Chapter 196 Make an Example (2/2)

Li Du replied without any expression, ”Harsh? Aren’t you harsh when you poured hot water on an animal? I could have done something worse, but I offered you a choice. You choose.”

Bart said with difficulty, ”Fine! I’ll do that!”

Hans wore a gloating smile on his face but he whispered to Li Du, ”Buddy, you sure about that?”

Li Du replied in a low tone, ”Even you feel that was too much of me? Compared to that casino boss, Marlin, I’m the better guy already.”

”That’s different, buddy,” Hans whispered.

Li Du continued, ”Yeah, it’s different, that’s why I only wanted him to have a taste of his own medicine. I don’t want to be kind to someone who abuses animals. I can make an example of him to remind others that they shouldn’t mess around with us.”

Li Du knew he was being cruel to the lanky guy, Bart.

But by now, he had learned that many people in America liked to bully people who they deemed weak. Time and time again, these people had tried to put him down, and besides thwarting their money-making plans, he hadn’t done anything else in retaliation, as he thought he could still tolerate all their sh*t.

However, after the episode at the casino, Li finally understood that in order to avoid getting bullied, he had to be ruthless.

The Confucius teaching of being tolerant and peaceful would not work here.

Li Du was not someone who would bully anyone without reason. If he were to let Bart off easily, these people would only laugh at him for being an idiot behind his back. The same people might even continue to provoke him or abuse his pets in future.

Li Du thought, And who knows—it might get worse next time.

Li gave a light kick to the hot kettle. ”You burned my cat’s back, but I’ll not restrict you to that part. You can choose any body part you like. Do it.”

Bart looked at Li Du, full of resentment. He covered his privates with one hand and, with the other hand, grabbed the kettle.

After hesitating for a few seconds, he gritted his teeth and poured the hot water on his shoulder.

Bart yelled in pain and threw the kettle into the pool, shouting, ”You happy now?! You happy now?! You happy now!?”

Li Du waved to Hans and Godzilla as a signal to leave the place.

Bart only poured a little bit of hot water on himself. Li could tell that the lanky guy was exaggerating the amount of pain he was experiencing.

However, there was no need to push it too far, since his goal had been achieved anyway.

The trio spent the rest of the day at their VIP pool and rested one night at the resort; it was all part of the 1,000-dollar package he had bought.

The next day was the auction of the old houses. Fifty to sixty treasure hunters appeared at the entrance of the Cumulus Cloud neighborhood.

When Li Du and his team arrived, the treasure hunters made way for them. Nobody made any snide remarks at them either.

It was evident that the incident at the resort had circulated around the treasure hunting groups.

Li Du remarked, ”Not a lot of people.”

There were forty-two houses being auctioned off. Only fifty to sixty treasure hunters turned up, but many people were in teams, just like Li Du and Hans, so the number of people who were there was not considered a lot.

Hans explained, ”It’s understandable. Old house auctions are hardly profitable, so not many are interested.”

The auctioneer was Aiden Humphrey, an old man with a cowboy hat. He was famous in Flagstaff as an auctioneer. He handled all the storage auctions of the Smith Storage Company.

He gave a nod to Hans and Li Du. ”I wish you good luck in this auction. I feel better when I see both of you here.”

To the treasure hunters, both of them were their rivals.

But to the auctioneer, seeing both of them was a sign that he could earn a decent amount of commission. A lot of treasure hunters would follow Li to place their bids due to his reputation and good track record.

Therefore, the chances of boosting the auction price would be much higher.

At nine o'clock sharp, Humphrey blew a whistle and shouted, ”Hey pals, time to get cracking! The same old rules apply. You have one minute to move around each house. Don’t touch anything, or out you go!”