Chapter 33: When He Revealed the Quotations from Chairman Mao

After finishing his meal, Lin Junsheng patted his belly with satisfaction. As he rose, he intended to pay the bill with a flourish, deep in thought. As a man, how could he let a woman foot the bill?

However, the moment his hand touched his wallet, Liu Siyao stopped him.

"Xiao Sheng, don't move. I'm paying for today. You just sit there and behave," she said, smiling, yet with a firm authority that allowed for no refusal as she gently pressed him back into his seat.

Lin Junsheng paused, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, and he nodded.

"I really have money, Sis. Don't be so formal with me," he tried to argue.

"Save your money for another time. Today, let me handle the bill."

Seeing this, Lin Junsheng had no choice but to comply. He figured he probably wouldn't have another chance this year anyway. After all, they lived in such a remote, impoverished area, and Liu Siyao rarely visited.

Once the bill was settled, Lin Junsheng and Liu Jingjing stood by the entrance waiting for her. The sun was bright, and the breeze was gentle.

"It's still early. Where should we go to enjoy ourselves?" Liu Siyao asked, looking around for ideas.

Lin Junsheng scratched his head and thought for a moment. "There isn't anything special nearby, but the market is quite interesting. It has all sorts of trinkets and authentic local snacks. Shall we go take a look?"

Liu Siyao had already walked through the market earlier, so she was a bit indifferent. Liu Jingjing, however, lit up. "I haven't been to the market yet. Let's go!"

Seeing her enthusiasm, Lin Junsheng was delighted and made the final call: "Alright, then we’ll hit the market, find a unique restaurant for lunch, enjoy a good meal, and then head back at a leisurely pace." He was intentionally looking for an excuse to spend more time with Liu Jingjing.

Liu Siyao took Liu Jingjing’s hand, beaming. "Let’s go, Jingjing."

The three of them exchanged smiles and headed toward the market.

The market was bustling. Amidst the noise and the crowd, the three walked side by side. The stalls were filled with a dazzling array of goods—from fresh produce and handmade accessories to local snacks and performances by folk artists—every sight capturing their attention.

Liu Jingjing and Liu Siyao were particularly drawn to the colorful textiles and exquisite handicrafts. They would stop from time to time to admire them closely, occasionally buying a few pieces as souvenirs.

Just as they were immersed in the joy of the outing, a few ruffian-like figures quietly approached them. These hoodlums were dressed in an eccentric style—tank tops paired with jeans. Though they didn't look particularly sturdy, their demeanor was arrogant. Their eyes betrayed malicious intent; they had clearly been drawn by the beauty of Liu Siyao and Liu Jingjing and were looking for an opportunity to harass them.

"Yo, aren't these two little beauties? What’s this, out for a stroll in the market? Do you want some company from us brothers?" one of the ruffians said, leaning in with a leering, provocative tone.

Liu Siyao and Liu Jingjing immediately grew alert. They exchanged a glance, a flicker of unease in their eyes.

Lin Junsheng noticed the trouble immediately. Despite his physical disability, he stood up in front of the two women, showing a sense of responsibility. He knew how to deal with thugs like these.

"What exactly do you want? Don't make trouble here. We just want to enjoy the market in peace." Lin Junsheng deliberately raised his voice, shouting in a way that was calculated to draw attention from the surrounding crowd, hoping to avoid a disaster in a secluded corner.

The ruffians were taken aback by his sudden shout, but then, as if they had heard something hilarious, they erupted into unbridled laughter.

"Haha, look at that—it’s a cripple trying to play the hero! Brothers, teach him a lesson! Let him know whose territory this is!"

As the leader waved his hand, the others lunged forward like hounds obeying a command.

At this critical moment, Liu Siyao, usually a quiet girl, suddenly stood her ground. "You dare lay a finger on us? My brother is in the Public Security Bureau! If you touch a single hair on our heads, he will never let you get away with it!"

Lin Junsheng felt a moment of annoyance—how could he have forgotten that his eldest cousin worked at the police station? That was a ready-made protective charm!

The ruffians were clearly thrown off balance by this turn of events. They exchanged glances, a hint of apprehension in their eyes. The leader, in particular, narrowed his eyes, re-evaluating the two girls and the seemingly frail, limping young man. Beautiful girls with connections to the police were not to be trifled with. Even if he wasn't sure if she was telling the truth, what if she was?

"Hmph, fine. Young lady, I'll give you some face today," the leader said, waving his hand with feigned generosity, though a trace of resentment lingered at the corners of his mouth. "We weren't looking for trouble; we just thought this guy was a bit unique and wanted a closer look. As for your policeman brother, we certainly wouldn't dare provoke him. But this cripple—he probably isn't as lucky as you, right?"

Lin Junsheng heard this and a faint smile appeared on his lips—a smile of both mockery and confidence.

"Oh? Then tell me, which commune are you from? Let me hear if you're the local bullies of these parts."

"Yo, you cripple, you've got some nerve! I'll tell you, it doesn't matter: our boss's uncle is the town mayor. How about that? Scared yet?" one of the lackeys boasted impatiently, as if that would boost their standing even further.

Lin Junsheng shook his head slightly, a playful glint in his eyes. "So that's it. With an uncle in power, no wonder you're so lawless. But don't forget, there is still the rule of law in this world. Don't trip up one day and find yourself crying with no way out."

Although the country was currently in a period of "Strike Hard" against crime, everyone knew that the pressure would only last a few months. Once that passed, if there were no major criminal cases to handle, the authorities often turned a blind eye. That was why these hoodlums dared to be so arrogant.

"Yo, sounds like you want to use me as your target and start a fight?"

Lin Junsheng wasn't afraid; instead, he stared straight at the leader with a playful smirk.

The leader sneered, a flash of cruelty in his eyes. "That's right, I'm going to hit you. What about it? Who do you think you are?"

Liu Siyao and Liu Jingjing were panicked and tried to pull Lin Junsheng away from the scene. They knew they couldn't afford to lose this confrontation, especially since the other side had backing. If you can't afford to provoke them, can't you at least walk away?

However, Lin Junsheng seemed to read their intentions. He stood his ground, confronting the ruffians head-on.

The leader roared and lunged forward. Despite his limp, Lin Junsheng moved with unexpected agility. He didn't throw a punch; he simply stood there, as if waiting for something.

The leader hesitated for a split second, but his momentum was already committed, and he delivered a kick directly toward Lin Junsheng's chest.

"No!" someone in the crowd cried out in alarm. Everyone felt a pang of pity for the reckless, limping young man.

Yet, just as everyone thought Lin Junsheng was about to suffer, he suddenly ripped open his jacket, revealing a small red book tucked into his shirt pocket: *Quotations from Chairman Mao*.