[Ding~ Negative Emotions +200]

Cao Cheng held a thermos in one hand and a cigarette in the other, watching the drama unfold from a distance while clicking his tongue.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk..."

"Ouch, ouch, that punch..."

"Whoa~~"

"Damn."

"Sister Wang’s no pushover either—her scalp’s torn and bleeding. Sss~~~ Just looking at it hurts like hell~~"

Truth be told, Cao Cheng understood the musclehead’s frustration.

Humiliated.

Earlier, the guy had nearly dropped to his knees to apologize and even shifted the blame onto his girlfriend.

He thought no one had seen it.

But then he turned a corner and ran straight into his lover.

That instant turned the awkwardness of betrayal into pure rage.

Add to that the fact that if it weren’t for this pair of siblings dragging him into it, he wouldn’t have gotten beaten up or humiliated for so long.

Blood rushed to his head, and he swung a slap without hesitation.

As for Sister Wang?

She was a woman with a temper. She felt humiliated too, plus the fury of betrayal, so she’d been ready to tear into him the moment she saw him.

But that slap from the musclehead sent her straight into a daze.

That one hit catapulted her into a full-blown bipolar episode.

Bipolar disorder, triggering a manic state.

And in a "manic episode," fighting prowess skyrockets—almost unstoppable.

Even if Cao Cheng stepped in, he’d probably come out worse for wear against Sister Wang in this state.

"Time to bounce..."

Cao Cheng took a detour.

Not because he couldn’t win.

But because Sister Wang right now? She was insane.

Unless you crippled or killed her,

she’d keep coming at you like a zombie, relentless.

No point in that.

No need to risk getting clawed—that’d hurt like hell.

...

Sure enough,

Cao Cheng hadn’t gone far when the commotion behind him escalated. Even the peacemakers got scratched up by Sister Wang.

The musclehead, face covered in blood, spat out, "Psycho, damn it."

With that, he bolted.

Sister Wang shrieked,

then scanned the crowd like a wild beast, searching for her next target. The onlookers backed away.

When she didn’t spot Cao Cheng, she finally broke down in furious sobs.

"Sigh."

"Was it worth it?"

Cao Cheng shook his head and strolled leisurely out of the neighborhood.

Honestly, it wasn’t that big a deal.

Cao Cheng hadn’t even laid a hand on the siblings—they were from the same compound, after all.

Who knew it’d blow up like this?

Then again,

Aunt Wang’s parenting was clearly flawed.

Next time they met, he’d have to school her properly.

By age, Cao Cheng should call her "Little Wang."

By life experience, if he lectured her, she’d better listen.

Try refusing.

Hmph!

[Ding~ Negative emotions +200!]

"What the hell?"

Cao Cheng froze.

Who the hell was this?

Planning to kill me or something?

Probably not those three.

He quickly ruled them out—their emotional feedback was still trickling in,

just 1, 2, or at most 3 points at a time.

But 200 out of nowhere?

Even the top-ranked "Fourth Sister" had never dropped a bomb like that.

"Aunt Wang?"

Cao Cheng pondered. It really might be her—she’d gone to pay compensation.

A whole row of computers.

These days, that was terrifying.

Even if it was just monitors, splitting the cost between both parties would still mean a hefty sum.

Especially since it disrupted business—a whole day’s earnings lost. That’d bleed her dry.

So,

this emotional nuke? Most likely Aunt Wang.

...

Cao Cheng checked his emotional value tally.

It had just broken 1,000!

Now it was over 2,000.

Thanks to Aunt Wang’s whole family.

This time,

he genuinely owed them.

Today really was a lucky day.

Later, he’d bring gifts and pay Aunt Wang a visit.

And Cao Cheng was sure there’d be another windfall soon.

That musclehead wouldn’t let this slide.

Street thugs,

especially in this era,

many didn’t fear death—but they cared about face.

After getting beaten like that, the guy would stew over it, the anger festering.

Add in his gang’s taunts and egging him on?

No way he wouldn’t come for revenge.

...

Cao Cheng grabbed breakfast outside.

Skipped the mahjong parlor.

Just took his hot dry noodles and meatball soup straight home!

Time to spin the gacha.

Power up first, then take on ten guys at once.

...

Noon.

Aunt Wang stormed back, furious.

She was ready to grill her son—how dare he cause trouble when she, a widow, had struggled so hard to raise him?

Today’s compensation? Several thousand down the drain.

Aunt Wang nearly had a heart attack from the pain.

But the moment she stepped inside—

Aunt Wang gaped at the two monsters on the couch and gasped:

"Who are you?!"

"..."

"..."

The siblings’ negative emotions spiked.

They’d been beaten beyond recognition.

The older sister’s hair was a mess, face swollen and bruised.

The younger brother, who’d jumped in to help fight the musclehead, was even worse off.

A moment later,

Aunt Wang recognized her kids.

"Who did this to you?!"

Her son muttered, "Cao Cheng."

Aunt Wang exploded, leaping to her feet: "He dared lay a hand on you?! Where’s the justice?! The law?! I’ll go find him—"

Aunt Wang knew the rules.

The neighborhood gossip squad talked behind backs, but that was it.

Fights? Rare.

When pushed, the old ladies might claw hair or trade insults.

But full-blown brawls? Almost unheard of, especially in recent years as the gossip squad aged and sharpened their tongues.

Words over fists.

"No!"

Her daughter cut in urgently: "No, Mom, Cao Cheng didn’t hit us."

She was afraid her mom would get hurt if she confronted him.

Her bipolar episode had passed, and just thinking of Cao Cheng now sent a chill down her spine.

Aunt Wang frowned. "Then what happened?"

"I went to Cao Cheng to stand up for my brother. Brought my boyf—ugh, that idiot. But then..."

She summarized the mess.

Aunt Wang sighed in relief. "So Cao Cheng didn’t touch you?"

"No," the daughter shook her head.

Aunt Wang nodded. "That makes sense. Same compound—he wouldn’t go that far. Wait, then how’d you get hurt?"

The daughter explained the musclehead’s role.

After hearing it, Aunt Wang seethed. "Break up. You’re done with him. Hits you now? What’s next—domestic abuse after marriage?"

Her daughter muttered, "Already dumped him."

"Good."

Whack!

Without warning, Aunt Wang smacked her son’s head. "You little brat! Why’d you lie earlier? I thought Cao Cheng beat your sister! Pull that again, and I’ll skin you alive!"

Her son sulked. "It is Cao Cheng’s fault! If not for him, we wouldn’t be like this!"

Aunt Wang snapped, "I’ll deal with him. But no fighting—same compound, it’d be a joke. And you two—no bringing outsiders here to stir trouble. Ruin our reputation, and we’ll never live it down."

Clearly, Aunt Wang was old-school.

Back in the day, bringing outsiders to bully your own neighbors? That’d earn universal scorn.

A disgrace so deep the whole family would hang their heads in shame.

Plus, Cao Cheng had only hit the outsider—not her kids. That was face-saving.

So,

Aunt Wang wasn’t angry.

If anything, she felt a little grateful.

Fine, that little bastard Cao deserves a good scolding. Just wait till I give him a piece of my mind later.

I refuse to believe that after living half my life, I can’t out-argue some snot-nosed brat.

“I’m talking to you—did you hear me? No more bringing outsiders into this mess.”

“Got it,” the younger son muttered, head bowed.

The daughter also gave a quiet nod in agreement.