Chapter 06

Chapter 06 - I, Zhang Yuchen, am a gentleman.

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The three thugs, still trembling with fear, hastily obeyed Yuchen's command. Within moments, they were on their knees, blood smearing the pavement beneath their foreheads as their noses dripped onto the rough concrete.

The humiliation was quite profound, but they understands that survival was more important than pride.

"We're really sorry, sister-in-law. We didn't realize we were up against the Moutt Tai," the broad thug groaned, his voice thick with pain and fear.

"You have to believe us...we didn't, mean to harm you, just to scare you a little. We're not bad guys, I swear on my mother....Honestly. Please, forgive us."

Long Shiqian, though still shaken, was particularly bothered by the somewhat presumptuous "sister-in-law" remark rather than the apology or fear itself.

She and Yuchen weren't particularly close, so why were these thugs making assumptions that could lead to misunderstandings?

However, noticing that Zhang Yuchen wasn't bothered and showed no inclination to clarify the misunderstanding, she chose to hold her tongue.

Summoning her courage through tears, she managed to say,

"I... I'm sorry, I can't forgive you," her voice wavering. "I just hope you won't hurt anyone else. As for the loan, I'll repay it soon. I don't want to owe anyone anything. Just... give me three more months."

The lanky thug, his face etched with fear, pressed his forehead harder into the pavement.

"We won't dare, madam. We swear."

Zhang Yuchen watched the scene with a mix of satisfaction and vigilance. He lowered the gun slightly but kept his grip firm. The situation was acceptable; the woman had a kind nature and rarely got angry. Knowing how easily she could be affected, he had decided to intervene and help her.

"You heard her. Now, the money."

Reluctantly, the thugs pulled out their phones, hands shaking as they opened their banking apps. Zhang Yuchen shamelessly showed them his QR code. One by one, they transferred funds, their faces contorted with humiliation and defeat.

"Now, clothes," Zhang Yuchen said.

With no other choice, the thugs stripped off their clothes, their faces red with shame. They stood there, vulnerable and exposed, their eyes downcast.

"Damn... such weak and thin bodies; these cockroaches dare to act arrogant in front of me," Yuchen thought.

"Please, Brother Zhang," the broad thug pleaded, his voice cracking with emotion. "Can you at least lend us some money to get home?"

Zhang Yuchen's laughter was devilishly warm and reassuring. "You already look like beggars. Why don't you try your luck at the nearby square?"

"Now, scram," Zhang Yuchen ordered, his voice firm and unkind.

The thugs, clutching their discarded clothes, hurried away, their bare feet echoing against the pavement.

"Haha! Eighty thousand yuan in the account and three thousand yuan in hand - robbing others sure seems like an easy way to earn money," chuckled Zhang Yuchen softly, a hint of relief in his voice.

With his rent alone at ten thousand yuan, this windfall would certainly ease some of his financial burden. His spirits lifted further as he turned towards Mrs. Shiqian, still seated on the ground with tear-streaked cheeks.

Approaching her gently, Zhang Yuchen knelt beside her.

"Mrs. Shiqian, are you alright? The thugs are gone now, and you're safe. You don't look comfortable sitting like this. Here, let me help you up," he offered, extending his hand.

Truth be told, he hadn't spared much thought for this woman before, preoccupied with his social obligations to Master Chen Mu, performing acts of goodwill in his name, frequently imparting profound knowledge and a sense of discipline to numerous individuals through his benevolent actions.

But with the awakening of the system, everything had changed.

Now tasked with a 'Holy mission', and even without the system's directive, he felt an urge to conquer this woman. Knowing she was a mother only fueled his dark desire to possess her entirely; he even imagined scenario where Long Aotian would have to call him daddy.

"No... I... thank you, but I..." she murmured softly, hesitating briefly. Refusing now might seem too rude, considering this man had helped her against all odds, even when others had turned their backs on her.

Thus, she accepted his hand, her slender fingers moving upward to interlock beautifully with his.

"Ouch!"

At that moment, she seemed to forget about the strain on her ankle. Suddenly, the pain became unbearable, causing her head to bump into his chest as he caught her in his embrace.

"Careful, Madam!," Zhang Yuchen said, steadying her as she stumbled slightly.

Now hearing this, her face turned red with shame. Momentarily forgetting about the thugs and her emotional pain, her head nestled against his chest, her soft, ample breasts pressed against his muscular frame, feeling the strength of his muscles through her skin.

The warm touch of his skin sent shivers down her spine, and she caught a hint of his musculine scent. Her body molded against his strong physique, fitting perfectly. As she gazed up into his gentle green eyes and handsome face, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Caught up in the turbulent emotions she was feeling, she didn't realize that the fabric of her black hanfu stretched as her knee pressed against it, tearing upward to her waist, revealing a glorious glimpse of lace panties and the smooth, creamy skin of her thighs.

"I'm sorry... I'm really sorry... I didn't mean to," she stammered, regaining her balance and standing on her own.

Zhang Yuchen, unfazed by the mishap, replied softly, "Don't worry, madam. It's nothing. You should focus on yourself. Look at your clothes; they're a mess now. Besides, which man wouldn't consider himself lucky to have a beautiful woman like you falling into his arms?"

Long Shiqian hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Oh, you're too kind, thank you," she murmured shyly. But in her mind, she thought,

"He said 'I'm beautiful... but aren't I just an old woman, a widow at that? I'm not sure someone like me..."

She trailed off, glancing away, unsure how to respond to such unexpected flattery.

Swiftly, he removed his long coat and gently draped it around her shoulders, his fingers deftly fastening a button at the collar.

The fabric enveloped her petite yet curvy frame, shielding her from the cool breeze. Confused by the gesture, she asked,

"What are you doing, Mr. Zhang? Even if you have saved me, this is too fast between us... we at least need to know each other a little."

She soon clutched her clothes, but her right hand, in place of fabric, brushed against her own bare skin. At that moment, she realized with horror that her dress was torn.

"Damn it... He must have seen it all... And what was I even saying? I need to bury my head somewhere. Oh, Shiqiaaan!!, today is a day of pain and embarrassment for you, the worst day of your life."

"I don't have any ill intentions towards you, madam," He declared with pride. "You see, I, Zhang Yuchen, might appear like a rogue on the surface, but heaven can vouch for my pure gentlemanly heart."

"I know... I'm sorry, I'm so confused today. I think I need to rest at home. Thank you once again, Mr. Zhang. If it weren't for you, I don't even want to imagine what could have happened. How can I ever repay you? You saved me, and now..."

Zhang Yuchen wanted to tell her, "You are a daughter of destiny; even if the gods descended from hell, they might not be able to harm you in the slightest." But such things couldn't be said in public.

"You don't need to repay me, but the threat of the White Wolf gang isn't completely gone yet. Let me see your phone..."

"Hey... Mr. Zhang, wait," she began to protest, but he was too quick. He swiftly took her phone from her hand and dialed his own number. "If anyone dares to cause trouble for you, you can call me anytime. I've saved my number in it."

Long Shiqian felt uneasy at this one-sided generosity but nodded in agreement.

"Hmm."

After all, she was still afraid of those thugs. Who knows, next time there may be more than three. At that time, she would indeed need help.

"And here, take this 3,000 yuan. Consider it compensation from those rogues. They caused you so much trouble; even your dress is a mess now. You may need it," Zhang Yuchen insisted, his eyes holding hers with unwavering sincerity.

"No, Mr. Zhang, it's too much. You've already done so much for me. Please keep it, and you seem too injured," she protested softly, her gaze flickering over his face, noticing the faint scratches and bruises.

"Don't worry. It's just a scratch. Besides, if it feels like too much, how about inviting me over for dinner? It's been a while since I've had homemade food," he suggested with a warm smile and a hint of playfulness.

Hearing this, Long Shiqian was stunned. This man sure knows how to turn things around, but she had no reason to refuse now, after all, she was already indebted to him for saving her life and wanted to repay him slightly.

Though it would be the first time since her husband's passing and her son's departure for America that another man would set foot in her home, she felt it was a little too intimate, but she reluctantly agreed.

"Then... I'll call you in a few days. I'll warn you in advance... my home is small, it's not much, but I'll offer the best I can."

"No problem, and please stop calling me 'Mr. Zhang,'" Zhang Yuchen asked, his tone gentle yet teasing. "Call me 'Little Brother Zhang' or 'Xiao Yuchen.' It feels like you're creating a barrier between us."

Hearing this, a soft blush crept onto her cheeks as she met his gaze, feeling warmth spread through her at his audacious remark.

"Then I'll take my leave."

She soon clutched her coat tightly to ensure her skin wouldn't be exposed, then turned toward her home

"What a charming woman,"

Zhang Yuchen remarked as he watched Long Shiqian leave, her hips swaying rhythmically.

It was hard for him to control the urge to embrace her.

"Ding! Congratulations on completing the decision-making protocol! Your reward has arrived, and there's an additional bonus for raising the favorability of the heroines to an astonishing 50 points."

Zhang Yuchen ignored the system's prompts, eager to take a bath at home. He headed towards his apartment, number 407 on the 7th floor. Meanwhile, Gu Lingyun, now assured that there was no longer any threat, returned to her work with renewed focus.

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( End Of This Chapter )

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