Su Ping Nan's group was in a dire situation, with Xiao Zhuang bearing the most serious injury. A three-inch-long gash ripped through his lower abdomen, and blood wouldn't stop flowing.
Another thug pressed a white cloth tightly against the wound, slowing the bleeding.
Su Ping Nan remained expressionless. He knew they couldn't go to a hospital. This was a matter of the underworld, and if they went to the hospital, the authorities would intervene. Even though he hadn't reported it, he couldn't afford the humiliation.
"Why didn't you call earlier? I've investigated the situation, someone almost died, you know?"
An old man with a stern face and streaks of gray in his hair slammed his hand on the table, yelling at the woman in green.
"Third Uncle, if someone died, the situation would be bigger. Only then can we eliminate these corrupt officials once and for all."
The woman in green wore light makeup, with exquisite features, yet her words were devoid of compassion.
"You've gone mad. How can you justify your actions with your uniform?" Yan Qing Yi's uncle, the Deputy Director of the Six Doors of Xiangnan City, roared at his niece.
Yan Qing Yi suddenly stood up, her beautiful face contorted with anger. "I have gone mad. I went mad the day Lin Zi died."
She slammed her gun and badge on the table, her fury directed at her uncle. "Evidence, evidence, you always need evidence. Do you need evidence when so many people witnessed a death?"
The Deputy Director, enraged, pointed at his niece. "So you can just watch outsiders get bullied and do nothing? So you wouldn't call and waited for the situation to escalate? You've really gone mad." The old man, his anger abating, gathered the objects from the table. "It's almost New Year's, you've been granted early leave. Take a break and think about this."
Yan Qing Yi's eyes remained defiant. "Those outsiders are not good people. They won't just let it go. I'll be watching them."
The Deputy Director shook his head. He knew Chen Tian Fu and his men were cunning, vicious, and ruthless. Those outsiders, even if they were powerful, wouldn't press charges unless they suffered significant losses.
He waved his hand at Yan Qing Yi, defeated, saying do whatever you want, I can't control you.
Inside a small inn, Su Ping Nan skillfully flipped through the things he had just bought.
"High-concentration alcohol, suture needle, cotton wool, bandages..."
"Hmm, not bad."
Su Ping Nan nodded in satisfaction. It wasn't easy to get these things so quickly at this hour.
"Bear with it."
Su Ping Nan stuffed a towel in Xiao Zhuang's mouth. He said nonchalantly, "It's normal to get hurt on the job, to see some red. If you can't even endure this pain, you should just stay at home."
Su Ping Nan's prestige among these young men was unparalleled. Xiao Zhuang listened, his face solemn. He tightened his body and thought to himself, "Even if it kills me, I can't lose face in front of Brother Hong Pao."
Su Ping Nan, who had lived through a previous life of hardship, was very skilled in dealing with external wounds. On the way back, he had already examined Xiao Zhuang's injury. It looked scary, but it didn't affect any internal organs. He breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't life-threatening, just painful.
It took three cotton pads soaked in high-concentration alcohol to clean Xiao Zhuang's wound. Xiao Zhuang gritted his teeth on the towel, but didn't make a single sound.
Su Ping Nan patted Xiao Zhuang's shoulder approvingly. This guy was good, with great social skills and competence. He was a valuable asset.
"This scar will stay with you forever." Su Ping Nan joked, but his hands moved quickly and steadily. The suture needle passed through the flesh repeatedly. When he finished, Xiao Zhuang's face was pale, and he had no strength left. He looked like he was about to pass out.
Hearing Su Ping Nan's joke, Xiao Zhuang relaxed and said, "A man shouldn't be afraid of scars."
Su Ping Nan lit a cigarette and put it in Xiao Zhuang's mouth, laughing, "This scar is good. It'll remind you that some things are earned with your own hands." He picked up the car keys on the table, gave them a toss, and looked at Xiao Zhuang, whose body was trembling with excitement. He laughed and threw them, not caring if the injured Xiao Zhuang could catch them.
Under the burning gaze of the remaining three men, Xiao Zhuang stood up without a sound, catching the keys. The bandage, which had just been applied, was stained red again.
Su Ping Nan went to the window and looked out at the dark, ink-like night. He exhaled a large, round smoke ring.
This long night would be difficult. If the other side intended to make a move, they would definitely do it tonight.
Chen Tian Fu watched Chen Liu, who was already fast asleep. His face was grim as he picked up the phone. "Third Brother, I need to find out about someone. Do you know a Su Ping Nan from Wucheng?"
At almost the same time, Yan Qing Yi asked on the phone, "A group of people clashed with Chen Tian Fu's men in the city today. Help me check this license plate from your Tiannan Province."
"Okay, I'll keep you updated."
Su Ping Nan wasn't asleep either. Today's events had left a deep impression on him. He looked at the bright moon outside the window, lost in thought.
In the past, he had only focused on making money. He had a group of brothers who would fight for him. But here, in a different place, he could only fight for his life.
"I want to become a big shot."
This was his new goal. What kind of force did Ma Baba have in his previous life? Su Ping Nan could take down eight men with one hand. But would he dare?
The term "social influence" appeared in Su Ping Nan's mind for the first time.