Chapter 116: There Is No Escaping a Living Hell

“Young Master Hong, all the faults, without exception, are entirely mine.”

“I truly had no idea about your identity, Young Master Hong. Had I known, I swear on my very life, I wouldn’t have dared to offend you in the slightest!”

“Please, I beg you to forgive me!”

Upon finishing, Zhou Teng unexpectedly kowtowed loudly.

The sound of the kowtow was sharp and resonant; even Xiao Sa winced sympathetically for Zhou Teng.

But soon, Xiao Sa’s sympathy vanished.

He was beginning to regret bringing Zhou Teng along—it was like he had stolen his job!

With Zhou Teng occupying the space before Hong Yu, Xiao Sa had no choice but to kneel before Liang Zhanpeng.

“Young Master Hong, Master, this time it’s my fault,” he said.

“I don’t know what to say or do to earn your forgiveness. I only beg for a chance to redeem myself.”

Hong Yu took a sip of tea. Seeing that Hong Yu had not spoken, Liang Zhanpeng dared not open his mouth either.

The atmosphere remained awkwardly tense; the entire private room was as silent as a tomb, making Xiao Sa and Zhou Teng tremble with fear.

After a long moment, Hong Yu sneered coldly, “What did you just say? I didn’t hear clearly. Say it again.”

Xiao Sa didn’t understand what Hong Yu meant, but since he wanted to hear it again, he could only repeat himself.

Unexpectedly, after Xiao Sa finished, Hong Yu still laughed, “I didn’t catch that either. Say it once more!”

By now, even a fool would realize Hong Yu was toying with him.

Xiao Sa was angry inside, but then he recalled that he had been repeating the same phrase to Hong Yu earlier.

Now, he truly loathed that catchphrase and even silently vowed to abandon it forever.

With a grievance, Xiao Sa pleaded, “Young Master Hong, I really know I was wrong. Please, forgive me this once.”

Hong Yu continued to demand repetition, and Xiao Sa was close to breaking under the torment.

After all, Xiao Sa was raised under Liang Zhanpeng’s watch. If Liang did something harsh, Xiao Sa dared not interfere; he could only follow Hong Yu’s lead.

However, Liang Zhanpeng didn’t know the full story and assumed it was just a minor conflict. After some thought, he spoke up in defense:

“Young Master, this was indeed Xiao Sa’s mistake. You may punish him as you see fit, but please don’t torment him like this.”

“Moreover, Xiao Sa works for me, and by extension, for the Hong family. Our Pengzhan Restaurant has flourished these past years and holds considerable influence and reputation in Huaizhou. Perhaps in the future, we could be of some small help to you.”

Seeing Liang Zhanpeng pleading for Xiao Sa, Hong Yu was silent for a moment before smiling and saying, “Since Zhanpeng has pleaded for you, I won’t do anything to you.”

“But pardon me, death may be avoided, but living punishment is inevitable!”

“Previously, what did you say about my wife? Didn’t you even want to take her to the hotel?”

“What!” Liang Zhanpeng was shocked. “Young Master, did that scoundrel really say such things?”

He was truly terrified. He had thought it was a minor misunderstanding and thus pleaded for Xiao Sa. Had he known Xiao Sa actually insulted the young mistress of the Hong family so shamelessly, he wouldn’t have stood up for him—in fact, he might have personally killed Xiao Sa.

Xiao Sa was almost scared out of his wits. He hadn’t expected Hong Yu to remember this so vividly.

Truth be told, back then, he and Zhou Teng did entertain the thought. Chen Yingying didn’t interest him much, but Lin Shuyu truly shone like a star among the crowd. It was obvious she was a good girl. It was strange if these old devils weren’t tempted.

Of course, now, even if given a hundred lives, he wouldn’t dare entertain such thoughts again.

Xiao Sa tearfully said, “Master, Young Master Hong, I didn’t know you then. It was just empty talk to scare you. I never truly intended such things.”

“Damn it! You really said it!” Liang Zhanpeng’s eyes widened, and he grabbed a nearby teapot, hurling it at Xiao Sa.

“Ah!”

“It’s burning me!”

Xiao Sa didn’t dare dodge and took the blow squarely.

Nearby, Zhou Teng trembled, shrinking into himself at Xiao Sa’s miserable state.

It was actually Zhou Teng who first suggested making a move on Lin Shuyu and Chen Yingying.

Though frightened, he was somewhat grateful to Xiao Sa. If the roles were reversed, he might have dragged others down with him.

Liang Zhanpeng smashed the teapot and picked up a chair, advancing toward Xiao Sa.

Seeing this, Xiao Sa cried out, “Master, I really was wrong. Please, in consideration of all the years I have served you faithfully, spare me.”

Liang Zhanpeng roared, “Damn you! You scoundrel, you’ve caused such a catastrophe, and you expect me to let you go?”

“Die! Only in death will you stop dragging your father down.”

“And you!” Liang Zhanpeng suddenly turned to Zhou Teng. “You’re not part of my family. I won’t personally deal with you—you may leave!”

Zhou Teng was overjoyed, thinking Hong Yu and Liang Zhanpeng had spared him.

But as he stood, he trembled and knelt down once more.

Zhou Teng bitterly smiled, “Boss Liang, I dare not leave.”

Liang Zhanpeng sneered, “Smart choice. If you don’t leave, I’ll only deal with you.”

“If you leave, I won’t just ruin your enterprise and company; your whole family might be dragged down with you!”

“I won’t hit you, so figure it out yourself.”

Zhou Teng would rather have Liang Zhanpeng strike him a few times with the chair. After all, at Liang’s age, no matter how hard he hit, it wouldn’t cause serious injury.

But now Liang Zhanpeng refused to strike, instead leaving Zhou Teng to his own devices.

If Zhou Teng hurt himself too badly, it would be a great loss—but if too lightly, it might anger Hong Yu and Liang Zhanpeng, backfiring instead. It might be better not to act at all.

Now Zhou Teng was truly at a loss.

Damn it!

No half measures—this time, some blood must be shed!

Gritting his teeth, Zhou Teng picked up a shard of the broken teapot, preparing to cut off his own finger.

With modern medicine, a timely stitch could save it.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Zhou Teng grabbed the shard, Hong Yu looked on in disbelief and said, “Enough. I don’t want to see blood today.”

Hong Yu’s words only made Zhou Teng more nervous.

He had already made up his mind; now that Hong Yu said this, who knew what he was thinking?

He was starting to feel perverse—thinking no blood meant no forgiveness from Hong Yu.

Unexpectedly, seeing Zhou Teng really about to harm himself, Hong Yu scolded sharply, “Did you not hear what I said?”

“Or do you want me to say it again with him?”

Hong Yu pointed at the fallen Xiao Sa, who gave a bitter smile. Zhou Teng had no choice but to put down the shard.

“Leave,” Hong Yu suddenly said, then walked to Xiao Sa with a cold smile.

“This time, I’ll let you two off, but in the future, if you want to continue working for the Hong family, you must restrain yourselves.”

“Boss Xiao, Boss Zhou, do you know?”

Xiao Sa quickly stood up, and Zhou Teng bowed slightly, saying, “Young Master Hong, you may just call us by our names—we’re not worthy of the title ‘boss.’”

“Young Master, please wait!” Unexpectedly, as Hong Yu was about to leave the room, Liang Zhanpeng called out.

Hong Yu frowned, “What else is there?”

Liang Zhanpeng smiled wryly, “Young Master, there’s a gathering tomorrow. Will you attend?”

“No time,” Hong Yu shook his head firmly. “My wife is going back to her parents’ home. I must accompany her properly.”

“Well…” Liang Zhanpeng had thought it was something major but was left speechless hearing this.

Seeing Hong Yu about to continue walking away, Liang Zhanpeng urged, “Young Master, you’d better attend the gathering tomorrow. After all, it concerns the situation in Huaizhou.”

Hong Yu was taken aback. “The situation in Huaizhou? Aren’t you the king of Huaizhou?”