Chapter 106: An Old Acquaintance

Never in his wildest dreams did Zhang Wenhao expect to run into Chen Feng here. Speaking of Chen Feng, the two of them were quite old acquaintances by now, and Zhang Wenhao still felt a debt of gratitude toward him.

To Zhang Wenhao, Chen Feng’s true identity remained a mystery. When they first met, it was in the cell of a detention center. Back then, Chen Feng claimed he was a thief, and none of them doubted him.

When Su Ruoran was almost abducted at the hotel entrance by Li Chunyang and his accomplices, it was Chen Feng and another man who charged forward, risking their lives to intercept one of the kidnappers. Had they not intervened, the consequences would have been unthinkable. Although Zhang Wenhao later used his exceptional medical skills to pull Chen Feng back from the brink of death, he still felt he owed Chen Feng more than the other way around.

Afterwards, Su Ruoran’s mother, Nie Minhui, rushed from the capital and brought with her top medical specialists to treat Chen Feng. Only then did Zhang Wenhao feel at ease. Yet, he never expected to see Chen Feng again today at this fitness club.

Looking at Chen Feng now, he appeared much better, almost indistinguishable from a healthy man, though still considerably slimmer.

Chen Feng, for his part, also hadn’t expected to run into Zhang Wenhao here. Coincidentally, he arrived while Zhang Wenhao was in the ring with an opponent. Chen Feng watched quietly from below, only approaching after Zhang Wenhao inevitably knocked out his rival.

Without sparing a glance at Mo Sinan, who sat slumped in the ring, Zhang Wenhao leapt down. Chen Feng greeted him with a genuine smile: “I’ve always wanted to thank you in person, but I was stuck in the hospital until yesterday. I never thought we’d meet here.”

Zhang Wenhao smiled in turn. “I should be the one thanking you,” he replied. Then, beckoning to Su Ruoran, he said, “Ruoran, come over here.” When Chen Feng had arrived, his attention was drawn to Zhang Wenhao in the ring, and with Su Ruoran’s back to him, he hadn’t noticed her presence. Now, as she approached, Chen Feng hurriedly bowed slightly and greeted her respectfully: “Miss, you’re here too.”

Su Ruoran did not know Chen Feng personally, as his earlier orders had been to protect and monitor her from the shadows, never revealing himself. But following the incident, she had learned of his existence and identity from her mother. Even though he was just an unobtrusive subordinate within the family, she still felt grateful for his help that day. She spoke sincerely: “Thank you so much for what you did. I’m sorry you got hurt because of me.”

Chen Feng was flustered by her gratitude, quickly responding, “Miss, there’s no need to thank me. It was my duty. In fact, what happened that day was my own failure. Fortunately, Mr. Zhang was there to avert disaster.”

Zhang Wenhao was surprised. “Chen Feng, you work for Ruoran’s family?” he asked.

Chen Feng nodded without hesitation. “That’s right.”

Zhang Wenhao was more puzzled. “But you told me you were a thief. Why were you in the detention center?”

“For you, of course,” Chen Feng chuckled. “Qingwu called me and asked me to look after you in the detention center, in case you got into trouble. That’s how I ended up in cell 307.”

Enlightenment dawned on Zhang Wenhao. He didn’t know who this Qingwu was, but since Chen Feng worked for the Su family and had come to the detention center after his own arrest, it was surely on their orders. It must have been that after Su Ruoran heard about his trouble, she asked her mother for help.

Zhang Wenhao gave a wry smile and nodded. “Now I understand. I always wondered how you happened to be there just in time. I felt like I owed you a great debt.”

Chen Feng clapped Zhang Wenhao on the shoulder and said earnestly, “If anything, I owe you my life. If you hadn’t jammed a pen case between my ribs that day, I’d have already gone to meet the King of Hell.” Zhang Wenhao smiled warmly. “You exaggerate. I was only doing what needed to be done.” Chen Feng nodded and let it go; he was not a man of many words. The life debt he owed, he would remember, whether Zhang Wenhao did or not.

Then Chen Feng asked in surprise, “By the way, what brings you two here? And who was that guy in the ring?”

Zhang Wenhao laughed. “I’ve been coming here to work out lately. As for the guy in the ring, he’s an arrogant frog at the bottom of a well, who doesn’t know his own limits.”

Chen Feng laughed heartily. “Exactly! Anyone who dares get in the ring with you must be out of his mind.”

Zhang Wenhao was curious. “But what about you? What brings you here? You just got out of the hospital and should still be recovering. You’re not thinking of doing any strenuous rehab, are you? Light walking is all you should be doing.”

Chen Feng replied with a grin, “I know your medical skills are top-notch, but I’m not here for training.” Then, turning, he waved and called, “Alo, come here a minute.”

A sturdy man around 1.7 meters tall approached. Chen Feng clapped him on the shoulder and introduced him: “This is Luo Gang, the owner of this fitness club.” Luo Gang greeted Su Ruoran with a smile, then shook hands with Zhang Wenhao. “Just call me Alo. I’ve heard about you in the hospital from Brother Feng—he said your fighting skills are superb. I didn’t quite believe it, but after watching you just now, I have to say, even I wouldn’t be confident facing you in the ring.”

Zhang Wenhao responded modestly, “You flatter me. I’ve heard from friends here that you’ve won several national sanda championships.”

“Just a showman, nothing worth mentioning,” Luo Gang replied.

Chen Feng then suggested, “Wenhao, Miss, why don’t we have dinner together tonight? I was planning to visit you at No. 1 High School on Monday to thank you in person, but since we’ve met today, why not seize the opportunity?”

Zhang Wenhao looked to Su Ruoran, leaving the choice to her.

Su Ruoran smiled gently. “I should be the one inviting you to dinner to thank you. Let me host this meal.”

Chen Feng realized she had agreed and hurriedly said, “Miss, you really don’t have to stand on ceremony with me. If Sister Wu hears I let you treat me to dinner, she’ll probably come and break my legs herself.”

Su Ruoran stuck out her tongue with a slightly embarrassed smile. “Sister Wu is formidable enough—so we’ll do as you say.” At this moment, Mo Sinan, his legs regaining some feeling, struggled off the ring and hobbled over to Zhang Wenhao, gritting his teeth. “Zhang Wenhao, you’d better remember what happened today.”

Before Zhang Wenhao could reply, Chen Feng sneered, “Who’s this brat with the foul mouth? Did you eat shit before coming here?” Then, glancing at Luo Gang, he said, “Alo, this guy’s got a membership here, right? Cancel it, and don’t let him in again. Also, give him five thousand extra—he can use it to fix his broken tooth.”

Mo Sinan had never been humiliated like this before, and shook with rage, pain from his injuries flaring up. He roared, “Do you know who I am? How dare you talk to me like that!”

Su Ruoran gave him a look of both pity and contempt, her face expressionless. “Mo Sinan, he works for Sister Wu. You’d better leave now.”

The moment he heard the name “Sister Wu,” Mo Sinan’s face went blank. Damn, Qingwu! That woman—beautiful as a celestial being but cold as death itself—was infamous in the capital. Anyone connected to the Su family knew her. She was Nie Minhui’s personal bodyguard and confidant, and cared only for the Su family. If you crossed them, she’d pursue you to the ends of the earth, mortal or not. No one in the capital dared provoke her.

Mo Sinan had never imagined Chen Feng was one of Qingwu’s people. It wasn’t that he couldn’t handle her—he simply knew that if he truly angered her, she’d come all the way to River City to break his legs, drag him onto a plane, and haul him back to the capital to answer to his parents. He’d have no choice but to swallow his grievances along with his broken teeth.

Luo Gang grabbed Mo Sinan as if he were a chick. “Let’s go, kid. However much you paid for your membership, I’ll refund it—and you’re five thousand richer for your beating. Not bad, right?” With that, Luo Gang escorted Mo Sinan toward the front desk.

Chen Feng frowned and asked Su Ruoran, “Miss, is that guy from the Mo family?”

Su Ruoran nodded. “Yes.”

Chen Feng was surprised. “He must be the second young master of the Mo family, then. What’s he doing here in River City? Did your whereabouts leak?”

“No,” Su Ruoran replied with a hint of resignation. “Like my family, the Mo family’s roots are here. After he got into trouble in the capital and angered his grandfather, the old man exiled him here. I happened to run into him by chance—and now we go to the same school.”

Chen Feng snorted disdainfully. “Miss, if he ever gives you trouble, just call me. I’ll break his legs for you!”

He meant every word. Men like him, under the Su family’s protection, were utterly devoted. The Su family was known for their loyalty—anyone who worked for them could count on their support, no matter what. The Mo family might be powerful in the capital, but in Chen Feng’s eyes, they were nothing. If Mo Sinan dared harm Su Ruoran, Chen Feng would make him pay.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Wenhao laughed, arching an eyebrow in jest. “If he really causes trouble, do you think you’ll even get the chance?”

Chen Feng laughed. “True enough. You’re far tougher than I am, and you don’t hold back. Looks like he’ll meet his match before I get involved.”

To be continued.