In recent years, Yang Shan and Li Jingyun have lived a relatively good life, with more smooth sailing than setbacks.
Their son, Yang Feilong, though not their biological child, is as cherished as one in their hearts. He is sensible and considerate, though his health has always been delicate, requiring him to stay with his master for treatment year-round. As for their daughter, she was accepted into Lan Hai Seventh Middle School in the neighboring city.
The reason she didn't attend high school in Su City, which their county belongs to, is that their small county is closer to Lan Hai City.
It takes just over an hour by car to reach Lan Hai City, but more than two hours to reach Su City.
Furthermore, Lan Hai City has better educational resources and more prestigious universities.
Considering all factors, they allowed their daughter to apply to a high school in Lan Hai City, specifically Lan Hai Seventh Middle School, which ranks among the top. She was accepted without a doubt.
Their daughter has been a source of little worry. Her academic performance is excellent, and she has no bad habits. The last time she visited, she asked for a mobile phone, but the couple hesitated to buy her one, primarily concerned about her studies. However, they promised to buy her one after her college entrance examinations.
Lately, however, one matter has been troubling the couple immensely, even making them consider leaving their current business.
Why?
This is a long story.
In the past, they did pay protection fees on this food street. To ensure peace, they paid, as the fees were not exorbitant. Once paid, the collectors would intervene if trouble arose.
But starting at the beginning of this month, while the protection fee amount didn't increase, the frequency of collection did.
Previously, it was twice a month, once in the middle and once at the end of the month, with each collection costing three hundred yuan. This amounted to six hundred yuan per month. Though not a small sum, it was within their acceptable range.
However, starting from the end of last month, things changed. It went from twice a month to once every three days. This meant they had to pay three thousand yuan in protection fees each month!
This became unacceptable.
After all, if they didn't pay protection fees for a month, working from dawn till dusk, and after deducting costs and stall fees, they would only net four to five thousand yuan.
Now, with three thousand yuan going to protection fees, they would only have one to two thousand left, which was barely enough for the family to live on. How could they accept this?
Not only could they not accept it, but many others couldn't either. Some, driven to desperation, even called the police. They thought that would be the end of it.
But the person who called the police was beaten on the way home. No one was caught because those apprehended were part of a larger group.
This frightened some people. Those who earned more could afford it, but their business was small-scale. While their costs weren't high, their profits weren't substantial either. This was simply unbearable.
The collectors also offered a suggestion: either pay two thousand yuan once a month, and then there would be no more payments for the month.
Or, pay every three days, which would amount to three thousand yuan a month. The former seemed more economical, but most people understood that the thugs' true intention was for them to pay two thousand yuan upfront.
Some who couldn't accept this left to seek their livelihoods elsewhere. Others were reluctant to leave because this street attracted a large number of diners.
If they left, where would they find work? Would the new places be free of protection fees?
What if their business was worse than it was here?
So, the couple came up with a plan: they would start their day earlier and finish earlier. Since they sold items like egg crepes, business was good during the day. They would not operate in the evenings, as protection fee collections typically occurred at night.
Following their example, many others saw that the couple's approach seemed to work and began to imitate them, including many mobile vendors.
They started work early and finished late.
This continued for a week, and surprisingly, it was going well. They hadn't lost much income. At the very least, they didn't have to pay so much in protection fees. Although their monthly earnings were less than before, they could still make over four thousand yuan.
However, somehow, the thugs found out about this. So, these thugs, who usually slept in until late morning, arrived, seven or eight of them, surrounding Yang Shan and Li Jingyun's stall.
"You think you're pretty tough!" one of the swaggering youths shouted at the couple, pushing away a customer and sneering. "To avoid paying those fees, you actually dared to lead this! Do you think we're all idiots?"
Yang Shan's face contorted. He took a deep breath and said, "We're not unwilling to pay protection fees, but what you're charging is outrageous. At this rate, we can't make any money."
"Can't make money? Then leave!" a young man with dyed yellow hair sneered. "You enjoy our protection but don't want to pay the fee. Where in this world do you get such a deal? I'll ask you one question: are you paying this money or not!"
"No!" Yang Shan gritted his teeth. "If we pay, we won't be able to live."
"Since you're not paying, then fine, flip the stall!" the yellow-haired youth sneered, then he took the lead and threw the container of ingredients onto the ground.
"How dare you!" Yang Shan was furious. He lunged to stop them.
"If you keep this up, we'll call the police!" Li Jingyun also said indignantly.
But at that moment, the yellow-haired youth shoved Yang Shan, making him stumble and nearly fall. He then sneered and threatened, "Go ahead and call. At most, we'll be arrested for ten days to half a month. When we get out, you'll be sorry!"
The others began to act, intending to overturn the stall.
Many stall owners nearby watched this scene, daring not to speak out. They also wanted to unite, but how could they fight against these frenzied and unscrupulous thugs? They feared that one day, on their way home, in a place without surveillance, they might be secretly beaten half to death, especially since there was a precedent.
But just then, a figure came rushing from a distance.
He kicked out at the yellow-haired youth.
The yellow-haired youth was sent flying backward with a bang, then landed heavily on the ground, unconscious.
This happened so suddenly that no one expected anyone to stand up for the Yang Shan couple at this moment. Apart from the couple themselves, no one recognized the young man who had appeared.
"Feilong." Seeing Yang Feilong's appearance, Yang Shan and Li Jingyun were first startled, then fearful. They were surprised that Feilong was here at this time, and afraid because their son was already in poor health, and fighting these thugs would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
After all, these thugs were not just one person, but many!
"Kid, you dare to ambush our brothers! Get him!" one of the thugs, seeing this, roared in anger.
"Feilong!" Yang Shan and Li Jingyun cried out in alarm, lunging forward to protect their son. They had not dared to fight back against these thugs before, but seeing their son in danger, their timidity vanished in an instant.
When their children are in danger, most parents become brave, even willing to die rather than see their child harmed. The reason it's "most" is because there are exceptions, like Luo Wenwen's former "father," Li Dapao, a selfish individual who belonged to the minority.
Yang Feilong naturally saw his parents' actions. A flicker of tenderness crossed his heart, but it was quickly replaced by anger!
These scoundrels! How dare they bully his parents like this in his absence!
Damn them!
He didn't stop his parents from coming forward, because at this moment, his parents wouldn't have done anything else!
What he needed to do was to prevent these scoundrels from harming his parents even a single hair!
He dropped what he was holding and instantly moved. He threw a punch, hitting a thug squarely. Bang, the man's nose was caved in, blood splattered, and he flew backward, crashing into a companion. Though that companion wasn't kicked by Yang Feilong, his head hit the ground, stars exploding in his eyes. It was likely more than just a concussion. At the same time, with a leg sweep and a back kick, he sent another thug flying, landing on the ground and passing out.
Then, he stomped his leg hard on the ground and in an instant, delivered three kicks.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
With three loud thuds, three figures spat blood and flew backward.
Yang Feilong had put force into every kick; their ribcages were likely broken.
Adding the yellow-haired thug Yang Feilong had kicked away upon arrival, in the blink of an eye, seven of the eight thugs were down. The remaining thug, holding up his fist, ready to punch Yang Feilong, now stood stunned, trembling all over.
"You, you..." The thug looked at Yang Feilong, his face pale, so frightened he stammered.
Bang!
Yang Feilong delivered a kick. The thug tried to dodge but failed, and was sent flying.
It would have been strange if he could have evaded Yang Feilong's attack, as this kick would have been difficult for even a regular special forces soldier to withstand.
At this moment, the entire place fell silent.
All the onlookers were dumbfounded.