Today's Ningxiang Pavilion seemed no different from usual. The boss's early return reinvigorated the slightly dull atmosphere from the previous days.
"Old Meng, why haven't you cleaned the hall yet? Were you too tired last night?"
"Xiaorou, why are there water stains on the bar? Is it your drool?"
"Mu Zi, you just got here, huh? Where have you been these last two days? Flirting with girls?"
It was just past breakfast, and the tavern was bustling with preparation and cleaning for the day. The boss's loud voice echoed in every corner of the establishment. He was giving orders and teasing the staff, eliciting rounds of laughter.
This was the scene that greeted Mu Zi as he returned to Ningxiang Pavilion. He noticed that both the boss and his wife seemed to be in good spirits, despite the evident weariness in their smiles.
Greeting his colleagues and the boss, Mu Zi started to meticulously sweep the floor.
"Kid, you haven't answered my question. Where have you been gallivanting these past few days? Kidnapping girls?" The boss, seemingly having no recollection of his drunken episode at the bar, slapped Mu Zi's shoulder and chuckled.
"Yeah, the employee handbook doesn't forbid flirting with girls, does it?" Mu Zi stopped his work, leaning on the broom handle, and grinned back at the boss.
"Hey, you, with the smart mouth. Be careful, or I'll dock your pay!" The boss scratched his large bald head, pretending to be fierce as he stared at Mu Zi.
"Come on, he's already sold himself to us. How could we dock his pay?" The lady boss joined in, walking up to the boss and wrapping her arm around his, smiling warmly at Mu Zi.
"Right, I forgot about that. Haha..." The boss laughed, then his expression turned serious. "Your sister Ning told me about your friend's situation. How is it going? Is she okay?"
"Yeah, how's the chemotherapy going? Your brother Zhao and I thought about helping you out with some more money..." The lady boss added, looking concernedly at Mu Zi.
At that moment, Mu Zi noticed a slight tremor in the boss's body, as if an electric current ran through him at the touch of his wife's arm...
"She's been transferred to another hospital. She's undergoing a bone marrow transplant the day after tomorrow," Mu Zi replied slowly.
"Bone marrow transplant?" Both the boss and his wife turned to each other, their expressions filled with surprise and worry. "Then, how's the surgery cost? Is there still a lot missing? We can help a bit more..." the boss said, frowning with sincerity.
"No need," Mu Zi smiled, "It's all been raised."
"Really?" the lady boss asked in disbelief.
"Yeah, one of Yezi's relatives, who had lost contact, saw her story online and came forward with forty thousand..." Mu Zi made up a story.
"That's good. Good people deserve good things," the lady boss said, relieved.
"Let's visit her together when we're free," the boss suggested to both Mu Zi and his wife.
"Sure," Mu Zi smiled...
These two people are in love. The current situation is only due to Liu Jie. Good people deserve good things... I'll make sure it comes true... Mu Zi watched their retreating figures while mopping the floor, feeling proud of himself. Not only was he a hitman, but he also felt like a hero who punished evil and promoted good...
After cleaning the tavern, from nine to noon, there wasn't much to do. Usually, during this time, the boss would go shopping with a colleague named Old Meng, while the rest stayed idle in the shop. Mu Zi would often hide behind the bar with a book until it got busy.
But today, as the boss was about to leave with Old Meng, Mu Zi stopped them.
"Boss, I'd like to come along today, to buy a book," Mu Zi said, approaching the car.
"Buying a book? You really are a bookworm, unlike me. I get sleepy as soon as I start reading," the boss chuckled, then changed the subject, "You go with Old Meng. I need to stop by the bank. Old Meng will drive. Here's the shopping list, get everything on it, got it?" He handed Mu Zi the list.
"Understood," Mu Zi nodded. "Uncle Meng, let's go."...
They were in an old jeep, which, despite its somewhat unsightly appearance, gives off a sense of solid robustness at first glance. It's unlike those new sedans that are just pretty on the outside, essentially a thin layer of metal wrapped around a fragile skeleton. This jeep is the boss's dedicated vehicle for purchasing goods. Mu Zi, riding in such a car for the first time, is visibly excited, bombarding Old Meng, who's sitting beside him, with various questions about fuel consumption, acceleration, and how it's different to operate compared to a new car... Old Meng, a typical car enthusiast, answers all of Mu Zi's questions...
Thus, the two engage in an enthusiastic conversation along the way, and soon the jeep arrives at the purchasing market.
Mu Zi, holding a shopping list, swiftly navigates through the stalls, completing all his shopping in just half an hour.
After loading everything into the car, Old Meng suggests, "Shall we head back?"
As Mu Zi climbs into the car, he replies, "I haven't bought books yet! Take me to Mingdu Bookstore. After you drop me off there, you can go back first."
"Mingdu Bookstore?" Old Meng is puzzled. "Where is that?"
"Next to Mingdu Business Hotel," answers Mu Zi. "Let's go."
So, the jeep starts again, heading towards Mingdu Business Hotel.
On the way, Mu Zi casually points to an internet café on the roadside and says, "It's been so long since I last went online. I miss that feeling... Uncle Meng, do you use the internet?"
"Cut it out..." Old Meng, arrogantly holding a cigarette in his mouth, boasts, "Are young people looking down on me? What do you mean by asking if I can use the internet? I play Need for Speed and Counter-Strike, and I am unbeatable!"
"Unbeatable... Hahaha..." Mu Zi suddenly bursts into laughter, clearly unimpressed by this statement.
"What are you laughing at? Don't believe it? Your Uncle Meng started playing with computers five years ago, and now, I'm something of a computer genius. Don't underestimate me."
"Is that so?" Mu Zi, scratching his head and grinning, teases, "Then, are you interested in a match? Let's play CS tonight, how about it, just for fun?"
"Cut it out..." Old Meng, disdainfully turning the steering wheel, replies, "I'm not as competitive as you young people... I have to go home and take care of my kid tonight."
"Hehe, you're clearly scared," Mu Zi teases, arms crossed, with a 'just keep bragging' expression.
"Fine, let's compete! But I'm telling you, there's a price to pay if you lose!" Old Meng, provoked by Mu Zi's expression, immediately throws down the gauntlet.
"Agreed," Mu Zi says with a 'bring it on' expression. "If someone loses, they not only have to pay for both our internet fees but also buy the winner a pack of Sanwu cigarettes, how about that?"
"Deal!" As a hardcore smoker, Old Meng immediately lights up at the mention of Sanwu cigarettes...
The car soon arrived, and Mu Zi got out at the right side of the fence outside Mingdu Business Hotel, then let Old Meng go back first.
Now, I need to make a final confirmation and run-through of my plan.
Mu Zi stands outside the fence, squinting at the pole fixed with barbed wire, thinking to himself.
This plan is not my style... he mutters to himself, this plan is too cruel, too bloody...