Chapter 423: Chapter 304: Committing a Crime Against the Wind Is Courting Death
The bearded man and his group were members of a gang in Dongwu City called the Cyan Stone Gang.
If they had lost their tempers just now and, in their attempt to teach a lesson to the young man who ruined their fun, clashed with the onlookers and beat them up on the spot, the situation would have gotten out of hand. It would have spiraled out of control.
The authorities had just issued a warning, and if they had beaten up bystanders in the street right after, it would have been a blatant defiance of the law—a slap in the face to the authorities.
When that happened, the authorities would certainly not be lenient, and the Cyan Stone Gang would be implicated as well.
When the constables from the authorities came to hold them accountable, the Cyan Stone Gang’s Leader would have to spend a considerable amount of money on bribes to smooth things over.
Moreover, even if he spent the money to resolve the issue, if the constables insisted on taking the culprits away, the Gang Leader of the Cyan Stone Gang wouldn’t protect them.
The authorities always gave "special attention" to those who brazenly defied the law.
The group would inevitably take a trip to the jail cells to enjoy some of that "special attention."
Seeing the looks of lingering fear on his foolish underlings’ faces, the bearded man nodded in satisfaction. ’These idiots,’ he thought, ’finally realize what a terrible disaster they nearly caused.’
Although the bald goon understood, he was still unwilling to let it go. After all, he had been in the Cyan Stone Gang for several years and had never been humiliated like this.
So, he quietly asked his boss a question.
"Boss, that... that kid was incredibly arrogant. He completely disrespected us. Are we just going to let it slide?"
"Of course we can’t just let it slide. It’s always been our Cyan Stone Gang bullying others, not the other way around," the bearded man said, his tone dark.
"But the authorities are keeping a close eye on gangs like ours right now..." one of them said.
"The authorities said we’re not allowed to brawl in the streets and cause a major disturbance."
"We could find a secluded spot to teach that kid a lesson," an underling suggested, struck by a sudden idea.
"Exactly. You’re right," the bearded man praised the quick-witted underling. The latter, seeing his boss praise him, scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.
"You two, follow that carriage in a bit. Find out where that bastard who ruined our fun lives. Once we know his address, we’ll find a chance to teach him a lesson later."
The bearded man pointed at the bald goon and another underling, giving the order to tail them.
"Right, Boss." The two underlings nodded. They walked out of the alley just as the carriage Lin Li was in passed by them, and they immediately gave chase.
Seeing his two underlings follow the carriage, the bearded man turned to the rest and said, "Let’s take the unconscious Liu back and get him settled first..."
"Right, Boss."
***
"Driver, you can stop here," Lin Li, who was sitting inside the carriage, called out to the driver as he looked through the window and saw the restaurant was not far away.
"Whoa."
Hearing Lin Li’s call, the driver pulled on the reins and brought the carriage to a stop.
After the carriage came to a steady halt, Lin Li got out. When he was about to take out money to pay the fare, the driver quickly waved his hands, refusing.
"Sir, you were a huge help to me just now. I can’t possibly take your money."
Lin Li nodded upon hearing this. He then bid the driver farewell and turned to walk toward the nearby restaurant.
Since it wasn’t mealtime yet, there weren’t many customers in the restaurant.
When Lin Li walked into the restaurant, a waitress immediately came up to him.
"Mr. Lin, you’re here! Long time no see." This was the same waitress who had been by the restaurant owner Wang Gui’s side during their previous transaction, so she recognized him the moment he walked in.
’Long time no see? It hasn’t actually been that long since our last transaction...’ Lin Li muttered to himself inwardly.
He knew this was just a polite pleasantry, so he smiled and nodded at the waitress before getting straight to the point and stating his purpose.
"I’ve come this time to purchase a batch of pearls. Is Shopkeeper Wang in?"
The waitress was taken aback for a moment. ’The last pearl transaction was only a few days ago,’ she thought. ’He’s back to buy more so soon? Are those worthless things really selling that well?’
"The Shopkeeper went on a long trip for business. He won’t be back for a few days." The waitress’s daze didn’t last long. After snapping out of it, she immediately smiled and explained to Lin Li.
"Is that so? My timing is really off. I’ll come back in a few days to see Shopkeeper Wang." Hearing that Wang Gui was away, Lin Li felt his timing was indeed poor. Slightly disappointed, he said this and turned to leave.
"Mr. Lin, please wait," the waitress called out, seeing him about to leave.
Lin Li turned to look at her. Just then, he heard the waitress say, "Before the Shopkeeper left, he gave me instructions."
"He said that if you, Mr. Lin, came to purchase pearls while he was away, I should handle the transaction."
’Shopkeeper Wang is so thorough. I guess this trip wasn’t a waste after all. But for him to entrust a waitress with this kind of transaction... their relationship must be unusual,’ Lin Li thought. He smiled at the waitress and said, "Then I’ll have to trouble you."
"Not at all, Mr. Lin. May I ask, how many pearls do you need this time?"
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