Chapter Seventy-Two: Troublemakers

"Health Management Bureau?" Zhang Ye's brows knitted tightly; these visitors were clearly up to no good.

"We received a report that your place has serious hygiene issues. There's often a foul smell coming from here. Search the premises," the leader commanded. Instantly, three or four men swarmed in, roughly moving chairs and behaving more like vandals than inspectors.

"This, this, this, and this—so much garbage! These areas are poorly arranged and must be improved. If not, you can't open for business," said the man with the black mole on his face, seizing on the smallest issues and carelessly handing out penalty slips, showing not a shred of courtesy.

"We're still renovating, so some trash is normal. Don't touch our computers or chairs—if you break them, you'll pay for it!" Liu Guangxiang exclaimed, rushing to intervene. Everything here was brand new, especially the computers—just one cost as much as a year's wages, and the large hard disk machines were even more expensive. The inspectors' rough handling made him nervous.

Trouble kept coming, one after another.

After the Health Management Bureau left, the fire safety inspectors arrived, followed by the Commerce Bureau. Each left a penalty slip, their attitudes aggressive and arrogant, barking orders, finding fault wherever they could. Nothing about them was pleasant.

Zhang Ye didn't move. He knew there was no reasoning with these people; if you tried to argue, not only would it get you nowhere, it would give them an excuse to drag you away. They were, after all, acting "according to the law."

If he wanted to solve this, he'd have to deal with whoever was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

"Li Yulong sent you, didn't he?" Zhang Ye suddenly asked, turning his gaze to a white van parked diagonally across the street.

The van had just arrived, following the inspectors, and parked there without anyone getting out. Though the tinted windows obscured the occupants, Zhang Ye knew the true mastermind was inside—the same person who'd caused trouble at the clothing market and with Wu Dongjun.

"Hmm?" The black-mole man paused, surprised. He looked at Zhang Ye with a hint of astonishment. This young man knew whom he'd offended—and wanted to confront them directly?

But when he saw Zhang Ye's clothes, a faint sneer flashed in the inspector's eyes. With his market-stall outfit, did he really think he could trouble the big boss, the deputy county chief's son? What a joke.

So the black-mole man quickly returned to his composure, ignored Zhang Ye, issued a pile of fines, ordered payment by deadline, and left in a hurry.

Zhang Ye chuckled softly and walked out of the shop, heading straight for the van. He soon reached it and knocked on the window.

"Kid, you finally understand the consequences. Offending us isn't something a commoner like you can withstand. Just wait—I'll make trouble for you three to five times a day. Let's see how long you can last. Don't think befriending the county party secretary's daughter will help; we have endless ways to make you suffer," the window rolled down and out poked the head of Qian Sen, the thin youth Zhang Ye had seen before.

Beside him sat Li Yifan, the second son of the Li family. His older brother Li Yulong wasn't present. At that moment, Li Yifan was picking at his nails with a pair of scissors, smiling carelessly. "So, how was today's gift? Don't say I didn't warn you—this time, you got hurt. Next time, I can't guarantee you'll walk away unscathed." The implication was clear: next time, there would be more attackers, and the beating would be even worse.

"So it was you," Zhang Ye said, his eyes narrowing, becoming sharper. Those who knew Zhang Ye understood this was the prelude to his fury.

"Only now you realize? I must say, your reactions are slow. Facing you as an opponent is really..." Li Yifan continued picking at his nails, but suddenly his hair was gripped tightly, and his head was slammed with fierce force against the dashboard.

With a loud bang, intense pain swept over his forehead. He was stunned.

"What the hell are you doing—"

Smack!

Qian Sen, startled, was met with a swift slap from Zhang Ye. His face swelled instantly.

After holding in his anger all day—from Wu Dongjun's beating, to the shop being targeted, to these two acting arrogant before him—even Zhang Ye, who prided himself on his composure, couldn't restrain himself any longer.

He knew the consequences, but the frustration in his heart demanded release. This time, he acted decisively; a tug and a slap, and his anger dissipated, leaving him feeling thoroughly satisfied.

"Damn..." Li Yifan, who'd never taken such a beating in his life, was still confused about how his forehead had been struck so hard, the pain igniting a fiery rage within him.

Years of brawling had taught him to always keep his weapons close. He hurriedly opened the car door, grabbed a one-meter iron rod from the back, and charged at Zhang Ye with a yell.

Bang!

Zhang Ye kicked out, landing hard on Li Yifan's stomach. Li Yifan stumbled back three or four steps, then collapsed to the ground.

When it came to fighting, Zhang Ye feared no one.

His leg moved so swiftly that Li Yifan had no chance to dodge.

"Yifan, are you alright?" Qian Sen, ignoring his own pain, rushed to help Li Yifan.

"I'm not the only one who can fight. If you can hurt my people, I can cripple you. Let's see who is more afraid!" Zhang Ye strode forward, shoved Qian Sen aside, grabbed Li Yifan's swinging iron rod, seized his collar, and lifted him off the ground.

Zhang Ye's strength was considerable, and since he'd begun practicing the Five Animals Exercise, it had only grown.

He didn't know why the effects hadn't been so obvious earlier, but it was certainly a good thing for him.

"Don't seek trouble. Next time I hear you've harmed anyone close to me, it won't be so simple," Zhang Ye said, throwing Li Yifan hard to the ground.

"Ye, what's going on?" Liu Guangxiang and the others saw the fight break out and rushed over, each carrying a wooden stick, their faces fierce and determined.