72: The Zhang family has lost face.

Lu Fan returned once again to 1937 Shanghai, drinking beer and eating barbecue, then slept soundly.

After waking up, he took a familiar path straight to Sheng Aiyi’s trading firm.

The trading firm located at No. 28, The Bund, was quite impressive.

The words "Yifan International Trading Co., Ltd." were written in a bold, flowing calligraphy, clearly the work of a master.

The company's business was gradually expanding, with many people coming and going.

Upon arriving at Sheng Aiyi’s office, A Cheng opened the suitcase.

The items brought this time made their grand appearance.

instant noodles, paper, pens, medical gauze and bandages, bleaching powder, white sugar, povidone-iodine for wounds, hemostatic agents... Lu Fan had secretly purchased every single item on the previous list without missing a thing.

The dazzling array of samples left Sheng Aiyi completely stunned.

Which of these items wouldn't be frantically snatched up?

Back then, she had just mentioned that securing one or two of these items would help her establish a foothold in Shanghai.

She never expected that the man before her would secure all the supplies.

Then, her return to power in Shanghai was just around the corner.

It took her a long while to recover: "How much of this stock is there?"

Lu Fan lit a cigarette and gave a look; Zhao Chengqiang understood and handed over the inventory list.

Seeing the numbers on the list, Sheng Aiyi was utterly shocked.

Five tons of white sugar, three tons of bleaching powder, two tons of paper, one ton of disinfectant, one ton of povidone-iodine, and one ton of mineral engine oil.

Others delivered by the kilogram, but with Lu Fan, the unit had changed to "tons."

Looking further down: 500 crates of medical gauze and bandages, 200 crates of hemostatic agents, 100 crates of multivitamins... Since when did these precious supplies become as common as cabbage?

After a long while, Sheng Aiyi recovered and selected seven or eight items, including instant noodles, paper, pens, bleaching powder, and white sugar.

With a joyful expression, she placed the items on the display shelves.

Having experienced the power of instant noodles, she ordered the staff to set up a pot on the street to cook and offer samples on the spot.

As the aroma wafted through the air, passersby were instantly captivated by the scent of the instant noodles.

Soon, a thick crowd gathered outside the company entrance.

Everyone wanted to be the first to taste this novel food.

As the tasting began, a wave of praise followed:

“Delicious~~”

“So fragrant~”

“That beef flavor is so rich and authentic.”

“Now, that seafood flavor is the real deal.”

“The Spicy Beef noodles are the best; real men eat this~~”

“Mushroom Stewed Chicken noodles... I miss home~~ Waaaah~~”

“The broth is fresh and tasty, the noodles are springy—it's a world-class delicacy~~”

Amidst the rave reviews, the name "instant noodles" spread with lightning speed.

The tasting caused quite a stir, and as expected, trouble arrived.

The local hooligan leaders, Scarface A Si and Scabby Head, were drawn in by the aroma and the commotion.

Scabby Head watched the tasting scene, smelling the pungent aroma and itching to try some.

“Fourth Brother, they're making this noodle sound so magical. Why don't we go have a taste too?”

Scarface A Si smacked Scabby Head’s head and cursed, “You worthless fellow, all you think about is eating!

What noodles? Aren't silver dollars better?”

Scabby Head rubbed his head and muttered, “But this is Seventh Miss Sheng's shop.

If we go mess with her, will we get away with it?”

Hearing this, Scarface A Si’s eyes widened in frustration. “Seventh this, eighth that! Don't forget whose men we are!

She didn't give Young Master Zhang face, so why should we give her a damn thing?

Setting up a stall on the street so openly—why give her any face? We have to mess with her today and collect some interest.”

With that, Scarface A Si waved his hand, and the thugs moved first.

They shouted at the surrounding crowd, “Everyone move, move! What do you think you're doing? Gathering for a riot?”

Several thuggish-looking goons cursed and rudely dispersed the crowd.

“Who told you that you could set up a stall on the road? Did you get my permission?”

Scarface A Si followed close behind, making a grand entrance with an arrogant air.

Seeing Sheng Aiyi nearby, he cupped his hands while dangling a cigarette from his mouth. “Yo! Boss Sheng! Making a fortune, I see!”

Sheng Aiyi’s face darkened. “A Si? What are you doing here? The Green Gang isn't welcome here.”

“Hehe, don't be in such a hurry, Boss Sheng.” A Si grinned cheekily. “Welcome or not...

you're setting up a stall outside, so you still have to pay the sanitation fee!”

Sheng Aiyi snapped back without hesitation, “What sanitation fee? Which eye of yours saw me making the ground dirty...”

Before she could finish, a thug ran over, expertly flipped the stall, and bolted.

Caught off guard, the soup and noodles spilled all over the ground.

“Seventh Miss Sheng, it's so dirty. It's going to be a real pain to clean up!” Scabby Head chimed in, playing along.

At those words, the thugs burst into laughter.

Scarface A Si raised a hand to quiet the thugs' laughter. “Whose doorstep is this dirty? Hurry and help clean up.”

Several thugs began to move in a mock display of helping.

The smooth sequence of moves was obvious to anyone—Scarface A Si was looking for trouble on purpose.

Scabby Head stepped forward and held out his palm. “Seventh Miss Sheng, now can you pay...”

Their coordination was seamless, but before Scabby Head could finish, Lu Fan moved.

With a flick of his left hand, he accurately grabbed Scabby Head’s wrist and wrenched it downward.

“Argh—!” Scabby Head let out a scream like a slaughtered pig.

His wrist was instantly dislocated, and the sheer force brought him to his knees.

Having dealt with Scabby Head, Lu Fan had no intention of stopping; his right leg whipped out like a lash.

“Thump!” He kicked A Si hard in the stomach.

Scarface A Si curled up like a shrimp and went flying backward.

In an instant, his cigarette fell, and his arrogant attitude vanished.

All that remained was him clutching his stomach and gasping in pain.

“Get lost~~~”

The two followers behind were terrified; they were about to rush forward but were scared off by Sheng Aiyi’s sharp rebuke.

“Little Bastard... if you've got guts, don't run. Just you wait.”

A Si clutched his stomach as his lackeys helped him up. Even as he fled in disgrace, he didn't forget to hurl a threat.

After the small episode, Sheng Aiyi lost interest in continuing the tasting.

Back in the office, she immediately warned him, “A Si is Zhang Fayao's top henchman. That Young Master Zhang is extremely petty and vengeful.”

Lu Fan didn't care at all. “If he's not happy, let's clash.”

“Last time at the black market auction, you humiliated him. You were wearing a mask then, so he didn't know your background.

But he's been investigating this, so be careful lately!”

Sheng Aiyi could tell at a glance that Lu Fan wasn't someone who would back down, but she still couldn't help but remind him.

“He's just a coward. If he dares to come, I'll show him.

I might show others some respect, but the Zhang family gets none from me.”

Lu Fan made no effort to hide his disgust for Boss of Hooligans and his family.

Why give face to a damn Traitor? If they piss me off, I'll just pull out an Italian cannon and end him with one shot.