The little tavern was tucked deep in an alley. Its storefront was narrow, but the inside was neat and tidy. Wooden tables, bamboo chairs, and a few ink paintings hung on the walls, with calligraphy by who knew whom.
Wang Xiaoliang had discovered the place while wandering around at noon. This was his first time inside.
One look told him it was an old establishment.
He ordered four dishes and a bottle of beer for Fang Dongxu.
Fang Dongxu sat down, unwrapped his chopsticks, and looked the place over. The corner of his mouth twitched, but he held his tongue.
The food arrived: blanched lettuce, half a roast duck, a plate of beef, and a steamed fish.
Fang Dongxu twisted off the bottle cap, poured himself a glass, and swirled it.
"Buddy, how much is Zijin worth now? Even if it isn't a hundred million, it must be tens of millions, right?"
Wang Xiaoliang didn't answer right away. He took a bite of roast duck. It really did taste good.
"You two keep your money separate, right?"
Wang Xiaoliang shook his head.
"You don't?! You're lying. I honestly don't believe you."
Fang Dongxu glanced around the little restaurant again, his meaning written all over his face.
He looked down on the place. He thought it was shabby.
Wang Xiaoliang picked up another piece of fish. It was deliciously fresh; it must have been live fish.
"Do you know what Brother Qiang bought me the first time he took just me out to eat?"
Fang Dongxu shook his head.
"Twenty yuan's worth of braised pork belly. He said I could eat my fill."
Wang Xiaoliang chewed the meat, a hint of pleasure in his voice.
"I'm certain now that he was already worth over a hundred million back then."
Fang Dongxu