With the momentum of the wind, for him, being down for two or three months was normal; two or three days was truly light.
"What are you still standing there for? Waiting for me to treat you to a meal?"
Gu Fang’s eyes glared again, this time his tone was even ruder. The young man shuddered violently and immediately nodded repeatedly, retreating to stand beside his companions.
There weren't many of them, just four or five people. They helped up the fellow who was still groaning on the ground and all left the restaurant, casting worried glances back at Gu Fang as they went.
"Mr. Gu, this..."
The man who had been there to greet them before, the one who had been sprayed by Zhui Feng, finally managed to return to the main hall. Seeing the scene, he hurried to Gu Fang’s side and asked in a low voice.
Those who ran out were not simple folk; they were all minor tyrants from the vicinity who often ate there. However, they had never actively caused trouble in the restaurant. The owner of their establishment also had some clout, so these people dared not act out.
"It’s fine. Put the damaged items on my bill. Take us to a room!"
Gu Fang shook his head slightly and said flatly. Mi Xue stayed beside Zhang Yang, with Zhui Feng pacing near them.
As Zhang Yang walked forward, Zhui Feng lifted its head, snorted twice through its nostrils, and followed elegantly behind Zhang Yang on its hooves, heading straight for the room.
As soon as they left, the murmurs in the hall grew louder.
In truth, none of the people there had clearly seen how the previous man was sent flying. However, many, like the young man before, assumed Zhang Yang had struck the person out, as Zhang Yang’s speed had been so quick, creating an illusion for everyone.
There was another point: people had heard of horses kicking, but nobody had ever heard of a horse using its head to knock someone so far away.
This time, Zhang Yang took a 'black pot' for Zhui Feng, all because his speed was so astonishing as he rushed over.
But what astonished these people most was that after Zhang Yang and his group took action, nothing happened. Lou Wai Lou had been open for over a hundred years, and the current owner was a man of considerable influence. In the past, others had certainly caused trouble here, but no matter who made trouble on the premises, they never ended well and were absolutely thrown out by the security.
Zhang Yang was, perhaps, the first person to resort to force yet still proceed calmly inside to dine.
"Gu Fang, do you know those guys?"
After being seated, Zhang Yang asked casually. The room was large enough. Long Cheng had already spread Zhui Feng’s cashmere mat on the floor, and Zhui Feng lay down comfortably upon it.
"I know them. They are some young men who follow Old Guo. Once, we had a small spat with them while dining here, and they actually brought over twenty people to corner us. Coincidentally, Old Guo was picking us up that time; otherwise, we might have really capsized in a ditch!"
Gu Fang smiled and nodded. Those young men from before were considered rich playboys, but only the low-tier ones.
Their families were either nouveau riche or speculators, completely lacking any deep roots. Relying on a few connections with local bosses, they wreaked havoc in the region, thinking they were the greatest under heaven.
Hearing Gu Fang’s account, Zhang Yang didn't press further.
However, Zhang Yang could surmise the specific details: these youngsters must have suffered quite a bit at their hands.
Gu Fang was not someone who was easy to get along with. These playboys, frankly, all had considerable tempers. Since they had provoked him, they certainly wouldn't let the matter rest easily.
As for the 'Old Guo' Gu Fang mentioned, Zhang Yang had some recollection. He seemed to have seen this person during the Shanghai car race last time; he was with the people from Hangzhou, considered a representative of the Hangzhou elite.
Before long, a waiter brought the dishes over.
First came two hot dishes and two cold dishes—one meat and one vegetable for each hot and cold pair. The four plates weren't large but appeared exquisite.
"Dongpo Pork. Zhang Yang, come try this. I think Lou Wai Lou’s Dongpo Pork is better than their West Lake Vinegar Fish!"
Seeing a plate of Dongpo Pork that made one’s mouth water just by looking at it, Li Wei immediately stood up and pointed to the dish, saying to Zhang Yang.
At this moment, Gu Fang had just raised his wine glass. The wine was his own brought-along Feitian Maotai. Gu Fang’s self-supplied alcohol was at least guaranteed authentic, much better than the potentially fake stuff ordered from the restaurant.
"Brother, let’s have a drink first, and then eat your Dongpo Pork, alright!"
Gu Fang said helplessly. Just as he raised his glass, Li Wei had already picked up a piece of Dongpo Pork and offered one to Zhang Yang, Mi Xue, and Long Feng as well.
Long Feng and Zhang Yang’s appetites were greatly whetted by the sight of the pork, but only Mi Xue frowned slightly.
"You guys eat a little first to fill your stomachs before drinking. I can’t join you for the wine today; I have an assignment this afternoon. If I’m caught drinking, I’ll be in big trouble. I’ll substitute tea for wine, and when my assignment is done, I’ll properly drink with everyone!"
Li Wei laughed heartily, then promptly popped the Dongpo Pork from his own plate into his mouth... eating it with an expression of great enjoyment.
Gu Fang raised his glass, looking at Li Wei savoring the Dongpo Pork with delight, and shook his head, saying, "Zhang Yang, don't mind him. Let’s brothers have a few drinks first. He’s just like this; I prefer the West Lake Vinegar Fish here the most, and he loves the Dongpo Pork. He can't move when he sees Dongpo Pork!"
"The flavor of this Dongpo Pork is indeed excellent. I agree with Li Wei’s suggestion—fill up first before drinking!"
Zhang Yang raised his glass, but his other hand was already moving a piece of Dongpo Pork toward his mouth. The Dongpo Pork was rich but not greasy, melting in the mouth—truly delicious.
In fact, this wasn't Zhang Yang’s first visit to Lou Wai Lou. He had been here in his previous life and had eaten Dongpo Pork then, but the taste felt different now. He wondered if it was due to the change in era; the current batch tasted even better than before.
Long Feng also took a bite and nodded in approval.
Long Feng didn't often eat out, but he was very picky about flavors. His Long Family Plain boasted the best chefs, and everything—both flora and fauna—was purely natural, offering the most authentic taste.
It was quite rare for something to earn a nod of approval from Long Feng.
As they were talking, the waiters brought four more dishes. This time there were no cold dishes, only four hot ones—three meat and one vegetable—all signature dishes of the establishment.
One of the plates contained several Braised Lion's Heads. Upon seeing these, Li Wei, not even finished with the Dongpo Pork in his mouth, immediately reached for another one.
Gu Fang noticed that Mi Xue’s chopsticks hadn't moved much and couldn't help but remark, "Sister-in-law, why aren't you eating? This Dongpo Pork looks fatty, but it doesn't have much fat; the excess oil has been removed. Moreover, it has excellent beauty benefits. Many women come here specifically to eat the Dongpo Pork!"
"Really?"
As expected, hearing this, Mi Xue’s eyes immediately widened. Zhang Yang couldn't help but think that girls were generally like this: terrified of greasy-looking things, but their eyes lit up the moment they heard it had beauty effects.
However, eating a small amount of Dongpo Pork certainly wouldn't lead to weight gain, and it did have beauty benefits; Gu Fang wasn't lying about that point.
Mi Xue had long been drawn in by the deliciousness but had hesitated to eat due to the visible layers of fat. Now that Gu Fang had said that, she tentatively reached out her chopsticks to try a piece. After tasting it, she couldn't help but nod her head.
"I knew it! Sister-in-law, eat more. These Lion's Heads are also excellent!"
Gu Fang laughed heartily and pointed to the plate of Lion's Heads. Zhang Yang quickly picked one up for her. Besides Mi Xue, there was also a large plate in front of Zhui Feng, which Zhang Yang had placed there for the horse.
The plate contained portions of all the delicacies on the table. Zhui Feng sampled a bit of the Lion’s Head and Dongpo Pork, then curled its lips and refused to eat anything else.
Wuying, however, was feasting away beside it, clearly enjoying itself, its mouth slick with oil. As for Shandian, it ate nothing except for venomous snakes and Zhang Yang’s medicinal pills; currently, it was just lying there fast asleep.
Seeing the way Zhui Feng was tasting the Dongpo Pork and Lion's Head, Gu Fang and Zhang Wei’s eyes widened again. They had seen very robust and fast-running horses, but never a horse that ate meat.