A furious shout soon rose from the crowd, followed by a wave of jeers and condemnation.
"I saw it too from the back—way over the line. Does he think people from Shanghai are easy targets?"
"Exactly. What the hell is Huang Qing doing? Letting him slap the SSCC Club in the face like this?"
"Damn it, saying I'm from this club makes me feel ashamed."
…Surrounded by all these accusing voices, Huang Qing's heart was in a tailspin.
Yet what terrified him most wasn't the surrounding curses, but the three words Jiang Cheng had uttered at the end.
The moment those three words were spoken, not only Huang Qing but also the men standing behind him and Lin Yao went white with fear.
Strange looks flickered across their eyes; they exchanged glances and fell silent. Lin Yao's fury surged—his fists clenched so tight they trembled.
The neatly divided scene was smashed to pieces by a single casual sentence from Jiang Cheng.
Looking at Huang Qing lying on the ground, Lin Yao felt a rush of defeat; he knew he had lost today's game.
Chen Qin, tactful as ever, did not reveal the identities of Jiang Cheng and Qi Yuan.
After restoring order, he quietly coordinated with his traffic-police colleagues and quickly pulled up the surveillance footage.
Soon the verdict was out.
One traffic officer said sternly to Lin Yao: "According to the traffic-control law, your illegal left-lane overtake caused this accident. You bear full responsibility—three points deducted."
The officer's tone allowed no argument.
"Later our personnel will assess vehicle damage at the highest repair standard; all costs will be borne by the party at fault," he added.
Lin Yao's face turned gloomy at the words.
Uncontainable rage flashed in his eyes.
Everyone could see that after Jiang Cheng steadied his car he had deliberately swerved into him.
Yet on camera it looked like an accidental skid.
Right then Lin Yao warned himself: A strong dragon does not crush the local snake; don't lock horns with Jiang Cheng.
If Jiang Cheng's aim had been off by a finger, Lin Yao's legs would have been history.
He knew Jiang Cheng was a ruthless man.
After that brush with death his anger cooled and his mind cleared.
Watching Jiang Cheng's brazen attitude, a shadow of doubt crept into his heart.
Contrary to his earlier arrogance, he now readily agreed to pay compensation before the traffic officers.
After all, he'd come today for hype, yet Jiang Cheng had smashed his car in front of everyone and he could do nothing.
Once word spread, the only one humiliated would be himself.
So he kept as low a profile as possible.
After a phone call, Lin Yao slunk away from the scene.
Huang Qing stared, dumbstruck, as Lin Yao left without a word.
When Jiang Cheng's matter was settled, Chen Qin said flatly to Qin Fen and Huang Qing: "One of you picked a fight, the other assaulted someone. Since it's minor, I suggest a private settlement."
Huang Qing looked at Jiang Cheng, Wang Congcong, and Qin Fen, hesitation written all over his face.
His fear, of course, was of their future retaliation.
Saying yes to a settlement meant giving up his leverage and putting himself at greater disadvantage.
Refusing might leave room to negotiate later.
After weighing it, Huang Qing gritted his teeth and declared forcefully, "I don't agree to a settlement."
Today's incident hadn't actually targeted Jiang Cheng directly.
It was sheer bad luck that the hot-tempered Jiang Cheng had shown up.
Qin Fen wasn't fazed: "Fine—no deal. An hour inside plus lawyer fees? I can outlast you."
Huang Qing knew his background couldn't match theirs.
But when it came to stirring buzz, he was a master.
Otherwise why, despite endless scandals, did SSCC Club keep gaining members?
He already had tomorrow's headline in mind:
"SSCC Club Civil War—Chairman vs. the emperor of shanghai: Clash of the Titans."
The stunt would surely pull in more Second-generation rich kids.
Beside him Wang Congcong cursed again: "F*** your mother, shameless prick—think I won't smack you?"
"What, Principal Wang? Going to hit me in front of all these eyes?"
Huang Qing looked like he'd thrown caution to the wind.
Qin Fen quickly pulled Wang Congcong back: "Bro Wang, sorry to you and Old Jiang today. I quit this lousy club, effective now."
Several others echoed: "I quit too."
Jiang Cheng patted Qin Fen's shoulder: "SSCC really has no reason to exist. If you want to stay, you can be chairman."
Qin Fen instantly caught his drift.
"Well… now you've made it hard to choose."
Super-car clubs mean big networks and juicy profits.
You don't think these guys gather for charity, do you?
Seeing Jiang Cheng so arrogant, Huang Qing's face darkened.
All the club members were here today.
He knew he wasn't qualified to challenge Jiang Cheng.
Yet Jiang Cheng had just threatened his very position.