"Stop! Why are you smashing my stall?"
Shen Tang stepped forward, putting a stop to the burly men's rampage.
"Get lost!"
This wasn't a TV drama. No one was going to stop just because Shen Tang had made a "brave" move. If anything, they only grew more furious.
The burly man leading them thought she was in the way. He reached out with a broad, fanlike palm, meaning to grab her shoulder and toss her aside. Fortunately, Shen Tang dodged quickly. Her wine stall wasn't so lucky. Someone kicked it over, and the wine jars on the bench shattered on impact.
Zhai Le hurled a wine jar at the thug who'd kicked the stall and yelled, "My wine! You people really don't know how to appreciate a good thing!"
As the wine splashed everywhere, its powerful aroma filled the air. Half of Shen Tang's face was drenched, and the fumes left her dizzy and lightheaded.
She shook her head, suppressing the discomfort.
After knocking over the stall, the burly man in charge swept his hand through the air.
"Break both these pretty boys' legs!"
"Got it!"
They snatched up wooden stools and clubs.
The vendors had packed up and fled as soon as the burly men showed up, afraid their stalls might get caught in the crossfire. Now, seeing things spiral out of control and threaten to turn into a bloody brawl, the timid passersby and stall owners screamed and covered their heads. Some hid; others ran.
Shen Tang, utterly bewildered: "..."
Zhai Le darted through the crowd like a black butterfly flitting among flowers, dodging the burly men's attacks. One moment he soared into the air, his robes fluttering; the next, he pushed off on his toes and unfurled his body. He twisted and spun midair, leaving the onlookers