The Bully 07

Soon, Fang Zhiyi changed into a long gown, instantly transforming his demeanor from that of a car mechanic to an air of profound wisdom.

"You know my rule?" Fang Zhiyi asked.

President Zou nodded. "Understood, completely. One reading per person, right?"

"Exactly. The more one's fate is calculated, the thinner it becomes. One reading is the limit. A second might be accurate, but it’s not necessarily a good thing. Please."

Fang Yuntian watched eagerly as President Zou stepped inside, emerging ten minutes later.

"Next week, I’ll return to thank you, Master!"

Fang Zhiyi simply waved him off.

As the car drove away, Fang Zhiyi turned back inside to change clothes—he was busy, with another appointment to show a property later.

Hearing footsteps behind him, Fang Zhiyi didn’t bother turning around. "Something you need?"

Fang Yuntian felt awkward, but curiosity drove him forward. Besides, he couldn’t fathom how his father had managed to earn such respect from these influential figures. If he could just borrow a bit of that influence...

"It’s been a while. How have you and little bro been?"

"Thanks to you, we’re still alive," Fang Zhiyi replied sarcastically.

Fang Yuntian wasn’t bothered—his father had always spoken this way. "My work’s been unstable, so I haven’t had the chance to visit."

Fang Zhiyi adjusted his collar and finally turned around. "I thought I was shameless enough, but you’ve outdone me."

Fang Yuntian flushed. "I know you blame me, but I had no choice when I left home..."

"No choice? Sure, I hit you—because you skipped studying to mess around with useless things. Yeah, I gambled, but did I ever let you go hungry or without clothes? You left without a word. If you’re so capable, why come back?"

Fang Yuntian’s temper flared at the words. "Fine. Take care, then."

"Wait!" Fang Zhiyi stopped him.

A sheet of paper was tossed in front of Fang Yuntian. He picked it up, scanned it, and seethed. "You’re cutting ties with me?"

"What else? If you go around using my name to swindle people, what then? You think you’re so capable?" Fang Zhiyi glared. "Either apologize properly right now, or sign it. After this, I won’t need your support, and your little brother won’t rely on you."

Fang Yuntian was furious. He grabbed a pen, signed, and pressed his thumbprint onto the document before flinging it back. "Happy now?"

Fang Zhiyi shook his head. "Two copies. I’ve already signed both." He produced another.

Fang Yuntian signed again, snatched his copy, and stormed off, his resentment toward Fang Zhiyi boiling over.

"Gave him a chance. He threw it away." Fang Zhiyi sighed. "Honestly, raising him was less rewarding than a piece of roast pork."

Little Hei nodded in agreement.

The original host might have been meek, but he’d still raised his children. His temper had soured later because Fang Yuntian kept blaming his own failures on his father.

Just as Fang Zhiyi was about to leave, Fang Yunhe arrived, the bruises around his eyes still fading. Fang Zhiyi had told him days ago about securing a storefront, so Fang Yunhe came straight from school to wait and walk home together.

"Look at you, grinning like an idiot." Fang Zhiyi knew Fang Yunhe had beaten up Murong Ke again today.

To be fair, Murong Ke was stubborn—despite the beatings, he still refused to report it to teachers or parents.

No wonder he was one of Bai An'an’s backup options.

"By the way, go to your combat class alone tonight. I’ve got a property showing, so I’ll be late." Fang Zhiyi tossed him 200 yuan. "Buy whatever you want to eat. Call me if you run out."

Fang Yunhe nodded eagerly. Once Fang Zhiyi left, he settled at the small table to do homework, occasionally chuckling to himself.

Bai An'an had been feeling uneasy lately. For some reason, the Bai family’s business ventures seemed to be slipping out of control. Several projects she’d endorsed as their "lucky star" had been snatched by competitors, no matter the cost.

Her family insisted it was just because the projects were too good to pass up, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was shifting.

"What’s on your mind?" Elder Brother Bai approached, gently patting her head.

Bai An'an smiled. "Nothing. Oh, big bro, do you know someone named... Murong something?"

Elder Brother Bai thought for a moment. "Murong... The only Murong family in this city would be that one." His expression turned serious. "They have shady connections. Stay away from them, An'an."

Bai An'an nodded quickly. "Oh, no, it’s just—I keep seeing this Murong Ke getting into fights at school. I’ve witnessed it a few times. It gets really violent. I try to stop them, shouting ‘Please don’t fight!’ but they never listen."

"Murong Ke... the youngest son of the Murong family. A troublemaker. He goes to your school?"

"Yeah, but we’re not close. Don’t worry, big bro." Bai An'an replied in a sweet, coquettish tone.

Elder Brother Bai smiled fondly, ruffling her hair. "Good. You’re the most well-behaved."

"Shady connections? So Murong Ke’s a young master from the underworld?" Bai An'an mused. "But given how badly he gets beaten up, the rumors might be exaggerated." She recalled the seemingly frail-looking boy, curiosity glinting in her eyes.

Fang Yunhe’s reputation had now eclipsed even Murong Ke’s. The entire school knew him as a madman—rumor had it that meeting his gaze would trigger an unrelenting, life-or-death brawl.

Murong Ke had taken to burying his head in his arms the moment he arrived at school. If he never looked up, that lunatic would have no excuse to start another fight. He’d considered reporting it to his family, but if they found out he couldn’t handle a mere classmate, they’d lose all respect for him—especially his half-brother, who was just waiting for him to fail.

Better to endure it. Who knew what had gotten into that guy? He fought like a rabid dog, and his punches kept getting harder.

Fang Yunhe glanced back a few times, disappointed to see Murong Ke still slumped over, asleep. He’d learned two new moves yesterday and was eager to try them out.

Then he caught a whiff of something sweet.

Puzzled, he looked up to see a cute face—one he vaguely recognized.

"Hi, classmate. I’m Bai An'an."

Fang Yunhe froze for a second before awkwardly replying, "Uh, hi."

"What’s your name?"

"I didn’t say anything."

Bai An'an nearly choked. "I meant—what’s your name?"

"Fang Yunhe."