” Han Ruofei said, his eyes rolling as he spoke.

Hearing that, Zhang Xiaofan actually felt a little hungry.

He nodded. “Since you’re being this sincere, let’s find somewhere to eat.”

“Great, then it’s the Sea and Sky Hotel!” Han Ruofei said.

“You little brat, make sure you take good care of Mr. Zhang. Mr. Zhang is going to bring honor to us tomorrow,” Han Ruming said.

“Bring honor?” Han Ruofei asked in confusion.

“He’ll be fighting a martial artist from Japan—an actual fight to the death—at the city gymnasium. You should go tomorrow too and cheer him on,” Han Ruming said.

“Brother Fan, don’t worry. I’ll definitely be there tomorrow,” Han Ruofei said. “I’ll get something good for you to eat tonight and help you build your strength. Then I’ll even find you a girl to help you relax.”

Zhang Xiaofan blinked. Was he really that frail? Did he need fortifying? And what on earth was this about finding him a girl—did he look like a man short on women?

“You little brat, what nonsense are you spouting? Do you think everyone is like you? Hurry up and cut the crap. Take Mr. Zhang to eat,” Han Ruming said.

“Yes, yes, yes.” Han Ruofei nodded repeatedly. “Brother, are you driving yourself, or are you riding with me?”

“I’ll drive my own car,” Zhang Xiaofan said. “But forget the Sea and Sky Hotel. Let’s just find any restaurant nearby.”

“All right, then we’ll do it your way, Brother. Come with me,” Han Ruofei said.

Very quickly, Han Ruofei sent off the bodyguards he had brought with him, then drove ahead while Zhao Kai led the way in front.

Once in the car, Zhang Xiaofan discovered that his phone had run out of power. After charging it in the car for a while, it finally turned on.

There were more than ten missed calls, all from Lin Siyu. After thinking about it, he decided to call her back.

The call connected almost at once, and Lin Siyu’s voice immediately came through: “You jerk, why did you only call me now? Sob…”

Lin Siyu was actually crying, and Zhang Xiaofan could not help feeling a pang in his chest. Lin Siyu was the president of the Lin Group, a formidable woman, but in the end, she was still a woman.

To be honest, he also bore some responsibility. Although his relationship with Lin Siyu was still unclear and impossible to define, how could he not understand what she felt?

For a woman like Lin Siyu, it was very hard to accept him being involved with other women.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you to get lost,” Lin Siyu cried. “Come back, okay? Please come back?”

The more Lin Siyu said it, the sharper the ache in Zhang Xiaofan’s heart became, and the harder it was for him to let this woman go. But he had already understood one thing earlier: let everything follow its natural course. There was no need to force himself to control anything, and no need to cling to anything deliberately.

That was the heart of the insight he had gained today, at least when it came to feelings.

“I’ll be back this afternoon,” Zhang Xiaofan said softly. He did not want to explain too much.

“Mm... I’ll wait for you. Don’t be angry anymore...” Lin Siyu said in a gentle voice. No one would have imagined that President Lin could have such a side to her.

After Zhang Xiaofan hung up, they reached the restaurant not long after. Han Ruofei booked the most luxurious private room and had a table laid out with fine dishes.

“Brother, let me toast you. I’ve offended you far too much,” Han Ruofei said as he stood up, filled a small glass with Wuliangye, and drained it in one gulp.

Zhang Xiaofan smiled and drank his own glass dry as well.

Then Zhao Kai also toasted him, and Zhang Xiaofan again downed it in one shot. For him, this much alcohol was no more than a warm-up for the throat.

“Brother, tomorrow I’ll call everyone I know to come cheer for you,” Han Ruofei said after downing half a jin of liquor, already somewhat drunk.

“Heh.” Zhang Xiaofan smiled. This battle would undoubtedly stir up quite a storm in Jinghai. Sure enough, even the television in the private room was already broadcasting the news.

A challenge letter from Kimura Yihe of Japan’s Northern Star Martial Hall, issuing a life-and-death duel to my Chinese martial artist, Zhang Xiaofan.