Chapter 13: The Bet

“Did you see that, big brother? It’s the boss lady—she’s definitely come looking for this kid again!”

Several young men appeared outside the hospital entrance, their faces lightly made up, dressed in black denim shirts.

The speaker was Luo Xiang. The person walking briskly past them was Zhou Xiaonan.

“That’s right, big brother. The boss lady must have a special relationship with Chu Nan. Last time she even brought him dinner. This time, it’s definitely breakfast!” another underling said, his face full of indignation.

“What should we do, big brother? Should we hold back? The boss lady just—”

“Slap!” Long Junhao’s face turned green with anger as he slapped the underling across the face. “Hold back? Do you think I can? Hurry up and take me inside to find him!”

“Big brother, you’ve finally decided to deal with him. Let’s go!” Luo Xiang was overjoyed. Once big brother made a move, that guy wouldn’t walk away unscathed. Luo Xiang could already imagine him trembling under big brother’s feet.

“He’s in here!”

“Don’t make a move without my permission, got it?” Long Junhao said darkly.

Though usually domineering, Long Junhao was hesitant to start a fight in a hospital.

Sometimes his father’s position was a great support, but other times it brought more constraints.

Long Junhao wasn’t a fool. Usually, fights were mutual; no one was entirely innocent. But unprovoked severe assault, especially in a hospital, was a different matter.

“Don’t worry, big brother!” Luo Xiang hurried to reassure him.

“Your hair falls like snow, sorrowful parting…”

“I light incense, but who am I moving…”

Chu Nan was listening to some popular songs from 2006 on his phone after breakfast. Suddenly, he realized he might make money through this. But the commotion outside quickly disrupted his thoughts.

“Could Zhou Xiaonan be back again?”

Before he could finish his thought, the door was violently pushed open.

“You’re Chu Nan?”

The leader, a tall, handsome young man, spoke first.

Chu Nan took off his earphones and smiled faintly. “You must be Long Junhao.”

“You little punk, how dare you speak to me like that? Calling me Long Ge? Long Junhao is not a name you can use!”

Luo Xiang lunged forward and grabbed Chu Nan’s collar.

Chu Nan raised his phone. “Luo Xiang, it seems last time’s lesson wasn’t enough. I’m still a patient now. You’re making me dizzy—I'm calling the police.”

“You little—!” Luo Xiang’s eyes reddened. He tried to snatch Chu Nan’s phone.

“Luo Xiang, shut up!” Long Junhao glared fiercely at him.

“Yes, big brother.”

“Chu Nan, I don’t want to waste words. You know why I’m here. From now on, stay away from Zhou Xiaonan, or I’ll break your leg. If you don’t believe me, try it!”

Long Junhao spoke viciously.

Chu Nan smiled and nodded. “I believe you. After all, you’re the police chief’s son. You do have some tricks.”

“Did Zhou Xiaonan tell you who I am?”

“That’s none of her business. Everyone knows the famous Long Ge.”

Long Junhao narrowed his eyes. “So you agree to my terms?”

Chu Nan shook his head.

“You’re asking for death!” Long Junhao’s face darkened.

“Big brother, should we deal with him now?” Luo Xiang was eager. He had been sent to the police station several times for fights but was always released because of Long Junhao’s father. He was fearless.

“Long Junhao, how about a bet? If I lose, I’ll stay away from Zhou Xiaonan. If I win, you won’t interfere with my normal contact with her.”

“Normal contact? Damn it, she brings you breakfast every day! How is that normal?!” Long Junhao’s face turned nearly green.

Chu Nan remained calm. “First, I’m a patient. Second, you should ask her why she brings me breakfast. We’re just friends.”

Long Junhao regained some composure. “Is that true? Are you really just friends?”

Chu Nan said, “I swear on a lifetime of bachelorhood.”

Chu Nan didn’t care—he had been single in his past life, so if that oath came true, it would apply to the previous life.

“Boss, don’t listen to his nonsense. I say we break one of his legs…”

“Slap! Didn’t I tell you to shut up?!” Long Junhao slapped the talking underling so hard his face twisted.

Luo Xiang wanted to speak but fell silent at the sight.

Long Junhao suddenly pulled Luo Xiang aside and whispered something in his ear. Luo Xiang’s face lit up with a triumphant smile.

“Speak. What’s the wager?” Long Junhao asked.

“I don’t like fighting or violence. How about a singing contest after I’m discharged?” Chu Nan proposed.

“A singing contest?!” Luo Xiang laughed loudly. “You don’t know what Long Ge’s trained in…”

“Shut up!” Long Junhao glared.

“Fine, I agree. But if you can’t deliver…”

Chu Nan smiled. “If I can’t, I’m at your mercy.”

Long Junhao was secretly delighted but kept his face calm. “Time, place, rules.”

“Near our school, at the Garden Plaza. Next Saturday after school. Each of us sings one song. The audience judges. No buying votes.”

“Who the hell would buy votes? We’re not afraid of you buying votes!”

Long Junhao looked at Chu Nan coldly. “My brothers and I are a team. I’ll cooperate with them.”

Chu Nan smiled. “By all means.”

“Good. Remember what you said today. If you lose, stay away from Zhou Xiaonan. If you dare to show up, you know the consequences.”

“Long Junhao, listen to me. If I win, besides not interfering, you have to either call me Brother Chu or deliberately avoid me.”

“Chu Nan, damn it!” Luo Xiang couldn’t hold back and cursed loudly.

“Slap!” Long Junhao slapped him again. “Good kid. Don’t worry. I always keep my word. But if you fail, you might as well not be human ever again!”

After speaking, Long Junhao smiled as he straightened Chu Nan’s collar. “I hope you’ll still be smiling then.”

Chu Nan returned a gentle smile. “Not only will I smile, but I’ll smile brightly.”

Long Junhao stared deeply at Chu Nan. “If you don’t come next Saturday, I’ll drag you here in front of everyone!”

“Are you done? If so, leave. I want to listen to my music.”

“Let’s go!”

Watching the four walk away, Chu Nan’s lips curved upward, but the smile was cold.

They had provoked him repeatedly. It was time to teach them a lesson.

Music was their pride. If he could defeat their greatest pride, they would surely feel wounded and defeated…