C11 Eleventh Chapter Internal Martial Arts Expert Liu Xu Two

He took a quick look at the young girls' uniforms, noticeably faded, and then at the shop's slightly outdated decor. It all clicked—Hsu Xiaoyue's money-grubbing ways made perfect sense now.

Clearly, everyone in the shop, from the boss to the employees, was determined to keep the Pet Shop afloat. Their thriftiness was evident, even down to their ten-yuan fast-food lunches.

Liu Xu felt a pang of empathy.

Shaking his head, he wondered if he should offer Hsu Xiaoyue some advice, but before he could act on the thought, an irate shout erupted from the VIP room.

"I'm telling you, even if the Jade Emperor himself showed up today, you'd still have to clear out for me!"

Liu Xu's expression grew stern. Knowing that Hsu Xiaoyue, just a girl, wouldn't be able to handle the confrontation, he gestured for the other shop girls to stay put and quickly made his way to the VIP room, swinging the door open.

Inside, Hsu Xiaoyue sat defiantly on the sofa, glaring at Ma Dazhuang who towered over her. "Boss Ma, I've already told you, the shop isn't up for transfer anymore."

"Haha, what a laugh! Just because you say it's not for transfer?"

Ma Dazhuang completely dismissed her words, kicking a chair into the wall in frustration.

"Keep stalling, and see if I don't sort you out myself!"

Startled by his aggression, Hsu Xiaoyue's face went white as she sat frozen, fists clenched, unable to speak.

Liu Xu's frown deepened at the sight. He stepped in front of Hsu Xiaoyue and said icily, "Mr. Ma, is it? It's quite cowardly for a grown man to intimidate a young woman. Remember, this shop is under surveillance. Stir up trouble again, and I won't hesitate to call the police and have you arrested."

"Damn you, you little punk, threatening me?"

Ma Dazhuang, infuriated by Liu Xu's interference, was ready to lash out. "I don't buy it. I'll deal with you first and see if the cops have the guts to come after me!"

"Liu Xu, don't try to be a hero."

Hsu Xiaoyue was concerned that Liu Xu would be outmatched, so she quickly tugged at his arm. "Ma Dazhuang has connections at the police station. He's never been arrested despite causing trouble before. This isn't your fight. You should leave—I can handle this."

Ma Dazhuang, overhearing Hsu Xiaoyue, became even more enraged. "You hear that? Or do I need to personally show you the door?"

Liu Xu dismissed him, gently pulling away from Hsu Xiaoyue's grasp, and stood his ground. "Sorry, I have a habit of sticking my nose where it doesn't belong."

"Fuck you, you ungrateful bastard!"

Ma Dazhuang swore and lunged forward to grab him. "I'm going to give you a taste of your own medicine. Let's see if you dare to—Ah!"

Before he could finish, a scream was cut short. Hsu Xiaoyue, startled, looked up and saw Liu Xu effortlessly catching Ma Dazhuang's fist with one hand.

"I especially hate it when people curse my mother."

A chill flashed in Liu Xu's eyes as he slowly lifted his hand.

His muscles began to contort and swell as if inflated, his back slightly arching, his arms expanding to nearly double their width.

In the span of a few breaths, he grew nearly ten centimeters taller. Already standing at 178 centimeters, he shot up significantly, his head nearly reaching the chandelier on the ceiling.

The innate ability of ants is truly fearsome. Unactivated, Liu Xu was slight in build, weighing less than half of Ma Dazhuang. In a fair fight, ten of him wouldn't stand a chance.

But with the activated shared talent, the formidable strength of the ant completely turned the tables.