Chapter Thirty-Eight: I Too Am a Man of the World

Boss Pan did not believe in such superstitions. After all, not everyone who came to eat hot pot at the shop before was from the underworld. Although business wasn’t as good as before after reopening, the shop’s unique hot pot base recipe still managed to attract some loyal customers.

However, in a small county town with little population turnover, the number of people able to spend on the pedestrian street was always limited. When everyone first found the hot pot shop closed, of course, they were curious and came to investigate. But after learning the “truth,” who would risk ending up in the hospital just to satisfy their appetite?

As for those who didn’t know the truth, like Lin Lei, upon seeing that the shop was empty, his first thought was that the food must not be good, and he planned to leave. Yet, because he felt embarrassed to refuse, Lin Lei became the very first customer to order stir-fried dishes after the reopening.

“There were some people who didn’t know any better and started a fight in Boss Pan’s shop before. That was our mistake. This time, Brother Long has specifically said he doesn’t want the recipe anymore, and he will even have people looking out for Boss Pan’s hot pot shop. After all, while this street gets good business, security is pretty bad,” Gong Xing continued. “Of course, we can’t just have people watching your place for nothing, so Brother Long plans to invest. As long as this shop becomes one of Brother Long’s businesses, nobody will dare cause trouble here again.”

The truth was, that so-called Brother Long realized later that even if he got the hot pot recipe, would he really open a new shop himself? These guys were all street thugs, only good at extortion and blackmail, with no talent for business. They almost lost money running a bathhouse until they handed it over to a professional manager, after which they only handled security and took a cut.

Besides, if Boss Pan could sell the recipe to them, he could also give it away to someone else for free. If every shop had the same flavor, who would bother coming here to eat?

Now, with a well-established shop already in place, as long as Boss Pan agreed, they could start making money right away—much easier. That was why Brother Long hadn’t pressed further; in his eyes, the shop and its staff would soon be his anyway. If he injured the staff, wouldn’t that just be ruining his own business?

“As for the investment, Brother Long will put in two hundred thousand and take fifty-one percent of the shares. Of course, there are conditions: Boss Pan must continue to run the shop, and if he ever wants to quit, he must hand over the recipe and not open another hot pot place in An County. What do you say? With Brother Long as a partner, I guarantee business will double in no time. All Boss Pan will need to do is count money!” Gong Xing proposed.

The renovation costs for the shop hadn’t even reached four hundred thousand, so putting in two hundred thousand for more than half the shares wasn’t exactly lowballing, but it was clear they were downplaying the importance of the recipe.

“No way! What era do you think we’re living in? Still trying to strong-arm people into deals? Do you believe I won’t film a video and post it online, making you tomorrow’s headlines?” Before Boss Pan could speak, Pan Lili retorted directly.

“Fine! If you refuse a toast, you’ll have to drink the penalty cup! Guys, let’s help out Boss Pan’s business. Find a seat, order a free pot of tea, and get a plate of egg fried rice each, take your time, or don’t even bother eating—we’ve got all the time in the world!” Gong Xing, worried about Pan Lili filming, switched tactics.

Each of them took a table, ordering only the cheapest egg fried rice. By lingering and refusing to leave, they ensured that no new customers could get in. It didn’t matter if Pan Lili filmed or even called the police—there was nothing that could be done.

A day’s takings barely reaching a hundred yuan was fatal for a hot pot shop that needed to buy fresh ingredients in large quantities.

“We only serve hot pot here—no egg fried rice,” Pan Lili tried to fight back.

If they had the nerve, let them just drink hot pot broth. Any unsold fresh vegetables could always be taken home for the family’s supper.

“What, bullying customers now? If you don’t sell egg fried rice, what’s that on his plate?” Gong Xing pointed at Lin Lei’s plate. “Don’t think I won’t take this to the Consumer Association!”

It’s not the thugs who know how to fight you need to worry about, but the ones who know the law. As a high school student, Gong Xing knew how to use the law to his advantage.

Meanwhile, Lin Lei, sitting on the sidelines and watching the drama, felt exasperated—getting caught in the crossfire for no reason.

Just then, a blond-haired kid sat down across from him, smoking non-stop and blowing smoke rings in Lin Lei’s direction, making his food instantly unappetizing.

“Sorry, could you sit somewhere else? I’m not used to sharing tables,” Lin Lei reminded him politely.

He just wanted to eat in peace and watch the show; he had no interest in becoming part of it.

“You’re new around here, aren’t you? Which crew are you with?” the blond asked, eyeing Lin Lei with disdain.

Lin Lei had just gotten a buzz cut and was calmly eating here, even telling him to move. The blond needed to figure out who Lin Lei was. If he had someone backing him, the blond would back off—it was him picking a fight, after all.

But if Lin Lei had no one behind him and still dared to act tough, he’d have to be taught a lesson.

Am I supposed to be proud I’m from another dimension? Lin Lei found it both funny and annoying. Back in his high school days, No. 1 High was never this chaotic!

Fights happened, sure, but only near the school. Out in public, they were much more restrained. After all, everyone had relatives around. If you messed with the wrong person and got a dozen people to beat you up, you wouldn’t even dare tell your parents.

In the end, families paid for their kids to study, not to become street thugs.

As for getting help from gangsters, in a small county town, everyone was more or less connected. Only outsiders like Boss Pan, with no local roots, were easy targets.

Speaking of gangs, Lin Lei did know a high school classmate named Xue Lei; his father was a known thug, and he used to hang out with the local toughs too—he had quite a reputation.

Lin Lei himself wasn’t part of that scene, but with money at home, he was never bothered by the so-called troublemakers. No matter how tough they acted, when they met rich kids, they’d never dare to pick a fight—instead, they’d try to curry favor.

After all, money meant power in a small town. The reason rich kids acted arrogant was because these thugs put them on a pedestal.

“Xue Lei—Lei Zi, you know him? Old classmate of mine. We used to run together.” Since Xue Lei was an old classmate, Lin Lei figured he might as well drop his name. If it didn’t work, he could still handle things himself.

“Lei… Lei Ge’s classmate?” The blond was genuinely startled.

Xue Lei, known as Brother Lei, was Brother Long’s top lieutenant. If this guy used to run with him, didn’t that make him Brother Long’s equal?

“What’s your name, brother? We were out of line today, sorry for disturbing your meal. How about this—your table’s on me today,” Gong Xing immediately stepped in to smooth things over.

“My name’s Lin Lei. As for paying the bill, don’t bother—I can afford my own meal,” Lin Lei replied calmly.

He knew why they were asking his name—they’d want to check with Xue Lei later.

Lin Lei had no wish to get involved in the hot pot shop’s troubles, but if anyone tried to stop him from eating in peace, he wouldn’t hesitate to flip the table.