After the trouble with Zhao Ming and the sports school gang was resolved.
Zhang Tao, following custom, prepared to introduce this talent highly valued by The Young Lady to the brothers and sisters of the Wanlong Society. After all, someone who could make The Young Lady willing to spend a million to recruit must have extraordinary qualities.
"Let me introduce you all to Zhang Dalong, Brother Long."
As soon as Zhang Tao finished speaking, over a hundred men in black shouted in unison.
"Brother Long!"
Zhang Dalong was a bit stunned by this imposing display. Him, Brother Long?
Absurd! It was simply too absurd!
How did a mere programmer like him suddenly become a big brother?
But strangely enough, he actually somewhat enjoyed the feeling.
No wonder those guys on TV all wanted to be underworld bosses. Competing to be the big brother, even if it meant risking fishing without a helmet—this feeling was indeed pretty exhilarating.
Just as Zhang Dalong was immersed in the thrill of having boarded this pirate ship, a timid voice spoke up beside him.
"U-uncle, I-I'm sorry!"
"I... I didn't know you were a big boss of the Wanlong Society."
Zhang Dalong turned his head at the sound, only to see obvious fear in Xiaoya's eyes. She regretted chatting up the older man in the bar; otherwise, she wouldn't have caused so much trouble.
She hadn't been afraid when she came to tip him off, nor when she saw Zhao Ming bringing people over to pick a fight, but seeing this group of men in black, she was truly terrified.
The Wanlong Society had a resounding reputation in the underworld of Mingzhu City. It could even be said that the mere mention of their name made people pale in fear. They were simply not on the same level as ordinary street thugs.
Seeing Xiaoya's reaction, Zhang Dalong suddenly realized that he was now completely past the point of no return on this dark path.
Just look at how terrified the poor girl was.
"Um... Xiaoya, let's just consider today's matter settled. It's best if you go to those messy bars less often in the future."
His original intention was out of concern, feeling that such places were full of shady characters and it was easy for a young girl to get into trouble.
But when these words reached Xiaoya's ears, they took on a completely different meaning.
She felt that this was Zhang Dalong warning her.
"Yes, yes, yes, Brother Long, you're absolutely right! I will definitely go less in the future! No, I won't go anymore!"
Zhang Dalong was somewhat speechless as he said, "Alright, it's getting late. Hurry home, and be careful on your way."
"Okay, Brother Long, I'll head home right now. Goodbye, Brother Long!" Xiaoya fled as if she had been granted a pardon, turning around and running away.
Zhang Tao laughed, "Let's go, brother. The show is over, the fighting is done, the brothers have been introduced, so it's time for us to head out too."
Zhang Dalong looked at the dense crowd of men in black before him, and the two newly sworn brothers beside him, and let out a long sigh.
It seemed there was absolutely no getting off this pirate ship now.
......
The next day.
Zhang Dalong woke up in the apartment Zhang Tao rented. Last night, he had stayed in the guest room of Zhang Tao's home.
As soon as he walked out of the room, he smelled the delicious aroma of food.
On the dining table in the living room, a spread of plain porridge, side dishes, and fried eggs was already laid out. An unfamiliar woman wearing an apron, who looked gentle and delicate, was walking out of the kitchen carrying bowls and chopsticks.
"Brother Zhang, you're awake? Does your head hurt? Come have something to eat to line your stomach."
Zhang Dalong looked at the unfamiliar woman before him, a bit bewildered. "You... who are you?"
He had indeed blacked out a bit last night. After experiencing such thrilling scenes yesterday, coupled with the aftereffects of the alcohol, he had fallen into a groggy sleep in the car. Finally, he was brought back by Zhang Tao and settled in the guest room, so he didn't know this woman at all.
"I am Ah Tao's girlfriend. You can just call me Xiaojuan."
Zhou Juan'er served him a bowl of porridge and said, "Brother Tao went to the hospital early this morning. He specifically instructed me to get you something to eat when you woke up."
"Thank you, I won't hold back then."
Zhang Dalong sat down somewhat awkwardly. Looking at the breakfast on the table, his stomach began to rumble. He was truly hungry, so he picked up the bowl of porridge and started eating, praising Xiaojuan's cooking skills as he ate.
"Xiaojuan, why did Zhang Tao go to the hospital so early?"
"To accompany his dad for a check-up. His dad got sick. Although the surgery was very successful, he still needs regular check-ups."
Zhang Dalong nodded. Especially after knowing that Zhang Tao's father's illness was related to a tumor, he thought to himself that this guy was quite a filial son.
Usually, having a seriously ill elderly person at home was a torment for both the patient and the entire family. Many originally happy families had been dragged down and ruined by a major illness.
He suddenly somewhat understood why Zhang Tao had joined the Wanlong Society and gone down this path. In a small city like Mingzhu City, how could an ordinary salary be enough to support his father's medical expenses? He was most likely forced into a corner by reality before turning to the underworld.
Looking at the very cheerful girl in front of him, Zhang Dalong suddenly felt that Zhang Tao was at least lucky to have found such a virtuous girlfriend who didn't mind that he had a sick father at home.
He hesitated for a moment but couldn't hold back, asking indirectly, "Xiaojuan, you and Zhang Tao have been together for quite a while, right? Do you know about his work?"
Zhou Juan'er nodded. "I do, we met at the company, after all."
"Company?" Zhang Dalong was taken aback.
"Yeah, the Wanlong Society Group!"
Zhou Juan'er said with a hint of pride in her tone, "I work at a supermarket under the Group. Although I'm not a core member like Ah Tao, I'm already very satisfied."
Zhang Dalong: "Core member? What's that?"
Zhou Juan'er explained: "Our company is divided into regular employees and core employees. If you see someone wearing a black suit with the company logo on their chest, that's a core member."
Zhang Dalong: "Is there anything special about these core members?"
Zhou Juan'er thought for a moment and said: "Double salary, fully paid social insurance and housing fund, full reimbursement of all medical expenses for the employee and their family members, annual company-paid vacations for the family, various gifts and bonuses during holidays, which the family members also receive, and..."
Zhou Juan'er listed a whole bunch of benefits, leaving Zhang Dalong, a programmer, completely dumbfounded.
Wait, is this really an under... underworld syndicate?
The benefits are way too good, aren't they?!
No wonder this girl didn't seem stressed at all when talking about Zhang Tao's father's illness. The company took care of everything, so where would the pressure come from?
He finally knew why Zhang Tao, Chu Yang, and those men in black always had a fanatical look in their eyes whenever they mentioned Liu Yutong. With a boss like that, who wouldn't be dead set on being loyal?
Could it be that the Wanlong Society was actually a legitimate company?
Zhang Dalong's curiosity was piqued.
Anyway, Zhang Tao had said that he was already a member of the Wanlong Society and couldn't leave. Rather than passively accepting it, it would be better to take the initiative and see what this seemingly dark syndicate was really like.
"Um, sister-in-law, are you going to work today? I don't have anything to do anyway, so could I go with you to see where you work?"
Zhou Juan'er agreed without a second thought.
"Of course! If you want to take a look, Brother Zhang, then come with me. The supermarket where I work is just nearby. It only takes five minutes to walk there."
