Extraordinary Realm from Persuasion System

Nearby, a middle-aged man, barely over five-foot-seven, was scolding the child.

Seeing this, Zhang Beixing didn't think much of it. He just assumed some good-hearted person had seen a child playing alone, thought it was dangerous, and had come over to give a warning. He glanced over and paid no more attention.

Just as he turned his head, planning to chat with Lin Siqi about something, the subsequent exchange between the child and the middle-aged man made Zhang Beixing frown slightly.

...

Sitting in the sandbox, the four-year-old girl, having been inexplicably scolded, had an adorable little face full of confusion. She blinked her large eyes, glanced at the distant restroom, then at her bag placed on a nearby bench. She stretched out a chubby hand, pointed, and then began to babble, her words unclear.

Seeing the little girl like this, the middle-aged man completely ignored her, continuing to scold the child. "Really! Running off to play here by yourself and getting all dirty. Come on, let's go get you cleaned up. Otherwise, when your parents see you later, we'll see if they don't spank your bottom!"

At these words, the little girl was completely dumbfounded. She clutched the sand in her hand, staring blankly at the middle-aged man, her innocent eyes wide with confusion. She seemed to be wondering why this uncle couldn't understand her. Or perhaps, if her mom would spank her for getting so dirty when she arrived.

Just as she was hesitating, wondering what to make of the situation, Zhang Beixing approached.

He looked down at the befuddled little girl, rubbed her head, and said with a smile, "You're so cute." Then, he naturally stepped in front of the little girl, shielding her. Turning to the man, he took a cigarette from his pocket, put it in his mouth without lighting it, and asked, "Hey, mate, what's going on? Why are you suddenly arguing with a little girl? What's all this about?"

Looking at the middle-aged man, Zhang Beixing wore a slightly amused expression. He hadn't paid much attention to the commotion earlier. He'd assumed it was just a concerned bystander who had seen the child playing alone, thought it was dangerous, and had come over to warn her. But then, as the little girl's mumbles reached his ears, Zhang Beixing glanced around and realized this "concerned bystander" was unusually zealous!

"What's going on? What else could it be? I saw my friend's kid playing here alone—it's very dangerous—so I came to warn her," the middle-aged man said, his expression unchanging in response to Zhang Beixing's question. His demeanor was so natural that if Zhang Beixing hadn't already harbored suspicions, he might have actually believed him.

"Oh? Is that so? Well, then you must be a real Good Samaritan, a modern-day hero, huh!" Zhang Beixing said with a grin.

The middle-aged man gave a slight smile. "Hey, no need to say that. Isn't this what anyone would do? A friend's child is like my own. I don't know what her parents were thinking, leaving her here all alone. I saw her and just lent a hand. It's nothing worth mentioning."

"Haha, looks like you've got a warm heart, older bro. I like chatting and making friends with warm-hearted people like you. Come on, have a cigarette, top-quality stuff." As he spoke, Zhang Beixing walked over, took out a cigarette from his pocket, and offered it.

Seeing this behavior, the middle-aged man subconsciously furrowed his brows. He hurriedly waved his hand, saying, "Thanks for the offer, bro, but I don't smoke, so I'll pass!"

It was just a simple refusal, but unexpectedly, as soon as the words were out, Zhang Beixing's expression darkened.

He looked at the middle-aged man with displeasure. "What do you mean by that, mate? You're disrespecting me, is that it?" he snapped. "Your breath reeks so much of stale tobacco it nearly choked me, and now you tell me you don't smoke? What kind of bullshit is that? You think you're too good for my premium smokes?!" Zhang Beixing glared at the middle-aged man, speaking each word with deliberate, menacing emphasis.

He looked as if he wouldn't let the matter drop if the man didn't accept his cigarette today.

Seeing Zhang Beixing act like this, the middle-aged man was somewhat taken aback. Seriously, what kind of lunatic is this guy? Damn, all this fuss because I didn't take his cigarette? Is he for real? Even though he'd been in this line of work for many years, he'd never encountered anyone as audacious and unreasonable as Zhang Beixing.

The corners of the middle-aged man's mouth twitched uncontrollably.

Seeing Zhang Beixing looking like he was about to cause a scene, the man's mind raced. After a moment's thought, inspiration struck, and he said, "Bro, don't get excited. Listen to me. It's really not that I'm trying to disrespect you. It's just that lately... my throat's been bothering me. Besides, the kid's right here. I can see you're a considerate guy. We can't smoke in front of a child, can we?"

"Hmm, now that you mention it, you're right. Smoking in front of a kid isn't good. Alright, I'll let it slide this time. Just be more careful next time, okay?" As Zhang Beixing spoke, he put the premium cigarette back into his pocket and casually tucked the Marlboro he'd been holding in his mouth behind his ear.

Seeing this, the middle-aged man's eyelids twitched wildly. His fists clenched instinctively, but then relaxed as he remembered the task at hand.

The middle-aged man shot Zhang Beixing a venomous glare.

Then he quickly reverted to his amiable facade, smiling at Zhang Beixing. "Alright, alright, I'll be sure to take one next time we meet. Anyway, bro, it's getting late. I should take the kid back now. She's gotten herself so dirty, she really needs a wash. Otherwise, knowing my friend's temper, they'll surely unleash a great Thunderbolt and give her a harsh scolding. She's such a pretty girl; I'd hate to see her get disciplined."