Chapter Five: Lao Dong Pays a Visit

Glancing at the newcomers, Aji and Ajie exchanged a look, covered their mouths to stifle laughter, and quietly stepped back a few paces.

One of the younger members suddenly seemed to find an opportunity to shine, quickly leaning close to Wang Yaotang’s ear and whispering, “Brother Yao, the blondie from Xin Ji is calling you.”

“Ah, Turkey, me? Damn it!” Wang Yaotang’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“They say the men get pissed off when they see the stockings you sell, Brother Yao,” the young man clenched his fists excitedly as he explained.

“Fuck!” Wang Yaotang looked utterly defeated, lifting his leg to kick the kid, his face a picture of despair. “Who gave me such a lousy nickname?”

“Turkey bro, you earned it fair and square.” The blondie, sporting a messy mop of hair, laughed heartily and patted Wang Yaotang on the shoulder.

“I swear, if I find out who it is, I’ll beat the crap out of him!” Wang Yaotang gritted his teeth.

The blondie laughed so hard he clutched his belly, tears streaming down his face. Wang Yaotang lifted his foot and kicked him in the rear. “Damn it, stop laughing!”

In a fluster, his Mandarin slipped out.

“Turkey bro, as soon as you crow, you plant your flag right at the observatory fence. That’s some serious swagger,” the blondie wiped his eyes, unable to stop laughing.

“Damn it, if you say that again, I’m done with you!” Wang Yaotang’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably from embarrassment.

“All right, all right,” the blondie nodded with a smirk. “Don’t worry, I won’t dare call you that again, Turkey bro. Hahaha.”

“Shit!” Wang Yaotang beckoned to the young man carrying a box of sodas. “Come on, give the blondie some soda!”

The blondie downed over half a bottle in one gulp and let out a satisfied belch. “Refreshing!”

“How many stalls have you set up?”

“Two,” Wang Yaotang gestured towards the distance.

The blondie poked his head forward, frowned, and said, “Not a good spot, one at each end.”

“Oh, thanks a lot, blondie,” Wang Yaotang chuckled and bowed with a flourish.

“Damn it!” The blondie smacked his forehead. The largest nightclub on the hill at the end of the street happened to belong to Xin Ji.

Having said his piece, the blondie scratched his head. “Forget it, I’ll talk to the boss. If you don’t set up right at the door, it should be fine.”

“Much obliged, blondie!” Wang Yaotang raised his hand and shouted. Turning around, he barked, “What are you standing there for, acting like a lamppost? Call some people!”

“Blondie, you rock!”

Wang Yaotang raised his hand again. “Blondie is mighty!”

“Blondie is mighty!”

“Damn!” The blondie rushed forward, covering Wang Yaotang’s mouth. “Boss, I’m calling you boss, stop shouting. Let’s go, quickly.”

In broad daylight, with at least a hundred people turning to look, it was too humiliating.

“We agreed—no backing out!”

“No backing out!”

“Good. Blondie’s generous, and so are we. Italian, French, Thai, Japanese, Mexican—today at lunch, you pick any restaurant on this street.” Wang Yaotang waved his hand grandly.

“So fancy!I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.