Chapter Fifty-One: Returning a Favor at the Riverside Sand Yard

Chapter Fifty-One: Settling Debts at the Riverside Sand Yard

With Lü Feng’s newfound fighting prowess, the renovation of the medicinal cuisine restaurant advanced at a breathtaking pace. Ruan Qingshuang watched with delight, her happiness blossoming in her heart. She brewed tea and brought it downstairs herself, much to the astonishment of the workers below—at least Lü Feng and Shan Hongning dared not drink such precious tea, fearing it might shorten their lives.

Qiangzi had sold the BMW and now drove the humble Shenlong Xiaofukang to deliver one hundred and fifty thousand yuan to Xu Yun. Xu Yun didn’t even count the money, merely turned upstairs to set it aside.

“Sister Shuang, Xiao Shan is eager to introduce medicinal cuisine into his Hot Pot City. You’ll provide the recipes, he’ll supply the staff and location, and profits will be split fifty-fifty. What do you think?” Xu Yun descended the stairs with a smile, as if discussing something utterly ordinary.

Ruan Qingshuang could hardly believe it. What she’d thought a mere fantasy yesterday, today Xu Yun was inviting her to take the first step. “Really?”

Shan Hongning hurried forward. “Absolutely! Sister Shuang, if you think it’s a good idea, let’s not wait another day. Let’s settle it today! I’ll have someone introduce a few chefs to me, and you can come pick them yourself!”

“You’re not joking, are you?” Ruan Qingshuang’s mind spun, struggling to keep up.

“Who’s joking? Xiao Shan wants you to pick the chefs—just go with him. You can’t help out much here,” Xu Yun waved his hand. “Take our medicinal cuisine recipes along.”

Shan Hongning nodded vigorously. “Yes, Sister Shuang, just bring the secret recipes. Whichever chef suits your taste, you choose.”

Ruan Qingshuang couldn’t very well admit that Xu Yun had spoiled her palate—ordinary chefs’ medicinal dishes might truly not impress her anymore.

“Go on,” Xu Yun said, raising an eyebrow at her.

Ruan Qingshuang recalled Xu Yun’s words from the day before. Go, then! She needed to change her circumstances, to spread the art of medicinal cuisine far and wide. “I’ll go have a look. I’ll leave things here to you.”

Lü Feng emerged from the crowd of workers. “Brother, why don’t you go too? I’ll keep an eye on things here.”

Xu Yun shook his head. “You don’t understand Sister Shuang. She doesn’t like others meddling in her affairs.”

Ruan Qingshuang’s slim figure trembled. Xu Yun was reminding her to make her own decisions—she was the boss, and no one else had the right to interfere.

Shan Hongning seemed to ponder this, then hurried to open the car door.

After the two left, Lü Feng lit a cigarette and walked over to Xu Yun. “Brother Yun, these floor tiles have seen better days. Why not replace them too? The carpentry will be done today, and there’s not much left to shape.”

“Replace the tiles?” Xu Yun eyed the old polished tiles—they really had aged. “Wouldn’t that be expensive?”

Lü Feng grinned widely. Though he was at least ten years Xu Yun’s senior, he spoke with genuine warmth. “Brother Yun, what do I do for a living? With these few tiles, why spend money? One of my brothers is in the building materials trade—he deals in tiles, brand name! One word from me and he’ll deliver the best.”

“Alright, do as you see fit,” Xu Yun replied without hesitation—a fool would refuse a windfall.

“I’ll have Kong Zhong bring in two truckloads of sand, and my workers can fetch some cement from my construction site. No trouble at all.” Lü Feng, ever the small-time contractor, had everything arranged methodically.

Xu Yun was happy to leave it to him. “All yours. Thanks for your effort.”

After a few phone calls, Lü Feng approached Xu Yun, his face clouded. “Brother Yun, there’s trouble at Kong Zhong’s sand yard.”

Even seeing Lü Feng’s complexion turn ashen, Xu Yun remained calm. “What happened?”

“Early this morning, a group smashed up the yard. Kong Zhong’s still inside.” Lü Feng swallowed hard. “From what he said, it seems to be Fan Nanjie’s people…”

Now Xu Yun was interested. Fan Nanjie was clearly no simple character—despite being arrested yesterday, he’d managed to orchestrate retaliation. It made sense: yesterday, Kong Zhong had blocked the secret passage with his men. Fan Nanjie’s first target for revenge would naturally be him.

“Qiangzi, come on. Let’s go have a look.” Xu Yun glanced out the door—the little Shenlong Xiaofukang waited quietly outside. “Damn, where’s Fan Nanjie’s BMW? Don’t tell me you expect your brother to ride in this thing?”

Qiangzi looked helpless. “You told me to get rid of it, so I did first thing this morning. I already gave you the money—did you forget?”

Xu Yun slapped his forehead. “My brain’s been all over the place these days.”

“Brother Yun, are you really going with just the two of you?” Lü Feng doubted his sanity. He’d heard from Shan Hongning that Xu Yun could fight, but Kong Zhong said the other side had a lot of tough guys—otherwise, Kong Zhong wouldn’t have taken a beating.

Xu Yun looked at Lü Feng, suddenly realizing. “Right, you have a car, don’t you? Give us a ride. The Wrangler—now that’s a real man’s toy.”

“Brother Yun, please, don’t tease me. I can’t handle it,” Lü Feng muttered, rubbing his chest. He wasn’t about to charge in alone—if he were helping Kong Zhong, he’d bring a hundred brothers. “I’ll call for backup.”

“You think this is some underworld vendetta?” Xu Yun glared at him. “I heard from Qin Wan’er—there’s a crackdown on organized crime now. Anyone who dares act out will be rooted out completely.”

Lü Feng was stunned. “But… Brother Yun, your business… Officer Qin cares?”

“She’s not my wife. Of course she cares.” Xu Yun was already striding toward Lü Feng’s Jeep Wrangler. “Enough talk—let’s go.”

Though Lü Feng was a thousand times unwilling, he grit his teeth and climbed in. Fine—if worst came to worst, he’d walk the line between life and death again. He’d been through worse.

Compared to other city SUVs, this vehicle was much wilder. Its performance was undeniable—no matter how muddy the township roads to the sand yard, it would handle them with ease.

Soon, Xu Yun caught sight of Kong Zhong’s riverside sand yard. It was sizable, but a sand dredging barge lay half-sunk in the river’s center, a humiliating sign. Even the barge had been smashed and sunk—these men were ruthless. That vessel wasn’t cheap.

Several vans were parked around the yard, making Lü Feng’s heart race. There were a lot of them.

Amid the clamor, Qiangzi pointed in alarm. “Brother! Over there!”

A band of burly thugs were smashing a sand-washing machine with all manner of tools. Under their assault, the machine quickly toppled, but the group didn’t stop, turning their eyes to the other machines.

Lü Feng also spotted Kong Zhong, battered and bruised, with more than twenty of his men sprawled on the ground. It was clear Kong Zhong had given up.

“Step on it—let’s go over,” Xu Yun said calmly, but Qiangzi could hear the anger beneath his cool tone.

After all, Kong Zhong had helped him just yesterday. Xu Yun was not the sort to use people then abandon them. Today, he’d repay the favor. Besides, if not for Xu Yun ordering Kong Zhong to block the door, he wouldn’t be in trouble now.

Lü Feng hesitated. Would charging in like this change anything? He was already calculating how many men he’d need to win.

But just then, Xu Yun slapped Lü Feng’s right knee, making his foot stomp hard on the gas! The Wrangler roared like a beast and barreled down the riverbank slope straight into the fray!

By the time Lü Feng realized and eased off the gas, it was too late. The grade was so steep that even with the brakes, inertia carried the SUV right up to the stunned thugs.

Xu Yun wasted no time, stepping out and glancing at the battered Kong Zhong. “Can’t even handle this? How do you expect to keep your sand yard?”

Qiangzi patted Lü Feng, urging him out. Lü Feng hesitated a moment before jumping down.

Even in his sorry state, Kong Zhong managed a grin. “Brother Yun, you know me—I smile and say nice things to everyone. Not many come looking for trouble with me…”

“This is my fault for having you block the secret door yesterday. Today, I’ll handle these men,” Xu Yun said, turning his gaze to the hostile crowd.

The gang of burly, brutish men bristled with aggression at Xu Yun’s contemptuous glare, grinning menacingly. What a braggart—he was going to deal with them?

“Who’s in charge here?” Xu Yun patted Kong Zhong on the shoulder and strode forward unhurriedly.

The thugs flexed their fists, clearly eager to pummel this unremarkable upstart.

“I’m in charge!” A giant stood up from among them, his shoulders as thick as city walls, arms larger than some women’s thighs—though certainly not as fair or smooth, but dark and coarse.

Xu Yun remained unfazed. “So you’re Fan Nanjie’s lapdog? I was the one behind the bathhouse incident yesterday. If you have a problem, bring it to me.”

His words sent a shockwave through the crowd. The thugs surged forward. “Damn, still acting tough in front of Brother Shan!”

“Brother Shan, this kid’s asking for it. Let’s give it to him.”

“Yeah, if we don’t break his arm today, he’ll never know who you are, Brother Shan!”

Their threats flew fast and furious, but some, impatient for talk, lunged straight for Xu Yun, intent on tearing him apart.

Xu Yun sidestepped, his fist landing mercilessly on the attacker’s jaw. Blood spurted from the man’s mouth as he dropped silently to the ground—a frightening display that instantly silenced those who were still blustering.

“Well, well, turns out the kid’s got some bite!” The burly man called Brother Shan lit a cigarette with a flourish. “You want to die? I’ll oblige! Boys, show him a good time—when you’re done, toss him in the river for the fish!”

The mob closed in without hesitation, caring nothing for notions of fair play. All that mattered was taking down their target. Thirty men surged forward, weapons raised, intent on battering Xu Yun into submission.