Pressure

[An Extra Chapter for Alliance Leader Snoopy]

"Right, they're ants." Zhang Han smiled and reached out to scratch Mengmeng's cheek.

"Giggle, giggle... Ants." After receiving Zhang Han's praise and seeing his smiling face, all the fear in Mengmeng's heart vanished without a trace. She giggled and repeated the word.

This scene changed not only the expressions of the yellow-haired men—even Liang Mengqi was stunned.

She couldn't understand how Zhang Han could be so carefree. The men before them were clearly gangsters. What if they started fighting and someone got hurt? What if he couldn't cook? What if he couldn't coax the child? What if he couldn't play the piano? Had he ever thought about the consequences?

Liang Mengqi felt both annoyed and amused.

As for Zhang Han, he turned to look at Zhao Feng and the others. His expression was indifferent, but his tone remained gentle as he spoke to Mengmeng:

"Ants. Daddy can crush them to death with one finger. Mengmeng, do you want to see how Daddy beats up bad guys?"

"What did you say, kid?" The yellow-haired man's face twisted. His hand reached toward the small of his back, where his dagger was tucked.

That movement made the atmosphere turn cold. Yu Qingqing's entire body tensed as well, as if she intended to make a move.

Seeing this, Mengmeng grew frightened again. In a slightly anxious voice, she said, "I don't want to see it, I don't want to see it. Mengmeng doesn't want Daddy to fight..."

Mengmeng knew that people could get hurt in a fight. She didn't want to see Daddy injured anywhere.

"Okay, okay, okay. We won't fight. Daddy won't fight, all right? It's okay, it's okay." Zhang Han hurriedly turned around and soothed her in a gentle voice a few times. He then handed Mengmeng to Liang Mengqi, who was standing to the side, and said, "Help me hold her."

"Oh, okay." Liang Mengqi took Mengmeng into her arms and turned around so Mengmeng couldn't see those bad men.

Zhang Han walked to the computer counter, opened a drawer, and took out three bundles of cash.

He then strode toward Zhao Feng and the others. His gaze became extremely indifferent, and there was an unmistakable contempt in his eyes. It was as though an emperor were looking down at his subjects. When an emperor grew angry, every member of a household could be executed!

Zhang Han's steps were slow, but they placed considerable pressure on the men before him!

Even Zhao Feng's expression changed slightly.

He's an expert!

Zhao Feng's pupils contracted slightly.

"If you want to collect the fee, then do it properly." Zhang Han placed the money in the yellow-haired young man's hand and gave a faint smile. "Being loud doesn't make you powerful. If you ever dare step foot in here again, your life won't need to exist anymore."

Zhang Han's words were calm, yet they placed a pressure as heavy as Mount Tai on the men. Other than Zhao Feng, the others even felt that this pressure was more terrifying than Tang Zhan's.

This was a society governed by law, but they had no doubt that Zhang Han meant what he said. They all had the same feeling: if the yellow-haired man really came to the restaurant again, he might truly lose his life!

Who was he? Why... did he emit such overwhelming pressure?

The yellow-haired young man felt the greatest pressure of all. At that moment, he actually wanted to say, I understand.

But in front of his brothers, he felt it would be humiliating if he didn't react—especially in front of Zhao Feng. Looking cowardly would be even more embarrassing. He even felt that if he performed well and caught Zhao Feng's eye, his future development in the organization would surely be smooth sailing.

Thus, the young man endured the overwhelming pressure. His face flushed red as he gritted his teeth and said, "You..."

Before he could finish, suddenly—

"Bang!"

A muffled thud rang out, and the yellow-haired young man's face instantly turned from red to white.

Cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

A large fist was pressed against his chest.

The fist didn't belong to Zhang Han. It belonged to Zhao Feng, who stood beside him.

Zhao Feng had used half his strength in that punch, instantly causing the yellow-haired man unbearable pain. He couldn't even speak. The expressions of Zhao Feng's other subordinates tightened as well.

They could tell from the muffled sound alone that the punch had been heavy.

Zhao Feng didn't even look at the yellow-haired man. He stared at Zhang Han and said with a hint of apology, "Sir, I'm truly sorry. I failed to discipline my subordinate properly and frightened your daughter. It was my fault."

"All right. Once you've collected the fee, leave."

Zhang Han glanced at him indifferently. He vaguely sensed the ferocity of a soldier in Zhao Feng. After saying this, he turned and walked to Liang Mengqi's side, took Mengmeng into his arms, and sat beside the dining table to coax her. He paid no further attention to Zhao Feng and the others.

"Hmm..." Zhao Feng pondered for a moment, then took a business card from his pocket. He walked over and placed it on the dining table before giving a slight smile. "Sir, we don't collect fees without reason. There are also some hooligans around here. If they come here to cause trouble, you can call me. This is my card. Your restaurant is quite interesting. If I get the chance, I'll come patronize it. Goodbye."

After Zhao Feng finished speaking, he led the way outside. His words were true. While collecting protection fees, they were also responsible for the restaurants' safety. If anyone came looking for trouble, their people could arrive and resolve it within five minutes. However, they usually left the company's number on their cards. This time, Zhao Feng had left his personal number instead.

That was because he felt Zhang Han was far from ordinary—he could even be described as terrifying!

He even felt that if he fought the owner of this restaurant, he would definitely be the one to lose!

But... he had once been one of the top three fighters in the special forces!

And he... was really just a restaurant owner?

Zhao Feng walked outside in a daze. After leaving the restaurant—

"Brother Feng, why did you hit me just now?" The yellow-haired man's face was slightly pale, and he asked innocently.

"Bang!"

His answer was a heavy kick. This time, Zhao Feng didn't hold back at all. He kicked the yellow-haired man more than five meters away. The man fell to the ground, clutching his abdomen as cold sweat streamed down his face from the pain.

"We're collecting rent, not looking for trouble. If you dare act like that again, I'll break your legs and throw you out of Hong Kong!" Zhao Feng said with a dark expression and an icy tone.

Those words frightened the others into silence.

In the underworld, no one had ever doubted Crazy Zhao's words. His nickname, Crazy, had been built up with blood. Every time he made a threat, he had never failed to follow through.

"I-I understand..." The yellow-haired man grimaced in pain and answered with difficulty. He knew that if he didn't respond, Zhao Feng's temperament meant he would probably strike again.

"Next one!" Zhao Feng said coldly and led the way toward the next restaurant.

The yellow-haired man was helped to his feet by two companions and quietly followed behind. After this incident, the next few restaurants would probably receive much more courteous treatment.

Inside Zhang Han's restaurant.

"Mengmeng, didn't I tell you? They're only ants. We don't need to be afraid of them." Zhang Han smiled at Mengmeng.

"But, but they looked so scary..." Mengmeng said timidly.

"Exactly. Mengmeng is such a cute little girl. How could she not be afraid of those ugly-looking people?" Liang Mengqi said with a light laugh.

"You're pretty brave." Zhang Han glanced at Liang Mengqi and shook his head with a smile.

"Hmph! I'm not afraid of those hooligans. Boss, let me tell you, it's a good thing we were here today. Do you know what Qingqing does? Let me tell you, Qingqing is a taekwondo expert with a black belt!" Liang Mengqi lifted her chin, looking slightly proud.

"Oh? Really? Not bad." Zhang Han looked at Yu Qingqing strangely.

"Of course. My Qingqing is amazing." Zhao Dahu swayed his head and said.

"Not at all." Yu Qingqing walked over and looked at Zhang Han in amazement. "The boss scared those people away with just a few words. I can't compare."

The overwhelming pressure from earlier hadn't only been felt by Zhao Feng and the others. Yu Qingqing had also felt it clearly.

Liang Mengqi and Zhao Dahu, however, hadn't felt much. They only thought Zhang Han had an imposing presence. The better someone's skills were, the more clearly they could sense that kind of pressure. It was like two people from the underworld exchanging a few glances and immediately seeing whether the other was truly vicious or merely putting on a fierce front.

"M-My Daddy is the best!" Whenever others praised Zhang Han, Mengmeng felt as if they were praising her too. The pride in her heart was written all over her face—and Zhang Han found it especially pleasing.

What father didn't want to be tall and mighty in his children's eyes?

"Ahem."

Seeing Zhang Han smile so sweetly and looking to be in a good mood, Liang Mengqi felt the opportunity had arrived. After clearing her throat, she said, "Um... Boss, could I ask you for a favor?"

"Hmm, go ahead."

Zhang Han nodded lightly. That was simply his personality: if someone respected him by an inch, he would return a foot. Of course, there were differences in what counted as "respect" in his eyes. Mere verbal respect was useless, but Liang Mengqi's act of shielding Mengmeng just now had counted as genuine respect to Zhang Han.

Thus, he would consider her request.

"Boss, could you cook a little more rice each time? Look, Zhao Niangniang can't even eat his fill." Liang Mengqi glanced at Zhao Dahu.

Zhao Dahu was slightly stunned, then overjoyed. He hurriedly echoed her with an ingratiating expression, "That's right, that's right. Boss Bro, I really can't get enough to eat."

"Serves you right for not being full!" Yu Qingqing said. Zhao Dahu's lewd expression and tone had given her goosebumps. "Get lost! Don't be so disgusting!"

"But I really can't get enough..." Zhao Dahu said pitifully.

"The rice cooker here isn't very big. Every time I cook, I already make the maximum amount." Zhang Han shook his head slightly.

Liang Mengqi paused at his words and asked hesitantly, "Then, then why don't we change to a larger steamer?"

Zhao Dahu's eyes lit up. He hurriedly said, "That's right, that's right. Would it work if we changed the pot? I'll pay for it. No, wait, I'll buy the pot!"

Seeing the expressions on their faces, Mengmeng found it interesting. She raised her little hand and cheered, "Change the pot, change the pot..."

Under their expectant gazes, Zhang Han smiled faintly and nodded. "Sure."

"Yay!" Zhao Dahu jumped up happily and said enthusiastically, "Boss, go take a rest. I'll clean everything up here."

"Hmm. Just don't make a mess." Zhang Han didn't care what they did and merely reminded him before carrying Mengmeng upstairs.

"Don't worry. I guarantee it won't get even the slightest bit messy!" Zhao Dahu solemnly made his pledge.

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