When Jin Muchen first stepped into this white castle-like fast-food restaurant, he could hardly believe his eyes.
The appearance of the store had nothing to do with castles; in fact, its interior resembled more of a fortress from a domestic anti-Japanese drama. Upon entering the gate, there was only a small concave vestibule surrounded by bulletproof glass. Ordering was done through this glass, where one could easily spot the menu and the payment and pick-up windows, reminiscent of the ticket counters of domestic railway stations.
There was no dining area inside; the establishment only offered takeout, and delivery was only available at night. If it weren't for the English signboard outside and the neon lights flickering in the distance towards Flushing, Jin Muchen would have doubted whether he had ventured into a Middle Eastern war zone.
However, considering the location of this store in the relatively unsafe Queens district of New York, particularly the worst area in Queens, Sinclair, everything made sense.
If one were to observe the clientele of this establishment, it would become apparent that almost all of them were African Americans from the nearby Sinclair community, explaining the peculiar decor.
Having worked at the distribution center for a week, Jin Muchen spent his wages on eBay to purchase a used Toyota from 2000 for $500. He then began seeking a second job, which led him to this Shenji fast-food restaurant to deliver takeout.
The proprietors of Shenji fast food, the old Shen couple, welcomed Jin Muchen with open arms. Although their eatery was not located in bustling areas like Flushing or Manhattan's Chinatown, it was still quite lucrative.
Upon inspection, one would realize that the Sinclair community, composed of five main streets, was infamous for its violence—a typical African American enclave. Drugs, gangs, and violence were rampant. Consequently, no one was willing to conduct business there. In such a vast community, only the Shen couple's restaurant operated, serving authentic Chinese cuisine.
When the Shens took over the restaurant, they did so knowing full well the situation. Their experience dealing with similar situations in Detroit prepared them adequately. The restaurant was fortified, with no indoor dining area; patrons could only order takeout and had to pay upfront before leaving.
The customers were predominantly African Americans from the Sinclair area, exemplifying extravagant spending habits—never cooking at home. Additionally, given the lack of dining options in the area, the Shen couple's establishment prospered.
Even the nearby gangs reached a consensus not to extort protection money from the Shen couple, hoping to retain their services.
Recently, the Shens decided to expand their business by introducing delivery services, which led to Jin Muchen's employment. Depending on the distance, the delivery fee ranged from three to five dollars or even more.
The laziness of the local African American residents, combined with a lack of transportation, led them to frequently order takeout at night, unconcerned with the additional delivery charges.
Comparatively, the wages for this delivery job were not low. Even when compared to renowned establishments like Pizza Hut or Domino's Pizza, the compensation was competitive. However, given that Sinclair was the most dangerous area in Queens, few dared to apply, despite the Shens raising the delivery fee to five dollars per trip.
However, the few dozen dollars earned that night made more sense to many than risking their lives for a job.
New York's population was around nine million, but with the influx of black immigrants due to vague immigration policies and the bankruptcy of northern cities like Detroit and Chicago, the population surged. Recent statistics indicated that New York's population had reached over nineteen million, inching closer to twenty million.
Many described New York as a melting pot, where people from all over the world arrived, underwent cultural refinement, and eventually became the cornerstone of America. Specifically, Queens was the heart of this melting pot.
Bankrupt African Americans and immigrants from various corners of the world chose to settle in Queens upon arriving in New York, as it was the most affordable area for the socioeconomically disadvantaged.
While Asians primarily congregated in Flushing, known for its relatively safe environment, the rest of Queens belonged to African Americans and Latin Americans, with these neighborhoods being the most dangerous. Shootings were commonplace, especially at night.
Unfortunately, the police presence in these areas was minimal, with most officers concentrated in Long Island and Manhattan to protect the wealthy, leaving the fate of the African Americans and Latin Americans in these neighborhoods largely ignored.
Therefore, despite repeated wage increases, no one applied for the job, as expected.
When Jin Muchen volunteered, the Shens readily accepted, with Mr. Shen even agreeing to increase his delivery fee to six dollars and fifty cents. As the money primarily came from the local African Americans, they didn't mind, knowing that these individuals were prone to spending their money frivolously.
Indeed, the Shens' assessment of these individuals was accurate: lazy, gluttonous, and ostentatious. Despite their financial struggles, they often flaunted their wealth, unfamiliar with the concept of modesty.
With this, Jin Muchen began delivering takeout for the Shens. Aware of the risks, he initially hesitated but grew confident after his recent transformative experience. Moreover, earning $6.50 for a short delivery trip outweighed the slower income from the distribution center, with less physical exertion.
Having studied Bajiquan with his grandfather since childhood and recently resumed his practice, Jin Muchen felt sufficiently prepared. His sturdy physique, combined with martial arts training, bolstered his confidence in navigating this potentially perilous job.
He firmly believed that as long as he avoided deranged individuals wielding pepper spray, he could handle the challenges ahead.
"Xiao Jin, 30 Church Street. Two orders of beef fried rice, two fried fish, two hot dogs, a large portion of French fries, and a large bucket of cola, totaling thirty-five dollars. This is your last delivery for the day. Be careful and return soon; we have supper prepared for you!"
Mr. Shen handed the completed order to Jin Muchen through the window, expressing his fondness for the young man. Jin Muchen's boldness, resilience, and industriousness made him an invaluable asset to the restaurant.
"Got it, Uncle Shen. I'll be back in ten minutes," Jin Muchen nodded in response, accepting the delivery before heading out in his dilapidated car.
Having worked as a porter at the distribution center during the day and delivering takeout at night for over a month, Jin Muchen had familiarized himself with both environments.
The Shens held Jin Muchen in high regard, appreciating his ability to solve their business expansion dilemma. Despite the generous compensation, they believed Jin Muchen was worth every penny.
Driving towards Church Street, which was relatively safer in the Sinclair area, Jin Muchen noticed that the residents were predominantly employed African Americans.
Unlike the adjacent streets, populated by drug dealers, thieves, robbers, and gang members, Church Street was relatively peaceful. At 10:30 PM, while Manhattan was still bustling, Sinclair was already eerily quiet.
Although there were other Indian deliverymen, they seldom ventured into this area, whereas Jin Muchen had become accustomed to it after a few trips.
Except for streetlights, few houses were lit up. Groups of African American youths gathered at street corners, revealing tattoos and displaying aggressive postures, clearly indicating their unsavory character.
Jin Muchen recognized them as drug dealers and gang members.
The streets were deserted, save for scant
ily clad men and women lurking in dark corners, awaiting customers. They eyed passing cars keenly, rushing towards any vehicle that slowed down, whether to peddle drugs or themselves.