80: Return to Chang'an

That evening,

as the mercedes-benz drove off the highway into Dongguan City,

Big Ox and several junior brothers almost had their faces pressed against the car windows.

"Holy crap, these buildings are taller than our back mountain!"

One junior brother pointed at the flickering neon skyscrapers in the distance.

Big Ox stared wide-eyed, counting the pale legs swaying in front of the hair salons by the roadside.

When he reached the seventh, Li Zhan slapped him on the back of the head.

"Have some dignity, don't act like a bumpkin."

An hour later,

the car stopped in front of a restaurant near the Xinyue Entertainment Center.

Old Zhou had been waiting there for a long time.

As soon as Li Zhan got out of the car, Old Zhou came to meet him.

"The food is all served. Sister Hua specifically ordered some dishes from your hometown."

The private room was filled with smoke.

Sister Hua was chatting and laughing with Little Night while holding a long, slender lady's cigarette.

Seeing Li Zhan enter, she immediately stubbed out her cigarette and stood up.

Li Zhan casually wrapped his arm around her waist and tilted his chin toward the people in the room.

"My junior brothers from back home: Big Ox, A-Wang, Little Black, and Tie Zhu."

Old Zhou took the lead, standing up to pass around cigarettes.

Shui Sheng pulled out the chair at the head of the table.

Li Zhan sat down and loosened his collar.

"Everyone sit. We're all family here, no need for formalities."

Big Ox stared at the sliced poached chicken on the lazy Susan, swallowing hard.

Li Zhan pushed the whole plate in front of him.

"Fill your stomach first. After we eat, I'll have Old Zhou take you to the clubs to have some fun."

He rubbed his aching arms.

"Driving is exhausting. You guys need to get your driver's licenses later.

Next time we go back home, someone needs to take turns behind the wheel."

Big Ox chuckled as he tore off a chicken leg, the oil running down his fingers to his wrist.

Sister Hua took out a tissue and handed it over.

He almost dropped his chopsticks while taking it, making Little Night cover her mouth and giggle.

Li Zhan took a sip of tea, his eyes filled with a smile.

"Eat slowly, there's plenty of time to see the world tonight."

After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food.

The private room was hazy with smoke, and seven or eight empty wine bottles were piled on the glass turntable.

Big Ox stared at Sister Hua's hand as she put food on Li Zhan's plate.

He then glanced at Little Night on the other side, who was pouring wine for Li Zhan, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

He leaned closer to Tie Zhu beside him and lowered his voice.

"Senior Brother... just how many sisters-in-law does he have?"

Before Tie Zhu could answer,

Li Zhan's eyes swept over, and his lips curled.

"What are you looking at?

Propose a toast."

Big Ox quickly picked up his glass and stood up clumsily.

"Sis—Sister Hua, I toast to you!"

Sister Hua's red lips curled up as she lightly clinked her wine glass with her fingertips. "Call me Sister-in-law."

"Sister-in-law..."

Big Ox obediently called out and tilted his head to gulp down the alcohol, grimacing from the sting.

Old Zhou smiled and patted his back. "Drink slowly, there will be plenty of chances in the future."

Li Zhan picked up a piece of roast goose and asked while eating,

"Has Boss Chen from the Chaoshan Gang been reached for an appointment?"

Shui Sheng put down his chopsticks. "Golden Tooth Sheng came back that day and said Boss Chen hasn't been seeing guests lately,

but Phoenix City has been in frequent contact with them these past few days."

"Hmph, let them jump around for a few more days."

Li Zhan wiped his hands. "Sister Hua, is there enough manpower for the new venue?"

Sister Hua twirled the ends of her hair with her fingertips.

"A lot of girls have come for interviews lately. Even if you opened two more Heaven on Earths, we could handle it."

Li Zhan smiled and turned to Big Ox.

"Tonight, I'll have your sister-in-law bring a few girls for you to see."

Big Ox's eyes lit up, but before he could speak,

Old Zhou had already come over with a wine bottle. "First, you have to get past me!"

The junior brothers were toasted one by one until they were stumbling.

Little Night took advantage of the chaos to lean into Li Zhan's ear.

"Miss Lin came to the office yesterday afternoon and said she had something to discuss with you."

Li Zhan's expression remained unchanged as his fingers squeezed her waist under the table.

"We'll talk about it tomorrow."

When the party broke up, Li Zhan patted Old Zhou's shoulder.

"Take them to the clubs to play, put it on my tab."

Old Zhou grinned and pulled Big Ox up.

"Let's go, I'll show you what Dongguan nightlife is all about."

Big Ox wanted to say something else but was pulled away by Shui Sheng.

Li Zhan opened the car door for Sister Hua, and Little Night climbed into the back seat.

Sister Hua started the car, her slightly upturned lips reflected in the rearview mirror.

The car stopped downstairs at Sister Hua's apartment...

...

——

The next day at noon,

piercing sunlight shone through the gap in the curtains.

Li Zhan opened his eyes.

Little Night's leg was resting on his waist, and her arm was still wrapped around his neck.

The sound of Sister Hua humming came from the bathroom.

...

At three in the afternoon,

when Li Zhan and Little Night walked into the entertainment center office,

Old Zhou was sitting on the sofa making tea.

"Where are Big Ox and the others?" Li Zhan sat down on the sofa.

Old Zhou smiled and handed over a teacup.

"Those boys are still sleeping. They were rowdy in the club until dawn last night."

He glanced at the fresh scratch marks on Li Zhan's neck. "You, on the other hand, look energetic."

Li Zhan gave a low laugh but didn't respond, lighting a cigarette for himself.

Old Zhou took a sip of tea and continued asking, "How do you plan to arrange things for them?"

"Big Ox is good material,

I'll find an opportunity for him to see some blood soon.

For now, assign them to the security squad and let Big Courage and the others lead them.

My junior brothers only know some martial arts; they're still far from ready for anything else."

Just as he was speaking,

Big Courage and Shui Sheng walked in with Big Ox and the others.

Big Ox collapsed onto the sofa yawning as soon as he entered, and the other junior brothers also looked listless.

Li Zhan tapped on the coffee table.

Big Ox jolted and sat up straight.

"Was it fun?" Li Zhan asked with a half-smile.

Big Ox scratched his head and grinned.

"It's much more lively than our mountains. Those girls..."

With a "thud," Li Zhan slammed his lighter onto the table.

Big Ox's words got stuck in his throat.

"Last night was to welcome you."

Li Zhan leaned back into the sofa, his gaze suddenly turning cold.

"In a place like Dongguan, every bit of pleasure is traded for with your life."

Old Zhou slowly poured a cup of tea.

Shui Sheng looked down and fiddled with his phone, but his lips were curled in a smile.

Big Ox swallowed hard.

The junior brothers looked at each other.

"Starting tomorrow, gather at the gym at six in the morning. Return to the morning training routine you had at Master's place."

Li Zhan stood up and looked down at them.

"Big Courage will take you to get familiar with the venues.

When I think you're qualified, you can come and work with me."

Big Courage walked over and patted Big Ox's shoulder.

"Go change your outfits first. Your clothes right now are too eye-catching."

Li Zhan looked at his junior brothers and pointed to his head.

"Remember, being out in the world is different from being at home.

No matter how hard your fists are, they're no match for a good brain."

Big Ox followed Big Courage out of the entertainment center.

He turned to ask Big Courage, "Was my Senior Brother always like this?"

Big Courage took out his car keys. "He was much more ruthless than this.

Get in the car. I'll take you to buy some decent clothes."

The junior brothers followed him out, and the youngest, A-Wang, whispered,

"Brother Yong, are we really going to fight?"

Big Courage smiled as he opened the car door.

"Learn how to take a hit while standing first."