Chapter Sixty-Six: Cry for Help

“Zhang Qingfan, I’ll have to trouble you to look after the clinic for me for a while. Thank you.”
“I’ll head back and take care of it.”
“Alright.”
Without delay, Lu Hao quickly gathered his things and hurried out the door.

He made his way home, and upon entering, found the main door tightly shut. Inside, only his father, still recovering from illness, was present.

His father, Lu Weiguo, sat on the edge of the bed, his expression grave, and his eyes slightly reddened. The moment he saw Lu Hao, he called out in agitation, “Son, you’re finally back!”

“Your sister—something’s happened to your sister! Go check on her, quickly! Your mother’s already gone over as well.”

Lu Hao’s face changed instantly. “What? What happened?”

A sense of foreboding crept into his heart. Could it be related again to that rich brat, Sun Wenguo? The last time, after breaking both of Sun’s arms, leaving him crippled for life, that guy surely wouldn’t let his family off so easily.

Lu Weiguo shook his head. “We don’t know the details yet. She’s at the Neijiang Restaurant in the village—your sister was working there over the summer.”

Lu Hao nodded. “I’ll go right away. Dad, don’t get worked up. Trust me, I’ll take care of it. There won’t be any problems.”

After a few words to reassure his father, Lu Hao hurried out the door.

Having dealt with Sun Wenguo several times, Lu Hao knew well what kind of person he was: innately malicious, quick-tempered, ruthless, and cunning—a man who would stop at nothing. The thought made Lu Hao’s heart clench for his sister.

He blamed himself for hiding his financial situation to keep the family safe, leading his mother and sister to believe they were on the brink of ruin. Otherwise, his sister would never have gone to work—she was preparing for the college entrance exam next year and should have been studying at home.

With a heavy heart, Lu Hao soon arrived at the Neijiang Restaurant. As he approached, he saw a crowd of thugs gathered beneath the signboard, blocking the entrance and refusing to let customers in.

“Sorry, the restaurant’s closed right now. No service. If you want to eat, go somewhere else,” the leader, a yellow-haired youth in loafers and tight pants, a cigarette dangling from his lips, said indifferently.

“Closed? Isn’t the door wide open? It’s only one in the afternoon, prime time for lunch. Why close now?”

The yellow-haired youth scowled, annoyed. “Looking for trouble, are you? Can’t you take a hint?”

“When I say we’re closed, we’re closed.”

Lu Hao steadied himself and spoke calmly, “Brother, my sister is inside. I heard something happened to her. I need to go in and check.”

At this, the yellow-haired thug’s eyes flickered with cunning. “That’s all the more reason not to let you in. Our boss is inside—he’s a righteous man. Your sister should be fine. Now get lost.”

He waved Lu Hao away impatiently.

Lu Hao’s eyes darkened with anger. He hadn’t wanted to start trouble, especially not at his sister’s workplace. If not for fear of making things worse for her, his fist would already be in that punk’s face.

“Enough. I’m done talking. I’m going in to see my sister—you can’t stop me.” As he finished, Lu Hao flicked his hand, and in a flash, a silver needle struck the yellow-haired youth, rendering him instantly weak and unable to resist.

The others met the same fate, each incapacitated by Lu Hao’s swift and precise technique.

Once inside, Lu Hao saw the reception counter ahead. His mother stood there, being restrained by two thugs. She was crying and struggling, but unable to break free.

Lu Hao strode forward, pried their hands away, and snapped, “What are you doing?”

His mother, Liu Xiulan, caught sight of him and clung to his arm, her voice trembling with urgency. “Hao’er! Hurry, save your sister! She’s upstairs—someone’s hurting her! A drunken customer is beating her!”

Rage flared instantly within Lu Hao.

His sister had always been diligent and kind, excelling in her studies, winning scholarships, and had never once been punished at home. He had always cherished her, yet now, an outsider dared to lay a hand on her in this restaurant.

How could Lu Hao possibly endure this?

He started for the stairs.

“Hey, what do you think you’re doing? Where are you going?” A tall, burly thug—well over six feet—grabbed him from behind.

This thug, known as Black Snake, was a notorious bully in Peach Blossom Village. The village was home to several gangs, the most infamous led by Zhou Run, the village chief’s son, and Erhu, both under Sun Wenguo’s command. The rest answered to Black Snake.

He had only three fingers on his left hand, and vicious scars marked both his eye and stomach—relics from his days roaming the underworld.

Lu Hao frowned at him. “What’s it to you? I haven’t even settled the matter of you manhandling my mother. Don’t go anywhere—I’ll deal with you in a moment.”

Black Snake’s face darkened. He signaled for two underlings to grab Lu Hao’s arms, then swaggered over, feigning a casual air.

“Your sister isn’t upstairs, you hear me? She’s not here. Take your mother and get out. If you’re still here when Dragon comes down, you won’t live to regret it.”

He reached out, about to slap Lu Hao’s face—a tactic he’d used countless times to intimidate students and youngsters, asserting dominance when he held all the power.

But in that instant, Lu Hao’s arm snapped free, and with a deft motion, he jabbed a silver needle into the back of Black Snake’s neck, knocking him out cold.

The rest were swiftly dispatched as well, struck down with pinpoint precision—none could so much as get up after their pressure points were hit.

Suddenly, a cry rang out from upstairs.

“Get away from me! I’ll never agree to this!”

It was his sister, Lu Han!

Lu Hao’s face darkened as he raced up the stairs.