Chapter 21: A Fierce Confrontation
In school, Feng Ruoxi focused intently on her exams, breezing through the papers with an ease that left her classmates, including her deskmate Jiang Bin, utterly baffled. Despite her reputation for being academically challenged, Feng Ruoxi had finished the exams well ahead of her peers, leading some to speculate that she had submitted empty answer sheets.
However, Jiang Bin, who had been closely observing her during the test, knew better. He had witnessed Feng Ruoxi carefully and methodically working through the questions, her brow furrowed in concentration. When the time was up, she had confidently handed in her papers, leaving everyone to wonder just how she had managed to outperform them all.
As the students filed out of the examination hall, Feng Ruoxi's best friend, Xia Xingxing, lamented the difficulty of the papers. "Today's exams were so hard. I didn't even manage to write all the answers before my time was up," she sighed.
Feng Ruoxi, eager to avoid the topic of the exams, casually suggested, "Want to grab something to eat?"
Xia Xingxing's expression grew somber as she confided, "We have only three months until the college entrance exams, and I don't think I'll even pass and make it to college. My dad is already saving up money for me to attend some vocational school, so I can at least get a job."
Feng Ruoxi offered words of encouragement, "You'll make it. Just study hard and have faith in yourself."
Xia Xingxing nodded, her voice tinged with doubt. "I'm trying, but I just can't understand some things."
Sensing her friend's distress, Feng Ruoxi steered the conversation in a more positive direction. "Let's stop stressing. What do you want to have? It's on me."
"I feel like some street food," Xia Xingxing replied, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
The two girls made their way to the bustling street food market, their laughter and banter filling the air as they indulged in their favorite treats. But their carefree moment was shattered when a familiar voice called out, "Well, well, well, we meet again."
Feng Ruoxi and Xia Xingxing turned to find the thug she had beaten up to protect her friend, accompanied by five other menacing-looking individuals. The thug sneered, "You caught us off guard that day, but now we'll show you not to mess with us."
Xia Xingxing's eyes widened with fear, and she tugged on Feng Ruoxi's sleeve. "Ruoxi, let's run. These people are dangerous."
One of the thugs recognized Xia Xingxing and growled, "Isn't this the Xia girl, that dog who owes the boss? Since he's not paying up, we can do whatever we want with her."
Feng Ruoxi's blood boiled with fury as she scanned the group of men. "Are we going to get this done, 'cause I have things to do," she said calmly.
The thugs exchanged glances, and one of them warned, "Trying to play hero in something that doesn't concern you will get you in trouble."
Feng Ruoxi's eyes narrowed, and she retorted, "Cut the bullshit. Let's dance."
One of the men, sensing an easy target, sneered, "Just watch, gents. I'll make her kneel in front of me in less than a minute."
The thugs laughed, and the onlookers, fearing for the girls' safety, remained silent, knowing these men were part of the notorious Golden Dragon underground casino.
As the man lunged towards Feng Ruoxi, she gently pushed Xia Xingxing aside and, with a swift motion, delivered a powerful kick to the man's stomach, sending him flying to the ground. The smiles on the thugs' faces quickly faded, and one of them growled, "You asked for this."
Unfazed, Feng Ruoxi let out a lazy yawn, casually slipping one hand into her pocket as she handed her backpack to the trembling Xia Xingxing. This gesture only served to further enrage the thugs, and they charged at Feng Ruoxi, their fists raised.
The confrontation that followed was a display of Feng Ruoxi's extraordinary fighting prowess, as she effortlessly dodged and countered the attacks of the thugs, her strikes landing with devastating precision. The onlookers watched in awe, their mouths agape at the sight of the petite girl easily overpowering the larger, more menacing men.
As the last thug stumbled away, defeated, Xia Xingxing approached Ruoxi cautiously. "Ruoxi, are you... are you alright?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Feng Ruoxi turned to her friend, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I'm fine. Let's get out of here."
When Feng Ruoxi returned to the Feng family residence, she was immediately confronted by her grandfather, Feng Zhengzhi, and her uncle, Feng Guiren. Their expressions were a mix of anger and concern.
"Ruoxi, what have you done?" Feng Zhengzhi demanded, his voice laced with frustration. "We've just heard about the incident at the street food market. Do you have any idea the trouble you've brought upon our family?"
Feng Guiren, his eyes narrowed with suspicion, chimed in, "Those thugs are from the Golden Dragon casino. They're not people to be trifled with. You've put our entire family at risk!"
Feng Ruoxi's gaze remained unwavering, her tone calm and measured. "They were causing trouble, and I couldn't just stand by and watch."
Feng Zhengzhi let out a heavy sigh, his expression a mix of exasperation and worry. "Ruoxi, you don't understand the implications of your actions. The Golden Dragon is a powerful organization, and they don't take kindly to anyone interfering with their business."
Feng Guiren's fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. "You've brought shame and danger to our family. We can't afford to have the wrath of the Golden Dragon descend upon us!"
Feng Ruoxi's expression hardened, a subtle defiance sparking in her eyes. "I'm not sorry for protecting my friend. I can handle myself, and I won't back down from a fight, no matter who's involved."
Feng Zhengzhi shook his head, his voice laced with concern. "Ruoxi, you don't understand. This is not about your ability to fight. It's about the consequences of your actions. The Golden Dragon does not forgive or forget. They will come after us, and there's nothing we can do to stop them."
Feng Ruoxi listened as her grandfather and uncle continued to berate her, their expressions etched with a mixture of fear and anger. She could sense the underlying currents of their concern – not for her well-being, but for the potential consequences the Feng family might face.
Gritting her teeth, Feng Ruoxi decided to voice her suspicions. "Spare me the fake concern. I know you're only worried about the Jiang family's opinion of me, not my safety."
Feng Zhengzhi's eyes widened, his brow furrowing in a mix of shock and rage. "How dare you? We're your family, and we're trying to protect you!"
Feng Ruoxi scoffed, her gaze unwavering. "Protect me? Or protect your own interests? I know you're still hoping I'll reject the marriage to Jiang Yukang so one of my cousins can take my place."
Feng Guiren's fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. "You ungrateful girl! We're trying to save this family from ruin, and all you can think about is yourself?"
Feng Ruoxi's lips curved into a sardonic smile. "Ruin? Or the loss of your precious status and influence? I may be the black sheep, but at least I'm not a coward, hiding behind false platitudes."
Feng Zhengzhi's face flushed with rage, his voice rising in pitch. "That's enough! You have no idea the power we're up against. The Golden Dragon will not hesitate to crush us if they feel threatened!"
Feng Ruoxi's expression remained unperturbed. "Then I'll deal with them myself."
With that, Feng Ruoxi turned on her heel and strode towards her room, leaving her grandfather and uncle in a state of stunned silence. She knew the Golden Dragon would come for her, and she was determined to be ready.
Once in the safety of her room, Feng Ruoxi immediately set to work, hacking into the hotel system that served as the Golden Dragon's front. She needed to understand their security measures, their personnel, and the layout of the building – all the necessary information to plan a strategic assault.
Bai Yunshu's training and expertise surged to the forefront of Feng Ruoxi's mind, guiding her through the intricate process of infiltrating the system. She methodically mapped out the security camera locations, the patrol routes of the guards, and the access points that would give her the best chance of infiltrating the casino undetected.
As she delved deeper into the system, Feng Ruoxi's lips curved into a grim smile. She had faced powerful organizations before, and the Golden Dragon, for all their reputation, was no match for her skills and determination. They had made the mistake of targeting her friends, and now they would face the consequences.
Feng Ruoxi's fingers danced across the keyboard, her mind racing with the details of her plan. She would strike swiftly and decisively, taking down the Golden Dragon's leadership and crippling their operations. It was time to show them that Bai Yunshu was not to be trifled with, even in the guise of Feng Ruoxi
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone