Evan Lin leaned back in his chair, tapping the table with one hand, eyes dancing as he watched Boss Han, Hank "Doggy" Han, and their crew squirm.
Hank wasn’t dead—Evan went easy on him. If he’d wanted, those busted beer bottle shards could’ve turned Hank into Swiss cheese.
Old Man Zhong got dragged off by Shawn Shi and dumped in a corner, sighing and looking like he’d lost the lottery twice.
Boss Han tried to stare Evan down, but Big Tank and his squad of muscle-heads were glaring so hard he nearly pissed himself.
Still, almost everyone he knew in Clearstream County was standing behind him. Screw the wedding, screw the bride—he had to fight for his face.
"Bro, we didn’t know Lily Zhong was your girl. If we’d known, we wouldn’t have cut a deal with Old Man Zhong. This whole thing’s a mix-up. Give me some face—I’ll treat everyone, you take your people and bounce, and I’ll pay for Lakeview Pavilion’s losses. Let’s call it even—no beef." Boss Han forced a smile.
He stepped up, grabbed a chair, and tried to sit across from Evan like he was some big shot.
Didn’t even get to sit—Donny D shot forward and booted the chair out from under him. Boss Han hit the floor hard.
"Who the hell said you could sit here?" Donny D snapped, glaring at Boss Han sprawled on the ground.
Boss Han’s face twisted, but Hank "Doggy" Han scrambled over to haul him up.
And today, Hank actually joined forces with Old Man Zhong! It was the ultimate humiliation.
He was already half-crazed.
He refused to accept it. He refused to back down!
Hey punk, watch how you talk to Master Lin!
Big Tank, Shawn Shi, and Donny D’s faces all darkened. They were about to step up and give Hank a brutal lesson.
Stop.
Evan spoke calmly.
Master Lin, this punk doesn’t know his place—let me chop off both his hands! Shawn Shi said darkly.
I’ll break both his legs,' Donny D chimed in.
I’ll make sure he can’t ever have kids! Big Tank rumbled, eyes locked on Hank’s crotch.
Big Tank’s glare swept over Hank, making him flinch and instinctively cover his crotch with one hand.
All the punks behind Hank held their breath, not daring to make a sound.
I’ll give you two hours to call your people. Use your phone—bring as many as you want.
Evan yawned, looking bored out of his mind.
"What did you say?" Hank froze, thinking he’d misheard.
Master Lin told you to call your boys. You deaf or just stupid? Big Tank slammed the table, glaring at Hank.
"You said it! You guys are dead meat now!" Hank whipped out his phone and started dialing without hesitation.
Lily Zhong panicked as she saw Hank pulling out his phone.
Don’t sweat it," Evan said with a grin. Then he nodded at Big Tank: "Tell the kitchen to bring out the food. Everybody eat—I’m starving."
On it!
Big Tank dashed off to the kitchen, barking orders for the food.
Hank’s wedding banquet had some decent dishes. Soon enough, nervous waiters started bringing out plates, setting up three tables. Evan and Lily Zhong sat together at one, digging in.
The other two tables were for Big Tank and the boys.
At first, Evan’s crew hesitated, worried about eating in front of him. But seeing Evan so chill, they instantly got their appetites back and started chowing down.
"Yo! Zhao Qian! It’s Hank! I’m at Lakeview Pavilion—no BS, get the boys over here! Right now!"
"Hey! Sun Hai! It’s me, Hank! Bring your crew, I’ve got trouble at Lakeview Pavilion!"
...
Hank’s eyes were bloodshot as he fired off more than a dozen calls, rallying every contact from the surrounding counties—and promising big money to anyone who showed.
"Just wait—I’ll watch you die tonight!"
Hank was grinding his teeth so hard he nearly cracked them, hate burning in his eyes.
Eat up. The food’s kinda trash, but whatever, just deal with it. Evan picked out some beef for Lily Zhong.
Lily was nervous, but her stomach was growling, so she finally picked up her chopsticks.
While Evan’s crew feasted at three tables, Hank, Boss Han, and all the guests stood around starving, too scared to touch a thing or even sneak out.
They just stared, wide-eyed, at Evan’s crew stuffing their faces.
Outside Clearstream County, three or four dozen vans rolled out from nearby counties and towns, lining up and speeding straight toward Lakeview Pavilion.
An hour or so later...
The vans started pouring into Clearstream, barreling toward Lakeview Pavilion.
Soon, they’d surrounded the whole place.
Doors slid open, and a sea of bodies spilled out—packed with punks and thugs.
All of them were the worst kind—local street trash from the counties and towns.
Inside Lakeview Pavilion, Hank and the Han family finally started grinning when they saw the crowd outside.
"You full yet?" Evan set down his chopsticks and glanced at Lily Zhong, asking softly.