CHAPTER 378: CHAPTER 378: BLIND

Since they decided to stay a few more days in the States, Xu Ke and Lin Mengyao had a lot of things to buy.

As they were walking out of a clothing store with Lin Mengyao, they ran into someone at the corner.

"Sorry about that." Xu Ke said, holding Lin Mengyao’s hand, to the couple standing in front of them.

"A simple apology will do?" The man had a cigarette in his mouth, tattoos sprawling from his arm to the top of his head, with numerous piercings making him look like a menacing butcher.

The man was holding a typical American woman with a full figure. Her skin was pale, lips painted black, half of her hair shaved into a buzz cut while the other half long and straight, making the two of them appear quite bizarre.

"What do you want then?" Xu Ke asked softly, noticing the man’s apparent reluctance to let the matter go.

"Of course, kneel and apologize to me. Who do you think you are to stand before me? Kneel and apologize, and I might consider forgiving you." The man looked down at Xu Ke, as if he were of noble standing.

"What if I don’t?" Xu Ke frowned, a hint of displeasure in his eyes; everyone is created equal, who’s superior to whom?

Displeased with such arrogance, Xu Ke’s face betrayed his feelings, making his thoughts quite clear to everyone around.

Sure enough, Xu Ke’s attitude angered the ferocious-looking man, "What kind of look is that? Who do you think you’re looking down on? Let me tell you, this is the States; mind your words and actions, or I’ll make sure you disappear from this city." The man warned and threatened with narrowed eyes.

Seeing the people emerging behind him carrying things with no reaction whatsoever, Xu Ke surmised their intentions, only confirming what he already suspected without disappointment.

"You talk like you’re the king of this city, calling the shots here?" Xu Ke gently pushed Lin Mengyao behind him, speaking unhurriedly.

"Hahaha, exactly, I make the rules here. If you want to leave here unscathed, you better listen to me. Kneel and apologize, but..." The man glanced down at his shoes, "My shoes are dirty; lick them clean and admit you’re worse than a pig or a dog, and I’ll let you go." The man said proudly, head held high.

"But as far as I remember, this city is divided; there’s a Boss in the East District and another in the West District, isn’t there?" Xu Ke said with a slight smirk.

"How dare you question me? You’re nothing but an uncouth, shameless lowlife. What do you know?" The man said impatiently.

"I don’t really like solving problems with fists. Whenever there’s room for discussion, I prefer it that way. But you are just too detestable, making it impossible to let this go." Xu Ke licked his left back molar, his eyes growing cold.

Originally, he planned to let someone else handle the situation, but now he changed his mind; the man’s words were too infuriating. If he didn’t act personally, he wouldn’t be able to quell his anger. What a tough decision this was." Xu Ke thought nonchalantly while swiftly punching, landing a hit on the man’s nose, the crack of a breaking nosebone satisfying to hear.

The man covered his aching nose, bending over with eyes tearing up, his massive frame hunched over, blood seeping through his fingers.

"I detest your words. I hope this is the first and last time. And I hope you don’t appear in front of me and my wife again. I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold back if you do. Your words truly disgust me." Xu Ke dusted off his hands where he had touched the man, as if removing dirt.

"Is it okay?" Lin Mengyao asked softly, glancing at the man who was bent over, clutching his nose, and moaning softly. She touched her own nose while she spoke.

"It’s nothing, just a street thug with no real ability, nothing to worry about." Xu Ke couldn’t be bothered to look at the man again. Instead, he gently fixed Lin Mengyao’s hair, which had somehow become tousled, and spoke softly.

"Let’s go. We’ve bought clothes, and we still need shoes." Xu Ke said, shaking their joined hands.

"Okay." Lin Mengyao nodded, putting the matter out of her mind.

Just as they were about to leave, an unexpected turn of events occurred. The woman comforting the man suddenly pulled a gun from his waist, aimed at Xu Ke, and pulled the trigger. She hadn’t said a single word from start to finish, but her big eyes were full of malice.

Xu Ke didn’t see the woman draw the gun, but instinct told him danger was near. Letting go of Lin Mengyao’s hand instantly and pushing her head down, he bent down as well. As soon as they ducked, a flowerpot not far from them shattered, the gunshot deafening.

Without hesitation, Xu Ke’s movements flowed like water; pulling Lin Mengyao, he dodged the first shot and took cover behind a massive pillar in the mall. Just after they hid, shot after shot rang out, the sound of high heels clicking on the floor getting closer, as if the whole mall had cleared out, leaving them alone.

Despite the gun aimed at her head earlier, this was Lin Mengyao’s first real encounter with such a situation. She trembled uncontrollably, the sensation of a bullet grazing her scalp lingering, making her shiver like a frightened rabbit, feeling utterly pitiful.

Xu Ke gently caressed Lin Mengyao’s back, while counting the bullets in the enemy’s magazine.

Finally, after another gunshot sounded, Xu Ke spoke up.

"Are you really just going to stand by and watch? We are your boss’s guests of honor. If anything happens to us, do you think your life will be easy when you return? You’re aware of your boss’s means, and these two just disrespected your boss, showing their ambitions. If you don’t act now and your boss finds out, imagine the consequences. Don’t say I didn’t warn you." Xu Ke shouted, holding Lin Mengyao close behind the pillar.