Seeing only two people opposite, and one of them injured, yet the arrogant young man remained defiant, they couldn't ascertain the other party's background.
Moreover, the young man had the demeanor of a street punk, clearly a local troublemaker with backing. They had also witnessed Xiao Xun's skills, recognizing him as a true master.
The tall one exchanged a look with the blonde-haired man, signaling him to quickly resolve the issue and leave.
The blonde-haired man wanted to regain face and, ideally, extort some money from the young man.
Thus, the blonde-haired man stood up and addressed the young man, "What is there for us to be afraid of? Since we dared to come, we were prepared. That last game doesn't count. Do you dare to play with me in free mode, "Master of Perfection" at level 220?"
The young man directly picked up his half-finished milk tea and threw it at him, "Master of your ass, you brain-dead dog."
Seeing the young man make the first move, the group didn't hold back and immediately started fighting.
The young man grabbed the keyboard in front of him and used it as a weapon, swinging it.
Xiao Xun was also caught in the crossfire and took several blows.
The internet café manager, seeing this, grabbed the blonde-haired man from behind, "Damn it, stop fighting! Anyone who dares to cause trouble here, I'll kill them."
The group, seeing the manager's imposing aura, didn't think he was bluffing. Furthermore, the blonde-haired man's face was already turning red from lack of oxygen.
Xiao Xun seized the opportunity to squeeze out of the crowd and walked over to the manager, "Manager, forget it, forget it. They're all just kids who don't know anything."
The manager glanced at Xiao Xun and said to the blonde-haired man in his grip, "Are you convinced now?"
The blonde-haired man was already scared stiff, "Convinced, convinced. I lost. He could beat me with one hand. I'm truly impressed."
The young man, looking like he wasn't afraid of making things worse, asked, "After being convinced, what now?"
Xiao Xun glared at him, thinking: It's best to let things go when one can. This isn't just arguing online where it's forgotten afterward. No one can actually track you through the internet cables. But this is in real life, with people face-to-face. To insist on the so-called 'father-son showdown' now would be truly bullying someone with power.
The blonde-haired man pulled out fifty yuan from his pocket, "I admit defeat. This is the agreed-upon payment for the game card."
The manager released his grip and threw the money to the young man.
The young man picked up the money and looked at it, "To be honest, I don't lack this little bit of money. What about the 'father-son showdown'?"
The group exchanged glances. Xiao Xun looked at the young man's uncompromising demeanor, "You've already won and vented your anger. That should be enough."
The young man showed great respect to Xiao Xun, "Since my big brother has spoken, you can all get out of here!"
The blonde-haired man quickly walked towards the door, waving to his companions as he went.
Once at the door, he turned back and said to the young man, "Remember this, this isn't over."
The young man responded by giving him the middle finger.
Xiao Xun walked back to the young man, "I helped you win the game and fought for you offline. Are you going to fulfill our agreement?"
"Isn't it just paying for overnight internet and drinks? No problem. If one night isn't enough, we'll do two. If one bucket isn't enough, we'll get two."
"That's not what I was talking about." After speaking, Xiao Xun's gaze shifted to the manager behind him.
The young man's expression froze, and he lightly coughed, "Ahem! Big brother, you still remember that? I didn't even bring up the 'father-son showdown,' so why are you still dwelling on this?"
"I'm dwelling on it? Are the two matters the same? If you hadn't promised to apologize to the manager, we wouldn't be friends, and I wouldn't have helped you!"
The young man generously bowed towards the manager who was walking towards the counter, "Brother Guan, I sincerely apologize. My actions today were thoughtless. I hope you can be magnanimous and overlook my faults. A great man can tolerate much, as the moon sets and geese fly, frost fills the sky, husband and wife return home together..."
Upon hearing this, the manager smiled again, "You kid, you're full of witty remarks. I'm not angry anymore. The keyboard and headphones belong to the boss, not me. Young people, it's natural to be impulsive."
The young man nodded continuously, saying, "Yes, yes, yes."
Then he added, "We've gotten to know each other through fighting. Since we're so fated, why don't we go out for a meal and some drinks? My treat, how about it?"
The manager was tidying up the counter, "You guys go ahead! I won't be joining. I can't leave this place."
The young man nodded, "Then I'll bring some back for you!"
Without waiting for Xiao Xun's consent, he pulled him towards a small restaurant across from the internet café.
The young man seemed to be a regular customer. The owner immediately handed him a bottle of soda upon seeing him.
The young man took the soda and handed it to Xiao Xun behind him, "Didn't have any roasted skewers at noon, did you?"
The owner sized up Xiao Xun, "Who eats that kind of thing at noon? Come back in the evening if you want some!"
"Then, first, stir-fry two meat dishes for us, and get two bottles of beer, with a cold appetizer. We'll start drinking."
He then pointed to an empty seat nearby, "Big brother, you go sit there first. I'll go out and buy you some pig trotters."
Xiao Xun quickly waved his hands, "No need."
The young man was already at the door, "You are what you eat. Wait for me!"
Xiao Xun couldn't open the soda bottle with one hand, so he placed it aside.
The owner brought four bottles of chilled beer and placed them on the table, "Open them now?"
Xiao Xun glanced towards the door, feeling a bit uneasy, "Let's wait for him to come back."
As soon as he finished speaking, the young man walked in with two braised pig trotters and placed them directly in front of Xiao Xun.
The young man opened a bottle of beer and placed it in front of Xiao Xun, "Big brother, my name is Zhao Qiuyu, and I'm known as 'Little San Mao.' I still don't know your name?"
"My name is Xiao Xun, I don't have a nickname."
"Xiao Xun, that's a powerful name."
Little San Mao, seeing Xiao Xun staring at his hair, smiled and explained, "This nickname also comes from me often wandering around the city, frequenting various internet cafes, not going home, like a vagrant. That's why people gave me this nickname."
Xiao Xun grunted, not responding.
Little San Mao poured himself a glass of beer, "By the way, big brother, are you friends with that manager, Jin Hulu?"
Xiao Xun also filled his glass and proactively clinked it with Little San Mao, "I'm friends with the night shift manager. We've known each other for many years."
Upon hearing Xiao Xun mention the night shift manager, Little San Mao's eyes filled with admiration, "That night shift manager is really good at fighting. Basically, with him around, no one dares to cause trouble at Jin Hulu. That's why I come to this internet café the most."
Before long, the dishes were all served. The restaurant wasn't large, but it was crowded with diners, and soon all the tables were occupied.
After finishing two bottles of beer each, they both felt like they hadn't had enough. However, drinking heavily at noon wasn't their style, so they agreed to drink a case together in the evening.
After the meal, they brought some food back for the internet café manager and then returned.
The manager pulled out a large bucket of iced cola, covered in frost, "Brother, this is the cola we agreed on."
Xiao Xun immediately took it and hugged it, "Then I won't be polite."
Little San Mao placed the food on the counter, "Brother Guan is a man of his word. This food is my treat."
The manager laughed heartily, "In that case, I won't be polite either."
In the afternoon, there were slightly more people in the internet café than in the morning, but there were still many empty seats, especially the more expensive private booths, which were completely empty.
Xiao Xun hadn't slept well that morning, and after helping with the competition and having a bit of alcohol at noon, he lay down on the sofa and fell asleep.