Chapter Eight: The Duo Takes the Stage, Brother Yao Steals the Show

After some casual chatting, they agreed to have drinks together that evening, and Wang Yaotang parted ways with the two men.

The issues of delivery and payment had already been assigned to Awei. Huang Mao and Xiluo took an extra 500 pairs of crotchless pants. Wang Yaotang didn’t believe in stocking goods without immediate payment—everything was cash on delivery.

For this batch, Wang Yaotang’s cost was 15 yuan per item. Wholesale to the two men would still net him a profit of 4,000 yuan, about a 30% margin—not bad at all.

As for handling all the shipments himself, Wang Yaotang never even considered it.

Adding more manpower and expenses for favors might not result in higher overall profits.

Of course, supporting a number of underlings was definitely a benefit. This model suited the gang itself—after all, the number of lieutenants one could support was the greatest demonstration of the gang’s influence, even if it was just to sway votes…

Finding a café to rest, Wang Yaotang delegated tasks and eagerly opened the system panel to check his status.

Name: Wang Yaotang
Reputation: 106/206 (New to the Underworld)
Faction: Heshengyi
Position: Fourth Division Member
Skills: Driving (LV1), Sanda (LV1)
Assets: Lingerie Stalls (x4)

Immediately, Wang Yaotang noticed the number of stalls had increased to four. Before negotiating with Xiluo, it hadn’t changed. It seemed if he hadn’t secured the “numbers,” he might not have stood his ground.

Wang Yaotang felt a surge of satisfaction—doubling the stalls meant his income more than doubled—a historic breakthrough!

After a moment’s contemplation, he turned to the reputation shop and suddenly noticed the label had changed to “New to the Underworld.” He recalled this must have shifted after the negotiation two days ago. Previously, he’d only been focused on buying “Sanda” and hadn’t paid attention.

Sure enough, LV2 skills were now available for purchase. Wang Yaotang immediately clicked to buy “Sanda LV2.”

“Sorry, your reputation is insufficient.”

“Damn!” Wang Yaotang muttered through clenched teeth. It required 500 points.

He told himself to be patient, then scanned other skills: Muay Thai, Shooting, Jujitsu, Singing, Dancing, Rap, Basketball…

“I’ll buy some overalls later,” he chuckled to himself.

Only he understood the reference in this world. Even after months, Wang Yaotang still missed his past life.

Refocusing on the shop, more tempting skills appeared: English, Fine Arts, Photography, Planning, Management…

This was Hong Kong Island, after all—official and international news were broadcast on English stations and reported in English newspapers. Wang Yaotang hadn’t even kept up with spoken or written English since school.

Moreover, all formal contracts and legal documents here were in English.

It was an imperial colonial legacy—there was no way around it.

If you couldn’t understand contracts, they’d easily deceive you.

He couldn’t even comprehend the wording on his police bail papers.

Furthermore, to recreate the “lingerie” in his mind required strong skills in fashion design. It was very difficult to communicate his ideas to Guan Jiahui just verbally for redesigning.

For now, he could only produce the simplest crotchless pants. More elaborate designs were beyond his ability to explain.

Fashion design involved many subjects: basic fashion art, garment structure design, design principles, drawing techniques, and more.

There was too much to learn. After hesitation, Wang Yaotang’s eyes settled on “Sketching.” At least that would let him roughly visualize the ideas in his mind. Most lingerie would later be various uniforms, which he absolutely couldn’t describe clearly by words alone.

Besides, Guan Jiahui wasn’t even remotely skilled.

Clicking purchase, Wang Yaotang closed his eyes and drifted into a trance. In his mind, another version of himself swiftly sketched on paper, creating one drawing after another. Time passed unknowingly until he opened his eyes and looked at his right hand.

He moved it slightly—it was hard to describe the feeling, but it seemed more agile.

Smiling, he closed the system interface.

…

Night…

Wang Yaotang entered the Minghuang Pavilion nightclub with Awei, Four-Eyes, Ajie, and Aji.

“Brother Yao.”

“Brother Yao.”

Two smiling greeters at the entrance greeted him.

“Brother Yao, Brother Xiluo’s waiting inside. Follow me.”

“Thanks,” Wang Yaotang nodded.

They passed through a dim corridor and opened a door. Lights blazed, bathing the entire hall in golden pink hues. A singer performed on the semicircular main stage accompanied by a live band.

Following the Number Gang’s underlings, they walked through the table area to the back’s booth section.

There was a long row of circular bright red sofas with pink cushions. Xiluo and Huang Mao were each holding a scantily dressed beauty, playing finger-guessing games and drinking.

“Brother Yao!” Xiluo stood, laughing as he welcomed him.

“Brother Xiluo, Brother Huang Mao, sorry I’m late,” Wang Yaotang smiled as he approached.

“Come, come, sit here,” Xiluo gestured between two beauties. “Monica, Money, take good care of Brother Yao. When he’s happy, he’ll specially get you outfits—guaranteed to make you the most seductive girls here!”

“Oh, stop it, Brother Xiluo, how can we be seductive?”

“Brother Yao,” the two girls, one on each side, hugged him and began to tease, “Are we really as seductive as Brother Xiluo says?”

“That depends on how you behave,” Wang Yaotang smiled, kissing each on the cheek.

“I’m wearing the crotchless pants you designed,” Money whispered close to Wang Yaotang’s ear.

“Let me see.” Wang Yaotang slipped his hand under her skirt. “Wow, wearing underwear takes away some of the charm.”

“Ah...” Money twisted her body and exclaimed.

“Brother Yao, do your hands feel sticky?” Huang Mao joked loudly, triggering a chorus of coquettish giggles and laughter.

“Let me introduce you—this is Lao Dong’s Blind Hua,” Huang Mao said, holding one man by each arm. “Heshengyi’s Turkey Brother Yao.”

“Brother Blind Hua, a toast to you,” Wang Yaotang raised his glass.

“Turkey Brother’s so formidable, I’m afraid to drink,” Blind Hua said with a cold expression.

“Blind Hua, we toast you out of respect,” Xiluo tapped the table loudly.

“Are you guys ganging up on me with the Number Gang and New Ji?” Blind Hua suddenly stood, freezing the atmosphere.

“Enough, Blind Hua. Crab Zi Chang came looking for trouble himself. Are you too soft to handle it?” Huang Mao stood and put a hand on Blind Hua’s shoulder.

“In this life, you’ve got to follow underworld rules. Don’t lose a fight and then refuse to admit it,” Xiluo sneered, glancing sideways at Blind Hua.

One red-faced, one pale-faced—they left Blind Hua powerless.

“That’s enough. Let Crab Zi Chang go crazy,” Huang Mao whispered into Blind Hua’s ear. “If it stays this tense, how will we make money together later?”

Blind Hua’s expression shifted. Bowing slightly, he raised his glass. “Well, Brother Yao, it’s said that you don’t know a man until you’ve fought him. We’re all underworld folks. I toast you.”

Wang Yaotang thought: Not professional enough, his expression didn’t change quickly enough; his smile was still somewhat stiff.

“Brother Blind Hua, you’re too polite. Friends spar a little; there’s no real winner or loser,” Wang Yaotang said, raising his glass and standing.

“Exactly, such a small matter. The most important thing is to have fun. Come, together,” Xiluo also stood, smiling with his glass raised.

One drink down, the mood immediately lifted.

The women clung to them, and the booth filled with lively cheer.

[You achieved a brilliant victory in negotiation.]
[Due to your calm performance during negotiation, your reputation has spread on a small scale. Reputation +120.]
[Current Reputation: 125/325 (New to the Underworld)]

Sneaking a glance at the system, Wang Yaotang’s eyes lit up. The East Union was truly on another level, equivalent to three Fuyixing—nicknamed “Three Fu.”

So, should he spend or save?