C19 This Is Just the Beginning!

Before Brother Gou could grasp the meaning behind Wang Xiao's words, a chilling snap of breaking bones echoed, and a wave of intense pain surged from his arm.

He howled in agony, looking down to see his right arm shattered into fragments, with stark white bones jutting out from torn flesh.

The thugs sprawled on the ground witnessed the scene, shivers running down their spines, their faces etched with horror.

"Don't worry, this is just the start. There's more pain to come," Wang Xiao's voice grew colder as he addressed Brother Gou with an icy stare.

Merely breaking an arm wouldn't settle the score for hitting his woman.

He had been itching for a chance to practice his Tendon-dissecting Hand technique!

Crack...

Over the next few minutes, Wang Xiao's hands danced over Brother Gou's body, dislocating each joint he encountered without a moment's hesitation.

With each joint he dismantled, Brother Gou let out a wretched scream, the relentless, echoing cries sending shivers through the other gangsters.

They were paralyzed with fear, unable to muster the strength to rise from the ground, their eyes wide with terror as they watched Wang Xiao.

This kid was a demon!

"How does it feel? Comfortable?" Wang Xiao asked coldly after he had disassembled all of Brother Gou's joints.

"Awoo, awoo..." Brother Gou's mouth moved, but only incoherent sounds emerged. He was unable to speak, his eyes filled with dread as they met Wang Xiao's.

"I almost forgot, I dislocated your jaw too."

Wang Xiao slapped his forehead, a smile flickering across his face as he remembered. He then reached out and realigned Brother Gou's jaw.

"Big, big brother, I realize my mistake. Please, spare me!" Brother Gou pleaded, his earlier defiance replaced by tears and sobs directed at Wang Xiao.

"Spare you? I'm not done having my fun," Wang Xiao replied, a cold smirk playing on his lips.

"Big Brother, forget about the ten thousand dollars they owe me. I'll let it go, just please..."

Brother Gou's pleas were desperate, his face a mask of terror at the excruciating sensation of his joints being dislocated one by one.

Upon hearing those words, Wang Xiao's expression turned stern as he delivered a sharp slap to Brother Gou's face, his voice icy. "Do you think we're discussing money right now? You just hit my woman!"

The sting of the slap spread across Brother Gou's cheek, but he was unfazed. After all, this pain was nothing compared to the agony of having his tendons and bones manipulated. He quickly realized that Wang Xiao was really upset about Tong Waner. Turning to her with tears and snot streaming down his face, he pleaded, "Miss, I admit my mistake. I shouldn't have taken liberties with you. Please forgive me. And about the ten thousand yuan your friend owes me—we'll forget about it."

Tong Waner, who had been upset, felt a wave of compassion at the sight of Brother Gou's miserable state. Hearing his last remark, she glanced over at Xiao Qing and her family, then, with a resolve, she faced Wang Xiao and implored, "Big Brother Wang Xiao, can't we just let this slide?"

Wang Xiao let out a soft sigh. Tong Waner was perfect in every way, except she was too kind-hearted, a trait that made her an easy target for bullies. Yet, it was her kindness that had drawn him to fall for this innocent girl in just a few short days.

"Fine, I'll heed your request," Wang Xiao said with a reluctant smile, then turned to Brother Gou with a stern tone. "You're lucky my woman spoke up for you. I'll let you off this time."

With that, he reached out and expertly reset Brother Gou's dislocated joints.

Tong Waner blushed at Wang Xiao's words. His woman? The thought made her flush with embarrassment.

"Thank you, miss!" Brother Gou gushed with gratitude after his joints were back in place.

Tong Waner averted her gaze, refusing to even glance at Brother Gou.

"Now take your crew and scram," Wang Xiao commanded with a cold huff.

"Yes, yes, we're going," Brother Gou stammered, nodding and bowing in fear before hastily retreating with his gang of henchmen.

"Little brother, thank you for helping us out. We're at a loss for how to repay you."

Once Brother Gou and his group had departed, Xiao Qing's father, supported by Xiao Qing and her mother, approached Wang Xiao with heartfelt gratitude.

"Uncle, you're too kind. Xiao Qing is Waner's good friend, and that makes her my friend too. I couldn't just stand by when a friend needed help," Wang Xiao said with a dismissive wave of his hand.

Xiao Qing's father looked at Wang Xiao with eyes full of admiration. He also couldn't help but notice the special bond between Wang Xiao and Tong Waner.

He thought to himself that having his daughter in the company of such a fine young man was more than he could have hoped for.

After tending to Xiao Qing's father's wounds and straightening up the disarray in the suite, Wang Xiao and Tong Waner left hand in hand.

...

Strolling down the street, Wang Xiao and Tong Waner continued hand in hand.

"Waner, is your face still hurting?"

Wang Xiao asked with concern, noting the faint outline of a handprint on Tong Waner's porcelain-like face, barely perceptible unless one looked closely.

"It's not hurting anymore," Tong Waner replied, her heart warmed by his concern. She shook her head earnestly and said, "Big Brother Wang Xiao, I'm so relieved you were here today. I don't know what I would have done without you."

"Isn't it just natural to protect my wife?" Wang Xiao said with a chuckle, touching his nose.

"Big Brother Wang Xiao, you're the best."

Tong Waner's eyes sparkled as she spoke, and she suddenly wrapped her arms around Wang Xiao, nestling her head into his chest.

"Waner, what's the matter?"

Sensing her mood was off, Wang Xiao couldn't help but inquire.

Tong Waner didn't reply but continued to shake her head. It took some effort for Wang Xiao to coax the words out of her.

"I received the acceptance letter. Both Waner and Big Brother Wang Xiao have been admitted to Forest City University."

Tong Waner pouted, her expression one of discontent.

"That's great news, isn't it?" Wang Xiao asked, puzzled.

"But Big Brother Wang Xiao, you're in the Traditional Chinese Medicine department, and I'm in the Business and Commerce department. We'll be on different campuses—one in Eastern City and the other in Northern City."

Tong Waner spoke with a look of discontent, seemingly irritated that she couldn't see Wang Xiao more often.

Upon hearing her words, Wang Xiao let out a wry smile. He had thought it was something serious. Gently patting Tong Waner's head, he chuckled, "It's no big deal. We're both in Forest City, after all. Whenever Waner misses me, just come find me, or vice versa."

"Seems like it, doesn't it!"

Tong Waner realized that was indeed the case and nodded her head, a bit dazed, her bright red lips pursing slightly.

...

The Chen Family villa was filled with the sounds of objects being smashed and furious curses.

"That damned Wang Xiao, making me lose face in front of so many people! I won't be Chen Jie if I don't get my revenge!"

Chen Jie was seething with rage as he destroyed things around him. The events at the KTV, being exposed by Wang Xiao, and the scornful looks from his classmates replayed in his mind incessantly. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

The servants, witnessing the young master's wrath, didn't dare approach and risk a scolding.

"Little Jie, what's the matter? Who's got you so worked up?"

Just then, a deep chuckle echoed from outside the villa. A somewhat portly middle-aged man entered at a leisurely pace. It was none other than the arch-rival of the Tong Group, the head of the Chen Group, Chen Jie's father, Chen Peng!

Chen Peng had only one son, Chen Jie, whom he cherished even more after the death of Chen Jie's mother. Learning that his son was at home in a fit of rage, he had come to see what was wrong.

"Dad, you're back."

Seeing Chen Peng, Chen Jie's face lit up with joy, but quickly turned somber as he poured out his troubles. "Dad, there's this girl I like, Tong Waner. At a classmate gathering a couple of days ago, I was about to confess to her, but it turns out she already has a boyfriend. And her boyfriend, he humiliated me thoroughly. I just can't swallow this insult!"

At that moment, Chen Jie's grip tightened into fists, his face darkened, and he ground his teeth in anger.

"Tong Waner? The daughter of Tong Shan?"

Chen Peng was taken aback by the mention of the name. He rarely paid attention to his son's personal affairs. Even when his son got a classmate pregnant at school, he simply sent his enforcer, Baldy, to deal with the situation.

"Dad, whose daughter are we talking about?"

Chen Jie's confusion was evident as he questioned his father. Chen Peng had always kept him out of business dealings, so he was unaware of the rivalry between the Chen and Tong families.

"Mr. Chen, it turns out that Tong Waner and the young master attend the same school," Baldy interjected, approaching Chen Peng with a serious tone.

Upon hearing this, Chen Peng's eyes sparkled with sudden insight, and an idea took shape in his mind. He had been at a loss for how to handle Tong Shan.

"Son, are you truly fond of Tong Waner?"

A sly grin crept across Chen Peng's lips as he turned to question Chen Jie.