Facing my ridicule, the tattooed man didn't lose his temper. "No, no, I said it the other way around. You're someone I can't afford to offend. I know I was wrong. I'll let you punish me as long as you don't hold the Blood Wolf Hall accountable."
This tattooed man had some backbone. Although he was afraid of me, he still cared about the benefits of the Blood Wolf Hall. At this critical moment, if he called Chief Feng and explained the situation to him, he would be scolded. It was better to calm me down first.
Once the worst-case scenario happened, he would become the culprit. Maybe the Blood Wolf Hall's many years of accumulation would be wiped out.
I was only one step away from the Obvious Strength Stage, so I could understand how terrifying a master in the Concealing Strength Stage could be. The Blood Wolf Hall was a second-rate or third-rate gang, which couldn't be compared to the Tigers. It was not surprising that the tattooed man was frightened.
"Oh, is that so? Will the Blood Wolf Hall take revenge on me?
Maybe you won't be able to see tomorrow's sun. "I asked nervously.
The tattooed man shook his head like a rattle drum. "No, no, no. I was just joking. Don't take it seriously. Xiao Huo, hurry up and apologize!"
He quickly gave Bro Huo a look. Although Bro Huo was confused, he still admitted his mistake. "Brother Zhuang, it's my fault. I'm sorry."
"Motherf * cker. I've already called you my father. Why are you still calling me brother?!" The tattooed man pushed Bro Huo's head. Bro Huo looked embarrassed.
"Alright, I don't want to argue with you. Besides, you should apologize to the lady boss. She's just a small business and you don't want to pay for a meal. You've lost the Blood Wolf Hall's face." I sighed.
The tattooed man scolded again and took out his wallet. "Lady boss, how much do they owe?"
"No, no, no need." The lady boss was flattered and quickly waved her hand.
"It seems that the Blood Wolf Hall has done a lot of bad things. Even people are afraid to pay." I teased.
"Cough, one thousand should be enough."
The tattooed man counted a stack of money. I reminded him to make up for his loss this time. He gave me two thousand renminbi and treated me to a meal. After I signaled to her, the shopkeeper trembled and took the money.
It wasn't hard to see that she was in awe of the tattooed man. But at this moment, anyone with a discerning eye could see the difference between me and the tattooed man. It was like the difference between heaven and earth. After the phone call, his attitude had completely changed.
"Dearest father, we'll be leaving then. Please enjoy your meal." The tattooed man smiled apologetically, just like a coward.
"Hmm … Wait a minute." The tattooed man and the others had just taken two steps when I suddenly remembered something.
"What's the matter?
The tattooed man asked cautiously.
I pointed at the row of doors. "In the future, the Blood Wolf Hall won't interfere with the protection fees here. I'll take care of it."
"Ah, I'm afraid that's not a good idea …" The tattooed guy frowned, as if he was unwilling to be 'robbed' by me.
"What? Do you have a problem with that?" I squinted my eyes and an invisible pressure fell on the tattooed guy.
He was instantly scared out of his wits and took a few steps back. "No, no, don't misunderstand. What I mean is, these trivial matters can easily delay your studies. As long as you're happy, it's fine. But you have to promise me that you won't cause trouble for the Blood Wolf Hall!"
It was obvious that the tattooed guy was shrewd as a leader. At least at this moment, he knew how to exchange for my promise. They were only a second or third rate gang. With a dozen or so doors, they had a net income of twenty to thirty thousand renminbi a month. It was like stealing food from a tiger's mouth.
"Do you think you have the right to talk terms with me?
I don't like it when people talk to me like that! "My face darkened. Since that Leader Feng said that I was powerful, I had to act properly.
As expected, the tattooed guy panicked when I showed my anger. He shivered and said, "I was wrong. Then, I'll do as you say. I apologize for what happened today. Can we go now?"
"Yes, go." I nodded, satisfied.
Not long after, they slipped away with their faces covered in dirt, leaving behind a group of confused students who couldn't calm down for a long time.
"Awesome, my Brother Zhuang."
"I'm proud to be a student of Third High."
"Someone that even the Blood Wolf Hall doesn't dare to offend … is actually my senior. Brother Feng, my chrysanthemum has been sterilized with 84. I'll be waiting for you at any time!"
Compared to their joy, the peddlers were a bit dejected. They couldn't hide their sadness and couldn't help but whisper to each other.
Because my hearing had improved, I could faintly hear them from ten meters away.
"This young man is even more ruthless than the Blood Wolf Hall. I'm afraid he's going to squeeze us dry."
"Forget it. As long as he's willing to take care of things and let us do our business, it's only right that he gives us more money."
"Hey, your business is good. Of course it doesn't matter. I'm about to close my shop."
I instantly understood the worries of the peddlers, so I gathered them. They were all middle-aged people in their thirties or forties. Some of their children were studying in Third High, and some of them were foreigners who came here to make a living. Whether it was a small restaurant or a breakfast shop, it was very tiring to work from dawn to night. Some of the peddlers were young but had white hair. It was really sad.
Looking at them, I thought of my parents far away in my hometown. Weren't they the same? For the sake of their family's prosperity, they worked hard for more than ten years.
If it wasn't for the fact that I was short on money, I wouldn't have asked for any security fees. But after thinking about it, I decided to just take a little bit as a token so that they wouldn't feel at ease.
"I won't beat around the bush. In the future, if anyone dares to cause trouble for you, I, Zhuang Feng, will be the first to not forgive them. I will take what I should take. One thousand kuai per month for each shop. You don't have to pay during the summer and winter break." I muttered.
"What? Did I hear wrong?"
"One thousand kuai?"
"Little, little brother, did you say something wrong?"
"There will probably be other fees."
They were a bit in disbelief. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Even good people were doubted. One could imagine how much they had been suppressed in the past. When Guo Tao was in charge, it was one thousand five hundred kuai per month. When it was the Blood Wolf Hall's turn, it directly rose to two thousand. To them, this was not a small amount.
"En, it's one thousand kuai per year. That's right, I can help you put in a good word and have you deliver food to the school. This way, there won't be any business. But, you have to guarantee that it is absolutely hygienic and healthy. If there is a problem, don't expect me to protect you!" In any case, I took so much money from them, so I had to do something practical.
"Aha, little brother, you aren't joking right? The principal has banned us from selling food to the school. We have been complaining about it."
"Yes, my milk tea shop has to be drunk outside every day before going in. As time passed, the students stopped coming."
"We have always followed the principle of health and hygiene. The previous problematic shop has already been transferred. It's a typical example of a rat's droppings spoiling the whole pot of porridge!"
I took out my phone on the spot and called Principal Huang. Hearing my suggestion, he seemed to be in a difficult position. His biggest concern was what I had emphasized. After repeatedly assuring me, Principal Huang could only agree. He said that the ban would be lifted during the flag raising ceremony tomorrow.