"elder brother!"
As soon as I entered the door, the two youngest children in the family ran over and threw themselves on me with tears rolling down their faces. This was Bailang's first time in prison, and the siblings were frightened when they got the news. Even though the government official who informed them repeatedly stated that Bailang would be back in two days, the fear in the hearts of the siblings did not ease in any way.
Until now when Bai Lang came home, the siblings couldn't hold back and started crying.
Bai Yuankai cried loudly, and Bai Yan was almost the same. No matter how mature the two babies are, they are still just babies.
"Okay, don't cry. It's only been two days. Didn't the prison declare you safe? What are you afraid of?"
It took a long comforting meal to coax the two little ones to peace. Then the three siblings gathered around the table and had a light meal. The meal was simple but made Bailang feel extremely at ease.
Maybe this is what we call belonging?
The next day, Bailang went to Qianfang as usual. It's only been three days since I've been here, and not much has changed here. All the decorations are going on in an orderly manner. According to the progress, it can be completely completed before the opening time prepared by Liu She.
"Congratulations to Zhentang for being released from prison!"
As soon as he arrived in the alley, Qi Zhanzhan came towards him with a congratulation. Bailang found that all thirty-two waist knives were present without missing a beat. At this time, while congratulating in unison, they bowed and raised their hands, saluting Bailang who stepped into the alley.
The leaders were Zhang Wu and Wang Bing.
"What are you doing? Let's break up. I appreciate the kindness of all brothers! The future is long, let's leave it to you later." Bai Lang returned the greeting with his hands, and at the same time, he didn't let anyone present talk to him. The posture and momentum here are quite grand. But it's not a good thing. After all, this Qianfang was supported by the big boss Liu She. He couldn't figure out the other party's temper and didn't dare to be too showy.
Bai Lang spoke, and after all, everyone had only been in contact for a short period of time, and the people below did not dare to joke, let alone disobey the ruthless Bai Zhentang, so they congratulated each other a few times and left. Only the person who was on duty today stayed and watched.
Entering his mansion, Bai Lang just sat down. Zhang Wu made tea, while Wang Bing handed a wooden box to the table in front of Bai Lang. This box looked familiar to Bai Lang. When he opened it, he found that it was exactly what he thought. There were more than sixty silver pieces neatly stacked inside.
"What does this mean?" Bailang raised his head and waited for Wang Bing to give him an explanation. How could Wang Bing get such a large amount of money?
"Zhentang, these are the brothers who put together some ideas to calm the Zhentang. You have to accept them." Wang Bing explained the origin of this box of silver tablets with a smile.
Shocked?
Bai Lang was about to say nonsense, but he immediately realized what was going on. He remembered that this kind of custom existed in the knife shop. When the superiors go to jail, when they are released from prison, the subordinates have to buy them a drink or give them a red envelope, which is called suppressing the shock. It is a kind of flattery from below to above. When you have a drink, you have to reciprocate the invitation, and when you receive money, you have to reciprocate the invitation with a drink or other gifts. There is no need to make money when you come and go, but you take care of your humanity and sophistication. Therefore, the knife shop has never stopped this.
It's just that this kind of thing is rare in Bailang's current Zhentang. After all, most of the people in prison are street wanderers or ordinary knife-wielding criminals.
Thinking of these, Bailang smiled and said, "What? Do you want to get together? Have a drink?"
"Hey, Zhentang Mingjian! Isn't it about to open for business soon? Many of the brothers below actually don't know each other very well. I'm using the Zhentang as an excuse to have a drink together to recognize each other."
As soon as he said this, Bai Lang, who actually wanted to understand, was not ready to refuse. It’s just a drink, the money in the box is definitely enough. When the time comes, he will add some more, two more hard dishes and two more jars of good wine, and the situation will surely be settled.
But before Bai Lang could speak his mind, hearty laughter and a knock on the door greeted Bai Lang.
"Shopkeeper Liu is here at Zhentang!"
Bai Lang immediately stood up and opened the door, just in time to see a smiling Liu She walking over with two waist knives.
"Greetings to Lord Snake!"
"Okay, why are you so polite? I heard that I came here to see you right after you were released from prison. Tsk tsk, the food in Xiao Cheng's house looks pretty good, and you haven't lost any weight at all!"
"Haha, Mr. Snake is joking. It's only been two days. The food at Boss Xiao's place is good enough without gaining weight." Bai Lang didn't know the other party's intention, so he followed the answer.
Liu She entered Bailang's public house and saw at a glance the wooden box that she hadn't had time to put away just now. Even the lid was still open, and there were more than sixty pieces of silver dazzling inside.
"Master Snake, these are the brothers who just got together. They are going to go out for a drink before the opening to get acquainted with each other." Bailang didn't even think about hiding it. He knew the rules, and Liu She had no reason to be unclear about them.
Sure enough, when Bai Lang said this, Liu She just nodded and was not surprised. Instead, he took out a gold piece from his pocket and put it in a wooden box.
"Master Snake, are you here?"
"Bai Lang, you are only sixteen years old. You are very young. This is your advantage and your disadvantage. Young people have potential, but sometimes it is difficult to convince others when you are young. Especially those old oil men in Qianfang, who call you in private It’s not unusual for a “baby” to be young. So, since there is such an opportunity to get to know each other, don’t go drinking. If I add some money, I’ll give it to you in the Qianfang, and you can go to the Flower House. With this money, You can save some money by reporting my name again, which is enough."
"Ah? Lord Snake, isn't this bad?" Bai Lang didn't expect Liu Snake to come out suddenly.
"What's wrong? You're all going to drink anyway. Isn't the wine in the flower house wine? Go and ask them if they would rather go to the restaurant or the flower house?" Liu She curled her lips and pointed at Zhang in the room. Wu and Wang Bing asked Bai Lang to ask, leaving Zhang and Wu scratching their heads for a while but not knowing how to answer.
Bailang didn't need to ask. The knives in the knife shop were so urinary. If they knew that the guests were going to the Flower House, their necks would probably be broken. Wouldn't they be unhappy? What made him hesitate was that he didn't know why Liu She suddenly acted so enthusiastically towards him.
But Liu She seemed to be so enthusiastic and could not refuse Bailang. He picked up the wooden box with a gold piece in it and put it in Bailang's arms.
"Okay, that's it." Liu She patted Bai Lang on the shoulder, then turned and left.
But after taking two steps, Liu She suddenly seemed to remember something, turned around and asked again: "Bailang, you have never been to Hualou, right?"
"Ah? Yes Master Snake, I have never been there."
"Have you ever tasted a woman? Or are you still a young boy?"
"this......"
"Hahaha, no need to answer, I understand! This time you just take this opportunity to try it! Remember, find a qualified girl to help you, I guarantee that it will be worth your money and you will have endless aftertaste! Hahaha ..." After joking for a while, Liu She laughed and left.
Bai Lang trembled at the corner of his mouth, really not knowing whether to cry or laugh. Liu She interrupted him so much that he actually accepted the other party's money.
"You're laughing! Is there anything else? Get out of here!" Bai Lang glared at Zhang Wu and Wang Bing, who were holding back their laughter.
