CHAPTER 842: CHAPTER 842: PROVOCATION

The man stepped between Xu Ke and Shui Jing, reaching out to pull Shui Jing. Xu Ke thought Shui Jing would break free, but unexpectedly, Shui Jing obediently stood beside the man.

"Weren’t you two chatting happily just now? Why are you suddenly silent now? What were you talking about? Come on, say it out loud so I can hear it. Let me see if it was really that funny." As the man spoke, the fat on his face trembled, and Shui Jing, standing by his side, gave Xu Ke an apologetic look.

"Why don’t you speak? What’s the point of being silent? If you two don’t say anything, I’ll let the onlookers tell me instead." As the man spoke, his gaze drifted towards the diner standing in front of Xu Ke and Shui Jing.

The diner, being stared at by the man, couldn’t help but tremble. To be honest, he hadn’t paid attention to what Xu Ke and Shui Jing said behind him, so how was he supposed to say anything?

"We were just exchanging a few words. This morning, I helped her catch a thief and retrieve her stolen phone, so she came over to say a couple of words to me. It’s as simple as that," Xu Ke said.

"You helped her get her phone back this morning, and now this evening, you two run into each other again. Are you going to tell me that’s destiny?" The man spoke in a booming voice.

"Yes, it’s just a coincidence," Xu Ke nodded in agreement.

"Do you think I’m an idiot? Or do you think you’re the idiot? What kind of luck lets you meet twice in one day?" The man’s tone was laced with unapologetic sarcasm and anger.

"Jingjing is the prettiest girl in this town. Do you dare say you have no thoughts about her? I now suspect you and that thief are in cahoots. The goal is to attract our family’s Jingjing’s attention, to get close to her. Isn’t that right, Jingjing?" The man said, shifting his gaze to Shui Jing.

"I think you might be right. I was just here waiting to buy something, and he came over to talk to me. Since he helped me before, I didn’t refuse and said a couple words to him." Shui Jing avoided meeting Xu Ke’s eyes, casting herself as a victim, innocently caught in the web Xu Ke had woven for her.

Listening to Shui Jing’s words turn black into white, Xu Ke finally understood the meaning behind her apologetic eyes.

Who could have imagined that he would be set up by Shui Jing in this place?

"Indeed, bad intentions toward Shui Jing. Without teaching you a lesson, you probably won’t understand why flowers are so red." The man flexed his fists, and the sound of cracking knuckles made it easy to imagine what would happen if such fists landed on someone’s body.

"We just exchanged a few words, there’s no need for this, is there? He hasn’t done anything bad to me." Shui Jing gently tugged on the man’s sleeve, speaking in a small voice.

"By the time he does something bad to you, it’ll be too late. People like him need to be taught a lesson. Without one, they won’t understand which women they can’t touch, or even look at. Or does it sadden you if I do this?" The man stopped flexing his fingers, his tiny, slit-like eyes resting on Shui Jing.

"No, no, I’m your woman. Don’t you know my thoughts? Suit yourself, as long as you’re happy. Just don’t beat him to death, or how will you explain things to the police? Are you willing to let me be a widow?" Shui Jing said, giving the man a gentle punch on the chest, causing the flesh on his chest to ripple like water.

Xu Ke could imagine the thickness of the fat under such a person’s skin, just looking at it was greasy and disgusting.

The man, seeing that Shui Jing was still concerned about him at this moment, said nothing, but felt exceptionally pleased in his heart, and looked at Xu Ke with an even more dangerous gaze than before.

"Kid, consider yourself unlucky running into me today. There are so many women on the street, why would you flirt with someone who’s with our boss? If I don’t teach you a lesson today, how will I continue to mix around here? Think of it as your bad luck, and next time make sure to open your eyes wide and don’t even look at someone you shouldn’t touch." The man stepped forward, and Xu Ke even felt the ground shaking with him.

Was Xu Ke scared? Of course not. He even felt his pores opening slightly because of this, his body trembling with excitement.

"Even though I would like to punch you to death, as my darling said, if I kill you, I’ll also be in trouble. So I’ve decided to be a little nicer to you. Do you want a broken arm or leg? I’m giving you a choice," the man arrogantly stated.

"Do you talk this much nonsense before a fight? Were the people who fought you before bored to death by you?" Xu Ke said impatiently.

"If you’re going to fight or kill, could you hurry it up? It’s almost my turn in line, and I don’t have so much free time to waste here with you guys. I’m still waiting to eat." Xu Ke took a quick glance ahead and roughly estimated the time, urging the man.

Seeing Xu Ke’s fearless demeanor and even showing such an expression was a loud slap to his face that the man couldn’t tolerate.

"I originally thought of showing some mercy for the sake of my darling, but I didn’t expect you to be so ungrateful. Since you said that, I don’t need to hold back against you." The man said, waving his hand, and his followers quickly retreated, also pulling the standing Shui Jing away with them.

"Sister-in-law, just stand here. Don’t get too close to the boss, lest you get accidentally hurt," one of the man’s followers said with a casual grin, eyes full of anticipation as if ready to watch a good show. They hadn’t considered that their boss might lose, even placing particularly arrogant bets in front of Xu Ke about how many rounds it would take for their boss to make him beg for mercy.

Seeing that a fight was about to break out, several familiar with the man among the crowd quickly pulled their friends back.

The queue that was lined up before scattered in no time, clearing space for the two in the center.

The shopkeeper wasn’t upset by the scene. They even pulled out two packs of sunflower seeds from behind the counter and began eating.

Xu Ke once again received Shui Jing’s apologetic gaze. He showed no expression, but internally he sneered at her crocodile tears, pretending to pity him.

"Let’s begin." Xu Ke said coldly.

"You’re the first person I’ve seen so eager to court death." The man rubbed his palms together and then lunged at Xu Ke.