The Uninvited Guests

The restaurant was peaceful, completely unaware that a group of uninvited guests was about to arrive!

At the traffic light at the end of the street, a white Toyota Land Cruiser was waiting for the light to change. There were five people inside. Apart from the driver, who wore a white short-sleeved shirt, the other four men wore black T-shirts with short sleeves. Tattoos covered their exposed arms. From their appearance alone, it was clear that they were gangsters.

The four men in the passenger seat and back row had brightly dyed hair. Only the driver had a crew cut similar to Zhang Han's. His sharply defined features made him look somewhat like Eddie Peng, giving him a handsome air. His eyes revealed a steady composure, and he carried the bearing of someone in a position of authority.

The way the others fawned over him made it even clearer that the driver held the highest position among them!

He was Zhao Feng, known in the underworld as "Madman."

"Brother Feng, only those few small restaurants are left. Once we collect the protection fees today, we can call it a day," the burly man in the passenger seat said.

"Mm." Zhao Feng nodded.

"Ah, collecting protection fees this year has been way too easy. Unlike previous years, there were always some people who refused to pay. At least that gave us something to do. I love watching those cowards submit and hand over their money. Hahaha, I hope these last few restaurants put up a fight. Otherwise, going day after day without a damn fight is boring as hell!" a blond youth in the backseat said with a curl of his lips.

"Xiao Huang, all you think about every day is fighting. If you had Brother Feng's skills, showing off would be fine. But you're skinny as a damn idiot. What the hell are you going to fight with?" another man mocked without mercy.

"Damn! How many people can be as awesome as Brother Feng? I can't beat someone like him, but can't I beat some small fry? Listen up, if any restaurant owner refuses later, nobody better damn well fight me for it," the blond youth said with a savage grin.

"That's enough."

When the light changed, Zhao Feng drove forward, frowning slightly as he said, "Just collect the protection fees properly. Don't cause any trouble. If you want a fight, go fight the people from Xinyi Society in Tongluo Bay!"

"Hehehe." The blond youth grinned and lowered his voice. "How could I have Brother Feng's ability? Last time, you broke the hand of a hall master's son from Xinyi Society, and that hall master didn't even dare seek revenge. If it had been me, I'd probably have been crippled that very night."

Zhao Feng glanced at him through the rearview mirror and said nothing more.

Two years ago, Zhao Feng had come to the southern district of Hong Kong and joined Yonghe Society. In just two years, through ruthless and merciless methods, he had become the number-one enforcer under Tang Zhan, the society's leader. His strength was beyond question.

Yonghe Society and Xinyi Society were both famous underground forces in Hong Kong. They were sworn enemies. Xinyi Society was the underground giant of Tongluo Bay, while Yonghe Society dominated the southern district.

They were both underground forces, but Yonghe Society went further than most. It was involved in gambling, drugs, and prostitution, and even had a smuggling branch.

Zhao Feng was actually a Special Forces Soldier. Because of various circumstances, he had accidentally killed someone and spent two years in prison. Later, an official department found him, gave him a completely new identity, and set him free.

The price was joining Yonghe Society, finding evidence of Tang Zhan's various crimes, and replacing him. He was then to manage Yonghe Society properly and keep gambling, drugs, and prostitution away from the southern district.

Over the course of two years, Zhao Feng had gathered some evidence, but it was not enough to bring Tang Zhan to justice. So he had taken the risk of seducing Tang Zhan's kept young girlfriend. Just as he was about to obtain important evidence, the woman had vanished without a trace, and Tang Zhan had sent him to New Moon Bay to handle this "rent collection" business.

Zhao Feng faintly sensed that Tang Zhan might have noticed something suspicious. But now that things had reached this point, he had no way back. He could only endure it, work properly for Tang Zhan, and slowly search for an opportunity.

In fact, he disliked visiting every shop to collect protection fees. Besides, these so-called management fees were simply protection money, one of Yonghe Society's sources of income.

"This place has paid. This one has too..." The blue-haired man in the passenger seat flipped through a ledger. Suddenly, he pointed toward Sichuan Spicy Restaurant by the roadside and said, "This is it. Starting with Sichuan Spicy Restaurant, the next six places haven't paid."

"Get out." Zhao Feng parked directly in front of Sichuan Spicy Restaurant, and the five men got out and entered the restaurant.

The female server who had visited Zhang Han's restaurant came over with a smile. But when she saw the group's appearance, her expression tightened, and she felt a faint sense of fear.

"Call your boss out!" the blond youth said arrogantly.

"This..." The woman looked troubled and said softly, "I'm sorry, our boss isn't here. Only the manager is."

"Can't you understand human speech? If he isn't here, call him back!" The blond youth glared at her.

His vicious aura made the woman tremble.

"Call your manager over first." Zhao Feng waved at her.

"Of course, of course. Please wait." The woman hurriedly turned around and fled.

A few minutes later, the restaurant manager hurried over with a smile covering his face. "Good afternoon, gentlemen. I'm the manager here. I wonder what I can—"

"Cut the crap. Call your boss and tell him Yonghe Society is here to collect the protection fee!" the blond youth said with a frown.

"Of course, of course. Please wait."

The manager's face changed, and he looked at them fearfully. He hurried to the front desk and called the boss on the landline. He nodded repeatedly as he spoke. After a few sentences, he hung up and directly took two and a half bundles of cash from the drawer.

"This is twenty-five thousand yuan. The boss said the extra money is for you brothers to have tea," the manager said with a broad smile.

"Heh!" The blond man snatched the money and showed a hint of satisfaction. "At least you know what's good for you."

Normally, small restaurants like this paid twenty thousand yuan a year in protection fees. Sometimes, when the collectors saw that a boss was easy to bully, they would demand extra money and pocket it themselves.

Sichuan Spicy Restaurant had paid an additional five thousand yuan, which made them regard it as suitably sensible.

"Let's go."

Zhao Feng showed no expression. He nodded at the manager with a faint smile, then turned and led the way inside.

"Mengmeng's Leisure Restaurant? What an interesting name." The blond youth sneered when he saw the sign.

"Hey, look at the notice. It's only open for three hours a day? Damn, Egg Fried Rice costs two hundred and eighty, and milk costs eighty. Isn't this obviously a scam?" The blue-haired man bared his teeth and said, "Brother Feng, the food here is so expensive. Shouldn't we double our fee too?"

"Double it? Every place pays twenty thousand. Yonghe Society doesn't rely on this protection money for its income!" Zhao Feng raised his brows and reprimanded him before leading the way toward the restaurant entrance.

Inside the restaurant, Zhang Han had nearly finished playing Wedding in My Dream.

Zhang Han had also seen what was happening outside, and he had heard their conversation clearly. Circulating Spiritual Power through his ears could increase their abilities several times over.

After hearing what they said, Zhang Han knew exactly what they did.

However, Zhang Han did not stop playing the piano. Liang Mengqi, Yu Qingqing, Zhao Dahu, and Mengmeng were also listening in a daze of intoxication.

"Where's the boss? Call the boss out!"

After entering the restaurant, the blond youth let out his usual loud roar.

The shout startled everyone. Liang Mengqi frowned, a sharp glint flashed through Yu Qingqing's eyes, and Zhao Dahu stood in front of Yu Qingqing, his heart pounding.

Zhang Han's fingers paused on the piano keys, and the music faded away. In a detached voice, he said, "Keep it down."

After saying that, Zhang Han continued playing the final passage. He glanced at Mengmeng's somewhat frightened expression and pondered silently.

Should I show off my skills in front of Mengmeng this time?

Zhang Han considered it. Ever since he had begun cultivating, he hardly ever fought. He rarely engaged in violence or killing; searching for treasures and enriching his life was the true meaning of things. But now, in front of Mengmeng, he did not mind making a move and showing her how powerful her father was.

After playing the final few keys, Zhang Han stood up.

"Who's the boss? Huh? Can't you hear me?" the blond youth shouted arrogantly.

"Daddy, Daddy, I'm scared..." Mengmeng said softly. Judging from her expression, a few more shouts from the blond man would probably have made her burst into tears.

"Don't be scared, Mengmeng!"

Liang Mengqi could not stand it any longer. She strode over to Mengmeng and shielded her behind her. With an angry look, she glared at the blond man and said, "What are you shouting for? Don't you have any manners?"

The scene made the blond youth and the others pause in surprise.

"Hey, this little woman's quite a looker. And she's got a pretty good figure too. I bet she'd feel nice to touch." The blue-haired man grinned lecherously.

Everyone else burst out laughing, except Zhao Feng, who merely frowned.

Zhao Feng actually detested their behavior. But there was nothing he could do. His current identity made him one of them. If he acted upright and proper, word would reach Tang Zhan and arouse suspicion. So for the past two years, even when he saw his subordinates bully people, he had mostly left it alone, suppressing the kindness in his heart and dutifully carrying out his "job."

But now, seeing adorable Mengmeng on the verge of tears and the beautiful woman being verbally harassed, Zhao Feng could barely suppress the rage in his heart. He had even begun planning to find an opportunity to discipline these subordinates properly after returning.

Liang Mengqi's action made Zhang Han look at her in a new light, and a trace of goodwill toward her arose in his heart.

However, the Little Princess was more important. Zhang Han immediately picked Mengmeng up and said gently,

"Mengmeng, don't be afraid. Daddy's holding you."

"Daddy, they... they're so scary." Safe in her father's arms, Mengmeng felt much more at ease, though her voice remained very soft.

"They're not scary. They're only putting on an act. Didn't Daddy tell you what they are? Two words." Zhang Han chuckled.

"Um... Ants?" Mengmeng thought for a moment before answering.