Chapter 80: Are You Testing Me Again?

The driver of the small flatbed truck helped unload the fruit from the vehicle and placed it at the entrance of the shop, where Jiang Fan and Xiao Yuxin carried it inside. Jiang Fan had just moved two boxes when a motorcycle stopped right in front of the shop. The rider, a young man in his early twenties, looked at Jiang Fan and asked, “Are you Jiang Fan?”

The young man’s attitude was lukewarm at best, and not only did he block the entrance, he squeezed the clutch and revved the engine, making the Suzuki 125 roar as if to show off.

Jiang Fan asked stiffly, “What do you want?”

After revving the engine again, the young man said, “Brother Lu wants you to come to the security team at eight tonight to deal with Ah Sheng’s matter.”

Seeing the young man make his motorcycle thunder again and again, Jiang Fan, already annoyed, snapped, “A decent dog doesn’t block the way. This is a place of business. If you want to show off, go somewhere else. And tell that Brother Lu of yours not to order me around. I won’t be coming tonight. If he’s got the guts, let him come find me here. I live upstairs, room 301.”

Xiao Yuxin had already mentioned yesterday that Ah Sheng was one of Brother Lu’s lackeys. Seeing how arrogant this young man was, Jiang Fan refused without hesitation.

Xiao Yuxin recognized the youth; he was Brother Lu’s brother-in-law, Ah Liang.

She didn’t step forward or interrupt, but gave Ah Liang a suspicious glance. Based on her analysis, she didn’t believe Brother Lu would make a fuss over Ah Sheng. Yet Ah Liang’s manner suggested he intended to stir up trouble over this incident.

Seeing that Jiang Fan had no intention of sitting down to talk, Ah Liang jabbed a finger at him and said, “Don’t be ungrateful. Just you wait.” With that, he prepared to ride off.

But Jiang Fan, seeing not only Ah Liang’s arrogance but his offensive attitude, kicked the motorcycle’s fuel tank hard and shouted furiously, “Who the hell do you think you are, pointing fingers at me? Point at me again and I’ll break that filthy paw of yours.”

Ah Liang toppled to the ground along with his motorcycle, but wasn’t hurt. He scrambled to his feet and, once again pointing at Jiang Fan, said, “This isn’t about coming to talk now. You’d better pay for my motorcycle first.”

“Pay your mother, you bastard,” Jiang Fan cursed, then delivered a swift kick to Ah Liang’s stomach.

The moment things escalated, Ah Liang picked himself up and, leaving his motorcycle behind, bolted toward the main road. Even after running some distance, he turned and shouted back at Jiang Fan, “Just you wait!”

Xiao Yuxin walked over to Jiang Fan and said, “Go upstairs and cool off for a bit.”

Jiang Fan kicked the fallen motorcycle and looked at her. “Why should I? Are you afraid I’ll get the worst of it and want to get me out of the way on purpose?”

Xiao Yuxin tried to lift the motorcycle, but Jiang Fan stopped her. “Don’t help him. I want to see exactly what these bastards are up to.”

She analyzed, “Something’s odd here. By all rights, someone like Brother Lu—he must know you’re the one who caused the commotion at the security team yesterday. People who’ve made it to his level know how to weigh the situation; he shouldn’t be making a big deal out of Ah Sheng. So why is Ah Liang acting like this?”

Jiang Fan pulled out a stool and sat at the entrance. “Who cares what his attitude is. If anyone comes to cause trouble, close up the shop and keep yourself safe. Leave the rest to me.”

Noting that the motorcycle, lying across the threshold, was blocking the entrance, Jiang Fan dragged it to the side of the street. The brand-new vehicle was already scratched and battered from the rough handling.

Jiang Fan stayed at the shop entrance until after ten that night, but no troublemakers arrived. Instead, a lean, local man appeared. He first lifted Ah Liang’s motorcycle, then approached Jiang Fan and said, “Brother Fan, Brother Lu asked me to pass on a message. Ah Liang was out of line—he apologizes, and hopes you’ll be understanding. Brother Lu would like to invite you to his house whenever you have time.”

The man was at least seven or eight years older than Jiang Fan, who replied angrily, “Don’t call me ‘Brother.’ I’m not your elder, and your Brother Lu is no brother of mine. Whatever he wants, let him come at me directly. I’ll be waiting right here.”

Seeing that Jiang Fan had no intention of talking things over, the man thought for a moment and said, “No rush. When you’ve cooled off, we’ll talk. I’ll go for now.”

Jiang Fan immediately called after him, “Let me warn you—if anything happens, come at me, don’t mess with my sister’s business. If you try anything, I’m not a patient man. I won’t wait for the next chance to settle the score.”

The lean man waved a hand. “Don’t worry, there won’t be any more misunderstandings like this.”

Because of the altercation with Ah Liang, neither Jiang Fan nor Xiao Yuxin had eaten dinner. At midnight, Xiao Yuxin said to the silent Jiang Fan at the shop door, “Don’t just sit there like a statue. Help me close up and let’s get something to eat.”

They went to a Chaozhou-style porridge shop near the cinema, where Xiao Yuxin ordered a pot of oyster congee and a platter of marinated meats.

Seated at their table, Xiao Yuxin began to tell Jiang Fan about Brother Lu.

Brother Lu was from Xiabian in Houjie, in his forties. In the mid-1970s, he attempted to sneak into Hong Kong but failed, and was beaten so badly he ended up lame in one leg, eventually becoming a live-in son-in-law. After arriving in Baisha, he became sworn brothers with Ah Hui in the village. Both were bold and cunning, and soon earned the wary respect of everyone around. With the tide of economic reform, they recruited a number of henchmen from among outsiders. Yet, as their interests diverged, cracks formed in their brotherhood, and now their two factions dominated the village.

After listening, Jiang Fan asked, “How do you know so much about these people?”

Xiao Yuxin thought for a moment before replying, “I’ll tell you the rest another time. For now, just consider whether you’ll sit down at the table with Brother Lu.”

Jiang Fan curled his lip. “No matter how powerful he is, I’m not sharing a table with that bastard. My life’s not worth much anyway. Whatever he wants, I’m ready.”

Xiao Yuxin smiled faintly. “Don’t speak so soon. If you really don’t want to talk to him, that’s fine too. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a chance to rise up from this.”

Jiang Fan stared at her. “What chance to rise? I don’t get it.”

“I’ll think it over tonight and tell you tomorrow.”

Jiang Fan grumbled, “Keeping me in suspense, you enjoy that, don’t you?”

Seeing Jiang Fan pouting with his bruised mouth, Xiao Yuxin changed the subject, teasing, “Has Xiaoyu ever told you that you look like Zhu Bajie now?”

Jiang Fan retorted, “She has. She also says I’m an even naughtier Zhu Bajie than the Monkey King himself.”

As they ate the steaming hot congee, Xiao Yuxin began to feel warm. She took off her jacket and placed it on the chair beside her. “Oyster congee is good for men—have some more.”

Jiang Fan, putting on a lecherous air, looked at her and said, “Why only for men? Aren’t you eating it too? You know I’ve got no self-control, and now you take off your jacket and show off your curves—are you trying to test me again?”

Xiao Yuxin laughed, giving him a playful slap. “You rogue, why are you so curious about everything? Just eat your congee. As for why it’s good for men, that’s something I’ll only tell Xiaoyu.”

By the time they finished their late meal, it was already past two. As they stepped outside, they saw Ah Sheng, his head and face wrapped in gauze, getting out of Zeng Sheng’s car. Zeng Sheng followed from the passenger seat.

Jiang Fan didn’t know Zeng Sheng, but he strode straight up to Ah Sheng, taunting, “Your mouth’s so swollen—can you still blow a kiss? Want to try again now?”

Ah Sheng hadn’t expected to run into Jiang Fan so late at night. He glanced at Jiang Fan, didn’t dare reply, and shifted two steps aside, making way and showing his submission.

Jiang Fan followed, blocking his way again. “From now on, I’ll be collecting the protection fees on this street. If you try to compete with me, I won’t mind giving your face a few more scars.”

Ah Sheng replied humbly, “Brother Fan, I apologize for what happened yesterday. But I really can’t decide about the protection fees—you’ll have to talk to Brother Lu about that.”

Jiang Fan slapped him across the face. “You’re the one who sends people to collect the fees, so I’ll only deal with you. How you explain things to that so-called Brother Lu is your business.”

The blow knocked the bandage from Ah Sheng’s face, revealing not only bruising but a deep gash.

Jiang Fan sneered, “I remember stomping your face, but how’d you get a cut that deep? Trying to get me to pay your medical bills, so you cut yourself on purpose?”

Seeing Jiang Fan trying to provoke Ah Sheng with such a clumsy excuse, Xiao Yuxin gave a cold laugh, neither stopping him nor speaking.

Ah Sheng, covering his face, hurried to explain, “It wasn’t you. I accidentally hit the corner of a wall when I left.”

Seeing Ah Sheng backing down over and over, Jiang Fan let it go but warned, “If I find out anyone else tries to collect protection money, I’ll only come after you.”

Jiang Fan and Xiao Yuxin reached the building downstairs.

Xiao Yuxin opened the small door in the rolling shutter, turned to Jiang Fan and said, “Xiaoyu was right when she said you’re the Monkey King. You’ve vented your anger again—feel better now?”

Jiang Fan scratched the back of his head with a mischievous grin. “So-so.”