Chapter 114: Even Scoundrels Have Standards (Part II)

Under the intense percussion beats and dazzling stage lights, the excited Shuyi ignored Kang Ning’s advice, refused the offered fruit juice and soda, and instead pretended to drink beer. Kang Ning couldn’t help but smile at her antics but didn’t want to interrupt her rare joy and occasional subconscious indulgence.

At nine o’clock, the hour-long show began. Several male and female singers took turns belting out songs on stage, interspersed with local skits and a quirky act involving swallowing shattered glass. Shuyi, who had never experienced such a live event before, sometimes covered her mouth to laugh and at other times exclaimed in surprise. Kang Ning thought to himself that this must be the happiest moment the charming young woman had had in years.

Near the stage sat the village chief’s three nephews, who were quite rowdy. Their looks left much to be desired, and their voices were louder than everyone else’s, frequently shouting obscenities. Several times, they stuck their greasy fingers into their mouths and defiantly let out sharp whistles.

As time passed and alcohol took effect, the three grew increasingly reckless and arrogant. When a female singer passed by in a long dress, the village chief’s eldest son—who appeared to have some neurological impairment—shamelessly craned his head under her skirt, provoking uproarious laughter from the crowd.

However, the displeased expressions on the faces of the surrounding security guards and the displeasure radiating from the stage did not escape Kang Ning’s keen eyes. His face bore a faint smile as he saw Shuyi beside him seething with indignation. He gently squeezed her hand and said, “There’s no need to get upset over such petty ruffians. Believe me, evil-doers will eventually meet their just deserts.”

“But… Brother Xiaohua, don’t they look less than human? So shameless! I really want to give them a piece of my mind!” Shuyi’s angry expression captivated Kang Ning. Not hearing his reply, she turned to look at him and caught the tender gaze in his eyes. Her heart fluttered, and her fair, delicate face flushed deeply, yet she coquettishly scolded him in a soft voice, “Brother Xiaohua, you’re so bad! You’re making me embarrassed. Your expression is just like…”

Kang Ning laughed heartily when Shuyi trailed off and lowered her head. “Why don’t you finish? What do I look like? Am I like a hooligan too?”

Shuyi lifted her head and pressed her four warm, slender fingers gently against Kang Ning’s lips. “I won’t let you say that about yourself! I… I’m just a little embarrassed.”

“No worries. It’s rare to see you this happy today. Say whatever you want—even call me a hooligan—I won’t mind. But I’m probably a different kind of hooligan from the rest, ha!” Kang Ning tightened his grip on Shuyi’s hand and chuckled self-deprecatingly.

After some banter, the lights dimmed, and a slow waltz began to play. Kang Ning knew that after this five-minute dance, the stage would shift to a fiery disco session. Just as he was about to ask Shuyi if she wanted to dance, he noticed the village chief’s nephew standing for the sixth time, staggering toward the restroom. Kang Ning smiled gently at Shuyi, saying he’d be right back, then walked slowly in the direction of the nephew.

The restroom was brightly lit. The drunken nephew was leaning over a toilet stall, retching violently. Others nearby distanced themselves in disgust. Kang Ning hurried over and patted the nephew’s back, asking with concern, “Brother, can you hold on?”

“Piece of cake… ugh…” the nephew groaned.

Covering his nose, Kang Ning looked up to see many men avoiding the sight, some clearly drunk and eager to finish quickly and leave without closing their zippers.

With a heart full of compassion, Kang Ning gently shifted the nephew inward, enduring the stench as he confined himself with the vomiting man in the small stall.

Kang Ning had originally planned to knock one of the three out and tamper with them, but now it was much easier. He pulled out a recently purchased fluorescent spray can from his pocket, smiled, and began painting on the back of the nephew’s black T-shirt. Like a calligraphy master, he skillfully wrote what he intended and, after admiring his work, put the can away.

Just as Kang Ning was about to leave, worried that this clueless drunkard might pass out here and ruin his plan, he gently pressed under the nephew’s stomach twice. When the man finally stopped retching, weak and limp, Kang Ning generously gave him an exclusive head massage for nearly two minutes. When the nephew began to regain consciousness and struggled to stand, Kang Ning opened the door and strode out to the sink to wash his hands thoroughly.

The burly nephew, now sober, staggered over to Kang Ning and stood under the faucet to rinse his face. After a while, he shut off the water, wiped his soaked head with his hands, and studied his reflection in the large mirror like a boxer preparing for a match. He let out a roar and, stepping forward with determined resolve, returned to his seat. Immediately, he shouted loudly, insisting on getting his two brothers drunk again.

Kang Ning smiled as he returned to his seat, grabbed Shuyi’s hand, and planted an excited kiss on it. Shuyi blushed deeply, her body going soft as she nestled tightly against his shoulder.

Not long after the powerful disco beat began, only a few people were on the wide stage dancing under the flickering, hypnotic laser lights. The village chief’s three nephews were loudly competing in a drinking contest. The DJ on stage, who resembled a sprout, was irritated by their noise and glared in their direction. Suddenly, he was shocked to see the back of the nephew’s shirt flashing under the laser lights, displaying five conspicuous red characters and a large exclamation mark: “Ni San is my son!”

This was a bombshell!

Kang Ning was delighted and, with excitement rivaling a new Level 6 achievement, called over four or five security guards and several fierce-looking men. Pointing angrily at the nephew, he shouted something. The group stared dumbfounded at the five red characters for a moment before their fury erupted. They surged toward the village chief’s nephews, mercilessly beating them. The three unlucky men, bewildered, were knocked to the ground by dozens of fists, followed by countless boots trampling their bodies.

After the brutal beating, when the three bruised and battered men still had the strength to beg for mercy, the leader of the attackers roared. The furious crowd, far from satisfied, collectively threw the three onto the stage and continued the assault. Bottles, stools, shoes, sneakers, and microphone stands—all were used against the wailing victims.

The previously timid sprout-like DJ, emboldened by the scene, quickly switched to a heavy metal percussion track, cranked the volume to maximum, donned headphones, and, imitating Michael Jackson, performed dazzling moonwalks.

Hundreds of young men and women watched in terror. The upper balcony was packed, with many exclaiming: “Those three bastards won’t survive this!”

Shocked and trembling, Shuyi clung tightly to Kang Ning’s neck, whispering, “Brother Xiaohua… let’s go! I’m scared!”

Kang Ning glanced at the shattered glass and broken stools littering the stage, then at the dozen or so panting thugs wiping sweat. Seeing the DJ’s impressive dance moves, he couldn’t contain his amusement and laughed aloud, “Ha! This is too entertaining! I’d happily spend a few hundred more yuan for this. Alright, let’s go now… silly girl, don’t waste your sympathy and pity on such scum.”

Back in the car after leaving the disco, a calmer yet still excited Shuyi exclaimed, “Brother Xiaohua, those three villains definitely won’t dare bully anyone in the village again!”

“That’s right! Those aren’t decent people. When dogs fight, villagers are the happiest. Ha! Didn’t I tell you? Evil will be met with evil. That came fast!” Kang Ning said cheerfully, though inwardly he thought: Given the unique coordinated beating just now, even if those three survive, spending tens of thousands on treatment, I wouldn’t bet on any of them managing to walk 500 meters in an hour ever again.