The housekeeper finished speaking and went back to get the key.
The door was locked, and Xiang Siyuan had nowhere to hide. Seeing Peng Fei stumbling after him, he was so scared that he ran around the yard.
"Don't come near me! I warn you, my mother sent me here to calm down for a couple of days at most, she didn't mean to hurt me. If you dare to lay a hand on me again, I'll really not be polite!"
"My mother gave you the right to discipline me, but my father didn't! Do you know who my father is? He's a famous movie star in the entertainment industry! He won't let you off!"
"And the neighbor next door! Do you know who he is? Zhan Bei Jue! That's my uncle! If you dare to hurt me, they won't let you off!"
Peng Fei couldn't care less about who lived next door or who his father was at this moment.
He only knew that these seven children had been entrusted to him, and he had to bring them back in one piece.
If he indulged them in starting a fire today, who knew what they would dare to do tomorrow.
He had to teach these brats a lesson.
So, instead of chasing Xiang Siyuan immediately, he pulled out the water hose and washed his face thoroughly.
In the middle of winter, the cold water on his face was bone-chilling, but it also made him much more clear-headed.
Peng Fei wiped his face with his sweater, finally revealing his original appearance. His strength also recovered, and he turned off the water.
He then directed the six little ones huddled together.
"You guys, stand up, go over there, and line up according to your height."
The main door hadn't opened yet, so they couldn't run away. The few of them knew they were no match for him, so they could only obediently do as he said.
Peng Fei watched them line up before looking at Xiang Siyuan again.
"Don't give me that talk. Since I took this job, I'm not afraid. Speak up, come here yourself, or I'll catch you."
Xiang Siyuan was utterly speechless. "Are you out of your mind? Can't I make myself clear to you?"
"Fine. That means you're waiting for me to catch you. Xiang Siyuan, you're finished."
Peng Fei moved his legs, and Xiang Siyuan's knees went weak with fear. He yelled and ran with all his might, shouting to his brothers at the same time.
"Come help! Help me hold him down, we'll go together, he can't beat us all!"
"Are you brothers or not? You can't just watch me get beaten, can you? Hurry up and help!"
But not a single person dared to move.
Soon, Peng Fei caught up to him.
With a tiger-like pounce, he grabbed Xiang Siyuan by the neck from behind and pinned him to the ground.
Xiang Siyuan's hands were tied behind his back again.
Peng Fei held him with one hand and looked at the few figures in the distance.
"Throw me the water hose."
No one moved.
He roared again, "Are you deaf? Throw it over! You're next!"
The youngest one had the weakest psychological resilience. Frightened, he quickly ran over and handed the water hose to Peng Fei.
Peng Fei used the water hose to wrap around Xiang Siyuan's hands and feet, then rolled him over like a silkworm, grabbing him by the collar of his down jacket.
"Why did the fire start? Speak, did you do it? You're incredibly bold. If I hadn't returned in time today, do you know what the consequences would have been?"
Since he had been caught, Xiang Siyuan was also disheartened.
He gritted his teeth and looked at Peng Fei. "I did it, so what? Can't I burn my own house? I have money, I'm willing, what business is it of yours?"
"What consequences do I care about? It's best if it counts as your dereliction of duty, I want my mother to kick you out!"
"I hate you to death. Who do you think you are? Disciplining me? Sooner or later, I'll get revenge!"
Having made a mistake, he showed no remorse and was still arrogant.
Peng Fei slapped him across the face.
"Say that again if you dare."
Xiang Siyuan felt his face go numb from the slap, his head buzzing, and stars dancing before his eyes.
In his entire life, he had never suffered such humiliation.
Tears of grievance streamed down his face.
"You dare to hit me? My daddy and mommy have never hit my face, who do you think you are!"
"I'll fight you to the death! Today, I'll risk my life to fight you! Ah!!"
Saying that, he lifted his head to ram it into Peng Fei's face. Peng Fei easily dodged it and grabbed his hair.
"Hitting you is the least of it. For a brainless fool like you, who only knows how to be overbearing and arrogant, I wish I could kill every one of you."
"No remorse? Then you can stay here. I'll let you go when you realize your mistake!"
After saying that, he wrapped Xiang Siyuan with the water hose a few more times, ensuring he couldn't break free, and then roughly pushed him aside. He then stood up and looked at the few guys who were pale with fear.
"Tell me, do you know you were wrong?"
"Your own house caught fire. You have money, so you might not care, but what if it affected the neighbors? What if someone got hurt? What if someone died? Would it make the social news? Would your parents be proud when they found out?"
"I won't preach too much, I'll just ask you one question: Were you wrong? Will you dare to do it again in the future?"
After being beaten as a warning, coupled with seeing the state of the house, they already felt some guilt. They all nodded and admitted their mistakes.
Peng Fei then didn't lay a hand on them.
"Considering you few are somewhat sensible, I won't hit you today. But don't think you can go back just because the house burned down."
"I won't tell your parents about this. Take off your jackets and go clean out the trash inside. You can rest inside when the house is cleaned up, otherwise, you'll all sleep in the yard tonight!"
Huh?
They were actually being asked to clean up the trash? Otherwise, they wouldn't even get to sleep?
They looked at each other, all unwilling.
Peng Fei roared again.
"Do you have to force me to act, and only feel at ease when you end up like him?"
There was no other way. They pushed and shoved each other, reluctantly taking off their jackets.
Soon, the housekeeper arrived with the key and opened the main door.
The nanny and Zhan Jingchun also came with him.
Hearing that Chen Jiaojiao and Xiang Yang were not home, and that Xiang Siyuan had set the house on fire by himself, Zhan Jingchun was very worried that he might get hurt.
Unexpectedly, upon entering the yard, she saw a large group of boys.
They were of varying heights, with unfamiliar and solemn faces, but Xiang Siyuan was not among them. The atmosphere was strangely heavy, which startled her.
As she hurried inside, she asked them.
"Who are you all? Who let you in? Where is Xiang Siyuan?"
Peng Fei didn't expect to have close contact with Zhan Jingchun so soon.
Although he knew she lived next door and could meet her with a little effort, he wasn't ready.
When he suddenly heard her voice, he thought he was hallucinating and quickly looked over.
Coincidentally, Zhan Jingchun's gaze also fell on them.
She noticed a particularly tall and familiar figure. Just as she was wondering who this man was, their eyes met.
Although Peng Fei's face was covered in black soot, as if he had just emerged from a coal mine, and he was covered in dirt.
His build, his posture, even the angle of his head turning, were all too familiar to her.
She recognized him at a glance.