Novels2Search

Chapter nineteen

After Huang Xin left, the heavyweights of Xiaofei Hall gathered around. They all bowed to Xiao Zihan, congratulating him on joining the Howling Gang.

Just as Xiao Zihan was about to reciprocate, Xiaohé shouted, "Congratulations? I, Xiaohé, recommended Brother Han to join the gang, and now he has to call that Huang Xin 'Big Brother.' This really annoys me. Damn it."

Qiaosan came forward to console, "Sis Hé, don't be too angry. It's the rule of our Howling Gang. We have no choice. After some time, when Brother Han establishes his qualifications, we will recommend him to the gang leader so that Brother Han can sit with us on an equal footing."

Ah Guang, with a smiling face, and fatty Qi nodded in agreement. Xiao Zihan stepped forward, patted Xiaohé, and said, "Xiao Hé, don't mind this. You know my abilities, and after joining the gang, I'll rise steadily. When the time comes, your position as hall master will be in jeopardy. Don't be moody then."

"Humph, what mood am I in? Do you think I really want to be the hall master? Moreover, yours is mine anyway."

Upon hearing this, everyone was initially surprised, then burst into laughter. They looked at Xiao Zihan and Xiaohé with ambiguous expressions, offering their congratulations. Xiaohé, however, became embarrassed, and her cheeks turned red, revealing a charming look.

The members of Xiaofei Hall had never seen Xiaohé with such a charming expression, and they were momentarily stunned. It wasn't until Xiao Zihan cleared his throat loudly that they came to their senses, giving him a thumbs up and saying, "Brother Han, indeed you have a way. Congratulations, Brother Han, even Sis Hé is charmed by you..."

Xiao Zihan noticed Xiaohé's displeasure and quickly changed the subject, pointing to Xing Ao and Yue Feiyang, "These are my two brothers, Xing Ao and Yue Feiyang. Get to know each other, everyone."

Since Ah Guang already knew the two, he was the first to approach, getting along warmly with them. The others also became familiar with Xing Ao and Yue Feiyang in no time, engaging in lively conversations.

Next was dinner. Xiao Zihan suggested a toast, surprising Qiaosan and the others, who were sweating nervously. Xiao Zihan knew what they were thinking, understanding that Xiaohé couldn't handle alcohol. He assured them that he would control her drinking, preventing her from getting drunk. Then he addressed Xiaohé's other quirks, stating that he liked her as she was, despite her unconventional nature.

Ah Guang stood up and said, "Don't worry, Brother Han. We all understand. With you managing her, we won't encounter awkward situations like before. Right, isn't that so?" He looked at Qiaosan, Xia Zhang, and Fatty Qi. Qiaosan and the others, including Fatty Qi, showed no expression. Fatty Qi stole a glance at Xiaohé, signaling Ah Guang to take a look at her.

Ah Guang sensed something amiss, glanced at Xiaohé, and saw her face turning dark. This was a sign that she was about to lose her temper. Immediately, Ah Guang sought refuge behind Xiao Zihan.

In a low voice, Xiaohé muttered, "Ah Guang, are you looking for trouble? If I don't teach you a lesson, I won't be true to my name." After saying that, she stood up, clenched her fists, and approached Ah Guang.

Seeing this, Xiao Zihan laughed, swiftly reached out, and pulled Xiaohé into his arms. He said, "Xiao Hé, Ah Guang was speaking up for me. For my sake, let's spare him."

Xiaohé, with a volatile temper, couldn't easily let Ah Guang off. She needed to give him a good beating to vent her anger. However, she couldn't break free from Xiao Zihan's strong arms. Frustrated, she shifted her anger towards Xiao Zihan, exclaiming, "Damn it, I won't marry you. You're eating me to death before marriage. This won't work. If we get married, I won't even be able to leave the house. Damn it, it's so frustrating."

Seeing her uttering curses, Xiao Zihan felt helpless. But wasn't this the Xiaohé he liked? He pointed to Xiaohé's lips and said, "I wonder when these red things will become pure."

Xiaohé, even more displeased, bit Xiao Zihan's finger until he cried out in pain. Then, she let go. With a mouth stained with a bit of blood, she looked like a female demon. Triumphantly, she said, "Humph, I'm not easy to deal with. First, let you, the troublemaker, bleed a bit. Later, I'll deal with Ah Guang."

Everyone was shocked to see Xiao Zihan bleeding, but soon they were relieved when they realized it was just a minor injury.

Xing Ao couldn't help but think about how his girlfriend Little Qing would react. If she did the same thing when he touched her chest, it would be quite disappointing. Maybe twisting the waist would be better—less painful and more exciting. He chuckled, thinking that he wouldn't let Little Qing off tonight.

Yue Feiyang believed that finding a quiet woman was better. Such a woman would give a warm and gentle feeling, although he currently had no intention of finding someone to accompany him.

As for the members of Xiaofei Hall, after the initial surprise, they became indifferent. Their big sister's actions were beyond ordinary understanding, but they were used to it.

After Xiao Zihan bandaged his injured finger, the atmosphere lightened. Everyone was satisfied with the joyful meal. For the members of Xiaofei Hall, it was a rare occurrence. Now, with Xiao Zihan present, Xiaohé had no chance to play around with alcohol; she was firmly under his control.

While others enjoyed themselves, Xiaohé was extremely frustrated. She glared at Xiao Zihan fiercely, looking like she wanted to devour him. Worried about Xiao Zihan, the others thought about his strength, and Xiaohé's lack of scheming. This matter would probably be forgotten soon.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

In the end, after a satisfying dinner, everyone felt content. For the members of Xiaofei Hall, it was a long-lost feeling. With Xiao Zihan present, Xiaohé had no opportunity to indulge in alcohol, and she was firmly controlled by him.

While everyone else was happy, Xiaohé was extremely annoyed. She glared at Xiao Zihan repeatedly, looking like she wanted to eat him alive. Seeing Xiaohé's fierce expression, everyone couldn't help but worry about Xiao Zihan. However, considering Xiao Zihan's strength, coupled with Xiaohé's straightforwardness, this matter would likely be forgotten soon.

In the underworld, being a henchman is no easy task. It involves fighting in the front lines and reaping profits in the background, especially considering that you often have to act according to the whims of the big boss. If you happen to encounter a boss with a volatile temper, who enjoys nitpicking, life can be extremely tough. However, Huang Xin is a person worth making connections with. He treats his subordinates well, shares the spoils, and as a result, the twenty-plus underlings under his command enjoy working for him. Since joining the Roaring Gang, he has been working under Ah Guang, earning the latter's trust. The subordinates assigned to him are all fierce and brave individuals. However, the arrival of Xiao Zihan and his companions has made him feel a significant pressure. He has an intuition that he might not be able to control these three individuals. To his surprise, Xiao Zihan and his companions are easy to get along with. They not only follow his instructions but also build good relationships with the other subordinates. In less than two days, they have integrated well with the group. This has relieved his initial worries, and he decides not to inquire about the backgrounds of these three individuals. The iron rules of the Roaring Gang are well-known – newcomers, no matter how capable, start from the bottom. Since Ah Guang didn't provide information, there must be a reason, and Huang Xin doesn't want to get involved unnecessarily. Taking care of these three individuals is enough.

As a tradition for new members, he always takes them to familiarize themselves with the territory, especially the areas he manages.

He takes Xiao Zihan and his companions along with a few underlings to a mahjong parlor, one of the territories under his control. The mahjong parlor is divided into inner and outer sections. The outer section is for the general public, with several rooms filled with dozens of mahjong tables, creating a noisy and chaotic atmosphere. The laughter of mahjong enthusiasts winning big and the curses of those looking for bad tiles can be faintly heard, but they quickly disappear. The air inside is filled with smoke, making it inhospitable for non-smokers. The waitresses, all in their early twenties, wear relatively revealing and simple attire. They continuously move around, creating a beautiful scenery. Their duties go beyond serving tea and pouring water; they are also responsible for giving customers massages. As long as you pay, they are willing to do anything, and you can even touch them while playing mahjong – it's all about providing an enjoyable experience for a price. Regulars know that these waitresses are also involved in the adult industry. If you win money while playing, having a good time with a girl can enhance your mood. If you lose money, you might need an outlet for frustration, and any of these girls is ready to be that outlet.

That's the outer section. The inner section is vastly different, reserved for wealthy individuals. It consists of meticulously decorated private rooms, exuding a luxurious and elegant atmosphere, catering to the vanity of the rich. This is where the affluent come to play high-stakes mahjong, with more comprehensive and secure services compared to the outer section.

This mahjong parlor can be considered the most profitable one in the entire city of Changliao. Various gangs envy it, but due to the immense influence of the Roaring Gang, there hasn't been any major trouble. However, Huang Xin brought Xiao Zihan and his companions here not only to familiarize them with the gang's influence but also due to information from his subordinates. In recent days, a person named Wu Xiaofeng has frequented the place, expressing his intention to buy the mahjong parlor at a high price. Despite the clear message from Huang Xin's subordinates that the place is not for sale, the person continues to visit three times a day without fail. Since he comes alone each time and doesn't cause any trouble, only spending money to amuse a few waitresses and play some mahjong, it's challenging to drive him away. Huang Xin's visit today is to meet this person and understand if there's a different motive behind his actions. This mahjong parlor is owned by the Roaring Gang, and anyone in the local underworld should be aware of it. A person trying to buy territory from a gang is a clear act of disrespect, indicating either extreme naivety or excessive confidence, making it highly unusual. Considering the calm state of Changliao's underworld in recent years, with little small-scale conflicts between gangs, the current tranquility may be the calm before a storm.

As soon as Huang Xin and his group enter the mahjong parlor, someone immediately greets him. Whispers follow as a person approaches Huang Xin, discreetly pointing towards a person playing cards in the corner. This person is said to be Wu Xiaofeng.

Looking in that direction, Huang Xin sees Wu Xiaofeng sitting sideways, exposing only half of his face. A tall woman behind him is massaging his shoulders, and he occasionally tilts his head to rest on the woman's ample chest, enjoying the moment.

As Huang Xin and his group approach Wu Xiaofeng, his face becomes clearer. With a thin and elongated face, small eyes, thick eyebrows, slightly thick lips, and long hair flowing down, he gives off a carefree vibe.

As Huang Xin and his group reach him, Wu Xiaofeng suddenly stands up. He picks up a small stack of money from the table in front of him, tucks it into the cleavage of the woman behind him, and throws the remaining money onto the table. He addresses the three stunned players, "Sorry, brothers, something came up, can't continue playing. Consider this money as compensation for keeping me company." Then, he turns towards Huang Xin, standing at the forefront, and smiles, "Brother, it's finally not in vain that I've come these past few days. I've finally met the person in charge."

Huang Xin stares at him with an expressionless face and says slowly, "Brother, you're overestimating me. I'm just a middleman and can't make decisions. Don't get too excited too soon, brother."

Hearing this, Wu Xiaofeng chuckles self-deprecatingly, shrugs his shoulders, and says, "It seems I've overestimated myself, brother."

Despite his words, Wu Xiaofeng's face retains unwavering confidence. This person doesn't seem to be one who enjoys confrontation. With a wave of his hand, Huang Xin makes a gesture of invitation and says, "Brother, it's not convenient to talk here. Let's go upstairs and have a chat." Immediately, a henchman steps forward to lead the way.

Wu Xiaofeng doesn't hesitate and follows the henchman towards the stairs. Huang Xin accompanies him in the front, and Xiao Zihan and his companions lag behind a few steps. Xing Ao whispers, "Boss, this guy is not simple. His boundless confidence seems to come from strong combat skills. I really want to spar with him; it's been too long since I've used my hands."

Xiao Zihan doesn't respond to Xing Ao's words and glances at Yue Feiyang, feeling that this person shares some similarities with him.

Yue Feiyang's lips curve into a smile, revealing a thoughtful expression. He says, "He's a formidable character. As an opponent, he's challenging, but if he becomes an ally, he's an excellent choice. Does the boss hold him in high regard?"

Xiao Zihan, with sharp eyes, looks at Wu Xiaofeng ahead and slowly says, "Xiao He, as the head of the largest branch of the Roaring Gang, appears to have the loyalty and admiration of the gang members. However, based on Xiao He's various performances, there must be many dissatisfied individuals. Especially since Xiao He is the daughter of the gang leader, Xiao Wan Zhong, whether her actions are good or bad, people will always think she climbed to her current position due to her father's influence. Although the Roaring Gang has strict rules, they mostly apply to ordinary members. For special individuals, the situation is different, just like us. In no time, we will surpass Huang Xin. Moreover, the Roaring Gang never gets involved in drug trafficking, a major taboo in the underworld. Not earning money when you can is intolerable for anyone. Before, due to Xiao Wan Zhong's youth, strength, and charisma, he could suppress dissent. However, Xiao Wan Zhong is now over fifty, and his physical and mental abilities are not what they used to be. Whether he can suppress those ambitious individuals is hard to say. The good times for the Roaring Gang won't last much longer."

"Perhaps due to changes in the Roaring Gang, the entire Changliao will become turbulent," Yue Feiyang says with a meaningful tone.

"So, before any sudden changes in the Roaring Gang, the boss wants to accumulate power, providing a strong umbrella for Xiao He when needed, right?" Xing Ao says with a sly smile.

Xiao Zihan nods, speaking with a deep voice, "Ayang is strategic, and both of you are skilled. Also, Mei'er is not lacking in financial resources. Establishing a small force won't be difficult. Right now, what we lack is manpower, especially individuals with both capabilities and wealth. If there's a chance, we must strive to gain their support."

After finishing his words, the three exchanged a knowing look, and then, they smiled silently.