Chapter 189

Chapter 189 - You Are Finished!

The gun had just been wrested from the clutches of the gang leader, and now, without a moment's hesitation, it was pressed firmly against Xu Shaoning's head.

Zhang Xiaolong might overlook a robbery, but he would never stand for anyone bullying Yaru.

Su Mei watched from a distance as Zhang Xiaolong stood gun in hand, facing off with Chen Yaru. She was filled with envy. If only a man would show such fury on her behalf, she would willingly devote her all to him.

In her mind, she couldn't help but imagine herself in Chen Yaru's place. If Xu Shaoning had intended to humiliate her, would Zhang Xiaolong have leaped to her defense as well?

She shied away from pondering the answer, fearing it would be too hard to bear. Instead, she chose to believe that he would care for her just as much.

Xu Shaoning had clearly not anticipated Zhang Xiaolong being armed. Yet, he quickly regained his composure. “What's this? You want to see everyone here dead?”

He aimed his own gun at Zhang Xiaolong. “Fine, if you're so brave, go ahead and shoot. I assure you, the moment I'm dead, this woman will be beyond saving!”

No sooner had he spoken than two waiters trained their guns on Chen Yaru.

“Drop the gun!” commanded Xu Shaoning.

“Xiaolong...” Chen Yaru, seeing Zhang Xiaolong's hesitation and fearing Xu Shaoning might fire at any second, urgently shook him.

She was torn. If Zhang Xiaolong surrendered his weapon, she might end up being humiliated, and in the worst way: publicly, and in front of Zhang Xiaolong.

But if he refused, Xu Shaoning might very well shoot him dead.

It seemed there was no good option, but her resolve was ironclad; she would not let Xu Shaoning lay a finger on her, no matter what. She preferred death to that disgrace and would never allow Zhang Xiaolong to endure such indignity.

“Put it down!” Xu Shaoning bellowed once more.

With a flick of his thumb, Zhang Xiaolong let the magazine slide out of the pistol and into his left hand.

He tossed the now-empty gun far into the swimming pool, while in his hand, he methodically ejected the bullets from the magazine, one by one, in what seemed an act devoid of purpose.

“Xu Shaoning, it's all over. I've said before that no one is allowed to lay a finger on Chen Yaru, and that certainly includes you!” Zhang Xiaolong retorted, his hand in motion.

The sound of the slap echoed as Xu Shaoning's cheek ballooned and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

“Damn you, you dare to strike me?” Xu Shaoning was stunned, taking a moment to comprehend what had happened before he spun around, yelling at the onlookers, “Are you all dead? Shoot, shoot, kill this son of a bitch for me!”

Chen Yaru, convinced it was the end, recklessly lunged into Zhang Xiaolong's embrace, ready to face death together.

But the expected chaos never came. Confused, she looked up at Xiaolong.

She was met with his warm smile. “He's the one who's finished, not us.”

Only then did people notice something was off with the waitstaff. A few brave souls stepped forward, prodded them, and found they were as if frozen in place. With a slight push, they toppled over.

“These people are all dead!” The surprise in the voice was tinged with a hint of glee.

“What's happening?” The most astonished of all was Xu Shaoning.

This was his last ace in the hole. But at the moment of truth, he found his hidden ace had turned into a worthless card, dealing him a devastating blow.

He sprinted toward the two nearest waiters, slapping their backs and barking, “Wake up, damn it...”

But the person simply collapsed to the ground, unresponsive.

“Zhang Xiaolong, it's you again...” Xu Shaoning realized he had truly lost this time, utterly and completely.

In a sudden move, he lunged forward, aiming for the handgun that had dropped to the floor.

However, before he could reach it, a swift kick sent him flying backward.

As the tide of the confrontation swiftly turned, the police, though initially unsure how it happened, quickly sprang into action. They swarmed in and slapped handcuffs on Xu Shaoning.

Zhang Xiaolong, with Chen Yaru in his arms, stood tall before his adversary. “We farmers have a saying, ‘Goodness may be bullied, but not deceived by the heavens; the wicked will eventually be struck by thunder.' Xu Shaoning, your downfall today is nobody's fault but your own!”