Chapter Fifty: What to Eat at the Welcome Banquet?

“Mengmeng, hurry up and get a cigarette, I’m about to suffocate!” As soon as they stepped out of the research building, Qi Kun couldn’t wait any longer.

After Yang Meng handed out the cigarettes, Hu Er Leng took a deep drag and sighed, “Damn, that feels good. I thought I’d have to quit! You have no idea, we were scared out of our wits in there! We thought we’d caught some kind of apocalypse virus!”

Long Teng laughed, “My friend, your imagination is wild! Didn’t Director Di just say it himself? There are few people in this world healthier than you lot!” He then recounted what Di Shouye and the others had said earlier.

A collective sigh of relief escaped from Hu Er Leng and the others. Qi Kun cursed, “Damn, they really treated us like lab rats! No way, I’m going back to have a word with them!”

Hu Er Leng interjected, “Let it go. Madman’s boss knows about this too. Seems like his boss is pretty close with the hospital. If this ends up affecting his job, it’d be a real shame.”

“A shame? Madman, do you really want to be a cop that badly? Why not quit? There’s no freedom in that. Wouldn’t it be better for us all to do something together?” Qi Kun, suddenly noticing Long Teng, slapped his own forehead. “Damn, sorry, just got a bit excited. Mengmeng, you haven’t introduced this guy yet.”

Yang Meng introduced, “Long Teng, the big boss of Longyun Fitness Club, heir to the Long Group. You’d better burn three sticks of incense and bow to him; people like us rarely get a chance to meet such a big shot.”

Long Teng’s face darkened. Was that any way to introduce someone? Why would anyone burn incense? Thankfully, Hu Er Leng and the others didn’t take Yang Meng’s words seriously. They each introduced themselves to Long Teng, making their acquaintances.

Ling Feng spoke up, “Er Leng told me you helped the Long Group with something and made a fortune. I didn’t believe it and wanted to warn you not to get into trouble, but I see now I was overthinking it. Long Teng, what exactly did Mengmeng do for you?”

Long Teng looked at Yang Meng, his eyes full of grievance. What help? Does beating me up count? Still, he knew Yang Meng was keeping something from Ling Feng and the others, and now was the time to cover for him. After a quick thought, he replied, “Here’s how it is: I invited Brother Yang to be the head coach at Longyun Fitness Club. And personally, I want to be his disciple.”

He wasn’t exactly lying—Duan Bowen really had invited Yang Meng to be head coach, though Yang Meng had refused. As for wanting to be his disciple, that was a sudden inspiration—this guy was too incredible.

Ling Feng burst out laughing, “Come on, Young Master Long, you want Mengmeng to coach your club? Your business won’t last a month! And you, wanting him as your master? This guy can’t fight or run. You’d be better off learning from me!”

Hu Er Leng gave a thumbs up, “Now that’s what I like to hear! Mengmeng, where’s all your bravado now? Take that!”

Back in their hometown, Yang Meng was known as “Little Overlord of Zhuoshanzi,” a name earned from countless brawls. The area was known for its martial spirit and fierce disposition; they’d fight neighboring villages over drinking wells, and everyone could handle themselves. But Yang Meng could never beat Ling Feng. The only one among their peers who could say “he can’t fight or run” about Yang Meng was Ling Feng. Of course, that was “once upon a time”—now, Yang Meng could flatten Ling Feng.

Long Teng, hearing Ling Feng’s words, was startled. Damn, is this guy even stronger than Yang Meng? Yang Meng’s already a monster; is this one a prehistoric beast?

Yang Meng, cigarette dangling from his lips, said, “Madman, since we’re free, why not head over to Longyun for a bit? Long Teng, you really want me as your master? If you can beat Madman, I’ll train you!”

Long Teng nearly slapped himself. Serves you right for running your mouth! From what he’d just heard, Ling Feng was even stronger than Yang Meng—fighting him would be asking for a beating.

Before he could speak, Ling Feng waved his hands frantically, “No, no, Mengmeng, don’t even think about it! I read the news, you know. Long Teng here isn’t just the heir to Long Group—he’s a national karate champion. No way I could take him in the ring!”

He was telling the truth, but Long Teng felt like he was being mocked. So what if he was a national karate champion? Yang Meng wiped the floor with him!

Just as Long Teng was feeling awkward, his phone rang. “Xi Xiang, what’s up? Oh... okay... we’re right by the research building. Sure, sure.” Hanging up, he turned to Yang Meng, “Brother Yang, my father invites you to our home for a family dinner.”

Yang Meng shook his head, “I’ll pass. You can see my buddies have been through a lot lately—tonight I want to treat them to a good meal and relax together.”

Long Teng quickly said, “That’s all the more reason to come to my place. To be honest, our chef is top-notch—masters of Sichuan, Shandong, Cantonese, and Huaiyang cuisines. Perfect excuse to host your friends.”

Yang Meng shook his head again, “No need. My friends shouldn’t be your responsibility. Please thank your father for me, but let’s leave it for another time.”

Seeing Yang Meng’s firm stance, Long Teng nodded, “Alright, it’s just a coincidence of timing. I’ll call my father and let him know.” With that, he stepped aside to make the call.

Hu Er Leng nudged Yang Meng, “So what did you actually do for the Long family for them to be so polite?”

Yang Meng replied with a straight face, “You know, of the three major unfilial acts, not having children is the worst. I cured Long Teng’s infertility, that’s why the family’s so grateful.”

Long Teng, still on the phone nearby, nearly exploded with frustration. Who’s infertile? Your whole family’s infertile! When had the proud heir of the Long family ever been this insulted? He wanted nothing more than to slap Yang Meng silly—but he thought better of it. If only I could beat you, I’d teach you a lesson!

If Hu Er Leng knew what Long Teng was thinking, he’d surely grab his hand and pour his heart out—they were kindred spirits in this moment.

Qi Kun glanced at Long Teng and quietly said to Yang Meng, “Hey, with the Long family’s connections, and now that Madman’s made a name for himself, it shouldn’t be hard to pull some strings and get him his official police badge, right?”

Yang Meng laughed, “Why bother? Wouldn’t it be better for all of us to open a barbecue restaurant together?”

Ling Feng cut in, “No way, being a cop has been my dream since I was a kid. But Mengmeng, what I missed most in the hospital was your barbecue. They kept talking about it—I was drooling! Let’s go home for skewers, yeah?”

Yang Meng grinned, “Sure, I’ll call Sister Ma and have her buy the meat and everything else. When we get back, we’ll start grilling right away.”

At that moment, Long Teng hung up and overheard. He frowned, “Brother Yang, I have to say something. Treating friends to a welcome meal—you should go somewhere nice, not just eat skewers. Since you don’t want to come to my place for a family dinner, and now we’re all friends, let me book us a table at Xuanqing Restaurant for the welcome dinner—how about it?”

Xuanqing Restaurant was a hot spot in Handong City, its head chef rumored to have cooked for state banquets and was famous for its retro imperial cuisine. The place was so popular that non-members weren’t admitted, and even members needed reservations.

But Hu Er Leng and Qi Kun both shook their heads, “Nothing beats our skewers. What we missed most in the hospital was that taste.”

Long Teng looked at them, unsure where to begin. What kind of people would skip Xuanqing Restaurant for skewers? Bumpkins, through and through.

“Skewers? Perfect! That’s my favorite!” A woman’s voice chimed in. They all turned to see Long Xi Xiang and Li Xiaoqing, the latter being the one who spoke.

Hu Er Leng and Qi Kun had met Long Xi Xiang before, but not Li Xiaoqing.

“Mengmeng, who’s this pretty girl?” Qi Kun asked curiously.

Before Yang Meng could answer, Li Xiaoqing replied, “Pretty is pretty—why add the word ‘little’?”

Qi Kun coughed and put on a serious face, “Ah, my mistake. May I ask your name?”

“That’s better. I’m Li Xiaoqing.” After greeting everyone, Li Xiaoqing turned to Yang Meng, “Brother, are we going for skewers?”

Yang Meng covered his face. How did he forget about this little tail? What was she up to? Was she really planning to stick to him?

“Yeah, we’re going home for skewers. Why, you want to come too?” Yang Meng asked.

“Of course!” Li Xiaoqing nodded. “You’re not going to break my heart, are you?”

Hearing this, everyone looked at Yang Meng with gossipy interest. Yang Meng hurriedly protested, “How am I breaking your heart?”

Li Xiaoqing looked at him with a wounded expression, “You promised to buy me a drink. You wouldn’t lie to me, would you?”

“You’re just a kid—what drink? You just want skewers, right? Fine, you’re in!” Yang Meng shot a look at Ling Feng and the others, who were snickering. “Madman, don’t laugh at me. Call your mysterious girlfriend and invite her along—the more, the merrier!”

“Exactly!” Qi Kun slapped his forehead. “Hey Madman, if Mengmeng hadn’t brought it up, I’d have forgotten all about her. I’m your cousin and I don’t even know her! You haven’t contacted her in days? Not cool. Call her and have her come for skewers!”

Everyone crowded around Ling Feng until he had no choice but to borrow Qi Kun’s phone to call his girlfriend—his own was still at the police station. But, to everyone’s disappointment, she couldn’t make it.

“Mr. Yang, would you mind if my brother and I came along?” Long Xi Xiang asked.

Qi Kun perked up, “Of course we don’t mind! Having a beauty like you join us is our honor!”

Yang Meng looked at Qi Kun in mock annoyance, “Lobster, the more people, the less you all get to eat.”

“Uh, I forgot about that. In that case, you two better not come! Hey, I’m just kidding—don’t look at me like that!”