The lunchtime affair was quite chaotic; everyone insisted on crowding into the kitchen to help, but the space was so tiny that once two or three people were in, there was no room left to turn around. Moreover, Fang Yanmeng, Xiao Chuchu, Yi Xiaorou, and the others had no clue about housework, so they only made things messier the more they tried to assist.

Finally, under my firm command, Zhao Fen and Zhao Fang were tasked with the main responsibilities, while the rest were ordered to sit obediently in the living room to wait. I myself slipped back into my room to watch adult films on the advanced mobile phone that Xiaoyudi had given me.

Once the location for Huanyu Communications was definitely selected and the massive server room established, the first batch of 36 satellites would be launched simultaneously. Only then would this mobile phone of mine be able to function to its full potential; currently, I was using a regular SIM card, which offered very poor confidentiality.

Because the roads were slippery, Dad didn't come home for lunch. It was fortunate he didn't, as even without him, the living room was still packed shoulder-to-shoulder. After a lively meal, everyone dispersed quickly; each person had tasks awaiting them. Although it was nearing the end of the year, everyone had work to do, leaving me alone to retreat back to my room to watch adult films again.

On the morning of the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month, my mother woke me up bright and early. With only three days left until New Year's Eve, we needed to buy the necessary festive goods, and my job was to tag along as the porter.

On the way to the farmers' market, my mother interrogated me thoroughly about the six girls from yesterday, from head to toe. I confessed everything I could to her, and in the end, she asked me which one I truly liked. I couldn't figure it out all the way there; oh well, I'll just let things take their course. The path will reveal itself when the cart reaches the mountain.

Only now did I realize how industrious the people of Longguo were. Despite the freezing cold early morning, the farmers' market was teeming with people and buzzing with noise. Vendors selling offal tossed the rock-hard frozen innards all over the ground and shouted loudly, "Cheap intestines!"

Meanwhile, vegetable sellers, taking advantage of customers' inattention, hid under their counters, sneaking rotten vegetables into bunches of good ones. The mutton slice vendor shouted, "Genuine Inner Mongolian lamb!" even though they themselves had no idea if the slices were truly pure.

Near the market entrance, there was a branch office of the State Bank with a 24-hour ATM. I withdrew five thousand yuan, the maximum daily limit, from my card and handed it to my mother.

My mother was both delighted and worried. "Son, when did you save up so much money? I thought you had spent all your wages dealing with those girls."

I reassured her, "Mom, don't worry, just use it. When the bank opens, I'll withdraw another fifty thousand for you. Your son is making money in business now. In the future, tell Dad to stop working so hard; maybe he should even quit that job. Seeing him work day and night breaks my heart."

My mother was quite touched. "It wasn't for nothing raising you for over twenty years; you finally care about your dad. If you really have fifty thousand, I'll save it for you first, and when you buy a bigger house in the future, you won't have to worry about how many girlfriends you bring home."

Sweat. Did Mom really think that?

"Mom, if you want to change houses, I have some money here. It's enough to buy a decent place. How about I withdraw a million for you later, and you and Dad can buy a house wherever you like."

"What? What? A million? Did I hear that right? Where did you get so much money? Can you really earn that much selling Iron Bull Tofu?"

It seemed I had scared my mother. I had to steel myself and say, "Yes, that stuff is incredibly profitable, and orders are flooding in from all over the country daily. We've struck it rich."

"Oh my, then I'll never buy your tofu again! I thought the price was cheap, but I never realized the profit margin was so huge."

Bad. I couldn't let Mom become a source of negative publicity. "Mom, it's not quite what you imagine. Actually, the price of Iron Bull Tofu is slightly lower than similar products. Plus, since we make everything by hand, the processing costs are extremely high, leaving very little profit. Most of this money was actually a bonus given to me by General Manager Hua for helping her research a few projects."

"Oh, is that so."

I wiped the sweat from my forehead; I had managed to get past that one.

"What projects are you researching for her? You weren't this diligent or studious before. If you had worked this hard in high school, you would have gotten into university."

"Mom, just know that your son is very capable, please don't ask any more questions. Let's hurry up and buy groceries, or everyone else will snap up the good stuff, and we'll be left with the rotten ones."

"Oh, I almost let you distract me from the main business. I need to tell you, Zhao Qian, what Mom likes best are actually Zhao Fen and Zhao Fang..."

With five thousand yuan tucked in her pocket, Mom shopped generously, but it was a (coolie/hard laborer) job for me. I should have found a few helpers. But just as I thought of it, it happened: at the poultry section, I ran into Zhu Da. He looked like a young master out for a morning stroll with his bird, with Taozi perched on his shoulder, swaying from one end of the market to the other.

I walked up and kicked him. "Commander Zhu, what are you doing, walking your cat? Hurry up and lend a hand."

"Damn... it's you, Commander Zhao. I thought you were some ruffian. What are you up to, a village raid by the devils?"

Zhu Da said this while helping me carry a few bags of groceries. Taozi took the opportunity to jump onto my shoulder and said to me, "Boss, I'm moving into your place. That fat slob watches adult films on my computer all day, costing me a lot of money in stock market income these past few days."

I sent a telepathic signal: "Fine. I'm bored anyway; at least we'll have someone to talk to at night."

While I was bantering with Zhu Da and Taozi, my mother was arguing with someone on the other side.

"You can't stuff this many chicken butts and rotten heads and feet into a whole chicken if you're selling 'white-bone' chicken! How are we supposed to eat this at home?"

"Chicken butts are more nutritious! Chicken heads and feet sell for more separately. Don't try to play innocent after getting a bargain. Hurry up and move, don't block my business."

"I don't want a chicken like this. Keep the chicken and give me my money back."

"You old hag, I'm telling you, there's no returning what I sell! Don't think you can bully me just because I'm new here and don't know anyone. I know people in the underworld; if you're not sensible, I'll just ruin you."

Damn it, there are truly shameless people. Even a vendor selling simple chickens dares to bully me. I was just about to smash his stall when Zhu Da moved faster than me. He snatched up a pig's trotter, frozen solid as a rock, jumped into the vendor's stall, and started beating him severely.

"I curse your ancestors! Do you think I'm deaf and blind? If you want to swindle someone, look clearly first!"

The vendor selling chickens had never encountered such a fierce character, and Zhu Da's movements were fluid. Before he could react, he was already half-dazed from being hit by the pig's trotter.

My mother was kind-hearted. Seeing that the vendor's head and nose were bleeding from Zhu Da's blows, she quickly pulled Zhu Da back. "Big Bear (Zhu Da's nickname), stop hitting him! If you kill him, you'll go to jail."

Zhu Da gave the vendor one last vicious kick with the trotter before letting go, still cursing, "Damn it, believe it or not, I'll grind your bones to dust! Don't think you can run rampant just because you know a few thugs. I'm telling you, I even know the Chairman of the Military Commission (though Zhu Da had never actually met Chairman Li, he had only heard me mention him)."

Since his parents passed away, Zhu Da had always stayed at our house during the holidays, and my mother never treated him like an outsider; she was almost like a second mother to him. Thus, sometimes she could be merciless in her criticism of him.

"Big Bear! Don't bother with these people; it's not worth it. Let's just leave without buying anything." My mother feared these people had backup, and if it came to a real fight, we might be outnumbered.

Zhu Da checked the pig's trotter to ensure it wasn't stained with blood before putting it back in the bag. However, he didn't just let the matter drop because my mom told him to. After all, he was a veteran of major confrontations; two months ago, that night, thousands of troops charged towards them, and even General Tan Zhong had to behave after Zhu Da yelled at him. Would he be intimidated by this petty vendor?

Smack! Zhu Da threw the frozen chicken with the stuffing onto the counter. "How much money? Refund it immediately, or I'll beat you again. I run a business too, but I never do dishonest work. If you keep acting like this, you'll starve to death eventually."

The vendor lay on the ground, wanting to curse but not daring to, as Zhu Da was much larger than him. But having suffered a loss, he wouldn't give up so easily. He pulled out his phone and called a buddy.

"Hello, Brother Lang? Someone beat me up; I'm at the farmers' market. Hurry up and bring people over."

Zhu Da grabbed the stuffed chicken from the counter and hurled it at the vendor. "Hey, you little punk, you still have some fight left in you, huh? You dare call for backup? Your grandpa isn't afraid of you!"

The vendor dodged Zhu Da's attack. He didn't counterattack but hid deep behind the counter and shouted defiantly, "Good kid, don't you dare leave! When Brother Lang gets here, he'll chop you to pieces!"

Zhu Da sat down firmly on the counter. "Who's a coward is whose damn grandson!"

I didn't stop them, thinking that having something to do was better than hiding at home watching adult films. But Mom wouldn't allow it and insisted I drag Zhu Da away. As we argued, a group of people aggressively entered the market from outside.

"Who beat up Xiao Qiang!" shouted the leader, presumably Brother Lang.

Zhu Da pounded his chest. "Your grandpa did!"

The group confirmed their target and, without another word, swoosh, drew long-bladed knives from their bulky cold-weather jackets. Seeing the blades drawn, Zhu Da leaped up, snatched Taozi from my shoulder, and held the cat up toward the crowd. "You guys put down your knives, or I'll let the cat loose!"

What the hell. What kind of hero does this? I thought Zhu Da would step up to fight a few rounds, but he was using Taozi as a shield!

Hahaha... the other side nearly burst out laughing. They had heard of people releasing dogs when they couldn't win a fight, but releasing a cat was a first.

One of the underlings couldn't resist and charged forward, swinging his machete. But in the blink of an eye, there was a flash, followed by intense pain in his wrist. He couldn't hold onto the blade anymore; clang, it dropped to the ground.

Taozi bit through the guy's tendons and hopped back onto my shoulder, saying to me, "See, Boss? That fat slob is just that kind of person. I am absolutely separating from him. If you think I'm bothering you and the girls, I'd rather sleep on your couch."

Zhu Da smirked smugly. "Do you know the power of my Divine Cat? Who else dares to challenge us!"

None of these people saw how it happened, and of course, none of them believed in a divine cat. They thought the underling had gone crazy and hacked himself, so two more underlings approached, raising their machetes.

I said to Zhu Da, "Hero Zhu, it's time for you to unleash your mighty power and take care of them all."

Zhu Da flushed. "Commander Zhao, you should make a move when necessary. Old Zhu here hasn't gotten married yet. If they disfigure me, I'll be a lifelong bachelor."

My mother slapped me. "What time is it to joke around? Go help Big Bear!"

I quickly stepped forward and pulled Zhu Da behind me, telling him, "You old man, stand back. If your face gets scarred, I won't be able to afford your bride."

The two underlings were enraged by our casual demeanor and lunged at us. Just as I was about to deliver a crippling kick to each of them, a sharp whistling sound pierced the air behind my ear. A large steel spike shot out with fierce wind toward the two thugs charging forward.

Thwack! It pierced the first person's wrist and then hit the second man's arm. Both screamed like slaughtered pigs; they couldn't hold onto their blades, let alone attack anyone.

"Old Zhu, where are your groceries? Didn't you ask me to drive over and pick up the New Year's goods?" Xia Huren's voice sounded from behind.

Zhu Da smiled sheepishly. "We haven't bought them yet. We ran into Commander Zhao halfway and made him pull the cart for heavy lifting. We stumbled upon these blind idiots and were just about to teach them a good lesson when Tiger here stole the first kill."

Xia Huren laughed and didn't argue. Having spent so much time together, everyone knew Zhu Da's character. I introduced Xia Huren to my mother. My mother happily exclaimed, "Are you Xia Huren whom Zhao Qian often wrote about when he was in the army? Oh my, when did you get to Beijing? Why didn't you let Auntie know? Where are you staying?"

Xia Huren replied, "I'm staying with Zhu Da and the others."

My mother said, "Of course, Big Bear's place is spacious, and there are no adults to supervise them, so you all naturally like to go there. But today, you absolutely cannot leave. Everyone come to Auntie's house for lunch. Zhao Qian received a lot of care from you when he was in the military, and Auntie must treat you to a meal."

"There are two more people at home," Xia Huren said hesitantly.

My mother said cheerfully, "Call them both over, call them over! They aren't outsiders. What's wrong with having a meal at Auntie's house?"

"Everyone, advance together and chop them to death!" Brother Lang, driven mad by anger, commanded the remaining underlings to charge forward.

Before we could make a move, five figures flashed out from the surrounding crowd. In a few quick moves, they disarmed the gang, breaking their limbs, and kicked them into the ditch one by one. Alas, using five super-soldiers against such petty thugs was truly overkill.

These five people actually understood my situation; they just nodded slightly to me and then melted back into the crowd and disappeared. I was worried they might call me "Big Brother," making my mother suspect I was involved with the underworld. If that happened, it would be disastrous, and my confinement time might be extended indefinitely. Thankfully, no one spoke, and my mother assumed they were good Samaritans.

The vendor selling 'white-bone' chicken was completely dumbfounded and didn't dare say another word. He threw the money onto the counter and ran off without even taking his goods.

"Yeah!" Mida shouted. "They're too green to fight us. Let's go buy groceries! We're having a feast at Auntie's place for lunch today."

Having a vehicle made things easier. We loaded all the groceries we bought onto the delivery truck from the Tofu Company. Before we could finish the second round of shopping, we were stopped by several neighborhood patrolmen.

"Were you the ones causing trouble in the market just now?" the leader of the patrolmen asked.

I replied, "We were there, yes, but we weren't causing trouble. That chicken vendor was not only cheating people but also gathered gangsters to attack us. Teaching them a small lesson was the least of it."

"But you injured people, correct? Alright, I am now formally notifying you that you are under criminal detention. Come with us to the police station."

Zhu Da wasn't polite with them at all. "Damn it, do you guys have any sense of reason? They came at us with machetes; should we just stand there and let them hack us?"

A kind vegetable seller whispered a few words to my mother. Her expression changed, and she quietly told me, "Zhao Qian, let's just say a few soft words and leave. They are colluding with the chicken vendor and those guys. All the vegetable sellers here have been bullied by them; we can't afford to offend them."

"Mom, don't worry. Your son isn't that spineless. No one in this world can bully us, absolutely no one!"

The patrolman said, "As far as we know, you were the ones causing trouble, smashing someone's stall unreasonably while they were doing honest business. If you don't leave now, don't blame us for being impolite."

Zhu Da retorted, "Damn it, if I don't expose you guys, you won't even know your own surnames. I'm calling the TV station right now; let's have a good debate."

"So what if the TV station comes? Don't forget we are auxiliary police; the TV station won't expose government affairs."

Zhu Da had already connected the call by this time. "Hello, we are at XX Farmers' Market. Are you coming? Good, I'm telling you, Zhao Qian is here... You're fast! Remember to bring all your crew; there's a great news story waiting for you here."

The patrolmen were clearly intimidated. The leader yelled, "Hurry up and come with us; don't make us use force."

Seeing that no one moved, he and another patrolman tried to grab me, as I had been the most well-behaved from start to finish and had a good image; perhaps they thought I was an easy target.

Unfortunately, before I could act, Xia Huren made his move. He didn't strike severely, merely gripping their vital pressure points, rendering them unable to move.

The situation remained at a stalemate for a few minutes until louder commotion was heard from outside, followed by a group of people rushing in carrying cameras and microphones.

"Excuse me, what is happening here?" the reporter asked.

The patrolmen hadn't expected reporters to actually arrive. One sharp one shouted, "They are disrupting market order and refusing to comply with management. We are performing our duties according to the law!"

Zhu Da kicked him aside, then straightened his clothes and spoke seriously to the camera:

"Dear viewers, I missed you all so much. You should still remember that my name is Zhu Da, Da as in 'Fada' (developed), I am 24 years old, unmarried, and I own a villa..." Zhu Da had been on TV once before at the alumni association dinner, and now he was back.

Xiao Chuchu arrived gracefully. She pushed Zhu Da out of the camera view and then pulled me forward. "Brother Zhu, couldn't you let Zhao Qian have this opportunity? Didn't you get enough exposure when I advertised for the tofu factory?"

Zhu Da blushed sheepishly. The reporters then started asking me questions. I pretended to be serious. "I am an ordinary citizen. Today, while buying vegetables at the market, I encountered a dishonest vendor and suffered a loss. Furthermore, when I tried to reason with the vendor, I was besieged by members of the underworld. Fortunately, we have some means of self-defense. Yet, the so-called public servants, who were absent when our interests were being harmed, appeared only after we had resolved the issue, and they are now claiming we broke the law. We find this extremely perplexing and frustrating."

The reporter then said, "There are conflicting accounts—one side claims lawful governance, the other claims collusion between officials and merchants. Let's hear what the masses have to say."

Although I knew these reporters ultimately had to listen to Xiao Chuchu, I was reluctant to cause more trouble. Everyone in the crowd was terrified of these thugs, so few would dare speak the truth. However, with Taozi present, they would have to speak even if they didn't want to.

As expected, under Taozi's mental control, the testimonies from the crowd were exaggerated to the extreme, making the opposing group roll their eyes in anger. They wanted to retort but were held firmly in check by Xia Huren.

"That's all for now, dear viewers. We will continue to investigate the truth of the matter and report the situation here to the relevant authorities. We hope the government can provide a satisfactory answer soon."

The reporters gathered some additional details, including the situation when my mother bought the 'white-bone' chicken, and then they packed up their cameras, preparing to go to the Market Management Office for more information. The patrolmen exchanged nervous glances. They hadn't expected the national television station to take it so seriously. More people were gathering now, and they were in the wrong. Soon, the patrolmen quietly dispersed. If this matter truly blew up, they would be in serious trouble if higher-ups investigated.

My mother quietly asked me, "So Chuchu is a reporter? That's good. Officials are afraid of reporters exposing things now; they have to show respect when they see a reporter. But being a reporter is also very dangerous for a young girl."

I comforted her, "Mom, don't worry. If others are in danger, she definitely won't be."

Zhu Da interjected, "She’s the daughter of a National Television executive, Auntie. Do you think she’d be in any danger?"

Xiao Chuchu gave instructions to the reporters before coming over. "Brother Zhu, what bad things were you saying about me again?"

Zhu Da replied, "How dare I? I only praise you in front of Zhao Qian."

Women have a natural affinity for shopping for groceries, just like clothes. With Xiao Chuchu advising her, plus the five thousand yuan I sponsored, this shopping trip was extremely fruitful and successful.

To express our gratitude, lunch that day certainly included Xiao Chuchu. Zhu Da volunteered to drive back to pick up the Village Chief and Ersha. Xiao Chuchu gave her Mercedes key to Zhu Da, and she squeezed into Xia Huren's delivery truck with us.

"Can you hold me? Can you make some room so others can sit?" Xiao Chuchu pleaded in a pitiful yet dignified manner.

Though I was reluctant to do so in front of my mother and Xia Huren, Xiao Chuchu's eyes held a distinct glint of slyness; I suspected if I refused, she’d only resort to tormenting me with the DV tape again. Fine, I’d sit—after all, my mother knew she was my girlfriend, for now.

It was a double-row box truck. My mother and Xia Huren sat in the front. The back was piled high with our purchases, leaving precious little space. It was tight, but two could squeeze in. Still, Xiao Chuchu smiled and settled right onto my lap.

Her weight was light, her body smelled sweet, her waist was slender, and her chest felt full against me. My legs trembled slightly, and my lower self grew restless.

“Zhao Qian, I’m planning to shoot a short DV film. Will you be the male lead?”

The fright made my legs jump again. After just having done one, do it again? “I have no acting talent. You should hire a proper actor.”

“This is a short film about romance between a man and a woman. I don’t like acting opposite other male leads. Will you agree or not? You were so invested in the last one you did.”

Zhu Da, up front, overheard and immediately pressed, “Commander Zhao, when did you shoot a DV film? Why didn’t you let us watch? That’s really unfair of you.”

My mother chimed in, “Yes, Zhao Qian, your father and I have noticed you’re keeping a lot of things from us.”

Xiao Chuchu pinched my leg lightly. “Everyone is waiting for your answer. Say yes or no.”

“Yes!” I knew if I said no, this girl Xiao Chuchu might just make my private scenes public.

Xiao Chuchu told those in front, “Zhao Qian’s first work was terrible. Everyone can just watch his second one instead.”

The others moved the New Year’s goods downstairs to the storage room. After sitting upstairs for a while longer, Zhu Da arrived with the Village Head and Er Sha. Oddly, Zhu Da looked slightly plumper than before.

I grinned. “What’s up, Commander Zhu? Sneaking home to eat Ginseng Fruit? Developing so quickly all of a sudden.”

Zhu Da wore a miserable expression. “Don’t even mention it. That Brother Lang from before is part of the Brotherhood Alliance. They haven’t changed their ways and ambushed me right outside my house. I got punched the second I stepped out of the car. If it weren't for Rat Soldier, the Village Head, and Er Sha arriving just in time, they probably would have torn me limb from limb.”

Smack! I slammed the table so hard it nearly splintered. My mother and Xiao Chuchu peered out from the kitchen, terrified into silence.

The two women returned to their busy work. I turned to Xia Huren. “Gather the men. Tonight, we wipe out the Brotherhood Alliance. Their constant provocations—it’s time to clean them out.”

Zhu Da threw himself at me. “Great, Commander Zhao! I’ve been waiting for you to say that. I think the few of us should go personally. Those little bastards don't need an army.”

Just then, Taozi transmitted the intelligence she’d gathered on the Brotherhood Alliance to me. I told Zhu Da, “The Brotherhood Alliance has over two thousand members, hundreds of key leaders, and deep connections within various government departments. If it’s just the few of us, who knows how long that will take? Are we even celebrating the New Year?”

Zhu Da nodded. “That’s true. Now that you mention it, I’m a little scared. Can we really handle such a deeply entrenched criminal gang?”

I clenched my fist. “We can handle them. I am now officially announcing the establishment of the Red Dragon Security Company. We’ll worry about the business license later. Our very first mission is to pull out this major thorn in our side, the Brotherhood Alliance. Their repeated provocations—the situation has reached a point where we can no longer tolerate it!”

Xia Huren caught the slip in my wording, but unlike Zhu Da, he just smiled slightly. “Old Qian, you’ve changed.”

“Oh?” I asked Xia Huren. “How so?”

Xia Huren said, “Since that night, you’ve become decisive and forceful in your actions. You’re not just enduring or backing down when you can anymore.”

I stated firmly, “There are some things a man has to face, so I won’t retreat anymore. We will repay those who are good to us tenfold, and we will decisively eliminate those who act maliciously against us!”

Xia Huren admired this kind of character the most. Back in the military, he had often tried to persuade me privately, but I hadn't experienced society deeply enough then, nor did I possess the necessary power to enforce this creed, so it always fizzled out. But now, the Zhao family has produced a true man. From now on, those who follow me will prosper, and those who oppose me will perish!

“How is the search for the company premises coming along?” I asked Xia Huren.

Xia Huren replied, “Yesterday afternoon, we learned of a six-story office building downtown that is available for lease. Xu Wenqiang and Lu Bing met with the manager last night, and he agreed to let us move in first, but the paperwork can only be processed after the Spring Festival because their company is already on holiday.”

“It would be best to buy it. We’re not short on money now, and it saves the hassle of paying rent every year. Everyone gather there tonight. This counts as the company’s first official operation; I hope for an auspicious start.”

Xia Huren checked his watch and said to me, “It’s still early until lunchtime. I’ll go out and make arrangements.”

Zhu Da loudly demanded, “I absolutely must participate in tonight’s operation, and count Red Dragon Security in too.”

I told him, “You can go to tonight’s operation, but you have to stay behind us. The Brotherhood Alliance isn’t just a bunch of street thugs; there’s likely to be gunfire. You won’t be part of Red Dragon Security for now; I’ll arrange something for you when a suitable mission comes up.”

Zhu Da knew his limits and wisely kept quiet. It wasn't that I didn't want to help Zhu Da improve, but I didn't want his personality coupled with too much ability. He already loves stirring up trouble; if he had superpowers too, wouldn't he try to take over heaven? Still, his temperament is actually quite suited for organized crime.

Xia Huren and the Village Head left together. Zhang Er Sha just stared blankly at the television. I went to find the red ointment to treat Zhu Da’s wounds, only to discover we were out at home.

Zhu Da pulled out the key to the Mercedes, grinning sheepishly. “Let’s go to the hospital. Why not use a good car when we have one? I haven’t driven it enough yet.”