"Dare to snatch a lantern from me! Dare to compete with me! I think you country bumpkins don’t want to live anymore, huh? Don’t you even ask around about my reputation—I’m the Overlord of South Street!"
The Overlord of South Street was boasting and swaggering when suddenly a thunderous voice erupted from the crowd, "Everyone stop! Stop fighting!"
Hearing this voice, the Overlord of South Street looked up and saw that a soldier, carrying a ’two-mao two’ gun, had stepped out from the crowd. Judging by his rank, he was not a low-ranking one.
Ordinary folks try to avoid trouble with the military if they can, as they’re not someone to mess with.
"Alright, alright, stop the fight!" The Overlord of South Street said with a grin, "Oh, dear soldier! It’s all a misunderstanding! We’re not fighting, don’t worry."
"I know that." Qin Jian lowered his gaze, his sharp eyes like those of a hawk, landing on the overlord’s face, "You’re not fighting, you are beating him!"
Song Yueqin helped Qin Fen up from the ground. She had only been concerned about the person on the ground and hadn’t paid attention to who had spoken. Now, looking up and seeing Qin Jian, she became agitated, "Big brother! It’s them, they were beating up Qin Fen. We were looking at the lanterns first, and these people insisted on grabbing them. When Qin Fen wouldn’t let them, they started beating him."
"Oh, you recognize each other?" sneered the Overlord of South Street, "My apologies for having beaten the soldier’s brother! No wonder! Well then, let’s all just leave, shall we?"
Having said that, he waved his hand and a crowd of people started to bustle away.
"Wait a moment!" Qin Jian suddenly said.
Qin Jian looked at Qin Fen who was beaten and hardly resembled a person, "Isn’t it proper to leave hospital expenses after beating someone?"
"Medical expenses?" The Overlord of South Street burst into laughter, "Come on, soldier brother, stop joking! Talking about money during the festive season ruins the mood, doesn’t it? Let’s go, let’s go!"
Seeing that he was trying to evade responsibility, Qin Jian reached out and gripped his collar tightly, "Who’s joking with you! Everyone here saw it, you beat someone up over a lantern! And to this extent, you can’t possibly think of leaving without paying the medical bill!"
"Exactly! Look at how you beat him, that doesn’t even look like a face anymore!"
"Such a brutal hand."
The onlookers began to murmur amongst themselves.
"Pah! If that’s not a face, what is it, a butt? Watch your words, all of you—I, the Overlord, have noted down who you are! Be careful or one of these days I might just smash up your homes when I’m in a bad mood!"
"If you’re so tough, start by coughing up the medical expenses." Qin Jian had no time for his nonsense, wanting to hit and run, such logic was untenable anywhere.
The Overlord of South Street struggled several times but failed to break free; Qin Jian’s hand was like a pair of pliers, gripping the clothing over his chest firmly.
The number of onlookers grew, all there to watch the spectacle, to see how a PLA soldier would deal with a hooligan and ruffian.
Hearing the discussions erupting from the crowd, the Overlord of South Street got annoyed and yelled at Qin Jian, "I’m telling you, let go of me this instant! I’m respecting you for being a soldier by giving you face, but don’t push it too far! I’ve got connections, and they hold a higher military rank than you in the army. Let go if you know what’s good for you."
Qin Jian couldn’t care less about his connections—how could anyone be more imposing than the Commander of the military region?
"What are you going to do if I don’t let you go?"
"I’ll take care of you too!" Judging by the situation, if he didn’t take Qin Jian down today, he could forget about ever mixing in South Street again.
Having said that, he clenched his fist and threw a fierce punch straight at Qin Jian’s face!