Chapter 28: A Minor Punishment as a Grave Warning

“Xue Qiang, have you drunk so much that your mind’s gone to ruin? Calling me ‘old man’ and ‘master’—are you trying to put yourself on my level, or even above me?”

As the two men drew closer, Xue Qiang finally recognized Xiao Ziguang’s face. “It’s you? You freeloading scoundrel!”

“Have you swallowed courage or recklessness to meddle in my business?”

“Brothers, break his legs for me!”

At Xue Qiang’s command, his men seemed fueled by adrenaline, brandishing steel pipes as they charged forward.

Bang!

Gunfire echoed, the orange-red flames flickering in everyone’s eyes, reflecting the tension etched on their faces.

Xiao Ziguang raised his large black pistol, smirking with contempt. “There are seven of you, and I have seven bullets left. Why don’t you all test whose head is harder—yours or my bullets?”

Facing the black barrel, the henchmen dared not move, glancing at Xue Qiang and awaiting his next order.

Xue Qiang frowned. “Xiao Ziguang, what do you mean? How dare you point a gun at me? Do you know what you’re doing?”

“A freeloading son-in-law, a dog raised by the Xue family, disobedient and biting the hand that feeds him?”

“Put the gun down and kowtow three times; I might let this slide. Otherwise…”

Bang!

Another shot rang out. A yellow-haired thug wielding a steel pipe writhed on the ground, clutching his leg and wailing in pain. Blood poured out, the pungent metallic stench stabbing at everyone’s nerves.

“Drop your weapons! Hands on your heads, kneel down! Anyone who violently resists law enforcement or attempts to evade arrest, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

“Bullets don’t discriminate!”

Seeing Xiao Ziguang’s killing intent, everyone knew he was deadly serious. Some cowards began trembling, dropping their weapons, placing their hands on their heads, and kneeling.

Xue Qiang’s face flushed red with fury as he glared at Xiao Ziguang. “I don’t believe you have the nerve to shoot.”

“Then why don’t you try?”

“Now I’m the soldier and you’re the thief! What are you doing? Bullying a young girl? In stopping your crime, even if I have to shoot you, or kill you, it’s justified.”

“Even if your father asks, I’ll stand by my actions. You committed a crime! Rape! You’re a scoundrel!”

Xiao Ziguang raised his gun, aiming it at Xue Qiang’s head. “I’ll count to three. If you don’t cooperate, I’ll shoot!”

“One... three!”

Xue Qiang immediately spread his hands and shouted in panic, “You’re cheating! You skipped two and went straight to three!”

In this life as in the last, Xue Qiang was a coward. Usually brash and arrogant, but when faced with someone fiercer and more ruthless, even risking his life, he immediately folded like a wet rag.

Xiao Ziguang grabbed Xue Qiang and gestured for Zhou Huajian to control the scene and comfort the frightened girl.

Now meek, Xue Qiang trailed behind Xiao Ziguang and they moved to a small thicket by the roadside.

“Xue Qiang! You really disappoint me. If it were about Xue Wen, I might have called you brother-in-law. But look at what you’ve done! Trailing a young girl late at night, then raping her! Has the Xue family gone so broke you have to resort to this? Or are you so insecure about your appearance you don’t dare pursue women properly?”

At Xiao Ziguang’s words, Xue Qiang furrowed his brow, collecting himself. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing else. Just say you’re lucky!” Xiao Ziguang slapped Xue Qiang’s cheek. “I’m the one investigating this case today. If it were someone else, they’d have shot you dead on the spot. Neither your father nor the old man would say a word.”

“Because this filthy business you’ve done really disgraces the Xue family. It’s shameful beyond words!”

Xue Qiang’s eyes blazed with anger. “Xiao Ziguang, what do you mean? Don’t act so high and mighty in front of me!”

“I just slept with a few girls! They should feel honored. Mind your own business...”

Seeing Xue Qiang’s mouth moving, Xiao Ziguang shoved the barrel of his gun directly into Xue Qiang’s mouth—something he’d wanted to do last life but never dared.

Xue Qiang froze, feeling intense discomfort in his throat, wanting to vomit but unable. He wanted to pull away but feared Xiao Ziguang would shoot.

He wasn’t ready to die yet—not when he hadn’t enjoyed wealth and glory enough.

So, he slowly raised his hands, careful not to provoke Xiao Ziguang.

The loathsome face from his past life now appeared full of dread. A cleansing clarity welled up within Xiao Ziguang, bringing him satisfaction.

He slapped Xue Qiang again and again, each blow heavier than the last, until Xue Qiang’s face swelled. Then Xiao Ziguang spoke slowly, “Now, can you listen to me properly?”

Looking at Xue Qiang blinking, Xiao Ziguang lowered his voice. “This is a society ruled by law. No matter how many bad things you’ve done, you must face the consequences.”

“But if someone else is willing to take the blame for you, and the victim no longer pursues it, I can, for the sake of family, turn a blind eye.”

Xue Qiang was terrified, wanting to nod in agreement but afraid Xiao Ziguang might accidentally pull the trigger. He could only mumble.

“From now on, behave yourself. You can eat shit if you want, but keep your mouth clean. Ever seen ‘Young and Dangerous’? If you want to survive, act like a boss. Don’t be some petty thug doing dirty deeds in the shadows.”

Xiao Ziguang pulled the gun away, noticed the saliva on the barrel, and wiped it on Xue Qiang’s face.

Xue Qiang gasped for breath, eyes darting, unwilling to meet Xiao Ziguang’s gaze.

They say the son-in-law who married into the Xue family is a leech, but meeting him in person revealed a fierce man who didn’t even blink when shooting.

Is such a ruthless man really fit to be the Xue family’s son-in-law?

Xiao Ziguang understood the logic of punishing and rewarding from his last life. Seeing Xue Qiang dazed, he searched him and asked, “Got a cigarette? Give me one!”

Completely caught off guard, Xue Qiang hastily produced a pack and eagerly lit one for Xiao Ziguang.

“Brother-in-law, that’s just how I am. Though my words are harsh, it’s for your own good. No matter what, you’re the heir to the Xue family. Running around snatching women on the street gives a bad reputation.”

“You should act like the eldest young master of the Xue family, waiting for rich, beautiful, famous women to throw themselves at you. That’s how you maintain face and fit your status!”

When people are deeply terrified, they can develop hostage mentality, even Stockholm Syndrome.

In this moment, Xue Qiang felt Xiao Ziguang’s words made sense. He had status, and what he’d been doing was beneath him.

“Brother-in-law, you’re the only son of the second uncle and will take over the Xue family. You have to handle big matters, so control yourself and don’t make mistakes over trivial things.”

“By the way, I heard your father is talking with my father-in-law about exchanging Shangfu Street for Yunling Mine. Maybe we can broker a deal. If it works out, we can both benefit.”