C11 Chapter 11: Dogs Bite Dogs

Zhang Zhenbang turned to his son, a part of him itching to yank Zhang Tinglei from the hospital bed and demand, "How do we deal with this?"

A brief hush fell over the room.

"Sir, please, don't be concerned," Zhang Tinglei began. "My father's getting on in years, prone to these... lapses in judgment. Perhaps it's time for him to retire. I can take care of the Zhang family's issues."

His words sent a ripple of shock through the onlookers.

Mrs. Zhang was taken aback. Was her son seizing an opportunity to usurp power? But then, considering his recent success and connections with Lord Worm, wasn't he ready to take on the mantle of the Zhang family's head?

"Dear, what Tinglei is saying has some..."

She was cut off mid-sentence by a resounding slap that silenced the ward.

Luo Yun and Lord Worm looked on in astonishment. Despite his age, Zhang Zhenbang's reflexes were impressively sharp.

"Silence, you fool!" Zhang Zhenbang roared.

Zhang Tinglei, hand on his stinging cheek, disbelief etched on his face, felt a fleeting fear. But he was no longer intimidated by the man before him.

"Old fool, you used to hit me, but now? You dare strike me again? Have you lost your mind?" Zhang Tinglei spat bitterly. "Sir, as you can see, life in the Zhang family isn't as comfortable as you might imagine."

Mrs. Zhang, startled, quickly interjected, "Tinglei, calm down, he's your father..."

"My father? Ha! Did he consider that when he hit me?"

Zhang Tinglei's scorn was palpable. "Don't say I didn't give him a chance. I did, just now. He squandered it. I..."

Another slap left him reeling.

"The one needing surgery here is you," Zhang Zhenbang stated icily.

"You decrepit old man, you're asking for it. Sir..."

Zhang Tinglei's gaze shifted to Lord Worm.

Lord Worm, caught off guard, exclaimed, "Ah, is that all? Keep going. I'm curious to see how this dog-eat-dog scenario plays out."

Dog-eat-dog?

Everyone paused, taken aback.

Zhang Zhenbang alone remained unfazed, his expression stoic, his demeanor unbothered.

"My apologies, Sir," he said with a hint of regret. "It's my failure to discipline him that's led to Tinglei's unruly behavior. If there's blame to be assigned..."

He caught himself mid-sentence, reverting to his habitual tone, then quickly corrected, "Blame him, not me."

Mrs. Zhang looked on in disbelief. "Husband, what are you saying?"

"Mom, I told you, he's gone mad!" Zhang Tinglei seethed.

Seeing that neither Lord Worm nor Luo Yun had responded, Zhang Zhenbang wasted no more time.

Hadn't the situation been made clear?

It was a case of dog-eat-dog.

"Take him for surgery," he ordered bluntly. "Remove what needs to be removed."

"Ah?" The doctors were visibly confused.

"Director Zhang, surely you've mistaken the person? This is Young Master Zhang!"

"Was I not clear? Take him away and do it. Now!" Zhang Zhenbang barked.

Startled, the doctors hesitated no longer and moved to seize Zhang Tinglei.

Mrs. Zhang and Zhang Tinglei were left dumbstruck.

Had the old man lost his mind?

In a fury, Mrs. Zhang exclaimed, "Zhang Zhenbang, you scoundrel, what do you think you're doing? With the adults present, how dare you act this way?"

"You'll regret this, I won't let you get away with it! Let me go!" Zhang Tinglei bellowed in rage.

Yet his protests fell on deaf ears, as the doctors ignored him, unlike when Zhang Zhenbang spoke.

In desperation, Zhang Tinglei turned his pleading eyes towards Lord Worm.

"That's enough," Lord Worm gestured with a dismissive wave of his hand.

The doctors, having witnessed the earlier scene, recognized Lord Worm's authority and ceased their actions.

A look of relief washed over Zhang Tinglei's face, and he was about to request Lord Worm's assistance in dealing with Zhang Zhenbang.

Lord Worm looked to the side and asked, "Boss, how should we handle this? Will you take the lead?"

Silence enveloped the ward.

Boss?

Zhang Tinglei stared at Luo Yun, his face a mask of astonishment.

What was happening here?

Mrs. Zhang awkwardly stammered, "Sir, what... what is this?"

"Is it your place to speak?" Lord Worm replied coolly.

"Sir, I admit my mistake. It's typical of a woman to not understand the gravity of things. I'm at fault. I'll punish myself now!" Zhang Zhenbang declared before rushing over and slapping Mrs. Zhang across the face, regardless of her stunned expression.

Mrs. Zhang was both shocked and furious, unable to counter Zhang Zhenbang's actions, and could only cry out in distress.

Luo Yun frowned slightly, annoyed, "Enough, that's irritating."

"Boss, I'll silence her this instant," Zhang Zhenbang offered.

Lord Worm scoffed, "Boss? Is that what you called me?"

"Enough, Worm," came the curt reply.

"The boss's word is law," Lord Worm acknowledged with a nod.

Luo Yun spoke up, "Director Zhang, let's get to the point. There's no need for these theatrics. What's the reason for calling me here?"

"Oh, Young Master Luo, I simply wanted you to witness this. I'll remove Zhang Tinglei's frontal lobe to spare Yun Hai any trouble," Zhang Zhenbang suggested, hoping to ingratiate himself.

But Luo Yun was repulsed by the suggestion.

He was a military man.

Death is final, but to reduce someone to a fool? That was contemptible.

Luo Yun scoffed, "Your circle's games won't work on me. Kill if you must kill, reform if you must reform, but don't meddle with people's minds."

Zhang Zhenbang swallowed nervously, "Then what would Young Master Luo suggest?"

Lord Worm interjected coldly, "Isn't it obvious what the boss means? Investigate Zhang Tinglei's actions. If he deserves death, let him die. If not, send him for reformation."

With a look of disdain, he glanced at Zhang Tinglei, who was still visibly shaken, "Boss, you're giving this man too much credit. 'A soldier can be killed but not insulted' doesn't apply to him."

Luo Yun saw no need for further explanation.

Zhang Zhenbang quickly assured, "Understood, Young Master Luo. Rest assured, I'll handle it shortly."

"Anything else?" Luo Yun inquired.

After a moment's thought, Zhang Zhenbang replied, "No, there's nothing—"

His attention then shifted to Zhang Peng cowering in the corner.

"Sir, should we also deal with him?"

Luo Yun glanced over, noting Zhang Peng's fearful demeanor, and dismissed with disdain, "Handle it yourself."

As he spoke, he gestured towards Lord Worm, and together they exited the hospital room.

Zhang Tinglei's mouth opened in a plea for mercy, "Dad..."

"Don't call me Dad; I'm not worthy of that title," Zhang Zhenbang said icily, his eyes then shifting to Zhang Peng. "You and your wife certainly have a knack for stirring things up."

Zhang Peng trembled, "Uncle..."

"Didn't you just claim that Luo Yun is after your assets and plans to drive you out of Yunhai City?"

"Uncle, it was just a joke, not to be taken seriously. I can apologize," Zhang Peng stammered, his forehead beading with sweat.

"Apologize? As if I need more headaches. Do exactly as you said. Give me all the funds you have, and I'll pass them on to Luo Yun. Buy yourselves a ticket and disappear. Go wherever you like, just don't show your faces in Yunhai City again!" Zhang Zhenbang's voice was thick with fury.

With Luo Yun and Lord Worm gone, no one dared to contradict Zhang Zhenbang in the hospital room.

"Mom..." Zhang Tinglei attempted to seek support from Mrs. Zhang.

But before he could get a word out, Mrs. Zhang remained silent, receiving several sharp slaps from Zhang Zhenbang.

With a frosty stare, Zhang Zhenbang addressed the frightened Zhang Tinglei, "See if your mother is willing to coddle you now."