Gu Jiaojiao ran desperately, but Old Nine was quickly gaining on her, the distance between them steadily closing.

「Meanwhile.」

After finishing his business, Leng Yuan came over and found that Gu Jiaojiao wasn’t in the vehicle.

When Leng ManCang saw his cousin’s gaze instantly darken, he immediately started to explain.

"Your wife said she was going to the East Market to buy a few things. She should be back soon."

Leng Yuan frowned.

He didn’t know why, but he felt uneasy, with a persistent feeling that something had happened.

Leng Yuan felt worried about Gu Jiaojiao, so he turned and started walking toward the nearby street.

Leng ManCang pursed his lips.

’She’s just buying a few things, what’s there to worry about? What could possibly happen!’

’I know he adores his wife, but this is too much. He protects her like the apple of his eye, terrified she’ll get even a tiny scratch.’

"So dramatic."

Leng ManCang didn’t say it loudly, but Sweet Girl still heard him.

Although she was afraid of this grown man, Leng ManCang, she still mustered up her courage and spoke.

"Sister Jiaojiao isn’t dramatic at all! She’s super smart and capable. She’s just physically delicate, so of course she should be protected."

Xiao Yang glared at Leng ManCang too, but unfortunately, he couldn’t speak.

Leng ManCang: ...

He glared.

"What do you little brats know!"

He was about to curse them out, but then he worried they would tattle on him to Leng Yuan, so he just pursed his lips.

"Fine, I won’t say another word, alright!?"

He didn’t say anything more, but in his heart, he still thought Gu Jiaojiao was just being dramatic.

Sweet Girl and Xiao Yang snorted coldly and ignored Leng ManCang from then on.

Leng Yuan reached the entrance to the East Market.

Just as he rounded the corner, someone slammed right into his chest.

He instinctively moved to throw the person off.

But a glance from the corner of his eye revealed it was his wife, so he held her protectively in his arms instead.

Seeing Gu Jiaojiao covered in sweat from running, he couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, "Why were you in such a hurry?"

He gently brushed her hair away from her face.

Gu Jiaojiao’s face was panicked, but upon hearing her husband’s voice, she instantly let out a sigh of relief.

She caught her breath, and then, her eyes red-rimmed, she began to complain pitifully.

"Some pervert was chasing me! Not only was he ogling me, he also called me a bitch."

Leng Yuan didn’t even stop to consider the word ’pervert’; his eyes instantly darkened, and his expression grew increasingly grim.

Just then, Old Nine caught up. Seeing Leng Yuan, he completely disregarded him.

"Hey kid, I’d advise you to mind your own business. This is the woman I’ve got my eye on."

Leng Yuan fixed his dark gaze on Old Nine, his tone laced with ice.

"The woman you’ve got your eye on?"

Old Nine snorted, his expression arrogant.

"That’s right. I suggest you be smart about this and hand her over. Otherwise, I’ll bash your head in."

Leng Yuan ignored Old Nine’s clamoring. Instead, he patted Gu Jiaojiao’s head and settled her to the side. "Wait for me here and be good."

Gu Jiaojiao stood to the side and nodded obediently.

Leng Yuan even gently adjusted her scarf.

Old Nine: ...

He instantly flew into a rage.

He strode forward, glaring with his beady eyes.

"You dare to ignore me? Believe it or not, I’ll have my boys beat you..."

Before he could finish, Leng Yuan’s fist smashed into his face.

Old Nine felt like he’d been kicked by an elephant.

He staggered back several steps before steadying himself. The taste of blood filled his mouth. He spat and saw two teeth mixed in with the blood!

"Fuck, you’re asking for it."

Old Nine raised his hand to retaliate, swinging a fist at Leng Yuan.

Leng Yuan didn’t even bother to dodge, simply raising his own fist to meet the blow.

The two fists collided. CRACK! Old Nine’s entire arm twisted at an unnatural angle—it was broken.

He had just let out a wail of pain when Leng Yuan kicked him, dislocating his jaw.

’I don’t like noise when I fight,’ he thought. ’Pleas for mercy are grating, and a dislocated jaw means I won’t have to hear them.’