Chapter 47: That's Called Self-Defense

"Ah, so that's what you're talking about!" Only now did Yang Jiekai recall that Wu Daode had told him to wait after work today. He waved his hand dismissively, saying, "I think he was just joking around. It's probably nothing..."

"Are you out of your mind?" Gongsun stared at Yang Jiekai, visibly anxious. "You just got here, so you probably don't know what kind of person Fat Wu is. That guy is a petty scoundrel, with a heart as narrow as a needle's eye. A while back, a few guys from other teams in our Security Department got on his bad side, and the very next day they showed up to work battered and bruised. Not long after that, they resigned on their own..."

Hearing Gongsun's account, Yang Jiekai frowned slightly, squinting. "Oh? So that's how it is. Seems Fat Wu is even more loathsome than I thought!"

He appeared thoughtful, about to continue walking outside.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Gongsun quickly blocked his path.

"I'm going home after work," Yang Jiekai replied.

"Are you stupid?" Gongsun looked at him, exasperated. "Didn't I just tell you? Fat Wu is definitely waiting for you nearby. I stayed behind just to warn you. Come on, let's go, follow me."

"Where to?" Yang Jiekai asked, seeing Gongsun's urgency.

"Of course, we're sneaking out through the underground garage!" Gongsun said, flustered. "Fat Wu would never expect you to escape through there!"

Yang Jiekai paused, then suddenly laughed. "Escape? Why would I run? If he's waiting for me, let him wait. Besides, you can only dodge trouble for so long. If something's come up, I have to face it. Running away is never a long-term solution."

Gongsun considered this, then sighed and nodded. "You're right. If Fat Wu can't get to you today, he won't let it go. Wait here for me a moment!"

"What for?" Yang Jiekai asked, puzzled.

Gongsun pressed the elevator button and turned back. "I'm going to call the guys up. We'll go out together. If we run into Fat Wu, so be it, we'll fight him. Qin Feng and the others are still waiting in the underground garage—they asked me to come get you!"

As the elevator doors closed, Yang Jiekai broke into a genuine smile.

In today's world, trust and genuine affection between people are luxuries. Everyone guards themselves, playing games and scheming, and even family members may abandon each other in times of trouble.

Yet he and Gongsun had only known each other a short while, and here they were, choosing to stand with him in a moment like this.

For this alone, Yang Jiekai had already accepted these friends from the Security Department in his heart.

Everyone in the mercenary world knew what it meant to be considered Yang Jiekai's friend—it was an immense blessing. For him, the word "friend" ranked even above "life" itself.

When the elevator doors opened, there stood Gongsun, Qin Feng, and Old Stick, along with seven or eight other members from different teams in the Security Department.

"They're from Team Four and Team Five—our own guys," Qin Feng said, striding ahead like a leader and introducing them to Yang Jiekai. "We've all had enough of Fat Wu for a long time. Tonight, we're standing with you!"

A surge of emotion rose in Yang Jiekai, but he kept a smile on his face. "But Fat Wu's got some dark connections. Aren't you afraid?"

"Afraid of what?" Qin Feng scoffed. "We've all got two shoulders and one head—who's scared of whom? We were planning to escort you out through the garage, but since you won't run, we'll face him together. I've disliked Fat Wu for ages. This is the perfect chance for a brawl!"

He then turned and shouted to the others, "Listen up, everyone! We're going to settle things with Fat Wu. If you want to stay, stay. If not, get lost!"

"Brother Li, what are you saying? Who do you take us for?"

"Yeah, how many heads does Fat Wu have anyway? I've wanted to deal with him for a long time!"

"Damn it, I don't care if he's got black or white backing. Worst case, we lose an arm or a leg—let's do it!"

The security guards, fired up by Qin Feng's words, began clamoring indignantly. It was clear Fat Wu had made plenty of enemies.

"Alright, since that's settled, we're going all in this time. Let's go, brothers! We'll finish off Fat Wu and have a good drink tonight!" Qin Feng declared, glancing at Gongsun and adding, "Oh, and Gongsun's buying."

"What? Why am I getting dragged into this? I'm getting hit for nothing!" Gongsun, notoriously stingy, was indignant at being volunteered to pay.

"Cut the crap. If I say you're buying, you are. Otherwise, don't hang out with me anymore!" Qin Feng shot back, then laughed. "Alright, guys, grab your gear—let's go!"

The security guards, roused by his words, pulled out sticks, steel pipes, and other makeshift weapons—they were clearly prepared.

Only Old Stick stood silently to the side, puffing on an unfiltered cigarette, not saying a word from start to finish.

"Old Stick, where's your weapon?" Qin Feng asked. "Fat Wu's guys play dirty. Better arm yourself..."

"No need." Old Stick interrupted, tossing his cigarette to the ground and crushing it beneath his foot. "Worry about yourself first," he said, then walked unhurriedly toward the exit, his hunched figure and dark skin making him look like a farmer from the countryside.

Qin Feng chuckled and said to Yang Jiekai, "Don't mind him. That's just how he is—never brings a weapon to a fight, but he's never been hurt either."

Yang Jiekai smiled. "And what about your weapon?"

Qin Feng grinned mysteriously. "You'll see soon enough!" With a flourish, he led the crowd toward the door.

Watching this band of "reinforcements," Yang Jiekai felt a surge of gratitude, though he couldn't help but smile wryly. All this for a fight? Wasn't it a bit much?

Still, he stuffed his hands in his pockets and strolled leisurely at the back of the group.

No matter how bold Wu Daode was, he wouldn't dare block the company entrance in broad daylight. The most likely spot would be at the corner after leaving the company—a place everyone had to pass on foot, a blind spot for security cameras, and a rarely used path except by Silkbud Group employees after work. It was a prime location for an ambush.

"Listen up," Qin Feng instructed, "if there are fewer of them, we rush in and don't give them a chance to react. If there are more, hold back and watch for my signal. If we get the upper hand, we bolt immediately—don't get caught up in fighting. When we run, go in the same direction so they can't pick us off one by one..."

All the way there, Qin Feng chattered on, deploying all sorts of tactics and contingency plans for the coming brawl. Clearly, this wasn't his first time at such a thing.

Yang Jiekai trailed behind, listening with interest. Not only was Qin Feng good-looking and eloquent, but his analytical and leadership skills were impressive. On the battlefield, he'd make a fine commander.

"All of you, stop right there!"

A sharp female voice suddenly rang out behind them.

Yang Jiekai turned to see Lin Sha, tall and striking in a pink business suit, coming their way. She scanned the group, her gaze settling on Yang Jiekai with a look of displeasure. "You again?"

Yang Jiekai managed a helpless smile, suddenly remembering that Wu Daode wasn't the only one who had told him to wait after work today. Trouble was piling up. He nodded and greeted her, "Hello, Assistant Lin."

"Explain yourself. Why did you call me twice today with harassing phone calls? Don't you know how busy I am?" Lin Sha, already tall, seemed even taller in her high heels, looking down at Yang Jiekai.

He put on an innocent face. "Harassing calls? I was just doing my duty as a security guard—reporting incidents that violate company policy or damage its image. Isn't that what I'm supposed to do? Or should I just ignore such things from now on?"

"That's not what I meant!" Lin Sha's tone was icy. "You need to follow proper procedure. For things like this, you first report to your immediate supervisor, then escalate as necessary. Haven't you seen the company rules? Unless it's an emergency, you can't skip levels when reporting."

"My supervisor?" Yang Jiekai looked at this statuesque woman with a wry smile. "The person I was reporting was my supervisor. Should I have gone to Wu Daode and reported him to himself?"

At this, Lin Sha realized her own argument was weak. Indeed, Wu Daode was both the head of Security and Yang Jiekai's direct supervisor—not someone you could report to about his own misconduct.

"What are you all carrying? And why are so many of you gathered here? What are you planning?" Lin Sha noticed the group of security guards, each armed with sticks and steel pipes, and quickly questioned them.

"You can't tell?" Yang Jiekai shot her a look as if she were an idiot. "We're obviously going to have a fight!"

"A fight!" Lin Sha's eyes widened at his frank admission, and she snapped, "Don't you know the company policy? Anyone caught fighting is fired on the spot!"

Yang Jiekai had tolerated her attitude for long enough. He couldn't stand people talking down to him, and he'd only held back because she was a pretty woman. If she'd been unattractive, he wouldn't have bothered with her at all.

But seeing her so aggressive yet again, he suddenly snorted. "National law says murder is punishable by death. By your logic, if someone tries to kill me, am I supposed to just stick out my neck and let them?"

"That's called self-defense!" Lin Sha retorted loudly, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she realized her mistake. Seeing the bemused looks on the faces around her, she hastily corrected herself, "I mean, justified self-defense. Understand?"