Chapter 22: Retribution

The place they chose for their meal wasn’t in the city center, but rather a fast-food restaurant not far from home—Wang Yue’s firm request. Of course, even if she hadn’t insisted, Lin Chuan had not planned on going anywhere upscale; after all, his wallet was thin these days and there was no need to act the big spender.

The three of them got off the bus and headed together toward the fast-food place by the roadside. Lin Chuan was unfamiliar with the area—the restaurant was Wang Yue’s recommendation. She said she often ate there with Tang Qinru.

The restaurant had two floors. Since it wasn’t quite mealtime, there weren’t many customers, though a few were scattered across the first-floor dining area. As soon as he entered, Lin Chuan spotted a seat by the window. It was his habit to seek out window seats when eating out, appreciating the open view.

Wang Yue had no objections, and Lin Yiyang was even less likely to protest. The place was nothing special, but their rice bowls and beef noodles were popular—almost everyone who came ordered one or the other.

After Lin Chuan placed their order, he sat down again to wait. “So, how did yesterday’s competition go?” Wang Yue, perhaps feeling the awkwardness in the air, hesitated a moment before breaking the silence. Since the fifty-to-thirty elimination round hadn’t aired on TV yet, no one knew the results.

“Heh, I advanced of course,” Lin Chuan replied with a faint smile.

“Then… congratulations!” Wang Yue nodded, forcing a small smile onto her face.

“Thank you, but the real challenge starts now. Each round, the opponents only get stronger. I might be eliminated in the very next match,” Lin Chuan sighed lightly.

Wang Yue knew little about competitions, but she understood their cruelty. At his words, her gaze flickered and she said softly, “Don’t feel pressured. I believe you’ll keep advancing.”

“Thank you.” Lin Chuan raised an eyebrow and looked at Wang Yue intently. Perhaps because their previous meetings had been colored by misunderstanding or other matters, he hadn’t paid her much attention. But just now, as he glanced at her, something stirred unexpectedly in his heart.

Wang Yue wasn’t strikingly beautiful, but her delicate features were quietly appealing—especially the graceful air she carried, something few women possessed.

Before long, Lin Chuan brought over a bowl of beef noodles and two rice bowls. Lin Yiyang had a special fondness for noodles, especially beef noodles, unlike Lin Chuan’s own tastes. But everyone has their preferences—even fathers and sons are not identical.

The three ate their meals, chatting about this and that. The earlier awkwardness melted away, replaced by a comfortable ease. Anyone watching might have thought they were a family of three who simply preferred to eat out rather than cook at home.

Time passed. Just as they were finishing their meal, a silver-gray BMW screeched to a halt outside the restaurant. The sharp sound of brakes attracted the attention of several diners, who glanced out the window, some with visible annoyance. Driving a BMW doesn’t give you the right to brake like that, does it?

The next moment, four people emerged from the car—three men and one woman. As the quartet entered, Lin Chuan, who had been about to leave, suddenly froze, his expression grave.

Wang Yue noticed and turned to look as well, her demeanor growing uneasy. Lin Chuan didn’t recognize the other three, but one of them was unforgettable—so much so that his jaw clenched with suppressed rage. It was Qi Kai, the young heir he’d fought in the bar before.

Who would have thought this arrogant rich kid would show up in a humble fast-food joint?

Lin Chuan’s eyes bore into Qi Kai, teeth gritted. The memory of Qi Kai kicking Lin Yiyang in the bar was still vivid in his mind. If it had only been himself that was beaten, Lin Chuan might have let it go. But to him, Lin Yiyang was more precious than life itself—how could he just forget that kick?

The urge to act surged within him; he shot to his feet, fists clenched, ready to stride over.

But just then, Wang Yue grabbed his arm, her brows tightly knit. “What are you doing?”

“Don’t interfere,” Lin Chuan replied, voice cold.

“Yiyang is here. Do you want him to have to pick you up from the police station again?” Wang Yue lowered her voice, trying to dissuade him.

Lin Chuan’s heart trembled. He suddenly noticed Lin Yiyang had set down his chopsticks and was gazing at him, wide-eyed, with a look of pitiful concern.

With a heavy exhale, Lin Chuan forced down his anger and sat back down. Yes—he was a father now, not a reckless youth with nothing to lose. If he got into trouble over a fight, what would happen to his son? Soon, the boy would start kindergarten—what if the other children laughed at him?

With these thoughts, Lin Chuan suppressed his anger, though the resentment still burned inside. In his previous life, things had been uneventful—he had no real grudges. Even after being reborn into this world, though his finances were strained, as long as he worked hard he wouldn’t starve. The concept of “hatred” felt foreign.

Yet now, seeing Qi Kai again, Lin Chuan could barely contain his fury—he longed to teach him a lesson. But for his son’s sake, he had to swallow his pride. What else could he do? Qi Kai had money and connections; if things escalated, Lin Chuan would be the one to suffer.

If he couldn’t fight, then he could only curse him silently. That wasn’t a crime, was it?

Lin Chuan’s anger didn’t fade, and his mind began to conjure a scene…

Meanwhile, Qi Kai and his companions paid no attention to Lin Chuan in the corner as they made their way upstairs. But just then, with a sudden thud, Qi Kai tripped and tumbled down the stairs.

At that exact moment, a woman in her thirties came by with a tray holding a bowl of freshly cooked beef noodles. Startled by the commotion, she shrieked, and the tray slipped from her hands—spilling the steaming noodles all over Qi Kai.

Instantly, the restaurant rang with screams of pain. Many diners turned to look, some shocked, others annoyed. Most thought that was the end of it. But as Qi Kai screamed and flailed, he grabbed at something nearby for support.

Unfortunately, it was a stack of empty beer crates. With his hard pull, there came the crash of breaking glass and plastic—over a dozen crates and their bottles tumbled down, landing squarely on him. The scene was almost too pitiful to watch.

Now, on top of falling and getting scalded, he’d been battered as well. Unless he wanted to spend the next six months in a hospital bed, there’d