Chapter 88: Feizai, It's Your Turn to Explain, Isn't It?

Early morning.

Lu Chen was not wearing a suit, still in the same jacket as yesterday.

After going downstairs, he just casually greeted Shen Wanyu.

Then he instructed Steward Wang and Chen Mo to change their clothes.

"Let's go, let's eat out today."

Lu Chen patted Chen Mo on the shoulder, a hint of ease on his face.

It was not until he sat in the Buick that Lu Chen's expression returned to calm.

"I haven't walked around Xianggang for a long time; after meeting with Feizai today, let's go around a bit."

Lu Chen took out a 555 cigarette and lit it, a flash of sharp light appearing in his eyes.

Central.

Lu Chen walked casually down the street with Steward Wang and Chen Mo.

The hurried passersby, plus the various hawking sounds, made the three of them feel out of sync with the rhythm of Xianggang.

They walked into a tea restaurant at random; the shop was bustling with noise.

"Boss, three bowls of bak kut teh, and rice."

Lu Chen ordered a few more breakfast items casually and was the first to sit at the table.

Steward Wang frowned, but didn't say anything, just sat silently beside Lu Chen.

Chen Mo observed the situation in the shop before sitting down.

His brows were just furrowed a bit tightly, and the vigilance in his eyes did not diminish.

His hand reached into his bosom unconsciously.

"You all heard about what happened two days ago, right? That was done by my big brother's big brother!"

The little hoodlum's bragging voice grew louder and louder; he even stood up and stepped one foot onto the stool.

"That day, my big brother's wife was about to give birth, and to let the doctor deliver the baby properly, they even occupied the hospital!"

The surrounding diners were unconsciously attracted by the little hoodlum's voice; even the bustling shop paused for that instant.

Chen Mo frowned again, but was pressed down by Lu Chen; the corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he listened sideways.

Seeing that the attention of the whole shop had been drawn to him, the little hoodlum triumphantly waved his hand.

"Sigh, it was just a false alarm. The doctor checked and said my sister-in-law still needed some time before giving birth, so they withdrew from the hospital; otherwise, I could have gone to see the world too."

The diners in the shop all smiled and nodded, and quite a few even gave a thumbs up.

This made the little hoodlum even more smug.

"Alright, you've already owed me nearly 10 dollars here, when are you going to pay it back!"

The shop owner brought over three bowls of bak kut teh and placed them on Lu Chen's table, then turned his head and roared at the little hoodlum while cursing.

Everyone in the tea restaurant burst into laughter.

The little hoodlum shrank his head, a flash of embarrassment in his eyes, and obediently sat back on the stool.

Only then did he speak with some impatience.

"Boss, hurry up, you're always dawdling; just deduct those two dollars I owe you when you collect the debt."

"Coming, coming, soy milk and fried dough sticks for you three."

The owner poured milky-white soy milk from a thermos, scooped a small spoonful of sugar, and served it to the little hoodlum.

Lu Chen took a sip of the bak kut teh; a meaty aroma mixed with a hint of Chinese medicine made Lu Chen feel slightly uncomfortable.

However, at present, both spices and various seasonings were relatively scarce, so being able to make it like this was already excellent!

It was a little bit salty, which was just right for pairing with rice.

After eating and drinking his fill, Lu Chen handed a cigarette to each of the two men.

Walking out, they were like idle old men, digesting their food and taking a stroll.

They walked to the agreed-upon teahouse; it wasn't actually very far, just about 10 minutes or so.

It was just that the hurried crowds around them made Lu Chen feel quite emotional; Xianggang was truly a busy city forever.

Newspaper, tea, Cigar.

Lu Chen sat in the tea room, Chen Mo stood at the door, and Steward Wang was at his side.

Lu Chen silently flipped through the newspaper provided by the teahouse, a flash of sharp light in his eyes.

The news reporting the hospital incident had already disappeared, replaced by "old news" regarding Europe.

"Bang, bang, bang."

Chen Mo opened the door, and a figure that seemed fatter than the door appeared before Lu Chen's eyes.

Feizai squeezed into the tea room with great effort.

"I'm really sorry, Mr. Lu, I seem to be late."

Feizai reached out and looked at his watch, which could barely stay on his arm.

He looked up with a puzzled face and took another look.

Only then did he sit down opposite Lu Chen.

"You arrived really early."

Lu Chen felt as if the table had vibrated for a moment.

After tossing a Cigar to Feizai, he then spoke.

"Feizai, what exactly is going on with Nitan?"

"Ah? Nothing is going on; isn't it just... a gang was wiped out recently."

Feizai had a puzzled look on his face, a flash of confusion in his eyes, and after a while, he seemed to have suddenly reacted.

"If you're talking about this matter, you'll have to ask Elder Wang; he knows a bit more about the inside story than I do."

Lu Chen stared fixedly at Feizai, his fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop as he took a drag of his Cigar and slowly exhaled the smoke.

"What I'm asking is, why are you still collecting protection fees from the residents regarding my company's recent operations in Nitan?"

"Ah? This..."

Feizai took a drag of his Cigar, relaxing slightly more than before, and leaned back, his chair letting out a creak.

He glanced at Lu Chen and exhaled a puff of smoke.

"This is the consensus of all the gangs; if we don't collect a little from the residents, won't they stop fearing us?"

"So, are you implying that our company hasn't paid enough in operating fees? Or do you want to become the next ones to disappear?"

Lu Chen's tone was calm, as if his previous words were merely a statement of fact.

Whether it was Steward Wang or Chen Mo, the moment Lu Chen spoke, they both reached their hands into their jackets.

Lu Chen waved his hand slightly before continuing to speak.

"I don't care what your gang thinks; go back and stop this business immediately, otherwise, don't even think about getting your share. Our company will pull out of Nitan entirely; throwing away the existing investments won't affect me, but for you... hehe."

Lu Chen did not wait for Feizai to respond before continuing.

"Even if you squeeze every bit out of those residents, can you even get 1 million Hong Kong dollars? Listen to me, each gang can get an additional 1 million Hong Kong dollars in operating fees."

Lu Chen nodded slightly, and Steward Wang lifted a briefcase from under the table.

He opened it and turned it toward Feizai.

Lu Chen nodded slightly.

"You've made me quite dissatisfied lately; such a big incident happened in Nitan, yet I didn't see you come over to say a word."

He took a drag of his Cigar, exhaled the smoke, and reached out to stop Feizai, who wanted to say something.

"This 1 million Hong Kong dollars is a fee for you; don't be so slow to react in the future. What, is Elder Wang's tea that good?"

"You say that, but I haven't had the chance to meet with you, have I?"

Feizai closed the briefcase and placed it beside him.

A hint of grievance seemed to hang on his chubby face, though it was full of comedic effect on that face.

"Elder Wang has arranged so many things lately that I really haven't been able to find the time to meet with you specifically."

"It's just information synchronization; you aren't being very honest, Feizai."

Lu Chen spoke softly with a pointed meaning.

He picked up his teacup and took a light sip.

He did not put the teacup down but began to toy with it in his hand, not a single drop of water spilling out.

Feizai opened his mouth, a glimmer of sharp light flashing in his eyes.