12: It's time to go home.

"Madam, it's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding! It's just kids playing around, no need for the guards to get involved."

"Brother Fan, put Zhang Yunhua down, don't be impulsive!"

"Teacher, my friend here is British, a greenhorn just back from abroad.

Look at all these Foreigners here; making a big fuss over such a small matter doesn't look good!"

Seeing the situation turn sour, Tang Jifeng moved between the two sides to ease tensions, trying to downplay the incident.

Wang Jingwei scanned the room; there were no fewer than twenty Foreigners in the restaurant.

They were watching the spectacle with great interest.

This was the Concession, and the other party was a British fake foreign devil.

But if he insisted on being stubborn, no one could stop him, nor could anyone hold him back.

However, doing so would inevitably blow things out of proportion, and he would surely leave himself open to criticism.

Currently, it was a critical period for the Baldies vying for power; it was better to avoid causing trouble if possible.

He raised his hand to signal the men in black to stay alert, then stepped forward and said gravely, "Put Zhang Yunhua down; let's talk outside!"

A mocking smile appeared at the corner of Lu Fan's mouth. "Talk outside? I'm afraid we'd end up talking in the Huangpu River."

Once away from here, avoiding prying eyes, whether to fight or kill would be up to him.

He wouldn't fall for this big Traitor's trick.

Having been reborn through transmigration and lived two lives, his motto was: if others don't provoke me, I won't provoke them.

But if they do, I'll just fight it out.

At worst, it would be a mutual destruction; he could always activate the Teleportation and make a run for it.

So what if it meant disabling his Dual-Transmigration Golden Finger for a few years?

I can wait; that old ass Wang Jingwei won't be around for much longer anyway.

A gentleman's revenge can wait ten years.

Wang Jingwei showed a hint of anger and snorted coldly. "A petty mind measures the gentleman's heart by its own standards.

You framed my nephew first, and now you're resorting to violence.

Don't think that just because you're British, you can act with impunity in the Concession."

As Wang Jingwei spoke, a group of people seized the opportunity to flatter him.

"Being British doesn't make you special! You must give an explanation."

"Even the emperor is subject to the law like commoners."

"Apologize, compensate, and face justice!"

"Fake foreign devil, what are you so arrogant about!"

Those who didn't understand the situation gradually got riled up, directing their anger at Lu Fan.

"Mr. Board, Director of the Municipal Council, what do you say?"

Taking advantage of the heated atmosphere, Wang Jingwei had already moved to the window, exchanging opinions with a bearded Foreigner.

Seizing the moment to speak, Tang Jifeng hurriedly tried to mediate. "Brother Fan, listen to me.

Put him down; don't burn all bridges. Let's talk this out properly."

"Letting go is impossible, absolutely impossible!"

Lu Fan raised his voice and firmly refused.

"This person clearly slandered me first but is now turning the tables.

If I let it slide, wouldn't that mean I admit to slandering this pretty boy?

My personal reputation is small, but where would that leave the face of the British Empire?"

As he spoke, he also approached the bearded Foreigner and performed a standard noble bow.

Then he took out his viscountcy document.

"Mr. Board, this person falsely accused me out of thin air, which is tantamount to smearing the British Empire. What do you think?"

You know how to leverage influence; don't think I don't.

I can also play the fox borrowing the tiger's might; can you?

Now holding an Immunity Pass, I'm no ordinary person; why should I fear this old ass in the Concession?

With just one glance, the bearded Board stood up from his chair and returned the noble bow.

"Respected Viscount Louis Fan.

I am Board, Director of the Municipal Council, sworn to defend the Empire's honor."

Although a Viscount is merely a noble title with no real power,

it undeniably represents the face of the British Empire, something pure Foreigners hold dear.

Having secured backing, it was time to show his true skills.

Lu Fan released Zhang Yunhua, took out his multifunctional pen, and played the original recording right in front of everyone.

"Birds of a feather flock together; they're all cut from the same cloth."

Zhang Yunhua's voice was clearly reproduced, making right and wrong obvious.

The reversal came so quickly, catching everyone off guard.

For a moment, the restaurant fell silent again.

Those who had spoken recklessly earlier were now trembling.

No wonder.

They had intended to curry favor and get noticed.

Who knew they'd end up with a useless ally who ran headfirst into a brick wall?

In the Concession, falsely accusing a British person, especially a noble, meant they were definitely in for trouble.

Wang Jingwei's face turned ashen; his dignity was shattered beyond repair.

All he could think about was becoming the laughingstock of his rivals over tea.

Beside him, Board watched intently, waiting for a reasonable explanation.

At this thought, he wished he could tear Zhang Yunhua to pieces.

"Zhang Yunhua, you talk nonsense and falsely accuse a British noble—slap him!"

Zhu Lichen took the initiative, breaking the deadlock.

*Slap~ slap~ slap~*

Clear, loud slaps echoed through the restaurant.

Soon, Zhang Yunhua was beaten into a swollen mess by the guards and passed out.

"Mr. Board, Viscount Louis Fan, I failed in my discipline and sincerely apologize to you.

How to deal with Zhang Yunhua is entirely up to you.

Whatever consequences follow, I will take full responsibility."

After Zhu Lichen's series of moves, everyone in the restaurant applauded the act of sacrificing kin for righteousness.

Amid the fickle crowd's discussions, Wang Jingwei and Zhu Lichen's reputations immediately improved.

This woman was truly ruthless to her own nephew; to save face, she decisively sacrificed a pawn.

But her scheming was even more vicious; while appearing sincere in apology and taking full responsibility,

it actually hid a deeper trick.

If Lu Fan made any demands that would embarrass them,

it was predictable that Zhang Yunhua would definitely be found floating in the Huangpu River tomorrow.

Then, a story of framing and false accusations would land on his head, allowing them to eliminate the root of the problem.

"Brother Fan, do it for my sake; it's not worth it for a bug."

Tang Jifeng leaned in and whispered in his ear, "Brother, you're tough,

but this is still on Chinese soil; push too hard, and they might resort to desperate measures.

These two are sneaky.

Without a chance to uproot them completely, it's better not to act lightly."

After hearing this advice, Lu Fan made up his mind.

Continuing to make a fuss would at most embarrass two Traitors, which really wasn't that meaningful.

It would be a slap on the wrist, not enough to be recorded in the family history.

With Lu Fan's nod, Tang Jifeng immediately started smoothing things over.

"Teacher, you're too serious; what handling? It's just kids playing around.

In the end, it's all my fault; everything started because of me. I had a bit to drink and got carried away.

Another day, I'll host a proper apology to you, teacher."

After apologizing, Tang Jifeng scanned the onlookers and changed his tone.

"Everything that happened today was my doing.

If I hear a different version of events someday, don't blame Tang Four for being unreasonable.

My recklessness and methods are somewhat known in Shanghai.

You'd better think carefully."

His speech was seamless, taking all responsibility upon himself.

Finally, he issued a gag order in the most familiar playboy style.

"Everyone, disperse! Go about your business!

Manager, today's expenses for everyone are on Young Master Tang. Let the music play~~~"

A stick followed by a carrot, bringing the matter to a close.

Perfect~~~

As the music started, the restaurant returned to harmony.

Watching Wang Jingwei and the others leave in a hurry, Lu Fan felt it was time to go home.