Chapter 20: Who Is Li Fugui

In an instant, the cold sneer vanished from Changsun Chong’s lips, replaced by a dark, thunderous expression. Clearly, Du Gou’s words had struck a nerve; he ground his teeth furiously, his face a mask of rage. “Rat-faced scoundrel” was a term reserved for villains—how dare Du Gou insult him so brazenly, and in public, with such base language! This was beyond humiliation. Truly, it was intolerable!

Seeing Changsun Chong’s eyes flush red with anger, his fist clenching as if he might lose control at any moment, one of his attendants swiftly stepped forward and whispered a few words into his ear. Instantly, Changsun Chong’s grim face brightened with a wide smile.

“Hmph, Du Gou, I’ve always been magnanimous. I won’t stoop to your level.” Changsun Chong shook his head with a cold laugh, then swept his sleeve and cast a gaze around the entire gathering at Pingkang Lane.

“Everyone here, listen well! All the wine and drinks today—this young master will cover every last coin!”

With eyebrows raised in feigned generosity, Changsun Chong flashed a grand smile, then glanced with disdain in the direction of Li Yi and his two companions. He declared loudly, “I wouldn’t want some pauper nobodies, coming out to play, to feel too stingy even to offer a tip, let alone have the means to treat others.”

“Everyone, please—eat and drink to your heart’s content. After all, today’s my treat. It’s only a day’s pocket change to me!”

His tone dripped with sarcasm as he finished, beaming as if he had performed the noblest act. Though he no longer looked directly at Li Yi and his friends, the barbed meaning behind his words was as plain as day.

“Bravo!”
“Many thanks, Young Master Changsun!”
“Much obliged, Young Master Changsun!”

Immediately, the entire crowd erupted with cheer, bowing and expressing their gratitude with unrestrained delight, their faces blooming with sycophantic smiles. It was as if they wished they could transform into women and rush up to kiss him.

As for Li Yi and his companions, although no one dared openly mock them, a trace of contempt lingered in the crowd’s eyes.

“They’re all noble scions, but Young Master Changsun is the generous one,” some muttered. “Will Li Yi and his friends swallow this insult?”

The onlookers watched with anticipation, eager to see whether Li Yi’s group would back down. If they refused, there might be more drama and entertainment; if they conceded, today’s events would surely become a laughingstock retold for days to come.

Meanwhile, Changsun Chong’s reputation would rise at their expense, his name stepping on theirs to reach new heights.

“Changsun Chong, you… you!” Du Gou was so enraged he could hardly speak, his eyes bulging with fury as he glared at Changsun Chong. For all his indignation, he couldn’t retort—he knew full well that the wealth of their three households paled in comparison to Changsun Chong’s.

“This scoundrel!” Du Gou cursed under his breath, slamming himself down into his seat in frustration.

“Despicable!” Fang Yizhi, sitting beside him, could only grit his teeth and mutter his own curse, his face twisted with resentment. But he, too, dared not pick a direct fight; they all knew, if they were asked to foot the bill, they couldn’t afford even half of it.

Thus, both Du Gou and Fang Yizhi simmered with inward grievance.

Seeing the two of them wilt like frostbitten eggplants, and with Li Yi remaining silent, Changsun Chong felt even more triumphant. He was increasingly pleased with his attendant’s suggestion.

“Well now, Young Master Du, Young Master Fang, Young Master Li—you three useless brothers, why so silent today?” Changsun Chong taunted, his face smug as he flicked his sleeves with satisfaction. “Don’t tell me you really didn’t bring enough silver? If you’re short, just say so. I’m always generous—lending you ten or eight taels wouldn’t be a problem.”

He burst into raucous laughter, shaking out his sleeves and adjusting his garments, his heart swelling with vindication.

Du Gou and Fang Yizhi glared daggers at him, their eyes ablaze, as if wishing they could leap up and give him a pummeling on the spot. He was simply begging for a beating.

But Li Yi merely glanced at Changsun Chong, his tone calm and unruffled. “Brothers, why stoop to his level? If a dog bites you, would you really consider biting it back?”

Du Gou and Fang Yizhi, previously seething with rage, paused in surprise at Li Yi’s words. The spectators, too, were momentarily stunned into silence.

After a few moments, realization dawned.

“Haha!” Du Gou burst out laughing, the clouds lifting from his face. He clasped his hands to Li Yi with delight, exclaiming, “Third Brother, you are absolutely right! If a dog bites you, so be it—why bother to bite back, eh, Yizhi?”

“Indeed, Brother Du!” Fang Yizhi joined in, his face lighting up as he nodded and raised a thumb. “Li Yi speaks truth!”

Seeing Li Yi and his friends laughing heartily, and recalling Li Yi’s pointed words spoken so openly, the crowd could barely contain their amusement, their cheeks puffed as they struggled not to laugh aloud.

Changsun Chong and his two companions, on the other hand, turned crimson with humiliation, their faces as red as a monkey’s backside.

With a sharp smack, Changsun Chong slapped the table in front of him and shot to his feet, eyes wide as saucers as he jabbed a finger at Li Yi and bellowed, “Li Bo’an, how dare you call me a dog!”

“Changsun Chong!” Du Gou started to retort, but Li Yi held him back.

Li Yi regarded Changsun Chong coolly, dismissing him as nothing but a spoiled, wet-behind-the-ears wastrel. He frowned slightly and said, “Enough of your whining. If you want to listen to music and watch the show, then sit quietly. Otherwise, I might deal with you the same way I dealt with Li Fugui.”

“You—!” Changsun Chong began to curse but suddenly stopped short. “Who is Li Fugui?”

Du Gou and Fang Yizhi were equally baffled.

Everyone in the audience was struck dumb for a heartbeat—who, indeed, was Li Fugui?

At that moment, the simple-minded Du Gou blinked at Li Yi, curiosity written all over his face. “Third Brother, who is this Li Fugui?”

The curiosity of all present was thoroughly aroused; they were eager for Li Yi to unravel the mystery.

But Li Yi merely glanced at Du Gou and couldn’t be bothered to reply.

Sensing Li Yi’s indifference, Du Gou realized something was amiss. He quickly blocked Li Yi with his arm and turned to Yue’er, grinning, “Miss Yue’er, can you tell me—who is Li Fugui?”

Yue’er didn’t answer right away. She looked to Li Yi, who gave her a subtle nod, and in that instant, she understood.

Gliding over, Yue’er leaned in and whispered a few words in Du Gou’s ear.

Du Gou froze, his expression a masterpiece of surprise, then burst into uncontrollable laughter. Tears welled at the corners of his eyes, and he nearly doubled over with mirth.