Chapter 58: Teaching a Lesson to the Big Brother of the Underworld

Chapter 58: Giving the Big Brothers a Lesson

After listening to Diao Jun’s words, Gao Yun thought to himself, “So that’s how popular I am? Damn, I just found out!”

Hiring a personal management team was to break through attributes faster; learning street dance, guitar, and singing was to improve skills and earn rewards. He had just been casually carrying a camera, snapping photos without much thought, but unexpectedly, all these coincidences hit people’s sweet spots.

Yet for someone like Gao Yun, his mind suddenly cleared, though his expression remained calm and appreciative. “Old Diao, you’re right! That’s exactly how I thought about it in the beginning. Otherwise, why hire such a team with so much money? Why learn street dance, guitar, and singing? Isn’t it all for the show, because the audience loves it? I never thought you’d see right through it!”

“Hey~” Diao Jun took a sip of his drink, a proud smile on his face. “After all, I’ve done some self-media work myself. Though I didn’t quite make it, I studied it seriously.”

Then Gao Yun asked about Diao Jun’s own entrepreneurial venture in foreign trade. Diao Jun shook his head bitterly, admitting that due to the overseas pandemic, parcels couldn’t reach customers, goods couldn’t be returned, and he had lost tens of thousands of yuan.

Gao Yun advised him to quit and switch careers to help run his self-media channel. He’d be in full charge of building the company, recruiting through headhunters, and officially launching the “Gao Yun” account across various video platforms.

This deeply tempted Diao Jun, and he agreed, though cautious due to his previous self-media failure. He said his abilities were limited and he needed time to study before taking on this project.

Gao Yun felt even more reassured and said, “Whenever you feel ready, that’s when we start.”

Zhou Tian, standing nearby, was itching to join in. “Can I learn too? My job is so boring, I’m thinking of quitting.”

“Learn, you have to learn. Listen to Old Diao.”

Gao Yun said, “When I have Wolong on my left and Fengchu on my right, the world will be ours!”

Liu Ximing was gnawing on a chicken foot and laughed heartily. “Come on, those two look more like Zhuang Qiang and Da Congming, and you’re Wang Duoyu!”

“...”

Diao Jun gave a subtle signal. Zhou Tian immediately caught on. One grabbed Liu Ximing’s hands from behind, the other started to pull down his pants.

“Shit! Stop it!” Liu Ximing, still chewing the chicken foot, struggled desperately.

Wang Xiaole and Ah Hua, enjoying the show without worrying about trouble, cheered, “Hey! Blue ones! Triangle briefs!”

Amid the laughter, Liu Xingsheng arrived with four friends in three cars. All five wore black and red short-sleeved combat sports outfits, emblazoned with the Ace Combat logo, making them stand out as they entered the tavern. Gao Yun waved, and Ah Hua called the waiter to combine tables and bring extra stools. Everyone gathered around and sat down.

“You called at the right time. We just finished a five-kilometer run by the beach and were looking for a place to drink.”

Liu Xingsheng recognized Wang Xiaole and Ah Hua, greeted them casually, and began eating meat skewers from the plate.

“Everyone’s familiar, no need for introductions.”

The other four were students from the martial arts school, whom Gao Yun also knew. They all introduced themselves briefly, and Gao Yun recounted the earlier incident.

“Hey, there’s a video!”

Zhou Tian pulled out his phone. On the local TikTok feed, a customer had already uploaded a detailed video showing the whole process—from the initial approach to the argument, and finally the young man returning to his table. It had garnered quite a few likes and comments.

“Gao Yun, the boss, paying for everyone! Which tavern is this? I want to check it out later.”

“That young guy’s pretty low-class, insulting people just because he couldn’t get a WeChat? Didn’t the bouncer throw him out?”

“People like that deserve a beating, including those two fat pigs. They’re a disgrace to our city.”

“(dog head emoji) Not bad. Gao Yun managed to save face. A few days ago, I was chatting with a friend from the south who said besides the weirdos Old Ba who eats ‘Oli Gei’ and Xiao Zhi who plays ‘Sister’, our city finally has a strong guy named Gao Yun—a positive, inspiring internet celebrity at last.”

“My male idol is still so handsome, rich and good-looking, awsl! I know this place; I’m heading to the bar to find him!”

Liu Xingsheng chuckled after watching the video, understanding the situation. He scanned the room but didn’t spot them, so he asked directly, “Which table?”

Ah Hua pointed back. “That one, the flashy-dressed guys.”

“Alright!” Liu Xingsheng nodded and waved dismissively. “Don’t worry about those two girls; I’ll make sure those three men lie down before they leave today!” Then he turned to the four students. “Let’s go, brothers. Tonight, Mr. Gao is paying for the whole place. We’re here to teach these big brothers a lesson! Show them what real society’s hardships mean!”

“Yeah! Teach them a lesson!” The four laughed and rose, each grabbing a stool as they headed toward that table.

Zhou Tian looked at their backgrounds in surprise. “Are they really going to fight?”

Gao Yun wasn’t worried. “No problem. They know what they’re doing.”

Liu Xingsheng and the four students carried stools, asked the waiter to combine tables, move over ten boxes of beer and ten bottles of imported liquor, and ordered a large amount of barbecue. They then sat down at that table.

Liu Xingsheng sat beside the flashy young man, slinging an arm around him in a friendly manner. “Brothers from all corners of the land, I see we’re all very close. Today, I shamelessly share this table with you. This meal’s on me—let’s drink together!”

“...”

The young man and the two other big brothers exchanged glances. They understood the situation. They wanted to leave but had female companions with them. Leaving now would be too humiliating. They lived for face and had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

“Alright, let’s drink together.”

“You say what we’re drinking.”

The four students ignored the imported or local beer, smashing open bottles of imported liquor. They didn’t even use the cups on the table, each getting a bottle of liquor.

“Gentlemen, follow me. Ladies, feel free.”

Liu Xingsheng started chugging straight from the bottle. The four students followed suit. The three men at the table turned pale but joined in. One of the big brothers was slow and hesitant; a student next to him immediately reached out and helped pour the liquor down his throat.

“Brother, you gotta drink well!”

“...” The two women, experienced in such matters, forced themselves to take small sips and stay composed.

After finishing the bottle, the four students took turns urging the three men to drink more, not even offering them dishes to eat—just forcing them to drink.

“Here, friend, a toast from me!”

“Ah? Slow down, slow down.”

“Come on, brother, I’ll drink with you!”

“...Alright.”

The two big brothers looked as if they were drinking poison. They had already drunk plenty and were near their limit, but still forced the liquor down their throats.

“Little brother, those two are already taken care of. I’ll drink with you!”

The young man frowned, cursing silently, “What the hell do I need you for? Get lost!”

The student’s expression changed. “Not drinking? Are you trying to save face for us brothers?!”

The others immediately glared at him, rolling up sleeves with cold smiles, clearly threatening, “If you don’t drink, we’ll have to beat you up.”

“...Alright, I’ll drink!”

This was real drinking. Five people finished ten bottles of imported liquor in ten minutes. Liu Xingsheng kicked a few boxes of beer under the table, signaling to open more.

“Alright.”

As they were opening more bottles, the young man’s face turned purple. He whispered in Liu Xingsheng’s ear, “Brother Sheng, I know you. I was wrong. I didn’t know this was your turf.”

Liu Xingsheng belched and looked him over. “Too many people know me. CCTV even aired my boxing matches. The whole country knows me.”

“Besides, what good is it telling me you’re wrong?” He grabbed an opened beer bottle from one of the students and set it in front of the young man. “Go, apologize to that girl.”

A tattooed big brother nearby couldn’t hold back his anger. “Don’t push us too far, damn it!”

A student sneered, “He’er, don’t play dumb. Just quickly get your brother to apologize to the girl, and it’ll be over. Otherwise, all three of you will be carried out—either passed out from drinking or beaten by us four. Don’t worry, we’re accurate. You won’t even need ten thousand yuan for medical and lost wages combined.”

He’er looked embarrassed when called by name. “What’s with all the fighting? Is it illegal to hit someone? You’re just talking nonsense.”

Another student said, “Then hurry up and apologize. We’re letting you off the bill, yet you’re still so ungrateful. We even have to take the initiative to tell you.”

“Didn’t you know? Someone filmed what you did and posted it on TikTok. You’re famous now! Netizens are roasting you, saying you’re a disgrace to our city. If we don’t beat you, some other concerned citizens might.”

The two women’s faces darkened. They pulled out their phones to check the local TikTok feed and found the video after a few swipes.

One older woman anxiously said, “Xiaowei, go apologize to the girl quickly, hurry!”

“I’m going.” The young man named Xiaowei turned pale, bit his lip, grabbed a beer, and walked toward Li Jiayin’s table.

“You two go too.” Liu Xingsheng waved his hand, sending two students after him to prevent any incidents.

Thanks to “Unknown Smasher” and “Chen Shuo” for their generous support.

(End of Chapter)