The man lifted Gao's father up and reached out with one hand, saying, "He's not dead."
"Be careful next time. Our son is very precious; he's not someone an old hag like you can afford to mess with." The middle-aged woman pulled the little boy over, cursing him rudely, "You old bastard, if you dare to bully my son again, I'll beat you to death!"
Despite the presence of many people from the family compound, the woman still kicked Mr. Gao without any hesitation.
She was still angry because her father had pushed her and she had stumbled.
The little boy grinned and said, "Baldy, I'll come play with you again next time."
Mr. Gao was stunned by the beating and hadn't recovered for a moment. Now that he was a little more sober, he grabbed the man's trouser leg.
"Find...find the police..." This was said to Gao's mother.
The man, unable to move because his trouser leg was being pulled, squatted down upon hearing this, looking at Gao's father with disdain. "Old man, what do you want by calling the police? You're the one pulling me, and I'm hitting you, all because you wanted to strangle my son. When we get to the police station, it's not certain who will be locked up."
The man had a dark face, and a smile played on his lips as he spoke. He seemed relaxed and didn't take Gao's father seriously at all.
They were natives of Beijing and had lived in this compound for over a decade. The old man was a stranger; he was clearly a newcomer.
I don't know what these people are thinking, daring to mess with their family.
Anyone with a modicum of sense would have noticed that despite the large number of people standing around, not a single person dared to step forward.
"Go to the police? You old geezer, do you think the police are your family's property?" The middle-aged woman put her hands on her hips. "Let me tell you the truth, my second uncle works at the police station. If you go, I can get him to find you a private room."
Mother Gao held Father Gao's hand. With their son not around, they couldn't confront them head-on. There were three burly men on the other side, and they were an unreasonable family. If things continued like this, they would only get beaten up for nothing.
When someone bullies you to the point of being humiliated, Gao's father won't listen to reason.
He gripped the man's trouser leg tightly, blood still dripping from his mouth, and said, "I don't care who your family is, you're wrong to hit someone. Don't even think about leaving until you apologize!"
Mrs. Gao was almost in tears; it seemed her husband's stubbornness would never change in this lifetime.
"An apology?" The man nodded, smiled at the other two men, and said, "Alright, old comrade, you'd better take it!"
The man clenched his fist and slammed it down directly at Gao's father's face.
Madam Gao screamed and, without thinking, threw herself on top of Madam Gao to shield him from the attack.
She trembled as she waited for the fist to fall, but nothing happened for a long time.
When her baby was picked up, Gao's mother looked up and tears streamed down her face.
"Auntie, let me help you up." Xu Ruantang held Xiaobao in one arm and used the other to help Gao's mother up.
Chen Ji held the man's wrist, and the two faced off in silence. The man's expression grew increasingly grim.
The next second, with a snap, the man let out a pig-like scream.
The man's brother, who was standing nearby, initially wanted to help, but hesitated when he saw Chen Ji's casual clothes.
Chen Ji wouldn't have worn his military uniform if he hadn't been going to see Chen Rong today.
Xu Ruantang hadn't expected that a single outfit could be so intimidating.
Before she and Chen Ji could speak, the onlookers, seeing that the son of this family was indeed a soldier, all dispersed in a flash.
The main problem was the soldier's powerful aura and his cold, sharp eyes. Although they hadn't attacked anyone, they were all standing by and watching. It was best to run; it wouldn't be good if they got involved.
Upon seeing the soldiers, the middle-aged woman who had been causing trouble quickly ran home with her son in her arms.
The man, who had looked fierce and menacing, was now clutching his arm, his face contorted in pain.
The other two men glared fiercely at Gao's father, then turned to face Chen Ji, and slunk away with the injured man.
Xu Ruantang looked at the backs of the three men and felt a strange sense of familiarity.
It took him a moment to realize that they were their competitors, the three owners of Wangji Centennial Pastry Shop.
"When Baoliang comes back, we'll go to the courtyard and find out more about this family. If that doesn't work, we'll call the police."
Mr. Gao, supported by his mother, stood up and blocked Chen Ji's way.
He didn't want to trouble Chen Ji with such a small matter; he already owed him too many favors.
Moreover, it's inappropriate for Chen Ji, a military officer, to get involved in these matters.
"Uncle, should we take you to the hospital?" Xu Ruantang was still worried about Gao's health when she saw the blood at the corner of his mouth.
Mr. Gao waved his hand, "I'm fine, it's just superficial injuries."
Xu Ruantang recalled the way the man looked when he left, thinking that his bones must have been broken.
If this matter goes to the police station, without surveillance footage, neither side will be in the right.
Gao Ying's father had an injury to his lip, but the man's hand was also broken. At most, there will be some mediation and both parties will apologize to settle the matter.
"I'll handle it," Chen Ji said softly to Xu Ruantang as they went upstairs.
Knowing Chen Ji's personality, he probably wouldn't do anything outrageous, Xu Ruantang nodded in relief.
Once they were upstairs, Mr. Gao told them what had happened.
There are still such arrogant and domineering people these days, even in the same courtyard. I don't know how they dare to do it.
After confirming that Gao's father was alright, Xu Ruantang and Chen Ji waited for Gao Baoliang to return home before taking Xiaobao back to the military compound.
Before leaving, Chen Ji and Gao Baoliang stood to the side and talked about something.
Xu Ruantang watched from afar, while Gao Baoliang listened attentively, nodding repeatedly.
When they got home, Xiao Bao was already fast asleep in Xu Ruantang's arms. She took the child to her godmother's room.
Chen Ji came in after finishing cooking and called her. Xiao Bao had also woken up, sat up with her little bottom sticking out, and smiled with dimples as she looked at the two of them.
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