Chapter 58: A Beautiful Woman Seeks Justice

In truth, Chu Tianfeng had not gone far; he was still in Private Room No. 9. He’d heard the entire conversation between Liu and Zhang, but he was utterly unconcerned. In China, people looking to cause him trouble were as numerous as the stars—one more Liu Zhijian made no difference, nor did one less. As for those “friends in the underworld” Liu Zhijian boasted of, Chu Tianfeng doubted their prowess. He’d already tangled with the likes of the Salt Society and the Mojin Sect—top-tier factions in China—so why should he fear any so-called underworld friend?

His philosophy was simple: if he could win a fight, he’d fight; if not, he’d run. That night, Chu Tianfeng did not return to his little courtyard on the city’s outskirts but instead found a four-star hotel near the academy to stay in. The thought of receiving a ten-million yuan windfall filled him with glee. For the past two months since his rebirth, he’d subsisted on coarse grains and slept in tree branches nearly every day—he was tired of it and wanted to treat himself for once.

Unfortunately, the hotel’s only presidential suite was occupied; otherwise, he could have sprawled on its vast Simmons mattress and fantasized about how to spend that ten million.

The next day, Chu Tianfeng slept in, not rising until after nine. After a quick wash, he enjoyed a complimentary breakfast in the hotel restaurant, then strolled contentedly toward the academy, ready to audit an English class in another department.

“Second Senior Brother, Master is calling—Second Senior Brother, Master is calling—Second Senior Brother—” Just as he reached the school gate, that damn ringtone blared from his pocket again.

Only then did Chu Tianfeng remember that, in his excitement over the future last night, he’d completely forgotten about today’s annoyance. He had to change that ringtone, no matter what.

“Hello!” Seeing the familiar number, Chu Tianfeng answered with obvious impatience.

“Turn around,” Du Jingjing’s voice on the other end sounded quite angry.

“Huh?” Chu Tianfeng quickly looked behind him.

Du Jingjing stood across the street, waving as she spoke into her phone.

Chu Tianfeng hung up, immediately navigated to his phone’s settings, and tried to change the incoming call ringtone.

Moments later, he was in despair! The phone’s ringtones had been maliciously wiped—only that one remained.

In other words, he was stuck as the “Second Senior Brother” for now, with no way to change it.

“Why were you walking so fast? I called you and you didn’t even respond,” Du Jingjing scolded.

“Oh.” Chu Tianfeng blinked and quickly asked, “Were you following me?”

He thought he’d heard someone calling, but hadn’t paid attention.

“Why would I follow you? I was waiting for you in the teahouse across the street,” Du Jingjing said, pointing.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t enable location tracking on this phone,” Chu Tianfeng retorted, shaking his phone and snorting lightly.

If someone handed him a phone with such eagerness, there was no way Du Jingjing hadn’t enabled tracking—he’d never believe otherwise. Chu Tianfeng always believed there was no free lunch in the world.

“Of course there is. If you don’t want it, give it back,” Du Jingjing said, reaching out her small hand.

“You might as well track me, but why delete all the ringtones but one?” Chu Tianfeng tossed the phone back into his pocket.

“It’s custom-made for you,” Du Jingjing finally cracked a small smile. “So, do you like it?”

Chu Tianfeng turned and walked through the school gate, muttering to himself, “Like hell I do.”

“Oh, right,” Du Jingjing said, walking beside him. “You didn’t give Liu Zhijian a hard time, did you?”

“No,” Chu Tianfeng shook his head, adding silently: Not likely!

“Liu Zhijian isn’t a good person anyway. We discovered he embezzled public funds and is suspected of bigamy—a real scumbag,” Du Jingjing said, pursing her lips.

“Then why don’t you arrest him?”

“We’re not the police. Small fry like him aren’t worth our trouble.”

Chu Tianfeng scoffed inwardly. Liu Zhijian was a “small fry,” so what did that make the Mojin Sect? So picky about who to catch—too big, too small—seemed like only someone like him, not too high or low, was their favorite dish!

People who walk different paths cannot conspire together. Chu Tianfeng didn’t want to chat with her any longer, so he quickened his pace, trying to shake off this bothersome little sparrow.

“Your sister…” Du Jingjing called out.

“My sister!” Chu Tianfeng flared up—so what if he was being ditched? Did she have to resort to insults?

“No, I mean, I think that’s your sister up ahead!” Du Jingjing pointed at a teaching building a dozen meters away.

Chu Tianfeng followed her gaze.

Beneath that building stood three young people—two men and a woman.

One of the young men appeared older, at least twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with a long face covered in acne. He was actually decent looking. He wore a bright red floral T-shirt and, as if that weren’t flashy enough, had a thick gold chain around his neck, gleaming in the sunlight.

The other young man was younger, with a square face, fair skin, but hair dyed bright red.

Facing them was a girl of about eighteen or nineteen, with shoulder-length hair, delicate features, ruby lips, and white teeth. She wore a white gauzy dress, looking every bit like Snow White from a fairy tale.

Chu Tianfeng didn’t recognize the two young men, but the girl seemed familiar.

She was Liu Qianqian, his half-sister. He’d seen her at the Liu family home years ago. Time had transformed the little girl into a beautiful young woman.

However, Chu Tianfeng harbored no fondness for the Liu family—even for his half-sister, he had no desire for contact.

So he pretended not to see her and kept walking.

“What’s she doing here?” Chu Tianfeng asked casually.

“No idea,” Du Jingjing shook her head. “As far as I know, Liu Qianqian’s college entrance exam results weren’t great, and she didn’t apply to any art schools. The reason she’s at Tianhai Film Academy probably has to do with you.”

“With me?” Chu Tianfeng looked at Du Jingjing in confusion. “Aren’t you overthinking it?”

He remembered Liu Qianqian seemed to resent him in the past, even crying that she didn’t want to see him.

“Our analysis suggests the Liu family is looking for you,” Du Jingjing replied.

“Really? Are they after the treasure too?” Chu Tianfeng laughed.

The Liu family was well-off, but they didn’t have the means to lay claim to a treasure—money alone wasn’t enough.

“Probably not. The Liu family doesn’t have that kind of power,” Du Jingjing said dismissively.

“So, Liu Qianqian didn’t come looking for me of her own accord—the family sent her?” Chu Tianfeng suddenly understood.

He could guess the Liu family’s motives: if not for the treasure, they likely wanted to get closer and use his strength to fend off groups like the Salt Society.

“You don’t seem to care much for your sister,” Du Jingjing observed, surprised by how he referred to Liu Qianqian.

Chu Tianfeng was about to reply when Liu Qianqian suddenly shouted, “Let go!”

Whatever those two young men had said, it had clearly angered her.

“Qianqian, we’re engaged now. Can’t we have a little fun together?” the acne-faced young man said.

“Go away, stop bothering me,” Liu Qianqian replied coldly, not even looking at him.

“Qianqian, you’re embarrassing me,” the young man said, reaching for her hand with a hint of menace.

“What are you doing?” Liu Qianqian cried, stepping back in alarm.

“What am I doing?” The acne-faced young man laughed and seized her hand. “We’re practically married—what’s a little affection?”

“That’s right, Young Master Wu is impressive!” the red-haired youth chimed in, giving a thumbs-up.

“Let go of me!” Liu Qianqian struggled, but she was too weak—no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t break free. The young man’s grip only tightened, and Liu Qianqian felt as if her wrist might break.

“Ah—” she screamed in distress.

Chu Tianfeng could no longer stand by. Though he had little affection for Liu Qianqian, she was still his half-sister—he couldn’t just watch her be bullied.

“Let her go!” Chu Tianfeng strode over.

Du Jingjing could only follow, ready to watch the scene unfold.

“Well, well, the beauty wants to be a hero?” the red-haired young man stepped forward.

Chu Tianfeng swept his spiritual sense over him—late-stage Ming Strength, and the acne-faced young man was only at mid-stage Dark Strength. He almost laughed.

“I’ll say it one more time: let her go!” Chu Tianfeng shoved the red-haired youth aside and faced the acne-faced young man.

“Not bad, you’ve got some skill,” the red-haired youth said, blocking Chu Tianfeng again. He’d been pushed off balance, but assumed it was due to his own carelessness, not Chu Tianfeng’s strength.

Suddenly, Chu Tianfeng’s right hand shot out, grabbing the red-haired youth by the collar and tossing him toward the acne-faced young man.

The red-haired youth tried to defend himself, but Chu Tianfeng was too fast—he felt like a chick being picked up and thrown.

The acne-faced young man was prepared, but they were too close, and the furious “chick” flew at him at blinding speed.

Bang! The acne-faced young man was hit squarely.

“Ah—” he screamed, immediately releasing Liu Qianqian.

“Who are you with?” the acne-faced young man asked, rubbing his sore shoulder and grimacing. He now realized his opponent was far stronger.

Though he was indignant, there was nothing he could do about his defeat.

The red-haired youth, sprawled on the ground, howled in pain.

“Don’t mess with me—you can’t handle it,” Chu Tianfeng said with a mocking smile.

“Fine!” the acne-faced young man growled. “I’m Zhu Shangwu from the Salt Society. Remember this, beauty—one day I’ll return the favor!”

“What?” Chu Tianfeng’s anger surged—he clenched his fist, ready to strike.

But it wasn’t because of the threat; it was because the young man was from the Salt Society.

Suddenly, he remembered overhearing the triangle-eyed man by the lake, mentioning that Elder Zhu of the Salt Society was forcing the Liu family to have Liu Qianqian betrothed to his son, Zhu Shangwu.

He didn’t really care who Liu Qianqian married—even if she wed the son of the nation’s top leader or a foreign prince, it was none of his business.

What he cared about were those two words: Salt Society.

“Don’t do anything rash!” Du Jingjing hurried forward and grabbed Chu Tianfeng’s arm. “What are you thinking, causing a scene in public?”

She’d only meant to stand by and watch, but things had escalated too quickly—she had no choice but to intervene.