Chapter 75: An Unexpected Incident

"Zhao Fan, wait for me," a voice called from behind, prompting Zhao Fan to turn around. He saw Chen Tianyu and paused.

"I say, Chen Tianyu, your figure isn't great—you don't look like you're running," Zhao Fan remarked.

Chen Tianyu responded instinctively, "If I'm not running, what am I doing?"

"Rolling," Zhao Fan replied.

Chen Tianyu was a beat slower, "What?"

"I said, you look like you're rolling over here."

Chen Tianyu was speechless.

Seeing the little chubby's aggrieved expression, Zhao Fan coughed lightly and quickly changed the subject. "Why did you call me?"

"Oh, it's about my big brother."

"Chen Jianyu? What's wrong with him?"

His new supermarket had just opened, and Chen Jianyu, along with his followers, had gone there to work as security. There shouldn't have been any trouble.

Glancing around, Chen Tianyu spoke in a mysterious manner, "I think my big brother is acting strange."

"What do you mean?"

"He’s been leaving early and coming back late, washing his hair and face every day, shaving his beard, and he doesn’t sleep in anymore..."

Zhao Fan was silent.

Chen Jianyu was leaving early and coming back late because of work, cleaning up his appearance to look presentable, and as for sleeping in, you lose that luxury once you start a job.

Chen Tianyu continued, "My brother must be up to something again, and I'm a little worried."

Hearing this, Zhao Fan understood what Chen Tianyu meant. "Are you planning to catch him in the act, or do you want me to talk to him?"

Chen Tianyu grinned, "I kind of want both."

Zhao Fan sighed, then promptly slapped Chen Tianyu on the head.

"I've seen fools, but never one as foolish as you. Catch him? Come on, I'll help you figure it out."

"Alright."

Zhao Fan took Chen Tianyu to Feiteng Supermarket No. 2, deliberately avoiding the staff and heading straight for Chen Jianyu.

At that moment, Chen Jianyu was dressed in a security uniform, hauling a small rack.

When they came face to face, Chen Jianyu was momentarily stunned then frowned. "It's not Sunday, is it? Why aren't you in school? What are you doing here?"

Chen Tianyu was at a loss. "I—I just..."

He instinctively looked at Zhao Fan, unsure how to explain.

Picking up on his plea, Zhao Fan replied calmly, "Someone thinks his big brother has been acting weird lately, and since I happened to be heading back to school today..."

Chen Tianyu quickly covered Zhao Fan's mouth. "Bro, bro, please don't say anymore."

Chen Jianyu smiled helplessly. "Let my boss go, alright? Sorry, sorry for the trouble."

Brushing Chen Tianyu's hand aside, Zhao Fan said, "It's no trouble. Just explain things properly to him, then take him back to school."

"Alright."

After leaving, Zhao Fan spoke with the supermarket manager, granting Chen Jianyu a half-day off. Just as he was about to head home, he received a call from his mother.

"Xiao Fan, hurry back! Hurry back, ah!"

His mother's scream echoed through the phone, accompanied by the sounds of smashing and a child's cries, all chaotic and loud.

In an instant, Zhao Fan's face darkened.

"Mom, what happened?"

A second later, a stranger’s voice came through the receiver.

"Boss Zhao, it's me."

A familiar male voice, full of smugness, came from the phone.

Zhao Fan stared ahead, coldly calling out a name, "Wang Dahu."

"Ha, Boss Zhao remembers me. That's right, it's me, Wang Dahu. Care to meet?"

Zhao Fan closed his eyes. From the earlier sounds, Wang Dahu was definitely in his home. His mother and Zhao Yun’er were in Wang Dahu’s hands.

"Alright, I’ll come home right now."

Wang Dahu warned, "Don’t even think about calling the police. I’m telling you, if I see any officers arrive, I can’t guarantee what’ll happen to your mother and that little girl."

"Don’t worry, I won’t call the police."

Hanging up, a cold glint flashed in Zhao Fan's eyes—like hell he wouldn’t; he headed straight for the police station.

An hour later, Zhao Fan arrived at his door. Just as he stopped, the door swung open, and two men stood in the doorway, grinning at him.

"Boss Zhao’s back. Come in, our boss has been waiting a long time."

Zhao Fan smiled faintly. "The road was long; I got held up."

With that, he stepped past them and entered, searching immediately for his mother and Zhao Yun’er.

Seeing the two tied up in a corner, and confirming they were only frightened and otherwise unharmed, Zhao Fan withdrew his gaze.

"Wang Dahu, what do you want?"

"What do I want? Don't you know, Boss Zhao?"

"That’s a funny thing to say. Why should I know what you want?"

"Hmph, Zhao Fan, I didn’t come here to waste words with you. Enough nonsense—give me three hundred thousand."

"Three hundred thousand?" Zhao Fan scoffed, "Wang Dahu, do you take me for a fool? You ask for three hundred thousand, why not just rob me?"

"Rob? Three hundred thousand is nothing. Zhao Fan, you made me oppose the Bai family—cost me my reputation. Three hundred thousand can’t make up for that."

Wang Dahu spoke through gritted teeth. Since his men returned, the Bai family had treated him as a traitor, blocking him from all sides.

The reputation he’d spent years building was destroyed by the Bai family’s actions.

"Zhao Fan, you’ve ruined me."

Zhao Fan sneered, "Don’t forget, Wang Dahu, I came to you with money. Whether you agreed was up to you. Greed wasn’t my fault."

He made his own choices, then came back to blame Zhao Fan—how amusing.

Wang Dahu spat on the floor. "So I was greedy—because you tempted me. You must compensate for my losses."

"What if I refuse?"

Wang Dahu glanced at Zhao Fan’s mother and Zhao Yun’er, smirking coldly.

"If you refuse, I can’t guarantee their safety. That little girl just got out of the hospital, right? So young, already suffered once and now again. Who knows if she can take it?"

"Wang Dahu, you’re breaking the law."

"Who saw? Who—"

Before Wang Dahu could finish, the door was kicked open.

"Everyone get down! No resistance!"

Before anyone could react, the officers rushed in and took control of everyone, leaving only Wang Dahu standing, stunned.

"You—you all..."

After a moment, Wang Dahu exploded in anger. "Zhao Fan, how dare you go back on your word and call the police!"

Zhao Fan gave a dismissive snort, his eyes full of disdain. "Isn’t that obvious? Why would I face you alone? I’m not stupid."

I’m not stupid!

Those four words struck Wang Dahu like a blow to the heart. As the officer pressed his shoulder, Wang Dahu kept his eyes fixed on Zhao Fan.

"Zhao Fan, just you wait. You wait..."

Wang Dahu and his henchmen were taken away. Zhao Fan picked up Zhao Yun’er and helped his mother to her feet.

"Thank you, Officer Fang."

Fang Tiancheng poked his head in from outside and, hearing those words, laughed heartily. "No need for thanks—just happened to be in the area. Are you all okay?"

Zhao Fan’s mother instinctively replied, "We’re—we’re fine."

"That’s good. Let’s head to the station."