Chapter 3: Is This All There Is to a Gangster Boss?

The gangster boss knelt down with a thud, shocking everyone present. The seven or eight henchmen stood frozen, mouths agape, unable to close them for a long while. None of them had expected their usually imposing leader to kneel directly before Ye Xingchen like this.

Ye Xingchen himself looked equally surprised. He had assumed these thugs just wanted to extort a little more money and thought the five thousand yuan he had offered would be enough to settle them. He never imagined the gangster boss would put on such a show.

Raising an eyebrow, Ye Xingchen looked at the kneeling gangster and asked with curiosity, “What are you doing? I’m just asking if this money is enough. If not, I’ll add more. There’s no need for such a grand gesture.”

The gangster boss lifted his head, his face now filled with a flattering smile. The fierce and menacing aura was gone, replaced by an obsequious demeanor. Stammering, he said, “B-brother, you flatter me too much. How dare I accept your money? My little scuffles are nothing but a joke compared to you. I... I was blind before, didn’t recognize your greatness, and I’ve offended you. Please, have mercy and don’t hold it against me.”

Ye Xingchen found this stranger and sudden change even more baffling but hid it behind a faint smile. “Oh? How do you explain that? You were just threatening me to pay up, and now you won’t even take the money. You flip-flop so fast, I can barely keep up.”

Hearing this, the gangster boss hurriedly slapped his own cheeks twice, saying, “My foul mouth has gone blind! I deserve to die! Your presence alone is no ordinary sight, yet here I am foolishly demanding money from you. I must have a pig’s brain!”

The two village protectors regained their composure. The one with a face full of scars leaned toward Ye Xingchen and whispered, “Brother, what’s going on here? This guy usually walks around like he owns the place, but now in front of you, he’s like a frightened quail. What’s your background, anyway?”

Ye Xingchen shrugged and lowered his voice. “I’m not sure either. I’m just a regular outsider. Maybe he suddenly had a change of heart.”

The leaner protector sneered quietly, “A change of heart? With his character? I doubt that. There’s definitely something going on here.”

The gangster’s sharp ears caught the lean protector’s muttering. He quickly turned his head and scolded him, “You know nothing! Don’t babble nonsense here. If it weren’t for our boss’s magnanimity today, you’d all be in serious trouble. Now go apologize to the boss at once!”

The two thugs stood dumbfounded, unsure of what to do. The scar-faced one tugged at the taller thug’s sleeve and whispered, “Bro, what do we do? We wanted the boss to back us up, but now he’s kneeling. Our faces are ruined.”

The tall thug glared at him irritably. “How should I know? It’s your fault for trying to rob this outsider. Now we’re in deep trouble. Just wait and see what happens.”

Ye Xingchen chuckled at the chaotic scene. Clearing his throat, he addressed the gangster boss, “Alright, enough acting. Since you don’t want the money, let’s just drop this matter for today. But I have to warn you—don’t keep doing these robberies and bullying people. If I find out, I won’t be so easygoing.”

The gangster boss looked relieved as if granted a great pardon. He scrambled to his feet, bowing and nodding eagerly, “Yes, yes, brother, rest assured. I’ll teach those two foolish ones a lesson. We’ll definitely mend our ways. If we dare to mess up again, you can twist my head off and kick it like a ball—I won’t complain.”

Ye Xingchen waved his hand. “Twisting your head off is unnecessary. Just behave yourselves properly.”

“Alright, everyone disperse. I still want to explore this village a bit. Don’t spoil my mood.”

“Yes, yes, we’re leaving now. We won’t bother you anymore, brother. If you need anything, just say the word—we’re at your service.” The gangster boss said as he motioned his men to leave in a dejected manner. The two thugs trailed behind with their heads hanging low, walking quickly as if afraid Ye Xingchen might change his mind.

“Wait,” Ye Xingchen called after them.

“Here, take a thousand each for now. If you need money later, come ask me—don’t resort to robbery.”

The gangster boss was about to kneel again, but Ye Xingchen hurriedly said, “Hold on, don’t kneel again—at least change your posture.”

After a few more words, he sent them off.

Once they were out of sight, the two village protectors looked at Ye Xingchen with admiration. The scar-faced man smiled, “Brother, you’re really something. Just a few words and you’ve sent those troublemakers packing. I’ve never seen him so obedient. What kind of magic did you use?”

Ye Xingchen smiled mysteriously. “No magic—maybe it’s just my overwhelming charisma that tamed him.”

The lean protector joked, “Haha, your charisma’s quite powerful—more effective than our fists.”

“But seriously, brother, you just arrived in our village, unfamiliar with the place. You should be careful. Though you sent them away today, who knows what trouble might arise later.”

Ye Xingchen nodded. “Thanks for the warning. I’ll be cautious. I just find this village interesting and want to look around, learn about the local customs.”

“That’s good,” said the scar-faced man warmly. “Our village is small but has plenty of interesting spots. I can tell you about them.”

Curious, the scar-faced man looked at Ye Xingchen with a probing gaze and asked, “By the way, brother, what brings you all the way to our village?”

Just then, a string of text suddenly appeared before Ye Xingchen’s eyes, followed by a clear prompt sounding in his mind.

[Ding Ding Ding, this is the background story. Please view.]

Ye Xingchen was momentarily stunned but quickly focused on the text. The first entry plainly stated the reason for his visit today—it was to get married.

Scratching his head, Ye Xingchen smiled and replied, “Haha, to be honest, I came here hoping to marry.”

“Oh?” The scar-faced man perked up with interest and quickly asked, “Which family’s daughter are you marrying?”

Before Ye Xingchen could answer, the scar-faced man suddenly seemed to remember something, slapped his thigh, and said confidently, “Who else but Liu Ruyan from our village?” He shot a knowing look at the lean protector.

The lean protector nodded in agreement, “Yes, yes, definitely Liu Ruyan. She’s the prettiest and most well-mannered girl here. Standing next to you, you two would make a perfect match.”

Without waiting for Ye Xingchen’s response, the two men enthusiastically grabbed him and headed straight toward Liu Ruyan’s house.

Before they reached the door, loud arguing erupted from inside, growing louder by the moment. Even through the door, the voices were clear, sounding like a dispute over the bride price.

A sharp female voice shouted hoarsely, “Twenty thousand yuan bride price, not a cent less! Anything less, and this marriage is off!”