Xu Ke spoke in an even tone, but his words were razor-sharp. "Where there's a first, there will be a second. Today, you're driving me, the victim, away. Tomorrow, you could just as easily use the same reasoning to get rid of them."

Upon hearing this, the crowd's expression changed drastically.

As for Xu Ke's previous claims about being favored by celebrities and pursued by young idols… well, to these ordinary onlookers, such things only happened in dreams. They couldn't truly empathize.

However, being harassed by thugs or pestered by obsessive admirers were not rare occurrences. These days, one only had to ask around to hear similar stories. Humans are empathetic creatures, and they naturally worried about what they would do if something like that happened to them in the future.

So, if someone like Qian Hong could use an excuse to evict Xu Ke today, couldn't she use the same excuse to evict them tomorrow? It would be just as easy.

At this thought, the onlookers' gazes toward Qian Hong shifted instantly.

After hearing Xu Ke's words, Qian Hong's face turned a deep, purplish red, and she broke out in a cold sweat.

I thought my excuse was more than sufficient! With so many people watching at the door, Xu Ke would be forced into a corner and have no choice but to accept an embarrassing defeat. But I never expected him to be able to refute me so quickly in such a tense situation.

Her expression was hideous as she struggled to argue, "No, how could I possibly do such a thing? If a girl is being harassed by thugs, her life could be in danger. Of course I would protect them. But you're just surrounded by reporters. Your life isn't in any danger at all. Besides, you're a man. How can you be compared to a woman?"

Once she finished speaking, Xu Ke sneered, "And you think you're right?"

This time, he didn't even bother to counter her. Her words were a clear sign of desperation.

Indeed, after hearing what Qian Hong said, the people around her erupted in anger.

"What the hell? So men can just be kicked out whenever you feel like it?"

"Are those words a human being should say?"

"And even for a girl, according to her, as long as her life isn't in danger, you can just break the lease and kick someone out?"

"What a joke! You've got some nerve, Qian Hong!"

The crowd's anger was palpable as they mocked her in unison. Qian Hong's words had completely enraged them.

Hearing this, Qian Hong's face turned deathly pale. She frantically tried to defend herself, "No, no, that's not what I meant…"

"Cut the crap!" the crowd clamored.

"I'm moving out next month."

"Damn it! I'll make sure this old hag refunds the full deposit."

A few of Xu Ke's neighbors from the same floor now looked apologetic. "We really misunderstood Xu Ke. We shouldn't have lost our tempers last night…"

"I've recorded this. I'm going to warn anyone coming to Tianhai to rent so they can steer clear of this place, lest they get kicked out by this old hag one day!"

Nobody had expected Qian Hong to say something so outrageous. It was a real eye-opener. What a despicable landlord.

Qian Hong's face was ashen, as pale as a ghost. I never imagined Xu Ke could turn the tables with just a few sentences.

Seeing this, Xu Ke said calmly:

"Qian Hong, let me tell you, if you want to resolve this issue, you should go to the police and tell them these reporters are seriously disrupting our lives.

"The people you should be driving away aren't me, the innocent victim who just seems easy to bully. You should be driving away those unscrupulous reporters.

"You're the type to only pick on the softest persimmons; today has truly been an eye-opener for me."

With that, Xu Ke sneered and turned to walk through the main gate.

The crowd immediately erupted in cheers. "Well done!"

"The ones who should be driven out are those reporters!"

"That old hag! She's horrible!"

Having watched the entire drama unfold, they felt an immense sense of satisfaction. Moreover, they finally understood something.

Xu Ke was the victim. He had done nothing wrong, but just because he seemed easy to bully, he deserved to suffer for it? Was there any justice in the world? In reality, Xu Ke was blameless, yet he was the one being driven away. He was the truly vulnerable one here.

Hearing the insults all around her, Qian Hong's face switched between pale and ashen. She wanted to start a shouting match, but seeing how aggressive the crowd was, she could only turn and retreat in disgrace.

Shame. Utter shame!

Qian Hong grit her teeth, her face filled with frustration as she trudged up the stairs. At the landing, she wasn't paying attention and suddenly tumbled down the steps.

A moment later…

"AAAHHH!"

"Xu Ke, you bastard!"

Qian Hong's venomous shriek echoed throughout the entire floor.

「」

Having already gone upstairs, Xu Ke was unaware that Qian Hong had taken a fall behind him.

After returning to his room, he turned on his phone. He scrolled through a stream of notifications about the evening's events, most of which condemned the reporters' actions.

Xu Ke smiled. It seems the Wang Family is indeed pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Soon after, his phone rang again. It was Zhang Qiming.

Xu Ke raised an eyebrow. It seems Qiang Zi and Lin Chu's situation has been handled.

"Dr. Zhang…" Xu Ke answered the call.

"Teacher!" Zhang Qiming's excited voice came from the other end.

Xu Ke subconsciously rubbed his brow. I'm getting a headache. Taking someone more than twenty years my senior as a disciple is a lot of pressure. And honestly, I'm not mentally prepared. Three years ago, my master only permitted me to leave the mountain; he never said I was qualified to take on disciples of my own. Isn't it a bit rash to do so now?

Xu Ke cleared his throat and said, "Dr. Zhang, we're really just exchanging knowledge on acupuncture techniques. There's no need to call me Teacher. Just call me Xu Ke!"

Upon hearing this, a flicker of sorrow crossed Zhang Qiming's face. "Well, okay then, Xu Ke!" he said reluctantly.

It wasn't the first time Xu Ke had emphasized that they were merely "exchanging techniques."

It seems Xu Ke really doesn't want to accept me as his disciple! But that's alright. The matter of discipleship can't be rushed. I'll have to play the long game; there might still be a chance in the future!

Xu Ke breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "Good. Once you're not so busy and have some free time, Dr. Zhang, we can discuss acupuncture techniques again."

"Yes!" Zhang Qiming responded, his excitement returning at the prospect. He then added, "By the way, Chen Qiang and Lin Chu have already gone through a check-up at the hospital. I told them I'd already resolved Chen Qiang's issue in the ambulance, so no one gave them a hard time."

"Good. Thank you, Dr. Zhang," Xu Ke said. "I really appreciate your help with everything tonight."

Zhang Qiming was meticulous. He had already taken care of all the loose ends.

"Don't mention it. No need to be so polite with me. Those reporters are vicious and unprincipled; I've disliked them for a long time. Today was just me stepping in to right a wrong."

"That's only because you're a kind-hearted person, Dr. Zhang, willing to lend a hand."

"Haha…" Zhang Qiming laughed heartily.

The two chatted for a while longer before hanging up.

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