Chapter 37: The Arrogant Li Qingren

Li Qingren dashed downstairs, finally arriving at the entrance of Huiyuan Community.

In front of the gate stood fifteen young men, each sporting tattoos and hair dyed in a medley of colors.

One of them, spotting Li Qingren, flicked away his cigarette and strode over.

"Li Qingren, did you get the money?" The youth blocked Li Qingren’s way, swaggering as he spoke.

"Brother Huan, could you give me a few more days? I swear I’ll pay you back then," Li Qingren pleaded, terror etched in his face.

This so-called Brother Huan was a notorious gang leader, ruthless and commanding a sizable crew.

He had come with Li Qingren today for debt collection.

Brother Huan’s question meant he knew Li Qingren had failed to collect the money.

"Dammit, no money? Then tonight I’m taking your leg!" Brother Huan slapped Li Qingren hard across the face, leaving a vivid red handprint.

Li Qingren dared not protest, fear gripping him.

"Brother Huan, I truly couldn’t get the money today. Please, just give me two more days. I’ll definitely pay you," Li Qingren begged.

He’d come to collect a debt, only to run into trouble. He could only blame his rotten luck.

He didn’t dare go back up; if Yang Fan saw him, who knew what fate awaited him.

The memory of nearly being thrown from the twelfth floor made his knees buckle.

"You think my words are just wind in your ears? I said I want the money today, or your leg’s mine," Brother Huan snarled, delivering another slap.

Suddenly, he caught a whiff of urine and realized it was coming from Li Qingren.

Looking down, he saw Li Qingren’s crotch was soaked.

"Damn, did you piss yourself?" Brother Huan pinched his nose, face twisted in disgust.

"Brother Huan, I nearly got tossed from the twelfth floor. If not for that guy, I could’ve gotten the money," Li Qingren stammered, still shaken.

Recalling Yang Fan’s icy stare, Li Qingren shivered involuntarily.

"Damn, just one guy scared you this badly? What a disgrace," Brother Huan cursed. "I don’t care how you do it. You’re paying me back tonight!"

Li Qingren was utterly at a loss.

He couldn’t dare go back up.

"Brother Huan, I can’t go up there. That guy will kill me," Li Qingren said, trembling.

"Afraid? Hell, I’ve got fifteen men behind you," Brother Huan shouted. "Bring him down here. I’ll teach him a lesson."

Hearing this, Li Qingren felt a surge of hope.

With Brother Huan’s aid, surely Yang Fan could be dealt with—after all, Yang Fan was only one man, and Brother Huan had fifteen.

The thought excited Li Qingren.

He picked up his phone and dialed Li Qiuya’s number.

Li Qiuya was restless at home when her phone rang. Seeing her father’s name, she frowned and answered, "I told you, I won’t give you money to gamble anymore!"

She had lost all trust in her father.

Today, she was utterly resolute—no money.

"Girl, tell that guy to come down. I’m getting revenge tonight," Li Qingren boasted. "He dared lay a hand on me, so I’ll show him what death means!"

With Brother Huan backing him, Li Qingren felt emboldened.

"You’re crazy! You can’t beat him," Li Qiuya yelled. "You were so scared you wet yourself, and now you want trouble again?"

"Dammit, I was alone earlier. Now I’ve got fifteen guys. I don’t believe I can’t take him down," Li Qingren bragged.

"Forget it. I won’t call him down. If you don’t leave, I’ll have security throw you out," Li Qiuya threatened angrily.

"Hmph, truth is, security won’t dare stop me," Li Qingren sneered. "If you won’t bring him down, I’ll take my men upstairs. Don’t blame me then."

"You’ll never get your way," Li Qiuya snapped.

Inside, Yang Fan overheard Li Qiuya and Li Qingren’s exchange.

Since Li Qingren was so reckless, Yang Fan decided it was time to give him a memorable lesson.

A dozen thugs meant nothing to him.

Yang Fan left the apartment and took the elevator downstairs.

Li Qiuya heard Yang Fan open the door, rushed out, and saw him entering the elevator.

"Yang Fan, are you crazy? They’ve got more than ten people!" she shouted.

She hurried over, but the elevator doors closed.

Helpless, she could only take the stairs.

As she hurried down, she called the community security.

But the guards claimed they had no time—clearly unwilling to get involved.

Inside the security booth, the guards dared not meddle.

They were just ordinary security with no background, unwilling to provoke the gang.

Yang Fan, upon reaching the ground floor, walked straight toward Li Qingren’s group.

"Brother Huan, that’s him," Li Qingren said as Yang Fan approached.

Brother Huan glanced at Yang Fan—a young man, nothing special—and dismissed him.

Just one guy, he figured he could handle it easily.

"Relax. Once I deal with him, you go back up and get the money," Brother Huan said, flicking his head confidently.

"Brother Huan, don’t worry. Once you deal with him, I’ll definitely get the money for you," Li Qingren replied.

He then shouted at Yang Fan, "Hey, kid, kneel and apologize now, or your fate will be miserable!"

With a dozen men around, Li Qingren was bold.

He didn’t believe Yang Fan could take on fifteen men.

"Kid, did you hear? If you kneel and apologize, we’ll go easy on you," Brother Huan said, cigarette dangling from his lips, his demeanor cocky.

Yang Fan fixed his gaze on Li Qingren and the others, his eyes icy.

Since they were spoiling for a beating, he’d oblige.

"Yang Fan, don’t go over there!" Li Qiuya cried as she rushed over.

Her arrival made the group of thugs’ eyes light up.

"Damn, it’s Li Qiuya, the superstar!" Brother Huan stared, surprised.

Suddenly, he wondered—could she really be Li Qingren’s daughter?

"Li Qingren, what’s your relationship with this superstar Li Qiuya?" Brother Huan asked.

Li Qingren hesitated, then answered, "She’s my daughter."

Brother Huan grinned, "Heh, Li Qingren, I can forget the money, but your daughter must spend a night with me."

A famous celebrity—just the thought of spending a night with Li Qiuya thrilled him.

Li Qingren looked troubled.

He knew he could never persuade Li Qiuya.

By then, Yang Fan was already standing before the group.