Chapter 491
“She’s just a woman, and in my eyes, nothing more than a pet. When a pet disobeys, it needs to be disciplined, and only after enough discipline will it learn to obey.” The man’s words were spoken slowly, with an air of menace that couldn’t be hidden, his eyes fixed on Xu Ke with a bloody gleam. “I’ll say it again, if you don’t let go, the consequences won’t be something you can handle.”
“I’ve heard threats like yours many times, but they all failed. I don’t mind if you try, to see if you really have the power to make the consequences unbearable for me.” As Xu Ke spoke, he tightened his grip, causing the man’s hand to turn a purplish-red due to poor circulation. The veins stood out on the back of his hand, resembling worms under the skin, looking somewhat horrifying.
As the two men were locked in their struggle, Yu Xia blinked twice and slowly turned to the man, saying, “I’m not a pet. Don’t talk nonsense, or I’ll hit you.” Yu Xia raised her hand, mimicking a slapping gesture.
The man laughed in anger at Yu Xia’s threat. Initially, he had only wanted to slap her, but now he changed his mind, lifting his long leg to kick Yu Xia in the stomach.
Xu Ke, who had been watching the man’s movements, quickly lifted his leg and kicked the man’s knee, forcing his leg back down. At the same time, Xu Ke twisted the man’s wrist, breaking it with a sharp motion.
The man hadn’t yet recovered from his earlier failure when the pain in his wrist commanded all his attention. He let out a cry of pain that startled nearby people, causing them to take a detour and change their direction.
“If your so-called consequences involve laying hands on a woman, then you’ll never make me regret anything in this life. She’s under my protection, and as long as she’s here, you won’t touch her.” Xu Ke’s anger surged within him.
Yu Xia, restless in Xu Ke’s embrace, pointed at the man and said with a bit of defiance, “You’re trying to hit me? You’re a bad kid if you hit people, and nobody likes bad kids. Xiaxia hates you, really hates you, and Xiaxia won’t play with you anymore, hmph.” As she spoke, Yu Xia spit at the man, surprising everyone watching.
But her aim was off, not hitting the man, leaving a slight regret in Xu Ke’s heart.
“Xiaxia, stop moving around. When I deal with this bad guy, I’ll take you back to your room,” Xu Ke gently patted Yu Xia’s head, trying to calm her.
“And remember, Xiaxia is a good child and shouldn’t spit at others. It’s rude and people won’t like it.” Xu Ke coaxed Yu Xia, as if comforting a child.
Yu Xia’s fidgeting suddenly ceased, her eyes showing a hint of fear. She quietly raised both hands to cover her mouth, looking a bit pitiful as she glanced at Xu Ke, “Xiaxia was wrong. Xiaxia won’t dare anymore, please don’t dislike Xiaxia.”
“Alright, just behave and stand here. Once I handle this bad man, I’ll take you back to your room,” Xu Ke coaxed.
Yu Xia nodded vigorously, getting out of Xu Ke’s embrace a bit unsteadily, causing Xu Ke to instinctively reach out to steady her, but then he paused, pulling his hand back and turning his attention to the man who had angered him today.
The man, not accustomed to such suffering, was covered in a fine layer of cold sweat due to the pain, yet his glare at Xu Ke remained fierce.
“Whatever they are, I can handle it,” Xu Ke said with a faintly confident smile.
“But you can’t handle the consequences of this situation. I am under the protection of Xu Longzhen from the Xu Family. She’s very protective, and if she finds out you attacked me, you’ll regret being born.” When he mentioned Xu Longzhen, a prideful tone crept into the man’s voice, and his gaze on Xu Ke was filled with condescending disdain, as if Xu Ke should instinctively bow down upon hearing the name.
But all his posturing was in vain, for Xu Ke showed no fear of the name Xu Longzhen. He was unlike anyone the man had previously encountered.
“Stop, don’t come any closer. Didn’t you hear me? I’m under Xu Longzhen’s protection. If you harm me, she won’t let you and the woman with you go. She’ll make your life a living hell. No one leaves the Xu Family whole once they fall into her clutches,” the man continued to threaten Xu Ke.
“If you’re smart, you’d know to kneel and apologize right now, and hand over that woman to me, begging for my forgiveness to help cover this up. Otherwise, when the Third Miss finds out, you won’t fare well,” the man said, clutching his wrist.
“What does that have to do with me? If she really wants revenge, let her come find me. I’m always ready,” Xu Ke replied, unfazed by the name Xu Longzhen. He had heard similar threats too many times on this island, each one proving to be nothing more than baseless boasts, so he paid them no mind.
Xu Ke’s calm demeanor deflated the man’s earlier bravado like a punctured balloon. Trying to retreat discreetly, the man managed a slightly stiff expression, “Do you not know Xu San Miss or the Xu Family? They’re the most mysterious lineage in the U.S. How dare you put on such airs? Is your family background more powerful? You truly possess the audacity to speak like this. Do you know how many prestigious families in the U.S. wouldn’t dare talk to them like this? Should I admire your courage or pity your ignorance?”
Xu Ke halted, standing still with a listening posture, indeed curious about who could give this man the courage to defy him, and to assume such an elevated stance.