Finally, someone blurted out the truth, but the five or six guys in City Administrator uniforms across the street were not frightened. The leader leisurely pulled out a City Administrator's ID from his pocket and waved it in front of everyone, coldly laughing, "Look clearly, this is a legitimate work ID. If anyone of you dares to talk nonsense, don't blame us for being rude! Start paying now, pay according to how good your stall does, starting at five hundred yuan, and more if the business is doing well!"
These words reignited the crowd's anger—it was clearly robbery. One had to wonder if there was anything easier to make money from. A minimum of five hundred yuan, nonetheless. Yet, the people were too angry to speak up, each clenching their fists. The five or six men dispersed, starting to collect money. The leader walked towards Liu Momo's family's barbecue stall and demanded, "You, pay up!"
"How... how much should we pay?" Mrs. Liu nervously asked.
