Chapter 396: I’m So Sorry

Chapter 396: Chapter 396: I’m So Sorry

Seeing so many people swarming them, the thugs who had been knocked down earlier by Wang Chenning and the bodyguards also got up and charged over. Yang Xiaofei immediately ordered her bodyguards that they could use any means necessary to fight back.

She also warned Wang Chenning not to act impulsively again; otherwise, if word of this got out, it would surely be exploited by people with ulterior motives.

Just then, Wang Chenning’s phone rang.

Seeing it was a call from a local Gusu number, Wang Chenning immediately answered.

"Teacher Wang Chenning, hello!" the man said as soon as the call connected. "I’m Dai Xingfeng. Where are you and your friends right now?"

After Wang Chenning gave him the address, the man who called himself Dai Xingfeng immediately said, "I’m coming over right away. Don’t do anything rash in the meantime!"

After hanging up, Wang Chenning quietly asked Zhao Xiao’an, "Who is this Dai Xingfeng?"

"The man whose words carry the most weight around here," Zhao Xiao’an said, looking at Wang Chenning with a faint, knowing smile. "Five years ago, Wang Jiangxing was also in Gusu. Dai Xingfeng was one of his deputies back then. The two of them are very close."

"I see," Wang Chenning chuckled. "Looks like he told Dai Xingfeng all about our situation."

In the time it took them to speak, Yang Xiaofei’s bodyguards had already started fighting the men swarming them.

Yang Xiaofei had instructed her bodyguards that, aside from the few men in uniform, they were cleared to use heavy force on anyone who threatened them.

Although Yang Xiaofei’s bodyguards weren’t as skilled as Wang Chenning, the fact that they had earned her trust and were always by her side meant they were far from ordinary.

The other men were no match for them. In just a few moments, several of them had been knocked to the ground.

Seeing this, the middle-aged fat man’s face twisted in anger.

Just as he was about to fly into a rage and order his men to use unconventional tactics, his phone rang.

The moment he saw the caller ID, the middle-aged fat man immediately took a few steps back to answer the phone.

Before he could even say a word, a deafening roar erupted from the receiver:

"Wu Jianping, if anything happens to that man and those four women, I’ll skin you alive!"

The middle-aged fat man was so frightened he shuddered, nearly dropping his phone.

"Ch-Chief... Liu... what’s happening?"

"Tell your men, and that other group of thugs, to back off immediately! Otherwise, no one will be able to save you!" the man on the other end of the line snarled. "That man and those four women are not people we can afford to provoke."

"Huh?!" The middle-aged fat man was dumbfounded.

"I’m on my way over, and Boss Dai is already heading there!" the man on the other end added coldly, then cursed before hanging up.

The March weather was deceptively chilly, but the middle-aged fat man’s forehead was already drenched in sweat.

He didn’t even have time to wipe it away. He rushed forward, ordering his own men, along with the thugs and their companions, to stop immediately.

The security officer, who had already sensed something was wrong, saw his chance. He immediately drew his weapon and stood in front of the thugs.

"Everybody back off!" he bellowed, full of authority. "Back off now, or I’ll be forced to take action!"

The two assistants the security officer had brought, along with the fat man’s cronies, all moved to block the aggressive thugs. The brawlers turned into peacemakers, and the situation was quickly brought under control.

Yang Xiaofei’s bodyguards stopped fighting but remained in a protective stance in front of the table where Wang Chenning and his friends were sitting.

The crowd of onlookers grew, many of them holding up their phones to take pictures or record videos.

Soon, backup security officers arrived on the scene.

They had received new orders on the way, so upon arrival, they immediately went to restrain the troublemaking thugs, handling them roughly.

Another group that arrived after them began dispersing the crowd. As they shooed the onlookers away, they demanded that everyone delete any photos or videos from their phones, and that anything already posted online be taken down immediately, warning of punishment for non-compliance.

Seeing the situation was under control, the middle-aged fat man breathed a small sigh of relief. He tried to approach Wang Chenning’s group to apologize but was blocked by Yang Xiaofei’s bodyguards.

Wang Chenning, Yang Xiaofei, and Zhao Xiao’an had no intention of acknowledging the fat man or listening to his excuses. In the end, this man, Wu Jianping, could only walk away dejectedly.

About ten minutes later, a middle-aged man in a suit and glasses, carrying himself with an air far superior to that of an ordinary person, entered the food court. He was accompanied by two middle-aged men in uniform and several others.

Upon seeing them, the fat man, Wu Jianping, immediately rushed over, bowing and scraping as he greeted them.

But they ignored him completely. The leader, the man in the glasses, walked straight toward the table where Wang Chenning’s group was seated.

This time, Yang Xiaofei’s bodyguards didn’t block the way, parting automatically to let him through.

"Teacher Wang Chenning!" The man in glasses walked up to Wang Chenning and extended his hand with an embarrassed look. "I’m Dai Xingfeng. I had no idea that you and your friends were gracing Gusu with your presence, Teacher Wang. I certainly never imagined someone would dare to openly bully you and your friends. I am truly sorry!"

"Mr. Dai, a pleasure. I’m Wang Chenning." Wang Chenning took off his own glasses and shook Dai Xingfeng’s extended hand. "Perhaps my female companions are just too beautiful, and it made those men lose their heads. Thankfully, things didn’t get completely out of hand. But for a moment there, I was genuinely afraid we’d be beaten to death right here in this restaurant!"

"I am so sorry. I apologize to all of you. Please rest assured, I will have this matter investigated thoroughly." Dai Xingfeng gave Wang Chenning’s hand a firm shake before extending his own toward Zhao Xiao’an. "You must be Miss Zhao. I’m so sorry you were frightened."

Zhao Xiao’an gave a reserved nod, shook his hand lightly, and then released it without saying a word.

"Miss Yang, it’s a pleasure to see you in Gusu!" Dai Xingfeng recognized Yang Xiaofei, as they had crossed paths before. He offered her an apology as well. "I am truly sorry for what happened today."

"You’re too kind, Mr. Dai," Yang Xiaofei replied evenly. "You find unsavory characters like that everywhere; that doesn’t surprise me. What *does* surprise me is that fat man who showed up later. Without bothering to find out who was right or wrong, he ordered your people to take us down. That’s what infuriates us!"

Hearing this, the color drained from Dai Xingfeng’s face.

He apologized once more, promising to handle the matter with the utmost seriousness and show no leniency.

Wang Chenning then introduced Li Fuzhen and Li Yanxian to Dai Xingfeng.

Wang Jiangxing had already filled him in, so Dai Xingfeng was aware of the identities of the women with Wang Chenning. He sincerely apologized to Li Fuzhen and Li Yanxian as well, promising them he would ensure a satisfactory resolution.

After the handshakes and apologies, Dai Xingfeng said, again with some embarrassment, "These people have ruined your evening. On their behalf, I offer my sincerest apologies. How about this? Allow me to be the host today. I would like to invite Teacher Wang, Miss Zhao, Miss Yang, and the two Miss Lis to sample some of Gusu’s local delicacies and fine wine. Please, grant me the honor!"

Neither Yang Xiaofei nor Zhao Xiao’an said a word. They both looked to Wang Chenning, waiting for him to make the decision...