The group of thugs was brutal, grabbing beer bottles from a nearby barbecue stall and smashing them mercilessly onto Qin Lei's body and head.
*Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang...*
The crisp sound of breaking glass echoed through the night market, one after another.
Though crisp and loud, it was incredibly jarring.
At least, to my ears... it was extremely jarring.
I had expected the fallen Qin Lei to be coerced into confessing under duress, but even as he was beaten until he could barely move, his words remained the same.
"I, I didn't... steal your money!"
Qin Lei's defiant words, akin to refusing to surrender even unto death, were undoubtedly perceived by the thugs as a declaration of his unyielding stance.
In an instant, the punches and kicks raining down on Qin Lei intensified.
Just as Qin Lei seemed about to be beaten to death, the onlookers finally began to react.
"Brothers, the young man said he didn't steal your money. Is there any need to beat him like this?"
"Exactly! That's enough! If someone actually dies, it won't just be about money anymore."
"Oh dear! Look at that young man lying there motionless, could something have really happened?"
"He looks like he's really on his last legs! Call 110, call 110 quickly!"
"What the hell! Are you out of your mind? In this situation, shouldn't we call 120 first to save him?"
"........."
Surprisingly, the babbling of the onlookers was quite effective.
The thugs, likely realizing they had gone too far, saw that Qin Lei on the ground could no longer even struggle. They became flustered and bewildered.
Then, after exchanging glances, the group of miscreants scattered like startled birds, quickly disappearing into the food street...
In fact, Qin Lei's situation had nothing to do with me until this point.
But these same onlookers, who had just been talking about calling the police and 120, stood frozen in place after seeing the thugs flee.
Not a single one of them pulled out their phone to make a call!
This scene deeply affected me.
One truly cannot look directly into the hearts of men!
Apathy and fear of trouble are the nature of most people.
Seeing everyone standing idly by, watching the fallen Qin Lei with hesitation and indifference, I flashed out from the crowd.
Confirming that he still had a breath of life left, without any unnecessary actions or words, I decisively picked Qin Lei up on my back.
Quickly walking to the roadside, I hailed a taxi and headed straight for the nearest hospital...
The reason I decided to save Qin Lei was, firstly, that the scene I had just witnessed deeply impacted me, causing me to involuntarily relate it to myself.
I don't want, I don't want to face a future where, if I were to find myself in Qin Lei's situation, my fate would be even worse!
While I cannot change the thoughts of others, I can change my own.
Saving others is saving oneself; saving a life is saving oneself.
As for the second reason, it was Qin Lei's unyielding spirit.
He would rather be beaten to death like this than bear a baseless accusation.
This point is particularly important.
A person who values principles more than life deserves my respect, and even more so, deserves my help!
Of course, there is a deeper reason, derived from the combination of the previous two points.
As for what it is, allow me to keep you in suspense for now!
.........
The next day, nearing noon.
When the accompanying family members of other beds in the ward went downstairs to the cafeteria for meals, Qin Lei slowly woke up.
Upon waking and seeing a stranger sitting by his bedside, Qin Lei's expression immediately turned serious.
"Are you with Wu Qipeng's group?"
As he asked this, Qin Lei's eyes were filled with vigilant hostility.
"Who is Wu Qipeng? Is he the thug who led the charge with beer bottles against you in the food street?"
Ignoring my question, Qin Lei continued to stare intently at me, as if trying to discern something from my face.
Seeing this, I waved my hand dismissively and smiled, "Don't overthink it, brother! If I were with the group from last night, you wouldn't be lying on a hospital bed right now! You'd be in the morgue!"
Hearing my words, the tense expression on Qin Lei's face gradually relaxed.
It seemed he had recalled what happened last night.
Indeed, Qin Lei's next sentence confirmed my guess.
"You... saved me?"
With his expression softened, the hostility in Qin Lei's tone significantly lessened.
I did not answer Qin Lei's question.
Because, strictly speaking, the person who truly saved him was not me, but those meddling onlookers.
However, these nosy and fear-prone onlookers saved him only halfway before abandoning their efforts due to various concerns.
As for me, it was after considering various factors and delving deeper that I decided to act.
Lies do not hurt; the truth is the sharpest blade.
Such truths... it is better not to speak them!
With that thought, I directly took out two thousand yuan from my pocket and placed it on the bedside table. Then, I said to Qin Lei, "I've already paid for your hospitalization. Here's two thousand yuan for you to use for emergencies."
"Once your injuries have healed, finding a legitimate job will be better than anything else!"
"Mixing with those who live meal to meal leads nowhere and has no good outcome."
"I'm leaving now. I'll visit you again when I have time."
After speaking, I turned to leave.
But just then, Qin Lei called out to me from behind, asking, "What about mixing with you?"
Hearing this, I immediately stopped in my tracks, and a slight curve formed on my lips.
Everything I had just said was intentionally designed to employ the tactic of feigned indifference.
In this world, no one is good to another without reason.
Especially when both parties are complete strangers.
If there is, it must be with ulterior motives!
My tactic of feigned indifference, if applied to any member of Yu Shuang's team, would undoubtedly be counterproductive.
But applied to Qin Lei... it is absolutely perfect!
Because I saved his life, he has a fundamental sense of trust towards my words.
It's like how Leng Meng was with me back then!
Considering his performance last night, he seems to be a rookie in this martial world.
For a rookie like Qin Lei, who has strong principles, if someone is willing to extend a hand to help him when he is in trouble, it is essentially like a rebirth.
The fledgling eagle learns to spread its wings and fly against the wind.
Man learns to face adversity and press forward.
Ever since I was "qian" by Yu Shuang repeatedly and escaped a predicament with the help of Helian Shan, I made a solemn vow in my heart.
From now on, only I, Chen Xiang, will "qian" others; I will never let anyone "qian" me again!
Therefore, Qin Lei... is the first person I will "qian"!
Not only will I firmly "qian" him, but I will also cultivate him into the Wind General among the Eight Generals of "qian", making him an indispensable part of my subsequent revenge plan!