Chapter 063: Stormy Night

“A mechanic at the auto repair shop?” Yang Tian retorted coldly.

“That’s right, Brother Tian!” Zhou Bing replied with a bold grin, never expecting to run into Yang Tian here.

“Then why are you still going around smashing up food stalls and extorting internet café owners?” As he spoke, Yang Tian pointed at A Gui, who stood behind Zhou Bing.

“No, Brother Tian, it’s all a misunderstanding!” A Gui panicked, hastily shoving the red envelope back into Zhang Zhi’s hands. The others also quickly returned the money.

“Are you extorting people again? How many times have I told you—be decent people! You bunch of scoundrels!” Zhou Bing, furious, lunged toward A Gui, ready to hit him.

“All right, enough! Don’t put on a show in front of me. Zhou Bing, if you’ve decided to walk the right path, stick to it. I know where you all come from. The fact that you can now work as mechanics at the auto shop is already progress. Get rid of your old bad habits! Live anew—don’t keep letting people point fingers at your backs and curse you. Do you understand what I mean?” Yang Tian spoke earnestly.

In his previous life, he’d been a brawler himself, thinking that being fierce would make others fear him. Only later did he understand that real fear comes not from fists, but from unwavering courage and relentless effort.

“Brother Bing, I get it. Don’t worry, no one will cause trouble here again. If anyone dares, I’ll deal with them myself!” Zhou Bing paused, moved, then declared boldly.

“There you go again—do you really think being ruthless solves anything? You remember what happened to Luo Hehu, don’t you?” Yang Tian shot him a glare.

Zhou Bing froze for a moment, then scratched his head and grinned sheepishly.

“Brother Tian, I understand. I’ll make sure to teach these guys a lesson and have them shape up!” Zhou Bing patted A Gui’s head, and the others could only grin awkwardly.

“In a few days, the internet café will expand, and there’ll be more computers. Come by and play when you have time. I’ll treat you all to drinks!” Yang Tian handed Zhou Bing a bottle of Jianlibao as he spoke.

“Brother Tian, let me discuss something with you!” Zhou Bing took the drink, pondered for a moment, then perked up, pulling Yang Tian aside and squinting with a grin. “Brother Tian, the internet café is doing really well—do you need more help? How about I come work for you?”

“You? Why not stay at the auto repair shop?” Yang Tian asked, a bit surprised and annoyed.

“The shop doesn’t suit me. If it weren’t for your words, Brother Tian, I’d have quit long ago! Let me come work with you. I can help manage the café and learn martial arts from you at the same time!” Zhou Bing sighed first, then smiled.

“Enough—help me run the café? You’d be brawling with people every other day—how could I keep the business open?” Yang Tian feigned sternness, though inwardly he was amused. Having Zhou Bing help out wasn’t a bad idea. If anything happened at school, there would be someone to help Zhang Zhi. Besides, with Zhou Bing around, no one would dare make trouble at Hongyu Internet Café.

“Don’t worry, Brother Tian! Once I’m here, I’ll listen to you in everything. I’ll start over and be a new man—how’s that?” Zhou Bing thumped his chest, making a solemn pledge.

“All right, I’ll talk it over with the boss. Wait for me here!” Yang Tian nodded in satisfaction.

“Thank you, Brother Tian! By the way, what about my brothers from the auto shop?” Zhou Bing asked, showing his loyalty.

“I’ll see how you perform first. If you do well, when the café opens another branch, I’ll need them. For now, have them head back,” Yang Tian instructed, then went to discuss with Zhang Zhi.

Zhang Zhi, of course, had no objections. The café needed staff, and hiring Zhou Bing meant an extra pair of hands—and a bouncer. With Yang Tian keeping him in check, there was no need to worry about Zhou Bing’s unruliness.

Zhou Bing was hired at five hundred yuan a month, plus bonuses for good performance, and holiday meals and gifts courtesy of Zhang Zhi.

Zhou Bing was overjoyed. At the auto shop, he worked himself to the bone for only three hundred yuan a month, but now he’d earn five hundred for lighter work.

Yang Tian assigned him simple duties: open the café each morning, keep things running until Zhang Zhi arrived, then visit nearby schools to promote the café’s game memberships, return in the afternoon to manage business, and leave when Yang Tian came for his shift.

That night, heavy rain poured down, lightning flashing across the sky.

After finishing business at the café, Yang Tian returned home, ready for bed. But when he opened the door, he found Huang Juan missing. A wave of worry swept over him—where could she have gone so late? Had she returned to her dorm?

But the light was on—she wouldn’t have left it if she’d gone back. Who turned it on, then? Looking closer, Yang Tian realized Huang Juan was hiding under the covers, trembling.

He understood at once—she was afraid of thunder.

“Xiao Juan, don’t be afraid, I’m here,” Yang Tian hurriedly set down his backpack and walked to her bedside, gently lifting the quilt and speaking softly.

Hearing his voice, Huang Juan shot out from under the blanket and into his arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and burying her face deep in his chest. Her trembling eased a little.

“Xiao Tian, why are you only just getting back?” Huang Juan’s voice was tinged with tears, but she let out a long breath—Yang Tian was finally back.

“Don’t worry, next time it rains, I’ll come home early,” Yang Tian said, patting her back.

Tonight, she wore a pink nightdress, her snow-white feet bare, her slender legs half-exposed, curled up on Yang Tian’s lap, motionless.

“Mm, you must come back early from now on, or I’ll be scared coming back from self-study alone,” Huang Juan lifted her head, watery eyes shining with a fragile light.

“You’re a big girl already—still afraid?” Yang Tian teased.

“I—I’m just scared! Hmph, I’m ignoring you!” Huang Juan pouted and lightly pummeled him with her delicate fists, then turned away.

“Ignoring me? Fine, I’ll go to bed then!” Yang Tian said mischievously.

“What? No, don’t go! Please, stay until the thunder stops—please?” Huang Juan quickly turned back, clinging to his neck and pleading.

After a while, hearing Yang Tian’s mischievous laughter, Huang Juan realized his little trick and, half annoyed, half amused, hit him again with her soft fists. “You’re so mean, always teasing me!”

Night deepened. With Yang Tian back, Huang Juan was no longer afraid, and soon fell asleep in his arms.

Not wanting to wake her, Yang Tian sat on her bed all night, letting her sleep in his embrace.

Watching the little girl sleeping soundly, a sweet smile playing on her lips, Yang Tian felt conflicted. He longed to kiss her delicate lips, but worried about waking her, so he simply held her gently as he drifted off to sleep.