"We came here today to talk nicely first," Mountain Eagle said. "Hope you'll cooperate."
Cao Yang didn't want to pay. He didn't take these two guys seriously, but if he refused, they'd definitely smash the place up.What then?
He looked at Li Yan.She gave him a small nod.
Six thousand a month wasn't cheap, but with their current income, they could manage it.
"So?" Mountain Eagle urged. "Pay or not? Say something."
Before Cao Yang spoke, Li Yan stepped forward."We'll pay, brother. We'll pay."
Mountain Eagle grinned at her."You're sensible. Not like this kid—he's got a rebellious look."
Cao Yang shot him a cold glance but said nothing.
Li Yan immediately turned soft and polite."Brother, we're all fellow Hunan people. Of course we'll pay. But we just opened. We don't have that much cash yet. Can you give us ten days? Maybe half a month?"
"Ten days? Half a month?" Mountain Eagle's face darkened. "You messing with me? I'll give you ONE day. I'll be back this time tomorrow. If the money's not ready—close the shop."
He grabbed a pen and wrote down a number, handing it to Li Yan."This is my number. Call me if anything happens. We don't take money for nothing."
Then he added a sleazy smile."If you get lonely, you can call me too."
Li Yan forced a laugh and quickly pulled at Cao Yang's sleeve, afraid he'd punch the guy.
Mountain Eagle walked out satisfied.Cao Yang sat on the counter, silent.
Li Yan nudged him."Don't be mad. It's just six thousand. We'll earn it back in a few days."
"I hate this feeling," Cao Yang muttered. "Being threatened."
"Oh, come on. Just tolerate it. If you don't pay, they'll cause trouble. I know you can fight, but they have numbers. You beat the small ones, the big ones come. It never ends. And it hurts our business."
Cao Yang snorted."I'll just find that Tie Xiong and talk to him. If he doesn't listen, I'll kill him. Problem solved."
"Stop joking." Li Yan comforted him like coaxing a child. "Just put up with it."
Cao Yang sighed."Anyway, we don't even have six thousand right now."
Li Yan pulled out the three thousand she took yesterday—money she planned to deposit at the bank.Now she had to use it.
There was a little over a thousand in the counter. They still needed more than a thousand, but judging from today's business, staying open later tonight should cover it.
Just then, Leidian came downstairs.
"What happened?" he asked.
Cao Yang told him everything briefly.
Leidian shook his head hard."You can't pay them. They're lying to you."
"What do you mean?" Cao Yang and Li Yan stared at him.
"The slot machines around here have always been controlled by the Sichuan Gang. Hunan Gang doesn't mess with this business. If you pay them now, the Sichuan guys will show up tomorrow and cause even bigger trouble."
As he spoke—
Three fierce-looking men barged in.
"WHO'S THE BOSS?!" one of them shouted the moment they entered.
The other two rushed to the machines, yanking out the power cords and pushing away the customers.
"Hey! What are you doing?!" Li Yan shouted angrily.Chasing away customers was like chasing away her money.
"We're the Sichuan Gang," the man barked. "Who the hell told you you could put machines here?!"
He glared at them."This is your first time, so we'll just take the machines. If you dare put them here again, we'll break your legs."
He gave a signal, and the two underlings began lifting the machines.
"Stop!" Li Yan blocked them. "How much protection fee do you want?!"
She thought they were here for money too.But they didn't even mention protection fees.
Because the slot machines in this whole area were installed and operated by them.No outsiders allowed. No negotiation.
"Get out of the way!" one guy cursed and shoved Li Yan aside.
CRACK!
"AHHH—!!"
A scream tore through the room.One of the underlings dropped the machine, clutching his hand—the back of his fingers were smashed by a glass soda bottle, bones visibly shattered.
Cao Yang had made his move.
The Hunan Gang at least talked first.These guys came in and immediately tried to steal his machines.
No way he was tolerating that.
"Motherf—! You wanna die?!"The other two pulled out butterfly knives and charged at him.
Li Yan screamed.Leidian grabbed a stool and swung it at one man's head.
Cao Yang, calm as water, twisted the wrist of the knife-wielder.Clatter—the blade dropped to the floor.
Leidian seized the chance, picked up the fallen knife, and stabbed the guy he hit.
Once. Twice.
White blade in, red blade out.Blood pooled, spreading across the floor.
Li Yan screamed again.
Cao Yang kicked the remaining two repeatedly until they collapsed, then dragged all three out of the shop.
The two who could still stand picked up the stabbed man.They turned to say something threatening—but seeing Cao Yang and Leidian staring coldly at them, they swallowed the words and fled.
But that last vicious glare promised—They'd be back. Soon.
"Let's go!" Li Yan cried, pulling at Cao Yang's arm, face pale with terror.
But Cao Yang sat back in the rocking chair, calmly lighting a cigarette.
"Go!" Li Yan urged.
"Go where?"
"Hide for a while!"
"Hide? Then what about the shop? Your investment? Your dream of getting rich?"
"It's life or death right now!"
"You go hide. Come back when I finish this."
"How will you 'finish' it?! They have dozens of people!"
"If I can't solve them… I'll go to Nightingale Club and talk to their boss."
Li Yan wanted to continue but Cao Yang waved her off.
He turned to Leidian."Not bad. Didn't expect you to actually stab someone."
Leidian grinned. "I'm running anyway. What's there to be afraid of?"
"Where are you going?"
"Back to Sichuan. Hide out for a bit."
Cao Yang nodded."Then go now. Later you won't get a chance."
Leidian shook his head."Not now. I can't leave you alone."
Cao Yang blinked, amused."Didn't you say your business has no loyalty?"
"That depends who it's with."Leidian's voice grew deep."You treat me right, I treat you right. If you don't, I won't. You saved me once. I remember."
Cao Yang patted him on the shoulder."I appreciate it. But you still need to go. I can run if things get bad. But with you here, I can't."
Leidian hesitated. He knew it was true, but still felt uneasy.
Cao Yang noticed."What is it?"
Leidian scratched his cheek awkwardly."I… don't have money. Can you lend me some travel money?"
Cao Yang smiled."How much?"
He reached toward the counter—empty.Li Yan had taken everything.
"A thousand."
"Give me the bag," Cao Yang said to Li Yan.
Li Yan clutched it tight, refusing to let go.
Cao Yang grabbed it.She bit her lip and still didn't release it.
Leidian stood frozen, awkward as hell.
"Give it!" Cao Yang tugged harder—The strap snapped.
He counted out two thousand and handed it to Leidian.
"Here."
Leidian took it and gave Cao Yang a long, grateful look.Then he turned to Li Yan.
"Sister… don't be like this. I swear I'll return it."
Li Yan ignored him completely, staring at Cao Yang with watery eyes—Tears trembling, ready to fall any second.