"Wang Yan."
"Comrade Wang Yan."
"You're here, Wang Yan."
"Brother Yan."
Inside the Harmony River mutton soup stall, everyone eating there greeted Wang Yan warmly when they saw him.
Wang Yan was famous across the country. In Forest County, quite a few people had specifically come to see what he actually looked like. A great many people knew him, and wherever he went, someone would greet him.
They ordered mutton soup, stew, flatbread, and liquor. The six of them sat around the table.
"What are you still looking at?" Wang Yan said to Zheng Tong. "They've paired off two by two, so it's just us brothers keeping each other company."
"Oh my, who would've thought I'd ever get to keep Brother Yan company?" Zheng Tong said extravagantly, waving his arms as he sat beside Wang Yan.
Wang Yan smacked the back of his head. "Get lost. I'm not into men."
"I know—Zhou Xiaobai." Zheng Tong chuckled. "You really are a devoted man, Brother Yan. So many girls around here have their eyes on you. Kuiyong told me they're all prettier than the last, yet you've stayed completely unmoved. Admirable, truly admirable."
"That's why Brother Yan is no ordinary man. Like the old saying goes, even heroes can't get past a beautiful woman. Brother Yan is more of a hero than any hero." Zhong Yuemin laughed heartily as he chimed in.
"Enough. No matter how much you flatter me, I'm not paying for lunch today."
"Why would we need you to, Brother Yan? We can cover it ourselves." Zhong Yuemin laughed.
Wang Yan glanced at him but said nothing. He had no interest in where Zhong Yuemin got his money.
Before long, the mutton soup and flatbread arrived, and everyone helped themselves to pepper and chili oil.
"Wang Yan really