At the company's front gate, inside the security booth, seven or eight thugs lounged around, cursing loudly. Some banged iron rods and knives on the table, the clanging filling the room.
"Damn it! How long do we have to wait?" a bald man with a cobra tattoo barked at Ding Li, brandishing a watermelon knife.
Ding Li's face went pale, his knees trembling. "Brother, please wait. Our chief will be here soon..."
"I've waited ten minutes already! Where's Director Liu?"
"H-He's… resting in the security office," Ding Li stammered, though he suspected Liu Dakui had called these men. He didn't dare say it aloud—those blades were real.
"Enough crap! Who's in charge here?" the bald man snarled. "Call Liu now. Tell him Big Snake is here!"
Ding Li nodded quickly and sent someone to fetch Liu Dakui, all the while worrying. They must be here for Brother Chen. Should he warn him to escape?
Before he could act, Xiao Chen walked in.
"Brother Chen!" Ding Li rushed to him, whispering urgently, "These men were sent by Liu Dakui. You'd better lay low for now."
"What are you whispering about?" the bald thug slammed the table with his knife.
"Nothing," Ding Li forced a smile. "I just told him to check why Director Liu isn't here yet." He winked at Xiao Chen, hoping he'd slip away.
But Xiao Chen just patted Ding Li's shoulder warmly and faced the gang. "I'm head of security. What do you want?"
"You? Head of security?" the bald man sneered, jumping down from the table. His crew smirked and stared Xiao Chen down.
Xiao Chen knew then—it had to be Liu Dakui who summoned them.
"I'm new here," he replied calmly.
"New, yet already a minister? You must have slept your way into the job!" the bald man jeered.
Xiao Chen ignored the insult. "What's this really about?"
"The protection fee!" The bald man raised his hand. "Fifty thousand!"
"What? Wasn't it thirty before?" Ding Li blurted.
Smack! The bald man slapped Ding Li across the face. "That was before. Prices rise. Protection isn't free!"
Ding Li staggered back, clutching his face. Xiao Chen's expression darkened. "You'll regret that slap," he said coldly.
"Regret? I never regret," the bald man spat. His men closed in menacingly.
At that moment, Liu Dakui walked in, pretending surprise. "Old Snake! Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
"Just here to collect the fee," the bald man replied smoothly.
Liu Dakui smiled slyly. "Well, I'm no longer in charge of security. Talk to Minister Xiao here."
"Fine," the bald man smirked. "Fifty thousand, not a cent less. Or your company goes under."
Ding Li's cheek was still burning when Xiao Chen asked him quietly, "Which hand did he hit you with?"
"My face hurts... it was his right hand," Ding Li answered nervously.
"Then disable his right hand," Xiao Chen said flatly.
The bald man roared with laughter. "You dare?" He waved his right hand tauntingly.
Xiao Chen struck like lightning, seizing his wrist. A sharp crack echoed.
"Ahhh!" the bald man shrieked as his wrist snapped.
"Kill him!" his men roared, rushing forward.
Xiao Chen kicked the bald man aside, disarmed one attacker with a punch, and seized his iron rod. In seconds, he laid into them, knocking each thug down with brutal precision.
Within a minute, they were writhing on the ground, too terrified to rise.
Xiao Chen stood over the bald man, iron rod in hand. "Don't throw the Flying Eagle Gang's name at me. I don't care who you are!" He smashed the rod down again, making the man howl in agony.
"Three times the usual fee? Shameless!" Xiao Chen snarled. "If you ever come again, I'll break your legs."
Then, raising the rod, he demanded, "Who sent you?"
The bald man hesitated, glancing nervously at Liu Dakui.
"One... Two..."
"It was Liu Dakui!" he blurted before Xiao Chen reached three. "He called us, told us to rough you up and demand more money!"
"Liar!" Liu Dakui shouted, panic flashing across his face.
But Xiao Chen only smirked. "So it's true. Director Liu, you'd sell out the company for your own schemes?"
"I—I just wanted to deal with you!" Liu stammered.
"Good. Then I'll report this to President Su. Pack your things and get out."
"No one can fire me but President Su!" Liu Dakui barked defiantly—until Xiao Chen raised the iron rod. Fear drained his bravado.
"Fine! I'll go. But you'll regret this. The Flying Eagle Gang will never let you off!"
"I'll be waiting," Xiao Chen replied coldly. "Now get out."