Where did this little punk come from, doesn't even know Lord Lin?

The next day, in the early morning, the sky was blue and the clouds were white.

The common people in the city began a new day with hope. On the streets, some were shouting energetically, while others were greeting friends warmly. The scent of life was so rich.

The marketplace, this was where the common folk made a living. Some sold flatbreads, pears, vegetables, and so on.

The foot traffic was considerable.

But where there were large crowds, there also came oppression and unwritten rules.

Jin Biao was the embodiment of oppression and unwritten rules. As usual, he entered the marketplace with his two lackeys, swaggering and swinging their arms.

Seeing them approach, the surrounding stall owners lowered their heads, not daring to meet their eyes, even forcing a fawning smile against their better judgment.

"Brother Biao, what are we eating today?" one lackey with a bandage on his head asked. His question, though seemingly respectful, was laced with a constant undercurrent of lewdness.

Jin Biao smiled and casually took a pear from a nearby stall, taking a large bite. The stall owner, of course, didn't dare to ask for money and quickly handed over two more pears to Jin Biao's lackeys.

Although Jin Biao didn't speak, he nodded in satisfaction.

Hmm.

You've got some sense.

If any stall owner here dared to disrespect him, they would have their stall flipped over and be severely beaten, to the point of being bedridden.

Another lackey said, "Nonsense, of course our Brother Biao has to eat well. Remember the protection money that woman paid us yesterday? She said she wanted to set up a stall in the market. I reckon Brother Biao definitely wants to go meet that woman, get her into his hands, and really have his way with her."

The bandaged lackey suddenly understood. Thinking of that woman, she had a certain allure. Married women seemed to naturally develop a unique scent. Those big hips, that... aiyah, just thinking about it made his mouth water.

"Let's go take a look." Jin Biao couldn't wait and quickened his pace.

As local ruffians, their days consisted of bullying people in the market and collecting protection fees. Their lives were incredibly satisfying.

Before they could even see her, they heard the woman's shouts.

"Flatbreads for sale! Two coins each!"

Hearing such a pleasant voice, Jin Biao trembled all over. It was incredibly invigorating, and even his battle-hardened brothers seemed to react.

Madam Li was shouting diligently. Her husband was ill, the pillar of their family had fallen. To support her family and pay for her husband's treatment, she had no choice but to return to her old trade, selling flatbreads.

"Young lady, how much are they?"

"Two coins each, five coins for three."

Madam Li looked up to greet the customer, but when she saw who it was, fear flickered in her eyes. How could she not know who these people were?

They were notorious ruffians, very wicked.

"Master Biao, I'll give you a few." Madam Li quickly packed some flatbreads and handed them over.

Jin Biao grinned and reached out, not to take the bread, but to touch Madam Li's hand. Startled, Madam Li stumbled back, withdrawing her hand, a mix of shame and anger on her face. "Master Biao, please show some respect."

Jin Biao laughed heartily, lewdly sniffing his hand with a look of contentment. "Fragrant, your hand is so fragrant, it has such a lovely scent."

Madam Li, having been so brazenly molested, felt despair.

The surrounding stall owners witnessed this scene, also filled with anger. Some clenched their fists, but dared not resist. They were just common folk trying to make a living; how could they possibly stand up to these ruffians?

Would they risk their homes?

Their livelihoods?

Besides, who knew what these ruffians were capable of?

Setting fire to homes in the dead of night was common. Countless people had been burned to death. Even the official investigations merely concluded it was an accidental fire.

Who believed that?

These ruffians were all connected to the Security Bureau.

An old man at the stall next to Madam Li's said humbly, trying to appease him, "Master Biao, she's just started her stall and doesn't know anything. You are a magnanimous person, please don't hold it against her."

Jin Biao frowned. Before he could speak, the bandaged lackey stepped forward and slapped the old man to the ground, cursing, "Old geezer, what business is it of yours? Get lost, or I'll beat you to death, you old beast."

The old man lay on the ground, groaning.

Madam Li rushed forward to check on him, asking about his condition, and angrily said, "How could you hit someone?"

"Oh my, the little lady looks so beautiful when she's angry. It makes Master Biao's heart soften. Come, come, touch Master Biao's heart and see if it's beating fast."

Jin Biao's brazen behavior made the surrounding people grit their teeth.

But they were helpless, powerless.

"What is Jin Biao doing?" Just then, two constables walked over leisurely, one holding soy milk and the other a flatbread. Although they appeared to be on patrol, they were actually there to get their breakfast.

They came here to eat and drink for free.

Madam Li seemed to see a glimmer of hope.

But the common people were already accustomed to it; the constables arriving wouldn't help.

Seeing the newcomers, Jin Biao's face immediately lit up with a smile. "Brother Huang, Brother Zhang, what brings you here?"

Constable Huang said, "Just taking a look. No trouble, right?"

"No, no, I, Jin Biao, am a law-abiding citizen. How could I do such things?" Jin Biao's ability to lie through his teeth was also exceptional.

"Hmm, good that there wasn't any trouble," the bailiff exchanged a look with his colleague, nodding in unspoken agreement. After giving a few instructions, they prepared to leave the market.

Just as they were about to depart, Madam Li said aggrievedly, "Your Excellencies, he molested me and then hit me."

The two bailiffs stopped in their tracks.

"Is that so?"

They then looked at Jin Biao, "Did you do these things?"

Jin Biao quickly waved his hands, "No, absolutely not. If you don't believe me, ask the people around. If anyone dares to testify, I, Jin Biao, will definitely settle the score with them."

He emphasized the word "settle the score."

The two bailiffs looked at the surrounding stall owners, hoping someone would be brave enough to testify.

Madam Li looked on with hope that someone would speak up.

But reality was cruel. The surrounding stall owners lowered their heads, none daring to be the first to speak out. They knew it would be useless even if they testified; these guys were all in cahoots.

Jin Biao was close with the bailiffs and often bribed them.

How could these bailiffs possibly uphold justice for them, ordinary folk?

The two bailiffs looked at Madam Li, "Words are not evidence. You can't frame someone. However, seeing as you're a woman, we'll let it go this time."

They turned to leave.

Madam Li slumped to the ground, powerless, her face filled with despair. There was no justice, truly no justice. They all knew Jin Biao was a local thug, yet no one would intervene.

At this moment, seeing the two bailiffs leave, Jin Biao's lips curved into a smile. His eyes cast a warning glance at the surrounding stall owners before turning to Madam Li.

"Oh my, why is this little lady sitting on the ground? It's cold on the ground. Come, come, let Master Biao have a good look at you."

With that, he reached out to touch her, intending to pull the woman into his embrace.

Slap!

Just then, he felt a hand on his shoulder and heard a voice in his ear.

"You want me to have a good look."

Jin Biao frowned, quite displeased. Who dared to be so audacious as to speak to him, Jin Biao, like this? He turned his head. He didn't recognize the person, but he recognized the clothes they were wearing.

"Brother, who are you?"

"I'm very familiar with Brother Huang and Brother Zhang. They just left."

Before Lin Fan could speak, Wu Yong, standing beside him, flew into a rage. He raised his hand and slapped Jin Biao hard across the face.

"Are you blind? You don't even recognize Master Lin? What kind of punk are you, daring to bully people here? Do you have no respect for Master Lin?"