"Like a persistent haunting!"
Qin Peiyao did not argue, but instead asked Zhao Tiezhu, "How much produce do you have here? I want it all!"
She did not care about the price. Although Taoyuan Restaurant was struggling, it was still far beyond what the average commoner could manage. An old, starving camel was still bigger than a horse, and she could afford to pay 180 per jin. She could not miss out on produce with such distinct quality.
Zhao Tiezhu was observing the man speaking. He was dressed in a purple shirt with his hair slicked back and a clutch tucked under his arm.
*What a flashy peacock,* Zhao thought. It was rare to see someone at the morning market dressed like a bootlicking collaborator.
The man’s eyes were practically trying to bore into Qin Peiyao’s neckline to get a better look. With a bulbous, alcoholic nose, a beer belly, and skin slick with sweat, his body looked completely hollowed out by booze and debauchery.
Zhao shook his head slightly and turned to Qin Peiyao. "There should be over four hundred jin here. Shall I deliver it to you?"
The thought of selling all his produce at once filled him with excitement. Before Qin Peiyao could answer, the flashy man cut in.
"Hey, where are you from? You can't sell your produce to her! You have to deliver it to the Dongrun Grand Hotel; I’ll pay double the price!"
He was arrogant and overbearing, acting as if he had the right to make decisions for Zhao Tiezhu.
Yao Si'er, standing nearby, hurried over at the sight. "Manager Wang, aren't you supposed to be buying from me? Look at how massive his vegetables are—they've definitely been pumped full of 'science and ruthless technology.' People will get sick eating that stuff!"
He did not want his big client to turn into Zhao Tiezhu’s overnight. Not to mention the double price. Thirty-six per jin? Just thinking about it made his own produce feel like garbage.
Manager Wang glanced disdainfully at Yao Si'er and sneered, "Yao Si'er, is it? I don't like being interrupted when I'm talking!"
Yao Si'er froze at those words, then stood there like a humbled grandson, glaring furiously at Zhao Tiezhu. Everything was his fault for provoking Manager Wang’s rage.
Qin Peiyao glared at Manager Wang, her voice icy. "Wang Tianyang, you’ve gone too far! Even if my restaurant goes under, I won't let you get your way!"
Even in her anger, she remained captivating. She turned to Zhao Tiezhu and said, "Sir, please don't get involved in our affairs. Just go with him. If he doesn't pay you double, you can bring it to Taoyuan Restaurant tomorrow at today's price."
In her mind, an ordinary farmer could not resist the lure of double the price. Zhao Tiezhu, who looked relatively honest, had likely traveled this far just to make extra money. Most importantly, she did not want him to offend the Dongrun Grand Hotel. The consequences would be severe.
The flashy man said triumphantly, "Qin Peiyao, you can't escape my boss's grasp. Anyone who dares to sell produce to you, I will snatch it away! In Dongzhen, who dares to stand against the Dongrun Grand Hotel? Who dares to stand against Luo Long?" He pointed a finger at Zhao Tiezhu. "You, hurry up and head to the Dongrun Grand Hotel. Stop being an eyesore here!"
He acted with such condescension, as if he were Zhao Tiezhu’s master, issuing commands at will.
Zhao Tiezhu glanced at him but ignored him. He turned to Qin Peiyao. "I’m a stubborn person. I treat anyone who gives me attitude like they’re just blowing wind. Let’s go."
It wasn't a whim; he could see that the Dongrun Grand Hotel was not a good place. At the very least, Manager Wang seemed unreliable. He’d likely find ways to cause trouble, short the weight, or drive the price down once he reached their territory. Who knew what other tricks they had up their sleeves? It was better to sell to Qin Peiyao, who understood the value of the produce; perhaps they could establish a stable channel. Only stability would give him room to grow. If you do business with small-minded people, you’ll never know how you might end up.
Hearing this, Yao Si'er looked delighted and shouted, "Kid, don't be ungrateful! The Dongrun Grand Hotel is the biggest hotel in Dongzhen. Having you supply them is an honor!"
He was hoping Zhao Tiezhu would offend the Dongrun Grand Hotel so he could have the market all to himself.
Wang Tianyang’s sneering grin instantly froze. He glared at Zhao Tiezhu and barked, "You little brat, are you sure about this?"
His tone was heavy with threats, making several vendors nearby reveal gleeful expressions. They whispered among themselves:
"Heh, this blockhead has no idea who he's talking to. You don't mess with the Dongrun Grand Hotel!"
"Oh, man, is he trying to be a hero saving a damsel? Is his brain soaked in water?"
"Sigh, he's just too young. He doesn't know how dark society is. He’ll learn once he gets his rough edges knocked off."
Watching Wang Tianyang, Zhao Tiezhu sneered inwardly, more convinced than ever that he had made the right decision.
"Shut your filthy mouth," Zhao said coldly. "If you don't know how to respect people, go back and be remade. Don't act like a big shot in front of me!"
Having been barked at time and time again, he had run out of patience.
Wang Tianyang’s face turned deep purple as he was openly insulted, his triangular eyes bulging into circles. Ever since he became the manager of the Dongrun Grand Hotel, he had never been insulted like this. Who dared to disrespect him? And yet today, at the morning market, a lowly lackey had cursed him.
His fury surged. "You filthy farmer! Do you believe me when I say I'll break your legs for selling to Taoyuan Restaurant? Kneel down and kowtow twice, then take your produce and get the hell out of Dongzhen! Don't let me ever see you again!"
His chest heaved violently as he unleashed his thunderous rage, intending to terrify Zhao Tiezhu.
Qin Peiyao stood with a cold face. "Wang Tianyang, are you engaging in bullying and market monopolization? I’m calling the police!" She had to step up to protect Zhao Tiezhu; after all, he was willing to sell her the produce.
Wang Tianyang stared viciously at Qin Peiyao. "Hmph, Qin Peiyao, I’ll make you regret this!"
He turned a venomous glare back toward Zhao Tiezhu, as if he could carve a piece of meat off him.
"What are you looking at, you peasant? I swear if I don't break both your legs today, I’ll spell my surname backward!"
"What if I *am* looking? I might as well tell you: I’m not right in the head, and I do whatever I want."
Zhao Tiezhu felt no fear; he threw the retort right back at him, then tilted his head toward Qin Peiyao. "Let’s go. I’ll deliver the produce to you."
Qin Peiyao sighed and turned to lead Zhao Tiezhu away.
Wang Tianyang was beyond furious. He pointed at Zhao Tiezhu and roared, "You son of a bitch! No one has ever dared to curse me and live! I’m going to smash your produce!"
He lunged forward, raised his clutch, and swung it toward the pile of tomatoes.
At that, Zhao Tiezhu snapped.
He flashed to Wang Tianyang’s side and slapped him hard across the face.
*Smack!*
Wang Tianyang’s body tumbled like a broken sack, staggering backward until he lost his footing and landed flat on a pile of rotten vegetables.
Zhao Tiezhu charged over and pressed his right foot onto Wang Tianyang’s chest. He leaned down and whispered, "Don't force my hand. I have a tumor in my brain, and I don't have many days left. You want to play tough with me?"
*Smack!*
Another slap landed on the other side of his face!
Wang Tianyang’s mouth split, his eyelid tore, and he spat blood. He never imagined he would be beaten by a lowly peasant. Seeing himself pinned under the man’s foot, his heart nearly jumped out of his chest with rage.
An unprecedented sense of humiliation washed over him. Just as he was about to spit out a threat, two more slaps landed.
"Don't let me see you again. If you do, I don't mind taking a few people down with me!"
After the warning, Zhao Tiezhu climbed onto his tricycle and rode off with Qin Peiyao.
The onlookers had been stunned into silence while Wang Tianyang was being beaten, and no one dared to intervene. Only after the terrifying Zhao Tiezhu had left did Yao Si'er trot over, struggling to help Wang Tianyang to his feet.
"That kid doesn't know his place, Manager Wang. Don't lower yourself to his level."
He meant well, but it only infuriated Wang Tianyang further. Wang shoved Yao Si'er aside, kicked him a few times, and cursed loudly:
"Get the hell away from me! Are you here to laugh at me? I’ll show him—I’m going to kill him! Do I need you to help me up? Can't I get up on my own? And what are all of you looking at?"