"Great!"
"Well said, this deserves my tip!"
Among that group of strangers, a young man dressed as a gentleman spoke loudly.
Upon hearing the young man's words, his servant took out 100 wen and rewarded Lin Zheyu. The coins fell into the copper basin, emitting a pleasant sound.
"Generous!"
Lin Zheyu exclaimed, even more enthusiastically.
This was a long story, and logically speaking, just hearing such a short passage shouldn't make one excited enough to want to tip. However, Lin Zheyu didn't mind; as long as he could earn, it was fine.
"The story is very interesting. This young man is talented to be able to write such a wonderful story." The young man with the appearance of a gentleman, while eating a pastry, smiled and said to his companion.
Sitting beside him was a delicate woman with a rosy complexion and bright black eyes, exuding vitality.
While listening to the story, the young man explained the relationships between the characters to the woman.
Lu Qihui came from Baohe City, his family being local wealthy merchants.
Due to the impact of war, Lu Qihui's father was worried about Baohe City being affected and asked Lu Qihui to migrate with some of their people to other cities.
When they passed through Songyi City, they rested in the city for a few days.
Lu Qihui wandered around out of boredom and heard several people discussing stories in a tavern, so he curiously went up to listen, becoming more and more addicted as he listened.
So he deliberately found a scholar to explain the story to him from the beginning.
The scholar spoke for several days until the story reached its climax, but then stopped.
Upon further inquiry, Lu Qihui learned that the story hadn't been finished yet and was told daily at the Bidian Teahouse.
"That Huang Rong is truly an extraordinary woman."
Lu Zhenfang sighed, "Brother, when we set out in a few days, let's take this storyteller with us to entertain us on the road."
"That's a good idea!"
Lu Qihui's eyes lit up, "Such talent, if we can recruit him to the Lu Mansion and have him entertain us in his leisure time, it would also add a lot of fun."
"Mm-hmm." Lu Zhenfang blinked her eyes, she too was fascinated.
Happy times always pass quickly.
Amidst the reluctant gazes of the audience, Lin Zheyu picked up the wooden clapper, "To know what happens next, please wait for the next episode."
"Eh?"
"That's it?"
"Give us another part, give us another part!"
The audience began to clamor, and Lin Zheyu bowed and prepared to step down.
Clap!
At this moment, there was a crisp sound, Lu Qihui stood up, holding a silver ingot and slapped it on the table, "Sir, please continue with the next episode, here's the compensation."
Saying that, he threw the silver back into the basin, making a loud clanging sound.
Oh, a big spender(whale) has arrived.
Seeing this, Lin Zheyu chuckled and continued to step onto the storytelling platform, "Since you're all so enthusiastic, then I'll continue!"
He had been storytelling for so long, and finally, a real big spender appeared!
Clap!
The wooden clapper sounded again, "Last time, it was said..."
Lu Qihui and Lu Zhenfang looked at each other and smiled.
Lu Qihui smiled and said, "This gentleman is still fond of money. We should be able to persuade him to join us on the road, but it will cost us more silver."
Lin Zheyu continued with another segment.
It wasn't until the sky began to darken that the audience reluctantly left.
Passing by the market, Lin Zheyu bought four catties of pork and some vegetables.
With his strength increasing, his appetite grew larger, and his demand for meat and tonics increased.
On the street, it was Lin Zheyu's usual route home.
A sturdy figure leaned against the wall, shaking his leg out of boredom.
Seeing Lin Zheyu approaching, the other person glanced over with a scrutinizing look in his eyes.
"Jia Yanyong!"
Lin Zheyu squinted.
This guy was obviously waiting here, specifically for him.
What was his purpose?
Lin Zheyu couldn't understand.
He had already reached a cooperation agreement with Jia Yanming, so he shouldn't be resorting to some tricks.
Moreover, recently he often saw Jia Yanyong coming to the Bidian Teahouse to listen to stories, and he seemed to enjoy it.
Lin Zheyu's mind was spinning as he stopped three meters away from Jia Yanyong.
"Is Brother Yong waiting here for me?" Lin Zheyu spoke up.
"That's right."
Jia Yanyong smirked, "Our leader thinks the stories you tell are interesting and wants to invite you to speak at the Feihong Gang tomorrow morning."
"Speak a few more segments then, it's not fun to listen to just a bit each day."
"Okay."
"I wonder how much silver your leader plans to offer. My appearance fee isn't cheap." Lin Zheyu asked.
As one of the three major gangs in Songyi City, the Feihong Gang had many members.
If possible, he didn't want to offend them.
"Being able to have you speak for our leader is your honor, and you still ask for money?"
"These streets are all under the protection of our Feihong Gang. It's good enough that we're not asking you for protection fees."
Jia Yanyong sneered.
He extended his hand and clenched his fists, making a cracking sound, with a slightly threatening tone in his voice.
His fierce appearance, coupled with his sturdy physique and menacing expression, gave off a strong sense of oppression, making people feel like he was not someone to be messed with.
"I'm sorry, but I have something to do tomorrow morning."
"If your leader wants to listen to a story, he can come to the Bidian Teahouse tomorrow afternoon." Lin Zheyu refused.
Wanting to listen to a story without paying? Was he planning to freeload?
Lin Zheyu detested freeloaders the most.
"Do you think that by becoming Liang Song's disciple, you can ignore our Feihong Gang?" Jia Yanyong said with a hint of mockery on his face.
His brother had asked him about Liang Song before, asking if he was easy to provoke. It was only then that Jia Yanyong knew that Lin Zheyu had become Liang Song's disciple.
If it were a dozen years ago when Liang Song was in his prime, the Feihong Gang would still show him some respect.
But now that Liang Song was old and even had a lame leg, how much strength did he have left?
"I didn't mean that. I just really have something to do tomorrow morning." Lin Zheyu said casually.
Seeing Lin Zheyu's attitude, Jia Yanyong revealed a cold smile.
"Brother Yong had wanted me to teach you a lesson a long time ago, but later you cooperated with my brother, so there was no chance."
"Now our leader wants to invite you to speak, but I didn't expect you to be so ungrateful."
"Since you're being ungrateful, then let me teach you a lesson. Breaking a few bones won't affect your speaking abilities."
Jia Yanyong stepped towards Lin Zheyu.
With his menacing appearance and fierce expression, he gave off a huge sense of pressure.
"Do you really want to start something here?"
"This place is bustling with people. If I shout a few times, the officials will come soon." Lin Zheyu said calmly instead of fearfully.
"Officials?"
"Haha, what's the use even if they catch us? It's just a matter of spending some money. Even if someone dies, I can handle it. Besides, it's just breaking a few of your bones."
Jia Yanyong said disdainfully.
...
He walked step by step towards Lin Zheyu.
Moving his neck, he cracked his fists.
There was a cold smile on his face, mixed with disdain and mockery.
He had seen many people like Lin Zheyu before, initially quite tough, but most of them became obedient after a beating.
"I'll give you one more chance."
"Will you go to the Feihong Gang to speak willingly tomorrow morning, or do I have to teach you a lesson and have someone carry you over?" Jia Yanyong said.
"Neither?"
"Neither?"
"Then let me make the choice for you!"
Jia Yanyong said indifferently.
He had been studying martial arts for more than ten years. Although he wasn't very skilled, after more than a decade of practice, his strength had almost reached the level of bone forging.
After joining the Feihong Gang, he had experienced numerous battles, big and small.
Relying on his strong physique and ruthless fighting style, he had gained quite a reputation.