Mingzhu Nightclub.
Tie Xiong was listening to Shan Ying's report.Halfway through, he impatiently waved his hand, signaling him to leave.
The Sichuan Gang often clashed with them. As long as no one died, it was nothing serious. He couldn't be bothered with the details.
"Brother Xiong, that kid is the same one from Nightingale Club the other night," one of Shan Ying's underlings reminded him.
Sure enough, when he heard it was Cao Yang, Tie Xiong suddenly became interested.
"You mean the kid who was playing those slot machines? You're sure you didn't mistake him?"
The underling nodded. "Definitely him. I saw him jump three meters high in one leap. The kid's got skills."
Tie Xiong grinned. "Give me his address. Call some of the brothers—we're going to find him."
"I only know his shop address. After the fight he disappeared, so I don't know where he lives. But I do have his number," Shan Ying said as he handed over the phone number.
Cao Yang was eating stir-fried rice noodles in front of a factory.His phone lay on the table. He glanced at it from time to time, clearly waiting for a call.
Soon enough, an unfamiliar local number rang.
"Hello." Cao Yang picked up, wiping his mouth.
"Kid, know who I am?"
"With such a bright and crisp voice, you must be Brother Xiong."
On the other end, Tie Xiong paused. No one had ever complimented his voice before… especially not like that.
"Hahaha…" Tie Xiong burst out laughing. "Why didn't the number you gave me work last time?"
"Really? I might've read it wrong. Or maybe you remembered it wrong."
Tie Xiong knew the kid was messing with him but didn't care."I heard you offended the Sichuan Gang?"
"Yep. Something like that."
"How about I fix that problem for you?"
"Really? Then thank you so much, Brother Xiong."
"You brat, drop the act. I'm not helping for free. I need you to do something."
"What is it? I'm not killing anyone!"
"Relax. It's easy. Let's talk face-to-face. Where are you? I can come to you—or you come to me."
"I'll come to you. Give me an address."
"I'm at Mingzhu Nightclub. Waiting for you."
Cao Yang took a taxi to Mingzhu Nightclub.After giving his name at the front desk, a staff member led him to a private room on the third floor.
Inside were only three people—Tie Xiong and two big-chested women hanging on him while he sang.
Seeing Cao Yang enter, he turned off the music and laughed loudly.
"Brother, I told you to work for me last time, and you gave me a fake number. Had me running in circles!"
Cao Yang scratched his head and grinned. "Wasn't intentional. Must've been a mix-up."
Tie Xiong didn't care about the issue anymore.Pointing to the two voluptuous women in long dresses, he asked:
"Brother, how about these two girls? I don't have much to give as a welcome gift, so why don't you take them and enjoy yourself?"
"D-Don't—don't do that!" Cao Yang jumped up, putting distance between himself and the women.
"What? You look down on them?" Tie Xiong frowned.
Cao Yang silently cursed.Look down on them? Hell no! I'm burning up inside!But doing it in front of you? I'm not an animal!
"Brother Xiong, let's talk business instead."
Hearing that, Tie Xiong nodded and waved the women away.
He took out a pack of cigarettes, gave Cao Yang one, and the two began smoking.
"I heard you've got two slot machines running?"
"Yeah. Your underling even tried to collect protection fees."
Tie Xiong laughed. "That's normal. Around here you either pay the Sichuan Gang or us. They didn't recognize you, so I'll tell them later. Won't happen again."
"But honestly, what can you make with two machines? Think bigger—work with me and make real money."
"What kind of business?"
"There are tons of ways to get rich. Anything is better than slot machines."
Tie Xiong pointed at the door."Those two girls just now—each one is 500 yuan per session. They earn 500, I take 250. Four clients a day means I make 1,000 per girl. One girl: 1,000. Ten girls: 10,000. And my club has eighty girls. You tell me—how much do I make a day?"
Cao Yang was stunned.500? That's steep. In the village it's only 50…
"Why do you take 250? Sounds unlucky."
"It's just an example. Easy money comes in many forms. They work their asses off while we take the profit—that's how the top plays the game."
"And it's not just girls. Drugs, gambling—not one of these makes less than slot machines."
"But I can't do those kinds of things. You want to let me join for free or what?"
Join for free? Join your mother's free!Tie Xiong almost cursed aloud. This idiot is dreaming.
"My point is—raise your vision. Don't stare at small-time stuff."
He was speechless.He only wanted to flex and impress the kid, not lecture a fool who didn't understand anything.
"Oh." Cao Yang nodded like he understood something—though he clearly didn't.
Tie Xiong gave up.
He put out his cigarette and lit another."I can tell my guys not to bother you for protection fees. But now you've pissed off the Sichuan Gang. How do you plan to deal with that?"
"Aren't you helping me fix it?" Cao Yang blinked.If you weren't, why would I even come here?!
Tie Xiong swallowed his anger."I can help—but not for free."
Cao Yang nodded. "Name your condition."
"Help me beat someone up."
"Beat him to death?"
"No. Just beat him."
"Okay." Cao Yang agreed instantly.
Tie Xiong paused."You're not even asking who it is? What his strength is?"
"No need. Even if you told me, I wouldn't know."
"…I'll fix your Sichuan Gang problem first."
Tie Xiong smiled and dialed Jim's number.
"Hey, Brother Jim."
"What is it?"Jim sounded cold—he had just returned from the hospital after visiting Fat Dragon and the other injured men.
At their level, slot machine money meant nothing.But their underlings needed side income, so they let them play.Because of things like this, the Sichuan Gang and the Hunan Gang fought often.As long as no one died, no one cared too much.