C69 My Big Brother!

Pei Qiuyu didn't want to keep anything from Lin Xuan, so with a nod, she admitted, "Hubby, I know this will upset you, but..."

Lin Xuan offered a reassuring smile, "Honey, I'm not upset. Whatever you decide, I'll support you—no questions asked."

Moved by his words, Pei Qiuyu asked, "Hubby, you're not angry with me, are you?"

"Angry? Can't you see the sincerity in my smile?" Lin Xuan replied, flashing a wide grin.

Pei Qiuyu playfully scowled, "Oh please, that smile couldn't be more forced."

She then gazed at him with appreciation, "Hubby, you're truly wonderful."

Lin Xuan expressed his hope, "I just wish Pei Jinzheng will take this to heart. If he gets out, he better not return to his old ways."

"Because if he does, nobody will be able to help him then."

Pei Qiuyu nodded in agreement, "The scare he got this time was significant. Hopefully, he'll reform once he's out."

Lin Xuan observed his wife, thinking to himself how incredibly compassionate she was, even willing to forgive someone like Pei Jinzheng.

But could that kid truly change?

Lin Xuan wasn't too concerned, though. If Pei Jinzheng stepped out of line again, he was ready to mete out a harsh punishment at a moment's notice.

...

That evening, in a traditional Chinese-style leisure club.

The moment Qin Hu stepped inside, the door shut behind him.

He glanced back to find a group of over a dozen individuals blocking the entrance, each one eyeing him with icy stares.

Inside the hall, several underworld heavyweights were already seated in a circle, seemingly awaiting his arrival.

The mood was tense and the silence was deafening.

At the center sat a middle-aged man with streaks of grey in his hair, his gaze fixed on Qin Hu with a grave intensity.

Unfazed, Qin Hu casually made his way to an empty seat and sat down.

Breaking the silence, a man with a scar across his face spoke up, "Qin Hu, we've been waiting for you for quite a while. You sure carry yourself with quite the air!"

With a slight smile, Qin Hu responded, "In the presence of esteemed leaders like yourselves, I wouldn't dare to act superior."

After finishing his statement, he lit a cigarette and casually exhaled a stream of smoke, squinting at the assembled crowd.

The white-haired middle-aged man, who had remained stoic throughout, finally spoke up, "I've heard that a few hundred of your guys got thrashed on Xin Ye Road. Is there any truth to that?"

"Oh, look who's here—Master Bai from North City."

Qin Hu feigned surprise as if noticing him for the first time, then smiled and replied, "Yes, it's true. I've taken care of the ringleader of that mess."

"Word is, the one who did the beating was just some unknown kid?" the elder probed further.

Qin Hu responded, "You're well-informed, Master Bai. Indeed, it was one man, but he's no unknown. He's now my elder brother."

"Pfft—"

Scar Cheng choked on his tea, spraying it out as he scoffed, "Am I hearing this right? That guy used to be a laughingstock. I heard the Nine-star General blessed him at a wedding by mistake."

"You're not seriously calling him your big brother over that, are you? Come on, don't make us laugh."

Qin Hu's retort was icy, "Scar Cheng, do you think I'm as simple-minded and brawny as you?"

"What the hell did you just say?!"

Scar Cheng slammed his fist on the table, rising abruptly as his bodyguards closed in behind him.

Qin Hu remained unflustered, continuing to smoke with an air of nonchalance.

"Nobody move," the elder commanded before addressing Qin Hu, "I must say, Qin Hu, I admire the guts it took to come here by yourself."

Qin Hu smiled and shrugged, "It's not about guts. Everyone here is a respected figure in the underworld. Surely you wouldn't gang up on me, right?"

The elder cut to the chase, "Let's be frank. Your recent losses have not only cost us face but also weakened your forces. I doubt you can manage all your territory now.

"So, I'm doing you a favor by suggesting you cede some of it. What do you say?"

Qin Hu countered, "Master Bai, did you invite me here just to coerce me?"

Scar Cheng glared at him, "Listen up. We're offering you an opportunity!"

"Give me a chance? Ha!" Qin Hu laughed as if he'd just heard the world's biggest joke. They were trying to muscle in on his turf and had the audacity to talk about giving him a chance?

Could their greed be any more repulsive?

Just then, someone chimed in, "Qin Hu! Face it, we're all part of the same crew. We won't leave you high and dry."

Qin Hu ground out his half-smoked cigarette on the table. "I clawed my way here through sheer grit," he declared. "If you're after my territory, you'll have to take it with your own two hands."

With that, he rose to his feet. "I've said my piece. I'm done here."

"Qin Hu, hold it right there!" Scar Cheng bellowed. "Walk out that door today, and I won't hold back!"

A cold smile played on Qin Hu's lips. "Give it a shot. But if you lay a finger on me, let's see if you can leave this place in one piece."

Without a backward glance, he headed for the door.

The white-haired elder spoke up, "Qin Hu, I'm offering you a chance here. You really should appreciate it."

"Thanks, but I've got better things to do than waste time here," Qin Hu replied, and with that, he strode out the door.

Scar Cheng made to stop him, but the elder held him back.

"What's he think he is?!" Scar Cheng fumed.

"Master Bai, he dares to speak to us like that?"

"We should call in our guys now, hit him while he's down, and take over his spots!"

The bosses were all too eager to exploit Qin Hu's weakened state, swooping in like vultures to carve up his territory for themselves.

"Calm down," the elder advised. "His territory will be ours in due time. No need to rush."

They all nodded. To cross Master Bai was to risk everything.

The elder added, "Qin Hu isn't a fool. And that unknown youngster he mentioned might be more than he seems."

"Scar Cheng, dig up everything you can on that guy. I want his full dossier."

Scar Cheng licked his lips and said, "Alright, Master Bai, just watch!"

Moments after stepping out of the clubhouse doors, Qin Hu's legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.

He fumbled for his phone, his fingers shaking as he dialed Lin Xuan's number.

Ring ring ring...

"Hello?"

Hearing the call connect, Qin Hu clung to it like a lifeline, unable to hold back his tears any longer.

"Mr. Lin, a bunch of the big shots in A City are ganging up on me. I need your help, Mr. Lin. No, big brother, you're my big brother."

Meanwhile, Lin Xuan was with Pei Qiuyu at the sales center, examining the model of the development. He stepped aside to a quiet corner and spoke, "Just follow my instructions, focus on charity work, and steer clear of any wrongdoing."

"They won't be able to touch you."

Qin Hu gulped down his fear and nodded vigorously. "Right, I'll do as you say. I'll follow your lead! Big brother..."