Chapter 27: Lou Bancheng

Outside the emergency room at Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

Lou Zhenhua's face was ashen. He paced back and forth on the cold terrazzo floor, the "click-clack" of his leather shoe heels sounding irritating to the ear.

A dozen or so fierce bandits attacking the Rolling Mill in broad daylight was practically a slap across his face! He was seething with rage, not only angry at his adopted son Lou Feng for looking for trouble and bringing about this unprovoked disaster, but even more hateful of that gang of subordinates under Dengzhao for being so lawless as to dare not put him, Lou Bancheng, in their eyes!

Tan Yali sat on a bench in the hallway, right next to Lou Feng's wife, Tan Lingping—who was her own niece.

She held Tan Lingping's trembling shoulders and comforted her in a soft voice: "Lingping, hold on, okay? Feng'er has a tough life; the King of Hell won't take him!" Watching the two children nearby (the son twelve, the daughter eight) who were crying until they were tear-stained and hoarse, Tan Yali felt unbearable heartache and took out her own handkerchief to wipe their faces.

Tan Lingping was a soft-natured woman; by now, she had long since been scared out of her wits. Tears fell like beads from a broken string, and she could only mutter: "Aunt... Feng-ge he..."

Lou Feng was truly in a precarious state this time!

He had been shot three times: one bullet pierced his left thigh, leaving a bloody, gaping hole; one grazed his right abdomen, tearing off a chunk of flesh and nearly exposing his intestines; the most dangerous shot hit the socket of his left shoulder, missing his heart by just a hair's breadth! That he could be held together until he reached the hospital was already a miracle from the heavens.

The factory security guards fared even worse; two died on the spot, and three others were seriously injured.

The attacking gang didn't fare well either; three died, one was caught with serious injuries, and the remaining three took advantage of the chaos and ran off.

A burst of hurried footsteps approached from afar. Lou Zhenhua's adopted son, Lou Gang, ran over panting, his forehead covered in beads of sweat.

Lou Zhenhua's falcon-like gaze stared fixedly at Lou Gang: "The one you caught, did he spill?"

Lou Gang nodded vigorously, leaned in, and lowered his voice: "He spilled! They're all Dengzhao's subordinates. That kid confessed that yesterday, a Japanese man went to find Dengzhao to extort him. The two didn't reach an agreement, so Dengzhao had that Japanese man beaten to death. As a result, his gang of subordinates concluded that it was Brother Lou Feng who colluded with the Japanese to do it..."

After hearing this, Lou Zhenhua's eyes were like poison-tipped knives, and he squeezed a few words through his teeth: "Lawless! Simply rebellious!"

Lou Gang thought for a moment and tentatively spoke: "Dad, these people are all desperate criminals, black-hearted and ruthless... Why don't we find a way to talk to them? Going head-to-head..."

"Talk, my ass!" Lou Zhenhua growled, interrupting him. "Lou Gang! You go back to the factory immediately! Call up everyone who can fight! Get thirty... no! Fifty men! Bring weapons! Tonight, pull out that nest of scum under Dengzhao by the roots for me!... Wait!" His tone suddenly shifted, his eyes flickering.

Lou Gang was stunned: "Dad, you... changed your mind?"

Lou Zhenhua grabbed Lou Gang and dragged him to a corner, pressed against his ear, and muttered in a low voice for quite a while.

As Lou Gang listened, the expression on his face changed repeatedly. Finally, he looked at Lou Zhenhua with a complex gaze and nodded vigorously: "Got it! Dad, I'll listen to you!"

At Kaorouji, at the dining table.

Li Xinhua rubbed his hands, his face full of smiles, and leaned toward He Yuzhu: "This young master, you see, I've been so busy I've lost my head; may I ask your honorable name?"

He Yuzhu chuckled and blurted out: "Xu Damao! I don't live far, I hang around the Nanluoguxiang area!"

"Oh! Young Master Xu!" Shopkeeper Li bowed even lower, his smile even more obsequious. "For this meal today, no matter what you ordered, I'll give you a forty percent discount! Consider it a small apology from my humble shop to help you calm your nerves!"

He Yuzhu looked at this Shopkeeper Li and felt a bit of genuine admiration. He had just beaten people and smashed things, yet the shopkeeper didn't mention a word of it and even took the initiative to offer a discount. This kind of openness and business-mindedness was indeed rare.

In the catering business, being petty and playing small tricks won't work; the diners see everything clearly.

Without a second word, he reached into his bosom and "Clack!"—five shiny Big Ocean silver coins were slapped onto the greasy tabletop. "Shopkeeper Li, you're a straight shooter! I know you were muttering to yourself, afraid that I, this 'guy in a tattered cotton jacket,' would wipe my mouth and run after eating! Take this money first! If it's too much, you can return it; if it's too little, I'll make it up. I won't take advantage of you!"

Li Xinhua wasn't annoyed at being called out; instead, he gave a thumbs up: "Young Master Xu! You're a man of principle! Truly a stand-up guy! Then... what would you like to eat today? Just give the order!"

He Yuzhu waved his hand: "Five plates of Zhizi Barbecue! Two plates of Braised Beef Strips! And bring fifteen steamed buns! Make it snappy!"

"Got it! Just you wait!" Li Xinhua smiled and agreed, turning to run toward the back kitchen.

Before long, the waiter brought over a steaming tray. Five plates of sizzling Zhizi Barbecue, popping with oil, were incredibly fragrant! Two large plates of deep-red, glistening Braised Beef Strips that looked tender enough to quiver, the aroma of meat mixed with soy sauce drilling straight into one's nose! Finally, there was a basket of freshly steamed, fluffy, hot buns, white and plump, giving off an enticing heat!

He Yuzhu picked up his chopsticks and gestured toward the meat dishes: "Uncle Chen, Sister Daya, stop staring! Dig in! I have a small appetite; one plate of barbecue and one plate of beef strips is my limit. The rest is all yours! Eat as much as you want!"

Looking at the oily, fragrant meat in front of her, Chen Daya was almost drooling.

Seeing that He Yuzhu acted so generously and straightforwardly, with a sense of chivalry, the father and daughter no longer felt awkward. They said, "Many thanks, young master!" and immediately dove in! Their chopsticks danced rapidly!

Good heavens, four plates of barbecue and one plate of beef strips, paired with ten large buns, were wiped clean by the father and daughter in the blink of an eye!

The plates were polished clean, as if they had been licked.

Chen Daya even licked the grease off her lips, still wanting more.

Shopkeeper Li, who was peeking from the side, stared in disbelief, feeling amused: This pair is truly starving! This Xu Damao is also quite bold.

He Yuzhu wiped his mouth, let out a burp, and stood up: "Uncle Chen, Sister Daya, do you have a place to stay for now?"

Chen Qingshan wiped his greasy mouth, a look of worry appearing on his face as he sighed: "Sigh, haven't found one yet. It's not easy to find a place to settle down in the city."

He Yuzhu touched his chin and thought: "My place is cramped and won't fit you. However..." He lowered his voice and said mysteriously: "I know a place that's just sitting empty. You can stay there as much as you want, it's just... I heard that house is a bit spooky!"

Chen Daya's round eyes widened, and she asked eagerly: "It wouldn't be the City God Temple, would it? That place is already packed with beggars!"

"Not a temple," He Yuzhu's voice dropped lower, with a hint of intimidation, "it's a large courtyard near my house. There's an empty room there, and the neighbors all say it's a 'haunted house'! I heard the family that lived there before was all harmed by the little Japanese devils and died quite miserably... Later, some people said they could hear a woman crying in the middle of the night..."

Chen Daya suddenly felt a chill down her spine, and she widened her eyes: "Is... is there really a woman crying?"

"Pfft!" He Yuzhu laughed, "I'm just teasing you! To tell you the truth, I often go in there at night to hide things, and nothing ever happens!"

Chen Daya was so angry she raised her hand and hit He Yuzhu on the arm: "You little brat! You scared me to death! I almost wanted to back out!"

Chen Qingshan shook his head, looking completely unconcerned: "Don't worry, young master! The two of us have traveled all over, slept in the wilderness and in mass graves, and even laid beside the dead. Are we afraid of an empty house?"

"Alright! That's the spirit! Then come with me!" He Yuzhu slapped his thigh and picked up the barbecue and beef strips that had been packed earlier.

Shopkeeper Li personally saw them to the door, smiling and cupping his hands: "Young Master Xu, take care! Come back often if you enjoyed the meal! My humble shop is always at your service!"

He Yuzhu led Chen Qingshan and his daughter, strolling along the alleyway.