"Elder Bai, are you sure you weren't deceived by this kid? How could he possibly be your savior!"
Ma Shihao, worried that Bai Jingchang had fallen for Li Yang's trick, asked earnestly.
"Silence!"
Bai Jingchang reprimanded him sternly, then said, "If Mr. Li hadn't reminded me just now that I would be in danger, I would have met my end by now."
"Why were you causing trouble for Mr. Li today? Do you have any past grievances with him?"
"I... I originally came to ask Long Lingling to return the antiques belonging to the Ma family. I didn't expect this kid to stand up for Long Lingling and even initiate the assault. I had to act in self-defense," Ma Shihao stated frankly.
"You're talking nonsense!"
Before Bai Jingchang could respond, Long Lingling angrily stepped forward to explain, "You were the one who attacked first, and you dare to slander Li Yang."
After speaking, she immediately looked at Bai Jingchang and said, "Elder Bai, don't listen to his nonsense. Li Yang didn't make a move at all. He clearly brought people to surround me, and Li Yang stepped in to help me, so he attacked Li Yang first."
"And the antiques he's demanding don't belong to their Ma family at all. I bought them at an auction, and he couldn't snatch them from me then, so he resorted to these despicable and insidious methods to deal with me."
"Miss Long, please calm your anger. I will handle this matter properly!"
Bai Jingchang knew Ma Shihao very well. This child had been disobedient since he was young and loved to lie.
When he made mistakes, he was even more inclined to shift the blame to others. Now, with just a glance at Ma Shihao's eyes, Bai Jingchang knew he was lying.
Turning back, Bai Jingchang looked at Ma Shihao sternly and said, "Shihao, you wouldn't want your father to know about you causing trouble on the street, would you? Moreover, I suspect that what you're demanding from Miss Long is not what your father desires."
"If I were to tell your father about what happened today, how do you think he would punish you?"
"This..."
Ma Shihao suddenly felt guilty. He knew Bai Jingchang's standing in his father's eyes. If Bai Jingchang were to report him, his father would surely punish him severely.
Since Bai Jingchang was protecting Long Lingling and this kid today, it seemed he could only let them off for now!
A moment later, Ma Shihao respectfully said to Bai Jingchang, "Elder Bai, I'll let this slide today out of respect for you. But they had better not provoke me in the future. If they dare to provoke me again, I will not be lenient with them."
"Your nature is belligerent, and this temper truly needs to be corrected. Today was your fault. Now, you will immediately come and apologize to Miss Long and Mr. Li." Bai Jingchang commanded sternly.
"What? You want me to apologize?"
Ma Shihao looked astonished and very unconvinced, saying, "Why should I apologize? Elder Bai, you are deliberately favoring them."
"I only recognize right and wrong. If you don't apologize, I will immediately inform your father of your actions, and how he punishes you is his business."
As Bai Jingchang spoke, he took out his phone to call Old Master Ma.
Seeing that he was serious, and noticing the increasing number of passersby stopping to watch the spectacle, Ma Shihao felt a pang of fear.
If his father found out about this, he would definitely rush over and break his legs, which would be even more embarrassing.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a chill of dread. He quickly relented and said proactively, "Elder Bai, no, I admit I'm wrong, I admit I'm wrong, isn't that enough!"
"Hey, Long Lingling, and you, kid, you're lucky today. This young master apologizes to you, and this matter is over. If you see this young master in the future, you'd best steer clear!"
"And you call this an apology?"
Li Yang looked at his nonchalant demeanor and said dismissively, "Since you're apologizing, you should do it with a proper attitude. Now, kneel down and kowtow three times to Miss Long, begging for her forgiveness, and then this matter will be settled."
"Otherwise, you're not leaving today."
"Kid, don't push your luck too far!"
Upon hearing this, Ma Shihao's face turned furious. He clenched his fists tightly, glared at Li Yang through gritted teeth, and said, "If my Ma family wants you dead by the third watch, you won't survive past the fifth. If you let me off, I can overlook this."
"Sorry, I don't buy that. If you want to deal with me, I welcome it!" Li Yang said disdainfully.
"You..."
Ma Shihao hadn't expected this kid to be so stubborn. Did he really have to kneel before them today?
"Hurry up and kneel to apologize. If you've made a mistake, you must show a sincere attitude of admitting it."
"Making mistakes and then threatening others, I see Young Master Ma's character isn't that great either."
"We're all watching here today. If Young Master Ma doesn't apologize, we'll publicize his misdeeds."
The surrounding audience couldn't stand it any longer and were discussing heatedly and indignantly.
Ma Shihao, having lost face and worried that the incident would be publicized, which could have adverse effects on his future, pinned his hopes on Bai Jingchang.
His eyes darted, and he turned to look at Bai Jingchang, saying, "Elder Bai, you're friends with this kid, can you put in a good word for me?"
"Young Master Ma, you made the mistake yourself. How can I plead for you? You should still follow Mr. Li's request and kneel to apologize to Miss Long."
"As the saying goes, it's better to resolve enmity than to create it. As long as you apologize with a sincere attitude, I believe Mr. Li and Miss Long will not deliberately make things difficult for you," Bai Jingchang said sternly.
"Elder Bai, I..."
Ma Shihao's brows furrowed, and he suddenly lost all hope. Even his last straw had vanished!
He mentally noted this grudge with Li Yang and, facing the pressure from the numerous onlookers and their varied opinions, finally knelt before Long Lingling and Li Yang.
He knelt on the ground and said with seemingly great sincerity, "Today's events were all my fault. I am willing to apologize for my actions and hope you two can forgive me."
"Hmph, at least you have some self-awareness. Since you know you were wrong, get up. I advise you not to provoke this young lady again in the future, or I'll make you regret it!"
Long Lingling snorted coldly. Seeing that her dignity had been restored, and eager to take Li Yang to a romantic hotel, she dismissed Ma Shihao.
After Ma Shihao got up, he saw people still pointing at him. He directly pushed through the crowd and left angrily with his subordinates.
As he walked out of the crowd, he turned back and glared fiercely at Li Yang, saying indignantly, "Kid, you dare to make this young master lose face. Just you wait, I will definitely make you pay the price."
"Young Master, should we ambush him and teach him a lesson when he comes out?" a subordinate stepped forward, also indignant.
"Hmph, beating him up would be too good for him. Go investigate all his information. He dared to make me lose face, so I'll make his entire family miserable!" Ma Shihao commanded sinisterly.
"Yes, Young Master, we'll go right away!" the subordinate replied decisively.