At the entrance of Jintang Phase II, two groups clashed, the air filled with clangs of metal and shouts of battle. Passersby kept their distance, hiding nearby to watch—the scene was chaotic. The two sides grappled and swung iron rods; in the confusion, they could barely tell friend from foe, lashing out at whoever crossed their path.
Such brawls weren't rare in H City. Pedestrians barely batted an eye—curious ones might pause to watch, while others, used to it, didn't even glance over.
"W-what do you want?" Bald Guy looked at Li Hao, fear flickering in his eyes, though he forced a tough front, as if afraid of losing face as a leader.
"I don't want much—100,000 yuan," Li Hao sneered, not bothering to call his bluff. He spat, cracking his knuckles. "If you refuse, you know what'll happen."
Staring at Li Hao's clenched fist, recalling how brutally he fought, sweat poured down Bald Guy's forehead.
"I agree! I agree!" Now, face no longer mattered.
He'd been beaten badly enough by Li Hao earlier. He'd hoped to rally his men and reclaim his honor, but here he was, caught by Li Hao again. If this kept up, he might lose his life. Let alone 100,000—he'd have agreed to 200,000 or 300,000.
Li Hao gave Bald Guy a contemptuous look as he cowered, then fished a set of keys from Bald Guy's pocket and stuffed them into his own. "I'll hold onto your Land Rover for now. Come get the keys when you bring the money."
With that, he hauled Bald Guy back by one arm, shouting, "Stop fighting! Otherwise, you'll regret it!"
The brawling crowds froze at Li Hao's roar.
Now, Li Hao held Bald Guy by one hand, the other gripping Bald Guy's iron rod, pressed to his neck.
One wrong move, and Bald Guy would drop dead on the spot.
Seeing this, Bald Guy's men dared not act, tossing their weapons aside and retreating obediently.
Li Hao snorted, kicking Bald Guy to the ground, then strode back.
Not a single person dared block his path.
Bald Guy ground his teeth, knowing he'd lost today. Fighting on would only get him killed. He waved his men away, and they stumbled off toward the crossroads.
The security guards from Jintang Phase II finally snapped out of it, hurrying over.
"Li Hao, you okay?" Zhang Baoqiang's hand was bleeding—he'd been knifed in the scuffle—but he paid it no mind, just wrapping it in a scrap of cloth, more concerned for Li Hao.
"I'm fine," Li Hao shook his head, clapping Zhang Baoqiang's shoulder.
"Fourth Brother!" Baozi rushed over with his men.
He was elated—no casualties, and they'd chased Bald Guy's crew off. Word of this would make him look good.
But Baozi knew they'd been at a disadvantage. Only Li Hao's brute strength, subduing Bald Guy so easily, had turned the tide.
Remembering Li Hao's talk of a "big deal," Baozi perked up, grinning. "Fourth Brother, about that big business…"
"Not yet," Li Hao glanced at him. "Call Yuan Li tonight. This opportunity isn't for one person."
Baozi froze, displeased. "Fourth Brother, you know me and Yuan Li can't stand each other. Why invite him? Did I fight for nothing?"
Baozi feared Li Hao now, but Yuan Li? A kid who could barely fight, with no real clout—Baozi didn't respect him.
Li Hao smacked Baozi's head, chuckling. "Squabbling over a tiny power plant neighborhood—no wonder you'll never make it big! I'll tell you this: this area will unite sooner or later. With your narrow minds, you're nowhere near ready for real business."
Chastised, Baozi sighed, nodded, and led his men away awkwardly.
Zhang Baoqiang's injury was minor—he'd rest at home.
Li Hao twirled Bald Guy's Land Rover keys, got in, and revved the engine.
The car performed well—smooth, quiet, fitting its price.
He pulled out of Jintang Phase II. It had been over a year since he'd driven, but muscle memory kicked in. After a brief adjustment, he floored it, hitting 120 km/h.
Speeding along H City's provincial road amid rush-hour traffic, he wove through congestion without slowing. His Land Rover stood out like a streak in the gridlock.
Hao Xin was in a good mood.
It was her first day as a patrol officer at H City Police Station—with authority to act independently and a service weapon. Stuck in the evening jam, she parked and helped traffic police direct cars.
Traffic police and cops worked together, so she knew Officer Xiao Luo on duty. Hao Xin was a station beauty—porcelain skin, big bright eyes—with many suitors. Xiao Luo, a lowly traffic cop, admired her from afar.
Seeing her help, Xiao Luo grinned. "Officer Hao, what brings you here?"
"Passing by, thought I'd help," Hao Xin smiled faintly, excitement in her tone. Tall and in uniform, she looked sharp and capable.
Xiao Luo saw her eagerness but said nothing, just smiled.
"Huh?" Hao Xin frowned. "Why's that car going so fast?"
Her gaze fixed on a Land Rover weaving through traffic—reckless, cutting off cars left and right, hitting 70 km/h even in gridlock.
A sign ahead read "50 km/h."
"That's speeding," Xiao Luo noted, following her gaze.
"Stop it!" Hao Xin dashed out before Xiao Luo could react.
Li Hao, enjoying the drive, nearly jumped when a female cop darted in front, waving him down. He slammed the brakes, skidding to a halt inches from her.
Even with ABS, he'd almost hit her. A half-second slower, and she'd be on the ground.
"Stop the car and get out!" Hao Xin stood her ground, frowning, voice sharp.
Li Hao leaned out, rolling down the window. "What's your problem? If you wanna die, don't use my car!"
"Bastard, get out!" Hao Xin flashed her badge, striding to the driver's side. "Traffic check. Step out. You're suspected of speeding and drunk driving!"
Li Hao eyed her uniform and badge, curious. "You're a cop—why acting like traffic police?"
"I'm a patrol officer; I can assist with traffic. Step out for questioning, or I'll take action!" She rested a hand on her holster, resolve hardening.
If he resisted, she'd draw her gun.
Li Hao didn't want trouble with cops, so he got out.
"License and registration, please!" Hao Xin saluted, voice stern.
New on the job, her professionalism was unshakable.
But her request left Li Hao stumped.
Since leaving his organization, he'd had no ID, let alone a license. The car was Bald Guy's—he had no papers.
"Sir, your documents, please!" Hao Xin's suspicion grew, repeating firmly.
Li Hao panicked. Explaining the car or his lack of ID would spell trouble.
An idea struck. His face turned mournful, voice dejected. "Officer, I'm in a desperate hurry. My grandma's in the hospital—critical condition. If I don't get there, I'll miss her last moments! I know I speeding, but laws have mercy. Please, let me go—for my grandma!"
Tears welled in his eyes, though he snuck a glance at Hao Xin.
Hao Xin, naive and new, fell for it. Sympathy stirred—filial piety mattered. If her rigidness cost him his grandma's last goodbye, she'd never forgive herself.
After a pause, she said, "I'll let you go, but I'm coming. You'll face the speeding charge after you see her."
Li Hao froze. He hadn't expected such dedication.
But he couldn't backtrack. "Fine. Get in."
Hao Xin climbed into the passenger seat without a second thought.
Li Hao hit the gas, racing toward H City Central Hospital at 100 km/h through downtown.
"Hey! Slow down!" Hao Xin's heart raced in the passenger seat.
This was a busy area! How could he drive so fast?
She'd watched them narrowly avoid collisions, but he always reacted perfectly—no accidents.
"I'm in a hurry," Li Hao said matter-of-factly.
He rarely gets a chance to drive and can't let this girl ruin it for him. Her reaction to his "tears" should be a good revenge for him.
"Hurry up, slow down, don't risk your life!" Hao Xin's face was pale and he held the handrail tightly.
This wasn't a car ride—it was a rollercoaster.
Her constitution couldn't handle this. She might throw up.
Luckily, the hospital was close. Li Hao parked smoothly, but before he could get out, Hao Xin spoke.
"Go on in," she said, unbuckling her seatbelt.
"You're coming?" Li Hao blinked.
"Of course. I'll check on your grandma—help if I can. It's what we do." Hao Xin's voice softened—she cared about the elderly.
This spelled disaster for Li Hao. He'd planned to slip away, but with her tagging along? Impossible.
Spotting someone with a fruit basket nearby, he feigned awkwardness. "Officer, I was in such a rush I forgot gifts. Wait here—I'll grab some fruit, be right back!"
"I'll come with you," Hao Xin said, unconvinced.
"No need—rest. Be right back!" Li Hao darted off, ducking out of her sight at the entrance and hailing a taxi.
"Driver, Power Plant Community."
"Got it." Hospitals were busy for cabs—no questions asked.
Hao Xin waited at the hospital entrance for over half an hour.
Even her patience wore thin. Maybe he'd entered through another door, forgetting her.
But a dying grandma excused it.
She went inside to ask.
The nurse's reply left her stunned: no critically ill elderly woman. Only a middle-aged man in poor shape—no grandma.
Realization hit. She seethed, her beautiful face twisting.
"Bastard! Lying to me! I'll get you! Just wait—I'll track you down!" She stormed out, kicking the Land Rover twice, then called a tow truck.
A luxury car—he'd come crawling back.
"Next time we meet, you'll regret this!" She clenched her fist, pouting unconsciously.
In the taxi, Li Hao was cheerful. The car wasn't his—no loss. Free of Hao Xin, he leaned back, humming a racy tune.
"Kid's one of us, huh?" The driver grinned at the lyrics. "Young guys have energy to burn—want to go have some fun before heading back?"
Li Hao laughed.
Who knew a taxi ride would land him with a "veteran"?
"Sure—your call, brother. Let's unwinuld match Su Xiaorou or Hao Xin's figure.
Grinning, he settled back, savoring the ride.