Chapter 133: What a Complete Lack of Grace

“Me, Chen Huajiang, bullying others? Who exactly is bullying whom?”

“I provided you with free training, teaching you the craft, and did I ever charge you a single penny? I supplied you with food carts in advance; after you made money, you paid me back at cost price, and if you didn’t earn anything, you could just return the carts—did I ever ask for a cent?”

“At first, when I let you set up stalls here, you complained about the lack of customers. You all caused a ruckus, wanting to move elsewhere, and I finally agreed. Is that bullying? What exactly did I, Chen Huajiang, do to bully you?”

Chen Huajiang’s anger flared as he pointed at them sharply, raising his voice.

With his words, even Zhang Hao, full of rage moments before, couldn’t help but avert his gaze slightly.

The surrounding crowd was visibly moved as well.

“Boss Chen is right. If this is bullying, then there’s no such thing as not bullying in this world.”

“Don’t think we’re unaware. When Boss Chen first set up the free training center, neighbors and even some of us said he was an idiot, that he had a screw loose. Most of us learned from him just to catch a break.”

“Ungrateful wretch! Zhang Hao, I swear, I don’t want to see you again. If you show up here, I’ll teach you a lesson every time.”

Many stall owners loudly supported Chen Huajiang, casting disdainful looks at Zhang Hao.

“I’ve seen plenty of people like you. I didn’t want to stoop to your level out of respect for everyone’s hardship, but you’re really something—impersonating Kunlun Catering’s brand and ruining its reputation?”

“If you want to play dirty, I’ll play to the bitter end. Zhang Bao, call the police immediately and hold onto this evidence. Ermao, contact the lawyer,”

Chen Huajiang said coldly, signaling Zhang Bao and the others to detain Zhang Hao and seize the food carts as evidence.

“What are you doing!? Boss Chen, I admit my mistake, I know I was wrong—please give me one more chance!”

Zhang Hao panicked—not because he feared Chen Huajiang calling the police, but the prospect of a lawsuit and having to pay damages.

In recent days, between handling the carts and ingredients, plus poor business, he was almost broke.

Judging by Chen Huajiang’s attitude, it seemed he was ready to go all out against him, and panic engulfed his heart.

“Gao Yun, Gao Yun, help me!”

“We’re neighbors after all, and you’re the one who set us up here in the first place.”

Zhang Hao called out to Gao Yun in the crowd, grasping at straws like a drowning man desperate for a lifeline.

Originally, Gao Yun intended to speak up for him, after all, they were neighbors and somewhat familiar faces.

But Zhang Hao’s words made her feel utterly disgusted. What did he mean by “set us up”? As if she orchestrated everything behind the scenes like a mastermind.

This was a frame-up aimed at her, and sure enough, everyone turned to look at her simultaneously.

Her face flushed with anger as she pointed at Zhang Hao, shouting, “You’re talking nonsense! When I spoke up for you last time, it was because you all were making such a fuss—unable to earn money and with families to support. And now you blame me?”

“If you hadn’t supported us, we wouldn’t have left this spot. If we had just hung on a bit longer, business would have picked up here. Would we have left otherwise?”

Zhang Hao kept arguing, his tone and expression resolute. He had crafted his own logical loop and convinced himself it was true.

If Gao Yun hadn’t supported them, no matter how hard Chen Huajiang tried to keep them, once they endured the initial hardships, they would have stayed to make money.

“You— you’re utterly shameless!”

Gao Yun’s anger boiled over, her face red as she stammered, her body trembling.

The crowd’s looks toward Zhang Hao were filled with contempt; even Chen Huajiang was speechless at this man’s selfishness.

Everyone else was wrong; only he was right.

“Fine, fine, I, Gao Yun, was blind and foolish to help someone like you.”

“Boss Chen, can you please spare them this time for my sake? I was wrong to support them last time.”

Gao Yun looked at Chen Huajiang, addressing him as “Boss Chen” now, clearly embarrassed and pleading.

Chen Huajiang understood her meaning—to sever ties with Zhang Hao once and for all.

Seeing her beseeching expression, he decided to show some leniency—for after all, she was a fellow disciple of Old Master Gao.

“In consideration of you, I’ll let them off this once.”

Chen Huajiang nodded slightly; Gao Yun thanked him, and Zhang Hao breathed a sigh of relief.

“But I don’t trust this guy. Zhang Bao, have him write a letter of guarantee.”

“Ermao, go to the photo studio and have the photographer document the evidence here.”

“If this bastard tries to cause trouble again, we’ll settle both old and new scores.”

Chen Huajiang instructed the two, and Zhang Hao’s briefly relaxed face darkened once more.

The crowd was stirred, finally understanding that although Chen Huajiang was usually easygoing, if his interests were threatened, he was ruthless.

Thus, Zhang Bao took Zhang Hao to write the guarantee letter, while Ermao went to fetch the photographer.

It took about an hour to complete everything.

“Thank you,”

Gao Yun approached Chen Huajiang again as he was leaving.

Her heart was full of grievance, much like the parable of the man and the wolf.

Chen Huajiang waved her off without comforting her, mounting his bicycle and riding away.

This only deepened Gao Yun’s sense of injustice; she had expected some consolation.

“Really lacking in grace,” she muttered, oddly thinking of that very word, yet feeling inexplicably better.

It meant he hadn’t taken the matter to heart at all.

Back home, Zhang Hao brooded more and more; he refused to believe he was in the wrong.

Was it not just that he used Kunlun Catering’s brand? Was it not just that he competed with Zhang Bao and the others?

It was Chen Huajiang and his people being too oppressive, leaving him no way to survive.

After downing a bottle of white liquor, Zhang Hao thought of his cousin Zhang Hao, three years older, who thrived in the underworld with seven or eight brothers following him.

“This can’t end like this. I, Zhang Hao, won’t be beaten for nothing. I’m no pushover!”

He drained the bottle and strode out decisively.

He found his cousin Zhang Hao, who was playing cards at home with a few brothers. Upon seeing him, Zhang Hao barely glanced his way.

Though cousins, they weren’t close, and Zhang Hao didn’t regard him highly.

Zhang Hao understood this—blood ties don’t always mean family.

He approached and exaggerated the story, emphasizing Chen Huajiang’s wealth and promising that whatever money his cousin helped him obtain would be split evenly.

Indeed, Zhang Hao was instantly convinced. Slapping the table with a loud smack, he feigned anger:

“Anyone who dares mess with my brother Zhang Hao clearly doesn’t take me seriously. I’ll handle this for you. Even if it’s the King of Heaven himself, he’ll have to pay you compensation!”

And so, the two resolved to squeeze Chen Huajiang for a payoff.