After hesitating for a few seconds, Geng Li swallowed hard, took off the heavy gold chain from his neck, and respectfully handed it over to Chu Ge with both hands, his head lowered.

"Master Chu, I, Geng Li, admit defeat today, sincerely and willingly. There's nothing more to say. This necklace is my tribute to you, but... I wonder if you could show mercy and spare my little sister?"

It wasn't that Geng Li cared much for his subordinates; he just knew that if he didn't show some stance, he really wouldn't have the face to stay in the underworld circles. People would talk behind his back everywhere he went. Besides, Li Nan might be strong and fierce, but she was still a woman, and he, Geng Li, was a man.

Chu Ge glanced at the heavy gold necklace, amused, flicked the ash from his cigarette, casually picked up the necklace, weighed it a couple of times, and smiled, "Nephew, I didn't realize you were generous with your people, quite savvy too?"

Seeing Chu Ge pick up the necklace with a smile on his face, Geng Li felt a slight relief and quickly responded with a grin, "Master Chu, you're too kind. In this world, you have to speak of loyalty. This is all part of it."

Chu Ge nodded with a smile, placing the gold necklace into Ye Li's hand, who had been staring at it in awe. This was also him showing his stance. He wanted everyone there to remember this moment, to know that Ye Li was his person.

Catching the gold necklace instinctively, Ye Li looked at it in a daze and immediately noticed a few spots of fresh blood on it, shuddering as if suddenly awakened.

Looking again at Chu Ge's profile, Ye Li suddenly felt he was so unfamiliar.

Was this really the big brother Chu she knew, who had a gentle smile?

Suddenly, Ye Li recalled something Chu Ge had said before, "I'm not a good person at all; you just don't know me."

Thinking of this, Ye Li pressed her lips tightly, her heart increasingly confused. Which side was the real Chu Ge? What kind of person was he, really?

While Ye Li's mind was in turmoil, Chu Ge, who had a smile on his face, suddenly kicked Geng Li in the stomach. This kick sent the more than one hundred pounds man flying backward, knocking over a few chairs and landing several meters away.

This kick was completely unanticipated. Everyone was stunned, staring at Geng Li lying on his back on the ground, unable to comprehend how a smiling Chu Ge suddenly turned aggressive.

Cough cough...

With his stomach churning, Geng Li fought the urge to vomit, coughing violently while struggling to get up from the ground.

"Cough cough... Master Chu, you... cough cough... what does this mean? If I've done something wrong, cough cough... please, show me the way."

Not only couldn't the others understand, but Geng Li also couldn't comprehend why Chu Ge, who obviously accepted his offering, would still attack him.

"What does it mean?"

Chu Ge smirked, as if he'd heard a funny joke, his gaze at Geng Li as if he were looking at an idiot.

"If my fists weren't bigger than yours, would you even be speaking of loyalty to me?"

"When you talk about loyalty now, where was that loyalty when your people bullied my sister?"

"It's loyalty for you to protect your people. But if I watched my sister being bullied without standing up for her, where would my loyalty be?"

Giving a cold glance at the speechless Geng Li, Chu Ge then turned his gaze to Li Nan and Lin Ling, whose foreheads were dripping with cold sweat.

"If you don't want things to get worse, you two better come over here yourselves. I don't like repeating myself."

Although Chu Ge's expression and voice were calm, to Li Nan and Lin Ling, it felt as if they were plunged into an icehouse, their limbs cold.

However, they also knew there was no escaping this time, and finally, with hesitant steps, slowly shuffled toward Chu Ge.

"Master Chu, I admit defeat. Do whatever you want with me."

Seeing Chu Ge getting closer, Li Nan decided to go all out, sticking out her chest, standing her long legs straight, blowing a silver bang that hung over her forehead, and defiantly raised her head.

"Master Chu, I was wrong, I'm... I'm just a student, please spare me. I... I promise I'll never bully Ye Li again. From now on, Ye Li is my big sister. I'll... I'll listen to everything she says!"

Lin Ling began to cry, her eyes full of fear, kneeling with a thud in front of Chu Ge.

Chu Ge took a drag of his cigarette, turned to look at the stupefied Ye Li, and said, "It's up to you how to deal with the two of them."

"Sister Ye, Sister Ye! Considering we're dorm mates, please spare me."

Hearing Chu Ge say this, Ye Li hadn't yet spoken when Lin Ling quickly changed her target, wailing to Ye Li with none of her previous arrogance and malice.

"Brother Chu... I think maybe we should just..."

Chu Ge frowned, insisting, "Don't say let it go."

Ye Li fell silent. She never wanted to hurt anyone, even if Li Nan and Lin Ling treated her so badly before. At that time, she felt wronged and furious, but seeing them in this state now, she still felt soft-hearted.

"Ye Li, I know you have a kind heart, but being kind doesn't mean you should tolerate, or even condone, others hurting you. Just imagine, if I weren't here today, what would they have done to you?"

"Think it over carefully. If you haven't made up your mind by the time I finish this cigarette, I'll make the decision for you."

Seeing Ye Li's hesitant expression, Chu Ge sighed inwardly and added one more sentence before falling silent.

The time it took to finish a cigarette passed quickly. Chu Ge flicked the cigarette butt, watching as it traced a parabola before hitting the ground, and turned his gaze back to Ye Li. "Have you made up your mind?"

"Mm..."

"I hope you've really thought it through because this time, I will fully respect your decision."

Nodding to Chu Ge, Ye Li turned her gaze to Lin Ling and Li Nan.

"Lin Ling, Li Nan, I want you to apologize to me, a formal apology."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ge wasn't surprised in the slightest, only feeling a bit helpless at heart. How is it that there's a girl like Ye Li in this world?

Seeing Ye Li's serious expression, Li Nan smirked mockingly, looking at her as if she were a fool, and indifferently said three words.

"I'm sorry."

Compared to Li Nan, Lin Ling's apology seemed somewhat more genuine, almost as if she wanted to express a thousand thanks, her face full of forced gratitude.

However, Chu Ge could easily tell that the words of apology from Lin Ling's mouth weren't sincere at all.

"Brother Chu, can I leave now?"

After saying sorry to Ye Li, Li Nan blew a lock of silver hair from her forehead, arrogantly asking.

Although Chu Ge thought Ye Li was letting them off too easily, words once spoken are like water spilled, and besides, he reckoned they wouldn't dare bully Ye Li again. He waved his hand, glanced at Geng Li and the others, and said lightly, "Alright, since it's on Ye Li's account, we'll let it go this time. But if I find out any of you cause her trouble again..."

Chu Ge didn't finish his sentence, but just with his glance, Geng Li and the others shuddered and quickly pledged their commitment.

"Don't worry, Brother Chu. We'll handle it properly. From now on, no one will touch a single hair on Sister Ye in this area."

"Alright, everyone, leave."

Geng Li, feeling as if he had been granted a great reprieve, while the previously hard-headed Li Nan seemed to soften, gave a deep look to Chu Ge and sincerely said, "Thank you, Brother Chu."

Watching the group reach the door and unlock it, Chu Ge spoke again with a calm voice, "By the way..."

Hearing Chu Ge's voice again, Geng Li felt a chill down his spine and his vision blackened, his legs suddenly going weak. Yet he dared not slack, and hurriedly turned around, forcing a very unnatural smile. "Brother Chu, is there anything else you need?"

"The owner of this restaurant seemed to be injured, right? With all your commotion, quite a few people left without having the chance to pay. Shouldn't you apologize to him too? And what about covering these losses?"

The owner of the small restaurant looked like an honest man. Chu Ge felt it was quite unfair for him to suffer for no reason. Since he could lend a hand at this moment, he didn't mind saying a bit more.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Geng Li nodded vigorously, quickly pulling out a stack of red bills from his wallet. He called the restaurant owner from the kitchen, apologized in front of Chu Ge, and paid the money.

Seeing this scene, Ye Li felt warmth in her heart. She glanced at Chu Ge, her cheeks slightly reddening, as the confusion that had just formed in her heart instantly dissipated.

After all, her Brother Chu was indeed a good man.

Moreover, Brother Chu was incredibly formidable, even Li Nan's elder brother had to behave in front of him, which she truly hadn't anticipated...

"Ye Li, let's go."

"Okay."

And with that, this matter came to a halt. However, as Chu Ge removed the latch and pushed open the door of the small restaurant, a somewhat helpless smile appeared on his face.

In his line of sight, a crowd had gathered near the small restaurant. Some of them were people who had been eating inside just now and had slipped out later; their gazes all concentrated on the entrance. Seeing him leading Ye Li out, every one of them had a look as though they had seen a ghost, and a scene that had been full of discussions suddenly fell into a momentary silence.

Chu Ge wasn't surprised by this at all. After all, many had witnessed Li Nan's boastful calls and knew she had contacted Geng Li. Someone calling the police was naturally expected.

What truly rendered him speechless was that, apart from the onlookers, there was a police car on the roadside whose door had just swung open, and stepping out of that car was none other than Mu Lingshan, who had never been fond of him.

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