Chapter 2: Hu Tailai

This brother Hu also takes his leave without seeing off! Wang Xiaojun turned around and was about to return to the house

Hu Tailai was instantly filled with anticipation. He spread his fists and struck a pose, saying, "I apologize for any offense!" His upper arm slightly bent, and his biceps immediately took on a graceful shape resembling an arch bridge

Hu Tailai immediately resembled an eggplant struck by frost, and Old Li said: "Are you still going to hit us? If you don't, we will!"

Hu Tailai said with a flushed face: "I left in a hurry this time and forgot to bring money. If it is convenient for you, could you lend me some travel expenses? I will definitely pay you back in the future"

Wang Xiaojun appeared to be overjoyed and gleefully relishing the misfortune: "Not at all! Don't say you can't find it, I can't find it either!"

The burly man with a scar on his forehead cast a sidelong glance at Xie Junjun and said: "You are the boss Xie?"

Wang Xiaojun sighed and said, "So you came to stir up trouble, didn't you?"

Wang Xiaojun slapped his thigh and said, "I knew you didn't bring it! Are you here to cause trouble or to rob us?"

Wang Xiaojun exclaimed in despair: "Do you really want to see my brains splattered everywhere?"

At this moment, there were already a few people standing across the street watching the commotion. The barbershop was in complete disarray, with customers wrapped in scarves being driven out. At the entrance, two menacing-looking hulks were using baseball bats to smash the glass on the door one by one, while three others were inside vandalizing. Several apprentices and helpers wanted to intervene but dared not do so, lingering hesitantly at the entrance.

Hu Tailai said: "Little brother, it seems that you are the only one from the Iron Palm Gang here. If you are ready, I will not hold back!"

Xie Junjun said with a forced bravado: "It is I."

"That... please wait a moment..." Hu Tailai said softly, lowering his head

Shaolin

Old Wang nodded and said: "This is indeed true; that old man seems to have completely forgotten that he has such a grandson."

Wang Xiaojun exclaimed, "You are really enjoying the spectacle, aren't you!"

The scar-faced man sneered and said, "Do you know who you have offended?"

Got it! The three burly men in the shop let out a wicked laugh, each pulling out a pair of thick garden shears to sever all visible wires, whether from clippers, hair dryers, or curling irons, at the root.

Hu Tailai seemed to be at a loss for words, clumsily stating: "You say it is, then it is."

With a chuckle, he said: "Smashing someone's shop and stealing someone's wife are the same thing; only when the rightful owner shows up is there a good show to watch"

Shouldn't we call the police? I forgot which pocket I put the business cards those two police officers gave me.

Old Li said leisurely: "These sons of bitches have such bad intentions, it's just like stuffing cotton rope into Wang Xiaojun's lock."

Wang Xiaojun said, "Don't blame me for not helping you. Have you seen my large courtyard?" He gestured around with his shoulders, "The water and electricity bills alone must be quite substantial each month, right? My entire income now relies on those three old men and the handsome guy in the house. I am willing but unable to help."

Oh, you didn't bring any money? That's alright. If you go out and turn left, you'll find the Agricultural Bank; if you turn right, you'll find the Industrial and Commercial Bank—surely you have your card with you, right?

Upon seeing Xie Junjun, he was still out of breath and said, "Hurry and take a look, someone is smashing your barbershop!"

Hu Tailai ignited a glimmer of hope: "Are several of the seniors also people of the jianghu? I wonder which sect or faction they belong to?"

Wang Xiaojun sighed and said, "Well, it doesn't matter; we simply can't afford dumplings—why don't you stay here for now"

Xie Junjun glanced at the burly man at the door, her fair face involuntarily shivered slightly, and she instinctively asked, "What is going on?"

Old Wang expressed his disappointment, saying: "What kind of ridiculous rule is this? How can we establish a gang or a faction if we are not allowed to engage in physical confrontations?"

Hu Tailai shook his head: "No, the dumplings won't be cooked!"

... ...

As soon as Xie Junjun appeared, the apprentices immediately surrounded her, shouting in unison: "Master!"

Hu Tailai : " ... ... "

Seeing the commotion, Wang Xiaojun and the three old men in the room hurriedly followed Xie Junjun's steps towards the front door. Hu Tailai noticed that one or two of them were drenched in sweat and couldn't help but say: "This big brother is quite enthusiastic"

No! Tears welled up in Xie Junjun's eyes as she waved her hands, seemingly ready to rush forward and fight desperately. However, upon seeing the clubs in the hands of the strong men, her feet instinctively slowed down a beat, just in time to be stopped by her disciples. Only her long hair danced in the wind, a sight that was truly pitiful. That said, the despicable tactics employed by the other side were indeed more infuriating than mere violence and theft.

Can you still remember me a little?" Wang Xiaojun groped all over his body

Xie Junjun was momentarily taken aback, and the scar-faced man turned to the shop and shouted: "Boss Xie has a poor memory, brothers, let him remember this!"

Stop! At this moment, a tall figure pushed through the crowd, his expression filled with anger; it was Hu Tailai.

The long-haired handsome man turned around in surprise and asked, "What’s wrong?" This thin man is well-known; he sells vegetables at the street market. Every time someone weighs their goods, he always covers the screen of the electronic scale with his hand and shouts, "Make sure to look, the scale is high, I’ll give you an extra two taels." As a result, he earned the nickname "Extra Two Taels."

Hu Tailai said: "Since that is the case, please invite your leader out."

Old Wang also looked at Old Li and said, "Is there such a regulation?"

Wang Xiaojun waved his hand, and at that moment, the iron door was kicked open again. A man with a sharp nose and a thin face grabbed the door frame, panting and shouting: "Is Xie... Xie Junjun here? Something has happened!"

"Kicking the door!" Wang Xiaojun caught onto his words, and he, feeling frustrated, grabbed his hair and said, "I can't believe someone has come to challenge me!"

Wang Xiaojun lamented, "It is clearly just a matter of causing trouble!"

Did not bring ... ...

Hu Tailai, with a flushed face, asked: "Is it appropriate?"

Old Li suddenly said, "Hold on!" He picked up the three-tube card and pressed it with both hands, "I win!" He collected the money from the three families, quickly moved a chair outside, placed it against the wall, and comfortably sat down. Only then did he say, "You all continue playing, I will just watch."

We are playing Mahjong! Before the words had left my mouth, three elderly men and a handsome young man swiftly settled back at the card table, their speed as if the scene had been cut by a director.

Wang Xiaojun said: "Let us not engage in pleasantries. I cannot gather the travel expenses for you, but I understand the rules. Although our Iron Palm Gang is virtually defunct, we cannot ignore the call for help in the jianghu. So, why don't you stay with me for a few days? As long as I have food to eat, I will not let you go hungry. You can then think of a way with your fellow brothers."

The apprentices all said: "I don't know, a group of people came up and just started hitting, without saying a word."

Xie Junjun's hair salon is located right next to Wang Xiaojun's Iron Palm Gang, and it is not simply called a hair salon; rather, it is named "Era Hair Art Styling Room." Xie Junjun has three formal apprentices and two assistants. Although they are referred to as apprentices, each possesses unique skills; some excel in cutting hair while others specialize in perming. Their craftsmanship is excellent, and the prices are reasonable. For the locals, this place is the top choice for hairstyling, and the business has always been thriving. This is why Xie Junjun can leisurely spend his days playing cards with the elderly.

The onlookers, upon witnessing such a peculiar method, began to voice their discontent, yet their voices were just barely contained, not reaching the ears of the scar-faced man

Hu Tailai said nervously: "At most three days, I will definitely come up with a solution"

The sound reverberated throughout the courtyard, and the people inside exchanged puzzled glances. The long-haired man, in a daze, said: "Oh, this is..."

Uncle Zhang suddenly said: "It seems I have heard something like this before."

Meanwhile, Wang Xiaojun finally found the business card left by Wang Honglu and was borrowing a phone from people around him

Wang Xiaojun dragged his feet to the door with a weighty step, akin to that of a death row inmate heading to the execution ground, and clung to the door frame, saying: "What... do you mean by this?"

And me! Uncle Zhang was not slow either, carrying a chair to sit next to Uncle Li. Following him were Uncle Wang and the long-haired man, three old men and a handsome young man sitting in a row by the wall, at first glance resembling a scene from "The Voice of China," where all the mentors were in need of you.

Old Man Li patted Wang Xiaojun on the back and said, "Hurry up, the head of the household."

Hu Tailai questioned, "Is there really such a regulation?"

Hu Tailai turned around and left: "Thus, I take my leave."

Before Hu Tai could say anything, Wang Daye said, "Don't be like that, Xiao Jun. Whatever you do, just shout it out. I see that your family's sign has been hanging for decades, and finally, someone has come knocking today. You can't back down—San Tong!" As he spoke, he threw a card into the pile.

Ah? Thank you, Junjun did not have time to say much and ran away.

Hu Tailai said: "Do not misunderstand, I sincerely come to seek advice, hoping to learn from the strengths and weaknesses of my fellow martial artists and make progress together"

There is nothing inappropriate, eh, can you cook

Wang Xiaojun hesitated and approached Hu Tailai, saying timidly: "Although our group is called the Iron Palm Gang, we have long since transformed it into a senior activity center. Why don't you try another place?"

Hu Tailai, seeing that no one responded, still held his fists and called out loudly: "May I ask who is in charge?"

"He has quite a temper," Wang Xiaojun muttered, quickening his pace to catch up with Hu Tailai. "Where are you planning to go next?"

"What are you looking for?" asked Old Man Li

Do you have any matters to attend to

Hu Tailai nodded: "I understand, I have received your intentions"

Wang Xiaojun expressed his deep gratitude, saying: "You are indeed my dear grandfather!"

Wang Xiaojun suddenly remembered something and exclaimed as if he had grasped a lifeline: "Wait, our Iron Palm Gang has rules—no one below the gang leader is allowed to engage in fights with others at will"

Hu Tailai, with a voice like a thunderous bell, said: "I am Hu Tailai of the Black Tiger Fist, here specifically to engage in a friendly exchange of skills with fellow practitioners. I hope you will not hesitate to impart your teachings."