Chapter 41: Iron Hero Comes Calling

In the convenience store, Li Yan yawned. She hadn't slept a wink the night before and was exhausted, but unwilling to close the shop for a day, she forced herself to keep it open.

Three black sedans pulled into the alley and stopped in front of the shop. Doors opened, and Tie Xiong stepped out, accompanied by seven or eight men. Seeing him, Li Yan felt a surge of fear.

"Hey, little lady, long time no see." Tie Xiong flashed a genial smile as he greeted her.

"Xiong... Brother Xiong," Li Yan stammered, shrinking back.

"Why so afraid? I don't eat people," he asked with a grin. "Where's Cao Yang? I'm looking for him; call him out."

Li Yan hurriedly dialed Cao Yang. "Come over quickly, Tie Xiong is here at the shop looking for you."

So, because I refused to fight for him, this jerk actually tracked me down to my home.

By the time Cao Yang arrived, Tie Xiong and his lackeys were squatting at his doorstep eating watermelon. Though they acted polite, the intimidating aura they exuded kept customers from daring to enter the store.

"Brother Cao Yang!" Tie Xiong greeted him with overwhelming enthusiasm, throwing an arm around his shoulder. "Why did you hang up on me? Your big brother really needs your help this time. I’ve already bragged to everyone; if you don't show up, people will think I’ve gone soft."

Cao Yang sneered, "What does that have to do with me?"

Tie Xiong paused, his expression darkening for a split second before he recovered. "Aren't we good brothers? If your brother loses face, you don't look good either, right?"

Good brothers, my foot. Yesterday, when I tried to borrow men and guns from you, you played dead, and now you’re back here acting like we’re close? How could he be so thick-skinned?

Cao Yang laughed, clutching his stomach. "It's not that your little brother doesn't want to help, but my stomach hurts so badly I physically can't fight."

If you can act, so can I.

"Take some medicine, or I'll take you to the hospital," Tie Xiong said, feigning concern despite the transparent performance.

"Already took some. The doctor said I need to rest for a few days."

"Brother, is it about the money? My mistake last time—I forgot to give you your cut."

One of Tie Xiong’s men handed him a bag. Tie Xiong pulled out thirty thousand in cash and offered it to Cao Yang. "This is for last time. If you win this next fight, I’ll give you fifty thousand."

Cao Yang shook his head. "It’s not about the money. My stomach really hurts."

"Brother, are you really not going to give me any face at all?" Tie Xiong’s voice turned cold.

Cao Yang nodded. "No."

His bluntness caught Tie Xiong off guard, prompting a frustrated laugh. He stood up, patted Cao Yang on the shoulder, and led his men away.

Once they were gone, Li Yan rushed out. "Is he going to give us trouble?"

"Yes," Cao Yang replied, staring at Tie Xiong’s retreating back. People like Tie Xiong were hard to shake once they latched onto you.

"What do we do then?" Li Yan asked, her face full of worry.

"I want to kill him so there won't be any more trouble."

"Don't even think about it!" Li Yan covered his mouth. Actually killing Tie Xiong would only be the beginning of their troubles.

"Don't be nervous, I was joking," Cao Yang laughed. "Let's just close the shop for two days and rest; it'll save us the hassle."

"Do we really have to? We make over a thousand a day!" Li Yan was reluctant.

Cao Yang locked the door himself, hoisted Li Yan over his shoulder, and headed toward the hotel.

No sooner had they returned than a call came in from Lei Dian. He told Cao Yang that he and his sister had rented a new place and invited Cao Yang and Li Yan over for dinner—partly to thank Cao Yang for saving them, and partly to celebrate the move.

Cao Yang told Li Yan, but she refused to go and forbade him from going as well. Cao Yang ignored her and went alone. It was probably for the best; knowing her personality, she would have ended up arguing with Lei Yu anyway.

Their new home was a standard three-bedroom apartment, a far cry from the cramped urban village housing Li Yan was used to.

"Come on in, have a seat," Lei Dian said, ushering him in warmly.

Cao Yang looked around and spotted Lei Yu in the kitchen, busy cooking while wearing an apron.

"My sister’s cooking is top-tier. Today, you’ll taste some authentic Sichuan cuisine," Lei Dian boasted.

Cao Yang nodded repeatedly. "Just the smell is making my mouth water."

"You guys chat, I’m going downstairs to get some wine," Lei Dian said, giving his sister a look to signal her not to be so cold and to at least say a few words to Cao Yang.

The moment he left, Cao Yang wrapped his arms around Lei Yu’s waist from behind. "Sister Yu, you cook so well."

"Don't, what if my brother sees?" Lei Yu flushed, remembering how he had tossed her about in bed.

"So what if he sees? He’s your brother, not your boyfriend," the lecherous Cao Yang said, his hands wandering upward. Ever since he had tasted a woman for the first time, he had been hooked, craving it at every opportunity.

"Please, stop it. I'm cooking; you'll get oil all over yourself."

Hearing her plea and knowing Lei Dian would return soon—not enough time for a quick round—he finally let go.

...

Soon, Lei Dian returned with the wine, and the three sat down to eat. Lei Yu had prepared several specialty Sichuan dishes; they were delicious, and Cao Yang loved them.

Throughout the meal, Lei Yu spoke little, playing the part of the quiet beauty, and Cao Yang remained reserved as well, leaving the conversation entirely to Lei Dian.

Lei Dian started by thanking Cao Yang, then moved on to his job prospects, claiming he was done with being a "water ghost" and wanted to find honest work. Cao Yang didn't believe a word of it, knowing he was just feeding Lei Yu a line.

Cao Yang suggested he join him, mentioning he was planning to open another slot machine parlor and could use someone to watch the shop. Lei Dian was intrigued, but his sister shot him a glare, and he shut his mouth, stammering.

After dinner, Lei Dian was tipsy, rambling on and on about brotherhood. Cao Yang told him to get some sleep if he was drunk; he hated nothing more than people who got chatty after a few drinks.

Lei Dian pulled Cao Yang aside and told him he had specifically kept one of the three bedrooms for him so he could stay over whenever he wanted. He then glanced at Lei Yu and added, "But you can't have designs on my sister. She's my only sister, and I want her to find a good life."

This annoyed Cao Yang—what, is he not a good man? Before he could retort, Lei Dian had already passed out.

Cao Yang closed the bedroom door and looked at Lei Yu.

Their eyes met, and Lei Yu looked away in fear. Cao Yang stepped forward, pulled her into his arms, and began kissing and caressing her, quickly stripping her bare.

Lei Dian was woken from his deep sleep by a strange sound. He got up, opened the door, and asked groggily, "Sis, what was that noise?"

"I... I didn't make any noise! You’re drunk and hearing things. Go back to sleep!"

Lei Dian frowned, looking around. "Where’s Cao Yang?"

"He left."

"But I told him to stay the night. Why did he leave? Did you say something to him?"

"Don't get me started on you. Cao Yang has been really good to us; stop looking at him with such prejudice! He risked his life to save you this time—you should be thanking him properly!"