Chapter 30: Tempering

  I asked Feng Ge somewhat foolishly, will there be any trouble? You just mentioned a police officer's family.

  I'm a bit puzzled, why did Xu Feng ask me to come here to collect protection fees? Can't we just exchange something simple? This is too difficult.

  This is my first time going out and paying protection fees with others.

  Xu Feng said, "Anzi, it's precisely because of the difficulty that I want you to experience it. If you can get the protection fee, that would be best. If not, I'll take care of it myself. This entire area is under our control, and we manage the underground order. No one can break our rules. This small supermarket has been open for three months, and our people have come several times, but not once have they succeeded."

  After hearing Brother Feng say this, I suddenly understood. It seems that this is a nail household, and it's quite powerful. No wonder Xu Feng made his move this time.

  I said okay, Brother Feng, I'll go down now to get the protection fee. I'll try to get as much money as possible. Xu Feng said okay, I'll wait for you in the car.

  I opened the car door and walked into this small supermarket, there were no customers inside, a man wearing a white vest was sitting at the cash register playing games, I saw tattoos on his thick arms, guessing that he wasn't a good guy either.

  I learned from the thugs on TV, walked to the cash register with a very proud and fearless look, and loudly said: Are you the owner of this store? I'm here to collect protection fees.

  The man looked up at me and said, "Get out of here, kid. I'm busy and don't have time for you." I told him I was sent by Brother Junwei to collect protection fees.

  That person stopped playing with the computer after hearing me say that, pinched his nose, then opened the drawer and took out a spring knife, placing it on the table: if you don't want money, there's a life to be had. My brother-in-law is from the police station, think about it.

  I forced a smile, handed him a cigarette and said, "Brother, just make it convenient for me. I'm new here. You see, other households all pay protection fees, but your household doesn't pay, that's not good, right?"

  Kid, you're still being somewhat polite, otherwise I'll spit you to death. The man took my cigarette and started smoking, asking, "Is Junwei gone? Did they send you, a little kid, to collect protection fees?"

  I smiled and said I'm out here to gain experience, big brother, give me some face.

  That guy said, "Give me some face, I'm already giving you face by smoking. Don't think that just because you're young, you can be arrogant. I was also mixed up back in the day. If you want to collect money, fine, call Junwei to ask me for it, don't give anyone else a single cent."

  Big brother, why are you being so stubborn? I'm speaking from the heart, and you're saying you've been around the block a few times, you know the rules of the trade. Just give your little brother some face, and in the future, I'll often bring my friends here to spend money. How about it?

  Get out of here, you bastard!

  I said I won't leave, if I don't get the money, I won't leave.

  The man said that if you don't leave, I'll make you see blood. My old man does what he says, and this matter is reasonable. Even if the police station comes to investigate, I'm not afraid.

  I was depressed as soon as I heard it, he seemed to be talking very reasonably, going to force the collection of protection fees and being beaten by someone is considered justifiable self-defense.

  You look like a student, go back to school and attend classes, don't come out and fool around, this is not the way, when you grow up you will understand. The man said.

  I smiled and he didn't understand my situation.

  Big brother, really can't?

  The man raised an eyebrow: What do you think?

  Thank you. I still maintained some politeness and left the supermarket.

  As soon as we arrived at the car, Xu Feng came down and said it's not going to work. I nodded. Xu Feng said he had expected this, let's go, collecting protection fees is a job that requires skill, you can't just fight and get money, we need to be harmonious.

  I said that flattering can get money. Xu Feng said it depends on your personal level. I flattered and said Brother Feng, you are obviously a person with a high level, Brother Feng is out of the horse and will be successful. Xu Feng smiled and said your mouth is quite sweet, this is your first time out, it's inevitable that you don't know how to speak, let me demonstrate for you. I said okay.

  I followed Xu Feng into the supermarket.

  Before I arrived at the supermarket, Xu Feng's voice had already sounded, saying, Boss, how's business lately? The man looked up and saw me, hesitated for a moment, but still politely said, It's okay, it's okay, who are you? Xu Feng said I'm from Junwei's place. You've been open for three months now. When you first opened, Brother Junwei was supposed to come, but something came up. That's why he specially called me today to personally congratulate you.

  Xu Feng handed over a red envelope with a smile and said this is a small token from Jun Wei Ge, congratulations to the boss for the supermarket's thriving business and great prospects.

  Too polite, too polite, your lordship is too polite. The man laughed with a wide grin and said, "You all don't need to stand up, I'll go make tea for you."

  The boss brought over two chairs and Xu Feng and I sat down. The boss was brewing tea on the one hand, and handing us cigarettes with the other.

  To be honest, boss, business has been poor recently. It's hard to do business now, everyone likes to go to big supermarkets, who wants to come to my small supermarket?

  Xu Feng said that things are up to people, doing anything is step by step, and being impatient will not work. There are only two or three supermarkets nearby, I think you are also a clever person, and there must be a way to make a big show.

  The boss laughed loudly and said "I accept your auspicious words, I accept your auspicious words."

  I'm wondering on one side, is this about collecting protection fees? Is it about giving red envelopes? It seems like they're talking about something trivial, what's going on?

  Boss, you have kids now, right? Xu Feng asked.

  It's settled, life is not easy, it's stable now, and my daughter is in the third grade. The boss said with a happy face, she's still obedient, and her studies are pretty good too.

  Not bad, when I reach your brother's age, I hope I have kids too. Xu Feng said with a smile, the other day when having dinner with my boss and sister-in-law, I heard that my wife is about to give birth, so I congratulated them first.

  The boss said you know my brother-in-law?

  Familiar, often come to see Jun Wei Ge, usually we also play mahjong together.

  The boss said my brother-in-law is very good at Mahjong and is nice to my sister.

  Xu Feng said I heard your sister used to be a teacher, I quite like teachers.

  Yes, used to be a teacher, but not anymore, going to have a baby soon.

  Xu Feng said it's all right, it's getting late, I'll go back first. The boss said wait a minute.

  The boss went into the warehouse once.

  It came out quickly, and the boss said I know your rules, this area is all managed by Junwei, and this is some of my expenses.

  I stared blankly, and it ended up like this?

  Xu Feng said: "Alright then, I won't be polite. From now on, I'll get the brothers to come here and buy things." The boss said: "Thank you, thank you."

  Xu Feng and I left the supermarket and got in the car.

  In the car, I said to Brother Feng, "This is it, I feel like we're in a movie." Xu Feng laughed and said, "Anzi, don't you understand?" I said, "Brother Feng, I really don't get it. In school, when people collect money, they just fight, give them the money and they won't fight." Xu Feng said, "This is real society, not a school campus. Let me tell you, this collection of money can't be solved just by relying on force. Some people aren't afraid to die and dare to confront us. We need to take targeted measures. When I went in, I gave him a red envelope and said it was from Brother Junwei. That person must have lowered his guard and wasn't as defensive towards us. Then we chatted about family matters. This is to increase some goodwill between each other. Next, I mentioned his sister's husband, indicating that we know his sister's husband and aren't afraid of him.

  Wow, I'm deeply impressed! This is indeed the art of speaking, just a few words and it's settled.

  Xu Feng said, I also asked him about his daughter's situation, he said she was in third grade. Actually, before coming here, I had already investigated and knew that he had children. We wouldn't go find his daughter unless it was the last resort. Even being a hoodlum has its bottom line.

  Anzi, remember Feng Ge's words, it will be very useful to you in the future. Driver Yuan Ge said. I nodded. Xu Feng said that my last mention was that his brother-in-law liked to play mahjong and often went to play with Jun Wei Ge, which hinted to him that his brother-in-law also had to consider Jun Wei Ge's face when doing things, otherwise it would be Jun Wei Ge who went to find him to play mahjong.

  I thought about it and indeed there is such a meaning in it.

  Xu Feng said: In short, you should pay attention to the symptoms and treat them accordingly in the future when receiving money.

  I remember. I said.

  Xu Feng said next stop.

  They soon arrived at the next stop.

  The car stopped in front of a mahjong hall.

  Xu Feng said this mahjong hall is a place for climbing ivy, we can't go in and find someone directly, wait for that person to come out.

  Who is Spider-Man?

  Xu Feng said that this Virginia creeper was also mixed up before, but it was whitewashed and opened a lot of mahjong halls and saunas. It can be considered as our peers. Our next plan is to pull it out from the roots.

  I asked, Brother Feng, this ivy is quite fierce, right?

  Xu Feng smiled and said it's okay, this person has a strong backing, so can't be easily taken down.

  After waiting for more than ten minutes like this, Brother Yuan said he was coming out.

  As soon as I saw this man come out, I was stunned, because I knew this person.