Chapter 37:
Chapter 37: Flat Body
At this moment, Mustache’s thugs ceased their attack. Lin Shengnan, barely managing to stand, was stunned. Just a moment ago, Mustache had been arrogant and domineering, but now he was kneeling before Lin You. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
Lin Shiyan, lying halfway on the ground, was equally shocked by the sudden turn of events. His mind raced with thoughts, barely holding back from launching into a ramble. It seemed his parents and siblings had been right—Lin You truly had connections with some shady individuals.
Yet, these connections seemed far more powerful than he had imagined. Even Mustache, who didn’t regard the Lin family highly, was subdued. No wonder the Lin family, with assets of less than fifty billion, struggled to keep up.
In comparison, the Dingcheng Group boasted nearly a hundred billion in assets, excluding properties awaiting sale. It made sense that Dingcheng could look down on the Lin family, while the Lin family often had to approach them with humility, hoping for opportunities.
But as soon as Tang Sen appeared, the mighty Dingcheng Group crumbled into submission. In front of Lin You, Tang Sen acted with such deference that even calling him a servant felt like an understatement.
Even if Lin You didn’t follow the right path and simply mingled with questionable circles, the fact that he could command such influence was remarkable.
One of Mustache’s die-hard subordinates, watching his boss kneel shamelessly before a high schooler, couldn’t help but whisper, “Boss, who is this kid? Isn’t he just the guy we beat up earlier? Why are you bowing down to him like this?”
Mustache wanted nothing more than to strangle his subordinate on the spot. Lin You might not have seemed like much, but his ties to [The Way of the Fox] made him untouchable. How could this thug be so ignorant?
[The Way of the Fox] was at the top of the underworld hierarchy. Even the Dingcheng Group paid millions annually to maintain their operations under its protection. Tang Sen was one of the organization’s four red sticks and a renowned debt enforcer. Such a person treated Lin You with reverence.
Mustache trembled as he thought of his subordinate’s reckless words. “You idiot! If you want to die, find a building and jump off. Don’t drag me down with you!”
Tang Sen’s expression shifted to a chilling smile, and Mustache felt his heart stop. He quickly pointed to his subordinate and stammered, “The company was short-staffed recently, so I picked him up off the street for 500 yuan. He’s just an extra—a bricklayer by trade.”
The subordinate’s jaw dropped. “Boss! I’ve been with you for over ten years—”
“Shut up!” Mustache snapped. “If you’ve known me for ten years, tell me, which hand do I use to hold myself when I pee?”
The subordinate faltered. “I—I don’t know…”
“Then how dare you claim you’ve known me for ten years? Get lost!” Mustache turned to Tang Sen, bowing deeply. “I really don’t know him. You handle him however you like.”
Meanwhile, Fatty and Li Ruochen, watching from a distance, were overwhelmed.
Fatty thought to himself, “Good thing I never offended my deskmate. I even bought him breakfast sometimes, thinking he was poor. Turns out, he’s a hidden boss.”
Li Ruochen’s expression was one of disbelief. She already admired Lin You when he solved that physics problem in class, but now, seeing his bravery and dominance, she was utterly captivated.
Lin You calmly approached her, taking her hand. He led her to Mustache, pointed at her, and asked, “Do you know who she is?”
Mustache hesitated, studying the girl in front of him. She was pretty, pure, and had a good figure, but he was certain they had never crossed paths.
“I don’t think so…” he muttered cautiously.
Lin You didn’t wait for an answer. “A week ago, after school, you and your men attacked her. You even threatened to harm her. Ring any bells?”
Mustache’s face lit up with sudden realization. “Ah, yes! I remember now! It was my fault—I was blinded by lust. Miss, no, Auntie, please punish me!”
The same subordinate interjected, “Boss, we were in Southeast Asia last week. You couldn’t have done that…”
Mustache slapped him hard. “Shut up! Get out!”
The subordinate, rubbing his cheek, muttered, “But I’m not wrong…”
Li Ruochen, equally confused, stared at Mustache’s bizarre behavior.
Mustache quickly turned back to Lin You, bowing. “Brother Lin, what would you like—money or people? Just say the word!”
Lin You cut him off. “Apologize to my classmate now and promise you’ll never bother her again.”
Mustache, overcome with relief, immediately complied. He knelt before Li Ruochen, pleading, “Auntie, I’m sorry. I’m not human. I deserve to die!”
He then ordered his men to kneel as well. “All of you, apologize sincerely, or you’re fired! Without the company’s protection, you’ll be done for!”
As his men knelt, a dark wave of submission spread behind him. Li Ruochen, looking at the scene, felt an odd sense of authority.
“Pingshen!” she thought to herself, marveling at the sight.