Chapter 383 382: Fighting Out of Jealousy

The man in the lead sneered, "You've got a lot of nerve, sticking your nose into my, Hou Dong's, business. Looks like you're itching for a beating, aren't you?"

He Zheng's expression twisted with fury when she heard the name.

"Hou Dong? You're Hou Dong! You're Young Master Hou from Jinyu Jewelry Company!"

Hou Dong narrowed his eyes. He gave He Zheng a contemptuous once-over and said scornfully,

"So, you know who I am. And you are?"

"My name is He Zheng," she said. "My dad is the chairman of He's Furniture."

"Oh, so it's you."

Hou Dong said coldly, "I hear Gong Ding won't leave you alone, right? You've got more than enough trouble on your own plate. Why do you need to make an enemy of me? Wouldn't it be better to just keep your head down and live a normal life?"

A chill ran down He Zheng's spine. Gong Ding was the son of the Baiju Group's chairman, and he was also the company's vice president.

'Gong Ding harassing me is one thing, but getting into it with Hou Dong is something else entirely. Is he trying to conflate the two issues?'

'If I make an enemy of Hou Dong here, will he help Gong Ding go after me? Is that what he's implying?'

Mu Lin felt a headache coming on. 'Just another pissing contest between a bunch of rich kids.'

He looked at Zizi. "Were you involved with him?"

Zizi nodded. "We were sort of a thing for a little while, but I figured out he just wanted to sleep with me, so I cut him off. I can't believe he's still harassing me!"

Hou Dong sneered, "Give me a break. You call that a 'thing'? You wouldn't even let me hold your hand! I spent millions on you!"

Zizi shot back, "That was all you! It was completely one-sided! I sent back every gift you gave me on the same day! I didn't keep a single thing! Why do you have to be so delusional? I told you how it was, but it just went in one ear and out the other!"

"That's ridiculous," Hou Dong retorted stubbornly. "I already gave you the stuff. Whether you keep it or not is none of my business!"

Mu Lin finally understood completely. 'This Hou Dong is just a delusional asshole, using the alcohol as an excuse to stir up trouble.'

Mu Lin pointed at the two men on the floor. "You did that to them?" he asked Hou Dong. "Why? Weren't you after her?"

Hou Dong sneered. "They tried to play the hero and save the damsel in distress, but they didn't have what it takes. I was just teaching them a simple lesson. There's a long road ahead. Next time they run into me, they'd better not be so suicidal."

Mu Lin grabbed a bottle and smashed it straight over Hou Dong's forehead.

The bottle shattered on impact. Hou Dong felt the immense force of the blow. His head swam, and the pain was sharp and unending.

"AGH, IT HURTS!"

He clutched his head, screaming in agony.

But Mu Lin showed no mercy and smashed another bottle over his head.

One for each of the men who had been hit. The debt was repaid.

Seeing Hou Dong get hit, the men who had come with him were instantly enraged. Shouting curses, they rushed at Mu Lin.

Mu Lin reacted in a flash. He floored the nearest goon with a single punch. What followed was a flurry of fists, one for each man. His speed and efficiency were top-notch.

The other patrons were terrified, scrambling to the edges of the bar. They didn't want to get caught in the crossfire, but they also couldn't resist watching the drama unfold.

They were torn. Some, who had no interest in the spectacle, simply paid their tabs and left.

Hou Dong never imagined Mu Lin would be so ruthless. He was furious. "You fucking lowlife!" he screamed. "You dare hit me? You're finished, you hear me? Just you wait! You're going to pay for this!"

Mu Lin remained completely unfazed. It was hardly the first time he'd been threatened.

Seeing this, He Zheng and the other girls were trembling with fear. They never dreamed Mu Lin could be so brutal, taking down so many people in an instant.

'He's an insane fighter.'

Even He Zheng, who had brought Mu Lin there, was dumbfounded. She never imagined the person her aunt had recommended would be this formidable.

Mu Lin turned and walked over to Yuan Kun and his friend. He checked on them. Although they'd had their heads split open, it was nothing more than a mild concussion. They would be fine.

They were still unconscious, but it wouldn't be long before they were back on their feet.

Just then, the bar's owner, having heard the commotion, came running over with his men.

The moment he saw Hou Dong with his head split open, he paled. "Young Master Hou! Are you alright? Should I call a doctor? I think we should get you to a hospital for a scan!"

Hou Dong was used to getting into fights over women, so this wasn't the first time he'd taken a blow to the head. He could handle it. He pointed at Mu Lin and yelled,

"I'm fine! Hurry up and cripple him! I'll give you a million-dollar reward when it's done!"

The bar owner's face turned grim, and he was about to order his bodyguards to attack.

But Mu Lin asked calmly, without a hint of panic, "You know He Zongshan?"

The people present let out a collective sneer. What a stupid question. There was only one real boss in the Lanyang underworld: He Zongshan.

"Are you kidding me?" the owner scoffed. "Who in their right mind doesn't know Chairman He? What's your point? Trying to scare me with his name is pointless. I know Chairman He quite well!"

Mu Lin just smiled and dialed He Zongshan's number. He Zongshan, who was in the middle of caring for his mother, answered immediately when he saw it was Mu Lin calling.

"Mr. Mu, what can I do for you?"

Mu Lin said, "Do you know the owner of this bar? He says he's going to have me crippled."

He Zongshan's blood ran cold. 'What the hell is wrong with that guy? Why would he pick a fight with Mu Lin of all people?'

"No, no, wait! There must be a misunderstanding! Give me a chance, let me talk to him. We're all on the same side here. A simple conversation can clear this all up!"

Mu Lin understood how these things worked and knew better than to push He Zongshan too hard. "Fine," he said. "You can talk to him directly, then."

Mu Lin hit the speakerphone button and held the phone out toward the bar's owner, Tang Zhennan.

Tang Zhennan had already been terrified just by overhearing Mu Lin's side of the conversation. Now, hearing He Zongshan's actual voice coming from the phone was infinitely more frightening.

He instantly understood. 'If I keep this up, I'm signing my own death warrant.'

'The only rational move is to back down, apologize to Mr. Mu, and promise never to cause him trouble again.'

"Tang Zhennan! Do you want to keep your bar open or not?! Apologize to Mr. Mu this instant, or I'll send a crew to shut you down right now!"

Tang Zhennan said frantically, "I get it! I get it! Chairman He, I'll apologize right now!"

"You had it coming!"

He Zongshan continued, "Mr. Mu, Tang Zhennan is now at your disposal!"

Mu Lin put his phone away and glanced at Tang Zhennan. The owner immediately gave a deep, respectful bow. "Mr. Mu, I am so sorry. I was blind and judged a great man by his cover. I didn't realize who you were! From now on, I'll follow your orders. Whatever you say, I'll do."

Mu Lin pointed at Hou Dong. "Give him a good beating, then call his father."

'This is going to blow things way out of proportion,' Tang Zhennan thought, a fresh wave of fear washing over him.

"Mr. Mu, this is the young master of Jinyu Jewelry Company... Isn't this a little..."

Mu Lin just looked at Tang Zhennan calmly, his expression devoid of any emotion. Tang Zhennan started trembling.

"I understand! I understand! I'll get it done right away!"

Seeing this, Hou Dong knew the situation was hopeless, but he refused to back down. He pointed a finger at Tang Zhennan and started screaming insults.

"Tang Zhennan, you dog! After all the business my family has given you, you've forgotten all of it just to kiss He Zongshan's ass! Just you wait! My father will never let you get away with this!"

Tang Zhennan's brow furrowed. A moment ago, he had been worried about escalating the situation. But after being cursed out by Hou Dong, he himself felt the urge to go over and give the man a vicious beating.

He waved his hand, ordering his men to drag Hou Dong away and teach him a harsh lesson.

Agonized screams echoed from a short distance away, making everyone's blood run cold.

He Zheng's friends all stared, wide-eyed. 'Is Mu Lin a complete badass or what?'

He Zheng asked cautiously, "Mu Lin, the He Zongshan you mentioned... is that Chairman He from the Golden Dragon Association?"

Mu Lin picked up a bottle and took a small sip. "That's the one."

He Zheng was completely floored. She couldn't wrap her head around it. "Oh my god... how are you so powerful? Why would Boss He listen to you? He's the biggest figure in all of Lanyang!"

"I've taught him a lesson before," Mu Lin said. "I also saved his family. Now, he works for me."

He Zheng and her friends all stood with their mouths agape, their minds completely blank.

They were too stunned to even process it.

'Could anyone really be this incredible?'

Mu Lin casually scribbled down a prescription and handed it to Tang Zhennan. "Send someone to an apothecary to fill this. I have something I need to do."

Tang Zhennan scurried off to make the arrangements.