Chapter 29: Greetings, Big Brother

Lin Xiao’s words left the two teens completely dumbfounded. They weren’t truly Brother Tiger’s men. While Brother Tiger wasn’t a major player in Jinghai City, he did have some pull in the Yongnan District.

The boys were just students infatuated with the idea of the underworld. They’d picked up Brother Tiger’s name from local street punks, and after scraping together enough money to treat him to a drink, they managed to exchange a few words and snag his contact info. Since then, they’d been masquerading as his lackeys—a bluff that had worked surprisingly well. Until now.

They had counted on Brother Tiger’s name to intimidate Lin Xiao. Contrary to their expectations, Lin Xiao seemed unimpressed, even daring to challenge them directly, leaving them dumbstruck.

Shaken but unwilling to back down, they exchanged a glance and gritted their teeth.

“Fine. Just wait,” one of them snapped.

They huddled together, muttering to each other in hushed tones. Then, one of them pulled out his phone and quickly made his way downstairs. On the first floor, he dialed a number—and it was answered almost immediately.

“Hello? Brother Tiger? Yeah, it’s me, Little Zhang, remember? We used to hang out…”

“I need a favor, Brother Tiger…”

“Yes, yes, I know you’re a busy man, and I wouldn’t ask for nothing. I’ve got 5,000 yuan ready as a thank-you.”

“I get it, that’s pocket change for someone like you, but think of it as a show of respect. I can bump it up to 8,000 just for you to show up.”

“Thank you, Brother Tiger! Don’t worry, it’s just some white-collar guy. It should be no trouble at all.”

“Alright, I’ll be waiting. Looking forward to seeing you, Brother Tiger.”

***

Upstairs, Yuan Yu watched as one of the teenagers descended the stairs. She turned to the remaining one, her expression tight with tension.

“What are you doing? Leave now, or I’m calling your parents.”

“Yuan Yu, go ahead and call whoever you want,” the teen sneered, his eyes locked onto Lin Xiao with open hostility. “I won’t rest until he’s taught a lesson today.”

“You…” Yuan Yu was seething but could only glare at him. She’d dealt with their constant harassment for too long to believe words alone would stop them.

Leaning closer to Lin Xiao, she whispered anxiously, “Brother Lin, maybe you should go. That Brother Tiger guy… he’s not someone you want to mess with.”

She rarely ventured out herself, but after living in Yongnan District for over a decade, she’d heard plenty of rumors. She didn’t know exactly how dangerous Brother Tiger was, but she knew enough to be wary.

As for Lin Xiao, Yuan Yu knew only that he was her brother’s comrade from the army and a retired soldier. The details of their service remained classified, so she assumed they had served in an ordinary unit.

Sensing her unease, Lin Xiao gave her a calm, reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”

He wasn’t sure if this Brother Tiger was the same man he’d encountered a few days ago—but it didn’t really matter. Even if he wasn’t, things might get messier… but the result would be the same.

Seeing the quiet confidence in Lin Xiao’s eyes, Yuan Yu felt her worries slowly melt away. Though they hadn’t known each other long, she already trusted him deeply. And while fear still lingered, she chose not to voice it. If Brother Lin said it would be fine, then it would be.

A few minutes later, the teen who had made the call returned, a smug grin stretched across his face.

“Brother Tiger’s on his way. Let’s see how tough you are then,” he sneered at Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao didn’t even glance his way. He simply offered a faint, dismissive smirk before turning his attention back to comfort Yuan Yu.

Seeing Lin Xiao brush them off and engage with Yuan Yu intimately sent a surge of rage coursing through the two teenagers. However, recalling Lin Xiao’s formidable abilities, they managed to rein in their tempers.

Gritting their teeth, they muttered to themselves, “Keep acting cocky. Let’s see how long that lasts once Brother Tiger gets here.”

About a dozen minutes later, a van rolled to a stop in the residential complex where Yuan Yu lived. One by one, several hulking brutes climbed out, each gripping a steel pipe.

Leading the group was a bald, burly man with a menacing presence—his left arm wrapped in white plaster, suspended from his neck by a gauze sling.

A young man, who had been pacing nervously downstairs, perked up at the sight. He waved eagerly and shouted, “Brother Tiger! Brother Tiger! Over here!”

Brother Tiger and his crew sauntered over.

As they approached, the young man’s excitement turned to shock. His eyes locked on the cast. “Brother Tiger… what happened to you?” he asked, visibly puzzled.

In his mind, Brother Tiger was untouchable—a name that carried weight throughout Yongnan District. The idea that someone had dared to lay a hand on him was simply inconceivable.

A shadow flickered across Brother Tiger’s face. The memory from a few days ago flashed in his mind—a moment he couldn’t shake, one that still left a lingering chill despite the time that had passed.

“That’s none of your business. Where’s the one you want me to deal with?”

“He’s upstairs, Brother Tiger. I’ll take you. He’s nothing, just some pretty boy.”

Noticing Brother Tiger’s unwillingness to elaborate, the young man wisely dropped the subject. Still, a sense of unease crept into his chest. ‘Who could’ve possibly hurt Brother Tiger?’

“Fine. Let’s go. I’m on a tight schedule.”

“Yes, Brother Tiger.”

With that, he led Brother Tiger and his crew up the stairwell, steel pipes clanking faintly with every step.

***

Upstairs, the second boy perked up at the sound of footsteps echoing from below. A wicked grin stretched across his face. He turned to Lin Xiao and sneered, “Brother Tiger’s here. You’re done for.”

“Oh?” Lin Xiao glanced toward the stairwell, an amused smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “I’m looking forward to it.”

The teen scoffed, giddy with delusion. “Scared now, aren’t you? It’s too late for regret.”

However, the boy remained blissfully unaware of the terror-stricken expression on Brother Tiger’s face, now frozen mid-step on the stairwell. His face had gone pale as if he’d just seen a ghost.

In that instant, Brother Tiger felt like he’d walked straight into a death trap.

This was the same Brother Tiger he had beaten to a pulp just days ago.

Since that humiliating encounter, Brother Tiger had scrambled to pull strings just to avoid getting arrested. He’d spent the days nursing his injuries and licking his wounds, hoping to put the nightmare behind him.

Tonight was supposed to be different—a drink with his boys, some easy cash, and a harmless errand: rough up a soft-looking white-collar guy. Easy money.

But now, standing on the stairwell and locking eyes with Lin Xiao again, that illusion shattered.

This was the same man. The monster in human skin. The one who had broken his bones and his pride.

Brother Tiger’s knees almost buckled. He’d walked straight into hell.

A pang of regret seized Brother Tiger. He wished he could slap himself and make a quick exit.

He was genuinely scared of Lin Xiao. His previous victim was still hospitalized, and he had no wish to share his fate.

Yet, looking at Lin Xiao’s smirking face, he swallowed his fear and trudged up to the second floor.

“Brother Tiger, that’s him! That’s the guy!” the teen declared with smug confidence. “No worries; once you deal with this pretty boy, your payment will be in your hands, just like we promised.”

Due to the dim lighting, the two teens didn’t catch the dramatic shift in Brother Tiger’s expression. As he reached the landing, they eagerly pointed at Lin Xiao like children presenting a prize.

Their faces gleamed with satisfaction, already savoring the humiliation they imagined was about to befall him.

But the smugness didn’t last.

Because in the next second, Brother Tiger’s voice—meek and trembling—cut through the air.

“Hello, big brother.”