"Bad luck, don't disturb my business!"
The bun shop owner scowled, untying the packaging bag again.
Shen Muxuan asked in confusion, "You said I could take it after scanning."
The bun shop owner, while untying the plastic bag, couldn't help but laugh in frustration, "Little girl, are you really that naive or just pretending? You have to pay for things! When I said to scan, I meant to scan with your phone to pay!"
On the street, there were quite a few people, and many eyes turned towards Shen Muxuan.
Dressed in ancient attire, she was already quite eye-catching.
Although many girls nowadays wear traditional clothing, she was the only one who could wear it so elegantly.
Moreover, with her stunning beauty, she naturally stood out, drawing everyone's attention on the street.
Men, women, old, and young—everyone couldn't help but glance her way.
Seeing Shen Muxuan's innocent expression, the bun shop owner sighed, "Forget it, forget it, I'll give you this basket for free..."
*Thud!*
At that moment, a large hand slammed onto the table.
"Old man, what's the big deal? How much are these crappy buns worth? How dare you speak so harshly to a beauty!"
A greasy-looking young man with dyed yellow hair and a face full of acne spoke fiercely to the bun shop owner.
Behind him, a group of thuggish-looking followers gave off a gangster vibe.
The bun shop owner, visibly frightened, stammered, "Brother Long, what brings you here?"
"Yo, damn, you actually know to call me Brother Long?"
Brother Long turned around, joking with his lackeys, "This bun seller has some sense, huh? He actually knows me."
"Brother Long is famous all over Jiangbei. It's normal for a bun seller to recognize him!"
One of the lackeys chuckled.
The bun shop owner, sweating profusely, bit his lip and asked reluctantly, "I... I don't know what I've done to upset you, Brother Long. If I've made any mistakes, please forgive me."
This thug was no ordinary person.
Known for petty theft and bullying, he was a notorious gang leader in Jiangbei City. Running into him, the bun shop owner cursed his bad luck.
"You still don't know what you did wrong?!"
Brother Long, with his short temper, kicked over the bun shop stall.
Steamers and buns scattered everywhere!
Shen Muxuan's beautiful eyes turned cold, narrowing slightly.
She couldn't stand such arrogant street bullies!
The bun shop owner was terrified and quickly pleaded, "Brother Long, Brother Long, I apologize! This little shop is all I have to make a living. Please, have mercy!"
Seeing the owner's cowardly demeanor, Brother Long smirked proudly and pointed at Shen Muxuan, "First, you need her forgiveness."
"Me?"
Shen Muxuan pointed at herself, looking somewhat confused and naive.
"Hehe, yeah, you need Sister Long's approval first."
"Hello, Sister Long! Greetings, Sister Long!"
The gang members greeted Shen Muxuan with laughter.
Shen Muxuan shook her head, "But... but I don't know you!"
"No worries, we'll get to know each other soon. Let me introduce myself—I'm Hou Long. Given our relationship, you can call me Ah Long."
Brother Long said with a grin, his lecherous eyes scanning Shen Muxuan up and down.
Beautiful!
Absolutely stunning!
Aside from Captain Yan from the law enforcement bureau, none of the girls he knew could even compare to her—no, not even hold a candle to her!
Especially her ethereal, almost otherworldly aura, as if she were a fairy untouched by mortal concerns.
If such a beauty could become his girlfriend...
Brother Long's gaze grew even more perverted.
At that moment, one of his lackeys whispered, "Brother Long, weren't we supposed to visit Chicken Brother at the hospital?"
"Chicken Brother? Why bother? He's not dead! Just a cracked bone in the back of his neck! The doctor said he just needs to rest for a while! Why are you so nosy?"
Brother Long was clearly annoyed by the lackey's reminder.
He was already irritated by the whole situation.
After all, Chicken Brother was a well-known pickpocket in Jiangbei City. While trying to make some extra cash on the bus, he got robbed instead!
When they went to seek revenge, they ended up getting beaten and left in an alley.
It was a huge humiliation!
Besides, right now, this ancient-dressed beauty was far more important.
"Beauty, what's so great about buns? Come with me, I'll take you to a hotel. How about a 688-yuan seafood buffet?"
Brother Long said with a grin, reaching out his thick arm to try and put it around Shen Muxuan's shoulder.
Shen Muxuan frowned, gracefully stepping back to avoid his groping hand.
"I'm not going!"
Shen Muxuan shook her head, firmly refusing.
The people on the street, witnessing this scene, felt pity but were helpless to intervene. Provoking such a thug would only lead to a lifetime of trouble.
"Hey, come on, it's a seafood buffet! It's delicious! Barbecue, hot pot, whatever you want, I'll treat you!" Brother Long licked his lips, trying to get closer to Shen Muxuan again.
At that moment, the bun shop owner rushed forward and grabbed Brother Long's leg.
"Little girl, run!"
The bun shop owner shouted at the top of his lungs.
He knew all too well what would happen to an innocent girl like Shen Muxuan if she fell into the hands of a scoundrel like Hou Long!
He didn't have the courage to stand up to Hou Long, but the thought of the girl being ruined by the thug was unbearable.
If he didn't stop this, the girl's life would be destroyed! He couldn't just stand by and do nothing!
The lackeys, well-practiced in such situations, quickly blocked Shen Muxuan's escape route.
Brother Long looked down at the bun shop owner clinging to his leg, crouched, and patted the man's cheek with a smirk, "What, do I really look like a bad guy to you?"
"N-no, you don't."
The bun shop owner's voice trembled.
He regretted it now, deeply regretted it. Why did he have to meddle? Why not just focus on selling his buns and making a little more money?
Provoking Brother Long meant he wouldn't be able to survive in Jiangbei anymore.
His shop would be destroyed, he'd be beaten, and even if he survived, he might end up disabled.
Looking at Brother Long's pockmarked face, he was truly terrified.
"Smash it! Smash his crappy shop first!"
Brother Long stood up, shouting arrogantly.
The lackeys obeyed, grabbing chairs and tables, and started smashing the bun shop.
*Crash!*
The stall was overturned, steamers and utensils scattered everywhere.
The bun shop owner, enraged, shouted, "No, Brother Long, I was wrong! You can't do this! This is everything I have!"
"Regret it now? Too late!"
Brother Long, with a smug expression, kicked the bun shop owner in the face, sending him flying a meter away. His face swelled up instantly, "Where's your heroism now, huh? Where's your bravado from earlier?"
Shen Muxuan, seeing this, her beautiful face turned icy cold.
A chilling aura began to emanate from her body.
Suddenly, a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth, and the cold energy around her started to dissipate.
It seems I still can't use my spiritual power...
At that moment, a nimble figure swiftly approached.
*Thud!*
One of the lackeys, caught off guard, was kicked and sent flying three to four meters, his head slamming into a trash can. The trash can toppled over, burying him completely.
"Who the hell are you?!"
Brother Long turned around and saw a handsome young man with his hands in his pockets, casually retracting his foot.
"Me?"
The young man clapped his hands and said indifferently, "I'm your grandpa, An Yi."