Zhao Qiang shook his head. It wasn't that he didn't want to go to bed with her, but he couldn't stand the cheap perfume on Zhao Ling. It seemed that deep in his memory, he had smelled the fragrance on several girls before. That scent reminded him of some clues, but when he thought about it more carefully, his mind went blank, so Zhao Qiang stopped thinking about it pointlessly.
"Oh, he's quite the proper young man, I like him," Zhao Ling said, taking out a cigarette from the bed, lighting it, and then leaning against the headboard to smoke. Her posture was mature, but judging from her unmade-up face, she was probably only in her early twenties.
Chen Xinxin returned shortly afterward, carrying a plastic bag containing at least four or five pounds of fried dough sticks. Because of the arrival of the Scorpion Man, the fried dough stick stall had to close down, so she had to eat the fried dough sticks herself.
"Eat up," Chen Xinxin tossed the fried dough stick to Zhao Qiang, then turned to Zhao Ling, who was lying on the bed smoking, and said, "I thought you slept with him. What, you've changed your mind?"
Zhao Ling said very honestly, "No, it was **, but it didn't work. This fool doesn't understand romance."
Chen Xinxin teased Zhao Ling, "What you call charm? It should be called flirtatious!"
Zhao Ling laughed and said, "Yes, yes, my name is Feng Sao (meaning flirtatious), so what is yours? Don't tell me you're Chun Qing (meaning innocent)."
Chen Xinxin said, "How am I not innocent? My boyfriends were all the first ones I dated. What about you? Do you even remember how many men you've been with?"
Zhao Ling said, "I don't remember. None of them could move my heart, otherwise I would have killed them long ago."
Chen Xinxin said, "Stop talking nonsense. Meng Jiangbo asked me to sing karaoke tonight. Are you going?"
"Him?" Zhao Ling said disdainfully, "I advise you to break up with him as soon as possible. That person is unreliable."
Chen Xinxin said, "He's very handsome, it's okay to just play around with him."
Zhao Ling said, "Liu Buxin has gotten herself into trouble. I know those men; they'll use any dirty trick. She might just get a few men to gang rape you on TV."
Chen Xinxin said, "I just hired a bodyguard, so it's safer for us to go out together. Otherwise, what do you want me to do? Stay home all night listening to my mom nagging? Are you trying to kill me?"
Zhao Ling said, "Okay, I'll go with you. But if Meng Jiangbo is looking for some penniless guys, I won't go with him. I'd rather save my time by giving massages to a few more customers. I'm a bit short on cash lately, and I can't even afford cosmetics."
Chen Xinxin said, "When I become rich one day, I will definitely buy you a set of little beauties."
Zhao Ling snorted: "You're just making empty promises. What are 'Little Beauty' cosmetics? They're supposedly miracle cures. They can cure all kinds of skin diseases with just one application. They're the same as that slimming tea that treats viruses. They're now selling for hundreds of thousands of yuan a small bottle, and even if you have the money, you might not be able to buy them."
Chen Xinxin said disdainfully, "Tch, so what if it's a few hundred thousand? One day I'll hook up with the big boss of a youth health product company, and I'll give you as much as you want."
Zhao Ling threw off the covers and got out of bed, saying, "Fine, I'll wait until you hook up with someone. Don't wait until I'm old and faded and you can't even recognize her. What good will all my makeup do then?"
As Zhao Ling got dressed, Chen Xinxin glanced at Zhao Qiang eating fried dough sticks and exclaimed, "Wow, you ate it all! You're such a glutton!"
Zhao Qiang patted his stomach and said, "I'm still hungry."
Chen Xinxin said, "Alright, you have to bear with being hungry. Tonight, I'll take you to a fancy restaurant. If I were to pay for everything myself, I'd go bankrupt."
"Okay." Zhao Qiang was very happy to hear that there would be food for dinner. He subconsciously knew that he had to eat more so that he could have enough energy to move on to the next step. It seemed that there were many important things waiting for him to do, but unfortunately he couldn't remember them now.
The daytime slipped away. Chen Xinxin went home to sleep, while Zhao Ling went to work—it seemed to be some kind of massage parlor, definitely not a respectable place. Zhao Qiang sat motionless on the stone by the door all day. Although his body was still, his cells were growing rapidly with the little energy he absorbed from the fried dough sticks. He had originally been bald and without eyebrows, but by the time Chen Xinxin arrived at Zhao Ling's rented apartment after a good night's sleep, Zhao Qiang had regained his eyebrows and hair, and even his teeth had grown longer.
"Wow, you've turned back the clock!" Chen Xinxin exclaimed. How could she not be surprised? In the early morning, Zhao Qiang was clearly an old man, and it even seemed like he had died when he returned from school. But soon after returning to the fried dough stick stall, the dead man came back to life and turned into a bald boy of about ten years old to eat fried dough sticks. In just one day, even black hair had grown back.
"I'm hungry." Zhao Qiang is now employed by Chen Xinxin, so his boss has to provide meals.
Chen Xinxin took out a bag of fried dough sticks from behind her back. "Eat up. I really don't know if my decision is right or wrong. Please don't eat me out of house and home. I'm afraid I won't even be able to afford fried dough sticks for you in the future."
A little while later, Zhao Ling also got off work and went home. The two women chattered about what clothes to wear, then sat down at the dressing table to touch up their makeup. Zhao Qiang, on the other hand, squatted by the door eating his fried dough sticks. With the energy in his cells, his activity level seemed to have increased a lot. Zhao Qiang clenched his fist. The feeling of being reborn was fantastic! His strength was definitely much greater than before he died, but now that he lacked energy, his strength wouldn't be as pronounced.
The climate in the south isn't too cold even in winter, but in Zichen, the temperature can be unbearably low. However, if you dress like a northerner, it's perfectly fine. The sun had just set, and the temperature was still quite pleasant, so Zhao Ling wore a leather skirt, a deep-necked blouse, and a light leather jacket over it.
Chen Xinxin abandoned her obedient image in front of her mother, messing up her hair into a bird's nest style. She then wore a tight-fitting top that accentuated her breasts excessively. The neckline of the top wasn't deep, but it couldn't hide Chen Xinxin's perky breasts, so her cleavage was still clearly visible, looking very alluring. She wore pencil pants, which made her round and perky little bottom look even more elastic.
Chen Xinxin tossed her bag at Zhao Qiang by the door and said, "Are you full? Let's go, let's get to work. I think you're not very bright, so I need to remind you again! If anyone tries to lay a hand on either of us, your job is to beat them up. Got it?"
Zhao Qiang said, "I understand, but I'm hungry and afraid I won't have the strength to hit anyone."
Zhao Ling said with a headache, "Xin Xin, look what you've done, you've brought back a good-for-nothing as your bodyguard. What am I supposed to say to you? It's fine if you embarrass yourself, but don't embarrass your older sister. I'm planning to find a decent young man to marry recently."
Chen Xinxin was also helpless: "How was I supposed to know he could eat so much? I didn't know... You just have to bear with it for now. Later, when some rich guy orders, I'll order some meat for you so you can eat your fill and get back to work, understand?"
Zhao Qiang was very happy. Oil is too low in calories. It would be great if there was meat. "I understand. I like to eat braised pork and pig's trotters."
Zhao Ling said, "Look, he started picking out dishes before we even ordered them."
Chen Xinxin said, "Alright, stop complaining. It's not like I'm asking you to pay. Let me tell you, he's very strong. He slapped the lamppost so hard it made it buzz."
Zhao Ling exclaimed in surprise, "Really? No wonder he's so muscular. Don't take him away when you get back tonight. Let me test him out in bed."
Chen Xinxin said, "Okay, if you're satisfied, I'll give him to you. You know I'm unemployed, and with his appetite, I'm afraid I'll go bankrupt in the next day or two."
The two girls chatted and laughed as they headed toward the school where they had delivered fried dough sticks in the early morning. Zhao Qiang followed behind, appearing calm on the surface, but in reality, when he uttered the words "braised pork" and "pig's trotters," something swirled in his mind again, but he just couldn't quite put his finger on it. That feeling of being so familiar yet unable to find the answer made him feel incredibly uncomfortable.
Volume 2 [425] Heaven and Earth
【425】Heaven and Earth
The name "Heaven on Earth" has been overused. There are countless bars and KTVs with the same name all over the country. There is also one in this small city called Yihai, and it is the largest bar and KTV in Yihai City. Chen Xinxin and Zhao Ling waited for Meng Jiangbo at the entrance of Heaven on Earth, while Zhao Qiang sat idly by the roadside counting cars. At about 6:05, Meng Jiangbo got out of an Audi.
Chen Xinxin was furious and shouted from afar, "Meng Jiangbo, you made me wait for you? Are you even a man?"
Meng Jiangbo glanced at his watch and said, "It's only been five minutes. We're stuck in traffic."
Chen Xinxin cursed, "You motherfucker, when has Yihai ever been congested? Do you think this is Beijing or Shanghai?"
Meng Jiangbo said, "Alright, that's enough. Just vent your anger with a few curses. Brother Fa and Brother Hong are here."
Four other people got out of the Audi: a fat man called Brother Fa, a red-haired man called Brother Hong, the driver called Monkey, and Wang Yi, Meng Jiangbo's classmate. Wang Yi was a pretty boy and much more handsome than Meng Jiangbo. As soon as he got out of the car, he set his sights on Zhao Ling. To be honest, apart from being a little weaker than Chen Xinxin, Zhao Ling was no less attractive than Chen Xinxin in any other way. Chen Xinxin looked a bit girlish, while Zhao Ling was much more womanly.
Chow Yun-fat looked up at Chen Xinxin and said to Meng Jiangbo, "Is this your girlfriend?"
Meng Jiangbo said, "Yes, what do you think, Brother Fa?"
Chow Yun-fat stood on tiptoe: "**Not bad, she's the biggest and most shapely woman I've ever seen, of course, assuming it's not fake."
Meng Jiangbo said in a low voice, "I don't think it's a fake."
Chow Yun-fat said, "Could it be that you've touched it?"
Meng Jiangbo was a little embarrassed: "I just started dating her, and I haven't succeeded yet, but it should be soon. Tonight I'll get her half-drunk and see if I can get her to stay out overnight."
Chow Yun-fat waved to the Heaven on Earth and said, "Let's go in."
Chen Xinxin followed behind Meng Jiangbo and said, "Hey, Meng Jiangbo, didn't you say you wanted to be my boyfriend? What kind of boyfriend are you? I brought you fried dough sticks first thing in the morning, but you can't even afford to give me dinner?"
Meng Jiangbo said, "How can we not care? Brother Fa is treating us today. Let's go to a bar and order. The Western food here is absolutely top-notch. Let me show you what high-class is. Once you experience it, you'll fall in love with this kind of life."
Chen Xinxin asked, "We're having Western food? Is it all-you-can-eat?"
Meng Jiangbo said angrily, "You can look down on me, but you can't look down on Brother Fa. Do you think Brother Fa would let you go hungry if he's treating you?"
Chen Xinxin said, "As long as there's enough to eat, 'I don't know,' come over here quickly."
Upon hearing the shout, Zhao Qiang immediately ran over from the roadside and stood obediently behind Chen Xinxin. Meng Jiangbo was dumbfounded and pointed at Zhao Qiang, asking, "'Don't know'? Who is he? Where did he get a child from?"
Chen Xinxin said smugly, "I just hired a bodyguard. You wouldn't be so stingy as to not feed him, would you?"
"Bodyguards?" Meng Jiangbo was somewhat skeptical. Chen Xinxin said, "Of course! How can we girls go in and out of places like this without bodyguards? So you'd better not try anything funny with me, or my bodyguards won't let you off easily."
Meng Jiangbo pointed at Zhao Qiang and laughed: "Him? It's not that I'm underestimating him, but you didn't even ask his age. He's not even an adult yet, and he's already trying to get by. He's really not afraid of death. Brother Fa and Brother Hong are well-known gangsters in Yihai. He's trying to show off his skills in front of an expert. He should be careful not to lose his life."
Chen Xinxin said, "Whether it's showing off one's skills before an expert or not needs to be tested in practice. If you don't believe me, feel free to bully me. I'll show you his strength later, so don't regret it."
Meng Jiangbo snorted, "Him? I can't kill him."
Zhao Ling grabbed Chen Xinxin's arm and said, "Let's go, Xinxin, we're not going to eat anything. I'm so angry. What kind of boyfriend is this? You should break up with him as soon as possible."
Chen Xinxin also felt that Meng Jiangbo was all talk and no action, and was really not suitable for her. It seemed that her first love, which had not even started, was going to be over. So she listened to Zhao Ling and turned around to walk back. Zhao Qiang naturally followed closely behind. Meng Jiangbo was anxious when he saw this. He wished he could slap himself. Was it necessary to argue with a so-called bodyguard with this foul mouth?
"Xin Xin, don't go! It's my fault, I admit my mistake. I promise I'll never mention your bodyguard again, okay? Your bodyguard is the best, and I would never bully you." Meng Jiangbo hurriedly apologized. If he let Chen Xin Xin and Zhao Ling leave like this, what could he possibly accomplish tonight? He figured Brother Fa and Brother Hong would also have a problem with him.
Chen Xinxin stopped Zhao Ling and said, "Don't go. Since they are so sincere, let's give them face. It would be bad to leave without eating after coming all this way."
Zhao Ling said, "Alright, I'll give you face."
Chen Xinxin waved to Zhao Qiang behind her: "Stay close, it's a mess inside, don't get lost."
Meng Jiangbo cursed inwardly, "What kind of lousy bodyguard is this? If he loses himself, how can he protect others?"
The Heaven on Earth restaurant in Yihai has a dedicated Western restaurant, and you can also order Western food to eat in the KTV room. Brother Fa and Brother Hong have already entered the KTV room, and it seems they plan to eat and sing at the same time.
When Zhao Qiang entered the private room, four small plates of cold dishes were already laid out on the table, along with a bunch of small bottles of beer. Three girls who would accompany him for drinks and singing were already in place. Chen Xinxin pointed to a seat at the edge and said to Zhao Qiang, "You can sit here. You can eat as much food as you want, and if you're still hungry, these guys can order more. But you can't drink any alcohol. Don't forget your job."
Zhao Qiang nodded, then sat down without any hesitation, grabbed a plate of cold dishes and started eating. He desperately needed energy and didn't know what politeness meant, so he ate to his heart's content.
Chow Yun-fat stared blankly, then asked Meng Jiangbo, "Who is this?"
Meng Jiangbo said, "He's probably my girlfriend's younger brother. He's a bit slow on the uptake and just tagging along to freeload. Don't bother with him."
The air conditioning was on in the private room, making it much warmer than outside. Chen Xinxin and Zhao Ling took off their coats as soon as they came in, revealing only tight-fitting tops that accentuated their sexy figures. They looked incredibly alluring. Although the three girls who were there to accompany them were even more revealing, they didn't have the assets or the innocent charm of Chen Xinxin and Zhao Ling. So, Brother Fa and Brother Hong were more interested in the two girls that Meng Jiangbo had brought, and they didn't pay much attention to the relatives who came along to freeload.
Chow Yun-fat said, "Hurry up and bring out some big dishes, otherwise I'm afraid there won't be enough to eat."
One of the girls who was accompanying him immediately went down to notify the kitchen. Before long, eight dishes were served. Zhao Qiang's chopsticks never stopped. He ignored what others were doing and just kept eating. With each bite of meat, his body became more radiant. His skin was so good that it had a hazy, watery sheen under the light, almost like it was transparent.
Hong Ge sat next to Zhao Ling. He was particularly interested in mature women. Although Zhao Ling was not very old, she had a strong mature woman's aura. Hong Ge put his arm around Zhao Ling's shoulder, and Zhao Ling awkwardly shrugged her shoulders and said, "Brother, don't touch me. I don't know you."
Brother Hong teased, "You're so hot you're practically dripping with juice, girl. Name your price, I want to sleep with you tonight." True to his gangster roots, he spoke frankly.
Zhao Ling chuckled and said, "I'm still a virgin, big brother, can you please not be so direct?"
Hong Ge, of course, refused to believe it: "A virgin? Spent several times in one night?"
Zhao Ling giggled: "Treating you a dozen times is no problem, but I wonder if you can handle it, Brother Hong?"
Brother Hong patted his chest: "I'd be letting this man down if I didn't teach you a lesson!"
The monkey held onto the hostess's hand with one hand and her glass with the other. He knew he had no chance with the two girls Meng Jiangbo had brought, so cherishing the people in front of him was the right thing to do. As for Wang Yi, although he was interested in Zhao Ling, Hong Ge was pursuing her, so how could Wang Yi dare to say no? He could only drink his sorrows away and curse inwardly, thinking that all the good cabbages had been eaten by pigs.
To Chow Yun-fat's right sat a hostess. His large hand rested on her thigh. Because the room was warm enough, and all the hostesses were wearing very short skirts, Chow Yun-fat's fingers were practically probing between her thighs—a highly lewd gesture. There were hardly any respectable people in this place. To Chow Yun-fat's other side sat Meng Jiangbo, opposite Meng Jiangbo was Chen Xinxin, and next to Chen Xinxin was Zhao Qiang.
While looking at Chen Xinxin, Chow Yun-fat whispered to Meng Jiangbo, "Your girl is hot, but I don't like her hairstyle."
Meng Jiangbo said in a flattering tone, "Brother Fa, she doesn't usually do this kind of performance art. She's a very pure girl, especially her chest, which is the most prominent in our area."
Brother Fa swallowed hard. "Bozi, didn't you want to work for me?"
Meng Jiangbo said with delight, "Brother Fa, are you planning to take me in as your little brother? If you personally protect me, I'll be the boss at school. If the whole school starts collecting protection money, I'll be rich. I'll definitely not forget to pay my respects to you then."
Chow Yun-fat said, "I don't care about the protection money you collected at school. You can keep it for yourself."
Meng Jiangbo almost knelt down on the spot, saying, "Thank you, Brother Fa, for making this possible." With a powerful figure in the underworld as his backer, wouldn't Meng Jiangbo be the one to have the final say at school? Who would dare to defy him?
Chow Yun-fat stroked his chin. "I'll grant your wish, but I'm really hard down there. I wonder if anyone will grant my wish?"
When Meng Jiangbo saw Chow Yun-fat's gaze lingering on Chen Xinxin's chest, he understood perfectly well. Although he hadn't gotten his hands on this cabbage, it was worth it to use her to pave the way for his bright future. Besides, Meng Jiangbo wasn't sure if he could win over Chen Xinxin, so this was a way of making use of a useless cabbage.
“Brother Fa, the woman you want is practically yours for the taking, isn’t she? How could I, your underling, compete with you? It’s just that this wild horse is hard to tame. I’ve been trying to win her over for two weeks and still haven’t succeeded. You might have to put in some effort.”