Chapter 78: Jiang Di

  The sun sets, with a slight chill.

  At dusk, the sunset broke through the sky, and the afterglow illuminated the fiery clouds, filling the entire sky with red. Jiang Di looked at Li Xiaoteng waving at him from afar. This made Jiang Di look around awkwardly. Seeing that everyone passing by was staring at Li Xiaoteng, he subconsciously rubbed his nose and wanted to continue on his way.

  Li Xiaoteng shouted even more desperately: "Brother! Brother! Don't go!" As he spoke, he was about to turn out from the spicy hot pot stall. Jiang Di turned his head again and looked at Li Xiaoteng. Seeing Li Xiaoteng's eyes, eagerly and expectantly looking at him. Jiang Di unconsciously pointed to his own nose tip. He loudly asked Li Xiaoteng in uncertainty: "Are you calling me?"

  Li Xiaoteng hurriedly laughed and shouted at Jiang Di: "Right! Brother! That's what I'm calling you, come sit down!"

  Jiang Di gave Li Xiaoteng a strange look, scratching his head casually. As he walked towards Li Xiaoteng, he asked: "Do we know each other?"

  Li Xiaoteng was taken aback for a moment and smiled: "How can you not recognize me? You really don't remember me?"

  Jiang Di looked at Li Xiaoteng, feeling as if he had seen him somewhere before, but couldn't quite recall. He said with some embarrassment: "I'm really sorry. You look so familiar, but I just can't remember. Who are you...?"

  Zhao Pàngzi watched from the side as Li Xiaoteng enthusiastically greeted Jiang Di, feeling a bit strange. When did Li Xiaoteng get to know this kind of person? He was wearing a sleeveless shirt on the streets in April, with a tattoo faintly visible on his shoulder. No matter how you looked at him, he gave off an air of detachment, making people want to keep their distance.

  Li Xiaoteng saw Jiang Di walking over, and quickly came out from in front of the spicy hot pot stall. Still two or three steps away from Jiang Di, he was the first to extend his hand. He walked quickly to Jiang Di's side and grabbed his arm. Holding his hand warmly, he said: "Brother, you don't remember me? I've been looking for you for a long time!"

  Jiang Di passively allowed Li Xiaoteng to pull his hand, and he didn't say a word either. Instead, he thought: This kid won't be a scammer, will he?

  Li Xiaoteng said, "Just a few days ago, at the beginning of the month, I was taking the bus and got robbed! Do you remember?"

  "Hey! So it's you! I was wondering why your face looked so familiar! Haha...!" Li Xiaoteng hastily pulled out a gold cigarette from his pocket and handed it to Jiang Di, excitedly patting him on the shoulder. "Come on, let's have a smoke!"

  He said to let the smoke, Li Xiaoteng spoke. He didn't even ask if others smoked or not, he had already stuffed the cigarette into Jiang Di's hand. Jiang Di passively accepted the cigarette and just put it in his mouth. Li Xiaoteng had already brought over a lit flame.

  Jiang Di awkwardly let Li Xiaoteng light a fire. After taking a sip, he asked with concern: "Brother, the wound on your face, is it healing quickly? Now it's almost invisible." Li Xiaoteng suddenly felt a bit embarrassed and coughed twice before saying: "I'm a pure yang god, my self-healing ability is extremely strong..." He then awkwardly chuckled.

  Zhao Pàngzi also came over at this time, smiling and saying to Li Xiaoteng: "Teng Ge, who is this brother? You didn't even introduce him to me!"

  Li Xiaoteng hurriedly said: "At the beginning of this month, I wasn't spreading positive energy on the bus when a pickpocket was beaten up by me, right?" After finishing speaking, Li Xiaoteng lit the cigarette he had been holding in his hand and continued to say: "It's just that this brother helped with justice. He brought a group of people and knocked down those two thieves! At the time, I grabbed an extinguisher and went over there! It was like beheading a general in the midst of a thousand soldiers!"

  Li Xiaoteng said while gesturing, glancing at the fire extinguisher next to the gas cylinder. He pointed casually and said: "At that time, the fire extinguisher was smaller than this one, but it made that guy dance with a mighty roar!"

  Zhao Pangzi looked at Li Xiaoteng and then at Jiang Di, with a hint of admiration, saying: "Hero, are you an ancient knight who has traveled through time?"

  Jiang Di looked at the two treasures, shrugged his shoulders in a somewhat helpless manner. He took a drag on his cigarette and said: "Where's all that nonsense he's talking about? Haha, I'm just a retired special forces soldier, nothing more!"

  Zhao Pangzi pulled Li Xiaoteng and said, "Teng brother hasn't introduced himself yet!" Li Xiaoteng looked at Zhao Pangzi in surprise and said confusedly, "Isn't this an introduction?" Zhao Pangzi said helplessly, "I'm saying what's his name, ah!"

  Li Xiaoteng slapped his forehead and asked: "Brother, what's your name?"

  Zhao Baozi

  "Ha ha, I'm Jiang Di, the Jiang from Meng Jiangnu's Jiang! The Di from Diguo Otoman's Di!" He paused and asked: "What's your name, bro?"

  "My name is Li Xiaoteng, the eldest son of the Li family! The 'Teng' in my name means soaring to great heights!"

  Zhao Baozi looked at the two of them and muttered in a low voice: "You two go perform a crosstalk. A pair of poor eggs!"

  Li Xiaoteng glanced at Zhao Paozi and said to Jiang Di, "I've been looking for you for a long time! I've always wanted to invite you to dinner. Today, we finally met! Now that you're here, don't leave! Today, I'll treat you to drinks!"

  Jiang Di said with embarrassment: "It's not suitable, how can you treat me to a meal?" Zhao Baozi said with a smile that was not quite a smile: "Do you know how many people want to come and eat at Xiao Teng's hot pot now? Even finding a table is hard. Our Boss Teng is treating you because he really considers you a friend! Don't be modest!"

  Jiang Di scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed, and was about to say something when he suddenly looked up and saw the four big characters "Dong Xing Restaurant". He said in surprise: "So this is Dong Xing Restaurant's Spicy Hot Pot?" After speaking, he asked incredulously: "Don't tell me you're the one who made the Spicy Hot Pot!"

  Li Xiaoteng made Jiang Di laugh, and after laughing for a few moments, he said: "Why can't it be me who did it?!" Jiang Di looked at Li Xiaoteng calmly and said: "I think we're about the same age! How could you make such a famous spicy hot pot?"

  Li Xiaoteng said helplessly, "Have you seen the Young Master of Chinese Cuisine? Who was that person? The youngest special-grade chef. He's only in his teens!" After finishing speaking, he pulled Jiang Di's hand and said, "Today I'll definitely treat you to a good meal! Come on, let's go inside and find a good seat while no one is around." As he spoke, he pulled Jiang Di along as they walked inside.

  Jiang Di followed Li Xiaoteng, walked into the inner room, and found a table to sit down. Before his butt had even touched the seat, he saw Zhao Baozi carrying over a plate of five-spice peanuts and a plate of edamame!

  "Let you taste our Li's five-spice peanuts. It's said to be good for the yang, dear!" Then he rushed to Li Xiaoteng and said: "Teng brother, take a sip of the soup and let's chat!"

  Li Xiaoteng stood up and said to Jiang Di, "Brother, you sit for a while, I'll be right back and we can have a drink together!" Then he turned to Zhao Baozi and said, "You keep Jiang brother company for now. I'll go take care of something and come right back!"

  Zhao Baozi nodded. Watching Li Xiaoteng walk to the edge of the pot, he turned around and sat down facing Jiang Di, curiously asking: "Brother Jiang! My name is Zhao Dong, everyone calls me Zhao Baozi! Are you really a retired special forces soldier?"

  Jiang Di nodded and said, "I was also a cook in the new recruit camp after I came out. Later during the big martial arts competition, unintentionally, I single-handedly took down the Blue Army's command center, that's when I was...".

  Zhao Baozi was listening with great interest when he suddenly heard someone behind him say loudly, "Congratulations to Boss Li on his thriving business! We brothers have come to congratulate Boss Li!"

  Jiang Di has stopped talking. Zhao Baozi turned his head to look at the road and was suddenly stunned...

  The flow of people in the night market, with the rising of the lower moon, gradually increased. As the crowd grew, in front of Dongxing Restaurant, where seats were always fully occupied, today was just the opposite.

  Only Jiang Di and Zhao Baozi were sitting inside, looking very conspicuous. The diners surrounded the Dongxing Restaurant, whispering to each other in hushed tones, with more and more people gathering around. In no time at all, they had formed a circle three rows deep.

  By the pot of spicy hot pot, a large potted kumquat tree. Placed at the entrance of the dining area. With the gentle evening breeze blowing, the small golden kumquats hanging on the kumquat tree swayed slightly with the wind, so lovely and beautiful. And it makes people want to pick one off, to satisfy their longing.

  However, by the osmanthus tree, there were seven or eight young people wearing black trousers and white shirts underneath their black suits. They stood behind a leader who was noticeably taller than them by a head. He had a sturdy build, dark skin, and a dazzling scar on his face.

  The evil spirit of the crowd permeates all around, even the beautiful golden tangerine tree suddenly makes people feel as if a strange and eerie aura is faintly emanating from it.

  Only a burly man with scars like black iron towers stood alongside Li Xiaoteng, bowing and making a fist at Zhao Baozi who was sitting in his seat. In a loud and clear voice, he said: "I don't know if the one sitting opposite is Li Xiaoteng, Old Master Li? I am Xing Dadao, thanks to friends on the streets of Beijing for their support. Everyone calls me Ba Ye."

  Zhao Pàngzi just felt a little more indignant than usual. When Jiang Di wasn't speaking, he turned his body sideways and looked back. Who knew that with this one glance, he almost lost his balance and slid under the table with a thud.

  Watching the overbearing master rush towards him and greet him with a bow. Zhao Dabao only felt his two legs trembling violently, wanting to speak but his mouth seemed to be numb and trembling, unable to open his mouth at all. He couldn't say a complete sentence.

  Zhao Pangzi looked at Li Xiaoteng, seemingly pleading and weak. He hoped that Li Xiaoteng would quickly take charge and stand up to preside over the situation...

  Li Xiaoteng was actually quite panicked in his heart, having lived for so many years. He had never really come into contact with these kinds of people before. In his past life, he had only been involved in finance, playing the stock market and recommending funds and financial products to clients. Although he did know some powerful people, they were all there to manage their finances, so naturally they wouldn't show off their domineering side.

  Li Xiaoteng thought to himself: How could China have an underworld? The capital city isn't that chaotic, it's just got some big-time hooligans. Whatever the case, since they've come looking for him, he'd better respond.

  However, Zhao Baozi's eyes made Ba Ye interpret the information differently. Ba Ye looked at Zhao Baozi and felt that he was directly killed by his own arrogant aura. He was secretly pleased in his heart.

  Looking at Zhao Dabao's pleading eyes, I thought he had already admitted defeat before even responding.

  Actually, Ba Ye had done his homework before coming and asked someone to inquire about it. He knew that Li Xiaoteng and Zhao Baozi were the two people who opened the spicy hot pot restaurant. Zhao Baozi was fatter, so he must be the person in front of him. As for Li Xiaoteng, according to the report from the people below, there was only one person who was a little taller and thinner.

  Ba Ye took a look at Jiang Di sitting next to Zhao Peng. Seeing his calm expression, Ba Ye still had some doubts in his heart. However, after taking a closer look at Jiang Di, he seemed different from Li Xiao Teng, who was reported by the brothers. He felt slightly more at ease.

  The Overlord was weighing the two people in front of him, when suddenly Li Xiaoteng, who was standing beside him, spoke out loudly with a full breath: "So it's the Overlord himself! I'm Li Xiaoteng. What brings you here today, sir?"

  Ba Ye was taken aback, turning his head to glance at Li Xiao Teng's tender face. His heart suddenly calmed down a lot. On the evil-looking face, he forced out a faint smile. This smile gave people an indescribable sense of eerie horror.

  Ba Ye looked at Li Xiao Teng and said: "So it's Boss Li! I've heard that you've recently settled in my territory and even opened a spicy hot pot restaurant. I came to congratulate you today."

  After finishing speaking, he pointed to the golden tangerine tree beside him and shouted loudly: "I wish Mr. Li a wide range of financial resources, making a fortune every day!" The younger brothers behind Boss Ba also shouted in unison: "Congratulations to Mr. Li on his vast financial resources, making a fortune every day!"

  Li Xiaoteng took a look at this momentum and was slightly dizzy. But immediately thought: These people are courtesy first, then martial arts! What's the purpose of coming today?

  He wanted to return, but Li Xiaoteng's mouth was not ambiguous at all. He hurriedly said: "Thank you, Lord Ba, thank you, brothers! Come on, sit inside, sit inside!" While speaking, he wanted to lead Lord Ba inside.

  Ba Ye nodded at Li Xiao Teng and walked forward. Li Xiao Teng hurried to catch up, walking two steps to Ba Ye's side. He found a good spot and led Ba Ye over.

  Li Xiaoteng stood by the table, facing Ba Ye and said: "Come on, Ba Ye, take a seat, you're the guest of honor!" Ba Ye didn't say anything, he just plopped himself down. The younger brothers behind him then stood in two rows, like geese spreading their wings, flanking him on either side.

  At this sight, Li Xiaoteng's heart sank again. Li Xiaoteng hastily sat down and shouted at Zhao Gangzi: "Dong Ge, go and call Kong Zhen over. Let him help take care of things. You go pick out some good stuff and bring it to Ba Ye."

  He glanced at Jiang Di, raised his eyes and swept a glance, sighed in his heart, as if treating Jiang Di as if he didn't exist, and quickly withdrew his line of sight. He said to Ba Ye: "Ba Ye, you came today, not just to congratulate me on the grand opening, right?"

  The Big Brother scowled, looking at Li Xiaoteng and said: "Boss Li is a businessman, looks down on us, doesn't come to give us face. Today I, the Big Brother, have to personally come to pay respects to Boss Li!"

  Li Xiaoteng's heart skipped a beat as soon as he heard it. He thought to himself, "This protection fee is not simple, there are clear rules for open and secret payments. Secretly paying means finding someone to say a few words, and the stall owner who knows what's good for him will naturally send the money over."

  While Ming Bai, it's the boss himself bringing goods to your stall in person. In this situation, if there are no grudges or grievances, you can't help but give some extra benefits. If there are grudges or grievances, then forget about doing business. Dealing with these local rascals all day is already exhausting... what's the point of even talking about business?

  Li Xiaoteng was suddenly speechless. To say that Li Xiaoteng is not afraid of power and dares to fight against dark forces, but when faced with a "friend" who comes knocking on his door, Li Xiaoteng actually has a deep-seated fear.

  Li Xiaoteng hastily pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and respectfully handed it to Ba Ye, who glanced at the Golden Leaf in Li's hand with disdain and said, "I don't smoke this!"

  Li Xiaoteng suddenly felt a bit irritated, looking at his 20-yuan pack of Golden Leaf cigarettes, and secretly thought to himself: You don't even smoke this brand, what's with the big mouth?

  Only to see the boss take out a box of Huanghe Lou from his pocket! Exquisite red and black small packaging. Indeed, it attracted Li Xiaoteng's attention. The boss calmly pulled one out, put it in his mouth. A younger brother behind him hurriedly lit the cigarette for the boss.

  The boss took a deep breath and asked, then curled his lips and said: "That kind of cigarette is too strong, it's not good!"

  Li Xiaoteng hastily rushed to Ba Ye and said, "Ba Ye, please be patient with me, I'm still young. Isn't this just after graduating from university and starting my own business?" While speaking, he awkwardly placed the cigarette given to Ba Ye on the table.

  Just as he was thinking about what to say next, Zhao Baozi and Kong Zhen brought over several small dishes and a spicy hot pot. Kong Zhen's tray also had a few bottles of beer on it.

  Zhao Pu Zi, after the earlier relaxation, felt a bit more calm. He said to Ba Ye: "Big brother, try some of our small dishes!" As he spoke, he arranged several small dishes on the table, including five-spice peanuts, cold mixed seaweed, and sliced ham sausage. Finally, he placed a large plate of spicy hot pot in front of Ba Ye.

  Zhao Pàngzi saw Kong Zhen standing stupidly at the side, and quickly took over the tray of beer, deftly opening the bottle caps. He slowly poured a cup for Bà Yé, then filled Li Xiǎotēng's glass to the brim.

  The boss looked at several people enthusiastically greeting himself. He was quite happy in his heart, and his tone softened a lot before saying: "I heard that Li Xiaoteng's family is a local resident?"

  Li Xiaoteng hastily nodded and said: "Yes, our family has been Beijing residents for three generations. I don't know where your family is from, Lord Ba..."

  Ba Ye nodded, not responding to Li Xiao Teng's words, and continued on his own: "You're a local, running a shop here, didn't your parents ever mention me?" Li Xiao Teng was suffocated by Ba Ye's aura, and couldn't bear the sharp gaze. He didn't know where to look with his own eyes. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Zhao Pangzi and Kong Zhen standing on one side, not leaving.

  "In his heart slightly somewhat Di Cai said: "Overlord, my parents are relatively honest office workers. Neither of them do business. Really don't understand the rules around here."

  The tyrant asked discontentedly: "Don't your parents know the rules? Didn't little Dong from Dongxing Restaurant ever mention me to you? He's been offering me tribute every month!"

  After finishing speaking, he proudly puffed out a smoke ring...

  Li Xiaoteng looked at Ba Ye's face, which made him want to punch it. Gnashing his teeth, he said in surprise: "Is this really true? Manager Dong never told me about this!"

  The boss's face suddenly sank, and he glanced at the younger brother beside him and said: "You call Little Dong and ask where he is?" The younger brother nodded, took out his mobile phone from his pocket, dialed a few numbers, and connected the call.

  "This little brother said in a low voice: 'Xiao Dong? Where are you now? Boss is looking for you!' It seemed like the person on the other end of the phone said something. Suddenly, this little brother's expression changed and he shouted loudly: 'Boss is sitting right at your shop entrance, are you pretending to be dead?! Come out immediately! Boss is looking for you!'"

  He immediately hung up the phone and looked at Ba Ye. Suddenly, a 180-degree change occurred, revealing an ugly and servile expression, as he whispered to Ba Ye: "Ba Ye~, Xiao Dong is right in the store! He'll be out soon!"

  The boss nodded. Didn't say a word, looked at the snacks on the table. Randomly picked up chopsticks. Picked up a piece of blood tofu and started chewing with relish.

  After finishing the meal, he put down his chopsticks and said to Li Xiaoteng: "At the beginning of the month, I heard that a young man who makes great spicy hot pot had arrived. At that time, I didn't believe that your spicy hot pot was that good. But later, I heard that you actually made it into a dragon head! Only then did I start to believe it. Today, after eating, indeed not bad!"

  Li Xiaoteng was about to say a few humble words when Manager Dong came tumbling out of the East Prosperity Restaurant, shouting loudly as he ran: "Hey! The boss is here and didn't even call me, Dong! The hospitality is not good enough! It's not good enough!"

  The boss looked at Manager Dong with an expression as if he was looking at a wagging dog, completely disdainful. Seeing Manager Dong rush to his side, he asked indifferently: "There's a young peddler doing business at your doorstep! Haven't you introduced me to him?"

  Manager Dong was taken aback, silent for a full five seconds before hesitantly replying: "Master Ba, I thought this kind of small business didn't need to be reported to you, after all, you usually don't bother with these kinds of petty merchants."

  The boss scowled and made a face at one of his shorter underlings, who understood the cue and took two steps forward to stand in front of Manager Dong. He grabbed Manager Dong's collar and slapped him hard across the face! The sound was loud and sharp!