C11 This Is Called Drinking Wine to Cowardly People

There's a saying that goes, "The bold fear the foolhardy, and the foolhardy fear those with nothing to lose." The police weren't looking for trouble, and it wasn't a matter of the law turning a blind eye to the masses that kept them from intervening in the violence. They needed to manage the situation without letting it spiral out of control.

But just as an officer was about to charge in front of the grocery store and strike the thigh of some poor soul as a warning to the others, a muffled "thump" erupted from within the small shop, startling everyone.

A figure shot out at breakneck speed, tumbling several times before collapsing at the feet of the police, vomiting and shaking. With a trembling finger, he pointed inside and gasped, "Kill, kill, kill him."

Inside, Bao Guo stared at his feet in bewilderment. Moments before, the gang leader, unable to motivate his underlings, had taken matters into his own hands and tried to subdue Bao Guo. In a fit of rage, Bao Guo had lashed out with a kick to the man's midsection.

The kick had been instinctive, a natural reflex one might expect from anyone facing aggression. But to send someone flying five or six meters? Was he channeling the legendary Foshan Shadowless Kick?

Bao Guo's kick left everyone dumbstruck. The henchmen, who had been egged on by their boss to restrain him, now looked like deer caught in headlights, and even the officer restraining the boss wore a look of utter disbelief.

"Attack him together! This guy's a trained fighter, and he's armed!" the pinned boss yelled, trying to incite his gang to take on Bao Guo.

"Quiet down! You realize you're committing a crime? Drop your knives, all of you. Don't be swayed by his words. One misstep could lead to a lifetime of regret. Drop them now," the officer commanded, his voice barely cutting through the drunken haze of the mob.

Exchanging glances, the gang members reluctantly drew small daggers and switchblades from their pockets and advanced on Bao Guo.

At that moment, Bao Guo felt as if a million alpacas stampeded through his mind. If the police weren't present, he would have brandished his blade in self-defense, a clear-cut case. But with the police watching, he couldn't make a move. His eyes caught sight of a row of Coca-Cola cans with their transparent wrapping torn open. He had originally planned to grab some poultry to whip up some cola chicken wings, but now, it seemed those cans might just have another use.

"Go to hell!" Bao Guo didn't hesitate, seizing a can of Coke and hurling it with all his might.

With a resounding "Bang!" the can struck the head of the thug nearest to him, a guy sporting three little earrings and a lip ring. He hit the floor like a sack of potatoes, knocked out cold without uttering a word.

Bao Guo couldn't fathom where his sudden accuracy had come from. He suspected it was the strange food from another realm that had given him this burst of strength, but as for his throwing skills, he was sure he'd never practiced them.

As chaotic thoughts flickered through his mind, Bao Guo's hands moved like automated machinery, flinging cans of Coke left and right. In no time, the room was a disaster area, with hooligans sprawled on the floor, wailing as they were pelted.

Those hit in the head were out for the count, while the others, struck elsewhere, were at least able to cry out in pain, though any thoughts of retaliation quickly vanished.

Soon enough, the floor was littered with a sea of groaning bodies. Bao Guo, hands shaking, was gasping for breath when the police officer burst in, holstering his gun and giving Bao Guo an approving thumbs-up. "Bro, what kind of kung fu is that? I've got to learn it – you're incredible! You've got the force of a riot gun. Help me tie these ruffians up; they've been running wild for too long."

After securing the gang with nylon zip ties, their hands bound behind their backs, the two men finally relaxed.

Surveying the wreckage of his shop, Bao Guo let out a wry chuckle. "What karma is this? I was just getting my teeth cleaned, and now I've got a gang of toughs at my door. Who's going to make this right for me, huh?"

The officer, pulling out a cigarette and his phone, offered one to Bao Guo with a reassuring smile. "Worried? Take a look at these guys – chunky gold chains and the latest iPhones. They can more than cover the damage to your little shop. Take it easy. You've turned misfortune into a windfall. Let's make them pay dearly for the trouble. Hey, honey, I'm all done here. Come on down, and I'll have the dentist clean your teeth."

Realizing the officer hadn't forgotten the task at hand, Bao Guo quickly retrieved a petri dish from the counter and handed it over. "Words can't express my gratitude. Without you, I'd have been at the mercy of these thugs. Please, consider this a gift for your sister-in-law."

"This is not acceptable. You're offering a bribe, which could cost me my job. Plus, when the folks from the station arrive, you'll need to accompany me back to provide a statement."

Ultimately, Officer Wang declined Bao Guo's special toothpaste, paying and using it just like everyone else. Watching his beloved break into tears of joy, he finally felt a weight lift from his heart.

"Thanks, brother. Oh, looks like my team has arrived. Let's head out. Ride back with me in my car. Snap a photo of the scene, and let them reimburse you for any damages. I'll see if I can secure you a little extra compensation later on."

What was there to photograph, really? Just some spilled wine and soda – hardly a disaster. With a mere few hundred yuan, Bao Guo casually handled it with his phone.

...

"So, they say alcohol emboldens the timid. Are you telling me these guys were egged on by someone else to rob me? Wait, does this qualify as a robbery case?"

In a city bureau office, Bao Guo extinguished his cigarette and asked Officer Wang, his face a picture of disbelief.

"Absolutely. What did you expect? This is considered burglary, and even an attempted one could land them three to ten years in prison. The ringleader could face up to a decade, and the others, at least three years – all because they brought knives." The officer smiled as he tucked away the files.

Sensing there was more to the story, Bao Guo pressed on, "Who incited them to rob me?"

"That's being handled by another team, but I can share what I know. The instigator who stirred up these criminals had previous dealings with you. You ought to remember him."

It didn't take long for Bao Guo to connect the dots to the two individuals who had unsuccessfully tried to negotiate with him in the village. He chuckled wryly, "I think I know who you're talking about. They've moved from overt tactics to underhanded ones. I was wondering, they're supposed to represent well-known domestic brands, right? Why would they stoop to such behavior?"

Officer Wang quickly cautioned Bao Guo in a hushed tone, "Easy there, young man. Watch what you say. Even if those two are connected to big companies, your comments could land you in hot water with their legal teams, potentially bankrupting you. Besides, they haven't been apprehended yet, and their exact identities are still unconfirmed. We can't be certain which side they're on, so mind your words, okay?"

Bao Guo stuck out his tongue in embarrassment and rose to his feet. "Can I go now? I've still got to tidy up back home."

"Sure, but try not to leave town for a week. If there are any developments in the case, we might need you to come in and sign some documents. Plus, you should receive the compensation within the next couple of days. That'll give you some spending money."

Truth be told, Bao Guo wasn't all that interested in the compensation. He wondered how he'd feel if he knew it was going to be a substantial amount.

Just then, his phone began to ring.