Huang Feihu trembled as he pulled out his phone, fumbling with the keys several times before unlocking it to tell Big Head not to come.
Because even if he showed up, he’d just be walking into a trap.
A street punk like him stood no chance against these real underworld figures—he wasn’t stupid.
After hanging up, he dropped to his knees with a thud and began slapping his own face. "Big bro, sis, I was wrong! Spare me this once, I swear I’ll run my business honestly from now on, no more cheating on weights!"
Seeing that Huang Feihu was thoroughly intimidated, Zhao Tianyi turned to Yu Xin and said, "Leave this to me. You go ahead."
"Okay~"
Before leaving, Yu Xin stuck out her tongue at Huang Feihu and teased, "Nyah nyah~"
Then she skipped away cheerfully.
Her playful demeanor was a far cry from the quiet, introverted Yu Xin of the past.
Zhao Tianyi adjusted his glasses, his gaze settling back on Huang Feihu as a faint, sinister smile curled at the corner of his lips.
"Let me introduce myself. I’m Zhao Tianyi—a big lawyer."
Huang Feihu shuddered at that smile. The man’s eyes seemed to glow red, sending chills down his spine.
Instinctively, eight words flashed through his mind: When Tianyi smiles, life’s on the line.
"Lawyer… Zhao, hello."
"Wrong. Big lawyer. Don’t get it wrong next time."
"Y-yes, Big… Lawyer Zhao."
"…"
At this time, the Consumer Rights Protection Law hadn’t yet specified penalties like triple or tenfold compensation for fraudulent practices by merchants. Normally, getting a refund plus triple compensation would’ve been nearly impossible in this era.
It wasn’t until the law was revised around 2013 that such provisions—like refund-plus-triple or tenfold penalties for selling fakes—were formally introduced.
Fortunately, they had solid evidence of Huang Feihu’s promise to compensate tenfold for any shortages.
By the time market regulators arrived, Zhao Tianyi had already compiled all the documentation.
After reviewing the receipts, surveillance footage, and weight records, the officers stared at Huang Feihu in disbelief.
Dude, you’ve got some nerve.
They’d seen plenty of shady merchants, but few as brazen as Huang Feihu.
If a customer bought ¥50,000 worth of crabs, a shortage of a few—or even a few dozen—pounds might be expected. But shorting them by over half? That was outright robbery!
This called for the harshest penalties.
After a series of blows—suspension, fines, and more—Huang Feihu looked like a ghost.
He didn’t dare argue. Not only was this "big lawyer" someone he couldn’t mess with, but he also had no proof that the customer had only bought ¥30,000 worth of goods.
Meanwhile, the other side had ironclad evidence that he’d taken ¥50,000 and still cheated them.
He had no choice but to swallow the bitter pill.
After negotiations, Huang Feihu agreed to pay triple compensation—¥150,000—and let them keep the crabs.
This was already a decent outcome. Going to court might not have secured tenfold damages, and it would’ve been a drawn-out hassle.
A lesson like this was enough.
With the regulators slapping him with a ¥50,000 fine, Huang Feihu was out a total of ¥200,000—a year’s earnings, gone.
After Zhao Tianyi and his group left, Huang Feihu stared at his sealed shop and slapped himself hard, filled with regret.
All because he’d peeked down that girl’s collar—¥200,000 vanished just like that.
Two hundred grand!
That could’ve paid for so many pretty girls.
Meanwhile, nearby vendors, who’d stayed hidden until the coast was clear, cautiously opened their doors and began speculating about the group’s origins.
"Those guys in black looked terrifying. Anyone know which gang they’re from?"
"I think I recognized the emblem on their chests—some society from the snack street, called the Ten Thousand Dragons Association. Those guys are real underworld heavyweights!"
"I’ve heard of them too. Rumor has it they cleaned up all the punks around the university district as soon as they showed up."
"Better keep our eyes open. These Ten Thousand Dragons guys seem way fiercer than the old protection fee thugs."
"Poor Boss Huang. One glance at that girl cost him his whole crab shipment, ¥150,000 in fines, and his shop getting shut down."
"Damn, these guys are ruthless. Suddenly, it feels like the skies over our street have darkened."
"…"
The vendors only knew the beginning—Huang Feihu harassing the girl—but not the full story.
They’d all hidden afterward; who’d dare watch that kind of scene unfold?
So, they only saw the start and the brutal end.
First, the girl asked about prices at Huang Feihu’s stall, and he leered at her and whistled. Then she left, said something to him, and suddenly a gang of tough guys surrounded his shop. Next thing they knew, he was coughing up cash and his store was sealed.
While they agreed Huang Feihu got what he deserved, many also felt the gang was too brutal, crushing him without mercy.
From now on, they’d have to be careful—no more careless ogling.
——————
Fisherman’s Delight
Thanks to its grand opening and discounts, the restaurant was packed—every table in the main hall and private rooms was full.
Yu Xin returned, changed into her uniform, and got straight to work.
In the innermost private room on the second floor, Liu Yutong was hosting Yao Qianshan, who’d just returned from vacation in Xicheng.
As Yang Xin’s handpicked store manager, Yao Qianshan deserved special attention.
Yang Xin was swamped these days, handling almost everything at the supermarkets alone. His team, still green, couldn’t fully share the burden yet.
The four store managers had been thrown into the deep end, but their loyalty and strong execution kept things running smoothly—for now.
This couldn’t last, though.
They urgently needed someone like Yao Qianshan, an experienced manager, to mentor them.
Liu Yutong and Yao Qianshan had met earlier at the soon-to-open Ten Thousand Dragons Supermarket near the university.
Yao Qianshan had been stunned when she first saw Liu Yutong—she never imagined Yang Xin’s boss would be an 18-year-old girl.
At 18, she’d already built an empire, even owning this wildly popular restaurant. Incredible.
Meanwhile, at 18, Yao Qianshan had just started college. It took her three years after graduation to become a store manager.
Still, she was content with her current situation—the pay and benefits were excellent.
The group chatted over dinner, the atmosphere warm and lively.
It was Yao Qianshan’s first time tasting such authentic fish pancakes.
When the server lifted the lid, her eyes instantly lit up.
The crispy pan-fried cakes were arranged in a circle, nestled atop a bubbling, rich broth of tiny fish, their aroma filling the air.
After taking a bite, her eyes crinkled with delight—the fish was tender and fragrant, with a subtle hint of smoky firewood flavor.
"Miss Liu, your fish and pan-fried cakes are absolutely delicious—so authentic. It instantly reminded me of the flavors from my childhood."
"When I was little, at my grandmother’s house, the fish and pan-fried cakes tasted just like this."
Fish and pan-fried cakes, as a dish, are particularly famous in the river-rich regions of Jianghuai.
The preparation is similar to that of clay pot chicken, except it uses fresh small fish paired with unleavened dough cakes pressed against the sides of the pot—a truly irresistible combination.
Yao Qianshan never expected that, upon returning to her hometown, she’d be treated to such a mouthwatering dish, instantly awakening her taste buds.
